Chapter 42: The Pesky Little Sister-in-law

"Mao Mao's brother-in-law, you don't want to take me with you, do you?"

Na Zha spoke carefully, constantly watching Chen Ci's reaction.

Nonsense, Chen Ci certainly didn't want to take Na Zha out.

If it were just temporarily looking after Na Zha for Xiao Tong, feeding her and keeping her company around town would of course be no problem.

But now Chen Ci is going on a long trip; what's it supposed to mean for a grown man to bring along a young lady?

Although Na Zha is cute, she's at an awkward age—you can't even touch her, and she's totally a burden.

Moreover, with Na Zha around, Chen Ci has to be extremely careful with every word and deed, otherwise she'll turn around and tell Xiao Tong, which is like carrying a listening device.

"Mao Mao's brother-in-law, if you don't like it, I can go alone…"

The little girl lowered her head pitifully, her voice growing softer as she spoke, as if tears would fall any second.

Chen Ci let out a soft sigh and spoke in the gentlest tone he could manage:

"How could I not? Na Zha, you're so adorable—if I didn't like you, why would I have given you a bag?"

As soon as the bag was mentioned, Na Zha suddenly perked up—is this "bag cures all ills"?

Chen Ci continued: "If you like the bag, I'll give you another one when we get back."

"Huh?" Na Zha lifted her little face in an instant, her gloom swept away, skies clearing: "Really, Mao Mao's brother-in-law?"

For a moment, Chen Ci wondered if this girl had come prepared.

But given her acting skills, even ten years from now she couldn't possibly pull off such a superb performance.

"I never lie."

"The bag just lied to me…"

"Cough cough~"

The little lass still held a grudge, so Chen Ci tried to change the subject: "Na Zha, don't call me Mao Mao's brother-in-law in front of outsiders."

Na Zha widened her bewildered eyes: "Ah, why?"

"My relationship with your Mao Mao sister is a bit complicated—not what you think."

"Did you two break up?"

"Pretty much, I guess."

"Was it Mao Mao sister who dumped you, or you who dumped her?"

"I…"

Chen Ci suddenly regretted bringing up the topic…

In the afternoon, the sunlight was just right.

It was still the familiar Capital International Airport, with Na Zha striding ahead, head high and full of confidence.

She wore a light beige windbreaker, left unbuttoned.

Her movements were swift and flamboyant, naturally drawing many passersby's gazes.

She didn't mind being stared at, since a pair of large brown-tinted sunglasses perched on her petite nose bridge.

Na Zha's face isn't large to begin with, so the sunglasses covered half of it.

In the end, Chen Ci grabbed her, and Na Zha turned around in surprise: "Mao Mao's brother-in-law, what's wrong?"

"Don't call me…"

Chen Ci reached out to point at her, then thought better of it and lowered his hand: "Are you sure you want to wear this windbreaker? It's hot in the south right now."

"I'm not afraid."

Na Zha still smiled like a flower, the sunglasses reflecting the sunlight.

This windbreaker, needless to say, is another item from Chen Ci's mother's collection.

When Chen Ci was packing his luggage, it turned up by accident; Na Zha saw it and then couldn't pry it away.

It's a bit large, mainly because Na Zha is so thin that wearing it feels like a cloak.

"Na Zha, what did you promise me before we left?"

"I… I will listen to Mao Mao's brother-in-law in everything, no talking back…"

"Don't call me… you win, do as you please."

Chen Ci gave up, feeling both annoyed and amused, but Na Zha beat him to it, giggling as she hugged his arm.

"Don't be angry, Mao Mao's brother-in-law, I'm just used to calling you that…"

Sometimes Chen Ci truly wondered whether this girl was genuinely stupid or just pretending.

Unable to help himself, Chen Ci ruffled Na Zha's hair: "Go wait for me in the departure lounge; I'll go check out the bookstore."

These days, electronic devices aren't allowed on planes, so Chen Ci went to find something to pass the time.

"Mm-hmm!"

Na Zha nodded eagerly; Chen Ci was still puzzled when she quickly turned and said: "VIP, first class…"

"Eh~"

Chen Ci shook his head with a faint smile, watching Na Zha go.

He suddenly didn't want to go to the bookstore; with this girl along, the trip surely wouldn't be boring…

Not long after, Chen Ci met up with Na Zha in the VIP lounge.

When he saw her, the girl was chatting animatedly with the female ground staff nearby.

She was actually lively and outgoing, not at all shy.

Na Zha also spotted Chen Ci and hurriedly said: "Sis, I won't talk to you anymore—my brother-in-law's here."

Chen Ci frowned upon hearing that, feeling something was off. m.

The ground staff rose from a half-crouch and gave Chen Ci a smiling nod.

The smile is very nice, unfortunately it's only limited to this.

Bringing Na Zha, there couldn't be any story happening along the way.

"Mao Mao's brother-in-law, what is this?"

Na Zha pointed at the book in Chen Ci's hand; the cover showed a person gazing up at a huge planet, with the words "Three Body" below.

Chen Ci also didn't expect to find this book in a bookstore.

However, it seems incomplete; a thin volume, mostly illustrations, not an officially published edition, likely a "single volume" issued by a magazine.

"This is a good thing, something that can calm you down."

Na Zha pursed her little lips, as if saying: "Really? I don't believe it."

Chen Ci gave a faint smile: "You'll find out soon..."

Half an hour later, the plane still hadn't taken off, and Na Zha was leaning against Chen Ci, snoring loudly.

Chen Ci lowered the cold air and draped his windbreaker over her.

A flight attendant came over to ask if they wanted a blanket, but Chen Ci politely declined with a shushing gesture.

He turned to look at Na Zha's peaceful, sweet sleeping face, couldn't help but shake his head and smile: "Little rascal, it seems Big Liu is reliable after all, handling the little girl is as easy as play."

"Three Body" volume one is inherently the most soporific installment of the series.

With Na Zha's pitifully little knowledge and scientific literacy, being able to understand it would be strange.

Chen Ci examined her closely; indeed, the sleeping Na Zha is a good Na Zha.

Beautiful and tranquil, and she wouldn't even call herself sister-in-law.

Chen Ci didn't dislike the title; after all, who wouldn't want such a pretty sister-in-law?

But the problem is, his brother-in-law title is nominal; once Na Zha calls him that, many romantic prospects are cut off.

Moreover, if certain people heard it, the consequences would be unimaginable.

For example, Da Mi Mi...

Chen Ci suddenly realized that he hadn't spoken to Da Mi Mi in a few days.

Both busy, their daily phone chats gradually turned into text-message greetings.

This can't go on; Chen Ci knows the dangers of a long-distance relationship, so he pulls out his phone...

The flight attendant timely reminded in his ear: "Sir, the plane is about to take off; please turn off your phone and other electronic devices."

"Okay, right away..."

"Sir, the plane is about to take off; please turn off..."

"What's wrong, Mao Mao's brother-in-law?"

Na Zha was awakened by the commotion here, slowly opened her eyes, and looked at Chen Ci with a dazed expression.

Chen Ci also wore a helpless expression; everything was fate, he turned off his phone in front of the flight attendant, and gained another sweet smile.

"Nothing, Na Zha, keep sleeping."

Na Zha was still a bit groggy, but her sleepy eyes were genuine: "Okay... I want brother-in-law to tell me a story..."