"Huh?"
Gu Wanqing froze, her first thought being that she might be bothering Lin Shen by staying.
After all, her sister had broken up with him, which meant she had no connection to him anymore.
They were practically strangers.
'Strangers living together…'
"That wouldn't be right, would it?"
Gu Wanqing said, a little reserved.
"My sister hurt you so badly. You must hate me, right?"
"I've only heard of love for one person extending to another, never hate,"
Lin Shen said with a light chuckle.
"Why would I involve you in your sister's business? You two are separate individuals. Her mistakes don't mean you're in the wrong. There's no need to blame yourself."
"Of course, it's just a suggestion. The decision is up to you,"
Lin Shen added.
He asked Gu Wanqing to stay without a single inappropriate thought.
He simply felt it wasn't safe for a young girl like her, who knew nothing and was in Modu for the first time, to stay out by herself.
Even though it was a society ruled by law, he couldn't help but worry.
It was like the care an older brother has for his younger sister.
'That's right!'
Lin Shen had long since started to think of Gu Wanqing as his own little sister. He had even met her and Gu Wanting's parents.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they had been discussing marriage.
Unfortunately, their three-year relationship was cut short when someone else swooped in.
Although he was furious, Lin Shen wouldn't drag other people into it. That would make him seem too resentful.
Now that he had the "cracked version" of the app, he was the happiest person in the world.
Following the principle that the happier person should be the bigger person, his best course of action was to let go of his awful past and welcome a bright, new future!
Besides, the moment Lin Shen saw Gu Wanqing dragging her suitcase, he instantly understood. Her original plan had been to rely on Gu Wanting and stay with her.
She seemed a little afraid of living alone, too. Everything she had just said was just her putting on a brave face out of politeness.
And he was right.
Gu Wanqing was incredibly conflicted.
If she didn't stay, she would have to spend the night alone in an unfamiliar hotel.
Just the thought of it was terrifying!
But if she did stay, it would seem like she was being inconsiderate.
Gu Wanqing was a well-behaved girl. Ever since she was young, she had been taught to be polite, humble, grateful, and to not trouble others lightly.
But...
Gu Wanqing bit her lip. She cutely twirled the left of her two pigtails that hung over her chest while her right hand, gripping the suitcase handle, tightened and loosened repeatedly.
After an intense internal struggle, she looked at Lin Shen tentatively.
"It... won't be too much trouble if I stay?"
"What's so troublesome about it?"
Lin Shen said, half-joking.
"Don't forget, your sister used to live here too. Since she's gone, you can just take her place."
"Oh, okay then."
Gu Wanqing let out a sigh of relief, clearly missing Lin Shen's teasing tone. She even gave him a sweet, grateful smile.
"Thank you, Brother-in-law!"
"You're still calling me Brother-in-law?"
"Oops!"
Gu Wanqing clasped her hands together, shaking them back and forth and making frantic, apologetic faces.
"I'm sorry, Brother-in-law... ah, no! I'm sorry, Shen! It's just a habit..."
"It's fine."
Lin Shen didn't mind what she called him.
In fact, compared to "Shen," he actually preferred being called "Brother-in-law."
'Sounds kind of thrilling!'
"How many days are you staying in Modu?"
"The plan is for four days!"
"Then you can take the master bedroom."
Lin Shen led Gu Wanqing to the master bedroom, and she looked around curiously.
The room's decor was cozy. Although there were many signs of life, it wasn't messy. On the contrary, it felt reassuring.
At least here, Gu Wanqing felt she wouldn't be afraid.
"There are fresh sheets and a duvet cover. I'll change them for you in a bit."
"What about you, Brother-in-law?"
"I'll sleep in the guest room."
"I should be the one to sleep in the guest room!"
Gu Wanqing turned to leave, but she suddenly heard Lin Shen's playful voice.
"Are you sure? I have quite a lot of... personal items in the guest room."
"On second thought, never mind!"
Gu Wanqing scurried back into the master bedroom, stuck out her tongue, and bowed to Lin Shen.
"I'll be in your care for the next few days, Brother-in-law!"
"No problem."
Lin Shen waved his hand dismissively.
"I'm going to take a shower. You can get settled in."
"Okay!"
Because of his workout, Lin Shen was still in his quick-dry shirt, which was covered in sweat.
He grabbed a change of clothes and went into the bathroom, muttering to himself internally.
'If I'd known, I wouldn't have thrown out Gu Wanting's toiletries.'
'Also, does this mean I can't walk around shirtless at home anymore?'
That part gave Lin Shen a headache.
But his innate kindness wouldn't let him make a young girl who had just become an adult stay outside alone over such a small matter.
'Gu Wanqing will definitely be safer living with me!'
Ten minutes later, Lin Shen, now dressed, left the bathroom and was stunned by the scene before him.
Gu Wanqing was actually cleaning the living room. Bustling about, she looked particularly diligent, and professional.
"What are you..."
"You're done with your shower, Brother-in-law?"
Gu Wanqing, who was wiping the table, straightened up, wiped the sweat from her forehead with her arm, and tilted her head in confusion.
"Didn't you tell me to tidy up a bit?"
"I meant for you to unpack your own luggage."
Lin Shen sighed and put a hand to his forehead.
"Not to clean my apartment for me."
"I can't do that!"
This time, Gu Wanqing's attitude was firm.
"I can't just freeload at your place, Brother-in-law, can I?"
Hearing this, Lin Shen muttered to himself.
'What the hell?!'
'How can two blood sisters be so completely different?'
Gu Wanting had lived here for two years, and she was too lazy to even tidy up her own clothes, let alone clean the apartment.
But now, it turned out her younger sister was the diligent one.
'Is this that legendary 'opposites' thing?'
"Put down the rag for a second."
Lin Shen called Gu Wanqing over and looked her up and down.
She had changed out of the dress she arrived in and was now wearing a loose black T-shirt and frayed denim shorts as loungewear.
Her slender, snow-white legs were exposed, so dazzling in the sunlight they made one's head spin.
The T-shirt was especially large, its hem completely covering her high-waisted shorts, making it look as if she wasn't wearing any pants at all.
This surprised Lin Shen.
Clearly, the size of these clothes didn't match Gu Wanqing's petite frame.
"Where did you get these clothes?"
"Um, well..."
Gu Wanqing's beautiful eyes darted everywhere except for Lin Shen's, clearly avoiding something.
He understood in an instant.
"Are you wearing your sister's clothes?"
"It's easy to get dirty while working, so I found some of my sister's leftover clothes to wear."
Gu Wanqing looked up at Lin Shen with a pitiful expression, wringing her hands in front of her.
"I'm sorry, Brother-in-law. I opened your closet without permission. I violated your privacy."
"That's nothing."
Lin Shen waved his hand.
"It's fine as long as you don't mind."
"How could I possibly mind wearing my sister's clothes?"
Seeing that Lin Shen wasn't blaming her, Gu Wanqing's face instantly lit up with a smile.
"Oh, right! I also found several strange uniforms, like a bunny girl outfit and a Christmas reindeer one. When did my sister get into cosplay?"