"The camera's yours now—come down. It's hot carrying you around."
"I'm not getting down! The clutch pedal on your crappy RV is huge and hard. My legs are sore and aching!"
Lin Can glanced down at the pair of legs wrapped around his waist—definitely a solid pair of feet for working a clutch!
Still, he set her down and looked at her.
Qiao Meina's oversized jersey covered her short shorts, leaving only two long, fair legs exposed. Visually, it looked like she wasn't wearing any pants at all.
"What? Is there a bug on me or something? Don't scare your big sis."
Lin Can reached over, pinched the back of her jersey, and lifted it slightly—revealing the tight little shorts clinging to her peachy round butt.
"I noticed you felt heavier when I was carrying you. Your legs feel meatier. Those shorts are clearly a size too small—they're stretching over your butt."
"Are you calling me fat?!"
Now that summer break had started, Qiao Meina had loosened up on body management—eating, sleeping, not much exercise—and yeah, she'd put on a little weight. In this era where "skinny is beautiful," what Lin Can just said might as well have been a slap in the face. It was brutal.
"I didn't say you were fat. I think your figure's perfect right now. Too skinny doesn't look good. A little bit of softness is just right."
"Stop calling it softness! I don't like it! I have to lose weight—I'm going to be lightning-thin!"
"No way!"
"Why not? It's my body. I'll lose weight if I want to. What's it got to do with you?"
"Because I like you just like this—soft and curvy. A little more or a little less would ruin it. You're perfect now. If you dare lose weight, I won't help explain our situation to Auntie. You're on your own."
With that, Lin Can walked off to take some photos.
Qiao Meina clenched her molars hard enough to crack them.
Controlling my body just to please him? I can't even decide my own weight? Ugh— Losing it.
Their RV was parked at an eco-park built around a lake on the outskirts of town. Although remote, the scenery was beautiful and attracted both locals and RV enthusiasts for camping and fun.
Soon, a taxi pulled up by the road. Chu Qingning and the others got out with groceries and walked toward the camp.
"Qingning..." Qiao Meina ran over and hugged Chu Qingning. "Your Lin Can bullied me."
"What'd he do?"
"I asked him to carry me, and he said I was fat. Ahhh!"
Qiao Meina wasn't shy about it—after all, she and Lin Can weren't sneaking around behind Chu Qingning's back. It was just a 'sibling' road trip. Nothing inappropriate about a bit of playfulness.
Besides, carrying her wasn't a big deal.
He'd even taken Sister Youxi to pee once.
Ayi Re: "You are fat."
"Shut up! I wasn't talking to you." Qiao Meina snapped at Ayi Re and then burst into fake sobs. "It's bad enough he called me fat, but he won't let me diet! He wants to fatten me to death! Waaah~"
Chu Qingning swatted at Lin Can as he walked over. "You're even policing her diet? Don't you think that's a bit much?"
Lin Can: "Why diet? She's perfect the way she is. Stop chasing that bone-thin look. No dieting allowed."
Chu Qingning: "Honestly, Meina, your figure is really great right now. Don't lose weight."
At that, Qiao Meina instantly dropped her fake sobs, shoved Chu Qingning aside, and huffed, "You've changed. You don't stick up for me anymore. You're teaming up with Lin Can to bully me! Hmph~"
She turned to walk away, but doubled back to stomp on Lin Can's foot before heading to camp.
Girls are unpredictable. Qiao Meina could be sexy, playful, or childlike depending on the moment.
Miao Youxi handed a food bag to Lin Can. "Here. Your dear Qingning-jie was a little jealous, but when we saw sugar fritters at the market—and she remembered you liked them—she bought some for you."
"Qingning, you're the best. I got you something too..." Lin Can pulled out a flower crown made of wildflowers. "I made it myself."
Chu Qingning looked at the clumsily woven crown, and even though it was ugly, her heart melted a little. She knew Lin Can really liked her. And honestly, she liked him just as much.
He placed the crown on her head and snapped a photo.
"Do you like it?"
Chu Qingning smiled, linking arms with him. "Okay, let's go cook."
Miao Youxi, Ayi Re: "You made one for Qingning, and we get nothing? Aren't we your sisters too?"
"I made four! Everyone gets one! Hey hey hey—Qingning-jie, why'd you step on my foot? Wait up!"
Miao Youxi, Ayi Re: "Hahahaha~"
Back at the camp, Ayi Re washed the veggies, Miao Youxi chopped them, Chu Qingning cooked, Qiao Meina served the dishes, and Lin Can taste-tested. Together, they pulled off a team dinner.
Under the starry summer night sky, the lake reflected the RV lights. One guy and four girls sat around eating, laughing, chatting—soaking up the slow, easy vibe.
After dinner, Ayi Re washed the dishes, and soft-hearted Qiao Meina went to help.
Ayi Re: "Meina, you're my favorite~ mua~"
Qiao Meina: "Tch. That's not what you said when you were calling me fat earlier."
Ayi Re: "Geez, don't be so petty."
"Hey, you two—turn around."
"What for?"
They turned.
Click—
Lin Can snapped a photo of them washing dishes. "Life is about memories. Gotta capture all the little moments of this trip. It'll be special when we look back later."
Ayi Re: "Sigh... but once we graduate, we won't get chances to hang out like this."
Qiao Meina: "Yeah..."
They were only about to start sophomore year, but their bond was so strong, even graduation felt scary and far away.
"We could stick together after."
"What do you mean?"
Lin Can didn't explain. He went over to film Chu Qingning and Miao Youxi tidying up the outdoor chairs.
Take down the whole bestie squad... and we'll never be apart!
After the dishes were done, the five of them took a stroll around the lake, listening to frogs croak and cicadas sing.
Lin Can held hands with Chu Qingning, walking at the back of the group.
"Why so quiet?"
"Mmm… I was just thinking... maybe I used up all my lifetime luck just to meet you."
"Lifetime luck? That serious?"
"...What's that supposed to mean? Trying to dump me?"
"No, no!" Lin Can kissed her on the forehead. "Meeting you used up my lifetime luck too."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Meeting you was like opening Pandora's box. One pull, out comes a grasshopper. I didn't just get you—I got all three of your besties."
"Ugh—"
Up front, Ayi Re was eavesdropping on the couple's cheesy flirting and couldn't take it anymore. "Girls! Lin Can just called us grasshoppers! Unforgivable! Get him!"
Qiao Meina rolled up her sleeves: "I've been waiting for this. Let's go!"
Miao Youxi ran ahead, waving her arms: "Qingning, block him! Don't let him escape!"
Under the moonlight, beside the lake, four girls charged at Lin Can, hair flying.
If we're going to be this close—total party wipeout is the only way!
It was peak summer—hot and sticky. After all the running and roughhousing, everyone was drenched in sweat. They quickly returned to the RV and turned on the AC.
Lin Can looked down at his bruised arms. "Everything's great... except the tempers."
Ayi Re: "Who are you calling temperamental?"
Lin Can: "N-nobody! You misheard!"
He couldn't afford to offend anyone—four girls ganging up would be lethal.
Qiao Meina gulped down some water. "Whew. It's not easy to use water in the RV. Here's the plan—Qingning and I will shower first. Youxi, who are you showering with?"
The others in the RV burst into laughter.
Miao Youxi's face flushed. She glanced at Lin Can and smacked Qiao Meina. "Are you crazy? Who else would I shower with? Of course Ayi Re! She's driving me nuts!"
Chu Qingning: ...
So they're cracking jokes like this now—even with me right here?
Should I just leave?
Seriously tempted to slam these little witches to the ground and wrestle them senseless.
Qiao Meina and Chu Qingning grabbed their pajamas and headed to the bathroom. Miao Youxi and Ayi Re went to the back to get clothes.
"Can Can, come here. Youxi's suitcase is stuck and won't open."
"Coming."
Lin Can walked over.
Ayi Re and Miao Youxi were kneeling on the bed, struggling with a suitcase.
Miao Youxi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I stuffed too many clothes in—it won't open."
"Let me try." Lin Can tugged a few times.
"Well?"
"Tight."
"Use more force then."
"Okay."
With one strong pull, the zipper came open—pop! The suitcase burst, and shorts, bras, underwear, stockings, and schoolgirl skirts flew out everywhere.
Then—whump—everything went dark. Something soft and... sweet-smelling had landed on his face.
Ayi Re burst out laughing—it was a pink bra.
Miao Youxi, quick as lightning, snatched it away and scrambled to gather the scattered clothes.
Lin Can chuckled, went back to sit on the sofa, and watched as Qiao Meina and Chu Qingning came out of the bathroom in strappy nightgowns. Then Miao Youxi and Ayi Re went in.
Lin Can sighed contentedly. Isn't this the sweet life?
A little while later, Miao Youxi and Ayi Re came out, freshly bathed.
Lin Can: "All washed up now?"
Ayi Re: "What kind of wolf talk is that? Go shower—you stink."
"Alright." Lin Can went into the bathroom. As he reached for the showerhead—uh… hanging next to it was a bra. One look at the tiny size and he knew—it was Ayi Re's.
Sigh…
My dear Ayi Re. She's great at everything… just a little petite.
Looking down, he saw the washbasin was full of various styles of underwear.
With four girls in the RV, stuff like this was just… everywhere.
[Name: Lin Can]
[Status: Sometimes, even smell can be a form of healing. While the girls are outside doing skincare, you're alone in the bathroom. Why not be bold—reach out and use your sensitive nose to...]
You beast! How could a sunny, wholesome boy like me even think of doing something so pervy?
"I forgot my towel. Qingning-jie, can you pass me one?"
"I'm doing a face mask—just use mine."
"Which one's yours?"
"Ugh, I forgot. They're all new. Just grab one."
"Alright..."
Lin Can looked at the towels hanging on the door. He didn't know which was Chu Qingning's—but he immediately spotted Qiao Meina's.
Because—he'd used it before at her place! So soft, so fragrant—his favorite.
On the sofa, the four girls sat in their strappy nightgowns, doing skincare. No matter what cute or pure style they wore during the day, once they bathed and changed into lacey sleepwear, there was only one style left—sensual, womanly charm.
Creaaak—
The bathroom door opened. Lin Can came out in just a pair of shorts, toweling off his face.
Qiao Meina instantly recognized the towel in his hand. Oh no—he really used the one I wipe my butt with!
She didn't dare say anything—if Chu Qingning found out, she'd blow a fuse!
Chu Qingning grabbed a T-shirt and tossed it at him.
"What are you, an exhibitionist? Put something on."
Using your body to seduce us again?
Still, Chu Qingning knew exactly how hot Lin Can's body was.
That night at the inn… it nearly killed her.
Ayi Re stood up with a mischievous grin. "Alright, now that everyone's all clean… time to get down to business with our one and only man."
Everyone else: ???