Hoshino Airi had lost count of how many times she had watched this anime, yet she wasn’t bored in the slightest.
On the contrary, she became more and more addicted to it.
It wasn’t because of the forbidden sibling romance plot, but rather because she was completely immersed in the bond between the brother and sister.
Before she knew it, she had finished the entire series again, yet she still wanted more.
Next, she clicked on another anime, *Eromanga Sensei*, and continued watching.
“Brother… Brother…”
Accompanied by rapid breathing, Hoshino Airi’s eyes grew hazy.
She squeezed her legs together, her lips murmuring softly.
*Beep beep—*
Just as she was immersed in the scene, her phone suddenly let out a notification sound, making her whole body shudder.
“Ah!”
Seeing a message pop up, Hoshino Airi hurriedly closed the video in a panic and clicked on the messaging app.
Even through a screen, a wave of shame surged in her heart.
She probably didn’t even realize that this behavior already classified her as having a “brother complex!”
Seeing that the message was from Gu Chen, she took a deep breath.
‘What?’
The message said there was a lead regarding her brother.
Suddenly filled with anticipation, she couldn’t wait and dialed an internet call immediately.
“Is this Gu Chen? I’m sorry to bother you so late. You just said you have news about my brother—is it true?”
Hoshino Airi couldn’t suppress her excitement, perhaps due to the anime she had just been watching.
“Yeah. It’s just a lead, though. I wouldn’t call it news yet.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m very grateful for any lead at all.”
On his end, Gu Chen could tell that she really wanted to find out about her brother.
Gu Chen told her the information he had gotten from his dad to see if Hoshino Airi could find anything out.
“A lock serial number?”
Hearing this, her expression turned blank.
Clearly, she didn’t know anything about it.
However, she still expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you for the help, Gu Chen. Tell you what, let me treat you to dinner another day.”
“No need to be so polite. I’m just providing a direction. Besides, I’ve got some things to deal with over the next two days, so I can’t get away.”
“Alright then. Let me know whenever you’re free.”
Hoshino Airi didn’t push and agreed to do it another time.
“My brother’s birthday?”
She pulled up a photo on her phone and murmured to herself.
***
The Next Day
**[Latest News: Yesterday, police broke up a local criminal gang. Core members Wu, Zhang, and others have been detained, and the case is currently under trial.]**
Gu Chen sat cross-legged on the bed in the special care unit.
Looking at the local news playing on the screen across from him, he was also quite surprised.
By now, the injuries on his body didn’t hurt much anymore.
He had undergone all sorts of checkups and was perfectly healthy—he didn’t even have “gynecological issues.”
He was going to apply for discharge soon; he really didn’t want to stay in this place anymore.
Gu Chen leaned against the headboard and scrolled through short videos.
As a result, they were all recommendations for cemeteries, coffins, and legal consultations for inheritance.
This damn big data was truly powerful!
Just because he was in a special care unit didn’t mean they had to introduce this stuff to him so quickly.
If someone were actually half-dead, they would probably be fumed to death on the spot…
“Yo, you seem to be in high spirits.”
While he was bored, Li Yanqiu pushed open the door and walked into the ward.
Having been busy all night, her face carried a hint of exhaustion.
She was currently carrying a fruit basket, not forgetting to check on him.
“Hello, Teacher Li.”
Gu Chen greeted her with a smile.
His eyes swept over her outfit today: a simple long-sleeved top and tight, calf-length jeans.
Even so, they couldn’t hide her incredible figure.
She was truly a woman of “femme fatale” proportions.
“How are you feeling?”
Li Yanqiu placed the fruit basket on the table and pulled a chair over to sit by the bed, her face still full of worry.
“I’ve been fine for a while now. It’s just some superficial wounds. After resting for two days, I’ll be as fit as a fiddle,” Gu Chen said, specifically lifting his injured arm to show her.
“Hey, don’t move around! What if the wound opens up?”
Seeing this, Li Yanqiu was startled and gave him an angry warning.
Gu Chen quickly stopped, afraid of upsetting her.
Only after seeing that he was indeed fine did Li Yanqiu’s expression soften a bit.
“If you don’t like staying here, you can be discharged this afternoon.”
Li Yanqiu could tell that Gu Chen didn’t like being in the hospital, so her tone turned gentler.
“Great, got it.”
Gu Chen nodded repeatedly.
Only then did he ask about the main business.
He had been too tired last night, and aside from messaging Hoshino Airi, he didn’t know what had happened with Wang Meng.
“Don’t worry, she’s fine. She was just a bit shaken up. After giving her statement, she went back to school to rest.”
“Wu Peng and his lot have also been rounded up; they won’t get away. Once they wake up, they’ll be taken for interrogation. Don’t worry, I’ll make those guys pay the price!”
Li Yanqiu gave a brief overview of what happened last night, her eyes unable to hide her anger.
“That guy took my Deadly Scissor Kick and they actually managed to save him? He really is a tank,” Gu Chen couldn’t help but exclaim.
That defense was comparable to an ultimate boss.
If he had been tossed around like that, even ten lives wouldn’t have been enough.
“Alright, alright, Teacher Li, why are you still angry? I’m fine, aren’t I? Trust me, I’m tough. The King of Hell wouldn’t dare take me.”
Gu Chen didn’t know why his homeroom teacher was so particularly emotional about his injuries, to the point where he had to be the one to calm her down.
But the more he spoke, the more upset Li Yanqiu seemed to get.
Before he could say much more, her eyes actually started to turn red, leaving him completely at a loss.
‘It’s not that serious, is it?’
However, in the next second, she stood up.
She suddenly turned her back to him, and he had no idea what she was planning to do.
“Teacher Li, what do you mean by this?”
Gu Chen blinked.
Was she angry?
“…”
“Gu Chen, I’m sorry. It’s my fault for not protecting you. How about this… you can hit my butt to vent your anger.”
Li Yanqiu paused, biting her lip.
After thinking for a long time, she didn’t know how else to apologize, so she struck a pose like she was about to face a heroic execution.
“What!?”
Gu Chen’s jaw nearly hit the floor.
He didn’t understand what kind of stunt she was pulling now.
From his perspective, this was truly bizarre.
Li Yanqiu was just his homeroom teacher, not a personal bodyguard.
Did she really need to “plead for punishment” just because something happened?
Yet, his eyes still landed on the curve of her full backside.
Under the outline of the jeans, the lines were perfect and tight.
It was as tempting as a peach.
Even though he had become a girl, he still couldn’t quite handle it.
In his excitement, he felt his wounds throb slightly.
“Ahem, according to the rules, an apology should involve showing your chest, right?”
Gu Chen coughed twice to ease the awkwardness.
He found an excuse to decline and continued to joke around with a grin.
“Do you want me to strip naked for you to admire?”
Li Yanqiu, who had been quite sad, was suddenly speechless.
She crossed her arms and spoke gloomily.
“I mean, sure, but we shouldn’t go too far. Leaving your magical panties on is fine,” Gu Chen nodded, speaking with a straight face.
“You’re looking for death!”
Li Yanqiu gritted her teeth and clenched her fists, instantly flaring up in anger.
“I’m just joking! Don’t be mad.”
Gu Chen shrunk his neck back, not daring to push it too far.
Seeing the deep concern in her eyes, however, he still felt a sense of warmth.
same chapter as the last one