Zhong Jiarui reluctantly made a choice among the several fairy tales he found on his phone, and one of them jumped out and started telling stories.

However, to be fair, compared to Gu Tingxiao and Helian Min, Zhong Jiarui's storytelling skills are really... well, let's just say they're not great.

However, Xiao An wasn't picky at all. She held her little face and listened with great interest. Next to her, Zhong Jiayi, who was holding a comic book, also listened to the fairy tale.

I don't understand what's so good about this kind of story...

After listening for half a while, Zhong Jiayi began to dislike Xiao Anman's hobby.

It's not even as good as his comics.

Although she was internally criticizing him so harshly, Liang Jingjing, who was sitting next to Xiao Anman, listened quietly because the storyteller was her older brother. It was the first time she had ever been with Zhong Jiarui in this way.

Zhong Jiarui, who was holding his breath, finished telling the story.

"...Alright, you should go to sleep now."

Just telling a story to his son felt more strenuous than doing ten physical training exercises.

Fortunately, they've finished talking.

The guest room arranged for Xiao Anman was right next to Zhong Jiayi's.

Just as Zhong Jiarui was leading Xiao Anman to her room, a huge, beautiful beam of light ripped through the sky, instantly illuminating the room as if it were daytime.

Sitting on the bed covered with a blanket, Zhong Jiayi unconsciously gripped the blanket tightly, her ten fingers digging into the corners until her fingertips turned white.

"Hey, you silly goose, I have some toys here, do you want to play with them?"

His face began to turn pale again, but because his voice remained calm, Zhong Jiarui didn't think that he was trying to persuade Xiao Anman to stay because he was afraid.

Holding her tall, handsome brother's hand, Xiao Anman turned her head and asked, "Sparkling, do you still want to play?"

From Zhong Jiayi's current perspective, Xiao Anman and Zhong Jiarui seem more like a family, while he seems like an outsider, excluded by them.

Because of her fear, Zhong Jiayi got stuck in a rut and didn't even realize the change in her mind.

After all, he's still young. Even adults might not be able to control themselves when it comes to this kind of thing, let alone a little kid like him.

"Um, so, are you coming or not?"

"Snap—"

Another bolt of lightning illuminated the sky.

Zhong Jiayi's face turned pale again the moment the lightning struck.

Feeling that something was off about Liang Jingjing, Xiao An hesitated for a moment before deciding to stay and say goodbye to Zhong Jiarui.

The moment Zhong Jiarui left and the door closed, Zhong Jiayi, clutching the blankets with both hands and her fingertips turning white, almost lost control of her body and tried to run into the closet.

Fortunately, Xiao An managed to climb up.

Heave-ho, heave-ho, we've climbed up!

"Liangjingjing, why is your face so pale? And your hands are so cold?"

Upon touching Zhong Jiayi's hand, Xiao Anman frowned and asked.

Is it because it's too cold now?

But she didn't feel cold.

"I'm fine, I'll be alright in a little while."

Normally, Zhong Jiayi would have shaken off the hand on the back of his hand, but now it was already difficult for him to control his body from trembling.

He didn't know why he had inexplicably wanted to keep her there.

Although Zhong Jiayi said he was fine, he didn't look like he was alright at all.

Especially after two minutes, there were bursts of thunder and lightning outside.

At this point, Zhong Jiayi could no longer control her fear.