Chapter 178: Mature Sister

Although Scarlett spoke very firmly, she never mentioned what method she would use to help Andrew complete his application for off-campus residency.

She spent her days rushing between the school office and her study at home to handle preparations for the new semester, so Andrew didn’t want to bother her.

After a few uneventful days following the Lantern Festival, the official registration day arrived.

Andrew and Ethan were both summoned to the office by their counselor, Suzanne.

Suzanne had already moved to a new office, and the large shared office space was now filled with other counselors.

Previously, she and Scarlett had shared an office because the school needed to expand and renovate, leading to a shortage of available offices. That was why they had been assigned to share one.

At this moment, quite a few students were standing inside the spacious office, all of them there to change or be reassigned to different dormitories.

"Ethan, you need to move to a new dormitory. Try to finish packing today and move in. You must be settled in by tomorrow at the latest."

"Okay."

After confirming Ethan’s dormitory change, Suzanne sent him off to pack, then called Andrew over.

Suzanne looked at Andrew and couldn’t help falling silent. She knew about his relationship with Scarlett and guessed that he definitely wouldn’t want to live in the dorms, but she was merely following orders.

"Sister Scar should have told you about the dormitory assignment, right? Do you know the conditions for applying for off-campus residency?"

"I know."

"Since you know, then fill out a form here with me first. Tomorrow, have your parents take the form to the Dean’s office and explain the situation."

Suzanne assumed Andrew was fully prepared, so she explained the procedure simply and clearly.

Unexpectedly, Andrew offered an awkward explanation. "Although I know, something urgent has come up with my parents, and they can’t make it."

"Ah? Then did Sister Scar tell you what to do?" Suzanne asked in surprise.

Andrew shook his head. "Scarlett has been very busy recently, so I haven’t really asked her."

"But you must apply for off-campus residency within the next two days. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until next semester."

After thinking briefly, Suzanne still handed Andrew the off-campus residency application form.

"Fill this out first. Then I’ll submit it to the Dean. As for the rest, you’ll have to figure out a solution yourself. If it truly doesn’t work out, you’ll have to live in the dorms."

"Okay, thank you, Counselor."

Andrew filled out the two application forms, took one with him, and left the office.

As soon as he stepped outside, he bumped into Ethan around the corner, startling him so much that he jumped.

"Hiss! What the heck are you doing?"

"I was waiting for you. What else would I be doing? Your brother gets a girlfriend, and he can’t even wait for you for a moment, right?"

"Couldn’t you wait in the hallway instead of standing right around the corner and nearly scaring me to death?"

Andrew grumbled speechlessly, then followed Ethan downstairs.

"Never mind. I’m free anyway, so I’ll help you move into the dorms."

While moving luggage, Ethan suddenly asked Andrew, "What are you planning to do now? Are you going to live on campus?"

"Of course not. I’m living just fine with Scarlett. Why would I live in the dorms?" Andrew replied casually.

"So your parents are coming to Blackthorn tomorrow?"

"No, they have things to attend to."

"Then what are you going to do?"

"I don’t know, but I’m definitely not living on campus."

Even without knowing the solution, Andrew was certain he wouldn’t live in the dorms.

At that moment, Ethan turned to Andrew and said mockingly, "Why don’t I go with you? I’ll pretend to be your dad."

"Idiot."

"Speaking of which, isn’t your sister also in Blackthorn? Just have her pretend to be your mom. Wouldn’t that work?"

"Is your mom only two years older than you?"

"I think so. In that case, it would be better to have Scarlett pretend to be your mom."

"..."

Sometimes, good brothers only came up with terrible ideas.

Andrew had already made up his mind: if there was truly no other way, he would pretend to return to the school dorms and move some things in, but he would still go back to the rental house at night.

At worst, he could give the dorm supervisor a little something to turn a blind eye.

He wasn’t short on money anymore, anyway. While he wasn’t a super-rich tycoon, pulling out a few hundred thousand wasn’t an issue.

After helping Ethan move into his dorm, Andrew returned home to prepare dinner.

On the first day of school, Scarlett still had to attend meetings, so she returned very late. Catherine had already cycled back from the Medical University to the residential complex, but Scarlett hadn’t arrived yet.

"Little Brother, have you and Scarlett figured out a solution yet?"

"No, Scarlett just told me not to worry because she has a way."

"Okay."

Catherine didn’t press further. Instead, she started talking to Andrew about the bottle of alcohol she had secretly drunk during the winter break.

"Little Brother, help me keep an eye out and see if you can buy that commemorative-edition Moutai."

"Uh... where am I supposed to find that for you?"

"Just keep an eye out for me. Buy it secretly, and then pay Dad back."

Hearing this, Andrew’s pupils contracted slightly.

"Sis, be honest. How much money have you secretly stashed away?"

"Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed," Catherine replied, raising an eyebrow.

Just then, Scarlett came through the door, looking completely exhausted.

Seeing this, Andrew immediately grabbed the chopsticks to serve dinner.

After dinner, Catherine went back to her own place. After resting for a while, Andrew and Scarlett took turns showering.

Before going to bed, Andrew finally couldn’t help asking Scarlett one more time.

"Teacher, what about the off-campus residency application tomorrow?"

"You don’t need to worry. I have a way. I’m a bit tired today, so I’m going to sleep now. You should rest early too."

"Oh."

Andrew watched Scarlett enter the bedroom and close the door, after which there was no further movement.

He still didn’t know what method Scarlett had mentioned.

"Forget it. Scarlett said she has a way, so she definitely has a way. I should go to sleep first."

...

The next day, Andrew was still fast asleep when Scarlett patted his cheek to wake him up.

"Little Fellow, wake up. Stop sleeping. Get up and come to school with me."

Andrew was a bit dazed after being woken up.

"Huh? What’s wrong?"

He groggily rubbed his eyes and sat up in bed. Andrew was just about to check the time when his gaze immediately froze.

He saw that Scarlett, standing before him, was wearing an outfit completely different from her usual attire.

She was wearing a beige, form-fitting sweater that fully accentuated her curves. On the bottom, she wore tight black trousers, with a beige coat draped over her shoulders. Her long black hair was tucked behind her ears, giving her the air of a mature, intellectual woman.

"What’s wrong with you? Are you not feeling well?"

Scarlett looked at the stunned Andrew, thinking he must have stayed up too late the previous night and was feeling unwell.

The next moment, Andrew snapped back to reality and repeatedly shook his head.

"No, no! It’s just that, Teacher, you look very beautiful dressed like this. I was just staring blankly."

Scarlett smiled upon hearing his answer, leaned slightly closer, and kissed Andrew on the cheek.

"Alright, Little Fellow, hurry up and get up. It’s almost eight o’clock. If you like seeing me like this, I can dress like this for you every day."

"Teacher, why are you dressed like this today?" Andrew couldn’t help asking Scarlett while washing up and brushing his teeth.

"What’s wrong? Do I look strange?" Scarlett tossed her long hair and stood behind Andrew, observing herself in the mirror.

After rinsing his mouth, Andrew turned around and explained, "It’s not strange. It’s just very different from your usual outfits when you go out."

Usually, Scarlett would wear a down jacket and a pair of thick black pants, an extremely plain outfit.

But today, Scarlett was clearly dressed up specially, exuding an air of intellectual maturity.

This was different from the beautiful impression she gave when wearing lighter clothes before. Today, there was a trace of authority mixed in, making Andrew see her as simply beautiful, without any other thoughts.

Hearing Andrew’s words, Scarlett’s lips curved upward, and she replied with a light laugh, "That’s because I’m taking you to apply for off-campus housing today."

"Ah? Just you taking me?"

"Mhm, who else did you want?" Scarlett asked, raising an eyebrow slightly as she looked at Andrew.

"No, it’s just that... will Dean agree to this?"

"Don’t worry. Stop overthinking it."

As Scarlett spoke, she picked up a towel and wiped Andrew’s face. "I said it’s possible, so it is possible."

"Oh, then I’ll wash my face myself."

Andrew reached out to take the towel, but just as he pulled it away, Scarlett cupped his face with both hands, pulled him closer, and kissed him once.

"???"

Andrew blinked in confusion, not knowing why Scarlett had suddenly kissed him.

"Alright, hurry up and finish washing and changing. I’ll wait for you at the door."

"Oh... Oh."

Andrew nodded, still a bit dazed.

Then he pursed his lips, feeling happy inside but mostly confused.

"Didn’t she already kiss me once when I woke up?"

Scarlett, walking toward the door, also pursed her lips somewhat reluctantly. "Heh, a mint-flavored little mouth."

Her kiss just now had been a sudden impulse, without any particular reason, she had simply felt like kissing him.

If she hadn’t needed to go to work and been so busy running around these days, she would have loved to hug Andrew and kiss him from morning till night.