The Female Leads Truly Loves You - Chapter 317

Chapter 317: This is my courage for you
“Hey, Sam’s here! Oh… and the new girl!”

Selena’s sudden appearance effectively eased the slightly awkward situation Sam was in.

The eighth grader, dressed in a white sweater, had rosy cheeks and looked quite fresh and dewy. Although she was only a year younger than Ava, the difference between them was quite noticeable due to their height and backgrounds. Ava, appearing more mature and poised, seemed more like a high school student. Despite her youthful appearance, she didn’t come off as naively innocent.

Selena, on the other hand, seemed naturally clueless and childish, still shedding her youthful naivety. Girls her age seemed unaware of the instinctual competition that often exists among those of the same gender.

This kind of emotion is normal and doesn’t need anyone’s guidance; it happens naturally in the wild, though it’s more common among males.

“This is Sam’s sister, Ava. She’s a grade above you.”

“Wow, only one grade? But she looks so tall!”

Selena expressed her amazement, looking enviously at Ava, who sat there with a poised posture, appearing even taller than her sister.

Ava looked curiously at the younger girl and whispered to Sam beside her.

“She has a sister?”

“Cousin. Her name is Selena, a very innocent girl.”

“I see… Well, she’s definitely more pleasant to look at than her sister.”

Sam suspected that Ava would find even Biscuit more pleasant than looking at Angel.

Selena’s arrival certainly livened up the atmosphere, as she was oblivious to the underlying tensions and simply chattered away, allowing everyone else to just watch and listen without needing to speak. This gave Sam a rare moment of relaxation.

Nothing unexpected happened until dinner time.

Watching the servants clear the table, Celeste smiled at Ava.

“How was it, Ava? The food was alright, wasn’t it?”

Despite feeling a bit odd about this mature woman, Ava couldn’t find any faults and politely responded.

“Yes, it was very good. Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Celeste.”

Celeste looked at the girl.

“Your brother calls me Godmother, and you call me Mrs. Celeste. Isn’t that a bit strange?”

It was clear she wanted Ava to consider her a godmother too.

Sam was puzzled. If taking him as a godson had some personal motive, why extend the same to his sister? He couldn’t believe Celeste hadn’t met other beautiful and talented girls before. Did she want to make all of them her goddaughters? That didn’t make sense.

“What should I call you then?”

Ava seemed a bit confused.

Sam felt a sense of foreboding as he heard her question.

Sure enough, Celeste smiled and said.

“You could call me Godmother too.”

Just as he suspected.

Still harboring that motive, although Sam didn’t know exactly why, he didn’t think it was for anything good.

Perhaps this was Celeste’s way of creating a natural bond to use Ava against him.

Like a hostage, tying his entire life to this family with no freedom or dignity, possibly sacrificing both their lives.

But then again, how many could refuse such an offer from the current head of the Angel family, a position many could only dream of?

And with Ava’s personality and age, she might not be able to refuse.

No way.

No matter what, Sam had to refuse for Ava.

He was about to speak when Ava beat him to it.

“Ah… maybe not, sorry.”

To his surprise, and not just his, Celeste and Angel also looked astonished, not expecting this girl to refuse.

Celeste blinked, then turned to Sam.

“Did your brother tell you to say that?”

Blaming me? So you think I’m always scheming, huh?

Ava shook her head.

“It was my own decision.”

“May I ask why?”

Celeste was genuinely curious.

Young kids’ thoughts are hard to predict, filled with naive fantasies. Yet, most can’t resist the lure of money. Ava’s quick refusal was puzzling.

Ava looked at Celeste normally.

“Because then I’d have to call her older sister, right? I don’t want that.”

Everyone was taken aback by her response.

Sam didn’t know whether to laugh or wipe the sweat from his brow. What a misunderstanding! He thought his sister had suddenly become aware of something serious, but it was for such a trivial reason?

Celeste couldn’t help but laugh.

“So that’s it… Angel, it seems your popularity isn’t that great.”

She even teased her own daughter.

Angel narrowed her eyes and smirked.

“No worries, I have ways to make her call me older sister.”

“Think again, that’s never happening, hmph!”

With her goal unmet, Celeste stood up.

“Ava, feel free to stay here for a few days until you return. Make yourself at home, don’t be a stranger. Someone’s alreadypreparing your room, you can head there later.”

“Ah… thank you.”

Ava had just refused her, but this time, the kindness seemed too difficult to reject, so she simply nodded.

As Celeste left, Sam breathed a sigh of relief. Despite the crowd, the situation was still manageable.

Angel also stood up, and Sam quickly followed suit, having something important to say before it was too late.

“I’ll go help her settle into her room, I’ll find you later.”

Angel frowned, clearly displeased.

“Do you two siblings enjoy annoying me?”

“What’s wrong? You asked her to stay here, and she’s not comfortable in new places, so I should stay with her for a bit.”

“So it’s my fault?”

“We could go back now if you prefer.”

“Don’t go back… just remember to come find me after you’re done.”

“Got it.”

Watching Angel leave, Sam finally relaxed.

Ava, looking worried, asked, “Brother, are you okay? Did I say something wrong?”

She was clearly more concerned about Sam’s situation, even if she was slow to notice the difficulties her brother faced in this family.

Sam shook his head, smiling as he tousled his sister’s hair.

“No, you did great. Some things we’ll talk about later, let’s go to your room first.”

“Okay…”

Ava was still puzzled as they entered the well-prepared guest room. Sitting on the edge of the bed, which was surprisingly comfortable for a guest room, she curiously looked at her brother.

“I didn’t cause you any trouble, did I? When Celeste asked me about becoming her goddaughter… everyone’s expressions were so strange.”

Sam smiled, taking her hand in his.

“You don’t need to worry about our expressions. Just do what you think is right. I can’t really tell you what’s correct either, as no one can really control their own life or someone else’s. But what we can do is live without regrets for every choice we make, so even if your reason was that, it’s still good because it’s what you wanted.”

Sam suddenly thought, what if she wanted to become Celeste’s goddaughter? How would he stop her?

It seemed now that he didn’t need to interfere much, except for obvious dangers. Any choice was her life, and his overprotection would only restrict her, which wasn’t a brother’s role.

“What about you, brother?”

She was still worried.

Sam blinked.

“What about me?”

Ava awkwardly said, “It just seems… you’re so cautious here, it’s unnatural… I’m worried about you.”

It seemed to Ava that Sam was like a bird trapped in a cage, ensnared by wealth, losing his freedom.

Though it looked that way, and it almost was, Sam squeezed her tender hand.

“Don’t worry about me. Trust me, your brother will live well and with dignity. What you see now is nothing; it’s just the beginning.”

“Really?”

“Do you trust me?”

“Of course, I do!”

Ava always claimed not to believe his tall tales, but when it came to the big issues, he was her most reliable person.

Put it this way. Even if Sam were to stab her in the heart himself, she’d believe it was for her own good and never question why.

Sam nodded.

“That’s all that matters.”

But Ava still looked worried.

“If… if it really gets too tough for you, we could go back to Cedarwood, couldn’t we? Live there peacefully… even if it’s not as glamorous as Kuhang, I’ll always be with you.”

Sam smiled.

“Even if we go back, that won’t be for a long time. Don’t worry, my situation isn’t as dangerous as you think. Just focus on your competition tomorrow, and I promise you, I’ll be safe and dignified here in Kuhang.”

“Okay… I trust you.”

Ava nodded firmly, perhaps feeling the strength from his hand.

Or maybe it was his gaze that always reassured her.

She didn’t know that to Sam, Ava was one of the few girls he could confide in.

Sharing his thoughts with her didn’t just lighten his load; it genuinely gave him confidence.

Where that confidence came from, he wasn’t sure.

But since her arrival in Kuhang, he realized he needed to accelerate his plans to conquer the female leads.

Hmm… starting with the toughest, the Heiress!

Sam stood up.

“Alright, get some rest early. Do well in the competition tomorrow, and don’t worry about anything else, okay?”

“I understand. Wait…”

As Sam stood up, Ava suddenly blushed and called out to him.

“What is it?”

Sam looked at her as she also stood up, her long legs making her appear even taller. She placed her hands behind her back, looking down shyly.

“Could you… hug me?”

“Ah?”

“I… it feels a bit strange here… you can’t stay with me tonight, so can we just hug?”

Sam felt there was nothing awkward about a brother hugging his sister, but the atmosphere felt strangely charged, almost like a scene between two people in love for the first time.

Sam even did something he rarely does, scratching his cheek in confusion.

“Uh… sure, that’s no problem, but…”

“Then hurry up… I… you know I’m shy, you… hurry up, don’t be so mean…”

Ava couldn’t help but stomp her foot lightly, her face flushed and too adorable as she avoided looking directly at her brother.

Sam took a deep breath.

“Alright.”

With a heart strangely full of nerves, he opened his arms and embraced her.

The heartbeat seemed loud in his ears.

As he held Ava, words failed him.

All he could smell was her sweet fragrance, and all he could see when he opened his eyes was the white wall.

But the heartbeat in his embrace felt so real, so intense, it was hard to tell if it was his own or hers.

Ava’s hands, previously held behind her back, relaxed, and her body seemed to melt into Sam’s chest.

Is this what a brother’s embrace feels like…

It was more solid, more enchanting than she had imagined.

She couldn’t help but wrap her arms around Sam’s waist.

It felt as if they were lost in the embrace, as if time and the whole world had nothing to do with them.

Even if it were the end of the world, all they would hear was each other’s breathing.

Until Sam, caught in this strange atmosphere and feeling, came to his senses and gently pushed her away.

“That’s… enough for now, it’s getting late…”

“Muah!”

Suddenly.

Sam’s eyes widened. He hadn’t expected the girl looking up at him to suddenly tiptoe and peck his lips.

What was that feeling?

Was it… a peck?

Ava’s eyes also widened in shock.

She hadn’t realized what she was doing.

Just as she was pushed away, she felt a strong reluctance.

Then, seeing her brother speaking, watching his lips move, and realizing they were still close…

She just… tiptoed.

“What… are you doing?” Sam asked, somewhat dazed.

Ava’s cheeks were as red as the sunset.

“This… this is my courage for you!”

“Courage?”

Sam instinctively reached to touch his lips, hardly believing the slight moist sensation.

Ava quickly grabbed Sam’s hand.

“Don’t touch! It won’t work if you touch!”

“Courage has an expiration?”

Ava nodded vigorously.

“Of course! It does, this is my blessing for you… um… aren’t you going to see her now? Go on! Good luck! I believe in you!”

She didn’t really know what Angel was up to, but right now… she wanted to be alone, not to calm down, but to carefully savor everything that had just happened.

“Hey, hey, hey, you believe in what exactly? Don’t push, I can walk!”

“Bang.”

Sam was pushed out the door, then watched as it closed behind him.

He stood there, stunned, then took a deep breath and turned to face the dark corridor.

Sam clenched his fist.

That’s right, with the courage given by his sister, with such a solid backing.

What’s there to fear!

Angel, here I come!