Tang Coco fixed her eyes on Ouyang Lingxue, her stare cold as a blade of frost.

Ouyang Lingxue took a sip of water, calm as a winter pond. So... surprised, aren’t you?

Silence settled between them like falling snow.

Honestly, the first moment I saw you at the start of term, I doubted your identity. It’s not your disguise. I was born with a keen sense for Anomalous Energy. Even when yours was a faint ember, I felt a trace of its heat.

But how did you know about Asura’s Anomalous Energy?

Because... I’ve seen you. Lingxue’s gaze pressed close, like a quiet snowfall.

Seen me? Tang Coco’s memory felt blank as clean ice.

Two winters ago—did you run a mission in Yanjing?

Tang Coco said nothing, her silence a muted nod. Two years back, she’d gone to Huaguo for an assassination.

That deep night, Yanjing took a heavy snow. The roads outside the city wore thick drifts, still unplowed. Past one in the morning, I couldn’t sleep. I put on a coat and watched the snow from the balcony. Maybe it’s my Anomaly Power—snow feels like home. I don’t get cold, and in snowfall, my senses sharpen like a blade. That night, I saw a figure in the night sky... a red Mech. I felt an Anomalous Energy like hellfire—merciless, indifferent, boiling with fury. That silhouette carved itself into me.

Later, I asked Grandpa. He said it should be the Asura of the Shadow Division. Grandpa’s a senior in the National Anomaly Bureau; he knows Abnormals by name. After that, I dug into everything on the Shadow Division’s Asura.

A few months ago, the mercenary world spread the news—Asura died. I didn’t care. Dead is dead, nothing to do with me. But days later, you stood in front of me. Your energy felt like theirs, down to the chill. At first I thought it was coincidence. Yours was weak then, so I didn’t dare confirm. Until you came back to campus this time. Then I knew. You’re the Asura who’s supposed to be dead.

Tang Coco listened, her thoughts settling like dust after a storm.

Your Anomaly rank... not S, right?

Right. My power only works at night. With a flaw that big, the other side spikes. At night, I can hit SS.

I see. That makes sense. No wonder—you’re from an Abnormal lineage in Huaguo. Even the descendants shine like winter stars.

Is that so? I don’t feel anything special. Lingxue rolled her shoulders, shrugging off the weight like loose snow.

In that house, there’s nothing but training day after day. I came out to breathe, to clear my head. I chose Ninghai for a change of wind. And because of that... I met you.

She rose and stepped close, her shadow falling like a quiet cliff. She looked down at Tang Coco, studying her like a rare bloom.

It’s wild. How does a boy turn into such a delicate girl?

How would I know. Tang Coco’s voice carried a helpless smile, like rain on stone. Some things she couldn’t tell Lingxue, so she slid the topic aside.

Let’s talk business. Your sister will be here soon, right? What’s the plan?

I’ll tell her you live here with me. There’s no room for her.

This place is huge. Ten people could fit like birds in a pavilion. Will she buy that?

Then I’ll say she’d disturb the two of us. Lingxue’s tone was light, a breeze through bamboo.

Pfft. Tang Coco nearly choked, her amusement bubbling like spring water.

You—

What? Don’t you like girls?

I... I do. Tang Coco owned it, steady as a mountain.

No problem. We’ll tell her we’re a couple. Lucky you’re a girl. If you were a boy, and she heard we were together, she’d kill you on sight.

Huh???

Your sister... that violent?

She’s... kind of obsessed with her little sister. Lingxue’s cheeks picked up a shy blush, like dawn on snow.

Oh~ I get it. You’re afraid your sister will do something to you, so you won’t share a roof. Tang Coco’s grin hooked up, sly as a fox.

N-no way. Why would I be scared of her? Lingxue’s face grew redder, soft as ripened fruit. Tang Coco found that look a little cute.

Is your sister an Abnormal too?

Mm. But she’s second-tier.

Got it.

Because of that, Father sent her to the police academy. Second-tier doesn’t mean small. She never felt inferior, not once. That’s one thing I admire—spine like iron, heart like fire.

Police academy... a cop. That’s hard to fool. Tang Coco’s voice lowered, like footsteps on wet stone. Then a thought flashed like lightning.

Hey? Do you have another weakness?

Hm? What do you mean? Lingxue’s hand tightened, a reflex like a drawn bow. Tang Coco didn’t notice.

Look. You’re strong at night. If your sister wants to come for you, it’d be at night. You shouldn’t fear her then. So why avoid her?

I... I just don’t want to hurt her. Lingxue’s blush deepened, a rosy cloud.

Oh~ Tang Coco smiled, eyes thoughtful as a moonlit lake.

Hey! Don’t start imagining things!

Alright, alright. I’ll fake being your girlfriend. But she won’t retaliate against me, right? I’m a good citizen. I can’t afford to cross a cop. Tang Coco put on a nervous look, like a rabbit watching the brush.

She won’t. Lingxue shot her a look, cool as ice.

After that, Lingxue fetched a few sets of loungewear. Tang Coco picked what fit like soft wind. In the end, she chose an off-white oversized half-sleeve tee and black ultra-short shorts.

Past six-thirty, Lingxue’s sister finally arrived.

A low siren wailed, dark as a crow’s call. A BMW police car rolled into the courtyard, black and white under the evening sky.

Your sister’s pretty domineering—off duty, still in a patrol car. Tang Coco watched from the second floor, eyes like a cat at the window.

Get ready. I’ll meet her downstairs. Lingxue headed down, steps steady as falling snow.

On the first floor, the villa door swung open. A figure rushed in like a gust through pine.

Waaah! Xue’er— I missed you so much!

Lingrain threw her arms around her sister, a bear hug warm as a quilt.

Long time no see, Sis.

Aiya— Xue’er’s still so chilly. Lingrain’s tone teased like sunlight on ice.

You haven’t changed either.

How’s it, being out here alone?

Good. Steady.

Not even a little you missed Sis? Sis missed you to death~ Lingrain pouted, eyes wide as a doe’s.

Sis... Lingxue couldn’t stand that look, soft and relentless as rain. She shifted the topic like turning a page.

Let’s go rest upstairs first.

Okay~ Lingrain chimed, steps light as a sparrow.

Wow, Xue’er’s style makes me so nostalgic. I used to love your room the most. Her praise floated like perfume.

Huh? That voice... I’ve heard it somewhere. From the nearby bedroom, Tang Coco stiffened, a question rising like mist.

Sis, did the family move you here for something?

Mm. Heard trouble might break out here. They want me at the precinct to steady things. Lingrain’s grin flashed, bright as steel.

But that’s not the real reason. If you weren’t here, even if this place went wild, I wouldn’t agree to transfer. She laughed, sweetness like candy.

...

Hee-hee~ My Xue’er looks prettier every day~ She inched closer, a cat to cream.

Sis... I have something to tell you. Lingxue slid back, seriousness dropping like a curtain.

What is it?

I... have someone I like. And... we’re already living together.

Pfft. Tang Coco froze behind the door, speechless, her thoughts scattering like birds. Lingxue was too blunt; who lies that directly?

What!!!! Lingrain jolted upright, thunder striking a clear sky.

Xue’er, you—

Where is he! Which deadbeat has a death wish? Who dares make a move on my Xue’er! Her shout cracked the air like a whip.

Sis, calm down!

No! He must be here if you’re living together. Bastard, get out here! I’ll see who dares touch my Xue’er today! Her temper flared, a wildfire in dry grass.

This sister... so fierce? Tang Coco winced, her face folding like paper. She eased the door open a finger’s width. She peeked toward the living room—and then—

Holy—! Shock hit like a hammer. She shut the door in a snap.

Who!!! Lingrain’s head snapped over, a hawk catching movement.

So you’re hiding in there, huh! She strode up and shoved the door wide, force sharp as a spear.

Sis, cool it. Lingxue followed, a calm shadow at her back.

Where’s the person?

Hm? Lingxue stepped in. The room held only quiet, dust motes drifting like tiny stars.

By then, Tang Coco had triggered her stealth Armor. Her body faded, vanishing like fog. She crouched in the corner, present but unseen.

Where did they hide? She didn’t dare move. Full-body invisibility meant Armor from head to toe. Any shift, the Mech would scrape the floor and whisper sound. A normal person might miss it. A cop wouldn’t.

Tang Coco watched Ouyang Lingrain sweep the room. Frustration pinched her, tight as a knot.

How is it this woman? So she’s Ouyang Lingxue’s sister? Memory pricked, raw as salt—the miserable, humiliating run-in with that cop.

Nope. I can’t take this job. Take care of yourself. She thought of Lingxue, her heart a tugging thread.

Lingxue stood careful, eyes on the corner. She could feel that familiar Anomalous Energy, like a pulse under ice. She didn’t know why Tang Coco chose to hide.

Big sis, please leave... Tang Coco begged silently, breath small as a mouse’s.

Weird. No one. But I swear I heard something. Lingrain frowned, suspicion like a blade’s edge.

Xue’er, where did you hide him?

Ah?

"I... I didn't..."

Ouyang Lingxue feigned ignorance, face like a still pond hiding small ripples.

"You definitely used your Anomaly Power to hide him. Talk, or I'll act," Ouyang Lingrain said, her voice a thin blade glinting.

"I..." Her words frayed like a thread in a storm.

"Fine. Don't blame me then." Her tone cooled like a night breeze over stone.

Suddenly, Ouyang Lingrain moved, a shadow flicker like lightning. She slid to Lingxue's side, hooked an arm around her waist, and pinched the soft flesh.

"Ah—"

Lingxue screamed and melted like cotton candy, collapsing into her sister's arms.

"Huh? Still no one shows. You really didn’t hide him?" Lingrain’s gaze swept the room like a broom chasing dust.

Seeing no one appear, her doubt curled like smoke in a lantern.

"I... I didn't... why are you..." Lingxue whispered, cheeks burning like cherries in snow.

"Heh heh. Only I know this weak spot," Lingrain grinned, a street cat with a fish. "Your waist is crazy sensitive. One pinch, and even at night your Anomaly Power won’t fire."

"Don't... don’t say that..." Lingxue’s protest buzzed like a mosquito near water.

She wanted to stop her sister, panic fluttering because someone else was watching like a hidden lamp—Tang Coco.

So that's how, Tang Coco thought, shameless as a fox eyeing grapes. If I get to pinch her once, I can—wait, what am I thinking? I need a way out, like a path through reeds.

Lingrain cradled her sister and moved toward the living room, steady as a crane gliding. Seeing that, Tang Coco thought, chance has come, her heart drumming like rain on tiles. As she shifted, something unexpected broke in.

Thud-thud-thud—

Hurried footsteps climbed the stairs, a rush like river pebbles skittering. The female housekeeper arrived with a squad of bodyguards, iron in a neat line like a fence. She had them wait on the staircase and went to the second floor herself, because the Second Miss sometimes dressed casually like a breeze at home.

"Second Miss! What happened? Were you attacked?" Her voice rang like a brass bell.

She saw the Second Miss in someone’s arms and her face drained like ink washed with rain.

"No—"

Lingxue was about to say it was fine, when her sister cut in, her words sliced like silk.

"Why are you coming up?" Lingrain asked, lashes sharp like arrows.

"The Security Division detected a foreign Anomalous Energy signal," the housekeeper said, apology soft as dusk. "We localized it to this villa, so I brought people at once. Sorry, Eldest Miss, Second Miss. We came late."

"No... it’s not— ah—" Lingxue tried to explain, but another pinch scattered her words like startled sparrows.

"How do you protect the Second Miss? How am I supposed to trust you?" Lingrain thundered, fury crackling like dry bamboo. "Drag that guy out, now!"

"Yes!" The housekeeper answered, spine straight like a drawn spear, then pulled out her walkie-talkie with a cold click.

"All units, come up! Security Division, activate the lockdown field and suppression field. Begin Anomalous Energy interference!" Her command cut the air like a blade through fog.