Even after scrubbing the bloodstains clean, the smell still clung like wet rust after rain.

Driving out of the garage, Lu Ke dropped the windows at once; wind whooshed in like a cool river.

He wasn’t squeamish; he worried the blonde girl would be dragged back by that iron scent like a chain to old shadows.

Little Loli sat obediently in the passenger seat; with the window unbarred, the outside breeze slipped in and stroked her face like silk.

A few gold threads outside her hood fluttered like tiny banners; one hand rested on the armrest, propping her delicate face like a porcelain doll.

The unfamiliar city spread like a forest of glass, stirring memories—so many days in A City, those bright, easy days like lanterns on a festival night.

At least no classes—like dropping a backpack of stones.

When can my power return? The hope flickered like a coal behind smoke.

Xiao Qianxue lifted her right hand before her eyes; her crimson Blood God’s Eye stayed clamped shut, leaving a strange, knife-thin seam.

Looks like the wound before was truly heavy, like a mountain pressed onto a sapling.

In her mind, the youth’s silhouette rose; not broad in build, yet power surged off him like a storm tide.

The pale fist tucked in her sleeve tightened, petal by petal, until it was a bud of bone.

Even at my peak—then what? Strength would be sand against a wave.

A dry chuckle curled at her lips, self-mockery like a bent reed.

I’d only hold out a little longer, and he’d probably shown just a sliver of his blade.

If he went all out, I might not even know how I died, like a moth in a bonfire.

If that man was a regular from the Ability Organization, what kind of sky sits above their elders?

Her small fists clenched tighter, tendons like taut strings.

No—get stronger. I must get stronger, or how do I pull my parents back from that dark river?

“Xue’er, what’s wrong? Thinking again?” Lu Ke’s voice cut in like a knock on a door.

He had just parked; he turned and looked at the blonde—no, the tomboy—his gaze steady as a lamp.

Little Loli hadn’t noticed the stop; she kept her pose, golden eyes fixed on the window, her pretty face clouded with gloom and a thin thread of fear like mist.

“Xue’er?” He called and called, the sound pecking like a woodpecker; then his fingers tapped the top of her hood.

“Huh, we’re here?” She felt the tap and came back, confusion like dew on her small face as she glanced at Lu Ke outside.

Lu Ke was hit at once: so cute—like sugar dropped in tea.

Thinking of living with such a cute sister, he felt blessed for three lifetimes, luck like red koi in a pond.

“Sorry, big bro, I zoned out...” She hopped from the car and stuck out her tongue, mischief like a cherry.

“Don’t apologize for small stuff; it’ll sit on my conscience like a stone.”

Lu Ke lifted his hood, strolled to her, and reached a hand back, palm open like a shelter.

After a heartbeat’s hesitation, Little Loli still took that hand, warmth flowing like a spring.

“Xue’er, your hand feels so soft, like velvet.”

“Big bro, are you a pervert?”

She shot back without mercy; this kind of thing didn’t need endurance, her words quick as arrows.

“Ahem—let’s buy some underwear first, because...” His eyes skated like minnows.

He stole a glance at her hoodie; beneath it, a pure white body like fresh snow had nothing to shield it.

“Approved.”

Thus two figures in hoodies and jeans, one tall, one small, hand in hand, drifted into the mall like paired cranes.

The blonde girl kept her head slightly lowered; passersby couldn’t see Xiao Qianxue’s face, so most assumed a brother taking his little brother to shop—until they stopped before a lingerie store.

“Cough... Xue’er, go in yourself; your brother won’t.”

“Nooo, I’m scared alone; big bro, come in with me~” Her tone poured like honey.

Black-bellied, Little Loli wouldn’t let him pass this gate so easily, her mischief like a hidden blade.

Xiao Qianxue took two tiny steps toward the store; her small hand tugged Lu Ke’s sleeve; her cherry mouth pouted, and her pretty eyes sparked like stars.

“Go. It’s only underwear. What am I afraid of?” He gritted his teeth like a soldier.

No one had ever resisted Little Loli’s cute move; Lu Ke tightened his grip and led her in, stride like a drumbeat.

Inside, only one clerk stood; no customers, the space quiet as a pond.

Lu Ke glanced from the doorway, judged the scene was clear, sky like polished glass; now was better than later.

The door chimed. “Welcome!”

Thus, in outsiders’ eyes, the brotherly pair entered the lingerie shop like actors in the wrong play.

“Hello, sir. Looks like you brought your younger brother to the wrong store.”

“I’m not his brother.” The blonde girl spoke, lifting her head; a stunning, cute face bloomed, with a few gold strands by her cheeks.

“So sorry! But little sister, why dress like this when you’re so pretty?” The clerk’s curiosity puffed up like a cat’s tail.

“That’s why we’re buying her clothes.” Lu Ke didn’t look at them; he kept watching the door, his expression stiff, like he feared a gust of people.

“Haha...” Watching him act so funny, Little Loli laughed, her voice like silver bells.

“Okay, big bro, I’ll be quick.” She walked toward her size, steps light as feathers.

“Thank heavens.”

“Little sister, do you know your size?” The clerk hurried after, her words fluttering like paper.

“Of course. And big bro, don’t look over here!” She lifted her head and caught Lu Ke sneaking glances, his hood a mask thin as smoke.

She grabbed a few at random; Xiao Qianxue tossed the rest onto the register, then took one piece and dashed into the fitting room like a swallow.

Seeing the pile at the counter, Lu Ke flashed to the register, steps quick as sparks. “How much?”

Inside, the blonde girl peeled off her hoodie, revealing white skin like milk.

She eased on the bra, careful as weaving silk.

“Feels like I’ve gotten bigger lately...” She stood before the mirror, turned sideways; yes, a little, like a crescent waxing.

Done dressing, she tucked her gold hair back into the hood; Little Loli pushed the door and returned to Lu Ke’s side, steps like ripples.

“Big bro, did you buy it?” She eyed the big bag in his hand, curiosity like a cat.

“Yeah. Let’s head somewhere else.” He took her hand, and under the clerk’s gaze, they left the store like wind slipping through reeds.