Ouyang Tao needed quiet. And the quietest place in Augustus College was the Arcane Library.

Blood ties or not—he was still her older brother. Seeing boys get close to his little sister always stirred a knot in his chest.

Seventeen this year, she was in the bloom of youth: lovely, kind-hearted, magically gifted—a true prodigy. That innocent, radiant charm of hers? Of course boys would fall for her.

Her lively figure flashed in his mind. *She’s so adorable… even I—* Ouyang Tao shook his head hard. *No. We’re siblings. How could I—* Wait. They weren’t actually related by blood.

Which meant… certain things *were* possible. He slapped his cheeks. *Stop it. This is brotherly concern. A gem like her shouldn’t be handed off lightly. Not after those scum showed up at Augustus. No one gets my blessing unless they meet my standards.*

His criteria? First: decent looks. Second: character and sincerity—no games. Third: stable means—she’d never go hungry. Last: her own consent.

So… how did Edward measure up?

Looks? Not bad. Soft-spoken, scholarly. Character? Limited contact, but seemed solid. Means? His skills guaranteed steady income, bloodline aside.

Only one hurdle left: his sister’s heart.

*What if she says yes?* Wait—why was *he* so anxious? Shouldn’t he be happy?

*Ugh. Don’t know. Don’t know. Don’t know.*

Ouyang Tao raked his hands through his hair, mind in chaos.

*Thump.*

The book before him snapped shut and floated neatly onto a nearby stack. He jerked his head up. Zhao Yuehan stood beside his desk, silent, gaze fixed downward like a stern professor.

His first instinct: clamp a hand over his mouth. *Silence in the library.*

After a beat, Zhao Yuehan spoke, voice flat, face unreadable: "Heart unsettled. Unsuitable for reading."

It sounded like a reprimand.

"S-sorry," Ouyang Tao stammered. "Something’s… on my mind." *How did she even notice? She was buried in books.*

Then came the shock.

"Person or problem?"

"Huh?"

Zhao Yuehan—the icy phantom who chilled everyone to the bone—was *asking*? Had he misheard?

His silence deepened her suspicion. "Heartbreak?"

"W-what? No! Senior, you’ve got it wrong—I don’t even have a girlfriend!"

"I see."

"Well… it’s both, sort of…"

She said nothing. Just watched him, waiting.

*Why not talk it out?* He spilled everything. Zhao Yuehan listened without a flicker. "...So yeah. Just worried about my sister."

Her reply: two words. "Calm mind."

"Ah… heh…" Ouyang Tao blinked, then chuckled. The weight lifted. *Silly me. If she’s happy, why suffer?*

"Continue." Zhao Yuehan turned away, reopening her book.

*Maybe she’s not so cold after all.*

Peace restored, Ouyang Tao refocused on his studies.

He didn’t know Zhao Yuehan’s thoughts had long left her pages.

After two books, he stood to leave. "Goodbye. Thanks, Senior."

"Goodbye."

At the hall’s exit, her voice stopped him again: "Be careful."

He turned. She was already watching him. *Careful of what?*

"Here is safe." Her eyes dropped back to her book.

*What does that even mean?*

Leaving the Arcane Library, Ouyang Tao headed for dinner. Then he’d tweak his "Swift Spark" design per Edward’s advice, crafting extra samples for tomorrow’s tests.

At the crossroads, left led to standard dorms, right to the special zone. A familiar figure approached from the left. "Lord Ouyang. What a coincidence."

"Edward." Ouyang Tao nodded warmly. *So he was at the standard dorms…*

"Just escorted your sister back. Yesterday’s incident shook her. My apologies."

*Figures.* Ouyang Tao’s chest tightened again. "Not your fault."

"Returning to my dorm. Walk together?"

"Sure."

The eight Imperial Guards tactfully fell back as they strolled, chatting magic theory. But Ouyang Tao’s mind clung to his sister.

After a long pause, he probed gently: "Saw you teaching A Xue magic at noon. She didn’t act up, did she?"

"No. She’s wonderful." Edward’s smile was open, earnest. "Honestly? I like her." He held Ouyang Tao’s gaze. "Though… I believe I should ask her brother’s permission first."

Ouyang Tao froze.

*Checkmated.*