"Mmm..."

Curled up like a cat in bed, Lingyue slightly opened her eyes. The brilliant sunlight streaming through the window stung her vision, forcing her to shut them again.

She glanced at the digital clock on the wall—7 a.m. Normally, she’d be awake and ready for school by now. But last night’s deep, peaceful sleep had left her reluctant to rise.

Was it exhaustion from playing? Or the comfort of having her brother nearby?

Lingyue didn’t know. She only knew one thing: nightmares never came when he was with her.

"Has my world’s cutest little sister woken up yet? Hurry and brush your teeth. Breakfast’s ready—made by your big brother’s own hands!"

Her brother’s voice floated through the door.

A trace of confusion flickered across Lingyue’s face. Ten years had passed—it was hard to adjust to his sudden affection.

But he was her most important family. The only one who truly mattered. She could never dislike him.

After lingering in bed a moment longer, she reluctantly got up and stepped out of her room. Normally, she’d never laze about like this. Was it because he was here?

...

Seeing his sister in pink pajamas, still drowsy-eyed, Yan Lingxuan beamed with relief.

Lingyue moved slowly to the dining table. Even after washing up, sleepiness clung to her. Her thoughts lagged as she stared at the spread before her.

Though the dorm’s "Smart Butler" (ZG) controlled all appliances—even kitchen robots handled cooking—her brother’s sunny-side-up eggs tasted infinitely better than any machine-made meal.

"When I cooked at the Yan household, Uncle and the others always raved about it," he said.

The table held fruit salad, homemade baked buns, sunny-side-up eggs, sandwiches, and two tall glasses of milk. Lingyue wondered if it was too lavish. Compared to her usual toast-and-milk routine, this felt extravagant.

"Machine food is rubbish. With me here, you’ll always get fresh, delicious meals."

But Lingyue wasn’t listening. She’d already picked up her chopsticks, biting into an egg. The yolk, still runny, burst through the white, spilling golden liquid and rich aroma.

"!"

*So good.*

Watching his sister’s delighted expression filled Yan Lingxuan with pure contentment. *This* was happiness. *This* was family. He only wondered how his other sister was faring. With Uncle and Aunt Lian caring for her, she should be fine.

Valhalla Academy’s dorms were standalone two-story villas—four rooms, a balcony overlooking the sea. No resident could complain. Shopping? Just tap your Wearable Device (WD); deliveries arrived at your door. Life was effortless.

Yan Lingxuan scanned the sparse living room. Only two towels and toothbrushes in the bathroom. No one else had lived here. Lingyue had been alone all along in this four-person dorm.

"Living by yourself all this time?"

Lingyue, mouth full of food, hastily chewed and swallowed.

"Mm. Simpler alone."

"Will I be bothering you now that I’m here?"

"No. Lingyue is happy."

Seeing her genuine smile, Yan Lingxuan mirrored it.

Just witnessing that smile made him feel blessed. It gave him the drive to keep going. A world without her? Merely a boring one.

"Lingyue, I’ll grow stronger. Strong enough to lift every burden from your shoulders someday."

"Don’t push yourself too hard, Brother."

"Understood. Then, Teacher Lingyue—will you guide your student strictly?"

She nodded at his request. But why did he look so excited?

"Oh, one more thing."

Yan Lingxuan’s gaze dropped to Lingyue’s snow-white legs beneath the table. His tone turned grave:

"Will you wear the black stockings I bought today?"

"Do you want me to wear them, Brother?"

He nodded earnestly.

"Mm."

*What a considerate sister!* Yan Lingxuan’s heart swelled with anticipation for their future.

"If possible... wear the satin panties I prepared too."

*Sister, why that look? Brother’s not a bad person! Stop staring—you’re making me blush.*

...

...

Class 1-G.

Not yet time for lessons.

"Hey there! Morning!"

Yan Lingxuan approached Harold Hai with a warm greeting. The other boy barely acknowledged him.

Harold shot him a cold glance, gave a stiff nod, and turned away.

Yan Lingxuan grinned, sliding into the seat beside him.

"This spot free? I like window seats."

"Suit yourself. No rules against it."

"You’re an interesting bloke."

Harold remained unmoved by the provocation, his indifference only fueling Yan Lingxuan’s curiosity. It felt like sensing a kindred spirit.

"Harold Hai. Birth name: Hai Long. Formerly American-Chinese. From Hawaii."

Harold’s eyes snapped to him, sharp as blades. A cold laugh escaped his lips.

"Yan Lingxuan. Birth name: Bai Lingxuan. Formerly Chinese-Chinese. Arrived in Atlantis last week after the Waste Law Society hostage incident in the Zhonghua Region. Now living with your twin sister."

Yan Lingxuan widened his eyes in mock alarm.

"How’d you know all that?"

Harold snorted.

"You’re hot news. Even someone like me, who ignores gossip, hears whispers. Being *that* ‘Witch’s’ brother draws attention."

"Haha, you’ll make me blush!"

"Think I’m complimenting you?"

"Aren’t you?"

"No."

Harold’s buzz cut framed a face hardened by muscle. Silent, he looked like a wolf—stern, unsmiling, intimidating.

Just as Yan Lingxuan prepared to press further, a voice cut in from behind.

"Yo, Hai! Yan! Pleasure. Gavin Aiken—your classmate. British gentleman. Mind if I join?"

Gavin Aiken had tousled golden hair and handsome features. His tone oozed playboy charm, yet his smile radiated genuine warmth—the extrovert type.

The two boys reacted differently.

"Welcome."

"Not my concern."

Harold’s reply was dismissive; Yan Lingxuan’s, eager.

Gavin took it as permission.

"So I’m in, then?"

A commotion erupted at the classroom door.

Yan Lingxuan and Gavin turned. Harold merely flicked his eyes toward it.

Sherlock entered, golden hair cascading. Nearly every student gazed at her with adoration.

Picture-perfect smile. Flawless beauty. Graceful poise. Her uniform nod to everyone was impeccable in etiquette and elegance.

"Princess, over here!"

A short-haired girl stood, waving enthusiastically.

Sherlock nodded, gliding over. The girls beside her erupted into satisfied cheers.

"So she’s in our class too?"

"Princess Sherlock Harriet Southshield Windsor. Third in line to the British throne. A real princess. Of course she’s popular."

"Really? She’s just playing the obedient child."

Gavin shot Yan Lingxuan a startled look.

"Though I’ve heard your country favors same-sex relationships, sorry—I’m not interested. Please stop staring like that?"

"Yan’s just joking."

"Call me Lingxuan. I’ll call you Gavin."

"And Harold—since you didn’t object, you’re included."

Harold merely scoffed, ignoring them.

Before class began, Gavin leaned across the table to chat with Yan Lingxuan. Harold listened grudgingly.

"You said Princess Sherlock’s faking obedience?"

Though Sherlock sat twenty meters ahead, Gavin lowered his voice as if fearing she might overhear.

"Yeah."

Yan Lingxuan recounted last week’s first meeting with Sherlock—and the Student Council’s afternoon tea.

"Fascinating. Rumors say Princess Sherlock’s a lesbian, infatuated with Student Council member Katherine. Seems true."

"Still, being the Witch’s brother has perks. Afternoon tea at the Student Council? An open invitation?"

"Just politeness."

"I doubt it."

"One more thing—if we’re friends, please don’t call my sister ‘Witch.’ As her brother, I’d rather you didn’t."

Yan Lingxuan’s playful mask vanished, replaced by earnest seriousness.

Gavin’s smile softened.

"Of course."

"Then we’re friends now. Harold too."

Yan Lingxuan declared it with a bright grin.

"What’s that got to do with me?" Harold protested.

"I like you. Problem?"

"Sorry, I’m not gay."

"Neither am I."

And so, at his new school, Yan Lingxuan made two friends.

Across the room, Su Fangwen watched the trio by the window.

*He can’t actually like guys, right?*

To her eyes, the three boys exchanged tender, flirtatious glances. (The pure see purity; the BL fan sees BL. Su Fangwen clearly had fujoshi potential.)

Earlier, Yu Xiaozhuo had mentioned Gavin was openly gay—though some claimed it was just an excuse to dodge obsessive admirers. The truth remained unknown.

"I won’t let you toy with Senior Katherine."

"Did you say something, Princess?"

The short-haired girl turned to Sherlock.

"Nothing. You must’ve misheard."

"Really?"

Her doubt faded quickly, replaced by starry-eyed adoration as she gazed up at Sherlock.

"If only I could be as beautiful as you, Princess."

"Don’t be silly. To me, you’re incredibly cute."

"P-Princess..."

The pure-hearted girl was utterly smitten.

...

"Princess Sherlock’s royalty. The British monarchy, you know? Though Britain’s a constitutional monarchy, the Crown lost absolute power after the 1688 Glorious Revolution. Now they’re spiritual figureheads—modern idols. Since they can’t directly govern, public favor is their lifeline. Pleasing the masses is mandatory. And Princess Sherlock? She’s the master of it."

Gavin spoke with practiced ease.

"True enough," Yan Lingxuan agreed.

Suddenly, as if recalling something, he turned to Harold beside him, who was engrossed in his WD.

"By the way, Harold, why were you and another person confronted by that short guy last time?"

Without waiting for Harold to answer, Gavi—wearing a know-it-all expression—immediately chimed in:

"What do you think of Harold’s personality?"

"Reclusive, secretly flamboyant, showy, and makes more enemies than friends?"

"Hey, spot on. Simply put, that’s how it is. So he’s made quite a few enemies at the academy. Back then, he was probably picked on and got into a fight. Unfortunately, it was witnessed by Yuanye passing by. As a Student Council member, Yuanye naturally wouldn’t ignore students fighting on campus."

Listening to them discuss his affairs without permission, Harold gave a look of disdain. Seeing this, Yan Lingxuan slapped his shoulder and declared boldly:

"Don’t worry. Be friends with me, and no one will dare pick on you. I’m a man with 1,569 followers ready to obey my command anytime."