The dojo held over three hundred people. But the moment Luo Dongba collapsed, utter silence fell—no one dared speak.

Every mouth in the crowd hung open like they’d swallowed whole eggs. Only Ye Ping still covered her smile. And honestly? Who could blame them? This wasn’t some underdog upset or last-minute comeback. It was pure, unscientific impossibility.

How could a shrimp like you instantly KO Luo Dongba—a towering, handsome city karate champion over six feet tall?

“Senior! Get up!” Some girls still refused to accept reality, shouting desperately.

*He was our idol! Our campus heartthrob! Our dream guy!*

*He was invincible—until today, when he got beaten like a dead dog.*

“No use. He’s unconscious,” I muttered. Scanning the crowd, I spotted Xu Jingmei standing beside Ye Ping.

“You’re the president, right?”

“Huh? W-what?” Xu Jingmei’s pretty mouth stayed slightly agape, still stunned. My sudden question made her jump.

“This counts as my win, yeah?”

“Why ask *me*?” She tugged Ye Ping’s sleeve.

“Aren’t you the head of the student council? Highest authority here?”

“Uh… well…” Xu Jingmei fumbled for words.

“I had a bet with him. Five thousand bucks if I won. Remind him to pay when he wakes up.” Ignoring the three hundred stunned onlookers, I turned to leave.

“Xiaopang, I’m heading out.” I nodded at my friends as I passed.

Leaving only my cool, retreating silhouette behind.

“Ah—uh, bye, Brother Xiaobai!”

“…” I shot him a deadpan look. *Not worth the effort.*

Pushing open the dojo doors, I found a sea of people still gathered outside.

“You?! How?!” The guard’s eyes widened. He glanced past me at Luo Dongba’s limp form in the center, then stared at me like I was a ghost.

“What’re you gawking at?” I snapped.

“He… *won*?!”

“This can’t be…”

“Look—Luo Dongba’s lying right there!”

“Impossible?!”

“Luo Dongba *lost*?!”

“Make way!” I unleashed my murderous dead-fish glare.

At my shout, the terrified crowd parted like wheat before a scythe.

“Thanks, everyone! See you around~” I strolled down the path they cleared, then turned my back on them with a sly, sinister grin. *Heh. No one at this school will dare mess with me again.*

…Though tonight might get ugly.

Back at my apartment, I wasted the afternoon gaming and watching anime. *Yawn.* Old habits kicked in—I skipped dinner and crashed straight into bed.

Time slipped by…

*Beep-beep! Beep-beep!*

“Ugh—!” I snatched my phone off the nightstand. “What?”

“Xiaobai~! It’s evening! Won’t you take me on a date?”

A cold shiver shot through me. I sat bolt upright.

“Ye Ping? Did you eat something weird—what’s wrong with you?”

“You were so dashing at school today~ Made our student president look like a fool.” Her light laughter crackled through the speaker. I knew that tone—smiling knife.

*Morning’s stunt backfired. With her vindictive streak, she’s definitely holding a grudge. This “date” will be a death trap.*

“Sis! Ye Sis! I messed up!” I whined into the phone, fake tears dripping.

“Messed up? How dare *you* admit fault, big shot?”

“Waaah~ Ye Ping-jie, forgive me! Waaah~”

“I said you did *nothing* wrong! If anyone’s at fault, it’s *me*!”

“Waaah~”

“…”

“Waaah~”

“Ugh! Stop that disgusting sobbing! Bring cash and get to my office *now*!”

“Cash? How much? I’m broke!”

“Broke?! You just won five thousand!” she roared.

“Sis! I haven’t collected it yet!”

“Annoying! Just bring whatever you have!”

“Okay~” The line went dead the second I finished.

“Sigh… such a brat.” I pocketed my phone and my entire fortune—800 bucks—then headed out.

Minutes later, I stood before the Shadowless Abode office door. *Knock knock.*

“Oh? Xiaobai! The young mistress has been waiting. Come in and wait—I’ll fetch her.” Chen Xi Wan opened the door.

“Evening, Sister Xi Wan.”

“Evening.” She slipped back inside, likely to call Ye Ping.

“Big brother!” Before Ye Ping appeared, little Ye Xianer toddled over, hugging a teddy bear.

“Xianer? Still up this late?” I crouched, ruffling her hair with a smile.

“It’s Saturday… no school tomorrow…” Her big eyes fluttered shut. Sleepy head bobbing under my hand, she seemed content.

“Hey! What are you doing?!” Ye Ping yanked Xianer behind her, glaring.

“What? Just playing with a cute loli!” I grumbled—interrupted mid-head-pat.

“You creep! Lolicon?!” She jabbed a finger at me.

“Heh. What’s wrong with a guy being a pervert?” I shrugged, still crouched, feigning helplessness.

“You dare talk to me like that?!”

*Snap.* My brain rebooted. *Oh crap. Her morning rage isn’t gone—I’m pouring gasoline on fire!*

“Ahem… Ye Ping. Where to now?”

“…” She shot me a dagger-glare, then gently pushed Xianer forward. “Bedtime, sweetie.”

“Okay…” Xianer rubbed her eyes. “Bye, big brother~” She shuffled inside.

“Bye, Xianer.”

“Let’s go.” Ye Ping brushed past me—and kicked my shin.

“Ow! Sister Xi Wan, bye!” I yelped, then called into the hallway.

“Goodbye, Xiaobai.” Her warm reply echoed as I followed Ye Ping downstairs.

“Ye Ping-jie! Wait up—”

“…” Arms crossed, she marched ahead, cheeks puffed in anger.

“Don’t be mad. Where are we going?” I hurried beside her, voice dripping with fake sweetness.

“*Jie* my foot! Disgusting! Do I look old to you?” She glared.

*Women’s hearts—deeper than the ocean.*

“Ye Ping… one question?” I sighed.

“What?” Her tone was ice.

“You said Sister Xi Wan’s a Neo. And Xianer’s a Primordial?”

“Yes.” Instant reply.

“Is Xianer… your sister?” I’d wondered for ages. Ye Da Shu and Ye Ping shared clear family traits. But Xianer? Blonde hair like a mixed-race kid. Shy, introverted—nothing like them.

My heightened senses told me more: she wasn’t just shy. Withdrawn. No childish mischief. Too obedient. Like she feared burdening anyone. A heart sealed tight. *Way* too mature for her age.

“You sensed it?” Ye Ping slowed her steps, matching mine. Her anger faded into something heavy.

“A little…”

“Xianer’s Nightingale Clan—like me. But no blood ties to me or Dad.” Her voice dropped.

“Then why…?”

“We found her begging alone on a street in another city. An eight-year-old starving to death…” Her gaze turned distant, pained. “She’s been with us two years.”

“At first, she remembered nothing. Not even her surname. Only that her clan was wiped out. Her parents… gone.” She stopped, staring at the starry sky. “She’s always been like this—quiet. Never asks for anything. Never throws tantrums. Never plays with friends. So… easy.” A bitter smile. “She’s never asked for toys. Her bear? Xi Wan-jie and I bought it. I wish she’d whine just once. Or cause trouble…” Her voice hardened. “I consider her my real sister. No one touches her.”

“…” I stood beside her, silent.

Hearing this, my chest tightened. Xianer’s isolation wasn’t like my otaku hikikomori days. This was deeper. Darker.

*Poor little thing.* Next visit, I’ll bring her a new plushie.