A parachute drifted down from the sky. A sharp, imposing figure rolled three times upon landing before springing up. She brushed dust off her military-green uniform, her single ponytail swaying under a backwards army cap. Before she could take a step, a helicopter roared overhead, dropping a ladder. An elite squad, armed to the teeth, descended in perfect order.

Only after the woman stepped forward did her troops follow in unison. Their synchronized, thunderous footsteps made Tian Tai and Luo Quan visibly pale.

Though top graduates from the world’s premier Hunter Academy, they still felt instinctive dread before a nation’s sharpest blade. Exchanging glances, Tian Tai and Luo Quan bolted toward the seaside and leaped into the waves, fleeing in disarray.

“Hmph. Let the small fries run. Saves my bullets,” the woman snapped. “Lü Zhiyuan, you’d better explain what’s going on.”

“Well… Xiao Ai,” Lü Zhiyuan sighed, clutching his chest in theatrical remorse, “you must understand a pitiful father’s shame for failing his duties…”

“Lü Zhiyuan! Did I give you permission to call my name? And ‘Xiao Ai’ only has two moms—no dad! I’m still a virgin! Trying to take advantage of this woman?”

“Xiao Ai, I—”

“Calling my name again? Without permission?” She cracked a glossy black whip against the ground—*crack-crack!*

“Ke Lian carries my genes, you know. And you can’t exactly birth a child alone. I merely—”

“Like hell you did! Did I say you could call my Ke Ke by name? And why are you still hugging her? You perverted lolicon bastard!” She snatched Dongfang Ke Lian from him and kicked Lü Zhiyuan flying.

Gently setting Ke Lian down, she clenched her fist—*crackle*. Lü Zhiyuan scrambled backward on instinct.

“Lü Zhiyuan, you dared kidnap Ke Ke behind this woman’s back? If she loses a single hair, you won’t leave Nan’an City alive. Oh—and I just remembered: I ordered the world’s strongest man’s sperm. How dare you substitute your own pathetic swimmers? If Ke Ke didn’t look nothing like you, I’d have shot you years ago. But today? We settle old and new debts.”

A devilish smile spread across her face. Lü Zhiyuan recognized that look—disaster. He turned to run, but a shadowy serpent coiled around his neck, yanking him backward.

“Lü Zhiyuan, let this woman teach you a lesson: debts always come due.”

*“Aaah—!”*

*“Oooh—!”*

*“Eeek—!”*

What followed was an unprecedented “training session.” Yes, *training*. The whip’s first strike drew agonized screams, which soon softened into… oddly amorous whimpers.

She planted a military boot on Lü Zhiyuan’s face. “Bark like a dog. Your voice is so vile, even mutts outclass you.”

*“Woof… woof… woof…”*

Another whip-crack. Qin An had to look away.

“Strip naked and roll into the sea. Your sight makes this woman sick.”

To Qin An’s shock, Lü Zhiyuan obeyed—shedding clothes, rolling to the shore, then diving in with a dramatic, wounded splash.

The woman flicked her wrist, glancing at Qin An’s hiding spot. “Exhausting. That man’s hide is still thick as ever.”

Qin An froze. Beyond the razor-sharp SWAT team standing like statues, this terrifying woman alone was lethal. She resembled Dongfang Ke Lian—family, surely. *Best vanish while I can.*

“Hey, kid. Had enough of the circus? Come out yourself, or shall this woman fetch you?”

That honeyed voice sent shivers down Qin An’s spine. Goosebumps prickled his skin.

She hoisted Ke Lian onto her back, whip tapping the ground—faster, faster—until Qin An sighed, stepping out of the cave with the sleeping Qin Yage on his back.

The moment she saw Qin An’s face, her eyes turned ravenous—like a wolf spotting lamb.

“Qin An-gege,” she purred, stroking his cheek while balancing Ke Lian, “first time meeting you. Quite the pretty face.” Her fingers traced his jawline, lingering at his lips.

“You’re…”

A slender finger pressed against his mouth.

“I’m Dongfang Keai,” she cooed, voice dripping sweetness. “Call me Keai-jiejie… or Xiao Ai-jiejie~”

Her tone melted bones—but Qin An had witnessed her true colors. *Terrifying.*

“Qin An-gege, call me ‘jiejie’!” Her hand tilted his chin, breath warm. “Go on~”

He stepped back. She matched him, distance unchanged.

Defeated, he whispered, “Jiejie…”

“Good boy.” She ruffled his hair. “Now say ‘Keai-jiejie.’ Sister will reward you~” She winked. Undeniably alluring—curves like an S-curve, skin luminous despite her military bearing. No trace of motherhood.

“How old are you, jiejie?”

“Age is a lady’s sec—ret~” Her fingertip brushed his lips. “Punishment time~”

She leaned in. Lily fragrance filled his senses.

*Smack!* Her lips claimed his in a lightning kiss.

“Qin An-gege, your first kiss is sweet.”

He scrubbed his mouth, backing away. “That wasn’t my first kiss.”

“Oh? But after a few more, it will be~”

*What twisted logic!*

As her crimson lips neared again, tiny hands clamped over Qin An’s mouth. Dongfang Keai kissed only small palms.

“Mom! Have you no shame?” Dongfang Ke Lian scolded like a strict parent. “How dare you do that to my classmate’s brother? You’ve shamed me!”

“Ke Ke,” Dongfang Keai tapped the girl’s head, feigning anger, “what do you call me?”

Ke Lian covered her head, teary-eyed. “Keai-jiejie…”

*Muttering:* “Grown woman acting like this… shameless!”

“Dongfang Ke Lian, think I didn’t hear that?”

“Yage, feeling better?”

“Hmph. No.” Qin Yage turned away, sinking her teeth into Qin An’s neck again. A scar was already forming on his right shoulder.

*This mark—I’ll make you keep it forever.*

“Ke Ke, say goodbye to your friend. We’re visiting Tong Tong-jiejie and Pupils-meimei, then heading back to Jingcheng.”

“Aww, already? I haven’t played enough!”

“You think I have time to globe-trot with you daily?”

“You *are* free all day…”

“Dongfang Ke Lian, is your scalp itching again?” She cracked her knuckles.

Ke Lian shielded her head but shouted, “No! I’m staying in Nan’an! I’ll study here!”

She braced for a head-bonk—but gentle hands stroked her hair instead. Dongfang Keai’s playful mask vanished, replaced by solemn warmth.

“Ke Ke, be good. Grandpa and Grandma miss you. Come home where it’s safe.” Her voice held gentle, unyielding magic.

Ke Lian nodded slowly.

“Yage, I’m leaving. Without me, don’t make girl friends! Eat well so you grow big… then big brothers will…” She whispered the last words in Yage’s ear. Yage’s face burned crimson before she shoved Ke Lian away, hiding behind Qin An.

“Gege, take good care of Yage! Remember—you’ll be my husband later!” Ke Lian yelled as Dongfang Keai hauled her onto the helicopter like luggage.

The chopper vanished as swiftly as it came. The sky cleared. Waves lapped the shore—serene, as if the chaos were a dream. When would they meet again? Perhaps in another long, long story.

Qin An eyed the half-submerged ship. Something felt off. It looked too new—no real damage, just token moss and rust.

“Gege.” The voice was ice-cold, devoid of warmth. “Shouldn’t you explain what ‘be my husband’ means?”

*Like a defendant on trial.*

“Wait—let me explain! Don’t bite my neck! Not even with your teeth! Or tongue—!”