(If you want to capture his heart, take the initiative. No matter how beautiful you are, he’ll grow numb to it if it becomes routine. Your biggest weakness now is having spent too long by his side. Show him a side he’s never seen before!)

The next morning, Zola’s words echoed in Zixuan’s mind as she unconsciously reached her front gate. The automatic doors had slid open—just one step away from entering—but Zixuan hesitated, feet rooted to the spot.

She’d lived with Yichen like this for years. Though tinged with regret, it had been profoundly happy time for her. So habitual had this life become that it might stretch on indefinitely. Yichen was growing up like any ordinary boy, changing day by day. Zixuan had once watched this transformation with quiet joy. But now, the thought of him entering adolescence—falling for another girl like his peers—filled her with panic and loss. She couldn’t accept it. Her love for Yichen held threads of kinship, yet it was far more than that. It was fiercer. Possessive.

So she had to change. Even if it shattered Yichen’s peaceful life. Even if he discovered her deception. Even if he came to hate her. Better that than watching him love someone else.

Zixuan had never lacked courage. Confident. Proud. She knew her own strength—she wouldn’t even fear gods. Yet now, she stood frozen, wavering for long minutes.

Finally, she gathered her resolve and stepped forward.

“Sis, welcome back.”

Yichen’s familiar voice and face greeted her the moment she entered the living room.

“Mm. I’m home.”

Yichen scratched his head, grinning awkwardly. “About that… banquet tonight? Do I need to buy a suit? Or a tux?”

He understood banquets well enough—they came in many forms—but hearing the word from Zixuan for the first time sparked confusion. Imagining her as Skyvoid Group’s chairwoman, he pictured elite galas with tuxedos and evening gowns.

Just seeing him like this made Zixuan’s heart flutter sweetly.

“It’s a joint event hosted by several corporate groups,” she explained, cheeks flushing as her words grew hesitant. “They invite top executives from major companies. As Skyvoid’s chairwoman, I’m invited… and usually, people bring a partner. So… I was hoping you’d come with me. Would you?” She tilted her head down slightly, eyes lifting to meet his.

Yichen swallowed hard.

*(How can she be this cute? It’s practically cheating.)*

His mind didn’t even register the word “no.”

“Ah—sure. Okay.”

Zixuan’s face lit up instantly. “Really? Let’s get your outfit ready now!”

“Huh? What outfit?”

“You don’t own formal wear for galas. We’ll get one tailored.”

“Tailored? It won’t be ready by tonight! Shouldn’t we just buy one?”

“Absolutely not!” Her sudden intensity startled him. “If we wait for them to deliver, it’ll be too late. We’re going to the boutique now!”

***

Yichen hastily grabbed his things and followed Zixuan out. She drove; he sat beside her.

“It’s still morning,” she chattered, a clear smile in her voice. “If we rush them, they’ll finish by noon. They’ll clean it and deliver it—we’ll have it ready to wear. The gala starts at 7 PM at the Condi Hotel. We have time.”

Yichen felt Zixuan was acting strangely today. When he caught himself staring at her, she blushed.

“What are you looking at?”

“Because you’re beautiful.” The words slipped out before he could stop them.

“Silly boy. When did you get so smooth-tongued?” She scolded him, but her smile never faded.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the Dolce & Gabbana boutique in the business district. The clerk frowned at Zixuan’s demand for a same-day tailored suit. Just as Yichen was about to suggest buying off-the-rack, Zixuan slid a black-and-gold card across the counter. Moments later, the clerk beamed, promising the highest-quality suit would be ready by noon and delivered to their door.

“Sis, what will you wear?” Yichen asked on the drive home after his measurements were taken.

“Mmm…” Zixuan pondered. “You’ll see this afternoon.”

“Oh. Okay.” He’d worried she hadn’t prepared an outfit—but clearly, she had.

Back home, Zixuan locked herself in her room. Yichen passed the time reading.

Around 3 PM, his suit arrived. He’d expected Zixuan to inspect it, but her door stayed shut. He took it to his room to try on.

The mirror reflected a young man transformed. The black suit’s precise cut accentuated his height and sharp features, adding a touch of mature charm.

*Will this make me worthy of her?* he wondered silently.

He knocked on Zixuan’s door. “Hey, Sis. Ready yet?”

“Almost. Wait for me in the living room.”

“Okay.”

Inside her room, Zixuan stood before a full-length mirror in a pale blue gown. At first glance, it seemed simple—yet every stitch radiated understated luxury. Each floral pattern, each seam whispered of a master artisan’s hand.

Zixuan had always been certain of her beauty. She knew she could outshine anyone barefaced, unadorned. Yet today, she’d labored over every detail: subtle makeup, white hair pinned with a wisteria clip, the perfect gown, a whisper of perfume.

*Will this make his heart race?*

She practiced a smile in the mirror.

*Yes. Just like this.*

Satisfied, she opened the door.

“Sis! Finally! If we don’t leave now, we’ll be—” Yichen’s words died in his throat. He stared, frozen, swallowing hard. “L-late…”

Zixuan noticed his stutter, his stiff posture—a reaction she hadn’t seen in years. Her efforts hadn’t been wasted. Smiling sweetly, she stepped forward to adjust his bowtie.

“Let’s go, Yichen.”

***

Since Zixuan’s gown restricted her movement, Yichen drove to the Condi Hotel. He scolded himself internally for his earlier flustered stutter. *Act normal tonight.* But glancing at her, he quickly looked away.

*This is just like sneaking looks,* he chided himself.

At the hotel, Yichen opened Zixuan’s door and offered his hand with practiced grace. Surprise flickered across her face before she placed her hand in his, cheeks faintly pink. After handing the keys to a valet, they walked toward the venue.

The Condi Hotel was Heavenly Bay City’s crown jewel—a 250-meter spiral tower dominating the skyline. Its fusion of modern elegance and opulence promised grandeur within.

“I didn’t know you’d open the door for a lady,” Zixuan murmured, arm looped through his. Her voice bubbled with delight.

“O-of course! Basic manners, right?” Yichen turned his face away, flustered.

Before they reached the entrance, Yichen spotted two middle-aged men in expensive suits and a sharply dressed woman—likely a secretary—greeting guests. Behind them stood rows of attendants in formal wear. One man was tall and lean in burgundy; the other, slightly stout with silver-streaked hair in black.

“Sis, who are they?”

Zixuan blinked. “The heavier one… I think he’s the mayor. The other—I don’t know.”

“What?! How don’t you know? What do we do?” Panic edged Yichen’s voice.

“Just greet them,” Zixuan said lightly. Yichen broke into a cold sweat. *What if I embarrass us in front of such important people?*

The moment the men noticed Zixuan, their faces lit up.

“Chairwoman Lin! Your presence truly honors us!” The stout man beamed. “I’m Mayor Zhou Zhidi—you remember me, surely?”

“Chairwoman Lin,” the other bowed slightly. “I’m Party Secretary Chen Zhihua. An honor to meet you.”

Yichen stared, dumbfounded, as the officials introduced themselves as if expecting Zixuan’s indifference. A mysterious aura seemed to surround her. She merely nodded with a faint smile.

“H-hello. M-mayor. S-secretary. I’m…” Even their deference couldn’t stop Yichen’s stammer.

“Ah! You must be Chairwoman Lin’s brother, Yichen!” Mayor Zhou seized his hand warmly before he could finish. “A pleasure!”

“Mayor, how do you know me?”

“Ha! How could we not know the brother of Chairwoman Lin?” Zhou chuckled, elbowing Secretary Chen. “Right, old Chen?”

“Absolutely!” Chen nodded vigorously. “Though if we didn’t know better, we’d think you two were a couple! Ha!”

At this, Zixuan’s polite smile widened unmistakably. The officials, sharp-eyed, seized the cue.

“Indeed! Such a handsome pair—you could pass for newlyweds!”

“P-please don’t say that, Mayor!” Yichen’s face burned crimson.

“Yichen,” Zhou lowered his voice conspiratorially. “Your sister’s suitors might fill this entire hall tonight. You’ll need to guard her well!”

“Y-yes, Mayor. I will.” Yichen nodded stiffly.

“Ha! The gala’s about to begin. Please, go in.” A hostess guided them inside.

After they left, the officials exchanged glances.

“Zhou, thank goodness we introduced ourselves,” Chen muttered. “She really didn’t remember us.”

Zhou sighed wryly. “Did you expect one meeting to make her remember us?”

"Haha, but this is quite new. I haven’t had to speak so humbly since becoming Heavenly Bay City’s Municipal Party Secretary. By the way, how’s the investigation into Chairman Lin’s younger brother going?"

The mayor shook his head. "No good. Planting two informants in his school is already the limit. Chairman Lin assigned Soul Force Wielders to guard him—we can’t get close."

The secretary rested his chin on his fist, thinking for a moment. "So, what have you uncovered?"

"Well… the only thing we know is Lin Yichen seems unaware of his sister’s true identity."

"I recall Chairman Lin uses the name Shirley Estes at the Soul Force Administration. Could this also be to hide it from her brother?"

"Probably. Oh, by the way, her younger brother is still single."

When the Municipal Party Secretary heard "single," his eyes widened instantly, as if spotting buried treasure. "Hey, Old Zhou—you’ve got a daughter, right? She’s quite pretty. How about you… you know…"

The mayor shook his head in distress. "No, no. That girl’s too rebellious; she won’t listen to me at all."

"Come on, you’ve got to figure something out. Connecting with Chairman Lin would help us immensely—not just a little. Then, entering the central government and becoming a Standing Committee member wouldn’t be a dream. My daughter’s already married, and a distant relative won’t do. It’s all on you now."

The mayor pondered for a moment. "Hmm, alright. I’ll think of something."