Yichen stared blankly at Shiyue, her head buried under the quilt, his mind racing to make sense of the situation.

*(Did I stumble in here half-asleep? Impossible. Did Shiyue bring me? But why? Could it be… No, no way. Maybe she just wanted me to rest.)*

Watching Shiyue’s hidden face, Yichen suddenly thought of Zixuan. A wave of heaviness crashed over him. He collapsed onto the bed, gazing dazedly at the ceiling plastered with red hearts.

"Yichen?"

After a while, sensing no movement, Shiyue peeked out from under the quilt. Yichen lay silent, eyes fixed upward, sorrow bleeding into his gaze.

"Yichen… what happened?"

No answer. Shiyue pressed on, her voice soft:

"I saw you squatting alone on the shopping street. You fainted. So… I brought you here. Can you tell me what’s wrong?"

Silence.

"Is it about Miss Zixuan?"

At her name, Yichen’s eyes snapped open. Raw pain twisted his face.

"My sister took me to a banquet," he muttered, voice laced with self-mockery. "I ran away."

"It must’ve been… a big event," Shiyue ventured carefully.

"Yeah. Everyone there was extraordinary." A hollow chuckle escaped him. "Except me. Just a piece of trash." His teeth clenched, recalling something bitter. Shiyue’s heart ached watching him.

"So you ran?"

Yichen gave a silent nod. Close enough.

Shiyue sat up, searching for words to comfort him. The room hummed with a faint, sweet fragrance. The air grew thick, charged. Her heartbeat quickened as she stared at Yichen—his messy hair radiating untamed charm, his deep eyes shimmering with faint phosphorescence, mirroring his turmoil.

Unable to hold back any longer, she cried out:

"Yichen!"

"Shiyue?" He turned, puzzled. She gripped her shirtfront, eyes blazing with resolve. Though the dim light hid her blush, Yichen knew her cheeks burned crimson.

Suddenly, she lunged. Her body pinned him down. Her lips crashed against his.

Sweet breath washed over him. Softness melted his senses. Her tongue parted his teeth, tangling with his own. The kiss was addictive, impossible to refuse.

When they finally broke apart, Shiyue stared into his stunned eyes.

"You don’t have to look only at your sister! Look at me!"

"Shiyue?!"

Yichen had sensed her feelings, but now froze. Shiyue kissed him again, breath hitching. Her hands fumbled with his soaked clothes, driven by instinct. The wet fabric clung stubbornly. She tore at it desperately—*if I stop now, I’ll lose my nerve*. After a struggle, his jacket ripped free.

Her scent, her softness, electrified every nerve. Desire flared. Yichen’s restraint shattered. He pulled her closer, kissing her fiercely while his hands slid under her T-shirt, tracing the smooth skin of her pale waist.

"Mmm… hah~" A sweet whimper escaped Shiyue.

***CRASH!!! SHATTER!!!***

The window exploded inward. Glass shards and concrete chunks rained down. Rain poured into the room.

They jerked apart, staring at the wreckage. Not just the window—the wall was blown open. Standing there was a girl of breathtaking beauty. Snow-white hair danced around a doll-like face. Ruby eyes glistened with tears streaming down her cheeks. Unmistakable. Lin Zixuan.

***BOOOOM!!!***

Thunder roared, shaking the world.

Yichen and Shiyue sat frozen on the bed, clothes disheveled. He couldn’t process how Zixuan had burst through a fifth-floor window.

"Sister!"

The word slipped out before he could stop it. His heart hammered against his ribs.

Then he saw it: Zixuan’s left fist trembled, clenched tight. Crimson blood seeped through her pale fingers, dripping onto the floor.

White light coiled around Shiyue’s right hand. A crystal-like longsword materialized—*Stellar Mark*.

A killing intent slammed into Yichen. Every hair stood on end. He knew that intent was aimed at Shiyue.

"SHIYUE, LOOK OUT!"

He shoved her hard.

***THUD!***

Shiyue tumbled off the bed. Yichen recoiled from the force. When he looked up, Zixuan stood where they’d been moments before. Stellar Mark hung mid-swing. The bedhead—and half the wall behind it—lay in splinters.

*Stellar Mark.*

The name surfaced in Yichen’s mind. He *knew* it.

Zixuan’s icy gaze flicked to Yichen. Then she turned back to Shiyue, raising the sword.

"SISTER!!! NO!!!"

Yichen lunged, screaming.

Too late. Stellar Mark descended.

***"AAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"***

Shiyue’s shriek tore through the room. Her left arm lay severed on the floor.

Zixuan raised the sword again. Yichen threw himself at her waist.

"Sister, please! Stop! I’m begging you!"

Shiyue, trembling on the brink of unconsciousness, saw Yichen’s desperate struggle. A faint, satisfied smile touched her lips as she closed her eyes.

Silence stretched. The blade didn’t fall.

She opened her eyes. Yichen stood between them, arms spread wide.

Zixuan’s eyes widened in disbelief. Stellar Mark hovered at Yichen’s forehead, its edge drawing a thin line of blood.

***"RRRAAAAAGH!!!"***

Yichen roared, slamming into Zixuan. They crashed to the floor. She stared up at him, dazed.

"Yi—"

Before she could speak, Yichen yanked Shiyue up and fled the room.