Resentful of my ignorance. Furious at my powerlessness. Loathing my own weakness.

(Why… why am I always like this? Damn it. I’ve been working so hard every single day—what was all that studying even for?)

Yichen drew a deep breath and stepped forward.

“She’s mine! I won’t let anyone take her from me!”

Shiyue stood frozen, her hand still suspended mid-air where she’d been clinging to Yichen’s arm.

“I *will* become strong enough to stand beside her! No matter what—it’ll be me who stays with her!”

Claire blinked, then sneered. She stepped closer, locking eyes with Yichen.

“And what about the woman behind you? Hmph. Such pretty words, yet you’re still tangled up with other girls!”

Yichen froze. He wanted to argue back—but no words came.

Behind him, Shiyue stood motionless in the darkness, her expression unreadable as she listened.

THUD… THUD… THUD…

The ground trembled. Before Zixuan loomed a three-headed wolf-like Monster—three stories tall, each snarling muzzle dripping with fangs longer than swords. Its bulging muscles radiated terror as it advanced, shaking the earth with every step.

Claire watched with mild interest.

“Oh? A mid-tier Chimera. No wonder there were so many Aofen.”

“Those lion-like Monsters are called Aofen?”

“Right. Every Monster has a name and tier. Aofen are low-tier. This Chimera? Mid-tier.”

Yichen suddenly remembered the three soldiers in blue uniforms who’d saved them. *Are they… still alive?*

“Usually, squads intercept Monsters before they appear. But this Chimera’s tier was way beyond predictions. Those soldiers… they probably didn’t make it.”

Claire said it casually, as if their lives meant nothing.

“But trash like them could never challenge Lady Shirley!”

Claire gazed adoringly at Zixuan, who stood dwarfed before the Chimera’s monstrous bulk—fragile as porcelain, ready to shatter under a single paw.

KRA-KOOM!!!

The Chimera slammed its forepaw down. Stone shards exploded toward Zixuan. She dodged effortlessly, Stellar Mark flashing to slice boulders mid-air.

The center head opened its maw. Flames swirled in its throat—then erupted, a blazing torrent devouring the night as it charged toward Zixuan.

Zixuan spun gracefully. Stellar Mark swept forward in a wide arc.

A silent force erupted from the blade. The earth tore open in a perfect half-circle behind her. The firestorm split apart, scattering into embers. The invisible slash struck the Chimera—cleaving its massive body clean in two before it crashed to the ground.

The battle ended as abruptly as it began.

No epic clash. Just one-sided annihilation. The weak side? The Chimera.

Silence reclaimed the battlefield. Among the corpses, only Zixuan’s slender figure remained standing.

Yichen stared at her back. That familiar helplessness surged again.

*She’s untouchable. I’ll never stand beside her. We’re not even in the same world.*

He felt like an ant straining to glimpse the sky. His legs trembled—he wanted to collapse. *Why keep deluding myself? Why dream of walking with her? I’m just a toad lusting after swan meat. Pathetic.*

His eyes drifted to Shiyue beside him.

She was nearly as beautiful as Zixuan. His heart fluttered for her too. But she wasn’t unreachable like Zixuan. She was ordinary—like him. With her, he wouldn’t feel this crushing weakness. *Is that why I can’t resist her? Because she’s… within reach?*

Yichen squeezed his eyes shut.

Heat flared in his chest. He planted his feet, refusing to buckle.

Zixuan’s faces flashed in his mind—happy, heartbroken, angry, shy, obsessed, tender… Always watching *him*. He realized: even when he felt unworthy, her gaze never left him.

*Does she… like me the way I like her?*

His heart hammered.

*She’s my sister.*

(No. Ridiculous.)

He mocked himself inwardly.

(But if she really…)

Yichen clenched his fists.

A new yet familiar fire ignited in his veins—a desperate, all-consuming will. *If I must fall, let me burn to ashes first.*

His eyes hardened with resolve.

Zixuan approached. Stellar Mark had vanished. Her pale blue gown fluttered in the breeze, pristine despite the carnage.

“Yichen.”

Her ruby eyes shimmered with unease—like a child caught in a lie.

*(What are you afraid of?)*

Yichen stopped holding back. He surged forward, crushing her against his chest.

He wanted to confess. To pour his heart out. But the words choked him. Instead:

“…Thank you, Jie.”

A bitter smile flickered unseen on his lips. *Still so weak.*

“Huh? Yichen?”

Zixuan stiffened, then sighed softly. Blushing, she wrapped her arms around him.

“You haven’t hugged me like this in so long…”

Holding her, Yichen realized she wasn’t the towering figure he’d imagined. She was delicate—so fragile he feared his grip might break her. He never wanted to let go.

“You maggot! Unhand Lady Shirley! You’re defiling her!”

Claire stamped her foot, cheeks puffed, tears welling in her wide eyes.

THUD.

Shiyue collapsed to the ground.

Yichen and Zixuan parted. He stared at Shiyue, guilt twisting his face as he turned away.

Zixuan took his hand.

“Hey! You all okay?”

A familiar voice called out. The three soldiers in blue uniforms limped over—their captain supported by the young man and woman. Behind them, over a dozen injured squad members leaned on each other.

“Lady Shirley! Lady Claire!”

The captain’s worried face lit with reverence. He tried to stand straight but winced, doubling over. His comrades steadied him.

*(Shirley? He means Jie?)*

Yichen frowned at Zixuan.

“I’m Captain Chen Songrong, 7th Division, 3rd Squad. Did you two eliminate the Monsters?”

Zixuan nodded. “We happened to be passing through. You fought well.”

“No, no—we owe you everything! If you hadn’t drawn the Chimera away, we’d all be dead tonight. And you two are unharmed… Wait—you and Lady Shirley are…”

Chen gaped at their clasped hands.

“He’s my brother.”

All three soldiers’ jaws dropped. Then they exhaled in relief. *Thank gods we helped him escape earlier.*

“Lady Shirley, Lady Claire—we’ve suffered heavy casualties. We must return to base.”

Chen’s worry for his wounded men was plain. At Zixuan’s nod, they turned to leave.

“Shall we send a vehicle for you?”

“Unnecessary. We’ll manage.”

Only the four remained.

“Let’s go home, Yichen.”

“Jie… I’ll walk Shiyue home first.”

Zixuan paused, then nodded.

“Lady Shirley!”

Claire darted to Zixuan’s side.

“I’m sorry, Claire. Could you return alone?”

Claire’s shoulders slumped. She shot Yichen a venomous glare, then leapt into the sky and vanished.

Yichen helped Shiyue up, gripping her arm.

“Let me take you home, Shiyue.”

She stayed silent, head bowed, a self-mocking smile on her lips.

The trio walked in silence. Shiyue clung tightly to Yichen’s arm. Zixuan walked on his other side.

Yichen’s eyes met Zixuan’s. Her flawless face was unreadable—until her gaze flicked to Shiyue. For a split second, Yichen saw raw resistance in her eyes.

Their relationship had always been strictly functional. After tonight? He felt trapped between them.

Shiyue kept her head down, pressing herself against Yichen’s arm like a lifeline.

At her apartment’s flickering stairwell light, Shiyue suddenly pulled away.

“This is far enough.”

“Ah… okay.”

She didn’t move toward the stairs. Her eyes locked onto Yichen’s.

“Shiyue?”

She stepped forward—and crushed her lips against his. Her teeth cut his lip. Coppery blood flooded his mouth.

“Yichen!”

Ignoring Zixuan’s cry, Shiyue forced her tongue past his teeth, twisting desperately. His mind went blank. Desire warred with guilt—*Zixuan is watching!*—as his hands hung frozen.

The kiss broke abruptly. A thread of saliva snapped between them.

Shiyue traced his cheek with a feverish, intoxicated smile.

“I like you, Yichen.”

“Shiyue, I—”

She pressed a finger to his lips.

“I won’t give up. And I won’t let you refuse me.”

Her eyes flicked to Zixuan—challenging, triumphant.

"Miss Zixuan, did you see? Yichen didn't push me away. If you dislike it, you can chop off my arm again. Or would you rather kill me outright?"

Zixuan bit her pearly teeth hard, fists clenched tightly, as if ready to strike any second.

"Well then, goodbye, Yichen."

Shiyue turned and hurried up the stairs after speaking.

"Shiyue! I..."

On the stairs, Shiyue glanced back at Yichen, offering a gentle smile tinged with loneliness, then continued climbing.

"Yichen, let's go."

Yichen suddenly felt his hand tugged; he turned to Zixuan.

Her brows were knotted tightly, eager to leave.

Yichen stared blankly for a moment, then nodded.