The two of them walked to the riverside. Yichen realized this was where he and Shiyue had run into those thugs. The same dim streetlights. The same frogs calling from the grass by the water.

Zixuan suddenly showed a faint smile, tinged with a little helplessness.

“Never thought that kid would be so stubborn.”

“Sis, could you… not hurt her anymore?”

“Mm. I won’t. I don’t want you to hate me.”

She spoke softly. In her ruby-like eyes, it was like ripples were swaying.

Yichen turned his head, looking at her profile. Her stunning beauty made his mind sway for a moment. He had a lot to ask, but didn’t know where to start.

“…You knew I was a Soul Force Wielder from the beginning?”

Zixuan’s gaze held apology. She nodded silently.

Seeing her reaction, a sudden impulse surged in Yichen. He strode ahead of her, stopped, and met her eyes head-on.

“Sis, tell me everything. I know you’ve been hiding things from me. I don’t want to stay in the dark anymore!”

“And what will you do after you know?”

“You’re a Soul Force Wielder, right? You’ve been fighting those Monsters all this time. Let me join you. Let me stay by your side, fight those Monsters like you!”

Zixuan smiled lightly, like she was looking at a kid acting on impulse.

“I figured you’d say that.”

“Uh, how’d you know?”

“Boys always want to play hero in front of girls.”

“I’m not!”

Yichen raised his voice. He felt his resolve was being underestimated. His determination wasn’t some childish phase.

Then Zixuan leaned forward. She hugged him tight. Yichen felt her body tremble a little.

Her voice came out choked.

“I know, I know. But a Soul Force Wielder can die any time in battle. You saw those injured people, right? You could end up like them at any moment!”

Zixuan tilted her face up. That flawless beauty carried a pleading look.

“Hey, isn’t this fine? Whatever you want, I can give you. Just live a good life as a normal person.”

Yichen froze. He hadn’t expected Zixuan to want him to stay ordinary this much. He bit down.

“But I don’t want you fighting alone.”

“Idiot, you saw how strong I am, right? I won’t be in danger. Yichen, anything but this—do whatever you want. Why do you have to choose to fight as a Soul Force Wielder?”

Yichen couldn’t hold it back anymore. He shouted:

“Because I can’t stand always being protected by you! Do you get it? It really… hurts. Being someone who can’t do anything but be protected. Every time I see you carrying something heavy, I can’t help at all. Sis, you shoulder so many things by yourself, don’t you? Why don’t you tell me? Why won’t you let me carry some of it?”

Zixuan’s brows suddenly knitted. Her scarlet eyes turned strict.

“You think having Soul Power means you can fight like me? Impossible! You’re nowhere near my level! You saw those injured people, didn’t you? If you fight, you’ll be just like them!”

“So what!”

Yichen clenched his fists, telling himself he can’t back down now. He’d already guessed that someone with Zixuan’s combat power was one in a million. Fighting Monsters had to be extremely dangerous. But he couldn’t give up. He would not give up the only chance to step into Zixuan’s world.

“Even so, I refuse to be a useless burden who can only be protected by you!”

His unexpected toughness made Zixuan blink. She stared at him for a while. Then she lifted a smile that could bewitch all.

“Hey, Yichen, are you dissatisfied with anything I’ve given you? If you want something, you can tell me.”

“Huh? I… I’m not.”

“Heh, really not? I know. When did it start…? Your gaze at me has been a bit dirty, you know?”

Zixuan slid out a pink tongue and licked her lips. Under the moonlight, it shimmered with a sultry sheen.

“Um, Sis, I—”

He tried to explain, but the words wouldn’t come.

“You’ve grown up. You’re very interested in my body, aren’t you?”

Her tender voice plucked every fragile nerve in him.

“I—I’m not…”

He still tried to deny it.

Zixuan gently caressed his cheek. Her body pressed close. The softness of her chest pressed against his, squashing and reshaping.

The smooth touch of her fingers sent heat rising in him, out of his control.

“Don’t be shy, okay? You’re in your teens. If you want it, just say it~”

He couldn’t refute it. But—this wasn’t it!

Yichen screamed inside.

Then Zixuan tilted her face up and kissed his lips. The sudden move short-circuited his brain. Blank. Just like Shiyue’s surprise kiss earlier, he froze, not knowing how to react. But unlike Shiyue’s clumsy attempt, Zixuan teased him skillfully, exploring every corner of his mouth.

“Mm… ha.”

Zixuan let out sultry breaths.

Yichen’s mind turned pink. The lingering kiss ate at his reason like a drug, pulling at his desire. Then desire tore free like a beast breaking its cage.

His tongue tangled with hers, actively. He kissed her hard. He kissed too hard and scraped her lips. Zixuan let out a muffled moan, but didn’t pull back. A line of crimson slid from her lip.

It only fanned Yichen’s fire. He pressed one hand to her softness and kneaded hard. Under his palm it was soft, springy, and too full for one hand to cover.

“Mm… mm… ha.”

Zixuan pressed closer in rhythm, letting out sweet little sounds.

After a long moment, they parted. Her lush chest heaved fast. Her eyes were hazy. Her cheeks flushed with intoxicating red. Her thin cherry lips parted, panting. At the corner of her mouth, a streak of red remained.

Seeing the blood at her lip, Yichen realized he’d been too rough. His heart twinged.

Then a burning feeling surged up inside—

She was this beautiful, this strong, yet she was letting him have his way.

It was a temptation stronger than any drug. His desire blazed hotter. His eyes looked at Zixuan like a beast.

Suddenly, something flashed through his mind. A voice rang loud inside: If you sink into this, nothing will change!

Yichen gritted his teeth and shoved Zixuan away.

“Yichen?”

Confusion flickered across her face. Her pale hand reached for his cheek.

He grabbed her wrist, hard, and stared straight at her.

“Sis! I’m going to fight with you!”

Zixuan looked like a scared little animal. She shook her head.

“But, Yichen…”

Seeing her like that, Yichen felt his blood boil.

“Forget it! If you won’t allow it, I’ll find a way myself! I won’t meet you again!”

The moment he blurted it out, regret hit him. How could he bear not seeing her? He was the one who wished to see her every day.

“No!!!”

Zixuan screamed. Her eyes widened. She shook her head desperately. Her face went pale.

Seeing her like this, Yichen’s heart ached.

It was the first time he’d seen her wear that expression.

Her other hand clutched his arm tight. Her cherry lips trembled.

“Don’t, don’t, Yichen, I promise you.”

Hearing her answer, the weight in his chest dropped. His expression eased at once.

“I’m sorry.”

He was filled with guilt. He’d been too impulsive.

Seeing him relax, the fear faded from Zixuan’s face. She sagged and fell weakly to the ground.

Yichen quickly helped her up. As soon as she stood, she seemed to stumble and fell into his arms. She hugged him tight.

“Hey, Yichen, please. Don’t say that again, okay? Don’t say you’ll leave me.”

Her body trembled slightly. Yichen felt her unease.

“I’m sorry, Sis.”

Looking at the Zixuan limp in his arms, he couldn’t square it with the girl who had just cut down countless fierce Monsters on the battlefield. That powerful girl was now leaning on him, soft and frail.

A thought rose in Yichen’s mind. If she were always this gentle, and if he were the strong one, he could protect her forever.

“Sis, tell me. What do I have to do to join the fight?”

“Do you really want this?”

She looked exhausted.

Yichen nodded hard.

“Tomorrow… can we talk then?”

Seeing her like this, he couldn’t keep pressing her. He agreed.

“…Alright.”

“Yichen, Sis is really hurt right now.”

Zixuan muttered, her tone filled with a kind of quiet grievance.

“What do you mean hurt?”

“Why did you push me away? Am I not charming?”

“Of course not! But we’re siblings!”

Yichen felt his face go hot.

“Hey, Sis, do you… have experience with that?”

He remembered the kiss. He asked hesitantly.

Zixuan blinked.

“What kind?”

“J-just… the kiss. You seemed so skilled.”

She paused, then a wicked smile curved her lips.

“Mm, I’ve got plenty of experience.”

Yichen’s heart clenched hard. He resisted that answer with all his might.

“Then… do you have a lover?”

“I used to.”

“I… see.”

“Hey, are you jealous?”

“I…”

He didn’t admit it, but it was written all over his face.

“Heehee, I’m so happy.”

Zixuan smiled blissfully. She rested her cheek on his chest, her body boneless against him.

“Don’t worry. Past, present, future, I’m always yours. I’ll only be yours.”

Her near-confession made his heart jolt. Yichen turned his flushed face aside.

“Seriously, let’s go. It’s late.”

He grabbed her hand and started forward in a rush.

They walked a few steps.

“Hey, Yichen.”

He felt the pull at his hand, so he stopped and looked back at her.

Zixuan lowered her head slightly, showing a soft, perfect smile. Her expression shifted—hopeful, then uneasy, then hesitant. In the end, hope won. She murmured like sleep-talk:

“Yichen, I wish you’d remember soon. I want you to become the you from before, my Mi…”

Her voice cut off suddenly. She seemed to realize she’d spoken too impulsively. Regret flickered on her face.

Yichen stared.

“Remember what? The old me? The memories I lost?”

Zixuan hesitated for a long time. Her eyes dimmed. She looked like she wanted to say something, but she shook her head in the end.

“I can’t tell you. If I do, you’ll only get confused… Hey, when the time comes, will you forgive me again?”

“If you won’t tell me, don’t say weird stuff,” Yichen said, taking her expression as plain exhaustion. “I’m tired too. Let’s just go home and rest!”

“Eh?”

Before she could react, Yichen was already pulling her along.

He walked fast, unconsciously tightening his grip on her hand.

“Hey, Yichen.”

“What is it?”

He felt Zixuan getting oddly fussy. He stopped again, but only turned his head to look at her.

"Well, I've already done what you asked... though... I don't know if you're satisfied."

Zixuan's voice trembled slightly. Yichen suddenly realized that although she was looking at him as she spoke, it felt like she was addressing someone else—someone who was him, yet not him.

Two glistening tears streamed down Zixuan's cheeks. Yichen clenched his teeth and pulled her into a tight embrace.

Not knowing what else to do, he couldn't bring himself to act differently.

But Yichen confirmed one thing to himself: he truly hated seeing Zixuan cry.

About ten minutes later, Zixuan finally stopped crying. She reached up to wipe away her tears.

"Sorry... I think I'm a bit... not myself right now."

Yichen, who had never comforted anyone before, frantically searched his mind for ideas. He recalled a TV drama scene he'd seen.

So he deliberately lowered his voice: "When you want to cry, it's better to let it out."

Seeing Yichen's stiff attempt at maturity, Zixuan let out a soft chuckle.

"Silly. Hey, Yichen, can you carry me on your back?"

Yichen wore an embarrassed expression, but seeing her tear-streaked face, he turned and squatted down with his back to her.

"Come on up."

After Zixuan climbed on, Yichen's hands supported her just below her thighs. His palms touched her skin directly through her thin clothes—the smooth, soft, and elastic feel made him blush.

He pushed away improper thoughts and summoned his strength to stand... only to find her much lighter than expected. He'd braced for struggle, but rose effortlessly.

Zixuan's body was lighter than he'd imagined. Yichen tightened his grip on her legs, lifted her slightly to adjust her position, and started walking.

Zixuan wore a happy smile, clinging tightly to his back like a koala.

Thanks to her light weight, Yichen didn't feel tired at all as they walked in silence along the quiet path.

Feeling her presence behind him, Yichen suddenly recalled her crying face. The sight of her sorrow made his heart ache.

Zixuan wasn't someone who didn't need protection—her vulnerability was simply hidden deep within her heart.

Get stronger. Get stronger. Get stronger. I will never let her cry again.

Yichen's gaze turned resolute, his pace unconsciously quickening.

One day, I'll become strong enough to protect her—strong enough for her to rely on.