Back home, Yichen washed up and lay on his bed. The lights were off, but his eyes stayed wide open as he stared blankly at the ceiling.

The day’s events replayed in his mind like a flickering reel.

*Getting drunk and running away just because strangers mocked me at the banquet—I’m such a coward.* His face flushed at the memory of nearly crossing the line with Shiyue. Then came the wrong turn into Monsters’ territory, the desperate fight, and Claire’s last-minute rescue. It all felt like something straight out of an adventure novel.

Shiyue’s lonely smile at their parting flashed before his eyes. A dull ache pierced his chest—a thorn buried too deep to pull out.

He hated seeing her like that. But he knew he couldn’t return her feelings.

*(If only Shiyue would give up on me…)*

The thought brought a pang of reluctance.

*"Hah! Such sweet words? Then who’s that woman behind you? Hmph! All that talk, yet you’re still mingling with other girls!"*

Claire’s voice echoed in his head. Yichen shook his head hard, trying to banish it.

Memories of Zixuan fighting surfaced—those ferocious Monsters crumbling before her like paper.

*So this is what Sister’s been hiding… No. There’s still more she hasn’t told me.*

Even now, his body thrummed with the aftershock of witnessing her power.

Overwhelming. Majestic. Above all else.

*"And this is merely the tip of Sister’s true strength!"* Claire’s words returned.

*Just how strong is Sister at full power?*

Restlessness surged through Yichen.

He craved to step into the world of Soul Force Wielders. To fight. To grow strong enough to stand beside Zixuan—

But how did one even fight as a Wielder? Would Zixuan train him? Or was there a specialized school? How could he ever surpass her?

Lost in these thoughts, Yichen drifted into sleep.

***

Dawn’s first light slipped through the window, jolting Yichen awake. Sleep vanished instantly. He washed up with military efficiency and stepped out of his room.

Zixuan’s door stood diagonally across the hall. He raised a hand to knock—then froze mid-motion. *Too eager. I’ll wait until she’s up to ask about Soul Power.*

He headed downstairs to make breakfast. They usually took turns cooking whoever woke first.

As Yichen fussed in the kitchen, footsteps tapped down the stairs.

"Up early today, Yichen?"

He turned. Zixuan stood in the kitchen doorway, wrapped in a pale blue lace nightgown.

"Just woke up."

Something was off. Her face was expressionless, her crimson eyes icy.

"Sister, what’s wrong?"

"I checked your room."

Her voice was glacial.

"Oh."

Yichen shrugged. She often peeked in to see if he was awake. Nothing unusual.

"Your room reeks of that vixen’s scent."

A wave of palpable resentment radiated from Zixuan—a dark vortex threatening to swallow him whole. Cold sweat broke out on Yichen’s brow as he instinctively stepped back.

*How can she smell it when I can’t?*

"Sister, it’s not like that! When I was hospitalized, Shiyue took care of me. She couldn’t get home easily, so she stayed over. Her room was unusable that week, so she borrowed mine."

He had no idea why Shiyue had used his room, but the lie tumbled out for credibility.

Zixuan’s gaze turned suspicious.

"Why unusable?"

"Uh… well…" Yichen faltered.

Without a word, Zixuan turned and walked out, leaving him stranded in awkward silence.

When Yichen set breakfast on the table, Zixuan sat stiffly on the sofa, arms crossed, simmering.

He’d never seen her sulk like this.

"Breakfast is ready, Sister."

She wordlessly took her seat and began eating.

"Are you… angry with me?"

No reply.

The thought that she was jealous over him sent a jolt through his chest.

"Really, there’s nothing between me and Shiyue. And that night at the love hotel—you saw—I was drunk. The situation was… complicated."

He didn’t know why he was explaining, but panic gripped him like a cheating husband caught red-handed.

Zixuan suddenly looked up, locking eyes with him.

"Do you like her?"

He sensed a flicker of uncertainty in her gaze.

"Of course not—"

The denial died on his lips. Shiyue couldn’t compare to Zixuan, yet… he *did* feel something for her.

Zixuan smiled. The sweetness of it sent chills down his spine.

"Yichen."

"Y-yes?"

"I’ve decided unfaithful boys are utterly despicable."

"Eh? W-well, obviously."

"I *loathe* them. Should they be crushed? Drowned? Burned? Poisoned? Or… spared, but castrated?"

Sweat trickled down Yichen’s back.

"Haha… that’s too cruel! Maybe… give them a chance to repent?"

"Hmm~ True~ Then a hundred lashes with a whip. Survive that, and they earn redemption."

Yichen’s knees trembled.

"W-what about… ten lashes?"

Zixuan’s eyes sharpened like blades.

"Yichen."

"Y-yes?"

"I don’t allow boys to sail two boats."

"Ah! Sister! How about a date today? We’ve got nothing else planned. What do you say?"

He blurted it out, ears burning. But he knew this would please her.

Zixuan froze—then beamed, the murderous glint vanishing like mist.

Yichen exhaled silently. *Thank goodness she falls for this every time.*

***

Heavenly Bay City’s Yida Commercial Center—a sprawling modern complex the city prided itself on. Supermarkets, boutiques, eateries, and entertainment hubs filled its halls. Yichen and Zixuan frequented it often; today was no exception.

Zixuan wore a loose white tee with a silver "I LOVE YOU" print, paired with a blue skirt. Her snow-white hair was tied in a high ponytail—a chic urban look layered with otherworldly mystery. Passersby did double-takes, mistaking her for a celebrity. Yichen kept it simple: a white tee and cropped jeans, radiating boyish charm.

Most visitors came for the same things: shopping, dining, movies, karaoke. For Yichen and Zixuan, today meant one thing—clothes shopping for Zixuan.

She always lit up in boutiques, eager to try every new piece. Blessed with perfect proportions, she suited everything. Store clerks often begged to photograph her in their outfits; some even offered free dresses if she’d let them display the photos. Yichen always refused. The thought of strangers gawking at her pictures made his blood simmer.

"Yichen, how’s this one?"

In a boutique, Zixuan twirled in a dress embroidered with delicate Bauhinia flowers.

"Hmm. Nice."

She changed.

"And this?"

"Hmm. Nice."

Another change.

"What about this?"

"Hmm. Nice."

Her expression darkened.

"Pick *one*."

Yichen wasn’t distracted—he genuinely thought all three looked stunning on her. But when forced to choose…

His eyes darted between the dresses, then landed on the skimpiest one.

*Just imagining her in it makes my heart race.*

Zixuan’s delicate brows furrowed—a clear sign of disapproval. He quickly pointed to the blue Bauhinia-patterned dress instead. Its mid-calf skirt and modest neckline radiated pure elegance.

Her smile returned, satisfied.

"Then I’ll take this one."

Outside the store, Yichen carried two shopping bags—one holding the sky-blue dress, the other the revealing outfit.

After more browsing, they settled at a beverage stall with drinks in hand.

"Your fashion sense is hopeless. You only pick the skimpy ones."

Zixuan still sounded peeved.

"Skimpy’s trendy these days!" Yichen argued weakly.

Zixuan sighed, giving him a look. "Guess I can’t blame you. You *are* at that age."

"Hey! You’re at that age too!"

Zixuan held up a finger. "Listen. Choosing clothes isn’t just about the design. It’s about whether the wearer *suits* the piece. A plain dress on the right person beats a gorgeous one on the wrong."

"Yeah, yeah. But you look good in everything."

"I know."

She stated it flatly. Yichen could only smile wryly.

"But there *are* differences. Why else would so many styles exist? Even clerks give varied opinions."

Sometimes her words carried the weight of lived centuries.

"Then just ask the clerks next time."

"Idiot."

Zixuan shot him a glance before turning away, sipping her drink.

"Oh—Sister. How do I fight as a Soul Force Wielder? Is there a special school?"

Zixuan paused, her gaze dropping.

"Yichen… are you truly set on this path?"

"Yes."

He nodded firmly.

"There *is* a school for Wielders. You’ll learn Soul Power theory there. Start there first."

"When can I go?"

He barely contained his excitement.

"...Whenever."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yichen." Her tone turned unyielding. "Give it a week. If you still want to go next Sunday… I’ll arrange it immediately."

Yichen could only nod.

"I understand. But my decision won’t change."

The two fell silent for a moment.

"Sis, how about we go watch a movie later?"

Hearing Yichen’s question, Zixuan smiled.

"Mm, let’s see what’s showing first."

"I heard they’re playing Batman v Superman recently—it’s supposed to be super good."

"An animated film? I remember you loved Ultraman Tiga as a kid. You even treated me like a monster and said you’d eliminate me."

As she spoke, Zixuan slightly puffed out her cheeks, seeming quite displeased about being called a monster.

Yichen recalled those childhood moments—he’d just been imitating Ultraman Tiga’s scenes. He remembered striking the hero’s finishing-move pose, then throwing a fork at Zixuan. It hit her forehead… What happened after that was blurry; he felt oddly reluctant to dig it up.

"No, Ultraman Tiga’s for kids. Batman v Superman is a big American blockbuster."

"In that case, let’s watch that one."

"Mm, I’ll buy the tickets."

Yichen stood and headed toward the ticket counter. Zixuan immediately followed, taking his hand.

"Seriously, I’m not a kid anymore."

"I don’t see you as one."

Zixuan’s smile bloomed like a white rose.

Yichen blushed.

"Ah, um… that works."