Under the banyan tree by the sports field, I stared at Xu Xian in shock. He met my gaze with equal seriousness.

After a pause, Xu Xian patted my shoulder. "Yep. I just want you to call me ‘big brother’ warmly."

My lips twitched. I wanted to hang this dead-serious Xu Xian from the tree to cool off. "Drop dead! What kind of brother are you? And I absolutely don’t want to meet your sister—I’d rather never see her again!"

Xu Xian seemed surprised by my bluntness. "Huh? Seriously? You’re a normal guy, right? How could you not be interested in my sister? Even I sometimes can’t help wanting to win her over... Well, except her chest is too flat. But as Xiao Yi says, that’s part of her charm, isn’t it?"

"Of course... I’m not... uninterested. Though your sister’s chest *is* kinda small. Smaller than my sister’s..."

"Then what’s holding you back? With me playing the villain, she’ll definitely try to ‘rescue’ fragile little you from me. Do you know how many guys would line up from the second-floor cafeteria to the subway station just to call me ‘bro’?"

"But... isn’t this wrong? Is your sister really into girls? *Only* girls?" I whispered, as if confirming Xu Lingzhu wasn’t another terrifying demon.

Xu Xian nodded grimly. "She won’t even hang her towel in the same bathroom as Dad and me. Plus, I think she’s got that infamous ‘sophomore syndrome.’ Don’t be fooled by her icy, serious act—she’s always holed up in her room acting weird. Lately, she just stares at her phone giggling like a maniac. At this rate, she’s beyond saving!"

Honestly, any straight guy would find Xu Lingzhu irresistible. I couldn’t deny my own fluttering heart for the mixed-race beauty. But—but—but I’d walked into the girls’ restroom right in front of her yesterday...

Part of my hesitation also came from that demon’s lingering shadow. Her twisted views had warped me too. Ethically, "reforming" the Student Council President through Xu Xian’s scheme might even be the right thing—and honestly, I was the only one suited for it.

But Sister Qin’s words shook me. Everyone has the right to choose their own path. No matter how badly they crash, no one should twist their life out of "kindness." Before, I’d have jumped at Xu Xian’s flawless plan, pounding my chest to "save" a beauty from misery. But now... I had no right to judge others’ choices.

"Still no!"

"Why?"

"I’ve got a terminal illness—drops dead whenever I see the Student Council President. Just spare me!"

Xu Xian held my gaze for a long moment, then sighed. "So you saw through me already? Guess my lying skills need work."

"L-Lying?"

A dark vein popped on my forehead. This bastard... had been messing with me the whole time?

Xu Xian yawned. "School’s so boring—I’d die without stirring up trouble. Didn’t expect you to actually resist though. Xiao Yi would’ve played along even if he knew I was bullshitting."

I narrowed my eyes, voice icy. "So you just wanted to hassle your sister and amuse yourself?"

Xu Xian stepped back warily, hands up. "Not *just* that! I’m genuinely curious if she’s into girls. You were my test subject. Either way, you win: if she’s not, you’d be the first guy to break through her walls. If she is? Well, becoming her ‘futanari’ girlfriend wouldn’t be so bad, right? Hahahaha—"

So Xu Lingzhu’s orientation was still unconfirmed. One thing was certain: Xu Xian was a total scumbag—and a champion sister-saboteur.

"Like hell I will!"

I swung a fist at Xu Xian’s smug, golden-boy face. He dodged easily, keeping his safe distance. Damn it. The offer *was* tempting. If I hadn’t barged into the girls’ restroom yesterday—if I weren’t so loyal to Sister Qin—I might’ve fallen for this smooth-talking gigolo’s trap.

The world’s best brother-schemer grinned, surrendering. "Alright, alright! Since you hate it, let’s play tennis. Looks like another boring day ahead."

I cracked my knuckles, smiling tightly. "Try this again, and I’ll wipe that smile off your face."

Xu Xian slung an arm around my shoulders, strolling toward the courts. "Fine, fine! I’ll fetch balls today. Smash away!"

"How much do you *hate* your sister to cook up such a low trick?"

"*She* started it! I’m sick of her high-and-mighty act!"

*Sigh.* Every family’s got its struggles. Sibling harmony must be someone else’s story...

Yet just as I readied my clumsy first serve, the last person I wanted to see cut across countless courts toward our edge spot. Every head turned, eyes glued to her.

"Hello."

Was this polite tone really how you greet your brother? I wished Xiao Yu would belt out a cheerful "Onii-chan!" I tilted my head down, avoiding Xu Lingzhu’s face. From this angle, all I saw were two long, pale legs beneath her shorts.

Silence. I glanced at Xu Xian—he stared back, equally baffled.

"*Hello!*"

Xu Lingzhu’s voice sharpened. No illusion: she’d stepped closer. Those smooth legs were now inches away.

I forced myself to look up. Her loose white shirt was knotted at the waist to avoid flashing during jumps—a cute touch that highlighted her flat chest but added youthful energy.

No illusion. Her emerald eyes, glistening in the sunlight, locked onto mine. That was the horror. No wonder Xu Xian stood speechless and confused. From every angle, she was greeting *me*—ignoring her own brother across from her...

*She recognized me.* I swallowed hard. "H-Hello?"

Xu Lingzhu gave a light, shallow smile. "Fancy meeting so soon. Yesterday’s duel was thrilling. I’d thought you’d pick a field you excel at."

*Duel?* What was she talking about? At least she hadn’t caught my bathroom blunder...

She swung her racket, pointing at me. "I said I wouldn’t give up. How about settling this with tennis today?"

What kind of plot twist was this?! I’d already dodged Xu Xian’s trap—why was the Student Council President still picking a fight?!

Xu Xian instantly snapped out of his laziness, eyes gleaming with approval as he shot me a "well done" look. Before I could refuse, the ultimate troublemaker chimed in: "Great idea! But two players is dull. Doubles?"

Xu Lingzhu swept a dismissive glance over Xu Xian, treating him like a bug. "Oh? You’re here too? My apologies. Please don’t butt into others’ conversations uninvited."

I nodded firmly, ignoring the envious stares from Xiao Yi, Bao Yu, and others, scrambling for a way out of this absurd challenge.

Xu Xian’s eyebrows shot up, smiling sweetly. "Still so infuriating. Seems I need to teach you how to respect your elder brother."

"Oh? I’d love to see you try." Xu Lingzhu’s lips curled. She scanned the crowded courts, skipping over eager volunteers, until her gaze landed on a girl with a strange expression. With a humble nod, she asked: "Classmate, would you partner with me?"

"Eh? Me?" The timid girl pointed at herself, torn between laughter and tears.

*Hey!* Don’t just decide things unilaterally! Both siblings were utterly unreasonable. No wonder Xu Xian schemed against her—they truly were sworn enemies. When I saw Xu Lingzhu’s chosen partner, my eyelid twitched again. It was Nan Dongye, trying—and failing—to suppress a smile. She wouldn’t even look at me. Yesterday, this brat swore I’d "never bump into our glorious president again."

As we took positions, my mind reeled. I wanted to refuse but felt guilty under the Student Council President’s authority. Ultimately, *I* was wrong for entering the girls’ restroom first. But what was she talking about? When had we dueled yesterday?

The bigger question: Did she know a *guy* had walked into the girls’ restroom?

***Crack!***

While a storm of questions swirled in my head, Xu Xian’s first serve sliced sharply through the air.