The soft ambiance, gentle service, and mild atmosphere—paired with this awkward situation—were utterly mortifying.

"Ah, Sis... hello..."

Zeming faced the woman before him, stiff and timid like a frozen statue.

Clad in a military uniform with perfect posture, she made no overt moves. Yet her icy gaze, sharp as blades, and her imposing aura pressed down on him like a wild beast.

"Call me Elusa!"

A sharp glare instantly terrified Zeming half to death.

"Yes!!"

Eira watched Zeming sway nervously. After all, this man had married her younger sister.

"Sis, he’s... he’s just shy. Don’t scare him."

"Shy? What a useless guy."

Eira’s worldview shattered. For the first time, she saw her sister so rigid and lifeless—they might as well have both turned to stone.

If not for Vivian, that lively little buffer between her and Elusa, Eira would’ve been even more terrified.

Still, sitting face-to-face like this felt awful. Why did her seat have to be opposite this woman?

After bumping into her at school, they’d ended up eating here together. The awkwardness reminded Zeming of years ago—back when he was a Hero. He’d just saved a young lady and instantly killed a boss, only for her to scold him for eliminating her new boyfriend. Turns out, they’d been in love. That level of awkwardness was unbearable.

"Vivian, eat some veggies for nutrition."

Zeming placed a piece of vegetable in Vivian’s bowl. She beamed happily.

A child who never picky-eats, with that adorable face—he truly felt blessed.

"Here, Vivian, be careful not to get food on your mouth while eating."

Eira wiped sauce from Vivian’s lips with a napkin.

Only when facing their lovely daughter could they stay calm. No wonder people say children are heaven-sent treasures—it was so true.

"Thank you, Daddy, Mommy~~"

Just that tiny smile filled him with pure happiness.

"How long have you been caring for her?"

Zeming noticed a pattern in Elusa’s icy stare: it never touched this pure little angel.

She removed her white gloves and gently stroked Vivian’s head.

Vivian flinched at first but wrinkled her nose, sensing a familiar scent. She warmed to Elusa just like she did with Eira.

The scent of family?

"Almost half a year," Zeming replied.

"What a sweet girl. At first, I almost believed she was my sister’s child—she’s just like Eira was as a kid. Spills food while eating, avoids veggies at all costs, and smiles like an angel."

Elusa’s gaze softened further, utterly charmed by Vivian.

"Sis!!!"

Eira blushed, cutting her off.

"Huh? So you used to be like that, Eira...?"

Zeming was pleasantly surprised. The current Eira was so different—health-conscious, orderly, and always smiling happily. He couldn’t picture it.

"Exactly! And now she’s been stolen by a demon! I’m furious!!"

Her icy glare snapped back to him. Seriously! His heart couldn’t take this!

"Um, has your family not told you? Actually, our marriage happened because..."

A sharp pinch on his thigh silenced him. He clamped his mouth shut and thumped his head on the table.

"Sis, Zeming and I—we chose this willingly."

Eira interrupted to keep their secret hidden.

Right, Zeming almost forgot. Their awkward arrangement was based on a private agreement.

"Willingly? You’re still such a child!"

"Sis, I’m an adult now!"

The sisters locked horns.

"Sorry, but I don’t trust it. You’re newlyweds in that risky phase."

"I’ve changed since then!"

Eira’s face flushed with passion.

But what was the old Eira like? Zeming grew curious.

"Oh? I opposed your Hero career, yet you still do it."

"So what? I’d never join the military! A job that just waits around, ignoring small details—it’s not for me!"

"At least it’s better than being a Hero. That unstable work only causes trouble."

"I agree with that!"

Zeming chimed in.

"See? Even your husband agrees. Though I can’t stand that cockroach’s voice."

"That’s so mean!!"

Another pinch—this one brutal—made him thump his head on the table again. Vivian reached out, patting his head to comfort him.

His daughter truly cared.

"Sis, what do you even want!? We’re busy!"

"A teacher with two students and a Hero on break? Busy?"

Ugh, this woman’s tongue was vicious.

"W-well... Zeming works hard too! Teaching two students takes more effort than handling a crowd!"

Eira glared, dead serious.

Why drag him into this? He really was just idle.

"Even so, you’re free. I’ll stay at your place for a few days—to assess your life together."

"That’s an invasion of privacy!!"

Eira was losing patience.

"Not at all. It’s an evaluation."

She pulled out a scoring board from nowhere and started scribbling on it.

"Ma’am, what are you doing?"

Zeming asked awkwardly.

"Scoring your marriage success index."

In that moment, Zeming knew: this woman wouldn’t leave his life anytime soon.

"Auntie’s staying over? Yay~~"

Vivian cheered happily.

Daughter, grow up a bit more—you’ll learn to read the room then.