"Hey, you're awake, right?"

...

"I know you're awake. At least open your eyes."

...

"...Fine. I don't know what you're thinking."

Guya sighed heavily again, her voice thick with exasperation.

"But I'm warning you—hold your breath."

?

Before Xueluo could react,

a pungent stench flooded his nostrils.

He knew it was garlic,

but somehow,

it felt a hundred times more nauseating now.

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

Xueluo erupted into violent coughing. The garlic fumes stung his eyes, forcing tears to stream down.

"What the hell is..."

Roaring, Xueluo raised his hand—but just as he tried to stand—

"Don't move!"

No time to react. A blinding flash slammed into his face.

After the garlic's nausea, he smelled his skin burning.

"Ahhh!"

The light forced Xueluo to drop to one knee, scrambling for cover. Then he realized—he was trapped in a bare room with nowhere to hide.

"Awake now?"

A crisp voice cut through. Xueluo lifted his head.

Through a glass wall, Irina watched him warily. Seeing he was conscious, she switched off the UV lamp beside her.

"I pulled out that silver sword for you."

Irina placed her hand slowly on the door, her tone stern.

"So tell me—who are you? Why were you at my doorstep?"

Xueluo froze at her expression, then shifted his arm slightly. He spoke softly.

"Well... this might be hard to believe."

He coughed once.

"Actually, I'm your big brother."

...

Snap!

Instantly, Irina flipped the UV light back on.

"Hey! Hey! I really am your brother!"

Xueluo rolled wildly on the floor, shouting. Irina yelled back, glaring at his writhing form.

"Shut up, you Vampire! Besides the chest, what about you is like my brother?"

[Is this genetic? Is this genetic? Why does your family obsess over my chest? I'll bite you to death! I swear I'll bite you all!]

"Wait! Wait, Irina! Hold on!"

Snap!

Seemingly granting a sliver of mercy, Irina turned off the light again.

"Give me proof, Vampire."

She patted the spotlight beside her.

"Or I'll burn you alive."

I'm dead. I'm dead. I'm dead.

Feeling his scorched skin, Xueluo sweated profusely.

Guess I have to spill something explosive.

Or she'll really kill me.

He took a deep breath, then spoke seriously.

"When you were ten, you still slept with Xueluo—your great big brother."

...

Pfft!

Irina's face flushed crimson instantly.

But Xueluo seemed oblivious, plowing on.

"And every night before bed, you'd say you'd marry your great big bro..."

Snap!

"Hey! Why'd you turn the spotlight on again!"

"Shut up, idiot!"

Watching Xueluo roll on the ground, Irina shouted, face burning red.

"That... this... yes!"

As if struck by inspiration, she yelled,

"Right! This is punishment for a brother who doesn't understand a girl's heart!"

"That makes zero sense!"