Why would I become like that in the future?

Chuyun felt despair, sorrow, and self-reproach. He couldn’t imagine what he’d done to make those girls suffer such pitiful fates.

He didn’t know the details, but the system appearing before him was likely no good omen.

"System," Chuyun asked wearily, "what should I do now? How can I save them and change the future? Why did I get dragged into this?"

"Rest assured, Master. This system will guide you step by step to save them. Simply treat them like family and win them over with love."

"Which girls need saving now? What exactly must I do?" Chuyun knew dwelling on it was useless. He’d atone for his future self.

"Ten girls were harmed by you in the future. Each has a unique main quest. Complete them to save her."

"Ten... so many? How is a quest considered complete?"

"When this system detects a girl ready for rescue, it will issue a guidance quest. Completing it unlocks her main quest."

"Raise her affection to 100 and fulfill specific conditions to succeed."

"Understood." Chuyun silently vowed to save every girl destined for tragedy because of him.

"Additionally, completing main or side quests grants points and Charm. Points buy items in the system store. Charm makes you more appealing to the opposite sex, aiding rescues."

*Ding!* "Master, consume this Charm Pill to gain 10 Charm."

A small red pouch materialized mid-air. Curious, Chuyun plucked it and tipped a white pill onto his palm. He popped it in his mouth. It crunched sweetly. *Did my Charm just increase by ten?*

Something felt off, but he couldn’t pinpoint it. He let it go.

As Chuyun pondered, the system’s voice echoed in his mind.

*Ding!* "First side quest issued."

"Quest Name: The Drifting Sister."

"Objective: Restore your sister’s affection to normal within three days."

"Reward: 3 points, 1 Charm."

"Penalty for Failure: Immediate erasure (Just kidding)."

"It’s starting already? And the target is Xiaoqi..." Chuyun’s brows furrowed tightly. *Why would my future self hurt Xiaoqi? I’ve always cherished her.*

But what was this "erasure" nonsense? Would he die if he failed?

*Ding!* "This penalty is a motivational tool from your future self. Complete quests diligently, and it won’t trigger."

...

Chuyun wanted to complain. *Why should I atone for crimes my future self committed?* Yet his resolve held. Saving those girls mattered more than the penalty.

But "restore affection to normal"? Was it negative now? "System," he asked, "is Xiaoqi’s current affection negative?"

"Check Xia Shiqi’s status panel for details, Master."

"How?"

"Silently speak the name of anyone you wish to save. Their panel will appear."

Chuyun murmured his sister’s name. The floating data stunned him into silence:

**Name:** Xia Shiqi

**Gender:** Female

**Age:** 13

**Affection for Chuyun:** -99

*-99?* No wonder Xiaoqi hated him. *What do I do?*

He reflected on the years since their parents’ funeral, when their bond frayed. He’d been drowning in grief, exhausted by Xiaoqi’s tantrums. Only Sister Wan’er’s support kept him afloat.

*Xiaoqi and Wan’er’s relationship soured around then too...* He’d ask Wan’er later.

Perhaps he’d failed as an older brother. Every argument, he’d scolded her like a parent. Each time, she’d hiss back like a bristling kitten. *That must be why her affection plummeted.*

Tomorrow, he’d try a gentler approach. He couldn’t let the future repeat.

But raising -99 to normal in three days? Nearly impossible.

Still, he had to try. Not just for the penalty. She was his sister.

They shared no blood, but years of family ties bound them. He ached to hear her call him "Brother" again—she’d only used his name for years.

The thought of future Xiaoqi suffering because of him made his chest tighten. He’d rather travel back in time to confront his future self.

The wall clock chimed eleven.

*It’s late.* Chuyun climbed into bed. *I’ll figure out how to raise her affection tomorrow.*