Chuyun was dumbfounded. What was going on? Why had his favorability dropped again? Had his last words caused this?

Watching his sister throw another tantrum, Chuyun felt puzzled. He’d thought Xiaoqi had finally matured. Sigh. He’d clearly overestimated her.

Still, Chuyun figured out a way to handle her. Just soften his tone with her. He’d try it later.

“Ugh, damn Chuyun! Why make the sandwich so huge? How am I supposed to eat this? You really enjoy annoying me every day.”

Xia Shiqi glared at Chuyun, her almond-shaped eyes wide with fury, as she stared at the sandwich on her plate.

After silently cursing him, she studied the oversized sandwich. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. Then, with her fair, slender hands, she gently picked it up and squeezed the edges a little.

Seeing the edges shrink, she parted her cherry lips and took small bites. Eating too fast with too many fillings, her rosy cheeks slowly puffed up like a hamster’s.

Choking slightly, she grabbed the thick yogurt beside her. A gurgle sounded as she swallowed. Her delicate hand patted her chest. Her lips parted slightly, releasing a sweet, strawberry-scented breath.

Though she swallowed successfully, Xia Shiqi’s morning grumpiness flared. Staring at Chuyun’s annoying face and remembering yesterday’s unresolved anger, she snapped.

“Chuyun! Did you do this on purpose? Making the sandwich so thick and huge—trying to choke me so that shameless woman can move in for your cozy little life?” Her rosy cheeks puffed up like a hamster’s as she glared furiously.

Chuyun watched his fiery sister. Of course—sisters who didn’t throw tantrums didn’t exist. If he argued back, Xiaoqi would shout until her face turned crimson.

The old Chuyun would’ve lectured her now. But after learning her favorability yesterday and his future mistakes, he only wanted to make amends. He’d failed to care for Xiaoqi. Maybe his approach was wrong, making her hate him more.

Chuyun resolved to be gentle. Use a soft approach. Pamper Xiaoqi to show brotherly care. Then, she might drop her grudges and accept him again.

If Xiaoqi stopped hating him—and their bond returned to how it was—he could wait for her main quest to trigger. Completing it might prevent the future disaster.

Chuyun devised a plan. Like Zhou Yu’s legendary strategies, now Chuyun’s strategy to appease his sister. But only if Xiaoqi didn’t truly hate him.

He guessed she hated the preachy brother, not the person.

Chuyun vowed: in three days, he’d raise her favorability from -99 to normal. For her sake and to avoid quest penalties, he’d pamper Xiaoqi hard. Fix her favorability first, then decide next steps.

After this thought, Chuyun forced a tender smile. He clasped his hands together, bowing apologetically.

“Xiaoqi, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault—I was lazy. Next time, I’ll do whatever you want. Will you forgive me?”

“How about I take you out this weekend as apology? We haven’t gone out together in ages.”

“You... huh? Wait, what???”

“What’s wrong with Chuyun? Did his brain break?”

Surprise flickered on Xia Shiqi’s delicate face. Seeing this meek, apologetic Chuyun, she felt oddly unsettled.

Strange. Why wasn’t he arguing today?

Xia Shiqi had planned to fight and vent her frustration. But faced with this new Chuyun, she froze, unsure how to react.

She hadn’t seen him like this in years. Since that incident, they were always arguing—or rushing toward the next fight.

And he’d actually suggested going out together. She realized it had been ages since they’d done that. They barely avoided fights, let alone outings. Sometimes, she knew this was wrong.

But every time she saw that woman’s arrogance and heard Chuyun’s preachy, grating words as an “older brother,” she couldn’t help but snap.

Today’s Chuyun seemed like a different person. It made her uneasy—but not unpleasant. Remembering her best friend’s advice last night, why keep fighting Chuyun? It only benefited that awful woman.

This thought tempted her. Though she wanted to act haughty and refuse, her slightly upturned pink lips betrayed her true feelings.

“Hmph! You’re such a sister complex case. So desperate to go out with me? Fine, I’ll reluctantly agree since you’re being so sincere!” Xia Shiqi lifted her chin like a queen, gazing down at him as if granting a royal favor.

Her delicate face turned serious. Her dark eyes flickered. She added, “But don’t bring that woman. If she’s there, I’ll never speak to you again.”

“Yes, yes. Whatever Xiaoqi says!”

“Hmph! Good!” Seeing his obedience, Xia Shiqi nodded happily. Chuyun really did care about her.

Her mood lifted. She hummed a tune. Her bright almond eyes narrowed into crescents. Rosy cheeks dimpled with faint, joyful smiles.

*Ding! Xia Shiqi’s favorability +30!*

*Current favorability toward Chuyun: -69.*

Thirty points at once? Chuyun was stunned. This approach really worked.