"Could it be... Lingyuan?"

"Ah... um..." Yixinxue wished the floor would split open so she could vanish. Only Lingyuan’s foot peeked out from the wardrobe, his body buried under a heap of clothes, fast asleep.

Even when Yiyingnan shouted his name, he didn’t stir. Had it not been for his steady breathing, Yiyingnan might’ve thought he’d gone to heaven.

"This..." Yiyingnan’s words stuck in her throat. She didn’t know whether to scold her sister or not.

It was obviously Yixinxue’s doing.

After all, in her sister’s stories, Lingyuan was always a well-behaved boy—just bad at studying.

Fainting here because he was bewitched by these weird outfits?

That made zero sense.

"Xue’er," Yiyingnan sighed, turning to find Yixinxue already hiding far away. "What exactly did you plan to do with him? He’s just an ordinary boy..."

"Don’t scold me... I just..." Yixinxue bit her lip, then blurted out frankly, "I couldn’t help myself!"

"Couldn’t help yourself—*pfft*." Yiyingnan snorted with laughter. "Is there any boy Xue’er can’t handle?"

"Mmph... I don’t know why..."

Yixinxue wanted answers too! But Lingyuan’s heart seemed walled off, strictly off-limits to any girl. How did he even manage such restraint?

"I don’t get it."

At this, Yiyingnan raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like a tough nut to crack. But what did you *do* to him? Should we take him to the hospital?"

"N-no! I just gave him a little medicine. Well... a tiny bit extra. He’ll wake up by evening," Yixinxue rushed to explain.

"Oh~" Yiyingnan nodded thoughtfully, watching her sister shrink farther away. "So what did you plan to do while he slept?"

It was a rhetorical question. Yiyingnan knew plenty about such things but stayed reserved—never crossing lines like this.

"Nothing..."

"Do you even believe that yourself?" Yiyingnan grinned wider. "If you couldn’t resist, why not try *that* medicine?"

"It’s too soon... and... he’s just..."

Yixinxue’s cheeks burned hotter than any winter wind. How could she voice such embarrassing thoughts?!

Seeing her sister’s struggle, Yiyingnan dropped the teasing.

"No wonder you ignored my messages all morning," she said gently. "I get it now. Xue’er doesn’t want me here—ruining your little world of two."

Yixinxue could only stare, dumbfounded.

*Clap!*

Yiyingnan pressed her palms together, smiling sweetly.

"I’ll leave you two alone then? I’ll come back tomorrow. Or... next Monday?"

"Y-yeah... Yiyingnan..." Yixinxue’s voice trailed off as she shyly looked away.

The door clicked shut. Waiting for the elevator, Yiyingnan murmured softly:

"Good. Xue’er won’t be alone anymore. She won’t need me by her side."

Her voice brimmed with tenderness.

"Still... boys should protect themselves out there."

...

"*Aaah*—" Yanxi poked listlessly at her takeout box. "Why isn’t Brother back yet?"

Home felt empty without him. She’d ordered lunch but had no appetite.

*He’ll be back this afternoon...*

Yanxi glanced at the wall clock.

"Time drags so slow! What if... Yixinxue kidnapped him?!" Her eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing across her face. "If that’s true... hmph..."

After a moment of sulking, she sighed and stared at the takeout. An idea sparked.

*He always says my cooking’s bad. Today, I’ll spend the whole afternoon making something amazing.*

*Tonight, I’ll make Brother see me differently.*

Grabbing her shoulder bag, Yanxi headed out, already planning ingredients.

"Fancy meeting you here, Yanxi! You’re as radiant as ever this afternoon."

The voice made Yanxi freeze.

*[Ugh. Him again? What rotten luck...]*

Before her stood a handsome boy flashing a polished smile. "If you’re free, would you let me treat you to lunch?"

"Not busy. Not interested." Yanxi tried to sidestep him without even glancing up.

He hopped back into her path. "How about bubble tea then?"

Unlike the icy Yixinxue, Yanxi was a cheerful heiress—most assumed she’d be easier to win over. Naturally, suitors flocked to her. This boy was no exception.

"Sorry, I’ve got urgent errands," Yanxi forced a polite smile.

"Then... your contact info?" He chased after her as she turned to leave. "I really like you, Yanxi!"

"Thank you."

"*Really* like you!"

"I truly appreciate it," Yanxi sighed, gentle but firm. "But I have a boyfriend. Thank you for your feelings—I hope you find someone better. Bye~"

Only after walking far enough to confirm he wasn’t following did she exhale deeply.

"Honestly, why’s Brother suddenly serious about tutoring? He should be with me. I could tutor him too—and no one’s gentler than me."

It wasn’t bragging. Yanxi topped her liberal arts class. Even if she specialized in humanities, couldn’t she teach Chinese or English?

"Ah, Miss Yan’s here for groceries again?"

Market vendors recognized her instantly. Her effortlessly elegant figure turned heads everywhere—even women admired her silhouette.

"Yeah, but it’s afternoon already. Nothing fresh left?" Yanxi frowned at the sparse vegetable stalls.

"These are still good. I’ll give you a discount."

"I’ll take them. Keep the price fair—I hate haggling."

That’s why vendors adored her. The only hassle? She always paid a 100-yuan bill for a few yuan of veggies, forcing them to dig for change.

*[Tonight: Brother’s favorite suancai fish, sweet and sour ribs, stir-fried pork with green peppers. Yanxi, you’ve got this! No disappointing Brother this time!]*