"I don’t wanna watch."

"Really? I bet you’re dying to see it~" She flashed a mischievous grin.

"I’m not—"

"Pfft, liar. My catgirl costume should arrive tomorrow~"

Lingyuan’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at Yanxi’s playful smirk beside him. "I can’t even imagine what our young mistress would look like in that."

"Hmph~ To my master, I’m no young mistress—just a catgirl for him to play with~ I even bought a tail~"

"A tail?" Lingyuan eyed her suspiciously. "If I recall correctly… tails are—"

"Don’t say it! Don’t you dare!" Yanxi lunged forward, clamping a hand over his mouth. "Brother only gets to *look*… just look… and you’re the only one allowed. A special privilege~"

"Well… that doesn’t feel right. We’re siblings…"

At this, Yanxi finally snapped. She yanked his collar, spitting words like rapid-fire bullets:

"Siblings?! We’re not even blood-related! No blood ties means we *can* marry, right?!"

"I know, but—"

"But *what*? Scared Mom or Dad will disapprove? Lingyuan, have you forgotten? Mother *suggested* we get engaged!"

"Huh… did she really…?"

*[It’s been ages since I saw Yanxi this angry. Like a hissing kitten—more adorable than scary.]*

Though… did Mother actually say that…?

"Of course she did! It just never happened because you weren’t around!"

"…You scared me there."

"But I don’t care! No one loves Brother more than I do! No one!"

Yanxi grabbed her chest, thrusting it forward. "You might not know cup sizes, but you know big from small, right? Yixinxue’s so flat—I win by miles! Don’t men love big ones?"

"…"

Seeing his silence, she leaned closer. "What? Do you prefer small ones?"

"No—it’s not that… Why bring up Yixinxue? We’re not even dating!" Lingyuan protested.

Yanxi’s eyes flew wide. "If you’re not dating, and I’m better than her… why can’t we be like that anime couple? Develop something like—"

"You don’t understand. They had special circumstances."

"Don’t understand? What don’t I get? Where did I lose?!"

"Yanxi, seriously—we’re *not*—"

…

"As expected, *Ocean Fortress* is trash," Lingyuan yawned. He’d dozed off ten minutes into the two-hour film.

Honestly, it rivaled English class for putting him to sleep.

"Total garbage," Yanxi stretched lazily. She’d stayed awake, forcing herself through the whole thing.

"Surprised you lasted." Lingyuan wiped sleep from his eyes, yawning again.

"It’s only 10:30! Let’s hit the mall!" Yanxi tilted her head. "There’s a new figure shop downstairs—tons of figures! Brother will *love* it~"

"Oh? Now you’ve got my attention." Lingyuan nodded eagerly.

He couldn’t afford them, but Yanxi always bought figures—and stored them all at his place, not the villa. Her display cabinet overflowed with collectibles: a true otaku paradise.

"Want boba, Brother?" Yanxi skipped ahead, hands behind her back. Today’s oversized hoodie and shorts showed off legs so pale Lingyuan wondered, *[Doesn’t she get cold?]*

"Whatever you want. It’s your money anyway."

"Pfft—mine is yours~ Even my body belongs to Brother~" She winked.

"Hey! People are watching! Have you no shame?" Lingyuan wanted to vanish into the floor. Total social suicide.

"What’s wrong? Shouldn’t you be proud to have such a pretty sister?" Yanxi pouted, utterly unrepentant.

Lingyuan’s eye twitched.

Pride? All he felt was dread.

Yanxi bought one boba tea. She pressed the straw to his lips. "Here~ Brother gets the first sip~"

"Ah… fine… you’re impossible…"

"Yay! Now I get tea with Brother’s flavor~" She made a silly face.

But seeing her so happy, Lingyuan held his tongue. After all, he’d spent half the night calming her down after last night’s tantrum.

*Sigh…* He rubbed his temples. Instead of gaming at home, he’d been dragged to a terrible movie and now faced hours of shopping.

His phone buzzed.

*Lan: Bro! I confessed successfully!*

*Ling: ?*

*Lan: Guess who?*

*Ling: ??*

*Lan: Our class vice monitor!*

Lingyuan pocketed his phone, frowning.

Vice monitor… Right. Lan had been pining for ages. Always preaching "don’t be a pushover in love," yet he was the ultimate pathetic admirer.

Could love begged for on bended knee ever bring happiness?

"Tch." Lingyuan clicked his tongue. He had zero faith in Lan’s so-called romance.

"Brother, more boba?"

Yanxi’s voice shifted abruptly—no longer the clingy sister, but the poised young lady.

"I could… but why the sudden change?"

Lingyuan already knew why. From the corner of his eye, a white figure appeared.

"How lovely you two look together~"

Lingyuan froze. Only his eyes moved.

"Fancy meeting you here, Yixinxue," Yanxi greeted gracefully, radiating refinement.

"Taking my cat for a checkup. What brings you two here?"

Yixinxue’s sharp gaze made Lingyuan shiver. So *that* was the bad omen…

"Shopping with my brother."

Yanxi looped her arm through Lingyuan’s.

*[HOLY CRAP YANXI WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!]*

Lingyuan’s mind screamed. He could practically feel Yixinxue’s fury crackling in the air.

Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the chilly weather.

"Brother?" Yixinxue tilted her head, a cold smile playing on her lips. "You two don’t look much alike."