The elevator doors had barely slid open when a figure lunged forward.

"Xinxue~ You’re finally back!"

Caught off guard, Yixinxue plopped down hard on her bottom.

"Ah… Jie-jie, why are you here so early?" Yixinxue rubbed her sore backside.

"It’s almost half past five! Early?" Yiyingnan pinched Yixinxue’s cheek. "Were you out on a date with your little boyfriend?"

"He’s not my boyfriend yet…" Yixinxue muttered under her breath.

"Eh? Not yet? Didn’t you seal the deal yesterday?" Yiyingnan’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Don’t tell me… you two didn’t even… *do it* last night?"

"Of course not!" Yixinxue flushed, flustered. "I’m not that… that…"

She’d meant to say "open-minded," but memories of her own bold moves flashed back.

*When was I ever not open?*

"Alright, alright, no more teasing." Yiyingnan shifted off her sister. "I bought roast duck. Let’s eat at home?" She paused. "Unless you already ate with your little boyfriend?"

"I said he’s not my boyfriend!" Yixinxue grumbled, then added quietly, "But soon… He’s wavering. It’s only a matter of time…"

Her cheeks warmed again, recalling the park scene earlier.

*He was so serious today… Rare to see him like that…*

"Eh? Since when do you wear your hair up? And with a bell!" Yiyingnan spotted the new accessory. "Did Lingyuan give you this? Let me see!" She reached out curiously.

"No!" Yixinxue spun away, shielding her hair. "Don’t touch!"

"Oh-ho~ So it *was* from him~" Yiyingnan burst into laughter at her sister’s puffed-up cheeks, then pinched them again. "Go unlock the door. And hand me your spare key—I bet you’ll be coming home late from now on."

"Huh?" Yixinxue paused mid-reach for her keys, shooting her a puzzled look.

"I’ve been in love too, you know," Yiyingnan winked. "Don’t you want to… *do things* after school?"

"He has to agree first…" Yixinxue unlocked the door, head lowered. "I’ve tried inviting him over… He refuses…"

"Too soft." Yiyingnan shook her head, smiling. "Men like that—they won’t yield if you’re gentle. The softer you are, the more they see you as weak. Harder to tame."

"Is that so…" Yixinxue tilted her head thoughtfully.

*But what if he gets mad? If I push too hard… will he ignore me forever?*

*That’d be worse than losing.*

Shoes off, cat carrier open—Xinxin kitty shot out like lightning, face already buried in its food bowl, devouring eagerly.

Yiyingnan sighed. "Look how starved Xinxin kitty is. You two were so lost in your little world, you forgot your own cat, didn’t you?"

"Ah…" Yixinxue fell silent. *She’s right. All afternoon, I only had eyes for Lingyuan.*

"I’ll… start cooking…" She fled toward the kitchen, cheeks burning.

Before she could grab a knife, Yiyingnan pressed close, cheek brushing Yixinxue’s.

"Oho~ So hot~"

"It’s not!" Yixinxue kept her voice steady, but her heart raced like crazy.

*[Pity he’s so short… never enough time kissing… I want to kiss him… properly…]*

"Always so proud, Xinxue." Yiyingnan chuckled softly. "Tomorrow, I’ll see for myself what kind of boy has you so utterly charmed~"

"Hmm…"

"Tomorrow’s Halloween~ What kind of trick-or-treat candy should I give Lingyuan to show my… sincerity?"

"Don’t you dare give him any!"

"What’s this? A hissing kitten now~" Yiyingnan hugged her from behind.

"Strange… We’re twins. Why are your girls so much bigger than mine? I don’t get it." Yiyingnan pouted.

Beyond their different hair colors, their chests were the starkest contrast. Yixinxue’s were perfectly cuppable; Yiyingnan’s were nearly flat from the side.

"I… I don’t know…"

"I get it~" Yiyingnan’s eyes gleamed. "When things get *that* far, you turn all weak and helpless, don’t you?"

"Mm…"

"That won’t do~ You’ll never win Lingyuan that way. Stay strong. Never show weakness~"

"But…"

"Where’s that fierce will you had during competitions and exams?"

"That’s different…"

Yiyingnan shook her head. "Is there anyone else who likes Lingyuan?"

At this, Yixinxue’s shyness vanished. Her gaze turned icy.

"To think Yanxi has that kind of relationship with him."

"Eh?" Yiyingnan blinked at her sister’s sudden 180. "Who’s Yanxi…?"

"His sister."

"Just a sister. They can’t marry. No threat. In the end, it’ll still be—"

"No blood relation," Yixinxue cut in sharply.

"A non-blood sister?!" Yiyingnan gasped. "Like in anime! She’s got an advantage then—"

She stopped short, feeling the heat radiating from Yixinxue.

Yixinxue whirled around, gripping Yiyingnan’s shoulders. "Tell me. What should I do?"

"Well…" Yiyingnan’s lips twitched. "Let me size up the situation tomorrow first…"

"That woman." Yixinxue slammed the knife into a carrot. "So what if she’s rich? We’re not poor! What do I lack compared to her? Except… except…"

"Except what?"

"Hmm…" Yixinxue’s eyes darted down, landing on her own chest.

"Her girls… are probably… *this* big…" She gestured with her hands.

"Holy…" Yiyingnan flinched as if struck. *Bigger than Xinxue’s? I can’t even imagine the feel…*

"So… Xinxue has zero chance?"

"Then teach me, Jie-jie!" Yixinxue clenched her fists. "What must I do to win *all* of Lingyuan? I absolutely won’t lose to her!"

"I told you… Tomorrow. After I see for myself…"