"One shot! Just one shot! He’s armorless!"

"Bullshit! That’s fucking purple armor!"

——GG——

"Damn it, I swear he only had one shot left when I hit him!"

"No way—I saw purple armor when I fired!"

"Must’ve been a lag spike," Lingyuan sighed, slumping back in his chair. "At this rate, I’ll drop out of Hunter tier."

"Ranks don’t matter right now," Lanfeng’s voice crackled through the headset. "I’m done. Gotta call my wife. Same time tomorrow?"

The mic cut off with a click.

"Hopeless romantic," Lingyuan groaned, smacking his forehead. *No wonder we kept losing. He was texting his girlfriend the whole time. How do you queue ranked while distracted?* He itched to slap Lanfeng silly.

The front door clicked open.

"Ah! Brother’s home early!" Yanxi beamed, spotting Lingyuan. "I knew Brother wouldn’t let Yixinxue steal you away!"

*[Almost did, though.]*

Lingyuan covered his face, swallowing the bitter truth.

"Here." Yanxi placed a sizable box on his desk. "Dad’s gift for you."

"Huh?" Lingyuan eyed the square package suspiciously. "Since when does he care?"

"Open it! You’ll love it!"

"Fine."

He peeled off the wrapping. Beneath it lay a box stamped with a glaring eye logo—the latest gaming phone, just launched for summer break.

"Dad said you love gaming," Yanxi chirped. "He wants you happy!"

Lingyuan inhaled sharply, glancing at her earnest smile before exhaling slowly.

"What’s wrong?" Yanxi tilted her head. "You don’t look happy at all..."

...

"ALL YOU DO IS GAME! CAN’T YOU GIVE ME PEACE OF MIND FOR ONCE?" His father’s roar echoed from the doorway.

Lingyuan yanked off his headset. "My gaming’s none of your business."

"Students should study! When did you get so disobedient?" His father stormed over, slamming a palm on the desk.

Lingyuan rolled his eyes, refusing to engage.

"I’m talking to you! What if your mother saw you like this—"

"Don’t you *dare* mention Mom!" Lingyuan shot up. "If not for you, she wouldn’t have died with regrets!"

"I was busy that day, I told you—"

"Busy? *Busy?* Where was this concern when Mom and I needed you? Chasing that deputy director title? Pathetic. Enjoy your promotion. Power-hungry bastard."

*SLAP!*

Silence crashed over the room.

Veins bulged on his father’s forehead, chest heaving.

...

"It’s fine."

Lingyuan forced a smile.

"Really happy."

Yanxi arched one eyebrow. *That’s not happiness. That’s a mask.*

"My package?"

"In your room."

"You didn’t open it?" she asked carefully.

Lingyuan shook his head.

"Wait for Yanxi~ Surprise~" She vanished into her room, shutting the door with theatrical secrecy.

"Catgirl cosplay? So sketchy," Lingyuan muttered.

Still... that phone *was* the ultimate gaming beast. *Dad’s bribing me with this? Think I’ll forgive him that easily? Even Yixinxue’s seduction failed.*

"Master~"

"Huh?"

He turned.

Pink dominated the outfit. Semi-transparent lace panels framed her chest, straining against curves that threatened to burst free. The skirt barely covered her thighs, hemmed with fluffy white trim.

"This..."

"Cute?" Yanxi twirled, showing off cat ears atop her head and a tail swaying beneath her skirt.

Lingyuan’s brain short-circuited. He sat frozen, eyes glued to the doorway.

"Huh?" Yanxi giggled. "Why’s Brother staring?"

*Who wouldn’t stare? This is Yanxi—the sheltered heiress?*

"Uh..."

His thoughts scrambled. Before he could reboot, Yanxi slid onto his lap. "Why so quiet, Master~? Not cute enough~?"

*Cute? She’s devastating.*

White fishnet stockings traced every line of her dreamlike figure.

"Y-yeah... cute..." His tongue tangled.

"Nyaa~" She purred, melting against his chest. "Is this your favorite catgirl type?"

"Uh... sure..." *Like that lewd PC game with the harem of catgirls...*

"Praise Yanxi!"

"Huh?"

"Wearing this took courage! Praise me, Master~!"

"Ah... okay... Yanxi’s adorable..."

Words failed him. He fumbled through empty compliments.

"Hehe~" She whipped out her phone, switching to selfie mode and looping an arm around his neck. "Don’t move, Brother~ Smile~!"

"Photos?!" Lingyuan froze. *This is mortifying for her!*

*Click.* Yanxi studied the screen, satisfied.

"My secret weapon against Yixinxue."

"What?!" Lingyuan gently pushed her shoulders. "Get changed. You’ll catch a cold."

"Not yet~ Let Master enjoy the view~"

His hand brushed the fluffy tail.

"Leave the tail. This fur’s nice." He tugged lightly, assuming it was fake.

"Brother!"

Yanxi yanked it back, eyes wide.

"Don’t pull the tail!"

"Huh?"