"What utter garbage."

Yan Qiuran’s eyes widened slightly.

"He drenched himself in expensive men’s cologne to mask the scent of another woman—couldn’t he spare thirty seconds to cover up that hickey on his collar?"

"In twenty seconds flat, he’s already ogled your chest, legs, and ass over ten times. Why pretend to be a gentleman? Just admit you’re here for Yan-jie’s body."

"And ‘quit smoking years ago’? Hah." Chen Yuzhe snorted with disdain.

His eyes darted away instinctively. His smile strained. His body even took a half-step back—no one would believe he wasn’t nervous.

That bulge in his shirt pocket? Obviously a lighter.

After this barrage of questions, Chen Yuzhe took a deep breath.

"Yan-jie."

"I’m not trying to stop you from dating."

"But please… don’t waste yourself on trash like him. Okay?"

He turned to leave.

"A-Zhe!"

Chen Yuzhe froze.

Yan Qiuran bit her lip softly. A misty veil clouded her eyes.

"Are… are you angry?"

"Angry? Why would I be?" Chen Yuzhe turned back, flashing a perfectly natural smile.

"Yan-jie’s finally taking initiative with blind dates. She’ll shed that ‘eternal bachelor’ label soon. I’m overjoyed for Uncle Yan and Grandpa. Why would I be angry?"

Watching his flawless smile, Yan Qiuran shook her head with quiet sorrow.

"But… A-Zhe’s always hidden his emotions since he was little. Jie-jié can never tell if your smiles mean joy or pain…"

"Even now—you kept smiling, but the way you smiled… scared me."

Chen Yuzhe’s body trembled faintly.

"Don’t overthink it, Yan-jie. You two continue. I’m heading back to class." He shook his head dismissively and turned away.

Suddenly, he stiffened like he’d been electrocuted.

A familiar scent washed over him from behind—beneath the perfume, he could still pinpoint Yan Qiuran’s unique fragrance.

Her arms circled his neck. Her lips brushed his ear as she whispered:

"I’m sorry, A-Zhe. Don’t be mad."

"I won’t see him again."

"Come home this weekend. Jie-jié will cook your favorites."

She released him and returned to her seat.

Chen Yuzhe didn’t turn. He stared blankly at the café door. Faint voices drifted behind him.

"Sorry, urgent matter—I have to go."

"Huh? Already? What about dinner—"

"We’ll talk when you’ve truly quit smoking."

Yan Qiuran grabbed her bag and left. Before stepping out, she cast one last complex glance at Chen Yuzhe’s back.

Only after she vanished did Han Cheng dare peek out from his hiding spot. He glanced at the door, then at Chen Yuzhe standing motionless.

"Old Zhe… what’s—"

Chen Yuzhe stayed silent for a long moment. Then he shook his head, shoved his hands in his pockets, and shuffled toward the exit.

"Nothing. Let’s go."

——

——

Chen Yuzhe wasn’t Yan Qiuran’s blood brother.

An orphan of martyrs, he avoided dwelling on his parents.

After his father’s death, five-year-old Chen Yuzhe was adopted by the Yan family—neighbors and close friends of his parents.

Yan Guoguang was a university professor; his wife, Lin Yahui, worked at the education bureau. Even retired Grandpa Yan had been a university president—a respectable academic household.

Out of loyalty to Chen Yuzhe’s parents, they welcomed him without hesitation.

Chen Yuzhe and Yan Qiuran grew up as childhood companions. At first, he struggled to accept her as his "older sister."

But Yan Qiuran spoiled him like a real brother—never raising her voice, always shielding him.

The Yans treated him with genuine warmth, never letting blood ties dictate their care. Chen Yuzhe cherished them as his true family.

And for Yan Qiuran…

He held feelings deeper than sisterly love.

Not romance. More like… possession.

Who’d willingly share the sister who’d guarded them since childhood?

This wasn’t his first time sabotaging Yan Qiuran’s dates.

Last time, she’d dated a man with even better credentials—kind, patient. They’d even tried dating seriously.

But once Chen Yuzhe uncovered the truth, he did exactly what he’d done today: after weeks of investigation, he ambushed the man publicly, reciting his flaws and secrets like a menu until the man wished the floor would swallow him whole.

They broke up that day. Yan Qiuran avoided blind dates ever since.

Yet Chen Yuzhe felt no triumph.

He knew—no matter how many times he interfered, Yan Qiuran would marry someday. His actions meant nothing.

He wasn’t some "sister complex" cliché. His feelings weren’t romantic.

Logically, he shouldn’t stand in her way.

But.

No buts.

Just thinking about it made his chest tighten, his mood sour.

For someone who mastered psychology, losing control over his own emotions was rare. He couldn’t understand why Yan Qiuran’s name alone made him irrational—

Like a child baring teeth, clutching his toy.

——

——

After club recruitment, Chen Yuzhe’s life stagnated again.

Journalism majors had few classes, especially juniors. Most lectures could be skipped for dorm gaming or naps. Even roll calls felt less nerve-wracking than dorm inspections.

Chen Yuzhe stayed indoors these past days, grinding *Devil May Cry 5* trophies like a shut-in.

Han Cheng bombarded him with messages: *When do we start the game? I’m dying to meet her!* Chen Yuzhe always replied casually: *Patience.*

Patience. What’s the rush?

She’d only handed him a club application—barely an acquaintance. Asking her out now would scream desperation. Any girl would feel unsafe.

The real opportunity lay elsewhere.

Group activities.

Everyone knew university clubs—student unions, anime societies—always held welcome parties after recruitment.

The anime club? Jiang Xiaoyao was a socializing maniac. She dragged members out weekly, even cross-collaborating with other clubs when excuses ran dry. A non-social life was unthinkable for her.

Especially now—with prey she personally approved of joining.

This gathering would be her battlefield. No smoke, but war nonetheless.

Chen Yuzhe saw through her plan. He didn’t intend to stop her. He’d simply ride her setup to "win" Xinyu.

No need to rush. Just wait for Jiang Xiaoyao’s notice.

But the wait stretched longer than expected.

A week passed. No texts. No rumors of parties.

*What’s wrong with her? Slacking off?* Chen Yuzhe frowned.

Asking directly would raise suspicion.

He had no choice but to wait. He trusted Jiang Xiaoyao wouldn’t miss this chance.

——

——

While Chen Yuzhe waited, restless, the first unexpected twist struck.

"Please!" Jiang Xiaoyao pressed her palms together beneath her ample chest, batting starry-eyed lashes. She struck what she deemed her cutest pose.

"Teach me how to love!"

*What the hell?*

Even Chen Yuzhe’s practiced composure cracked—a muscle twitched near his eye.

*Is this idiot possessed?*

*Teach you to love? You’re a veteran in the art of seduction! Why would you need lessons from me?*

*And look at me—do I scream ‘dating expert’?*

*Most importantly—STOP MAKING THAT FACE AT ME!!! DISGUSTING! I’M GONNA VOMIT!!!*

"Uh… Jiang Xiaoyao," Chen Yuzhe forced a stiff smile. "Could you… clarify? I’m completely lost."

"It means exactly what it sounds like!" She puffed her cheeks, hands on hips.

"But you’re clearly experienced, Jiang Xiaoyao. And I’ve been single since birth—the hopeless type. Why ask *me* for love advice?" He eyed her cautiously.

Jiang Xiaoyao’s lips tightened. Her eyes misted over as if on cue. She turned her head slightly, voice trembling:

"Because… I have no one else to turn to…"

"Honestly, I have no real friends in the anime club. You’re the only one I can talk to, Yuzhe." She fidgeted with her skirt hem, radiating fragility.

It was true.

Jiang Xiaoyao’s poor social standing wasn’t news.

Most club members were girls—who’d befriend someone like her? That they hadn’t banded together to call her a "green tea bitch" behind her back was already generous.

But she was lying too. Having no friends wasn’t her real motive. Her skirt-fidgeting and averted gaze betrayed her nerves.

Chen Yuzhe already guessed the truth.

"Jiang Xiaoyao," he said slowly, "…have you been investigating me?"