Eyes fluttered open.

“......”

The lingering haze of sleep was forcibly banished. The little boy lying in bed hadn’t moved an inch—only his eyes darted around, scanning his surroundings.

Another habit carried over from the past.

Though such vigilance was utterly unnecessary at home, the power of habit was formidable. It couldn’t be shaken off overnight.

*She’s not here. Then I’d better make haste.*

He rolled out of bed. His steps were steady, but the intense training from last night left his leg muscles throbbing with a dull ache he couldn’t ignore.

*Guess I’ll have to cut back on lower-body exercises today.*

Feeling the protest from his muscles, Ouyang Ge decided to scale back his workout—just for his lower half. He casually grabbed the stone cup from his bedside table, using it as a makeshift dumbbell to curl his arms up and down.

Freedom of movement had once been a luxury for Ouyang Ge. Now, for reasons unknown, the incurable illness that had plagued his body had vanished completely.

*For my sister’s sake, I must— Huh?!*

Gritting his teeth as he swung his arms, Ouyang Ge froze mid-motion, his entire body locking up like ice. He’d heard it—the sound of his sister’s footsteps.

*So fast!*

He set the stone cup down as gently as he could, then dove back under the covers, deliberately deepening his breathing to feign sleep.

Yesterday’s explanation from Ouyang Shi had taught him one thing: ordinary listening wouldn’t catch her footsteps. He had to *strain* to detect those near-silent glides.

Anyway, a new day had begun.

........

....

Three hours earlier, at precisely six in the morning.

As always, Ouyang Shi opened her eyes the moment the second hand struck six.

“.....”

Her long, ice-blue hair was slightly messy from sleep, but a ripple of warmth swept through it, instantly smoothing every strand.

The Magic Ouyang Shi wielded was among the rarest—and most powerful—in the world. She wasn’t strong yet, but given time, she’d undoubtedly become the strongest Sorcerer alive. This Magic could be applied everywhere: combat, daily life, farming, transport. It was practically omnipotent.

Though Ouyang Shi had zero interest in serving others. Except for her brother. Everyone else could rot.

*Time to tidy up.*

She brushed her bangs aside and hopped off her lavish bed with energetic vigor. Slipping out of her silk pajamas, her youthful figure was briefly exposed to the air. She grabbed her underwear from the floor, strode to the wardrobe, and flung it open.

Same as always. Every single garment hanging inside was identical: dark, long dresses adorned with patterned, gauzy scarves. Nothing else.

She slipped into one dress, pulled on black tights and boots, then fastened the blue crystal bracelet designed to suppress her own Imagination Particles. Satisfied with her reflection, she left the room.

*I’d love to watch my brother sleep while eating breakfast… but his health comes first!*

Resolved, Ouyang Shi pumped her fist, then hurried to the kitchen.

Soon, the scent of cooking filled the air. She emerged carrying a nutritious breakfast—sizzling fried eggs, vegetables, and meats. A contented smile spread across her face.

Using another facet of her Magic, she glided smoothly and silently across the rough wooden floor. She minimized every sound, determined not to wake her brother. For Ouyang Shi, seeing his sleeping face was the perfect start to any day.

*Mmm… I can’t wait…*

Her smile slowly morphed into something obsessive. She was lost in daydreams—so deeply that she likely wouldn’t notice anyone passing by. Thankfully, no one ever did.

She shook her head sharply, composed herself, and pushed open her brother’s door.

*Still asleep. Of course—he’s gotten used to resting now.*

She set the tray on the table and sat beside the bed, gazing at Ouyang Ge’s sleeping profile. A tender smile bloomed on her lips.

*I poke…*

Her slender, scallion-like finger hovered over his soft cheek. She nearly gasped aloud.

*Control it. Control it!*

Mentally scolding herself, Ouyang Shi wrestled down the strange urge and pulled her hand away.

*This is enough. This is enough…*

She pressed a hand to her chest, flattening the gentle swell beneath her dress. Settling into a chair nearby, she waited for her brother to wake.

..........

.......

...

Not long after—at exactly eight o’clock—Ouyang Ge (pretended to) open his eyes. His face still wore a drowsy mask as he rubbed them. But soon, he (pretended to) spot Ouyang Shi smiling beside him and returned a warm grin.

“Morning, sis…”

“M-Morning! Good morning, Xiao Ge!”

Struck by his sleepy, guileless smile, Ouyang Shi’s cheeks flushed crimson. She stammered her reply.

“That smells amazing…”

He sniffed. The savory aroma of hot meat from the tray filled his nose.

“Yep! I made it!”

She stood, helping him sit up.

“It smells incredible…”

Ouyang Ge would never forget this scent. Never. It was his sister’s cooking—just like before, when she’d prepared a lavish breakfast every single day to start their mornings.

“Patience first. We clean up before eating.”

She tapped his forehead playfully, then produced a towel she’d prepared earlier. A warm gust of wind passed over it, transforming the cool fabric into perfectly heated dampness.

After carefully wiping his face, she settled the tray on her lap and lifted a strip of bacon to his lips.

“Sis, you don’t have to feed me. I can do it myself…”

“No!”

Her near-shout cut him off. Ouyang Shi fixed him with a fiercely serious gaze.

“Your illness just healed! You can’t strain yourself! And a sister who feeds her brother is *glorious*!!”

She completely ignored Ouyang Ge’s miraculous display from yesterday, reacting exactly like the doting fool of an older sister she was…

“I-I’m fine now. I can just—”

His voice dwindled as he saw it—the shimmer of tears in her eyes.

“Do you… hate me now, Xiao Ge…?”

Tears dripped onto the vegetable salad. Ouyang Ge didn’t care about the food; her face radiated pure abandonment.

“Sis! No, I don’t hate you! I just wanted to move a little—”

“No. Caring for my brother is my duty. I won’t let you get hurt—not even by your own hands!”

“........”

Ouyang Ge’s mouth opened, but no words came out.

He’d never heard her say anything like this before. Warmth flooded his chest. The painful memories of his frantic search for her no longer felt bleak—they were now painted with gratitude.

*Whoever you are… thank you for letting me return to this time…*

His heart sincerely thanked the unknown force that had reunited him with the sister he’d longed for most.

“That’s right. No being stubborn, Xiao Ge. You must let your sister take care of you!”

She firmly stuffed breakfast into his mouth, radiating an unusual authority.

This meal was the most agonizing—and the most blissful—Ouyang Ge had ever eaten in two lifetimes. Food flooded his mouth nonstop; before he could swallow one bite, the next arrived. His jaw never stopped moving until the eggs, bacon, salad, and mashed potatoes vanished. He was full—but utterly exhausted.

“I’m off to class now. You stay put and be good, okay?”

Tray in hand, Ouyang Shi beamed as she bid him goodbye and left.

“.........”

Waving after her, Ouyang Ge stiffened. His stomach churned painfully, but he couldn’t show it. Pure torture.

*Sis is terrifying…*

Clutching his belly, he *clambered* off the bed. He grabbed his cup, drained the water, and finally sighed in relief.

*Was my sister always like this?! Why didn’t I know…*

He was genuinely frightened by Ouyang Shi’s ogre-like scowl earlier. He, who feared no bullet, couldn’t stay calm before his own sister. How bizarre.

“Well… I can’t exercise on a full stomach. Gotta wait a while…”

Sitting on a wooden chair, Ouyang Ge chuckled wryly at the stone cup in his hand.

.........

After leaving her brother’s room, Ouyang Shi walked toward the kitchen, her face glowing with satisfaction. The memory of Ouyang Ge’s mouth stuffed full of food struck her as hilariously endearing. These moments were her sanctuary—a break from repulsive outsiders. Her true nature was playful, but only ever revealed before her brother.

*I’ll ace those boring classes today and rush back to him!*

Pumping her fist, she set the tray in the kitchen and headed for class—her steps carrying a barely perceptible skip…

But at a certain corner, she met the person she loathed most.

“Oh? If it isn’t little Shi?”

Ouyang Long stood blocking her path, hands clasped behind his back, smiling broadly.

“.......”

Her gentle expression instantly froze over. She truly didn’t want to speak—especially to *him*.

“What’s wrong? No greeting for your father?”

Ouyang Long loomed over his most prized daughter, standing squarely in her way.

“Good morning, Father.”

Her voice was glacial. Swallowing her disgust, Ouyang Shi forced a smile.

“Hmph…”

A smirk curled Ouyang Long’s lips. He said nothing, merely studying his daughter.

Their locked gazes held no warmth—nothing like father and daughter. It was the stare of sworn enemies.

“Do your best. The future of the Ouyang Clan rests on you and Feng’er’s shoulders.”

He patted her shoulder lightly, then walked past her.

“.........”

Ouyang Shi’s body trembled. Her head dipped, eyes fixed on the floor—her face twisted like a demon’s.

But quickly, she steeled herself and continued walking. Nothing mattered as long as her brother’s life remained untouched. That small house in the Ouyang Clan’s most remote corner—that was her true home.

Ouyang Shi’s expression smoothed back to normal—but her white-knuckled fists betrayed the storm within.