Nian Xifeng took Nian Yuchi to what he considered a decent upscale restaurant. Anything less wouldn’t do when treating his sister.

They slid into a cozy couple’s booth. A waitress approached promptly.

“I’ll have a steak, Yi noodles, and two Happy Cups,” Nian Xifeng ordered.

“Sir,” the waitress smiled, “ordering one large Happy *Couple* Cup gets you a discount!” She’d seen them enter arm-in-arm and assumed they were dating—especially since they’d chosen the romantic booth.

Truthfully, they *did* look the part: a strikingly handsome young man and a lovely girl walking together. Who wouldn’t mistake them for a couple?

Nian Yuchi’s cheeks flushed instantly at the suggestion. Nian Xifeng remained unfazed. Even if they *were* a couple, so what? It simply didn’t matter to him.

“Then we’ll take that,” he replied without hesitation. Why not save money?

“Right away, sir!” The waitress beamed and hurried off.

“We’ll wait a bit,” Nian Xifeng told Yuchi.

“Mm.” She kept her head down.

“What’s wrong? Feeling ill?” Seeing her flushed face, he moved beside her, gently brushing her bangs aside. He pressed his forehead to hers.

Yuchi froze, her blush deepening. After a moment, Xifeng pulled back, worry sharpening his gaze. “You’re burning up! Should I take you to a hospital?” He couldn’t bear anything happening to her. He’d never forgive himself.

“No, it’s nothing!” She turned her face away, unable to meet his eyes. She’d die before admitting she’d blushed over the *couple* comment. What would he think of her then?

“But your face is so red—”

“I’m fine! It’ll pass!” she blurted out with her eyes shut. She scrambled back to her seat without looking at him.

Xifeng hesitated, then let it go. “Tell me if you feel unwell. Don’t push yourself.”

“Okay…” Yuchi smiled softly, head still lowered. Having a brother like him was truly a blessing.

Soon, their food arrived—along with the infamous Happy *Couple* Cup.

The meal met expectations. The cup, however…

It stood nearly 30 centimeters tall in an oversized wine glass. Two separate straws arched from the rim, twisting mid-air to form a perfect heart. *Charming*, Xifeng thought dryly.

Yuchi’s newly calmed cheeks flared crimson again. Even Xifeng felt a flicker of awkwardness. *Now* he understood her earlier reaction.

He pushed down the strange feeling. “Eat,” he said simply.

They ate in silence, the heart-shaped straws between them amplifying the quiet.

…

“Ready?” Yutian asked his subordinate.

“Boss, they’re dining at Pintian Restaurant. Should we move now?”

“Wait until they leave. Causing trouble *inside*? That place has heavyweights backing it. I know who not to cross.” Yutian swallowed his urge to storm in. He’d wait.

When Xifeng and Yuchi finally exited Pintian, he immediately sensed the tail. He acted oblivious, guiding his sister down a quiet side street—perfect for settling things.

“Brother… why here?” Yuchi whispered. This wasn’t the way home. *Surely he wouldn’t…?* She shook off the absurd thought. “What’s happening?”

Since spotting Yutian’s group outside the restaurant, Xifeng had pulled Yuchi closer. If they were playing couple, he’d commit.

Watching them, Yutian saw red. *That bastard’s touching what’s mine!* Soon, he’d crush that insect—and claim Yuchi. Two birds, one stone.

“Bugs are following us,” Xifeng murmured, unfazed. “Close your eyes. Watch me exterminate them.” To him, these thugs were less than ants. Harmless ants, usually. But anyone threatening Yuchi? Unforgivable.

“Be careful, Brother!” Yuchi trusted him absolutely. His word was law.

“Don’t worry. Crushing bugs takes no effort.” He ruffled her hair, smiling.

Xifeng stopped in an empty lot and turned. “Planning to strike anytime?” His smirk was razor-sharp, arms crossed.

“Brat! You know why we’re here,” Yutian snarled, dropping the act. “Surrender quietly. Spare yourself the pain.”

Xifeng burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?!” Yutian’s knuckles whitened.

“Your line. It’s hilariously stupid. Who *actually* walks over to get beaten? Are you dumb, or just *extra* dumb?”

“You’ll regret this!” Yutian roared. “Get him! Tear him apart!”

The thugs lunged, unleashing every trick they had. Xifeng didn’t flinch. Attacks rained on him like mosquito bites—annoying, not painful. He stood shielded before Yuchi, smiling as they pummeled his chest.

Their eyes widened in horror. *No damage?* This frail-looking teen was unbreakable. Fear turned their blood to ice.

“What trickery is this?!” Yutian shrieked.

“Trickery? No. You’re just *weak*. This?” Xifeng flicked a stray punch aside. “Less than a tickle.”

“ATTACK! ALL OF YOU!” Yutian’s face twisted with rage and terror.

“Pointless. You’re ants. Combat power of one. Trash.” His voice turned arctic. The thugs shivered, their arrogance shattered. Only dread remained. *This power… Di-level? Higher?* They were already dead men. No city official would protect them from *this*.

“Alright.” Xifeng’s smile turned demonic. “My turn.”

Some thugs wet themselves. His aura alone could crush them to dust. But he wanted them to *feel* despair. To learn: *Never touch what’s mine.*

“You’ll learn how to spell ‘mistake’,” he advanced, each step making them stumble back, knees buckling. “You touched what you shouldn’t have. Provoked who you couldn’t afford.”

“M-Master! P-please!” One thug collapsed, kowtowing frantically. “He forced us! Punish *him*!” He pointed a shaking finger at Yutian.

“Too late.” Xifeng raised his palm. Dark mist coalesced, swirling violently. With a flick of his wrist, it engulfed them all.

Nian Xifeng didn't kill them outright. Instead, he let them perish in despair. Like this mist, those engulfed by it would relive their worst nightmares—the most terrifying moments of their lives, their deepest fears. It was an illusion that siphoned their life force through sheer terror. Death wasn't instant; it took mere seconds. Yet for them, trapped within, it stretched into an eternity. What did it feel like to live a lifetime drowning in despair?

Not even a scream escaped their lips. They simply perished, their faces frozen in terror and despair.

"Hmph, what a bunch of trash!"