Xiao Feng trudged home under the blazing summer sun after parting ways with Situ Changxi.

The moment he stepped inside, he flipped on the AC, collapsed onto the sofa with a sigh, and slowly drifted into a daze.

Ding dong!

A phone notification jolted him awake. He glanced at the device on the coffee table—a WeChat friend request. Picking it up, he saw the note: “Situ Changxi.”

Her adorable face flashed in his mind again. But he didn’t accept it. He powered off the screen and set the phone back down. *Better avoid entanglements with a mysterious, ultra-rich heiress like her,* he thought. Besides, the memory of her two bodyguards pinning him down still simmered—each replay stoked his irritation higher.

Truth was, Xiao Feng knew they lived in separate worlds. Not out of insecurity, but clear-eyed realism. What did her beauty or charm matter if there was never going to be a future? Chasing her would just be acting like a simp. In the end, he’d gain nothing.

—Inside a sprawling estate—

In a room overflowing with plush toys and elegant dresses, Situ Changxi lay sprawled across her wide bed, phone in hand. She watched her brand-new WeChat account—the one she’d just used to send Xiao Feng a request—while swinging her snow-white feet. A soft smile played on her lips.

“Xiao Feng, hurry up and add me!”

“Come on, come on!”

She murmured to herself, staring at the empty friend list, waiting.

One minute passed.

Two minutes.

Half an hour…

“Is he offline?” she wondered. If she knew he was deliberately ignoring her, her heart would shatter.

—Back at Xiao Feng’s apartment—

Thump thump thump!

“Xiao Feng, you home?”

Xiao Feng, half-watching TV, called out listlessly, “Nobody’s here!”

Thump thump thump!

“Xiao Feng, open up for your sister! I’m starving~”

Hearing Liu Qing’s exaggerated whine, a vein twitched on Xiao Feng’s forehead. *Seriously? Starving? Go eat out!*

“If you’re hungry, order delivery or go out. Stop knocking. I’m busy!”

Outside, Liu Qing’s voice turned pitiful. “Xiao Feng, how could you?! After what you did to me, you’d just enjoy the perks and walk away? Do you know what it’s like for a soon-to-be mother? Can you really abandon our future…?”

Before she finished, the door flew open. A hand yanked her inside. The door slammed shut—furtive as a thief.

“Sister Qing! What were you yelling?! If the neighbors heard, what would they think? Trying to ruin me?!”

Xiao Feng’s voice trembled with panic. Liu Qing bit back laughter, eyes crinkling into crescent moons.

“Why so guilty, Xiao Feng? Did you sneak Sister’s underwear while I was gone and… *do things*?”

*Pfft!* Xiao Feng nearly choked.

“Sister Qing, I’d rather you accused me of skipping out after a shady night than call me a pervert!”

A flicker of panic crossed Liu Qing’s eyes. She covered her mouth, giggling. “Oh~ So my little brother *did* sneak out after… *that*?”

A million wild horses stampeded through Xiao Feng’s mind. *What even lives in her head?!*

“I was giving an example! I have no idea what you imagine all day!”

Relieved he hadn’t actually… *done that*, Liu Qing’s eyes softened. She leaned in, her soft body pressing gently against his chest, breath warm against his ear. “What does Sister think about all day? Why… my little brother Xiao Feng~ Didn’t you know?”

Xiao Feng’s breath hitched. Her faint floral scent, the gentle pressure—he felt his cheeks flush, heart fluttering.

“Doesn’t Xiao Feng know Sister loves you most? How about tonight… shall Sister…"

His body froze. His mind instantly conjured an indescribable scene—a timeless, ancient tradition.

Then came the icy bucket.

“…cook dinner for you? I’m starving!”

Seeing the hopeful light in his eyes dim, Liu Qing leaped onto the sofa, laughing until she doubled over.

Xiao Feng realized—he’d been teased *again*. Humiliation burned. *A tough guy like me, toyed with by a woman? Pathetic.*

Then he noticed: she was in pajamas. *How trusting is she? Does she think I’m as soft as a cream puff?*

“Starve then! I ordered takeout. Don’t bother crawling over.”

Liu Qing’s laughter cut off. She sat up, big eyes glistening with theatrical sorrow. “Little brother… could you really let your loving sister starve in your home?”

“Playing pitiful won’t work. Freeloading *and* teasing me? I’m genuinely angry. Unhuggable angry.”

Liu Qing dashed to the balcony and yelled, “My boyfriend—!”

Xiao Feng clamped a hand over her mouth mid-sentence.

“Fine! I’ll cook! Just stop!”

But neighbors had already heard. Voices echoed up: “What’s wrong?! Abuse? Cheating? We’ll handle him for you!”

Liu Qing beamed. “Nope! My boyfriend’s perfect—cooks like a chef, sharp as a scholar, strong as a warrior, and the coziest cuddle partner. I adore him!”

Xiao Feng silently chanted inside: *I’m just an emotionless tool. Don’t get angry. I’m just an emotionless tool.*