After bidding farewell to Situ Changxi and Li Wei, Xiao Feng headed home alone.

Situ Changxi had even offered him a ride in her stretch limousine, but he firmly declined.

If she found out where he lived too… yikes.

Alone in the quiet, empty apartment, Xiao Feng sat silently on the soft sofa, soaking in the stillness, lost in thought. Who knew what drifted through his mind?

Solitude could feel peaceful and comforting one moment, lonely and hollow the next.

Life was full of such contradictions—clashing yet inseparable.

*Knock, knock, knock!*

“Xiao Feng! You home? Your sister’s taking you out—hurry up and open the door!”

Xiao Feng sighed. “Ugh, I’m here. Coming. ‘Taking me out’? Am I a kid or what?!”

*Creak~*

He stood, strolled to the door, and slowly pulled it open. There stood Liu Qing, radiant and smiling, her presence lighting up the hallway.

Today, she wore denim shorts showcasing flawless, mesmerizing legs, a simple black tee, and shoulder-length hair flowing like a waterfall.

“Sister Liu,” Xiao Feng blinked, “heading on a date? You look… really nice.”

Liu Qing caught his cautious, flickering glances and covered her mouth with a soft chuckle.

“Hehe~ Isn’t your sister here to take little brother Feng on a date?”

“No way,” Xiao Feng waved both hands, dead serious. “I can’t handle a date with the stunning Sister Liu!”

Liu Qing pouted, eyes wide. “So heartless! A girl invites you, and you reject her? Your sister’s *so* hurt!”

Xiao Feng rubbed his forehead. “Sister Liu, cut the act. Seriously—what’s up?”

“How about barbecue? Didn’t your sister say she’d treat you tonight?”

Xiao Feng blinked. Right—he’d almost forgotten.

“Uh… no need to be so polite. We’re neighbors. Helping each other’s normal!”

He felt a flicker of embarrassment. Even though they were close, being invited by such a gorgeous, mature beauty like Liu Qing still flustered him.

Liu Qing’s eyes narrowed slightly at his flip-flops, shorts, and wrinkled tee—the textbook sloppy look. She grabbed his wrist.

“Feng, someone this handsome can’t dress like this! Come on, your sister’s taking you shopping.”

Yanked off-balance, Xiao Feng stumbled forward—*thump*—face-first into softness.

His vision vanished behind two deviously plush mounds. So soft. So silky…

*Ack!* Xiao Feng mentally shook himself. *What am I thinking?!*

But his traitorous mind wouldn’t listen.

Liu Qing froze. A blush bloomed on her fair neck, creeping up her cheeks until even her ears burned crimson.

Xiao Feng teetered awkwardly, unable to grab her or reach the doorframe. Breathing felt tight.

*Anime wasn’t lying… those “lethal weapons” really can suffocate you.*

Liu Qing stood stunned, mind blank, watching him struggle.

After ten frantic seconds, he finally pulled back with a shaky sigh.

Then he saw her flushed face—and froze again.

“S-Sister Liu, it wasn’t intentional! You pulled me—I lost balance, I swear!”

Liu Qing took a deep breath, shoved down the heat in her chest, and forced a teasing pout.

“Little brother Feng’s so bad… sneaking attacks on your sister? I *hate* you now. Hmp!”

Xiao Feng stared at her flushed cheeks, pouted lips, that utterly *tsundere* act—and felt the awkwardness melt away.

Only Liu Qing could pull this off. And honestly? It worked.