The sky outside was dark; inside, the lamplight cast a soft, warm glow. The beautiful older sister on the sofa stayed silent, her expression slightly shadowed.

The innocent-looking girl also kept quiet, her small face cool. Her posture was perfectly proper, tiny hands resting gently on her knees.

Qin Yue couldn’t hold back anymore.

“You’re back?”

“I’m back.”

“You still remember to come back?” Qin Yue’s voice trembled with fury. “What time is it now?!”

*Any later, and I’d have had to hunt you down in some other woman’s bed!*

Bai Ningning lifted her water glass, took a delicate sip, and replied airily, “It’s 9:39 now. I got back at 9:09.”

*Good grief—she’d sat in silence for half an hour before speaking.*

Qin Yue arched a brow. “So what if it was 9:09?”

“9:09 is still within curfew,” Bai Ningning said calmly. “I was even a minute early.”

“Just one minute, and you’re acting righteous?!”

Qin Yue’s temper flared.

“For the past two weeks, you were home before 3 PM every day! Why roll in after nine tonight?”

“Nothing came up before,” Bai Ningning explained composedly. “Something came up today.”

“What could be so important?”

“Gaming.”

Hearing that, Qin Yue fumed. “What game *requires* playing outside? No computer at home? No internet?”

*No female classmates around…*

Bai Ningning kept her face taut, silently warning herself: *Hold it together. Don’t slip up.*

Truth was, she had class tomorrow morning—and needed to actually wake up.

Seeing her silent, Qin Yue paused, then softened.

“Still upset about the account? If you hadn’t said those things first, I wouldn’t have taken such measures.”

Her tone gentled slightly.

*(Mostly because of what you did… well, if it weren’t for you…)*

Countless words flickered in her mind, fading into a quiet sigh. “Forget it. I’ll get the account back for you.”

Bai Ningning’s eyes lit up. “It can be recovered?”

*Wow—that ultimate fully-decorated cosmetic account! Sure, “skins don’t affect aim,” but… if you handed me even one, I’d inspect it for ninety seconds per match, no complaints!*

“Don’t get hopeful,” Qin Yue snorted. “VAC ban can be lifted, but a transaction red lock remains.”

Red lock meant no trading. Cosmetics locked to the account—usable, unsellable. Debt still owed.

Bai Ningning didn’t care. “Got it. Fine.”

*Who wouldn’t play? Those skins—I never even touched them in my past life.*

Savoring the win, Bai Ningning stayed impeccably quiet all evening. Unnecessary words? None. Necessary words? Minimal.

Qin Yue was stunned. *She’s… sweet. Like a quiet girl next door.*

*How lovely if time flowed like this forever. In a few days, once I’m better… a gentle, sweet night together…*

Cradling that hope, Qin Yue closed her eyes and drifted into peaceful sleep.

In the dark, Bai Ningning blinked slowly.

*Not a single word tonight. Passed safely. Is this okay?*

*Seems fine… but Doctor Chen said silence is just avoidance. Without heavy corrective practice, no real progress.*

*Talk more. Practice more.*

*But… class tomorrow. What if I can’t wake up?*

*Friday after school. Practice then.*

Zzz…

…

The early bird catches the worm—but early-rising Bai Ningning had class.

“Da Bai Yuan, sit here! I saved this spot just for you!” Guan Qian waved her over. “Breakfast?”

“Ate a little at home.”

“Lucky day student,” Guan Qian sighed. “Gets to cook meals.”

*Actually, the maid cooked. Bai Ningning opened her mouth—then closed it.*

*How do I explain living in a house with a maid?*

“Oh right, Da Bai Yuan,” Guan Qian recalled. “Your old club disbanded. Joined a new one this term?”

“Already did. The Otaku Club.”

Guan Qian blinked. “Otaku Club? The merged anime, gaming, and dance society?”

“Yes.”

“But you said you’d never join those! Last semester you told me—even as an otaku, you’d avoid clubs full of hardcore shut-ins who get flustered around girls…”

Bai Ningning’s lips twitched. “Really? I don’t recall.”

*Good grief—did the original owner really say that?!*

*So this is karma: no good deeds daily, and your own words twist your heart at critical moments.*

*No matter. Now I am you. I’ll pile up good karma. Your body, my soul—we split the credit. Settle accounts next life.*

“Previewed this lesson?”

“Of course not. Haven’t touched the textbook.”

New semester’s first class began. Students were still vacation-brained. Most slacked off, treating the lecture like celestial scripture. Freshmen and sophomores alike—fresh off two weeks of military training, dragged straight to class. Energy? Nonexistent.

Daydreamers daydreamed. Slackers slacked. Especially Bai Ningning’s juniors.

Xiao Yi and Lan Lan whispered about last night’s game—Jieqiluo’s skills and such.

Nai Nai hid behind a textbook, glanced around, then pulled out her drawing tablet.

*Gotta earn money…*

Qin Xin sat near the back, scrolling messages. Unlike others, she’d previewed the material. Not her path—just enough to pass.

Messages from Aunt Qin:

[Commuting paperwork done? Can you visit your sister’s this weekend?]

[You know her address, right? (#location)]

[Oh—do you know about your sister’s past situation?]

[Just a personal romance matter. Family knows. Be mindful, avoid stepping on landmines.]

Followed by details: last semester, her elder sister had been toyed with emotionally by a girl.