If you can’t break free, stop dawdling. Reluctantly, Qin Xin stepped out of the dream, opened her eyes, and returned to reality.

She checked her phone—already 5 p.m.

Still not over?

This is getting absurd.

Sounds still drifted from the rest room, but much softer now, like the fading echoes of a finale.

No matter how you slice it… noon till 5 p.m. was just…

Pitter-patter. Pitter-patter.

Summer skies were fickle. Sun still hung high, yet rain fell. The slight chill outside, mixed with indoor AC, made the living room feel cool.

But Qin Xin’s heart burned hot—almost scalding—from the dream.

Cold air on her skin, fire within. Truly *cold outside, hot inside*.

Just like her senior, Bai Ningning…

*Creak.* The rest room door opened. Qin Yue stepped out.

“Qin Xin?”

“Mm.” Qin Xin stood. “Sister.”

“When did you get here? Mom said you had afternoon classes.”

“I did, but took half a day off to move luggage. Came at noon.”

Sisters long out of touch felt a flicker of awkwardness. But after a few homey words, warmth returned—childhood familiarity bloomed again.

Partly because Qin Yue was in a calm “sage mode,” mind clear, emotions serene.

Blood was thicker than water. Soon, they settled into easy chatter.

“How’s university life?” Qin Yue asked.

“Fine. Only two days of real classes—mostly military training before that,” Qin Xin replied. “Met nice friends… and a wonderful senior.”

As she spoke, the corner of her lips curved up, just slightly.

Qin Yue barely noticed. Composed, she recalled something else. “You’ve been here since noon?”

Qin Xin nodded.

Qin Yue glanced back at the room. “So… you heard it?”

Qin Xin dodged. “Mom said you dated a girl who deceived you. So… you brought her home?”

Since secrets were already out, Qin Yue owned it calmly. “Exactly.” She lifted the teacup, swirled it like wine. “She thoroughly deserved a lesson. What do you think?”

“Good,” Qin Xin said truthfully. “She did.”

*The Qin family never takes losses.*

Pleased, Qin Yue checked the time. Dinner hour. She strode to the rest room door and knocked firmly.

“Stop napping. Come eat!”

“…Oh.”

A soft, fluffy voice—like a kitten’s paw scratching the heart. Qin Xin’s chest tightened, remembering the lullaby, the dream.

Curiosity flickered: *What kind of girl could make Sister act like that?*

*Creak.* The door opened.

A breathtaking girl leaned against the frame. Exhaustion lent her pure, lovely face a lazy charm. Her sheer nightgown barely concealed her delicate curves.

Especially the neckline—no collar at all. The left strap had slipped, revealing a soft expanse of pale skin.

“I don’t feel like dinner… Wait?” The girl blinked in surprise. “Qin Xin?”

The nightgown girl was startled. The girl in black thigh-high socks… mind went blank.

*She looks like Senior Bai Ningning. Sounds like her. Feels like her. Even… better.*

*This is Senior Bai Ningning!*

*So the girl Sister “disciplined”… is my Ningning senior?!*

Qin Xin had never seen her like this—so girlish, so tantalizing.

But why…?

Pitter-patter. Pitter-patter.

Her heart mirrored the sunshower outside: hot and cold at once.

“What?” Qin Yue arched a brow. “You know each other?”

Qin Xin opened her mouth. No sound came out.

“Mm, we’re both from Xicheng University,” Bai Ningning answered smoothly. “Remember the underclassmen I brought recently? Qin Xin was one.”

*How can she be so calm? So casual? After everything… not a blush, not a tremble?*

Qin Xin pressed her lips tight, teeth clenched.

“Oh? What a coincidence,” Qin Yue said lightly. She stood, adjusted Bai Ningning’s strap. “Dress properly. Don’t be so revealing—don’t give my sister a show.”

*No… that wasn’t a show. It was…*

Watching their intimate gesture, Qin Xin’s fists tightened.

*Stay calm. Don’t expose yourself.*

*She treats me like just an underclassman. But now… she’s Sister’s.*

*If they find out… I’ll be gone. Forever.*

“Dress neatly. Then come eat,” Qin Yue said gently. “Sleep after dinner.”

Afternoon tenderness had soothed her anger. Time to unwind.

But Bai Ningning pouted stubbornly. “I don’t like baguettes. Skipped lunch. Skipping dinner too.”

*Not even if your sister’s here. Not even if the Jade Emperor descended. Hmph.*

She had the nerve—she hadn’t let out a single whimper all afternoon, enduring every wave without flinching.

*No loss. No surrender.*

Qin Yue’s gaze softened with sweet affection. “Alright, Ningning. Then you won’t sleep tonight.”

Hearing that, Qin Xin’s heart twisted.

*My Ningning senior… won’t sleep tonight.*

*Endure.*

She walked slowly to the table, face blank, pretending indifference.

*Endure. Stay. Only here can I find a chance.*

*If exposed now… everything vanishes.*

“Stop standing there,” Qin Yue teased. “Legs wobbly? I knew it.”

She lifted the delicate Bai Ningning, carried her to a chair. A sweet, girlish fragrance drifted over the table.

“Eat first. Be good.”