Hmph, hmph, mm, ah… Not at all.
As a cool and aloof little beauty, no matter the situation or how intense the assault, she’d only let out a few hmphs—never an “ah.”
That would be ever so unladylike.
Endure! The longer you hold out, the greater the payoff!
Though she wasn’t entirely sure what that “payoff” even was…
After a fierce bout, Qin Yue paused, breathless.
Though she’d rested for days, two team fights in half a day still left her stamina running low.
But more importantly—
“What’s with you today? Even after all this, you still won’t yield?”
What was this about? Twenty minutes holed up on high ground, surrendering the jungle just to defend the lane—fight one wave, buy back the next, waiting for them to push… refusing to type GG.
Was this the TI grand finals? So desperate not to lose?
“I’ve always been this way,” Bai Ningning said, her face icy. “There’s no such thing as yielding.”
True to herself, she remained the same girl, not a single bit changed.
Qin Yue smirked. “Then why did you start meowing before even reaching the bed back then? What were you meowing about—singing that ‘Learn to Meow’ song?”
*Well, that wouldn’t be so bad. I do enjoy singing.*
Bai Ningning weighed her excuses—only for Qin Yue to cut in: “I get it. It’s because my sister’s here, right?”
A chill ran down the girl’s spine. Her heart hammered.
*Could the older sister have figured it out? That her little sister was the very underclassman with black thigh-high socks she’d been longing for? But how?*
“I know your persona,” Qin Yue said with a cold smile. “As long as someone you know is watching, you must keep up that cool-and-aloof act, right? So you’d rather endure even harsher… *things*… than admit defeat.”
Bai Ningning blinked, utterly bewildered.
It wasn’t far from the truth—she couldn’t ruin her image in front of her junior. She *was* the reliable senior. If she let out a single meow… that life would be over. So she had to endure.
*Endure! The longer I hold out, the greater the payoff—and in the end, it’ll be the older sister collapsing exhausted beside me!*
“Don’t worry about it,” Bai Ningning said firmly. “I’m not surrendering.”
Qin Yue arched a brow. “Of course. You don’t have to.”
*Then suffer the consequences.*
…
“Miss Bai Ningning… she’s truly pitiful. All alone, no family,” Auntie Zou paused. “And I mean no disrespect—she really is an orphan.”
…
Awkward phrasing, but the facts stood.
Qin Xin nodded gently, urging her on.
“After her parents passed, nothing was left. Before meeting the young mistress, Miss Bai lived in a rented room, applying for community aid just to cover tuition.”
Qin Xin’s chest tightened.
“So… she’s only with my sister for the money?”
“That’s how it seems, but…” Auntie Zou sighed. “Even if it’s a transaction, show some decency! Don’t voice your true feelings—especially not where the young mistress can hear. Isn’t that asking for trouble?”
“If she truly feels that way, she has every right to speak up,” Qin Xin countered softly. “I understand.”
*Of course, if it were anyone else, I’d cheer for my sister. Before I knew it was Senior Bai…*
She never expected the drama to land squarely on her own head—like eating the watermelon flesh only to wear the rind as a hat.
“But now it’s better,” Auntie Zou smiled. “The young mistress woke up in time and did the right thing. Things have improved.”
Qin Xin blinked. “Improved?”
*What does that mean?*
“Don’t be fooled by Miss Bai’s cold face or sharp words toward the young mistress,” Auntie Zou explained. “In truth, she cares deeply—helps with everything, even learning massage techniques.”
Qin Xin’s lips trembled. “Why?”
“Because they’ve… *you know*,” Auntie Zou said matter-of-factly. “As a certain elegant saying goes: *certain acts* are the gateway to a girl’s heart.”
“…How is that elegant? It’s vulgar.”
“Said by a famous modern female writer. Elegant enough?”
“…”
*Well. That is rather highbrow.*
“But not everyone reacts that way,” Qin Xin pressed. “When Senior Bai left the rest room, or when my sister held her—she didn’t look happy at all.”
“Just a girl’s coyness,” Auntie Zou insisted. “Think: if she truly didn’t want it, why provoke the young mistress daily?”
Qin Xin whispered, “Why?”
“Because she wants it too,” Auntie Zou replied. “She can’t say it outright, so she provokes her… to be *disciplined*.”
Qin Xin trembled. “Is that… true?”
“Without doubt.” Auntie Zou stopped. “The bathroom’s right here.”
After a long silence, Qin Xin choked out: “Thank you.”
*Thank you for telling me.*
“No trouble at all. Ask me—or anyone—anytime, second young mistress.” Auntie Zou nodded and left.
Night deepened. Time to rest.
Qin Xin sank into the steaming bath, letting mist swallow her whole.
*Why is it like this?*
She’d thought Senior Bai strong—forced by circumstance to stay with her sister, yet never bending her spirit, speaking truth even at personal cost.
But after being brought home… after *that*… she changed.
Even *inviting* discipline?
Could Auntie Zou be right? Had her sister truly unlocked the gateway to Senior Bai’s heart?
The girl hugged her knees, gaze shadowed.
Pain +5. Rage +5.
…
Elsewhere, settled in the guest room, Auntie Zou replayed the evening. Something felt off.
The young mistress’s “battle” had been loud—audible down the hall. And the second young mistress… after her “wrong turn,” she’d stood frozen outside that door far too long.
If you’re lost, don’t you turn back immediately?
And that look in her eyes just now… strangely chilling.
*Ah. Don’t overthink it. Watch and see.*
Zzz…
