Trial.

For Bai Ningning, talking with people was a trial in itself—a way to train her communication skills and fix the problem of saying one thing while thinking another.

For Qin Yue, talking with Bai Ningning was also a trial. It tested her ability to withstand pressure and control her emotions.

“I just didn’t expect you to sleep in all day. I was up before noon,” Bai Ningning said flatly. “Come to think of it, four hours late isn’t that much, right?”

【Four hours really isn’t much. After all, one’s the ox and the other’s the field.】

That was what she thought. But when she said it aloud, Qin Yue was furious.

Good grief. Today’s trial had started on hard mode.

“Easy for you to say,” Qin Yue scoffed. “You only need to lie there. You don’t have to move. I’m the one doing all the work, so of course you won’t be tired.”

【Oh, right. Then, for Big Sis’s sake, let me do the work sometimes. I can handle it.】

That was what Bai Ningning thought. Then she spoke up.

“If you’re not convinced, you can switch with me. Dare you?”

Qin Yue clenched her hand, but said nothing.

She really didn’t dare…

It wasn’t that she was afraid, exactly. As the older sister—and the one in the dominant position—how could she let someone turn the tables and get on top?

Remembering what had happened during the massage a few days ago, Qin Yue’s heart tightened.

That damn little green tea. She really was still thinking about getting revenge.

Qin Yue steadied herself and said slowly, “My little sister is here now, and she’ll be living at home from now on. Aren’t you afraid people will laugh at you if you keep seeking this out every day?”

“Well, I don’t think the important thing is whether someone seeks it out,” Bai Ningning said. She gently lifted a strand of hair and tucked it behind her ear. “It’s easier to laugh at the person who can’t get up. Anyway, the one who can’t get up isn’t me. As for who it is, I’d better not say.”

Qin Yue was almost at her limit.

Why could this Bai Ningning make such an alluring gesture while saying things this infuriating?

“I advise you not to get so cocky,” Qin Yue said in a lowered voice. “If I really stopped caring about the consequences, maybe I wouldn’t be able to get up. But you probably wouldn’t be able to get up either.”

【Huh? What, are we going for mutual destruction? That doesn’t sound good. I’d better talk her out of it.】

Bai Ningning raised her delicate hand to cover her tiny mouth and gave a soft giggle.

“Hehe. Is that what you think every time before we start?”

Qin Yue’s temple gave a sharp, audible twitch.

“That’s fine. Take your time thinking about it.” The girl smiled brightly. “People need to have a few dreams.”

Qin Yue crawled out of bed and planted her feet on the floor. Her gaze turned dark.

She had been listless, with a sore and limp body that didn’t want to move. Yet at this moment, every problem seemed to have vanished. Her whole body was even filled with strength.

“Ningning, you’re an adult now.” She looked down at the girl from above. “Adults shouldn’t regret the things they say.”

“Just you wait!”

With those words, Qin Yue stormed out of the room and headed upstairs.

Aunt Zhou was hanging clothes on the balcony. Seeing the eldest miss charging forward with such force, she jumped.

“Miss, are you all right?”

“I’m fine. She’s the one who’s in trouble!”

Aunt Zhou knew exactly who “she” meant, which only made her more worried.

“Miss, you only just… yesterday. You should rest more today. You mustn’t let your temper get the better of you.”

And you absolutely mustn’t exert yourself, either.

“I’ve rested enough.”

“How could you have rested enough? Miss, you were so… diligent yesterday. Your body won’t be able to take it today.”

“I’m perfectly fine,” Qin Yue said calmly. “Nothing hurts. In fact, I feel full of strength.”

You’re feeling great because this is the last flicker of life before the flame goes out.

Aunt Zhou knew that once the eldest miss made up her mind, no amount of persuasion could stop her. After thinking for a long while, she let out a quiet sigh.

“Miss, at least let me prepare something for you. Drink it before you go back.”

There were still ingredients like angelica and soft-shelled turtle in the kitchen.

“Fine. Whatever.”

Qin Yue naturally wouldn’t refuse anything that could boost her combat power.

Aunt Zhou went to make the soup. Qin Yue, meanwhile, arrived at the balcony and began searching through the pile of cosplay outfits.

A witch’s dress, an idol costume, a spider outfit…

What the heck? Why did the recent anime costumes keep getting more and more revealing?

Forget anime. She’d search through the mobile games instead.

Yes, she’d go straight to the game with the most suitable options.

【Glory—Glory’s Ball】, 【Formidable—The Dressed-Up Young Lady】, 【Glorious—Snow Fragrance on a Cool Night】…

This one was pretty good.

Looking good was one thing. More importantly, it was convenient.

Qin Yue gathered up the outfit and looked down at the first floor from the balcony, wearing a cold smile.

Tonight, she wouldn’t play LoL, Dota, DNF, or any of those galgames.

Tonight, she was playing World of Warships!

An hour later, Qin Yue finished the nourishing soup prepared with care by the maid. She returned to the bedroom and tossed 【Snow Fragrance on a Cool Night】 onto the bed.

“Put it on!”

Bai Ningning tilted her little head and blinked in confusion.

What was going on? Why was she angry again? They’d been talking just fine a moment ago.

“What are you waiting for? Put it on!”

“…Oh.”

Fine, fine. She’d put it on.

If she behaved and listened, maybe Big Sis would calm down.

Yikes. This outfit was seriously too lewd.

Bai Ningning obediently put on 【Snow Fragrance on a Cool Night】 and sat on the bed. She tilted her head, as if asking, See? I’m being very obedient. Don’t I deserve some praise?

Then she saw the older sister charge straight at her.

The naval battle had begun.

……

“That night, the sky was filled with stars. A promise made beneath parallel skies. When we meet again, I will~ hold you tight, hold you tight~~~~”

The song ended, and Qin Xin had finished previewing all the lessons scheduled for next week.

She took off her headphones and rubbed her small ears. Once she entered her muted, music-listening study mode, her efficiency became astonishingly high—much better than listening in class.

At this rate, she could take this semester’s final exams directly in a few weeks.

It was just that those youthful heartbreak songs were a little painful to listen to. She’d change playlists next time.

Qin Xin left her room to take a shower. As she walked down the hall, she somehow found herself stopping outside her sister’s bedroom again.

She listened for a while.

The battle was fierce—far fiercer than anything she’d heard before. Reports of various battle results drifted out from time to time.

Things like fires being set, citadel hits, overpenetration, flooding, and full salvos.

As expected of World of Warships. The battles were truly brutal.

Qin Xin stood outside the door, growing increasingly numb.

Forget it. She’d just go take a shower.

If she buried her head under the water, she could pretend she knew nothing.

The night was long and endless.

Some people were fighting. Others were lying awake, their minds running wild. For everyone, this night was difficult to endure.

But night always passed, and the next day always came.

Time was simply that merciless.

That morning, Qin’s mother finished packing her things. She called the maid and asked her to drive over and pick her up.

She was already impatient to see her two daughters getting along harmoniously.