Luo Xiaolu froze for a moment, then pulled her phone from her pocket to check.

Turns out the bronze award prize had arrived.

Luo Xiaotang finally showed one-tenth of her sister’s physical ability—zipping instantly in front of Luo Xiaolu to peer at the screen.

“One… ten… hundred…”

Eyes locked on the text message digits, Luo Xiaotang counted aloud, then stood utterly stunned.

“Sis, how’d you suddenly get one thousand yuan?”

“Even if math isn’t your strong suit, you *heard* the voice note, right?!”

Annoyed, Luo Xiaolu flicked Luo Xiaotang’s forehead.

“It’s *ten thousand*! My manuscript fee!” Luo Xiaolu said proudly.

“From today on, our family’s living the good life!”

Once the copyright buyout finalized, Luo Xiaolu could stride straight into happy, comfortable days!

Fried eggs with boxed milk and sad lettuce salad? Good riddance—never again!

“Seriously… not from some shady deal?”

“Officer, this is 100% legit income,” Luo Xiaolu replied.

*Someday I’ll dunk this little brat in a pig cage.*

“Yay!!”

Hearing that, Luo Xiaotang happily threw her arms around Luo Xiaolu’s neck.

“So let’s go out *now*!”

Before the words faded, Luo Xiaotang let go and bolted back to her room.

“Xiaotang!”

Luo Xiaolu yelled, chasing after her.

This girl hadn’t stepped outside in a full year. Last time? Only because Luo Xiaolu, wasted after a gang dinner, collapsed at the building entrance and needed help.

Otherwise: eat, sleep, game. Repeat.

This wouldn’t do.

My sister’s *so* cute—how tragic that the world never gets to see her!

Luo Xiaotang dashed into her room and slammed the door shut.

“So many people outside! So many cars! So *hot*! What’s fun about that?” she pouted.

“Is the game not fun enough?”

“You…” Luo Xiaolu’s forehead vein throbbed. “Every time I ask you out, same excuse. Planning to stay home *forever*?”

“Sure.”

“That wasn’t a question!!”

Luo Xiaolu felt she’d combust if this kept up.

Yep—getting a socially anxious, shut-in otaku little sister outdoors was no easy feat. Luo Xiaolu, a former otaku herself, knew this truth all too well.

Usually obedient… except when it came to “breaking her comfort zone.” Then? Full rebellion mode.

No. As the older sister, she *had* to guide her toward healthy growth.

“You’re fourteen. Can’t attend school due to this condition. Kids your age write essays—what *can* you do?” Luo Xiaolu said earnestly.

“I can one-hand clear *Devil May Cry 5*.”

“No way?!” Luo Xiaolu blurted, genuinely impressed.

“…Just *come out* already!”

“Even if I starve! Die outside! Jump from this window! I will *never* go out with Sis!”

Luo Xiaotang declared with fiery passion, words blazing—channeling the Red Army’s spirit facing the Long March! Vowing to resist her “evil capitalist-class sister” to the end! To eternally defend otaku honor and reject all normie-inducing behavior!!

Silence fell outside the door.

Then—a phone slid under the crack.

Screen glowing: ¥10,000 balance.

“Sis is treating you to a feast,” Luo Xiaolu said.

…

“Taking forever! Ready? Let’s go!”

“Coming, coming!”

Luo Xiaotang pushed the door open, head lowered, stepping out shyly.

White off-shoulder dress. Cheeks flushed slightly. Pouting lips. Clear reluctance on her face.

“So cute!”

“R…really?”

Startled by her sister’s blunt praise, Luo Xiaotang flushed deeper, shyly looking away.

“Really!”

At home, Luo Xiaotang usually lived in sleepwear and tees, carrying a faintly damp, sticky aura.

But after a proper scrub and light styling? Absolutely stunning.

“Bribing Xiaotang with food… Sis is *so* mean,” she mumbled.

“Be good!”

Cicadas shrieked. Sanity frayed.

The August sun still blazed fiercely, radiating raw masculine energy—delighting in making earthlings pant and sweat buckets.

“Sis, I…” Midway, Luo Xiaotang suddenly squatted by a big tree.

Luo Xiaolu hurried over, stroking her head. “What’s wrong?”

“I…”

Clutching her stomach, brows furrowed, face twisted in discomfort.

“What is it?!” Luo Xiaolu asked, worried.

“No… strength left.”

“…”

Luo Xiaolu pointed at a nearby building.

“What’s this place?”

“Our home.”

Luo Xiaotang’s bright, dewy eyes widened. She grinned.

“You *know* that’s our home?!”

They’d barely stepped out of their apartment building—hadn’t even reached the compound gate.

“Hehe…”

Luo Xiaotang scratched her head, flashing an embarrassed, silly smile.

Without a word, Luo Xiaolu grabbed her collar and marched forward.

Truth was, Luo Xiaolu could carry her any way—piggyback, shoulder—but no spoiling today.

Luo Xiaotang wailed, shuffling forward at a snail’s pace.

They reached the lakeside park near the compound.

“Sis is a liar! You promised a big meal!” Luo Xiaotang pouted.

“Patience! Stroll first. Feast after.”

The sun had softened. Willows swayed gently. A cool breeze brushed the shore.

Clear artificial lake water rippled with tiny creatures.

“You can’t see this at home!”

Luo Xiaolu raised a finger earnestly.

*Let her feel the world’s beauty. Maybe… she’ll want to come out again.*

“Look—this lakeside view. So peaceful,” Luo Xiaolu sighed.

“Not as pretty as the Arad Continent,” Luo Xiaotang muttered.

“See that little carp fighting over breadcrumbs? So cute!”

“Xiaotang likes fish soup. Grass carp for soup. Carp? Better braised.”

“That white swan—elegant! Ever hear *The Ugly Duckling*?”

“Roast goose is the eternal god for otakus.”

Luo Xiaolu: “…”

“Where do you *learn* these random phrases?!”

Clearing her throat, Luo Xiaolu unleashed her ultimate weapon—*literary flair*.

“The sunset glow and lone wild goose soar as one; autumn waters blend with endless sky!” she recited proudly.

“When I was young, homesickness was a narrow postage stamp. I was here… home was there…” Luo Xiaotang intoned softly.

“ENOUGH ALREADY!!”