“Then how about I give up my place at the Science Academy and stay home with you?”

Ning Muxuan was right there in front of him, so close he could almost touch her. Her burning gaze was a little too much for Qin Heng to handle.

I… I was just being polite, and you open with super-tier magic right to my face? ⊙ˍ⊙

“Sis, that’s your bright future. How could you give it up for—”

“I don’t care. I only want you.”

“…………”

Ning Muxuan tightened her arms around him and leaned her cheek closer, gently pressing it to Qin Heng’s forehead. Their noses touched, and they were close enough to feel each other’s breath. Their lips were only an inch apart…

Her words carried an unmistakable favoritism—and a fierce resolve.

She wasn’t just saying it. If Qin Heng so much as nodded, she’d give up all those unimportant things without a second thought. Whatever her little brother wanted, she’d give it to him…

Feeling her warm breath against his face and her softness in his arms, Qin Heng wasn’t happy in the least. When he heard Ning Muxuan’s dangerously bold words, he began to realize just how serious this was. He cleared his throat and spoke again.

“Sis, we’re not kids anymore. We have to take responsibility for ourselves. You’re so talented—you’re sure to achieve something remarkable in your field someday. There are so many people who need you.”

“If you’re doing this just because of me… wouldn’t that be too selfish?”

“Besides, if you don’t work, who’s going to support me in the future? Right? ^ω^”

Qin Heng lifted his head and affectionately rubbed the tip of his nose against Ning Muxuan’s. His words sounded like a lecture, but they were really more about how much he cared.

Ning Muxuan understood that, of course, but a trace of displeasure still crossed her pretty face. She gave a little huff. ╯^╰

“What other people? I don’t care about them. And you’re the one who has to support me!”

She didn’t care at all about those so-called “many people.”

“All right, all right. I’ll support you. Happy now?”

Big Couch-Potato Qin answered rather halfheartedly.

Ning Muxuan’s pretty face returned to its usual cool indifference. She glanced at Qin Heng.

“Got it. I’ll go back tomorrow.”

Qin Heng finally let out a sigh of relief and reached over to rub Ning Muxuan’s head.

“That’s my genius big sister.”

“Oh, please…”

Ning Muxuan stopped paying him any attention, but she was still straddling Qin Heng. This time, she nestled against his shoulder, searching for a comfortable spot.

“Sis, that tickles. And I’m so sleepy—I really want to get some rest.”

Ning Muxuan still didn’t answer. Once she found a comfortable spot against his neck, she buried her face there, just as Big Couch-Potato Qin had leaned against her shoulder earlier.

“Sleep while holding me.”

Her voice was soft, but there was no arguing with the firmness in it.

Qin Heng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Of course he was happy to have a beauty like Ning Muxuan throw herself into his arms. But he was so tired he could barely keep his eyes open. Holding this chilly little snake was already enough to make him sleepy, and after a whole day of running around, he just wanted to get a good night’s sleep.

Ning Muxuan wasn’t heavy, but he still couldn’t fall asleep with her lying on top of him!

So he simply wrapped an arm around Ning Muxuan’s waist, gently turned her over, and settled her against the back of the sofa. At last, he was free.

Ning Muxuan kept her face buried against his neck and didn’t seem to mind, so he relaxed…

“Sis, when you get in the shower, remember to wash…”

After reminding Ning Muxuan to wash up, that heavy wave of sleepiness swept over him again. The Salted Fish was soon out cold…

Time passed slowly. Who knew how long it had been before Ning Muxuan gradually opened her eyes again? She lifted her head from Qin Heng’s neck, but didn’t get up. Instead, she quietly rested her head on his arm and gazed at him.

Her right arm, which had been wrapped around Qin Heng’s waist the whole time, slowly slipped free. Then she gently placed her hand on his forehead.

Her hand slowly traced downward, from his brows to his eyes, then along the bridge of his nose, and finally to his lips.

Her touch was gentle throughout, as if she were handling an exceptionally precious work of art. And to her, Qin Heng was the most precious person in the world.

Ning Muxuan quietly watched her little brother sleep. She could no longer hide the affection in her eyes; they shimmered with tenderness, so full it seemed ready to spill over like tea from a cup…

“Qin’er~”

She whispered his name.

Feeling the warmth of Qin Heng’s lips, she seemed unable to hold back any longer. She drew closer and closer to him, a heart-stirring curve slowly appearing at the corners of her lips.

Her smile was alluring and full of affection. A rosy flush had spread across the cool, beautiful face she usually kept so composed.

Their lips drew closer still, until they finally met in a gentle kiss.

It was a very light kiss, yet the passion and tenderness within it seemed capable of drowning everything else…

The instant their lips touched, an even more captivating light appeared in Ning Muxuan’s blue eyes.

At last, after a long while, their lips parted. The warmth faded, leaving only lingering affection…

The tangled feelings in her eyes showed no sign of fading, like her long, dark tresses. Her red lips parted slightly.

“Big Sis… really loves you so much.”

“…You’re absolutely… not allowed to leave me.”

………

By the time Qin Heng woke up, Ning Muxuan was no longer beside him. It was almost ten. He could hear the shower running in the nearby bathroom, so she must have gone to wash up.

Qin Heng stretched lazily and moved his mouth a little, then suddenly felt that it was wet. He wiped it with his hand.

How did I end up drooling? -_-#

As soon as he opened his phone, he saw a message from his roommate, Su Chen.

Su Chen: Old Qin, you there? I’ve got something to show you!

Qin Heng: ?

A photo popped up in the chat—a beautiful woman’s selfie.

Qin Heng: Who’s this?

Su Chen: Hehehe, your future sister-in-law!

Qin Heng: For real? You’re not messing with me?

Su Chen: She’s a third-year senior, and she’s in our department too. Things have been moving fast these past few days! I’m about to win her over.

Qin Heng: She is really pretty… You sure you’re not getting played?

Su Chen: Do I look like some fish waiting to be hooked?

And fair enough. Su Chen wasn’t just good at school—he was pretty handsome too, with a bit of charm, and his family was well-off. There was no reason he’d turn into some lovesick simp. Qin Heng had been worrying for nothing.

Qin Heng: Yeah, I just worry about you. Keep your eyes open. If you really get together, you’ll have plenty to brag about at the next reunion.

Su Chen: OK, got it! ┗(＾0＾)┓

After chatting with Su Chen, Qin Heng opened the photo again and studied it. She really was a beautiful woman, with a curvy figure and delicate features. Her clothes were fairly modest, and she had the air of a sweet, innocent young lady.

If the photo hadn’t been edited, she still wouldn’t quite measure up to a beauty like Ning Muxuan, whose looks could spell disaster—but she was still close to the peak of beauty.

When did Su Chen get so lucky? Before, he—

Qin Heng was gradually getting absorbed in the photo and didn’t notice that the shower had stopped, or the lovely figure approaching him from behind…………

A voice colder than ice rang out behind him, and a thin layer of solid ice formed across the floor around them.

“Do you like her?”

Still admiring the photo, Qin Heng didn’t sense that anything was wrong.

“Yeah, if it’s a real photo, she’s pretty good-looking. I’d give her an eight—”