The sound of cascading water echoed all around.

Bathing beneath the stream, the woman tilted her head slightly, letting the water wash over her delicate face.

A misty haze swirled about her, veiling her tall, graceful figure in a way that left much to the imagination.

Ning Muxuan stood silently under the water, eyes closed and hands pressed to her chest. Her ample bosom rose and fell with her quickened breaths.

The lingering warmth of that kiss still left her unable to calm down. The burning passion within was nearly uncontrollable, painting her fair cheeks with a faint, feverish flush as she murmured to herself,

"I really... love you so much."

Ning Muxuan pressed her fingers to her lips, gently tracing them as she savored the memory of that kiss.

The blush on her face deepened, and her snowy thighs began to rub together involuntarily...

"Mm~"

A soft, breathy moan escaped her lips. She leaned weakly against the wall, her dark hair spilling messily over her shoulders as she exhaled hot breaths. The icy aloofness she usually wore had melted away; her eyes now shimmered with spring-like tenderness, bewitching yet soft.

Her breathing grew heavier. Her love for the young man continued to swell, and gradually, her heart was no longer satisfied—it cried out, demanding more of him...

She wanted him by her side forever.

She wanted him to hold her every night as she fell asleep.

She wanted him to kiss her, to demand more from her...

Ning Muxuan lifted her head slightly, gazing toward the gauzy curtain of the bathroom door. The young man was right there, just on the other side, close to her...

The happiness and contentment welling up inside her merged into one, ultimately transforming into a profound, overwhelming love.

The surging passion set her entire body ablaze once more, deepening the feverish flush on her lovely face.

"Hiss!"

The water flow suddenly intensified with a sharp hiss. Clusters of warm steam were blasted apart. What had been comfortably warm water moments ago now struck her tender skin as an icy torrent.

"Haa..."

Ning Muxuan let out a long breath, using this method to force herself to calm down.

She placed a hand over her chest. As reason returned, a hint of worry gradually crept back into her loving gaze.

She knew the weight of this love, and she understood its scorching heat.

She was truly terrified that if the young man ever found out, it would scare him away...

If he knew that his usually cool and composed older sister was so depraved in the shadows, so greedily desperate to take from him, would he come to despise her...?

A sealed memory began to resurface in her mind, a dark past that relentlessly questioned her love for him.

The painful recollections of her childhood remained vivid even now...

What if... what if Qin Heng didn't actually like her? What if, deep down, he had always resented her? Then all their warmth would merely be his duty as family, nothing but an illusion. He would leave her side sooner or later... Perhaps, perhaps he'd even be with another woman—

"Absolutely not! He's mine!! He belongs to me!!! How dare anyone else try to take him away!!!"

At the mere thought of Qin Heng leaving her for another woman in the near future, the anger and darkness within her surged to their peak. It felt like a blade piercing her chest; suffocation completely drowned out her reason, twisting her fair features.

"Qin'er will never leave my side!!! Never!"

Her screams grew increasingly frantic, as sharp as the rushing water beside her, her heart desperately trying to prove this love.

"Haa... haa..."

Her breathing grew heavier and heavier.

Under the relentless assault of the cold water, Ning Muxuan only grew more agitated. Her hands clenched into tight fists as she desperately affirmed the young man's attachment to her...

"Hey! Sis, I was just kidding, don't be sad..."

"...I knew Sis loved me the most~"

"Alright, alright, I'll take care of you. I'll support you, okay?"

"Sis... the water, remember to wash—"

The young man's voice echoed in her mind, pulling her back from the brink of collapse.

—

...Qin'er cared about her feelings, cared about her mood, and was even willing to look after her, tolerating her willfulness and being considerate of her flaws.

Wasn't all of this proof of her little brother's love for her?

Yes, he cared about her so much, worried about her so deeply—how could he ever leave her side? Her little brother would surely stay with her forever and ever.

Just thinking this made the anxiety and unease in her heart dissipate by more than half. Her tightly clenched fists slowly relaxed, and tears welled in the corners of her eyes.

It's going to be okay...

After a long while, Ning Muxuan let out a soft sigh, composing herself until she finally returned to normal.

She slowly straightened up, then picked up the thin bath towel beside her and wrapped it around her body. Water droplets gradually soaked through the fabric, rendering it semi-transparent and revealing the curves beneath, making her already alluring figure appear even more enchanting.

She walked toward the door with slightly hurried steps, but just as her hand was about to touch the doorknob,

she hesitated... Taking a small step back, she moved in front of the mirror to look at her reflection.

The woman in the mirror was undeniably beautiful. With her breathtaking looks and tall, slender, sexy figure, her mature charm was undiminished even wrapped in a towel. Her damp, waist-length black hair cascaded down her back, brushing against her hips, and her bosom rose and fell with her steady breathing. Ning Muxuan turned slightly, tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, and scrutinized herself repeatedly. Only after a long moment did she nod in satisfaction.

Strangely enough, even though her hair was still dripping wet and a hairdryer sat right there on the vanity, Ning Muxuan made no move to pick it up.

Because—this was a "job" reserved for Qin Heng.

Soon, she would hand him the hairdryer as usual, then lean back into his embrace. She would casually scroll through information on her phone while he carefully tended to her hair from behind, chatting with her from time to time. They would spend that time together in warm, cozy companionship.

When she got tired, she would turn around, wrap her arms around his neck, and ask him to carry her back to her room to sleep. At that point, Big Slacker would definitely complain about something, but in the end, he would "reluctantly" come over and pick her up anyway.

He'd say he didn't want to, that he didn't like it, yet his hands would still sneakily grope her butt, acting as if she wouldn't notice as long as she didn't call him out.

And when she teased him about it, he would defend himself with feigned righteousness, completely unaware that his face was already as red as a ripe apple 🍎...

These were the little everyday moments between them as siblings. The habit of having Qin Heng dry her hair had been going on for several years now.

Ning Muxuan herself adored this routine. It allowed her to unreservedly feel her little brother's warmth, breathe in his scent, and bask in his care, all while continuously deepening the bond between them...

Ning Muxuan picked up the hairdryer and headed toward the living room, only to find that Qin Heng had just woken up as well. He was sitting on the sofa, completely absorbed in looking at something...