Once-grand ambitions inevitably crumbled into timid compliance the moment reality reared its head.
Just moments ago, Ye Zhibai had still been telling herself that everything would somehow work out.
But upon returning to her two-story small villa, she realized she couldn’t even retreat to her room.
There in the living room sat Yun’er, who had arrived home several dozen minutes early and hadn’t even bothered changing out of her daytime clothes. She perched solemnly on the sofa, her back turned to Ye Zhibai, utterly silent.
Her legs were crossed in that effortlessly cool pose, the picture of a new level of Yun’er fury unlocked.
Ye Zhibai had no idea her sister possessed binoculars.
But she did know she only had one life to lose.
Yun’er’s aura of seething jealousy was so overwhelming that Ye Zhibai froze on the spot, rooted halfway between the sofa and her bedroom door.
It was the clever Guang Yu who offered some sound advice.
“Listen to me—you folks in the Mortal Realm have a saying: ‘Keep the Blue Mountains safe, and you’ll never run out of firewood.'”
“That’s ‘Green Mountains’…”
“Details. Point is, times like this call for the long game, conserving your strength. Ye Zhibai, I say you retreat to your room, plot your counterattack, then come out swinging.”
To be fair, the fox had a point.
Even the heroes in those anime shows had to power up before storming the demon king’s castle for the final boss fight!
Yun’er right now was scarier than any endgame villain. What was wrong with a quick nap before facing the music?
Person and fox crept forward on tiptoe, edging oh-so-carefully toward Ye Zhibai’s room.
But alas, no such luck.
Yun’er wasn’t some elite mob that just sits there if you ignore it!
The instant she sensed the movement behind her, she uncrossed her legs and shot to her feet in one smooth, badass motion.
“Sister? You’re back.”
“!”
Ye Zhibai’s feet locked in place.
The ruthless Scummy Guang Yu—whom Yun’er couldn’t even see—stuck to the plan and bolted straight back to the bedroom!
Leaving Ye Zhibai to face the impending storm alone.
You’re asking if I’m back?
I’ve been standing right here in the doorway for five whole minutes!
Wasn’t this you pulling the silent boss act?
But panic or no panic roiling inside, Ye Zhibai always kept up her cool little angel facade on the surface.
She pivoted neatly on her heel, her response crisp and four words exactly.
“Mm. I’m back.”
“Mm-hmm. Good to have you home.”
With that, Ye Zhiyun slowly turned around.
Her naturally aloof little face still wore traces of that unresolved sulk.
And the moment Ye Zhibai spotted the binoculars Yun’er had just flung onto the sofa cushions, it all clicked.
“Sister, sure, you ignored me completely after walking in—treating me like air for some kinky ignore play, which honestly got my heart racing. But… not tonight, okay? Yun’er’s head is all scrambled right now, feeling super insecure. I don’t want to be left hanging.”
Who said anything about ignore play! You were the one who clammed up first!
Oh, wait… neither of us said a word.
Now it was Ye Zhibai’s turn to speak.
“Why so insecure? Did life pull a fast one on you?”
Damn it! Slipped up under pressure again!
But those words—”pull a fast one”—only deepened the gravity on Yun’er’s face.
“Yeah… life did. You told me you were grabbing takeout, clearing your head, even said you bought snacks. So where are they?”
“Ate them on the way.”
Ye Zhibai wasn’t lying. Sister Liang had handed her a bag of small cookies before she left, and she’d split them with Guang Yu en route.
“Mm. Next question: who was that delivery girl?”
“Chi Yuliang.”
“Haha, so honest, Sister! So what was she doing, showing up at our place this late at night?”
“Delivering takeout.”
“……”
As she spoke, Ye Zhibai jiggled the pen case in her hand for emphasis.
This was her purchase. Ten grand’s worth!
Ye Zhiyun advanced methodically.
She’d maneuvered out from behind the sofa now, closing the distance to Ye Zhibai one deliberate step per question.
Until she stood right in front of her sister, their gazes locked.
Yun’er had no patience left for circling the drain.
“Sister… I’ve felt so pent-up all day. I could let the Lin Zihan thing slide, but another woman at our doorstep in the dead of night? You really expect me to just pretend I didn’t see?”
Ye Zhiyun refused to swallow this grievance!
This was straight-up bullying on home turf!
Truth was, jealousy often festered from within one’s own imagination. Who was doing the bullying here? Sister Liang had just dropped by to deliver a blessing!
Steeling herself, Ye Zhibai opted for reason, launching her defense.
“Chi Yuliang’s just a regular friend. She dressed up as delivery to keep things low-key, avoid any drama.”
“And… Lin Zihan?”
“Lin Zihan’s someone I only met today—barely exchanged a few words.”
There. Logic, served.
Ye Zhiyun blinked, momentarily stunned.
A sliver of calm crept in.
Then came the stabbing pain in her chest.
Not merely from the vinegar jar exploding.
No, it was Sister—head bowed low, explaining so earnestly.
That image shattered her.
Sister had never had any friends.
Adding her first real conversational contact on QQ—what a milestone worth celebrating!
And yet… what had she just been accusing?
Contradictions, jealousy, tangled emotions: these were the worries that had plagued Ye Zhiyun for days.
She was supposed to be the inquisitor here, but two simple sentences from Ye Zhibai had her ducking her head too.
Both sisters, heads bowed in mirrored defeat!
Truth be told, Ye Zhibai’s averted gaze had nothing to do with defeat.
Guilt, pure and simple!
Lin Zihan was a casual new acquaintance, not even a proper friend yet. Undeniable.
Sister Liang, though… she was no “regular friend.”
To Ye Zhibai, she was family. An older sister.
Just not in any of the weird ways Yun’er was imagining!
Head down and silent, the pair wrestled silently with their inner turmoils.
Abruptly, Ye Zhibai recalled Guang Yu’s parting wisdom.
Keep the green hills alive, and firewood will never be scarce.
Direct confrontation blocked? Time to pivot, circle back later.
Ye Zhibai turned slowly, her expression one of quiet dejection—at least, that’s how it struck Yun’er.
“Fine then… Yun’er. If it makes you unhappy… I’ll delete them from my friends list. And with that… I’m heading to my room.”
Translation in her head: Time to bail!
This account’s contacts? Gone. But she had backups.
Ye Zhibai mentally high-fived her own quick wits. She was just pivoting away when—
A fierce hug tackled her from behind!
The force nearly bowled her over!
“Sister!”
“Hm?!”
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!! Sister, I was selfish—I deserve to die!”
“!”
Yun’er clung with crushing force.
Her arms locked around Ye Zhibai’s slender waist, squeezing the air right out of her lungs!
If this is an apology, you might as well finish me off!
What the hell flipped the switch?!
Ye Zhibai patted her sister’s hands, signaling to ease up.
We can talk this out—just let go first!
Yun’er obeyed at once, her grip loosening promptly.
Freed, Ye Zhibai whirled around to find Yun’er dissolved in tears, face a fragile mess.
Like a forsaken kitten huddled in a rainy night, all wide-eyed vulnerability.
Ye Zhibai’s heart clenched with sudden ache.
How on earth had things spiraled this far?
She dabbed at the tear tracks on Yun’er’s cheeks with her sleeve, her own heart pounding as she soothed her.
“Yun’er… don’t cry.”
“Sister… I’m sorry. I was so willful, boo… my wild accusations went way too far!”
“It’s fine. To err is human, to forgive—mmph?!”
Ye Zhibai’s go-to closer cut off midsentence.
She simply couldn’t utter another word.
Her lips were sealed by Yun’er’s own, the kiss crashing in fiercely from inches away.
And in the same instant, a sneaky little hand claimed firm purchase on her chest!
Ye Zhibai’s fingers clamped vise-tight on the pen case.
It had all come out of nowhere.
That rain-drenched little kitten?
It had just pounced—and bitten!
Sorry, Sister.
I know it’s selfish, terribly so.
But Yun’er… she just couldn’t hold back any longer.
