This was an ugly misunderstanding, born of the purest coincidence.
Ye Zhibai had been bobbing her head idly, gazing around with her mind elsewhere.
Then she heard Little Qiu blurt out that earth-shattering remark.
She caught sight of Yun’er’s puzzled cool-guy face behind her sunglasses.
And Zihan’s mischievous giggle, hand clamped over her mouth as if she’d just pieced it all together.
In the thickening awkwardness, Ye Zhibai snapped to attention!
She grabbed Little Qiu’s arm without a second’s delay, dragging her off to one side. With the quickest reflexes of her life, she demanded the root of this mess.
Once Ye Zhibai grasped where the mix-up had started, she launched into an explanation of the real story.
Ye Zhibai had never moved with such ruthless efficiency!
After about two minutes of back-and-forth, she finally hammered home one key fact to Little Qiu.
—My family is perfectly happy and harmonious. My little sister and I get along great, all peace and goodwill. There’s no domestic violence here!
Well… sure, there was that one unspeakable angle she could never breathe a word of to Little Qiu, where things did get a little rough. But that sure wasn’t the kind of violence Little Qiu had in mind!
As Ye Zhibai’s tactful yet pointed explanation grew clearer, the truth came into sharp focus.
Su Loli’s little face drained of color.
O-originally… so it wasn’t domestic violence!
Yezi, I’m revoking your “Hundred Refinements into Steel” honorary title in the group chat right now!
No…!
This wasn’t the time for that!
Aaaah… I’m done for. What the hell did I just say to this polite girl I’d never even met before?!
She greeted me so gracefully, and I go and tell her I’m calling the cops on her?!
I really blew it this time.
My first impression in front of Yezi’s family? Straight to negative territory!
No worries.
Little Zhibai had her back.
She flicked a glance over her shoulder. Yun’er was still hanging in there patiently—the situation wasn’t critical yet.
So she whispered a golden piece of advice to Little Qiu.
“Go with this… yeah, say it just like that. It’ll be fine, no big deal. You’ve got this, Little Qiu.”
“Wah… but why does it feel like the problem’s already massive?”
“You’re imagining it.”
Was she, though?! I can totally feel the pressure!
Little Qiu’s gut feeling was spot on.
At first, Yun’er hadn’t been dwelling on it.
But then she saw her big sister pull Su Yuqiu aside for a private word.
Yun’er said nothing, just stood there with a smile.
Somehow, it felt like she’d said everything.
Ye Zhibai finished her coaching and flashed Little Qiu a thumbs-up.
—Go on, Little Qiu. You can do this.
Ah… Su Yuqiu desperately wanted to bolt, but she couldn’t.
The Cherry-Haired Little Loli fretted anxiously, her brow furrowing in grievance. She turned back around, trembling all over like a little motor.
Her steps were stiff as she trudged back to Ye Zhiyun.
Her belated social anxiety kicked in hard, but after a few false starts with her mouth hanging open, she bravely delivered Yezi’s scripted lines.
Her tone was as timid and scratchy as an old-timey phonograph from the early twentieth century, terrified it’d skip and crash on the wrong syllable.
“Ahaha… Miss Ye, h-hi there? Nice to meet you. I’m Su Yuqiu. Um… that earlier bit? Total joke! See, the Comic-Con theme today is scares. I was just improvising to spook you… Did it work?”
“Oh, gotcha. Scare theme, huh? Pretty creative. Good thing you cleared it up quick, Miss Su Yuqiu, or it’d have turned serious. Truth is, I’d already beat you to it and called the cops. Accusation of domestic violence on my record and all. I was even gonna have them swing by for a little chat about ethics. One more minute, and they’d probably be here.”
“?!’
No sooner had the words left Ye Zhiyun’s mouth than her stern expression melted away at the sight of Little Qiu’s ashen face—like ice giving way to spring.
Even through her sunglasses, you could tell she’d switched to a smile.
Not the friendliest one, though.
“Just kidding. Isn’t today all about scares? How’d I do on theme?”
“Wah wah, Yezi!! Your sister’s too mean! Way too mean!! She scared the life out of me! I really thought the cops were coming for me! I’m too young to end up in jail!”
Yeah, yeah, I get it… she’s a total menace.
Buck up, Little Qiu. Don’t cry. We’re all grown-ups here—gotta stay cool.
Ye Zhibai shot Yun’er a not-so-subtle look across the space between them, signaling her to lay off teasing the online buddy.
Yun’er caught on quick.
She’d already let off the steam from today’s frustrations anyway. No need to go for the kill.
Su Yuqiu’s panic had hit fast and faded just as quick.
She clutched her doujinshi bag tight, drawing a spark of courage from it. This time, she properly took in the sight of Ye Zhiyun and Lin Zihan across from her.
And the Lin Zihan who’d brought her here? She was definitely due for a proper intro.
The former Lin Eldest Miss slipped off her sunglasses with a smile, and the instant that stunning face emerged, it left Su Loli green with envy all over again!
The real world shouldn’t crank out this many gorgeous girls!
Su Yuqiu mustered an awkward smile in response to the pair of sunglass-sporting beauties, then sidled back to Ye Zhibai’s side without a fuss. Her muttered grievance dripped with resentment.
“Yezi…! You totally lied to me, didn’t you? No domestic violence at home, your sister’s super polite, and this friend of yours? Total normie vibes! I see how it is… normies attract normies, so you must be one too! Wah… don’t worry about sparing a transparent nobody’s feelings—just own it, normie! Tricking me like this… doesn’t it make me look like a total clown?”
This gentle little loli didn’t have a shred of real blame in her scolding. She just wanted Ye Zhibai to come clean.
But Little Qiu…
I really didn’t trick you.
I’ve started seeing you as a friend, so why would I bother?
I said I’m not a normie, and I mean it! Anyone calls me one, they’re asking for a fight!
Also, quit whispering. Haven’t you noticed Yun’er’s smile turning faker by the second?!
To prove she wasn’t a normie—and no liar—Ye Zhibai decided to take matters into her own hands.
Little Zhibai strode right up to Lin Zihan, utterly without a trace of guilt.
Lin Zihan lit up at the sight.
A little angel walking right into her arms? She couldn’t resist going for that hug!
Too bad Ye Zhiyun’s sharp, forceful karate chop intercepted her halfway.
The smack of impact was loud enough to make Little Qiu wince.
“Oof! Ow! Zhiyun, you nearly shattered my arm!”
“Not quite. But if you try groping during the chaos, Lin Zihan, I can totally hook you up with an ortho specialist at the city hospital ahead of time. Don’t worry—I’ll bill it as workman’s comp. Your treat? Nah, on me.”
“Uh… hard pass on that?”
With the two of them at a standoff, Ye Zhibai could finally close in on Lin Zihan safely.
She turned back toward Little Qiu, left hand extended palm-up toward the elegantly poised blonde.
“She already introduced herself—Lin Zihan, a friend I made recently. Little Qiu, if we don’t count you, she’s my one and only… and my best. Right, Zihan?”
Come on, Zihan. Tell her just how pathetically sparse my friend list is!
Lin Zihan went quiet for a long beat after hearing that.
Wha…? Zihan, you okay?
Her perfect teeth grazed her full lower lip as a delightful shiver ran through her. No need for words—Ye Zhibai’s declaration had hit her right in the heart!
Hee hee hee… Little Bai’er was telling her new friend that she was the best one!
That rush of triumph and unprecedented bliss had Lin Zihan floating on air.
But she still had her wits.
As the saying went: Don’t flaunt your wealth, play it close to the vest—fortune favors the subtle.
Could she just bask in Little Bai’er’s high praise like it was her due?
No way. Life experience had taught her that modesty was king. Get too cocky, and you’d eat dirt.
So, gratitude swelling in her chest, Lin Zihan clasped her hands in front of her and replied.
“Mm, Miss Su Yuqiu, on that note… Little Bai’er here has such a kind heart. As you can see, she’s an angel inside and out. She’s super popular too. When she says I’m her best friend? That’s probably just her being sweet to spare my feelings. I’m truly grateful. Having a friend like Little Bai’er—even if I’m not number one—is more than enough!”
Zihan?!
Ye Zhibai would have been slack-jawed with shock if her face allowed it!
Record that and play it back—what did you just say?!
And Yun’er, quit nodding like you totally buy it! You know that’s not true!
Yun’er: I’m just agreeing my big sis is an angel. The rest? Not my circus.
Have some accountability, geez!
Ye Zhibai craned her stiff neck back around and checked Little Qiu’s state.
Yup.
Su Yuqiu’s head hung low, cherry-pink bangs drooping over her face. She’d slipped her earphones back on, too.
If you asked what music app she had going…
Bet it was NetEase Cloud.
No saving this one.
Ye Zhibai was at a loss for words to defend herself. While silently “thanking” her good pal Lin Zihan for the assist, she turned and gently tugged off Little Qiu’s gloomy earphones.
We’re almost ready to head back now.
But Little Qiu, at least before I leave, I know what I can do to heal your battered soul.
Little Qiu, just now, didn’t you want to take a photo with the maid? Before we head back, how about it?
I’m going to take a photo.
“Can we…?” Little Qiu, after her initial surprise, quickly dimmed in expression, “No… probably not. Taking a photo together would be so embarrassing, and that maid queue might have already left?”
I think they haven’t left yet.
Eh? How did you know, Yezi?
Guessed it.
Because Yun’er and I haven’t left yet!
Phew… almost, Little Qiu almost reported it as telecom fraud again.
Ye Zhibai straightened up, adjusted her crooked baseball cap with her hand, half-turned her head, and cast her gaze toward Ye Zhiyun.
Yun’er has been waiting so obediently the whole time.
Sister, are we going back now?
Mm, that’s about it. Before we leave, can we find the lined-up maids? We’d like to take a group photo.
Lined-up… maids? Uh, sis, the way you’re putting it, just have them come over directly, isn’t that fine? The ones you’re talking about are our family’s…
!
I’ll give you a look, you figure it out yourself!
Say what should be said, and don’t say what shouldn’t be said, Yun’er!
Ye Zhiyun blinked her clever big eyes, observing her sister’s intentions through the sunglasses lenses.
She got it right away!
Moreover, the reply she gave immediately was truly admirable.
“As expected of big sis… You’re worried that if they all move together, it’ll cause too much commotion and lead to chaos? You really have a strong sense of public decency. Got it… Alright, I’ll just call over a portion of them from inside. Or no need to wait at all—if there’s a chance, I can have our family’s Maid Corps go find Miss Su Yuqiu too. It’s just a group photo; it won’t hold things up!”
“You had the Maid Corps… find me? Your family’s… Maid Corps?”
…
Little Qiu used her little head to carefully savor the characters within.
Why does she find these fancy words so hard to understand when they’re put together?
Yezi said it in our previous chats, you know.
The chairs in her house creak and groan, always at risk of collapsing at any moment.
The ceiling in her home sometimes leaks during rain, so she has to patch it up herself.
I once thought her family was really struggling, and felt heartbroken about it.
Countless days and nights, I’ve been telling myself this: even if it’s ever so hard, could it be harder than what Yezi went through?
So, be strong.
But now I’ve heard.
——Her family even has a Maid Corps.
…
Ye Zhibai calmly patted her own forehead.
Before the storm arrived, she wanted to pull Yun’er and Zihan away and leave.
No, it’s escaping.
Unfortunately, the storm will not arrive too slowly.
Yezi.
“I think… can we be a bit more sincere? Or is it just me who’s wishfully thinking about wanting to be friends with Yezi? We’ve known each other for so long now… right? I’m Su Yuqiu, an ordinary girl who just turned eighteen this year and is about to enter my third year of high school. What about you, Yezi? Hehe… asking is pointless anyway, since you never intended to tell me… it’s okay, it’s okay, I can understand… yeah, I can understand!”
…
Fine.
It seems there’s no need to keep hiding it anymore.
Keep hiding it, Little Qiu is about to break!
Ah, fine fine fine, let me tell you—against my conscience—I can barely count as a normie now, alright!
The introduction about Ye Zhibai’s identity was, of course, handled by Yun’er.
She doesn’t bother to say what her own status is, but she’s eager to introduce to others how excellent her elder sister is!
A classic double standard—perhaps nothing exemplifies it better.
Thus, Ye Zhibai obtained a simple yet incomparably glorious personal introduction.
Yun’er, thank you so much.
Su Yuqiu’s trembling little hand picked up her phone and searched a few keywords.
——Ye Group.
——Qihai City.
——How large scale.
——how impressive.
——Selling cat food?
Pah, the last one doesn’t count—this is just a habitual search!
Soon, Little Qiu made the answer clear.
and put away her cat-case phone.
She carried a bag of doujinshi in one hand, gripping it tightly in her small hand, while taking a heavy deep breath.
And then.
She straightened her flat-as-a-board body and immediately bowed her head sharply toward Ye Zhibai!
“Yezi…! Ah no, Eldest Miss Ye! This lowly one was so rude today! If there’s anything that upset you, please don’t send your subordinates to beat me up! I… I’m small-framed, I can’t take a beating!”
Little Qiu! Lift your head up!!
You’ve watched too much anime, haven’t you?!
