Everyone knew that the plots of no-female-lead power fantasies were built from leveling up, battling monsters, showing off, and slapping down pretentious foes.
Whenever the protagonist finished leveling up, mastered a new skill, or scored some treasure or spirit pet, it was practically mandatory to strut his stuff and hit that sweet satisfaction spot.
Showdowns required antagonists, but with the big holiday vacation in full swing, everyone was kicking back. Finding a proper villain was no easy task, so Cousin Ruyu got drafted into the role.
【Ding! Key Plot Activation】
【Current Plot Progress—Chapter 40: Duel with a Five-Star Mystic Practitioner】
【Role-Playing Requirement: Get into a spat with your fated rival cousin sis that escalates into a brawl. Land at least two hits on her butt.】
【Completion: 0%】
Piece of cake. He’d nail this mission no problem!
Yan Zhen strode out of his room, brimming with confidence.
In the courtyard, Yan Meng’er was dragging Yan Ruyu toward him, her face lit up with excitement.
In stark contrast, Yan Ruyu looked downright reluctant, like a puppy that had glitched out after too much shopping.
Both young women were dressed to the nines. Yan Meng’er sported exquisite makeup and lavish clothes, the picture of a pampered young miss. Yan Ruyu leaned toward a more mature style, understated yet elegant, giving off the vibe of a poised young madam.
Yan Zhen stepped forward to greet them. “What brings you two here?”
“Cousin Yan Zhen, there you are at last!” Spotting him, Yan Meng’er immediately ditched her cousin and latched onto Yan Zhen instead. She hooked her arm through his with intimate familiarity. “Where were you yesterday, Cousin? Meng’er wanted to go pay respects with you.”
“Pay respects to what? It was a total crush. No fun at all.”
“We could’ve at least gone for a stroll. Meng’er was wearing that skirt you bought me yesterday. I wanted you to get a good look, but woo~”
“Tomorrow works just fine. This outfit looks great on you too.”
“Really?”
Yan Meng’er let go of Yan Zhen and spun around a few times in front of him before flashing a sweet smile.
She knew she was adorable, and she knew exactly how to play it up for someone she liked.
Unfortunately, Yan Zhen wasn’t much for the baby-faced big-boobed type. Otherwise, he’d have been putty in her hands by now.
Compared to immature lolis or green girls, he had a thing for mature big sisters!
Which was why his gaze shifted to the big sis in the courtyard—or rather, his cousin sis.
As his eyes landed on her, Yan Ruyu instinctively tensed up. She thrust out her chest, tucked in her butt, and lifted her chin in the proud pose of a little swan.
The dress she wore hugged her body curves tightly, perfectly outlining the luscious half-moon shape of her rear. It left her feeling deeply embarrassed.
Yan Ruyu hadn’t wanted to wear it at all, but Yan Meng’er had insisted. “Cousin Yan Zhen will love it,” she’d said.
Yan Ruyu didn’t buy it for a second, but she couldn’t outstubborn her cousin. So she’d changed into it and tagged along.
Now, face-to-face with Yan Zhen, she felt a mix of dread that he’d mock her and a secret hope that he’d offer some praise.
Yan Zhen propped one elbow in his hand while pinching his chin with the other, appraising her at his leisure—like some spoiled young lord sizing up a girl from the pleasure house.
Yan Ruyu endured the flush of shame as she waited for his “verdict.” She steeled herself: if even half a word was rude, she’d march right back and ditch the skirt.
But after a long wait with no comment from him, his gaze only grew bolder. It made her squirm, her cheeks heating up. If he kept staring, she’d start blushing for real.
“What are you staring at?” Yan Ruyu suddenly snapped, her voice sharp and girlish. “Keep it up, and I’ll gouge out those dog eyes of yours!”
The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them.
These past few days, Yan Meng’er had been “coaching” her on how to patch things up with Yan Zhen. Step one: don’t snap at him so much when talking.
The two cousins had run through role-play scenarios, drilling lines until Yan Ruyu could handle Yan Zhen’s snarky comebacks with calm composure. Only then had Yan Meng’er let her off the hook.
But now, confronted with the real deal, she’d blown it on the very first exchange.
Yan Meng’er shot her a look of pure exasperation before glowering at her cousin. Yan Ruyu shriveled under the scrutiny, guilt flooding her.
Yan Zhen, though, was utterly unfazed. This was par for the course. He shot back calmly, “What’s wrong with looking? You dolled yourself up all pretty just to be seen, right? Or do you prefer admiring yourself in the mirror all alone?”
Pretty?
Yan Ruyu latched onto that single word, stunned. Yan Zhen thought she looked pretty? Could Meng’er have been right—did he actually like how this dress accentuated her butt’s curves…?
A flicker of delight bubbled up inside her, though she kept her expression coldly aloof. “It’s not dressed up for you, anyway.”
“Not for me? Then who is it for?”
Yan Zhen paused thoughtfully, then feigned shock. “You know what they say—women dress to please the one who catches their eye. Cousin Ruyu, don’t tell me you’ve got a beau? Which young lord is it? Introduce us.”
That wiped the delight clean from Yan Ruyu’s heart. Her pretty face paled as she blurted anxiously, “What nonsense! I don’t have any beau!”
“Look at her freaking out—she totally got nailed on a sore spot.” Yan Zhen turned to Yan Meng’er. “Gotta be one of those handsome guys from Mystic Academy, right? Let me guess: some young master from neighboring Great Zhou City? Or maybe a noble from the Royal Capital? What do you think, Meng’er?”
Yan Meng’er let out an awkward laugh. “Probably not… I mean, it’s Cousin Ruyu we’re talking about.”
She glanced at Yan Ruyu with apologetic eyes.
Yan Zhen chuckled leisurely. “Nah, nah. Girls who seem all prim and proper on the surface? They’ve all got a saucy side deep down. Don’t let Cousin Ruyu’s usual act fool you. Who knows, she might already be sneaking around with someone at the academy.”
“—Yan Zhen!”
Yan Ruyu exploded in fury. Her beautiful eyes blazed with murderous intent as she glared at him, her temper flaring hotter than ever before.
Yan Zhen blinked, taken aback. Seeing the rims of her eyes redden sent an odd chill through him. He forced out his line anyway. “Yeah? What?”
Yan Ruyu drew a deep breath. Then her jade hand brushed her storage ring, and with a sharp clang, she drew her sword—a First-Tier Mystic Artifact—and pointed it straight at him. “Little Scoundrel, if I don’t poke a few holes in you today, then my name isn’t Yan Ruyu!”
Yan Zhen blinked in confusion. Why was she pulling her sword right off the bat? That wasn’t how the script went.
The proper flow was supposed to be: she argues and loses, resorts to hands, realizes he’s a Three-Star Mystic Practitioner, and since she’s no good at brawling, pulls her weapon.
Yan Ruyu gave him no time to think. Clutching her First-Tier Mystic Artifact sword, she lunged straight at him.
Seeing her this riled up, Yan Zhen didn’t dare test if she’d actually stab. He dodged in a hurry.
“Cousin Ruyu, Cousin Yan Zhen—don’t fight! Let’s talk this out nice and easy~”
Yan Meng’er tried to intervene, but Yan Ruyu shoved her aside. Her other hand drove the longsword toward Yan Zhen’s lower body.
His lower half was fair game everywhere except little Yan Zhen. Anywhere else was fine—and his butt would be ideal. Let’s see if he’d keep mocking her after that!
Yan Ruyu gritted her teeth, her strikes fierce and unrelenting. In a flash, she’d sliced through several spots on his clothes.
After dodging yet another thrust, Yan Zhen figured it was about time. He put on a furious scowl. “You stinky hag, that’s going too far! Stab me again, and I won’t hold back!”
“Hmph! And just how won’t you hold back?” Yan Ruyu planted her sword tip on the ground and stood tall and straight. “From the aura radiating off you, I’d say you’ve advanced to Mystic Practitioner. But don’t think that means I can’t handle you. I’ve advanced too—now I’m a Five-Star Mystic Practitioner!”
