Chapter 6: A Younger Sister Is an Incomprehensible Existence

By the time they left the library, it was already midday. The three of them found a café and ordered their meals, with Yun Xuan sensibly refraining from insisting on paying the bill. Liu Mengxuan came from a wealthy family and lived in the villa district. He and Liu Mengxuan had only just met; he wasn't her suitor, so paying for her would have been inappropriate.

“Mengxuan, where did you study before?” Lin Qingyu asked as she nibbled her bread.

“An all-girls high school in Japan. I spent my junior high years there as well—the environment was quite nice,” Liu Mengxuan answered with a gentle smile.

“Oh? So you’re fluent in Japanese?” Lin Qingyu was visibly delighted.

“Yes, for the most part,” Liu Mengxuan replied with a nod.

Just then, three sharp, synchronized honks sounded outside. Yun Xuan looked out to see three black sedans parked by the curb. From the one in the center, a girl stepped out who bore a striking resemblance to Liu Mengxuan.

But unlike the adorable Liu Mengxuan, this girl had flowing long hair and an exquisitely beautiful yet cold face. She wore a purple dress, her expression icy.

It was none other than Liu Mengyan.

“Big sister…” Liu Mengxuan’s eyes widened in alarm, fear flickering across her features as Liu Mengyan strode inside.

“Come home with me,” Liu Mengyan said coolly, not sparing Yun Xuan or Lin Qingyu so much as a glance, her words directed squarely at her sister.

“Big sister…” Liu Mengxuan stammered, clearly nervous.

“I’ll say it again. Come home with me,” Liu Mengyan repeated, her tone devoid of warmth, as if delivering a command.

“Yes…” Liu Mengxuan lowered her head.

“Liu Mengyan,” Yun Xuan stood up and spoke.

“If you have something to say, say it,” Liu Mengyan replied with a cold snort, finally meeting his gaze.

“About what happened the other day—I apologize. I shouldn’t have confessed to you. I’m not worthy of you.” Yun Xuan bowed deeply.

“As long as you know.” A fleeting trace of surprise crossed Liu Mengyan’s eyes, but she quickly turned away, preparing to leave.

“I may not be worthy of you, but… I won’t simply let it go, the way you trampled on my feelings,” Yun Xuan said, straightening up with a faint smile.

“What do you mean by that?” Liu Mengyan paused, glancing back at him.

“You said my painting skills are far beneath yours. Would you dare to compete against me? If I win, you must agree to one request. If I lose, I’ll never come within five meters of you again,” Yun Xuan declared, standing before her and speaking each word with clarity.

“And why should I agree to that?” Liu Mengyan’s face remained impassive.

“Qingyu, is there any special event at Shengyu High School tomorrow?” Yun Xuan turned to Lin Qingyu.

“Tomorrow? Oh, the Painting Grand Prix!” Lin Qingyu checked her phone and exclaimed as she remembered.

“Liu Mengyan, since you claim your skills are so far above mine, do you dare compete with me?” Yun Xuan smiled confidently.

“Remember your words. If you lose, stay away.” Liu Mengyan’s gaze sharpened. She turned and exited the café without another word.

As Liu Mengyan left, Yun Xuan chuckled, waved to Liu Mengxuan, and returned to his seat.

“Yun Xuan, why… why did you do that?” Lin Qingyu stammered in disbelief. Compete with Liu Mengyan in painting? Liu Mengyan had been training for nearly five years.

“Because I’m confident,” Yun Xuan replied serenely, though inwardly his heart bled.

…

A temporary mission had popped up when he’d seen Liu Mengyan: Challenge Liu Mengyan, win first place at the Painting Grand Prix. Failure: dress as a girl for a week; Success: gain 1 skill point. (All missions must be accepted during the novice period, skill points can be used to upgrade any ability.)

If he failed, he’d be forced to wear women’s clothes for a week. And if he refused the challenge, he’d automatically fail. It might not sound like a harsh punishment, but with nearly a thousand students at Shengyu High, the news would spread like wildfire, and he’d be forever known as the cross-dressing guy.

That would be truly mortifying—imagine everyone staring at him strangely every time he entered school.

He had no choice but to accept. The sooner he completed it, the better.

…

Inside Liu Mengyan’s car.

“Mengxuan, you’re not to go near him,” Liu Mengyan said coolly.

“Big sister, you’re so scary. But is he really the one you’re looking for?” Mengxuan’s face had lost its earlier fear, replaced by a look of keen interest.

“You’re still as much a performer in front of others as ever. You make me sick,” Liu Mengyan replied with a look of disdain.

“Big sister, your insults make me so happy. If only I could hear you scold me every day, that would be wonderful,” Mengxuan replied with a bright smile.

“So, what brings you back from there this time? Did you receive some sort of divine message?” Liu Mengyan snorted.

“You’re so funny, big sister. There’s no such thing. Master just has something she’s concerned about and wanted me to come see,” Mengxuan said, pulling out a photograph.

In the photo was a little girl, perhaps two years old, dressed in a kimono.

“Who is this?” Liu Mengyan frowned.

“Master said, this is her daughter,” Mengxuan replied, enunciating each word.

“What?” Liu Mengyan’s face filled with disbelief. That person actually had a daughter?

…

Yun Xuan and Lin Qingyu returned home.

Yun Xuan began to contemplate how he might defeat Liu Mengyan. His gaze settled on a picture he’d drawn earlier of Yukino under the snow, and suddenly, inspiration struck.

The Painting Grand Prix wasn’t limited to classical works; the judges were versed in both manga and traditional art.

There were no restrictions for this Grand Prix. Contestants only needed their student ID to enter. On the day of the competition, participants would complete a painting, and the judges would select the top three.

The lack of a set topic actually made the competition harder: too simple a subject might seem careless, while something too complex would test one’s ability to perform under pressure.

A knock resounded at the door.

“Come in,” Yun Xuan called, momentarily puzzled. Lin Qingyu should have gone home, Yun Xue was likely writing her novel, and Yun Xun’er would be at work—so who could it be?

“Brother, are you alright?” The door swung open, and Yun Xue stepped inside, dazzling in her casual clothes.

A white t-shirt accentuated her figure as a high schooler, denim shorts outlined her fair, long legs, and a faint blush colored her cheeks. She looked just like a girl from an anime.

“Ahem, Xue’er, I’m fine,” Yun Xuan replied, tearing his gaze away, feeling as though his own sister had nearly led him astray.

Yun Xue was always modestly dressed in public; only at home would she wear something like this. She’d never appear so before outsiders.

Even as Yun Xuan stared, Yun Xue made no attempt to cover herself. Instead, she closed the door behind her and sat beside him.

“Brother, Liu Mengyan is a very proud person. I believe one day you’ll have a far better girlfriend, so… don’t be sad over her, alright?” Yun Xue whispered. She’d never dared say this before, but finally found the courage.

“I know, Xue’er. Thank you,” Yun Xuan replied with a smile, ruffling her hair affectionately.

“And another thing, Brother, you absolutely mustn’t be charmed by Qingyu. Otherwise, things could get… complicated. Qingyu may be cute, but he’s actually a boy,” Yun Xue declared with the utmost seriousness.

“…I won’t, don’t worry,” Yun Xuan replied with a wry smile. Lin Qingyu’s allure was truly something to behold.

“Brother, if you ever want to… Xue’er can…”

PS: Anyone betting on the little sister? (evil grin) Please add to your collections and vote for recommendations.