The engagement was with the younger brother, but I've fallen for the older brother.

Si Yimian got home at almost ten o'clock.

After I finished showering and changed into my pajamas, my phone vibrated.

Huo Siyue's video call popped up.

When the call ended, a delicate little face filled the screen, with snacks spread out on the coffee table behind her.

"Mianmian! My darling!"

"I watched Qin Enyu's video!"

"How did you manage to build such a clever little brain? It's amazing!"

Si Yimian sat cross-legged on the sofa, drying her hair.

"Standard operating procedures, basic operations, nothing fancy."

"Your hands are dirty, but I like it."

Huo Siyue suddenly leaned closer to the camera and narrowed her eyes.

"But what did you say to He Sichen?"

Si Yimian paused in rubbing her hair.

"He's angry."

Huo Siyue's laughter stopped abruptly.

"what?"

Why?

Si Yimian spilled the beans about how the Cold War had separated them into different groups.

After listening, Huo Siyue remained silent for two seconds, then burst into a thunderous laugh.

"No, he just announced the Cold War, and then secretly sent you special meals?"

"This isn't the Cold War, it's like giving someone the cold shoulder while washing your underwear!"

After laughing, her tone suddenly became serious.

"Mianmian, listen to me."

"He wasn't angry about the video, the 300,000 views, or that it was trending on social media."

"He's angry because you don't care, because you don't have any possessiveness towards him!"

Upon hearing this, Si Yimian was stunned.

"When you sold him, you didn't think about what he would think, let alone whether it would affect your future together."

"To you, he's just a tool, someone you use and then discard."

"He's such a proud person, and you treated him like a money-generating package, and after you finished, you didn't even say a word to comfort him."

"Wouldn't you be angry if you were in that situation?"

It seems... that's the case.

It seems she really didn't try to coax her.

Not only did they not comfort him, they also said that his hormone levels fluctuated normally.

It’s over.

What's the difference between this and pouring gasoline on a fire?

Huo Siyue continued to contribute.

"Remember, 99% of the time when men get angry, it's because they don't feel valued."

Si Yimian immediately humbly sought advice.

"What should we do then?"

"Hurry up, strip naked and lie on his bed, sleep it off and forget all your grudges."

Huo Siyue slapped the sofa armrest and leaned forward.

"Men, they fight in bed and make up before they get out of bed; if they can't even get into bed, what's the point of making up?"

Si Yimian was stunned by what she was said, but she lowered her head and thought about it.

"But I didn't have a chance."

"He told me not to talk to him this week, I can't even open my mouth."

"Why were you lying naked on his bed?"

"Don't panic."

Huo Siyue's tone suddenly shifted, becoming one of confident strategist.

"It's my birthday the day after tomorrow. I'll invite He Sichen and He Nanxian over, and then this strategist will personally help you rank up."

Si Yimian asked with some concern, "Are you sure he can come?"

"rest assured."

Huo Siyue smiled confidently.

"If he refuses, I'll tell him that you and He Nanxian will also be coming."

"He'll be all over me, I have experience with this."

Si Yimian's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Yueyue, you are truly my second parents."

"Don't rush to acknowledge him as your father."

Huo Siyue picked up the potato chips again.

"You should get ready, dress younger, preferably the kind that makes him want to tear you apart at first glance."

"Leave the rest to me."

Si Yimian stared at the blacked-out screen and calculated the days.

My period is coming soon, probably in about five or six days.

I need to finish downloading the resources before the internet goes down.

This matter should be addressed sooner rather than later.

……

Huo Siyue's birthday party was held at a villa on the hillside in the north of the city.

She chose the venue herself; it offers a panoramic view of the entire city at night.

The banquet was casually organized, with the pool lights on and waves of music playing.

On the terrace sofa sat the most formidable members of the Beijing elite circle.

Huo Siyue's cousin, Yan Tingnan, was peeling grapes for Su Ruan.

He pinched a purple, glistening seed, peeled off the skin, and brought it to her lips.

Su Ruan bit his hand, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Mr. Yan, this is a public place; please be mindful of your behavior."

Wen Jinxiao, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, glanced over there.

"Does it affect the blood pressure of a single person like me?"

He rolled his eyes and turned to see Lu Zhuo replacing the wine glass in front of Lin Yiyao with juice, and pulling the shawl on her shoulders up a bit.

"It gets cool at night."

Lin Yiyao whispered, "I'm not a child."

Lu Zhuo said matter-of-factly, "You are here with me."

Wen Jinxiao hissed in exasperation.

"Lu Zhuo, that's enough! You married a wife and are treating her like a porcelain doll?"

Lu Zhuo turned around and narrowed his eyes.

"Get lost. If you're so capable, why don't you marry one yourself?"

Wen Jinxiao: "..."

"They're a perfect pair."

His gaze fell on He Sichen, who was looking at his phone in the corner, and he suddenly felt at ease.

"Luckily, Old Crane is with me."

He Sichen didn't look up, but swiped his fingertip across the screen.

"You are different from me."

Wen Jinxiao raised an eyebrow: "How is it different?"

You won't find it.

"I don't want it."

Wen Jinxiao: "..."

Okay, you still have such a sharp tongue.

When these guys get together, it's normal for them to tease each other.

But such a unique and unconventional way of dealing with damage is truly one of a kind by He Sichen.

Wen Jinxiao took a sip of his drink, too lazy to argue with him.

"I heard someone moved into the apartment across from yours?"

He Sichen paused for a moment while swiping on his phone.

"You're quite well-informed."

"Of course, Lu Zhuo's mouth was completely empty in one night."

Wen Jinxiao grinned mischievously.

"I'm just curious, who could possibly live across from Dr. He? Aren't you the one who hates neighbors the most?"

He Sichen didn't respond, his gaze returning to his phone screen.

Wen Jinxiao clicked his tongue and tactfully changed the subject.

At this moment, He Nanxian brought over a glass of champagne and sat down next to He Sichen.

"Brother, where's Mianmian?"

He Sichen glanced at him sideways.

"You're asking me?"

He Nanxian was taken aback by his gaze; lately, he had felt that his older brother's words were barbed.

"I offered to pick her up on my way, but she said it wasn't necessary."

He Sichen didn't reply, but lowered his head and took a sip of wine.

It's been two days, and Si Yimian hasn't sent him a single message.

He told her not to talk to him this week, and she really didn't say a word.

Just then, a small commotion broke out on the other side of the porch.

Several people looked up at the same time.

Si Yimian stood at the door, wearing a peach-pink sundress.

Her black hair was loosely tied up, with a few stray strands clinging to her fair neck.

The soft lace camisole wraps around the shoulders, and the subtle jacquard pattern accentuates a slender and shapely figure.

The small pleats on her chest created soft curves, and the hazy lines were faintly visible.

When the evening breeze blows, it's like being wrapped in a summer peach color, pure and charming.

She looked up at him, her lips slightly parted, her eyes still flushed from the early summer heat.

With a naive and oblivious awareness of just how alluring she was.

He Sichen's breath caught in his throat.

He could tear both straps off with one hand.

I want to tear it to shreds.

I wanted to pull her into my arms, bite open that peach, and taste the juice inside.

These thoughts kept popping up like crazy.

Possessiveness and reason clashed in my chest, and neither won.

Was she here tonight for a birthday party, or to kill him?