Chapter 10 : Good Brother
“I’m skipping tonight.”
“? Young Master Xu, what’s wrong? Didn’t we agree just two days ago? Why the sudden change?”
“Doesn’t that mean I have something going on…”
“Is that so? What could make our young master value it so much? This isn’t like you, Xu~”
Xu You shrugged, not bothering to explain further, just silently picked up the coffee on the table and turned to leave.
Not long after…
“Hey, Mom.”
“Yeah, I’ll be home for dinner tonight, mm…”
“What, why’s that strange? Fine fine, I’m still outside, that’s it.”
“Oh wait! Uh… what’s Xiao Jiu doing at home right now…”
“Oh… nothing, just… caring a bit, alright, hanging up for real this time.”
Pocketing his phone, he sighed.
It was dismissal time, but instead of heading home, he turned toward the pedestrian street near school, looking like he was searching for something.
Just then, he ran into a school friend.
“What a coincidence, Young Master Xu. Alone? Where’re your usual crew?”
“They went to play.”
“Why that look? Can’t I do something interesting by myself?”
“Not that… just you…”
“Alright alright, don’t tell anyone you saw me today. By the way, know any good gifts for people?”
“Gifts…”
“Who’re you giving to?”
Seeing him glance around, his friend grew curious.
“Don’t tell me you’ve got eyes on another senior or junior, my Young Master Xu~”
“No.”
“?”
“For my sister. She just got back from abroad yesterday. I realized I prepared nothing. Probably why she looked at me weird today.”
“Oh, you player actually have a sister? Never mentioned her before.”
“We’ve been apart for years. Haven’t seen her in forever.”
He shrugged, unbothered by the teasing.
“Rare for our young master to be so thoughtful. Then I can’t just stand by.”
“But are you sure you want to treat your sister this way?”
“What’s wrong with it?”
“Nothing wrong, just you usually woo girlfriends like this. As a responsible big brother, shouldn’t you learn what your sister actually likes first?”
“You said it yourselves—you haven’t seen each other in ages. I’m afraid good intentions turn bad, bro.”
His friend patted his shoulder. Xu You fell into thought.
“Makes sense…”
“Right? Compensation isn’t one-size-fits-all. With your family, can a fancy gift really move another pampered young miss?”
“Learn what touches her first, good brother.”
“Ugh, why say it so ambiguously? What do you take me for?”
“Haha, who knows~”
Meanwhile, at the Xu home—
Xu Jiu lazed around all day. Though her mother kept her company, she preferred quiet solitude, especially with her mind more chaotic than before.
“Mom’s home. Call if anything. Don’t suddenly get up alone again.”
She remembered her saying that.
Now, she was lost in revenge plots, restless even alone.
Pure physical revenge? Direct pain, but too easy on him—and she couldn’t actually kill; not worth sacrificing herself.
That left schemes—set traps, make him do irreparable things, isolate him from everyone.
Good plan, but how? She barely knew current Xu You. Rushed plans could backfire.
“So annoying! Nothing works!”
She punched the soft quilt, flopping down in anger.
“Am I too hasty… Revenge should be long-term, not instant gratification…”
The mirror reflected her exquisite face, like a fallen angel evoking pity, plunging her into hesitation again.
She couldn’t bear harming this body. Despite the blood tie, using herself as bait was a tough choice.
She also feared time and environment diluting her hatred until it fizzled out—her worst nightmare.
Why must she suffer both lives while Xu You lived happily? Heaven’s injustice!
She bit her teeth, nails digging into flesh until her heart protested the pressure, forcing her to calm.
“Ha… ha, huu… damn this body…”
The gasping blackout felt deathly; after, she learned to force calm no matter the trigger.
Otherwise—death-like pain.
Her snow-white neck glistened with sweat, spreading to the gentle rise tightly wrapped by her camisole, heaving with ragged breaths—forming a stunning vista.
But beauty born of pain; she wasn’t enjoying it, just relieved to be alive, still shaken.
She needed to curb her triggers, or she’d anger herself to death—seriously.
And tolerance training started with the enemy within reach.
“Baby, why so sweaty? Sick?”
“No… I just…”
Her mother, bringing fruit, startled and rushed to check. Xu Jiu was used to it.
“Don’t push alone. Tell Mom anything, okay?”
“…”
Just then, familiar noise from the hall—someone returning. Xu Jiu’s heart sank.