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“Just a fool whose sight pains the eyes, whose presence makes people uncomfortable, and whose voice makes one want to vomit,” Chu Hengyang said with a smile as gentle as a tranquil lake, yet the words he spat out were venomous and chilling.
It was completely at odds with his expression.
[Anything that tarnishes my image and feelings in my sister’s heart is not a good thing. It should be…]
“All right, all right!” Chu Ying hurriedly interrupted the thoughts in Chu Hengyang’s mind, sweat pouring down her forehead, afraid of hearing some method of murder more terrifying than being minced into meat.
“Big brother, I trust you!” Chu Ying’s eyes were resolute, as if she was ready to join the party.
Fear!
What if big brother keeps fighting and killing?
Only then did Chu Hengyang genuinely reveal a smile.
However, Lin Xiaoyue’s expression was anything but pleasant.
What… did he say?
He said…
She was so unpleasant to look at that it blinded people? So unbearable to see that it made people uncomfortable? So awful to hear that it made people want to vomit?
Lin Xiaoyue trembled with every breath, her cheeks twisted in anger. She had never been this furious before.
She was almost unable to maintain her pitiful, innocent facade, nearly on the verge of breaking down.
“Uh…” Chu Ying noticed the slight twitch on Lin Xiaoyue’s face, a strange emotion bubbling up inside her.
Why… does it feel a little satisfying to see the charming system heroine nearly break down but not dare to collapse?
Ahem! This was not what she should be thinking about now!
What she should do was quietly escort the charming system heroine out of big brother’s study immediately!
She would protect big brother’s reputation and safeguard his path of love!
“Big brother,” Chu Ying hurriedly said, “on my way here, I heard mother asking the servants to find someone. It’s probably this young lady.”
“Why don’t I quietly take her back to her room?” Chu Ying suggested. “If others find out that big brother was alone in a room with her, I’m afraid…”
[Chu Hengyang’s favorability -10.]
The cold voice of the system sounded again, and Lin Xiaoyue’s expression became uncontrollable.
“Hm.” Chu Hengyang’s face wore a soft, warm smile that was hard to suppress. “Little sister, you’re really thoughtful.”
He smiled but didn’t allow it: “But little sister, why are you in such a hurry to find big brother? Has something happened?”
[This fool is so detestable, ruining my image in little sister’s heart. He should be frozen to death right here.]
---
Help!
Every unfiltered thought in Chu Hengyang’s mind directly reached Chu Ying’s ears.
She was doing her utmost to protect big brother’s reputation and his love, but big brother… had already planned and even begun his “murderous scheme”?
“Um, well…” Chu Ying’s eyes darted rapidly. “I…”
Suddenly, she thought of a good excuse.
One that might even help her discover who her sister-in-law was.
“Big brother, I heard that the Grand Academy is holding a poetry contest today! I want to go watch!” Chu Ying praised her own cleverness.
Wonderful! She was truly smart!
As long as she mentioned the Grand Academy, big brother would surely shift his mind away from his displeasure toward the charming system heroine.
She could then maintain and protect big brother’s good reputation.
Moreover…
During the trip to the Grand Academy to watch the poetry contest with big brother, she could learn who her sister-in-law was!
After all, now that she had the ability to hear her family’s inner thoughts, how could she not overhear big brother’s heartfelt confessions and affection toward his sister-in-law?
Big brother was either at the Grand Academy or home every day, never going out with friends. His sister-in-law must be someone from the Grand Academy!
Chu Ying was thrilled.
She was about to find out who her sister-in-law was—how exciting!
“Really?” Chu Hengyang’s expression changed, the murderous intent toward Lin Xiaoyue vanishing instantly, replaced by joy at Chu Ying’s words.
[Little sister has never been interested in literature or poetry since she was young. But this time, she asked to go to the Grand Academy to watch the poetry contest with me…]
[This is obviously not about the poetry contest but about spending time with me.]
Chu Hengyang’s expression melted with emotion.
[Little sister loves me so much.]
Chu Ying was so stunned by the sweet words whispered in her ear that she choked.
She kept hiccupping uncontrollably.
“Hic, hic—”
How had she never realized that big brother was such a devoted sibling?
Chu Ying thought back on all her interactions with Chu Hengyang.
Big brother always had a gentle and reliable image; he was kind and warm toward not only her but also their second, third, and fourth brothers, as well as the other siblings.
---
But she had no idea… how deeply big brother loved her!
“Little sister, what’s wrong?” Chu Hengyang furrowed his brows with concern, gently patting Chu Ying’s back.
“N-nothing!” Chu Ying swallowed a big gulp of air, desperately trying to suppress her hiccups. “I-I'm just so happy to go watch the poetry contest with big brother.”
Chu Hengyang shook his head helplessly, smiling indulgently. “No need to be so overly excited. If little sister wants, you can come with me to the Grand Academy every day and attend classes with me.”
Chu Ying: “?!”
No! She didn’t want to face those poems and lyrics, didn’t want to wrestle with words and meanings!
“Big brother!” Relying on her hatred of studying, Chu Ying forced herself to stop hiccupping. “I’ll send Miss Lin back to her room right away, then go with you to the Grand Academy!”
“All right.” Chu Hengyang looked like he had no choice and let her lead the way.
Watching the siblings’ interaction, Lin Xiaoyue was filled only with hatred.
This ancient man who insulted her looks, mocked her voice, was truly an ignoramus!
Smiling at his sister like she was worthless!
And subtracting so many favor points from her—
Lin Xiaoyue glared at the data sent from device G97 showing Chu Hengyang’s favorability at -79, burning with hatred and fury.
She was determined to devise a better strategy to regain all the favor points this ignorant ancient man had taken away!
Once she raised his favorability to 100, she would definitely… ruthlessly abandon him!
“Uh…” Chu Ying noticed the concealed hatred in Lin Xiaoyue’s eyes and felt inexplicably frightened.
“Um… Miss Lin, please come with me,” Chu Ying said.
Lin Xiaoyue silently lowered her head and followed behind.
She had already realized that whatever she did, this ignorant ancient man would deduct favor points. Better not to do anything at all.
If she reached -80, the system would punish her by randomly reducing one of her physical attributes or her appearance.
She was unwilling to endure that.
Chu Ying led Lin Xiaoyue away, while Chu Hengyang happily organized the things they would need for the trip to the Grand Academy.
Meanwhile,
Left behind, Ayu panted heavily, resting on the spot.
There was no other way—The Chu Mansion had eight young masters and one young lady, with countless rooms, gardens, and ponds. She simply had no idea where Chu Ying had gone.