I Only Want... You to Have Only Me as Your Sister...

The forest gradually receded behind us, and the enormous glass-like pit disappeared from view.

The group walked silently along the path leading to the edge of the forest. The bright sunshine could not dispel the heavy, complex atmosphere in the group, a mixture of relief, shock, helplessness, and the girl's inner turmoil.

Qian Renxue's palms remained icy cold, while in Lin Xia's world, the sudden appearance of three "older sisters" and Xue's obvious unhappiness made him realize for the first time with crystal clarity that some "blessings" seem to be accompanied by unpredictable troubles.

This journey home is destined to be anything but peaceful.

The light at the edge of the Star Dou Forest seemed much brighter and warmer than in the core area, but the atmosphere enveloping the group on their return journey was heavy, carrying the weariness of surviving a disaster, the disorientation of having their perceptions overturned, and an indescribable girlish sentiment.

Qian Renxue held Lin Xia's hand, her pace quickening slightly. Her inherent elegance remained, yet it couldn't conceal her silent stubbornness and disappointment.

Her straight back was like an unyielding javelin, and her long silver hair flowed in the sunlight filtering through the treetops, but it could not illuminate the shadow in her eyes.

Her palms were still slightly cool as she gripped Lin Xia tightly, as if she were holding onto the last bit of exclusive, unshareable right. Her knuckles turned slightly white from the force.

Lin Xia was led by her, her steps a little unsteady, her gaze falling several times on Qian Renxue's taut profile.

He could clearly feel the low pressure, like an invisible frost, isolating her from everything around her.

Are you happy?

Being cared for so much, he did feel a warm current of appreciation in his heart.

But more than anything, I felt heartache and a heavy sense of responsibility.

He understood the source of Qian Renxue's current sense of loss and grievance—the "older sister" identity that she had willingly given herself and cherished so much had been Sheer Force shared in such a short time.

He saw beneath her forced calmness a fragile dependence.

This angelic girl, who always appeared noble and powerful in front of others, wearing the "Xue Qinghe" mask, probably only revealed such genuine and possessive emotions in front of him.

She was Qian Daoliu's apple of his eye, Bibi Dong's daughter, with an extremely noble status. But deep down, the only people she truly considered "one of her own," the ones she could give herself to without reservation, were perhaps only him, her unexpected "brother."

This trust and emotional attachment are pure and precious, but because they are so concentrated, they are also exceptionally sensitive and vulnerable.

Lin Xia felt a slight pang in his heart. He couldn't let this pure bond be shattered because of a misunderstanding or his own "good fortune."

Bi Ji and Zi JI are Gu Yuena's decrees, powerful protective forces, and objectively existing "liaisons," but they can never, and will never, replace Qian Renxue's place in his heart.

This "special" feeling must be clearly conveyed to her.

Bi Ji and Zi JI followed not too far behind, like two silent silhouettes.

Bi Ji's emerald eyes held a gentle understanding mixed with a hint of helplessness. She understood Qian Renxue's girlish thoughts and knew that her the Master's orders were inviolable.

Zi JI remained aloof and elegant. When her purple eyes swept over Qian Renxue's tightly clasped hand with Lin Xia's, a faint hint of displeasure, typical of a powerful person, flashed across her eyes. However, the will of her the Master was above all else, and she was simply fulfilling her duty of protection.

Bibi Dong walked behind Qian Daoliu side by side, her gaze falling on the two children ahead with a complicated expression.

Bibi Dong's deep purple eyes reflected her daughter's stubborn yet dejected back, the Sheer Force emotions she couldn't hide from her. Qian Daoliu's eyes were filled with heartache and deep helplessness; he felt sorry for his granddaughter's unwillingness and helpless about this sudden and complicated situation.

The two exchanged a glance, a silent sigh filled with the complex emotions of an elder for a younger person.

Finally, the group stepped out of the lush, verdant border of the Star Dou Forest.

Suddenly, a relatively open hilly area opened up before us, with sunlight streaming down without any obstruction, warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the gloomy and oppressive atmosphere of the forest.

The dangerous forest was left behind; ahead lay the road to the human world.

The moment Lin Xia stepped onto this sunlit area, she took a deep breath, abruptly stopped, and came to a steady halt.

Caught off guard, Qian Renxue stumbled as he pulled her, instinctively turning back with a hint of annoyance at being interrupted.

"Xiao Xia?"

Her voice carried a barely Frisk hoarseness and a forced calm.

Lin Xia did not answer immediately, but turned around to face Qian Renxue.

He raised his head, and the previous confusion and unease were gone from his clear, dark eyes, replaced by a rare solemnity and seriousness that was beyond his years.

Sunlight fell on his face, outlining the resolute features of the young man.

He gently pulled his hand away from Qian Renxue's still tightly gripped one—this action made Qian Renxue's heart sink, the light in her eyes seemed to dim, and her fingertips unconsciously curled up.

However, Lin Xia did not intend to run away. He simply wanted to see her better, so he gently placed his hands on her shoulders, allowing her to clearly see the sincerity in his eyes.

"Sister Xue'er".

His voice was soft, yet it clearly Infiltrator through the surrounding silence, causing even Bi Ji and Zi JI behind him to stop in their tracks and focus their gazes on him.

"Are you... very unhappy?"

Qian Renxue's body stiffened.

She instinctively wanted to raise her chin, to deny it with the gentle smile of "Xue Qinghe" or the proud demeanor of "Angel Young Master".

They didn't want to show weakness, and they didn't want to admit that they would lose their composure over such a "trivial matter."

She opened her mouth, the word "no" almost slipping out.

However, when she met Lin Xia's eyes, they were filled with undisguised concern, heartache, and a hint of cautious inquiry, as if to say, "I know, I know everything."

The dam, which had been holding up for so long, suddenly cracked open.

All the grievances, bitterness, and resentment found an outlet, surging and overwhelming her reason.

She pressed her lips together, and her long eyelashes trembled violently as if in struggle.

In the end, that feigned pride was defeated by the truth in his heart.

She lowered her eyes slightly, avoiding Lin Xia's overly clear gaze, and nodded almost imperceptibly, squeezing out a soft, choked murmur from deep in her throat.

"Um..."

The sound was as soft as a feather.

"Xiao Xia, I... I don't want you to have other sisters... I just want... you to only have me as your sister..."

The moment the words left her lips, a faint blush rose to her fair cheeks, as if she felt a little ashamed of her pettiness and possessiveness, but her Covet to be the only one recognized was incredibly sincere.

These words clearly reached Lin Xia's ears, and also reached the ears of everyone behind her.

A hint of understanding flashed in Bi Ji's eyes, and she gently shook her head.

Zi JI frowned slightly, seemingly finding human emotions both troublesome and fragile.

Bibi Dong's gaze deepened, tinged with a hint of melancholy.

Qian Daoliu clenched his fist with heartache, then slowly relaxed it.