The Perceptive Sister and a Desperate Pact

“Brother, where are you going?”

My sister, still in sixth grade while I was in junior high, stood at the doorway with hands on her hips, blocking my escape.

“I’m… I’m going to play ball with friends.” Seeing her serious, pursed-lipped expression, I scratched my head, replying with a hint of guilt.

Playing ball, of course, was a complete fabrication.

The truth was, Su Xiao Yu had invited me to her house, and I had no desire to bring my clingy younger sister along, hence the lie.

“You’re lying!”

Standing in the doorway, the younger version of Chen Si Yi pointed a stern index finger directly at me.

“Every time you lie, you scratch your head! You’re definitely not going to play ball with friends!”

‘Eh, is that true?’

Hearing my sister’s accusation, I instantly panicked, instinctively scratching my head again. A wave of doubt washed over me: ‘Are my thoughts really that transparent?’

“I don’t care!” Chen Si Yi, her two small braids bouncing, ran over and clutched the corner of my shirt. “No matter where you’re going, Brother, you have to take me with you!”

Ah, what a troublesome sister.

I couldn’t help but sigh. After glancing down at her puffed-out cheeks, I reluctantly agreed to her demand.

****

Later, after I rang the doorbell of my childhood friend’s house, Su Xiao Yu, still unaware of what had transpired, opened the door, a joyful smile blooming on her face as she saw the two of us.

Beside me, Chen Si Yi subtly reached out and pinched my waist hard, her brow furrowed as she gave me an ‘Ah—just as I thought’ expression.

Time truly flies, doesn’t it?

The three children who once played with building blocks and pretend-tea parties were now high school students in the blink of an eye.

Recalling those past days, a gentle smile involuntarily curved my lips. Yet, the thought of my current predicament instantly deflated my spirits.

Indeed, a sister who understands you too well isn’t always a good thing.

Just like yesterday, the moment I suggested playing on my phone, my sister, who had been massaging my shoulders, instantly stopped. The way she leaned in and looked at me still makes me break out in a cold sweat just thinking about it.

It was a look of utter confidence, so assured it could pierce right through its prey.

And I, naturally, was the prey in Chen Si Yi’s eyes. Every single one of my movements was profoundly clear to her, imprinted in her pupils.

So, when I noticed Chen Si Yi staring intently at me, I cleverly sealed my lips, not uttering another word. My face remained expressionless, instantly transforming me into a wooden loli who could only blink.

“Hmph, don’t even think about your phone.”

A minute later, after observing me for a long time and still failing to find any clues, Chen Si Yi silently withdrew her gaze.

“You’re still so young. Staring at a phone too much will hurt your eyes.”

‘Hey, hey, hey, what kind of shoddy excuse is that? I’m clearly your older brother, a whole year older than you!’

I knew Chen Si Yi didn’t trust me with the phone, fearing I’d seize the opportunity to complain to our parents or other acquaintances, which was why she so ruthlessly rejected my plea. Thus, to avoid ‘beating the grass and startling the snake,’ I merely pretended indifference in my reply.

“Oh, I was just saying I was bored and wanted to play some games. If Si Yi says no, then no it is. Phones really are quite bad for the eyes…”

As I reluctantly agreed, I buried my face into the pillow, resuming my mental analysis.

‘Hmm, it seems that escaping this predicament, especially in front of an extremely vigilant and deeply understanding Chen Si Yi, leaves me with slim chances. My success rate is practically zero.’

Therefore, if there was truly a breakthrough, there was only one.

And that was…!

–“I’ll help you reach Gold rank, and you help me deal with Chen Si Yi. What do you say? Do you agree?”

Using a computer was too obvious; I’d inevitably fall under Serena’s surveillance. My idea was that a phone would allow me to secretly call for outside help.

What I hadn’t expected was that even if I got my hands on a phone, Serena, who was guarding me, would stick to me like glue. Forget sending messages; she’d sternly stop me the moment I tried to log into my Penguin account. Of course, these were all future problems. For now, I was blissfully unaware, solely focused on realizing my long-cherished wish of getting a phone.

Upon hearing my words, a look of astonishment appeared on Serena’s face.

“What kind of joke are you playing?” Serena released my shoulders, her expression shifting to one of genuine fear.

“De-deal with Si Yi? Are you insane? Th-this is even more suicidal than swallowing a cleaver!”

‘Eh? Is it really that exaggerated?’

‘It’s just helping me deal with Chen Si Yi for a bit. Do you really need to be this terrified?’

‘More frightening than swallowing a cleaver? Is Chen Si Yi going to get so angry she shoves a grenade down our throats?’

‘To be so afraid of a mere human, and you still call yourself a high-ranking demon? Hmph, what a disgrace to your demonic ancestors!’

“No, it’s not like that,” Serena explained, her tail drooping dejectedly. “Because Si Yi is my contractor. If… if I were to betray her, with just one command, even if she told me to stre-streak naked through the streets, I… I would have to do it.”

‘Ugh… While I know my sister isn’t *that* twisted as to make someone streak naked, why do I suddenly feel a little pity for Serena?’

Even a stay-at-home lackey like her had to be diligent and conscientious, terrified of incurring the cruel wrath of her boss, Si Yi. It seemed that no matter the profession, things were tough these days!

Almost moved by her dedication, I was about to stand up and pat her shoulder, but a second thought made me instantly abandon the idea.

‘Are you kidding me? If Serena gets punished, I’d be too busy laughing. Who has time to comfort the mastermind who turned me into a little girl?’

Besides, now wasn’t the time to comfort her. I certainly couldn’t pat her shoulder and say, ‘It’s okay, don’t be scared, I don’t need your help against Chen Si Yi anymore, right?’

That was definitely out of the question. My top priority right now was to pull Serena into my camp, making her my ally through thick and thin!

“Oh, what’s there to be afraid of?” I spread my hands, speaking with a hint of helplessness. “If you’re scared Chen Si Yi will punish you, then we just don’t let her find out, right?”

“Wh-what do you mean?”

“Haha, the meaning is simple.” I explained, “It just means you need to be discreet when you help me, so Chen Si Yi doesn’t discover us. For example…”

“For example what?”

Serena suddenly waved a hand, cutting me off.

“If you’re thinking of asking me to help you complain to Si Yi’s parents, then don’t bother.”

“If things get exposed, and I haven’t watched you properly, I’ll be the first to suffer Si Yi’s punishment. Hmph, you want me to help you sneak out? I’m not that foolish!”

‘Eh? I didn’t expect that even though you, this demon, are occasionally dim-witted, your intelligence seems perfectly fine when it counts!’