A Genius’s Grand Plan and a Bubble Bath Predicament

“What’s wrong?” A gentle voice, accompanied by the clear chime of wind chimes, drifted from beside her, causing Qing Zixi’s entire body to tremble. She immediately seized her hair with both hands, pulling it over her face to conceal herself.

“N-nothing, it’s fine. I don’t know what I clicked, but the screen just went black.”

[Wasn’t it a confident reverse play that led to you being dove under the tower and killed?]

Qing Zixi’s hastily fabricated excuse was mercilessly dismantled by the bullet comments.

‘Damn it, how can this thing be so aggressive? It’s infuriating, absolutely infuriating!’

Being targeted was a minor inconvenience, but losing face in front of Lan Mengyao was a grave offense. Qing Zixi sheepishly hopped off the chair, retreating to the small stool with a noticeable pout.

Immediately afterward, she watched as the swordsman under Lan Mengyao’s command, akin to a deity descended from the heavens, effortlessly cut down their opponents time and again. The swordsman led the team in a relentless assault on the enemy’s base, securing a victory with astonishing ease.

“T-truly amazing…”

Qing Zixi was utterly captivated. The moment she realized the words of praise for Lan Mengyao had escaped her lips, she clapped a hand over her mouth.

“Naturally. I am a professional player, after all.”

Lan Mengyao spoke with an air of nonchalance, then promptly ended her live stream and shut down the computer.

‘A professional… a professional player?’

Suddenly, a brilliant idea sparked in Qing Zixi’s mind!

‘That’s it! This game is designed for five players, and it even has annual tournaments. If I were to join a team with four incredibly strong teammates, wouldn’t I be able to simply coast to victory, essentially resurrecting myself in the process?!’

‘What’s more, during training, I could emulate Sister Mengyao by simultaneously live streaming. There’s even some annual selection competition for streamers, I recall. Concurrently, I could resume my writing. With professional gaming, live streaming, and light novel writing all progressing in tandem, success in even one area would be considered a triumph. How could I possibly fail?’

‘Could it be… am I truly a genius?’

Qing Zixi immediately scratched her cheek, then audaciously posed her question.

“So, d-does your team still need members?”

“No, we don’t. Why, do you intend to become a professional player?”

Lan Mengyao turned her head, still in the process of tearing open a takeout bag. “This isn’t a path just anyone can walk, you know.”

“Hmph, hmph. I’m a genius, after all. This sort of thing is merely child’s play.”

As she watched the white-haired loli before her, hands on her hips and brimming with grandiose declarations, a cunning and rather mischievous plan suddenly materialized in Lan Mengyao’s mind.

Adopting a benevolent smile, she began, “It’s not entirely out of the question. I could help you find a few teams, but… can you actually play?”

“Of course!”

Qing Zixi affirmed instantly.

“Absolutely!”

“The one who died immediately upon joining the game?”

“G-gulp! It’s… it’s because of the hero! The hero that trashy Older Sister chose was simply too weak!”

‘Good, still so stubborn. Let’s see if you’ll be so tough once you’re in bed later.’

Lan Mengyao continued to hold back her amusement. She lifted the lid from the bowl of tremella and lotus seed porridge, scooped out half a spoonful, and gently blew on it. “Ah~”

“I, I can… Mmph…”

Even as Qing Zixi was still trying to protest with an open mouth, the spoon was already gently inserted. Immediately, a burst of sweet, soft flavor erupted on her taste buds. She squinted her small eyes, her hand rising to caress her cheek in a moment of pure enjoyment.

“Mmm, delicious.”

“It’s getting late today, so let’s just have something light and easy to digest.”

Lan Mengyao continued to feed Qing Zixi spoon by spoon. Upon realizing that every attempt to refuse would be met with a forceful insertion, Qing Zixi eventually abandoned her resistance. She serenely indulged in Lan Mengyao’s “service,” inwardly rationalizing it as atonement for all the bullying she had endured previously.

After happily finishing the tremella and lotus seed porridge, Qing Zixi gently rubbed her slightly distended belly and let out a soft, satisfied burp.

“I’m full~ Now, dress me, please~”

“Yes~”

Lan Mengyao reached out, intending to lift Qing Zixi’s white shirt.

“Hey, stop it! I was just joking!”

Now, it was Qing Zixi’s turn to panic. In that specific moment, a natural desire to assert authority over Lan Mengyao surfaced within her.

‘But… I’m completely bare underneath!’

Even though they were both girls, Qing Zixi’s mindset hadn’t instantly shifted. She felt an overwhelming sense of shyness about the situation.

“Stop being silly. Princess, please change clothes~”

Even though Lan Mengyao uttered the words with a smile, Qing Zixi could distinctly sense that she harbored absolutely no good intentions!

“T-this little task, this princess can handle it herself. You may withdraw.”

Hearing Qing Zixi deliver such arrogant words in a soft, saccharine tone, Lan Mengyao could no longer contain herself. She forcefully lifted with both hands, then delivered a playful, punitive pinch.

‘Mmph!’

Qing Zixi instantly became much more docile, as if struck by an electric current, gazing at Lan Mengyao with a profoundly wronged expression.

“That’ll teach you to be so cheeky again. Come on, let’s go bathe.”

Lan Mengyao pulled Qing Zixi by the hand, leading her towards the bathroom door.

Since the bathroom was located directly within Lan Mengyao’s room, it wasn’t a long walk. Yet, to Qing Zixi, each step felt like an agonizing eternity.

Fortunately, beneath the loose white shirt, there remained a final piece of modesty. Qing Zixi was reluctantly, almost squirming, dragged by Lan Mengyao to the bathroom entrance.

As Lan Mengyao pushed open the door, Qing Zixi discovered the bathroom appeared quite luxurious. A large bathtub, surprisingly already intelligently filled with water, dominated the space. Nearby, a shower stood ready, and an array of shampoos and shower gels were meticulously arranged on the counter.

An aromatherapy diffuser was active, releasing an intoxicatingly fresh scent. The bathroom’s temperature was notably high, inducing a slight dizziness, and a faint blush had already begun to creep across Qing Zixi’s fair, delicate cheeks.

“This is our first time bathing together, you know.”

Lan Mengyao spoke as she gathered and tied her own long hair with both hands, then proceeded to help Qing Zixi do the same.

‘Serves you right for being so aloof towards me before, hmph.’

‘No, wait, it would have been even stranger if we *had* bathed together before!’

Qing Zixi grumbled inwardly, only to suddenly hear the distinct chime of wind chimes. She turned her head, curiosity piqued, but instantly whipped back around, her fair, pretty face rapidly suffused with a deep crimson.

‘Wh-wh-white… this wind chime is quite white. Ah, no, this wind chime is quite *large*…’

Just as Qing Zixi was consumed by shyness, she suddenly felt something seize her waist.

What followed was a distinct tearing sensation emanating from her sole remaining piece of clothing.

‘Wh-!’

Qing Zixi hastily clamped her pale, delicate thighs together, simultaneously slapping Lan Mengyao’s arm with both hands in a futile attempt at resistance.

“Y-y-you, what are you doing?!”

“Bathing, of course?”

With just one hand, Lan Mengyao firmly clasped Qing Zixi’s slender wrists, then lifted them high, pinning them against the bathroom wall.

‘Eek!’

‘She’s serious!’

At this crucial moment, Qing Zixi realized her only salvation lay in feigning innocence and appealing for pity.

“Wuwu, Older Sister is bullying me.”

“Yes, I’m bullying you. What are you going to do about it?”

Lan Mengyao raised an eyebrow, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. Her grip tightened slightly, while her other hand settled on Qing Zixi’s waist.

“My sweet little sister can’t even break free from the grasp of a mere ‘trash fish’?”

‘Oh no—! This is bad—!’

‘Just like me, this person holds a serious grudge.’

‘There’s no escape…’

In utter despair, Qing Zixi closed her eyes and surrendered all thought.

****

It must be said, a bubble bath truly possesses the power to soothe and cleanse both body and soul.

It would have been even better, however, if there wasn’t someone pressing a round object against her back, all while squeezing a toy rubber duck in front of her.

–Quack, quack!

“Sister Mengyao, I’m already eighteen…”

Qing Zixi stared at the rubber duck in Lan Mengyao’s hand, a distinct ‘black line’ forming across her face.

She was no longer a child.

Unexpectedly, a languid voice drifted from behind her.

“If I don’t squeeze the rubber duck, should I squeeze *you* instead?”

“?”