Filming is about to begin!

Luo You mulls it over, feeling a bit frustrated.

She’s spent so much time honing Big Sister’s acting skills—coaxing, bribing, even throwing in costume changes and cosplay—only for a single voice clip to push her to 100% perfection.

“Big Sister, do you only get stronger when your brain’s stimulated?”

Liyun flashes a smug grin.

“Well, guess it’s time to get started…”

Luo You nods. The plan to kick off the big party in a week can move up.

Starting tomorrow!

She needs to notify Little Aunt too.

“That’s it for today. I’ve got nothing left to teach you, Big Sister.”

Luo You sighs, her pleased expression reminding Liyun of the bittersweet pride of high school graduation.

“Thank you, Director, for your guidance! Sob…”

“Alright, alright, head back. I bet Elera’s about to come for you. You’ve gotta hold strong, Big Sister! Once you survive this, I’ll throw you a welcome-back bash!”

“Got it!”

After sending Big Sister off, Luo You’s smile finally breaks free, unleashing a chilling cackle that would make even a passing dog’s legs quiver, as if its soul might be snatched away.

“My paradise… it’s starting!”

Transform!

Time to find Little Aunt!

Sure, Liyun’s acting finally passed muster, but Luo You’s more excited about what surprises Little Aunt, a top art school graduate, might bring to the table.

What kind of stellar performance could she deliver?

[My movie… Nobel Prize… pfft, hehe!]

Luo You’s heart races, her steps quickening.

****

Meanwhile, Ji Yue, who returned to Jiuming Sea yesterday, suddenly shudders.

‘Is she coming?’ she wonders.

It’s about time for Elera to make her move.

Ji Yue’s alone in a hot spring hotel, the meeting spot Elera designated.

If she doesn’t show up here, Elera might confront her publicly at Jiuming Sea.

That’d be social death!

“Come on then… you wretched woman!”

This time, Ji Yue is ready.

She’s laced her body with a deadly poison.

Following her plan, she’ll endure the shame, tread through blood, and bring that woman to her knees, forcing her to submit!

If she backs down now, she’ll never get another chance!

“You seem awfully eager.” A voice sounds from behind.

Ji Yue trembles but doesn’t turn. She knows who it is.

She spins around, only to find the figure appearing in a way she hadn’t expected.

“You… you…”

Warm kiss~ Gulp~

A head nudges up from below, pressing against her chest, sending ripples.

Ji Yue, ever so naturally, savors the sensation while Elera delivers her message. “Tomorrow, this place. I’m looking forward to your performance, Little Aunt~”

“Don’t call me that!” Ji Yue snaps, her face twisted in disgust.

“Still not used to it? You didn’t mind when that Luo You called you that.”

“Hmph.” Ji Yue stays silent.

The more she talks, the deeper she’ll fall into this woman’s trap.

“That’s all you’ve got to say? Leave me alone then.”

“Hmph~ So tough. I hope you’re not all soft and limp tomorrow, Little Aunt.”

Her mouth’s the only thing staying firm.

“Let’s see you try!” Ji Yue sneers.

“Oh~ I will.”

Luo You turns to leave after delivering the message. She’s got plenty to do—set up the venue, prepare props, and notify Liyun.

But…

[She’s already poisoned herself, hasn’t she?] Luo You’s neck tilts at a dangerously sly angle.

Ji Yue’s eyes betray her—burning with defiance amid humiliation, never giving up the fight, plotting a counterstrike.

Magical girls are so easy to read…

Luo You smirks.

Poison? Perfect. I’ve got a massive dose of venom ready for you.

It’ll transform your innate poison body into a natural siren’s frame, so potent even Xingyu would be reduced to a tongue-lolling, eye-rolling wreck.

Fight fire with fire!

Tomorrow, she’ll coat herself in that poison too!

Oh, what a plan~ Speed up the spell bombardment to break her scheme, only to be outplayed by Ji Yue’s pathetic counterattack~ To have her plot exposed and be outmaneuvered by Ji Yue would be utterly humiliating~!

After notifying Ji Yue, Luo You holds off on contacting Liyun, planning to grab her on-site tomorrow.

First, she sets up the venue and props—not a big deal, as she’s already scouted the perfect spot.

Back when she worked with the Outsider Organization, she’d seen countless places.

Like in the Northwest, where there’s a lush jungle and flower sea with a three-story vintage mansion in the center—property she bought years ago for retirement. Too remote, though, so she settled in the big city.

Now, it’s just about the props.

Then, her phone rings. An Jiu’er.

– “Coach, free today?”

“Nope.” Luo You’s reply is curt.

– “Tomorrow?”

“On leave for a few days. Urgent business.”

– “Oh… what’s up? Need help?”

“No… wait, actually, yes.”

Luo You realizes something.

Camera equipment.

Professional gear is insanely expensive—millions at least.

She’d planned to make do with a DSLR, but if better options are available, she won’t say no.

Perfect timing. An Jiu’er, time to repay the favor for those bedroom lessons!

“Mei’er, do you have… you know, professional filming equipment? Nothing too complex, stuff two people can handle.”

– “Filming equipment?” An Jiu’er pauses.

She doesn’t have any, but she could buy a set from the market if needed.

‘But what’s she up to?’

– “Coach, you shooting a movie?”

“Yup, smart girl! I’ll teach you a new pose as a reward later!”

– “Sweet!” An Jiu’er laughs.

She senses Luo You’s up to something shady but has no proof.

That night with Elera, she mentioned her schedule’s packed lately—hard not to notice.

“…” An Jiu’er covers the phone’s mic.

“Lady Xingyu, it’s almost time. Please enter,” a magical girl whispers nearby.

“Okay, one sec.”

An Jiu’er… Xingyu replies softly.

– “I’ll arrange the equipment for you tomorrow, Coach. Where should I send it?”

“Just drop it at the gym.”

– “Cool. Shame I can’t join you for the shoot…”

“Next time. Who knows, maybe I’ll make you the leading lady.”

Luo You teases.

– “Looking forward to it!”

Xingyu hangs up.

Luo You’s expression shifts to one of enigmatic confidence, radiating an untouchable aura.

She opens the door to a crimson carpet, a grand hall filled with rarely seen government officials seated in rows.

She’s at a UN conference.

Though curious about Elera’s moves, she’s stretched thin.

A suspected Plunder-Light monster has infiltrated an inland city. She’s reported it to the higher-ups, and tracking it down requires mobilizing every resource available.

“Let’s begin the meeting.”

****

“Camera equipment, check.”

Luo You buys the necessary props and ships them to the Northwest mansion.

“Been a while since I was here. Gotta clean up first.”

The mansion’s covered in dust. Luckily, no squatters have taken over, or in this wilderness, she’d make them vanish.

“Man, the scenery here’s gorgeous!” Luo You takes a deep breath of the fresh air, rare in the city.

By national scenic standards, this place is easily 5A-tier.

A bit further out, there’s a flower field with stems piled half a person high.

“…Doing it in the flower field might be nice?” Luo You muses.

Better clear out the bugs first, though, or it’d be a mood-killer if one crawled on her mid-act.

At the flower field, Luo You finds it crawling with critters—centipedes, earthworms, ants…

All dead.

No wounds, no signs of poisoning, just scattered corpses littering the ground.

“Scared to death?” Luo You frowns.

She’s seen videos online, picked up some random trivia, and can tell some of these bugs’ causes of death.

Scared to death?

Every last ant, wiped out, no descendants spared. Only a supreme predator could do this.

And they’ve been dead for a while.

“…Maybe I got it wrong. Online info isn’t always reliable.”

Luo You takes note but finds no clues, so she lets it go.

After cleaning the mansion and gathering the props, she heads back to Huahai City, awaiting tomorrow.

****

The next day.

“It’s time!”

Luo You’s eyes blaze with a fearsome light.

“Time to get Liyun!”

Liyun’s back at her Jiuming Sea home, preparing to head to Sidheim with her sister.

But the moment she opens the door, she shudders, nearly collapsing.

Opening the door, she sees a ghost.

A figure blocks her way.

“Reed…”

“Big Sister, it’s time. Come with me.”

Luo You pulls out a scalpel, grinning. “Ready to pay for your trip? Little movie, S.M—prepared?”

“Now? B-but—”

– “I’m heading to Sidheim soon! You’re making me ditch that?”

“I don’t care. Come up with an excuse. I’m not waiting another second!”

“Why like this…”

Liyun’s face pales. Her sister’s coming any moment—how’s she supposed to explain this?

As if on cue, she hears Xingyu’s footsteps and her call.

– “Liyun, you ready?”

“Y-you, hide!”

In a panic, Liyun shoves Luo You into the closet.

“…”

“This scene… kinda thrilling!” Luo You thinks.

What’s with this affair-like vibe?

Unlike a typical affair, she’s had nights with both the woman inside and outside, making this messier than your average fling.