Unexpected Choices and Stern Commands

After selecting an outfit for Lin Yi, Lin Yiting pulled out several women’s garments for herself. She tried on a jumpsuit, only to discard it with a look of clear distaste.

Such elaborate clothing was not to her usual taste; she typically reserved it only for the most significant events. Beyond the sheer inconvenience, these outfits were also impractical for combat.

While the upcoming banquet held significance, it paled in comparison to Lin Yi’s life. Considering they were meeting Chen Sishi’s father, there was a risk the two of them might conspire against Lin Yi, and Lin Yiting had to be ready for anything.

After much deliberation, Lin Yiting settled on her usual professional attire. The numerous pockets in the outfit allowed her to conceal a multitude of weapons, making it ideal for unrestricted movement.

Lin Yi, however, who had been observing from the side, harbored a different opinion. Seeing her select the same old attire left a peculiar, somewhat unpleasant taste in his mouth.

He wasn’t oblivious to the reasons behind her choice. Yet, Lin Yi wished that, for this particular event, Lin Yiting would don something she truly enjoyed wearing.

“Sister, how about this one?”

Lin Yi gestured towards an off-white ensemble.

Turning her head, Lin Yiting followed Lin Yi’s gaze to an off-white women’s trench coat. Its style bore a striking resemblance to the one Lin Yi himself was wearing.

At first glance, they appeared to be matching couple’s outfits. However, Lin Yiting’s trench coat was noticeably looser in the lower half and longer than Lin Yi’s, extending to just above her knees.

Gazing at the coat, Lin Yiting decided to give it a try.

A few minutes later, she emerged from the bedroom, clad in the off-white trench coat.

Just as Lin Yi had envisioned, the coat was quite long, gracefully covering the area above Lin Yiting’s knees. Its white belt and open lapels flowed elegantly at her sides.

Her white shirt was visible in the center, and beneath it, a pair of light blue denim shorts barely concealed the tops of her thighs. Below that, her slender, pale legs stretched out.

Notably, a dagger, strikingly similar to the one Lin Yi carried, was strapped to one side of her shorts. This was clearly Lin Yiting’s precaution, a readiness to protect him.

Dressed in her ensemble, she twirled gracefully before Lin Yi, an expression of delight gracing her features.

“I didn’t expect your taste to be quite good, Xiaoling. This is the one.”

Lin Yi found himself caught between laughter and tears, unsure of how to respond to Lin Yiting’s comment.

****

In a villa district in New City, Chen Sishi returned home, dropping her schoolbag before collapsing onto her soft bed. She stared blankly at the pristine white ceiling, lost in thought.

Scattered by her pillow were numerous photographs of Lin Yi. She picked one up, a morbid smile twisting her lips.

It was at this moment that a sudden knock echoed from her bedroom door. Chen Sishi swiftly concealed the photos, her gaze fixed warily on the entrance.

Before she could utter a word, a voice drifted in from beyond the door.

“Young Miss, your father requests your presence downstairs.”

A flicker of doubt crossed her mind. Typically, at this hour, her father would still be at the company. He only returned home earlier if a matter of extreme importance demanded his presence; otherwise, Chen Lujun rarely arrived before eight or nine in the evening.

“I understand.”

With these thoughts, Chen Sishi dared not tarry. Having spoken, she hastily tidied her room and rushed downstairs.

Upon reaching the first-floor hall, Chen Sishi found Chen Lujun admiring the flowers. She crept closer, her footsteps utterly silent, intending to startle him. Yet, just as she was about to reach him, Chen Lujun abruptly turned his head.

The moment their eyes locked, Chen Sishi found herself unable to move forward or back, frozen in an awkward tableau.

“Haha, Dad, what do you need me for?”

Chen Sishi offered an awkward laugh, feigning a docile inquiry.

As if he had long foreseen Chen Sishi’s antics, Chen Lujun slowly turned, his fingers gently stroking her silver hair.

“Tomorrow, the Xu family is hosting a banquet. I believe it’s time for you to go out and experience the world.”

Chen Lujun had mentioned this before, but Chen Sishi had vehemently disagreed. She found such banquets too bothersome, and the thought of her true nature being exposed before so many people was unbearable. Chen Sishi would absolutely not allow that to happen.

“Dad, didn’t I tell you before? I don’t want to go.”

The moment her words faded, Chen Lujun slammed his hand onto the table. His gaze, cold and severe, fixed on Chen Sishi, his face a mask of sternness.

“This time, you have no say. Go back and find an outfit; tomorrow, we’ll be picking up two other people.”

His voice was chillingly indifferent, leaving Chen Sishi with no choice but to lower her head and silently retreat back into the house.

Watching her depart, Chen Lujun’s stern expression completely vanished. He hadn’t truly been angry; he merely knew that without such a firm stance, that girl Chen Sishi would never comply.

Covering his forehead with a weary hand, a headache beginning to throb, Chen Lujun let out a helpless sigh.

“I only hope that boy can endure it.”

****

Saturday morning dawned, heralded by the slow ascent of a brilliant sun. Still lost in slumber, Lin Yi instinctively burrowed his head deeper into the blankets. A moment later, Lin Yiting tiptoed into the room.

She gazed at the sleeping Lin Yi, a mischievous smile playing on her lips, before abruptly yanking the blanket away. The boy’s slightly immature body was left entirely exposed to the cool morning air.

Lin Yi wore a black short-sleeved shirt on his upper body and men’s underwear below. Between his legs, a small “tent” had clearly formed.

Lin Yiting’s expression remained unfazed by the sight. She merely sat on the edge of the bed, her slender fingers playfully poking at the “tent” before she straightened up, feigning complete innocence.

An odd sensation instantly jolted his mind, and Lin Yi, still half-lost in sleep, groggily opened his eyes.

Through his hazy vision, he perceived a beautiful older sister. A subtle, unfamiliar reaction stirred within him, but the moment Lin Yi clearly recognized her face, his cheeks flushed a brilliant crimson.

“Ah! Sister, how did you get in here!”

His mind short-circuited for a moment. Snapping back to reality, Lin Yi frantically fumbled across the bed, desperate to retrieve the blanket that had been flung off. Alas, Lin Yiting had long since tossed it aside, leaving him unable to find it no matter how frantically he searched.

A deep blush spread across his face, burning fiercely. Just as Lin Yi was about to curl into a tight ball, an outfit suddenly landed squarely on his face.

“Xiaoling, get dressed. We’re about to leave.”

With those words, Lin Yiting departed without a backward glance. Seeing this, Lin Yi scrambled to pull on his pants, then quickly shut the door.

Once he had changed, he stood before the mirror, carefully admiring his new attire.

A simple white trench coat extended to the middle of his thighs, beneath which he wore black casual pants adorned with white stripes. Dressed in this ensemble, Lin Yi felt his demeanor was markedly improved compared to yesterday’s outfit, embodying a style he genuinely favored.

Stepping out with Lin Yiting, they both mounted their motorcycles and sped towards their designated meeting spot. As they rode, Lin Yiting checked her phone. With over half an hour remaining until their appointed time, they seemed to be well within schedule.