Lu Qing had never imagined that his sister, who had been in a slump, would return to her most "normal" state after receiving her "answer."
In fact, such "normalcy" was the greatest anomaly.
Looking back at her beside him—her natural expression, caring eyes, flawless face, and her still-damp hair from a recent shower—she appeared to be a perfectly healthy sister, offering thoughtful and reasonable advice, selfless and magnanimous, without any hidden agenda.
"Are you serious?"
Lu Qing wanted to confirm once more.
After all, what he feared most was that Su Ling might be deceiving him.
Now, however, it seemed that his sister wasn't being duplicitous but had instead returned to her most perfect state—no, even happier than her happiest moments since arriving here. She was in a state of pure bliss.
She was so happy...
The aura around her radiated "confidence" and "reassurance."
This was strange.
Why had she transformed like this? Why had she even changed her previous way of thinking, willingly suggesting that he go next door to accompany Bai Xing?
Lu Qing couldn't figure it out.
When something is out of the ordinary, there must be a reason.
Then, Su Ling pointed her slender finger at the livestream paused on the tablet screen and said with a smile:
"Brother, you've said that in the Vtuber world, the mindset of the person behind the avatar is the most crucial factor, directly affecting the live performance and, consequently, the subsequent earnings.
Now, Sister Bai Xing is facing such a significant emotional issue, so of course, it makes more sense for you to step in and resolve it personally.
Besides, I suspect that the suggestion I just made is exactly what she most wants and needs at this stage. She just hasn't said it outright, afraid you might think she's overstepping."
"..."
Lu Qing thought carefully.
He realized that Su Ling's words weren't without merit.
From his perspective, for the person behind the avatar to convey a sense of "companionship," they first needed to experience what "companionship" truly felt like and then internalize that feeling, transforming it into their own understanding.
As for Bai Xing, she had lived alone for so long, and her grandmother, who had once been by her side, was now bedridden. A young girl who had lost that sense of companionship would cherish even the smallest gestures, like being walked home hand-in-hand.
Looking at it this way, the answer was clear.
What Bai Xing lacked was indeed something called "care."
That was why, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't replicate the "original" feeling of Tanghua's performances, and no matter how much Tanghua taught her, she couldn't grasp the essence.
"You're right."
Lu Qing had been enlightened by his sister's words, but he still needed to confirm her sincerity to avoid any missteps.
Thinking this, he suddenly asked:
"Will you come with me?"
"Huh?"
"Will you come next door with me? I'll take you along, like visiting a neighbor, and you can observe the Vtuber's performance firsthand. It'll help you gain more knowledge."
Lu Qing spoke calmly and steadily, using the most appropriate tone to convey genuine concern for Su Ling.
This was the thirty-second divine skill—"The Choice Is Yours."
This skill could instantly uncover the other person's true intentions. Whether they chose to "go" or "not go," it would provide a wealth of useful information, turning a disadvantageous situation into one with full clarity.
In other words, it was the core secret technique from "The Way of Qing"—"Turning Light into Shadow,"
abbreviated as "Light to Shadow."
Now, it was Su Ling's turn to feel uneasy.
If she hadn't genuinely intended to lend her brother to the "thieving cat" for the day to help resolve the current issue, she might have already revealed her true feelings.
How terrifying.
When had her brother become so sharp and difficult to handle?
His words were filled with caution, as if he had deciphered every trick in the book of manipulative tactics.
Su Ling felt that her brother's level had risen far beyond what it used to be. Trying to control him now seemed unrealistic.
Her brother had already bared his heart, so she needed to stay firm in her resolve, continue down this path, and earn his admiration. Saving his weary soul was her true purpose, the meaningful and worthwhile task at hand.
As for Bai Xing...
[If lending you my brother allows him to find some healing through you as well...]
[Then this decision isn't entirely unacceptable.]
[Given my brother's evaluation of you—far exceeding my expectations—it's clear that he holds you in high regard. To him, you're not just a casual junior or a source of income as the person behind the avatar. You're the one he's chosen as the sole female lead—
more suited than even me to be the heroine of his new work.]
[So, consider today a test. I hope you don't disappoint me.]
With this in mind, Su Ling said:
"No need, Brother. You should go alone. I still need to practice the piano, so I won't waste any more precious time."
Her expression was natural, without a trace of flaw.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Afraid he might not believe her, she added: "Besides, Brother, you spend every evening at home with me. The care I receive far exceeds what Sister Bai... what Sister Bai Xing gets.
So, if you don't help her today and instead bring me along as a neighbor visiting, she'll definitely feel constrained, and the issue won't be truly resolved."
The near slip-up in her wording made Su Ling's heart tighten slightly, but it didn't matter. The message she needed to convey had been delivered.
Sure enough, Lu Qing understood his sister's meaning.
The "companionship" his sister enjoyed every night was something Bai Xing could only dream of.
So, she was willing to share a part of that "companionship," providing "personal space" for the two of them without interference.
Only then could Bai Xing experience genuine "care."
Compared to the interactions she had during the day at school, under the watchful eyes of others, this would be far more profound and deeply desired.
"Alright."
Having said this much, Lu Qing no longer hesitated. He simply nodded at his sister, stood up, and walked to the coat rack to grab his jacket.
"Su Ling, you're really considerate."
Before leaving, he couldn't help but praise her,
"Often, I wonder if my health is so poor that I hallucinate every day and night, imagining that heaven has blessed me with a sister like you—
obedient, well-behaved, flawless, and always able to empathize and think from my perspective.
You know what? Something like this, I wouldn't dare write in my books before."
He turned the doorknob, stepped one foot out, and was about to leave.
Then, he heard Su Ling's light, relieved laugh as she said:
"Then, can I take it to mean that Brother didn't choose me as the heroine in his later works because he thought I was too perfect?"
...
...

his freshman year, Su Bai accidentally bound the "Indulgence Tycoon System." 【Sleeping in? Reward: +$1,000】 【Spent $288 at a street barbecue stall? Cashback: +$2,880】 【Dropped $14,396 on in-game skins? Special reward unlocked: A brand-new Porsche Panamera!】 Luxury cars, penthouses, corporate shares, financial empires… College life was all about living freely and doing whatever he pleased! … When the adorably naive academic genius faced family medical bills and financial struggles, Su Bai waved his hand dismissively: "Your future is on me." "Wuwu~ Big Brother is so good to me! I’ll become a scientist to repay you!" When the genius girl got bullied by a shady professor? Su Bai casually dropped a billion-dollar investment, forcing the university to grovel and beg for her return. A company’s funding chain collapsing? Su Bai smirked—cash was the one thing he’d never run out of. Years later, when people traced the rise of the AI prodigy beauty, who was the man behind her success? Not just that—Su Bai also became the tsundere campus belle’s unattainable dream, the contrast senior’s daily necessity, and the beautiful counselor’s emotional anchor…

to panic—he has a system. As long as an investment target dies, he can claim a reward. And since he is immortal, the one thing he has plenty of is time. ... Countless years later. “Immortal Emperor of Longevity? I invested in him.” “Supreme Celestial Venerable? I invested in him.” “Undying Empress? I invested in her.” “...” “Heh. Once they’ve all died, even the Heavenly Dao will have to kneel and call me Dad.”

y came from. The chests contained supplies, currency, class-change scrolls, skills, talents… and even godhood! The laws of the world were completely rewritten. This became a world where everyone gambled with their fate! Some people, despite having nothing, opened a divine artifact and rose to the top, eventually ruling the world. Others went bankrupt, opened nothing but worthless junk, and leaped from skyscrapers in despair. Lin Ye arrived in this world from another reality, utterly bewildered. “What is going on? Why is everyone a gambling addict?!” “Opening chests? No way. I refuse to gamble. I’ll start with myself!” Until— On his first chest, he obtained a Mythic Talent: Void Incarnation! He could become completely intangible, pass through all things, and reduce everything to nothingness! … On his fiftieth chest, he obtained a Mythic Weapon: Blade of Karma! With a single slash, karma shattered, twisting the universe and overturning the myriad phenomena of creation! … On his ninety-ninth chest, he obtained a Mythic Divine Treasure: Primordial Purple Energy! It could split open the heavens and earth, create all things, and evolve countless worlds with a single thought! Lin Ye: “Now that I think about it… shouldn’t someone have told me that every chest is guaranteed to contain something Mythic?!”

and couldn't return to the real world. Finally, I gave up and decided to go with the flow, only to discover that writing a diary could make me stronger. Since no one could read it, Su Luo wrote freely, daring to pen anything and everything. Female Lead #1: "Not bad. This diary helped me steal all the protagonist's opportunities. I just want to get stronger." Female Lead #2: "I don’t care about reaching the peak of the cultivation world. Right now, I just want to enjoy the chaos." Female Lead #3: "What? Everyone around me is a spy? I’m the Joker Demon Lord?" ... It’s so strange. Why is the plot completely off track, yet the ending remains the same? Are you all just messing with me?!