Chapter 24: Prelude

“Xiao Huan, are today’s dishes to your liking?”

Ju Zhenli set down her chopsticks, folded her hands, and rested her chin on them.

Her brown eyes reflected the warm yellow light, and a faint smile curled at the corners of her lips.

On the table were five or six exquisite dishes, each one carefully prepared by the housekeeper according to Ju Zhenli’s instructions.

“Mhm, super delicious!”

Qin Huan puffed out her cheeks and nodded vigorously.

She had to admit, the chef at Ju Zhenli’s house really knew their stuff.

“That’s good.”

Ju Zhenli’s lips pursed in a smile.

“Xiao Huan worked hard at rehearsal today. Eat a little more.”

Qin Huan scooped up another mouthful of food and muttered a vague reply.

‘Actually, today wasn’t rehearsal at all. I was in that secret little room being toyed with by that repressed older sister Guchuan Xing until I lost focus… but can I say that? Of course not.’

“By the way, Xiao Huan, how are the preparations for the culture festival going?”

“Umm… it’s pretty much done!”

Qin Huan swallowed the food in her mouth and started counting on her fingers.

“Lead vocalist and guitarist is Zuo Xi, bassist is me, drummer is Senior Guchuan Xing, and the keyboardist—Zuo Xi said she has someone in mind. Once the lineup is set, we can start official rehearsals.”

“Sounds like it’s going smoothly.”

Ju Zhenli tilted her head, her high golden ponytail swaying with the motion.

“Will there be enough time?”

“Shouldn’t be a problem. There’s still half a month left.”

Qin Huan patted her chest confidently, then choked because she’d eaten too fast.

Ju Zhenli couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.

She got up, walked behind Qin Huan, and gently patted her back.

“Eat slowly. No one’s going to steal it from you.”

“Cough… I’m fine, Elder Sister Zhenli.”

Qin Huan waved her hand, her face red.

But Ju Zhenli didn’t immediately return to her seat.

Instead, she leaned down slightly and rested her chin lightly on top of Qin Huan’s head.

Qin Huan could feel the warm breath from her breathing and the unique fragrance that belonged only to Ju Zhenli.

“Xiao Huan…”

“Hmm?”

“You’re not going to leave me, right?”

This was a question Ju Zhenli had asked many times already.

“Of course, Elder Sister Zhenli.”

Qin Huan tilted her head and tried to put on a sweet smile.

“Didn’t I tell you? We’ll be together forever.”

[Qin Huan, big problem meow!]

Miao Heavenly Emperor’s voice suddenly burst in her mind, startling Qin Huan so much she nearly jumped out of her chair.

[Ju Zhenli’s Obsession Degree has gone back up meow! It’s already at 65 points meow!]

‘What?’

Qin Huan frowned inwardly.

‘Why would it go back up all of a sudden? I didn’t do anything strange today. Getting toyed with by Guchuan Xing was forced—how can that count?’

[It might be because you came home too late today meow, and your voice sounded a bit off when you answered the phone.] Miao Heavenly Emperor analyzed seriously.

[Even though Ju Zhenli didn’t press on the surface, she definitely minded deep down meow.]

‘I see. But 65 points isn’t a big deal.’

Back when Ju Zhenli’s Obsession Degree had been as high as 80 points, now a mere 65 points—with her excellent acting skills and superb manipulation, she could bring it back down in no time.

[Qin Huan, I think you should take this more seriously meow.]

‘Relax, relax.’

Qin Huan waved her hand dismissively at Miao Heavenly Emperor in her mind.

‘Ju Zhenli’s Affection Level toward me is as high as 95 points now—almost full. What’s a little fluctuation in Obsession Degree? Besides, she’s as docile as a little cat these days, completely lacking that controlling yandere older sister vibe from before. Conquering her is a sure thing, isn’t it?’

Seeing that Qin Huan wasn’t paying attention at all, Miao Heavenly Emperor could only let out a helpless “meow” and chose to shut up.

It was just a cat—what more could it do?

“Xiao Huan?”

Noticing that Qin Huan was spacing out, Ju Zhenli called out softly.

“Ah, I’m here!”

Qin Huan snapped back to reality and looked up a bit flustered, meeting Ju Zhenli’s eyes that carried a hint of worry.

“Are you too tired?”

Ju Zhenli reached out, her cool fingertips lightly tapping Qin Huan’s forehead.

“Rehearsing so long today must have been really taxing.”

“It’s okay, it’s for the dream.”

Qin Huan forced a smile and quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, Elder Sister Zhenli, are you really not doing anything for the culture festival? Just being a spectator?”

“Mm.”

Ju Zhenli withdrew her hand and sat back down in her seat, crossing her long legs.

“I’m not interested in these activities. And besides…”

“I just want to watch Xiao Huan properly.”

“Elder Sister Zhenli, you’re such a…”

Qin Huan lowered her head, pretending to be shy as she poked at the rice in her bowl.

“Don’t you feel awkward saying things like that?”

“Why would I feel awkward?”

Ju Zhenli tilted her head, her expression quite matter-of-fact.

“I’m just stating my true feelings.”

‘Okay, okay. You’re the conquest target, so you call the shots.’

Qin Huan silently complained in her mind and continued burying her head in her meal.

After dinner, Ju Zhenli told Qin Huan to take a bath and go to bed early.

Ju Zhenli’s thoughtfulness made Qin Huan feel a bit guilty.

Although she had been extremely wary of Ju Zhenli at first, afraid that one misstep would turn her into a toy that did nothing but go “oh-ho-ho” thanks to the Brainwashing APP, after spending more time together, she realized that as long as she didn’t touch Ju Zhenli’s bottom line, interacting with her was actually quite safe.

Maybe because Ju Zhenli disdained using weird apps?

After all, she was the heiress of a wealthy family—it only made sense that she looked down on using strange powers!

[Qin Huan, I think it’s because you’re too obedient meow.]

‘Shut up, stupid cat.’

Qin Huan snorted in her mind, picked up her change of clothes, and walked into the bathroom.

Qin Huan soaked comfortably in the bathtub for half an hour, washing away all the torment she had suffered at Guchuan Xing’s hands today.

After changing into her pajamas, Qin Huan dried her wet hair with a towel as she walked toward her room—which was actually the guest room next to Ju Zhenli’s bedroom.

Originally, Ju Zhenli had wanted her to sleep in the same room, but under Qin Huan’s intense pleading, Ju Zhenli had finally compromised.

Of course, in exchange, Qin Huan had to promise to snuggle with Ju Zhenli every night.

For Qin Huan, that kind of demand was purely a reward!

She sat on the edge of the bed and was about to pick up her phone to text Zuo Xi and ask how the keyboardist search was going when the door suddenly pushed open.

“Xiao Huan.”

Ju Zhenli stood in the doorway.

She wore a pale yellow silk nightgown, her long golden hair loose over her shoulders, still carrying a slight dampness from her bath.

The warm yellow corridor light shone from behind her, casting a soft halo over her body.

In her hand, she held something Qin Huan found extremely familiar.

The pink collar with a bell.

“Elder Sister Zhenli…?”

Qin Huan’s smile froze on her face.

“Xiao Huan.”

Ju Zhenli walked slowly into the room and casually closed the door behind her.

The bell in her hand swayed gently, producing a crisp sound.

“Tonight, can you stay with me a little longer?”

She tilted her head, a faint smile at the corners of her lips.

In her brown eyes reflected Qin Huan’s slightly panicked expression.

[Qin Huan, I told you to pay attention to the Obsession Degree going back up meow!]