Li Xinyue was sunshine in human form.
Bright yellow dress. Always smiling. Giggled too much. Believed in the goodness of people—especially in the fake young master, Ichiro.
"Oh, Ichiro-gege is just misunderstood~!" she'd said countless times, even as her other siblings slowly fell silent.
But today, as she skipped into the Li Estate with a bag of handmade cookies, that smile was about to crack.
---
Scene – Living Room
Jin sat on the couch with one leg crossed, flipping through a book. He didn't even look up.
[Incoming: Sugar-coated disaster.]
Xinyue: "Jin-gege! I made cookies~"
[And poison, probably.]
She plopped down beside him with zero regard for personal space.
"Want to try one?"
He looked at her.
"Sure."
He bit into one. Chewed. Swallowed.
[Flour. Sugar. Obvious lies. Baked at 180 degrees of denial.]
"...It's good," he said.
She beamed. "I knew you'd like it!"
---
Ichiro Appears
Right on cue, Ichiro walked in holding a stack of notebooks like he actually studied.
"Ah, sister Xinyue, I was just about to help you with your presentation."
She lit up. "Really? You're always so helpful!"
Jin glanced up.
[Right. Like the time he 'helped' Mei Mei by deleting her thesis draft and gaslighting her.]
[Bet he's gonna fake another "accidental" sabotage.]
Ergouzi: "Confirmed. He's planning to slip a virus into her USB."
[Jin]: [This guy's predictable to the point of boredom.]
---
Broadcast Begins
Xinyue, wide-eyed: "Huh?"
Father Li: "…Wait. Is she hearing it now too?"
Lianhua: "Brace yourselves. She's still deep in denial."
Grandma Li: "Let's not tell her yet. Let her witness it firsthand."
---
Later – Study Room
Ichiro and Xinyue were alone. Or so he thought.
He leaned closer, voice low and slick.
"Xinyue, your handwriting is so neat. Reminds me of how carefully you obey your father. So... loyal."
She laughed nervously. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, nothing. Just… don't trust Jin too much. He's got issues, you know?"
She blinked. Her hand froze mid-note.
"...Issues?"
[Here it comes.]
[He always drips venom like it's affection.]
She stood still as his words dug in—soft tone, dark undercurrents.
"He's acting strange lately. Talking to himself. Breaking things. Just watch yourself, okay?"
---
Her Smile Fades
[Why is this giving me goosebumps...?]
[This doesn't sound like the Ichiro-gege I know.]
[But... I'm hearing Jin's thoughts. And they don't lie.]
Her fingers trembled.
She looked down at the page.
A tiny tear fell.
She stood up slowly. "I—I forgot I had to call Grandma."
And left.
---
Group Chat – Secret Mode
Xinyue: "...Was that really him? The one I trusted all these years?"
Qiaoqiao: "Takes a while to see the cracks. Welcome to the club."
Meimei: "Still want to give him another chance?"
Xinyue: "...I think I need to be alone."
Grandma Li: "Let her process it."
---
Meanwhile – Back in Jin's Head
[She'll figure it out soon.]
[They all do. After they break.]
Ergouzi: "Do you ever get tired of being right?"
[Jin]: [I get tired of waiting.]
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Next Chapter:
Chapter 22 – Cracks in Candy-Coated Faith
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