Ferocious.
A white wig was tossed onto the bed, a long black dress lay scattered on the floor.
Luo Shuanyue was hugging her slightly reddened toes, her expression a mix of embarrassment.
So humiliating!
The plan was supposed to be perfect—how did it all fall apart right at the very end?
She had worked so hard to build up the mysterious and elegant image of “Butterfly of the Underworld,” and now it had completely shattered!
A villain who trips on the windowsill while trying to flee and screams as they fly out the window—there’s just no intimidation factor in that at all!
Knock knock knock…
Footsteps sounded again outside the door.
In a panic, Luo Shuanyue hurriedly buttoned up her pajamas, stuffed the wig, dress, and stockings under the blanket, then dove into bed herself, pretending to be sound asleep.
About half a minute later, she heard her door being gently pushed open, then a few seconds after that, it was closed again.
Only after the footsteps gradually faded into the distance did Luo Shuanyue open her eyes a crack.
Confirming no one was watching her, she finally let out a silent sigh of relief.
She couldn’t sleep just yet—she had to clean up the clothes she’d just worn.
Ugh, such a hassle…
***
“Strange. Could it have been my imagination?”
Back in her own room, Luo Shuangxing sat by the bed, rubbing her chin in deep thought.
She was sure she heard voices coming from Sister Xia Mo’s room—sure she heard faint noises from her brother’s room too.
But Sister Xia Mo claimed nothing had happened, and her brother had been sound asleep.
It couldn’t be… ghosts, right?
And that excuse Xia Mo gave…
This is the fourth floor—how could a cat crash into the window?
It had to be an excuse!
“Sister Xia Mo is hiding something from me…”
Her clever little brain began to turn, and Luo Shuangxing immediately sensed something was off.
If her brother cross-dressing was something she could barely understand, then Xia Mo having a late-night conversation with someone in her room was absolutely beyond logical explanation.
Sure, it was possible Xia Mo was talking to a friend on speaker, but based on what Luo Shuangxing knew about her, there was no way Xia Mo would use speakerphone in the middle of the night.
Ruling out that seemingly reasonable possibility, all that was left were increasingly bizarre ones.
What—someone snuck into Xia Mo’s room in the middle of the night just to chat?
Who would sneak into a girl’s room at night?
What kind of pervert would do that?!
Luo Shuangxing thought: this is something her dear brother needed to know—before someone stole his girl right from under his nose without him even realizing it.
***
The next morning, when Luo Shuangxing pulled Luo Shuanyue into her room and furtively spilled everything, Luo Shuanyue’s expression became… an abstract masterpiece.
Inside, her feelings were a chaotic mix of emotions: touched, gratified—and a little speechless.
Her little sister caring about her brother’s happiness?
That warmed her heart. But the so-called “sneaky cheating cat” she mentioned?
That was me, your brother, alright?
I just put on a disguise to meet with Sister Xia Mo! If you hadn’t interrupted us, I would’ve scored last night, okay?!
“Don’t overthink it. You probably just misheard,” Luo Shuanyue said softly, patting her little sister’s head.
“So, what do you want for dinner? I’ll go buy it for you.”
Luo Shuangxing immediately threw her brother a look that screamed:
“I knew you were this kind of person!”
That first sentence was still trying to act like a gentleman—and the second part?
Not even pretending anymore.
“Cake~”
“Got it.”
***
When the siblings emerged from the room after their heartfelt exchange, they found Xia Mo sitting at the breakfast table like a wooden doll, dark circles under her eyes, nibbling at the breakfast Luo Shuanyue had prepared.
Although the comedic exit of Dark Butterfly last night slightly shattered Xiao Mo’s impression of her, those words from Dark Butterfly still lingered like dark clouds in her mind, stabbing at her heart like tiny knives.
Should she really listen to Dark Butterfly and stop being a magical girl?
If she continues, would Shuangyue and Shuangxing be harmed by Dark Butterfly…?
Worriedly glancing at the brother and sister who were currently bonding warmly, Xiao Mobit her lip, her heart tangled with conflict.
“My power is too weak—I can’t even protect them…”
She became a magical girl to protect everyone, but now, not only could she not protect those closest to her, she was even putting them in danger.
With someone like her, does she really deserve to continue being a magical girl?
Maybe… giving up is what would be best for everyone?
While Xiao Mowas drowning in sorrow, Luo Shuangyue had already begun an intense eye exchange with her sister.
“Bro, it’s your turn. Go comfort Xiao Mo!”
Luo Shuangxing chomped on her spoon and shot her older brother a dagger look.
Luo Shuangyue kept his head down, chewing on bread, unwilling to say a single word.
What could he say?
Comfort her and help her regain her confidence?
What a joke.
Luo Shuangyue would love it if Xiao Mo’s resolve crumbled and she gave up on her dream.
Now was the perfect time to coldly watch her spiral into despair.
A magical girl’s power comes from firm conviction—once that conviction wavers, their power weakens.
And if it collapses entirely, they lose the ability to transform.
That’s exactly the result Luo Shuangyue was hoping for.
“Kids shouldn’t meddle in things like this.”
Luo Shuangyue replied with a look.
“If you don’t comfort your girlfriend now, are you really going to let someone else steal her away?”
Luo Shuangxing’s gaze was piercing.
After all, Xiao Moand Luo Shuangyue weren’t officially together—if some flashy new guy swooped in, Shuangyue wouldn’t even have room to complain.
“If you don’t leverage your childhood-friend advantage now, when are you planning to?”
Receiving this telepathic message from his sister, Luo Shuangyue was slightly stunned.
Crap—she actually had a point.
If someone really did take advantage of the situation and snatched away the girl he’d worked so hard for, he might actually want to kill someone.
“Mo-mo, are you free later today?”
Luo Shuangyue cleared his throat and asked Xiao Mo.
Xiao Mowas silent for a few seconds, then slowly nodded.
It was August.
Having just finished the college entrance exams, she practically had all the time in the world.
As for what Luo Shuangyue wanted to do, she already had a few guesses.
Since they were little, Luo Shuangyue had always been a thoughtful and understanding person.
Whenever she felt down, he would always show up first, comforting her in his own way.
This time was probably no different—her strange behavior must’ve caught his attention.
“Let’s go for a walk at Yaoxing Garden nearby. I remember you really like the Star-Blue flowers there.”
Luo Shuangyue smiled as he spoke to Xiao Mo.
Hmph, I’ll use this opportunity to boost my position in Xiao Mo’s heart.
That way, I won’t have to worry about some blond jerk swooping in!
Sigh~ I really am a bad woman, Luo Shuangyue thought secretly to himself.