Whose house is this, so late at night... Oh, wait, it's mine.

Then, under Liu Yuan's gaze so tense it nearly stopped her breathing, Su Qi showed no reaction whatsoever.

Expressionless, he slowly pushed the half-opened door... and closed it again.

"Click."

A soft sound separated two worlds.

Liu Yuan: "???"

Huh?

Wait, what?

This wasn't how the script was supposed to go!

A few seconds later, hesitant footsteps echoed from outside the door, as if Su Qi had taken a few steps back.

Then came rustling sounds, like he was confirming something.

At that moment, Su Qi was tilting his head up, carefully comparing the door number.

Whose house is this, playing such games so late at night?

203?

What?

...Oh, it's my place. Never mind then.

After about ten seconds, the door opened again.

This time, however, Su Qi's expression was eerily calm.

Though that calmness seemed more like a facade, masking something indescribable beneath...?

His gaze lingered on Liu Yuan—first on her outfit, then on the fox ears atop her head—as if a fox-eared girl suddenly appearing in his home was just another mundane occurrence.

Liu Yuan, seeing her brother's "nothing out of the ordinary" demeanor, grew even more nervous.

But the arrow was already nocked; she had to shoot.

Moreover, the "Living Under Another's Roof" effect seemed to activate the moment Su Qi appeared.

A faint warmth surged from deep within her, further heating her already flushed cheeks, yet somehow subduing the urge to flee from sheer embarrassment.

She desperately channeled the imagined persona of a "Young Fox Wife."

With deliberate sweetness and a hint of pleading, she bowed slightly, her voice soft as a whisper yet just loud enough for Su Qi to hear: "W-Welcome home, Master~"

Yet the expected reaction never came.

Su Qi simply stared at her calmly, then wordlessly removed his shoes and stepped into the entryway.

His response was too indifferent.

So indifferent that Liu Yuan felt like she'd punched cotton—no impact, just an unsettling hollowness.

"Um..." Liu Yuan mustered her courage, trailing behind Su Qi like a shadow, clinging to her role. "Master, d-do you need help with your slippers?"

Her voice trembled imperceptibly, her body stiff with tension, but the "Fox Spirit Steps" granted her an unexpected grace—making her movements oddly... light?

Su Qi finished changing his shoes, turned, and finally gave his "foolish little sister" a proper look.

Clearly, he hadn't realized his "study materials" had been exposed.

No amount of acting aloof could hide that now.

"No need." His tone gave nothing away. "So this is...?"

Here it comes! He finally asked!

Liu Yuan's heart clenched. She hurriedly recited her pre-rehearsed excuse: "I-It's to test the card's abilities!"

She strained to sound confident, masking the guilt beneath.

"Really?"

Liu Yuan felt her carefully prepared explanations wither in her throat, leaving her stifled.

Was her brother's adaptability just that strong?

Or did he simply not buy her story at all?

Confused but committed, she pressed on with her act.

"Master... thank you so much for taking me in." Her voice softened further, the tail end quivering slightly. "To repay you, I-I've been practicing cooking today!"

With that, she timidly turned sideways, revealing the... "results" on the dining table behind her.

Several plates of... dubiously colored stir-fry sat there.

"Stir-fry" was a generous term—barely recognizable vegetable shapes and strands of meat were visible, but the veggies had dulled into unnatural shades, and the meat had lost its sheen, looking overcooked to oblivion.

A faint burnt odor hung in the air, mingled with something indescribable—a chaotic medley of seasonings.

By appearance alone, this dish could not be called a "success."

Liu Yuan lowered her head, too guilty to meet Su Qi's eyes.

This was her best effort after an entire afternoon.

She'd thought sheer determination would at least yield something edible.

But reality had dealt her a... harsh lesson.

Why was everything except scrambled eggs with tomatoes so hard?

Su Qi's eyes fell on the plate. His brow lifted almost imperceptibly.

"Mhm!" Liu Yuan nodded vigorously, her fox ears wobbling for emphasis—partly to psych herself up, partly to lean into her role. "I studied really hard! Wanted to make a delicious, loving dinner for Master!"

Her tone bordered on boastful, even teasing.

Admittedly, the "Young Fox Wife" skin's passive effects were subtly influencing her.

Normally, Liu Yuan would never dare say something so... bold.

But now, whether from lowered shame or the role-play's psychological grip, it didn't feel so impossible.

In fact, deep down, she was anticipating Su Qi's reaction.

After a pause, Su Qi walked to the table, picked up chopsticks, and lifted a bite of "stir-fry."

Liu Yuan's heart leaped into her throat.

He's eating it?

He's actually eating it?

Is this... even safe?

She held her breath, eyes locked on him, afraid to disrupt the "tasting."

Su Qi put the bite in his mouth.

Chewed.

Then fell silent again.

Time froze.

Every second stretched into an eternity for Liu Yuan.

She scrutinized his face for any hint of judgment.

But Su Qi's expression remained... blank.

Completely unreadable.

"H-How is it... Master?" Liu Yuan finally whispered, voice tinged with hope and dread.

Su Qi set down the chopsticks and looked at her.

"The flavor..." He paused, choosing his words. "...is unique."

Unique?

Was that code for something?

Liu Yuan's anxiety spiked.

"What kind of unique?" she pressed, voice dropping further.

Su Qi picked up the chopsticks again, taking another, slower bite, as if analyzing it.

"...The layers are... complex," he said flatly.

Liu Yuan: "..."