Ahem, I'm Listening to the Competition Rules

This competitive spirit seemed to come out of nowhere.

Su Qi found it somewhat amusing but didn’t call it out.

Such a childish temper.

Honestly, if it weren’t for the ID card stating she was legally an adult at eighteen, Su Qi would’ve thought his silly little sister acted more like she was thirteen or fourteen.

"Alright, alright, thick cheese milk tea it is."

Su Qi put away his phone.

"I’ll go see if they sell it outside."

Yun Huang showed no reaction, sitting quietly as before.

Liu Yuan, however, waved her small hand at him, her face still wearing that triumphant "winner’s" smirk.

Su Qi shook his head helplessly and turned to merge into the crowd.

Watching Su Qi’s figure disappear into the sea of people, Liu Yuan’s smile gradually faded a little.

She stole a glance at Yun Huang beside her.

This woman…

Hmph!

Liu Yuan mentally added another black mark against Yun Huang in her little notebook.

No way she’d let her play with her brother!

The air remained silent for about half a minute.

Then Yun Huang’s voice broke the quiet, still carrying that same indifferent tone.

"Is thick cheese milk tea good?"

Huh?

Liu Yuan blinked, only then realizing Yun Huang was speaking to her.

Is she…?

Liu Yuan immediately grew wary.

"It’s… okay, I guess."

Her answer was vague.

Meanwhile, her little brain was working overtime.

Could befriending the little sister be part of some strategy?

Possible!

Liu Yuan felt she’d uncovered the truth.

Hmph, no way!

"Then I’ll try thick cheese milk tea next time."

"No!"

"Why not?"

"Because… uh…"

Liu Yuan found talking to Yun Huang exhausting.

They were completely on different wavelengths.

She seemed genuinely interested in discussing which milk tea tasted better.

So she’d overthought it…

Damn that card’s passive effect…

Making her thoughts occasionally spiral like this…

She decided to give up on the conversation. "They’re all pretty much the same."

"Oh."

Seeing this, Yun Huang seemed to lose interest in continuing as well.

She returned to her earlier posture, sitting quietly once more.

……

About twenty minutes later.

Su Qi returned, carrying two insulated bags.

Liu Yuan’s head snapped up almost instantly, her sparkling eyes locking onto Su Qi.

"Brother!"

The excitement in her voice was impossible to hide.

Su Qi didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he first took out a strawberry boba milk tea and handed it to Yun Huang. "Yours."

Yun Huang accepted it without any particular reaction, her fingertips lightly brushing the cup’s surface.

"Thank you," she murmured softly.

Watching Su Qi’s actions, Liu Yuan’s cheeks visibly puffed up in protest.

Only then did Su Qi prepare the other cup, inserting a straw and holding it up to his eagerly waiting little sister’s lips.

"This is for my adorable little sister."

Liu Yuan’s expression instantly brightened, her face lighting up with unconcealed joy.

Nodding in satisfaction, she bared her little fangs and took a delicate sip from the straw.

The rich, salty-sweet cream cheese foam melted luxuriously on her tongue, its dense aroma nearly overwhelming.

Beneath it, the refreshing tea balanced the slight richness perfectly.

The contrasting flavors blended and clashed, creating an exquisite harmony.

"Mmm~"

Liu Yuan’s eyes narrowed in contentment, like a kitten sneaking a bite of fish.

A soft, pleased hum escaped her throat.

Warm satisfaction spread through her entire body.

Was it the milk tea’s deliciousness or the fact that she was the favored one?

She couldn’t resist stealing a smug glance at Yun Huang.

Su Qi watched his sister’s utterly unguarded delight and nearly laughed.

Was a cup of milk tea really worth this much happiness?

And she was still sneakily eyeing Yun Huang.

He shook his head, thinking this silly girl was regressing further into childishness.

Still, seeing her so happy made the trip worthwhile.

Just then, the restroom’s intercom crackled to life.

"Dear examinees, good afternoon!"

"We apologize for the long wait!"

The second stage—the arena trials—will begin in thirty minutes!

"Please proceed to your designated preparation areas to confirm your order of appearance and avoid missing your slot."

"Repeat: Please proceed to your designated preparation areas…"

Liu Yuan pouted at the announcement. Why couldn’t they just assign all the numbers at once?

Having to confirm again was such a hassle.

So, could the martial exams really have such a major procedural flaw?

Of course not.

Much like how lottery sales close a few minutes early, what’s advertised as "completely random" often has its behind-the-scenes manipulations—those in the know, know.

The second stage of the martial exams was no different.

While claiming to randomly match examinees, pairings were actually arranged based on first-stage results.

Opponents were pre-selected.

Otherwise, a fourth-tier candidate facing a sixth-tier would reveal nothing about the latter’s combat skills while leaving the former no room to perform.

This behind-the-scenes adjustment was benign, grouping examinees of similar strength together.

"Brother, I’m going to check my number. I’ll be right back!"

……

Soon, Liu Yuan confirmed her assigned identifier:

A-55.

Unlike the first stage, this number held a slight difference.

It placed her in Arena A, but she wasn’t the fifty-fifth to appear.

Instead, when the "random" draw landed on 55, she’d take the stage.

After a brief hesitation, she didn’t return to Su Qi.

Instead, she decided to scout the "exam grounds" early to avoid the embarrassment of getting lost at a critical moment.

When Liu Yuan arrived at Arena A:

At the center of the elevated platform, a massive electronic screen flickered to life.

Then, accompanied by pulsing electronic dance music, a group of young women in revealing outfits and bunny-ear headbands bounded onto the stage.

Bunny girls?

This opening ceremony was… unconventional.

The girls performed an energetic dance, movements synchronized, faces adorned with standardized sweet smiles.

No helping it…

Technically, martial exams shouldn’t be this "commercialized"…

But Jiangxia’s finances had always been tight…

And the exams themselves required massive funding, forcing them years ago to start "recouping costs" through such means…

Liu Yuan eyed the scantily clad, gyrating bunny girls and muttered under her breath, "Aren’t they cold dressed like that…?"

Unconsciously, she straightened her posture, lifting her small chest slightly.

Hmph. Her brother wouldn’t be interested in this type anyway.

……

Meanwhile, in the B-area lounge, Su Qi watched the livestream.

Alright, everyone! The arena trials are about to begin! Examinees, please prepare yourselves!

The lead bunny girl held a microphone, hopping lightly, her short tail swaying with each bounce.

Paired with fishnet stockings, the effect was eye-catching!

The audience erupted in cheers.

Suddenly, Su Qi sensed a murderous aura…

He looked up.

His silly little sister, back from checking her number, was glaring daggers.

Liu Yuan slapped a small hand over his phone screen. "No looking, brother!"

"Ahem, I was listening to the rules. I am technically a temporary proctor, after all."

Su Qi coughed awkwardly.

"Is that so?"