Lao Si: Give you a kick.

Young Master Cao had just returned home.

It was already quite late, and only The Fourth remained in the living room, watching TV.

How comfortable life was for The Fourth.

Watching variety shows, movies, dramas, listening to music—all while supposedly "improving professional skills."

What a cushy way to study!

It made Young Master Cao a little envious and resentful. Here he was, running around all day to earn money or drowning in social engagements, while The Fourth got to lounge at home and enjoy life?

Why?

Answer me!

Lookyeyes!

Cao Cheng changed his shoes and flopped onto the sofa.

The leather couch shuddered, then sank under his weight, pressing the two of them together.

"Eww—"

The Fourth wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"What's that smell?"

"You reek of vixen."

"Go take a shower."

The air grew thick with jealousy.

Young Master Cao, however, lifted his arm and sniffed it deliberately, feigning confusion. "Smell? What smell?"

"Nothing, right?"

"I didn't even get close to any girls today. Where would vixen scent come from?"

"Besides, I don't smell any vixen—just a strong whiff of vinegar."

"Did we have dumplings for dinner?"

Cao Cheng smirked at The Fourth.

She wasn’t fooled—this brat was clearly provoking her on purpose.

Dumplings?

I’ll give you dumplings.

How about a kick instead?

The Fourth raised her leg and aimed a swift kick at Cao Cheng.

Most men would’ve coughed up a lung from that.

But Young Master Cao was a gentleman, after all.

In one smooth motion, he caught her by the ankle.

Right in front of his face was the sole of her foot—pale, slightly flushed, with delicate creases.

Quite pretty, actually.

Except…

The pose was a little indecent.

Cao Cheng gave the sole a sharp slap—smack!

The Fourth shuddered.

That slap only fueled her anger. She yanked her foot back violently, but couldn’t break free.

Giving up, she left her ankle in his grip and instead swung her other leg into a scissor lock, aiming straight for Young Master Cao’s neck—

And just like that, they were brawling.

Brawling!!

But The Fourth was no match for Young Master Cao. With too many weak spots, she kept getting grabbed where it hurt.

Poked where it stung.

Soon enough, she was pinned.

Her wrists were clamped together in one of his hands, forced above her head—utterly helpless.

Cao Cheng loomed over her, face-to-face.

Close enough to feel each other’s breath.

The Fourth’s cheeks burned—whether from fury, embarrassment, or exhaustion after the fight, it was hard to tell.

Her breathing grew heavy.

……

The whole scuffle had been oddly quiet, as if both were careful not to wake the sleeping "little gas tank" or disturb the others who’d already retreated to their rooms.

Even the housekeepers had turned in for the night.

At this hour,

the living room belonged only to them.

"Let me go," The Fourth hissed through gritted teeth.

"No way. You started it," Cao Cheng taunted with a grin.

With her hands trapped above her head, she couldn’t fight back.

Glaring at Fifth Brother’s smug face, she spat, "I won’t hit you again. Now let go."

"Your promises mean nothing. Unless… you call me ‘big brother.’"

"Ugh—dream on, you little brat."

"Oh-ho? Still so stubborn?" Cao Cheng tightened his grip on her wrists.

"I admire that fearless attitude. Don’t blame me when I bring out the big guns."

With one hand still pinning her, he raised the other—slowly, deliberately—and let it hover near her waist.

The slower his movements,

the more it made her tremble.

"Little brat... if you dare poke my waist, I won't let you off easy." The Fourth panicked, as her waist was her most vulnerable spot.

"Oh really? Then let’s see how you won’t let me off, heh... hehehe..." Cao Cheng smirked like a smug villain.

The Fourth instantly began thrashing wildly.

But her hands were pinned.

Her body was immobilized.

She was completely outmatched, unable to move a muscle.

At the critical moment, The Fourth cried out, "I was wrong..."

She chickened out in the end.

Cao Cheng stopped, grinning. "As the old saying goes, a wise man submits to circumstances. You’re being very sensible now. Come on, call me 'brother.'"

"You let me go first, then I’ll call you," The Fourth tried to bargain slyly.

"You think I’m stupid?" Cao Cheng glared.

"How could I dare think that? Everyone knows Young Master Cao is the master of schemes—ordinary people don’t stand a chance against you." The Fourth 'praised,' though her tone was anything but complimentary.

"Mocking me? Are you mocking me?"

"Oh, you actually noticed? How clever of you." The Fourth snorted.

"Alright, alright, Fourth, I have to admit, you’ve got backbone. Let’s see how long that mouth of yours stays tough." Cao Cheng laughed in exasperation.

Then he jabbed her vulnerable waist.

"Ahahaha—!"

"Still talking tough?"

"Ahaha—! S-stop, let go...!"

"I asked you a question. Still being stubborn?"

"No, no! I’m not! I’m not tough anymore! Hahaha—let go...!"

A long while later...

The Fourth’s hair was disheveled.

She lay limp, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Her beautiful eyes still held a trace of anger and resentment.

This was bullying.

Utterly humiliating.

......

Then—

Cao Cheng suddenly released her and sat aside.

The Fourth’s eyes lit up—her chance for revenge had come.

She sprang up.

But Cao Cheng spoke first: "Someone’s coming downstairs."

"Uh—"

Her movement froze.

The Fourth hurriedly straightened her messy nightgown and hair before sitting primly beside him.

Just as she settled—

Eldest Sister descended.

Holding a coffee cup, she was clearly down for a refill.

Or perhaps she’d heard some commotion.

Spotting Young Master Cao and The Fourth sitting stiffly and watching TV, Eldest Sister narrowed her eyes. "What’s going on with you two?"

The Fourth feigned innocence. "Huh? What do you mean?"

Eldest Sister glanced between them, puzzled. "Normally, you’re either fighting or glued together. Why are you sitting so far apart now? Did you have a fight?"

"......"

"......"

Truly, Eldest Sister was observant.

She noticed the difference right away.

But then—

Another possibility occurred to her: maybe they were sitting apart on purpose, putting on a show.

Which meant... something had happened between them?

Eldest Sister’s heart skipped a beat. No way!

What about Second Sister then...?

Luckily, before she could dwell on it, The Fourth—ever quick-witted—scowled in disgust. "It’s all his fault. He just got back reeking of alcohol and women. I told him to go shower, but he refused. No way I’m sitting next to him like this."

Eldest Sister understood.

That made sense.

After all, she’d seen online—Cao Cheng had posted photos dining with girls earlier. Coming back smelling of booze and perfume was only natural.

Besides, Eldest Sister didn’t overthink it.

Since Fifth Brother had shared those photos, it was unlikely anything shady had happened with those girls.

And it was still early!

If something had really gone down, Fifth Brother wouldn’t have come home at all.

At this thought,

Eldest Sister didn't overthink it and casually asked, "Want some tea? It’ll help sober you up."

"Thanks, Eldest Sister."

"Don’t thank me. If you want tea, make it yourself." She shot him a glance and turned to walk toward the bar counter.

Cao Cheng chuckled. "Wait, you’re not helping me? Then why even ask? And what’s this—am I not the favorite anymore? Now that there’s a sixth sibling, Fifth Brother doesn’t matter? Eldest Sister, you’ve changed."

"Hah." Eldest Sister let out a light laugh.

Soon after,

Eldest Sister took her coffee upstairs to work overtime.

Overtime nowadays wasn’t the same as before.

In the past, it was just depression.

A waste of time, endlessly reorganizing things that had already been sorted countless times.

But now,

Overtime actually meant there might be a real project or something urgent to follow up on.

And it wasn’t an everyday thing—just occasional.

Most nights, Eldest Sister either played with the kids, read random books, or caught up on the news.

Lately, with the groundbreaking of the Miracle·Global One project, being busy was understandable.

As soon as Eldest Sister left,

Just as she reached the upstairs,

Someone pressed up behind Young Master Cao, their slender arms locking around his neck and pulling him back.

The Fourth snickered, "Got you now, little brother. Admit defeat?"

Cao Cheng felt the pressure against his back.

His heart skipped a beat.

Hah—

What can I say?

Actually, better not say it.

Or it’ll get censored.

Just feel it yourself.

……

Truth be told,

With Cao Cheng’s peak human physique, he could overpower a hundred of The Fourth with one hand.

There was no way she’d stand a chance.

But,

This wasn’t a real fight—just playful banter, and Cao Cheng was humoring her.

This ambush by The Fourth was a complete victory.

It ended with Young Master Cao surrendering.

The Fourth was delighted.

Giggling smugly.

Cao Cheng shook his head with a smile. This girl was easy to please.

Meanwhile,

The variety show Great Detective was still playing on TV.

The Fourth poured two glasses of fresh juice and sat down beside him.

"I used to think Lin Zhi was just a clever girl good at pouring tea and fetching water—maybe decent at dancing, enough to be a center stage performer."

"But now, it seems she’s actually got some talent. Her showmanship is solid, and she’s got great screen presence."

"Plus, she’s been promoted so quickly. Going from nothing to a second-tier variety star in such a short time—I didn’t see that coming."

"She deserves the fame."

It was hard to tell whether The Fourth’s words were praise or sarcasm.

Either way, there was a hint of jealousy.

Which made sense.

Back when Cao Cheng was at the eco-park, Lin Zhi had always been around… serving him.

Clearly a girl with ambitions.

But jealous or not, The Fourth had to admit Lin Zhi’s performance on the show was genuinely impressive.

Aside from the first few episodes, where Lin Zhi relied on her looks to stand out—coming off a bit like a vase—

Gradually,

Whether she loosened up or learned the ropes,

She quickly developed what you’d call ‘variety sense,’ creating her own moments on the show.

Especially with the guidance and cooperation of Teacher Sa and Teacher He, Lin Zhi managed to catch the jokes and steer conversations—no easy feat.

Insiders recognize the craft.

Nowadays, The Fourth was undeniably an insider in the entertainment industry, no longer the clueless girl she once was.

So she knew—Lin Zhi’s learning ability was remarkable, with real intuition.

In just a month, she’d fully integrated into the show.

Even with the guidance of Teacher Sa and Teacher He, this still requires natural talent.