Shen Nian raised his hand, the "Tears of Clouds and Sea" on his wrist glittering under the light. A trinket worth a couple of yuan, yet it seemed to hold an entire sky of blue inside.
The little thing was actually quite pretty.
Was Yanchun declaring her territory?
Those young couples, they just love putting one of these hair ties on the guy's wrist, telling other girls this flower is already picked.
Shen Nian gently tapped the girl's nose. "I won't take it off tomorrow either. I'll wear it to school."
"You can't." Xia Yanchun puffed out her cheeks. "Wearing it out would let others know!"
"Who would know this thing is yours?"
"Ugh, just no. If you dare wear it out, I'll beat you to death."
Xia Yanchun pulled up the quilt a bit and snuggled closer to Shen Nian's arm. "No arguing. Hurry up and watch the online lecture. Let's find one on the toughest physics problems."
Shen Nian didn't argue with her. He'd let her think what she wanted. Whatever Yanchun said was right.
Shen Nian had already taken Shen Yue's tablet earlier. He searched for an online lecture on the toughest physics problems, switched to landscape mode, and watched it together with Xia Yanchun.
When he took time off, he really would study. Even if he didn't, Xia Yanchun would.
The physics lecture was taught by a middle-aged, balding uncle in a short-sleeve shirt tucked into his belt—the kind that just screams authority at first glance.
The online course was part of a set. Having watched the math lectures, he knew this series was high-quality. On nights without a specific review goal, he'd watch these. Some of the problem-solving approaches were quite unique, helpful even for students who usually scored around 645-650.
Watching lectures was still studying. Shen Nian usually took notes in a notebook. Now, lying here watching with Xia Yanchun, there was no notebook, no pen. It was called studying, yet it didn't look like studying at all, but it genuinely was.
Studying should have the proper demeanor, so Shen Nian reached over, grabbed the scratch pad from the table, and shoved it into Xia Yanchun's hand. "You take the notes, got it?"
"What? Why should I be the one..."
"This is a course I searched for ages, begged all over the place to get. Most people have to pay for it. I'm letting you watch for free, and you're not even willing to take a few notes?"
Thinking about it, that seemed fair. Xia Yanchun fell silent, propped herself up halfway, placed the pad on her lap, picked up a pencil, and jotted down points whenever she heard something interesting.
They even had to rewind for explanations of the toughest problem types.
"What an amazing teacher..." Xia Yanchun murmured in admiration.
"Of course. I wouldn't let just anyone watch this."
"Then what am I to you?" Xia Yanchun glanced back at him, blinking, her meaning clear.
You'll say those two words, right?
Compared to demanding Shen Nian call her 'sis,' she still hoped more to hear him say it voluntarily, like he did when they were little.
"You're Miss Grass by the Moat." Shen Nian grinned.
"What kind of nonsense is that? Ugh." Xia Yanchun rolled her eyes beautifully, her hopes dashed, and went back to watching the lecture.
"How deep is your obsession with me calling you 'sis'? It's practically turned into a vengeful spirit."
"It's because you never learn. If you called me that often, would I want to hear it so much?"
"Actually, I'd like to hear you call me 'dad' too..."
"Say one more word and I'll beat you to death."
"Ahem, just kidding, haha. Yanchun is the best. Snuggle snuggle."
The girl was only wearing pajamas, sitting up halfway. Her hair fell naturally, just a bit past her shoulders, not reaching her shoulder blades. At this length, she could tie a small ponytail at the back of her head.
She had always worn her hair like this, no special styling, just combed smooth and kept neat. She'd maintained it for so many years, and Shen Nian had happily played with that little ponytail of hers for just as many years.
Shen Nian twirled his fingers, as if their tips were now tinged with her scent.
"Did you wash your hair today?"
"Yeah. Do I have dandruff?"
"No."
Shen Nian tried to gather her hair, mimicking the memory, using two fingers as a makeshift hair tie to create the little ponytail she liked best.
"What are you doing..."
"Learning how to tie hair. For tying yours in the future."
"Completely unnecessary, okay? It's not like my hands or feet are broken."
"Are we even talking about the same thing? Don't you think having someone tie your hair for you is romantic?"
"Meh. You said you'd tie my hair before. I turned my back to you, full of happy anticipation, and you took the chance to yank my hair and hit me."
Shen Nian couldn't hold back a laugh after hearing that. Back in their childhood days of mutual hatred and warfare, they never held back. My apologies.
After all, it was pure loathing back then.
Would you be nice to a woman who forced you to call her 'sis,' ordered you to do chores, made you take the blame when she caused trouble, constantly came over to steal your spot on the bed, or just randomly punched you, kicked you, pulled your pants down, and had no blood relation to you whatsoever?
Back then, if he saw Xia Yanchun trip, he'd have been eager to give her a couple of kicks for good measure.
Shen Nian felt that not beating up Xia Yanchun now was a testament to his handsome looks and kind heart. If the Leshan Giant Buddha knew about his situation, it would vacate its spot for him overnight.
No arguments!
Liking Yanchun now after being bullied like that as a kid?
Shen Nian felt a bit off. Could he be a hidden masochist?
Haha, definitely not. It must be Stockholm Syndrome, right? Masochism, what's that...
He glanced at the sweet-smelling Yanchun, then at his own large hand resting on her shoulder, and chuckled softly.
Who would have thought that two people who used to fight fiercely and look down on each other would now be sitting on the same bed, feet touching, studying together.
"I won't hit you now, don't worry. I'm a good person."
"Don't believe you. You say you'll beat me every day."
"Keep yapping and I really will hit you."
"See! See what I mean!"
Shen Nian continued fiddling with her hair, finally using the hair tie on his own wrist to secure it.
It took three or four loops of the hair tie to gather her hair. Though a bit messy, he managed to create the little ponytail.
Shen Nian instinctively gave it a flick. That felt right.
"Stop fidgeting." Xia Yanchun, slightly annoyed, paused the video, reached up to pull off the hair tie, then grabbed Shen Nian's hand and slipped the tie back onto his wrist. "I told you not to take it off."
"Fine, I won't take it off."
"Why do you keep bothering me? Are we watching the lecture or not? It's all your fault." Xia Yanchun grumbled as she dragged the progress bar back a bit.
"This is the problem type I'm best at. I specifically picked it for you to watch."
"You're that thoughtful?"
"Absolutely. Considering how thoughtful I am, can we sleep together tonight?"
Under the invisible cover of the quilt, Xia Yanchun's toes pinched the top of Shen Nian's foot.
"Since you want it so much... I'll indulge you for just tonight."
Yanxi reminds you: Due to Tomato's request for over 3 million daily visits causing excessive server pressure, it is now recommended that you use sources from other big platforms.

tions: attribute allocation, analysis, proficiency, and simulation. Specializing in mechanical alchemy, from crafting sorcerous battle armor to handcrafting mechanical maidens, his mechanical legion conquers endless realms... Relying on his wits, he begins with a student-teacher romance, wins over a female director, enslaves a female assassin and a underworld queen, becoming the husband of a Grand Duchess... He enslaves the Goddess of Magic from the divine realm, developing his power simultaneously in both the Wizard World and the Realm of Gods...

rowess are unmatched, commanding a million-strong army! Yet, the Emperor wants to depose him for the sake of a false prince? Hold on, are you throwing me into some female-oriented romance plot? How can I tolerate this? With a grand wave of his hand—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! Slander the Emperor? Very well, all of you shall die! ... The False Prince: "Although I am not the biological son, Father and Mother love me more. The throne should be mine!" The Female Lead: "Qin Xiao, you are the Emperor, and I am a commoner. If you wish to marry me, you must abdicate. Otherwise, you will never have me!" The Empress: "After we divorce, you must give me half the empire!" The Transmigrator Consort: "You worthless Emperor, why should I kneel to you? All men are equal—I advise you to be kind!" The Great General: "The enemy general is my childhood sweetheart. For her sake, I willingly abandon the frontier defenses!" The Retired Emperor: "Although Yu'er was adopted, I prefer him. Qin Xiao, you should abdicate and let him become Emperor!" ... Very well! So this is how you want to play? Facing this twisted world of female-oriented tropes, Qin Xiao grins and raises his hand to unleash—the Nine Clan Extraction Technique! I am the Emperor. Why would I bother reasoning with you? Seal the gates! Leave none alive!

ine. During your journey, you save an abandoned baby girl and become her elder brother】 【You rely on each other, becoming each other's support】 【At the end of the simulation, you shield the now-grown girl with your life, sacrificing yourself to block numerous demonic cultivators. You die, and the light in the girl's eyes fades】 …… 【Second Simulation: You are transported to a world where steam and magic coexist】 【You immerse yourself in the study of magic, obsessed with its research. One day, while out, you encounter a half-blooded demon girl wandering the streets. You take her in as your student】 【You teach the demoness what it means to be human, show her the beauty of the world, and nurture her into a miracle that surpasses even the gods】 【At the end of the simulation, you die of old age in front of the nearly immortal demoness due to your mortal lifespan】 …… One simulation after another, one encounter after another. Xu Xi suddenly felt something was off: "Wait, you said you're coming to the real world to find me?"

young master of the Shen family—a figure of immense power and wealth beyond measure—and awakened the "Destined Ultimate Villain System"! His starting scenario? Running into his icy fiancée who shows up with a mountain-descending divine doctor to break off their engagement. The divine doctor arrogantly taunts: "What does your Shen family have besides a bit of stinking money? You're not even worthy of tying Qingxue's shoelaces!" Shen Fei just smiled. He completely defied the usual script: "Fine, I agree to break off the engagement. Also, notify the finance department to withdraw all investments from the Su family." Minutes later, with its capital chain severed, the Su Group teetered on the brink of bankruptcy! The once aloof and proud ice queen CEO was thrown into utter panic. That very night, she went to Shen Fei's villa, casting aside all dignity to beg and plead desperately... From then on, in this world teeming with Sons of Destiny, Shen Fei embarked on a path of extreme dimensional suppression! A mountain-descending divine doctor? Peerless medical skills? Shen Fei: "Reporting you for practicing medicine without a license! I'll gladly take your ancient medicinal cauldron and twin sister assassins." The Crooked-Smiling Dragon King? Commanding a hundred thousand soldiers with a single order? Shen Fei: "Illegal assembly and suspected treason! Let a fleet of attack helicopters sanitize the area and teach you what the state apparatus really means!" A reborn tycoon? Knows all the golden opportunities of the next decade? Shen Fei: "A trillion in capital to reverse and pump the stock market, making you blow your margin and jump on the very first day of your rebirth!" What Chosen Ones? What bearers of Heavenly Fortune? In Shen Fei's eyes, they're all just chives (i.e., suckers/marks) waiting to be harvested! Shen Fei: "Sorry, but as the Destined Ultimate Villain, I don't play by the rules of honor. I only play the game of dimensional suppression."