"Ah, it really has been a long time since we've played together! Let's finish the main storyline of 'Unparalleled Heroic Spirits' tonight!"

Having cleared another level, Ren Suo, legs crossed on the sofa, took a sip of juice and laughed cheerfully.

In the past few months, after buying the Hell 4PRO Gaming Console and a few games, he hadn't been playing much. This time, with his sister visiting, Ren Suo had gotten into the mood and had played games with her all afternoon.

This feeling of playing without considering the consequences and wholeheartedly enjoying the entertainment was liberating. Even blindly messing around could still allow his game character to dominate in the game world. This brought dopamine flooding to Ren Suo's idle brain, letting him enjoy the long-missed fun of gaming.

Even though Ren Suo himself hadn't realized it, he had started to treat the Mini-World Game Console as a job.

Indeed, he still felt the thrill of exploration and immersion while playing games. However, because the games of the Minor World were of great importance, Ren Suo had to be constantly on alert. He was afraid that a misstep might cause him to miss achievements and reduce his chances of completing the game.

There's nothing wrong with playing games seriously, but having to be serious all the time did make Ren Suo's spirit a bit tense.

Now, being able to play a graphically stunning, cool-effect-laden hack-and-slash game with his sister allowed Ren Suo to fully relax.

"Bro, you suck! You've died several times already, and it's my first time playing, yet I have to save you."

"Tsk, it's my first time playing too! Come on, come on, I'll show you what real skill is."

"Aren't we supposed to go to Sister Dong's house for dinner?" Ren Xingmei said with a smile. "Before I came over, Mom mentioned you must be surviving on instant noodles and takeout every day. I didn't expect you to have a small stove!"

While keeping his eyes on the screen, Ren Suo replied, "Ah, you come to Lianjiang so rarely. I want to take you to eat something delicious."

"But I haven't really enjoyed my years in Lianjiang either, just eating from the school cafeteria or grabbing a simple bowl of noodles."

"You've been working hard too, Bro," Ren Xingmei complimented him softly. "Did you sleep very late last night?"

Ren Suo sighed. "Yeah, I only went to bed at seven this morning."

"So, did you get up early today?"

"Nope. I was woken up by my alarm during lunch."

After clearing 'Mage Under the World Tree,' Ren Suo spent the entire next day in Cultivation, completely depleting the Energy of the 'Goddess Jade Pendant,' before slowly studying the Bond System. After all, the Bond System wasn't going anywhere, while the effects of the 'Goddess Jade Pendant' could dissipate at any moment.

Ren Xingmei took 0.3 seconds to calculate mentally: 19:00 to 12:00 (+1) = 17 hours.

Has this guy reverted to being a baby after going to university...?

"Then let's go." Ren Suo stretched, grabbed his keys and phone, and headed to the door first. "You don't need to bring anything."

"But... Bro, are you really just going to wear slippers? Aren't we going to Sister Dong's house?" Ren Xingmei looked at Ren Suo—sporting a hat, a white T-shirt, beach shorts, and flip-flops—her expression one of shock.

"What else?"

...

...

"Welcome."

Gu Yueyan opened the door with a smile on her face (though if Ren Suo had been alone, she might have only shown a frown). Her eyes lit up as she said, "Hey? Sister Xingmei, you look so cute."

Although Ren Xingmei was still wearing men's clothing, she had washed her hair and styled it before coming out. Standing next to Ren Suo, who was dressed in beach shorts and slippers, her delicateness was immediately pronounced.

"Thank you, but don't call me sister. We're about the same age; just call me Little Star," Ren Xingmei said, walking over and taking Gu Yueyan's hand with a smile. "You make it sound as if I'm older than you."

"No, I've just finished my second year of high school, and you're about to go to university," Gu Yueyan said, the corners of her mouth curling into a smile. "Being one year older still counts."

This young lady wouldn't happen to like my silly big brother, would she?

This tomboy wouldn't happen to have a brother complex, would she?

Ren Suo looked on, puzzled, as Gu Yueyan and Ren Xingmei hit it off. Spotting Lin Xianyu also present, he greeted her and asked, "Are you here to freeload a meal today as well?"

"Big Brother Ren, you sure used the word 'also' quite appropriately."

Lin Xianyu glanced at Gu Yueyan and Ren Xingmei, who were 'intimately interacting,' and asked curiously, "Big Brother Ren, are you that close with your sister? Normally, siblings at this age tend to be rather cold towards each other, right?"

"Hmm? We're alright," Ren Suo said, taking a seat. "We've been playing together since we were kids. When we had handheld consoles, my sister and I each had one and played multiplayer games. Later, when I got a computer, she insisted on playing games the two of us could play together, like Monopoly and similar titles. After I started high school, I only had weekends and holidays, but we would mostly play multiplayer games like 'League of Legends.'"

"I'm pretty bad at it, though. I keep hovering around Silver tier, but she made it to Diamond long ago and insists on boosting me."

Lin Xianyu exclaimed, "Little Star is a gaming ace!"

"Totally awesome!" Ren Suo gave a thumbs up, then turned his head towards Lin Xianyu. "By the way, Xiaoyu, is there anything you need my help with?"

"Is there anything I need your help with?" Lin Xianyu asked in surprise.

Ren Suo was momentarily stuck. He tried to think of what difficulties a high school girl might have, but since he had only ever helped Gu Yueyan, he suggested, "For example, accompanying you to places to have fun..."

Is this... another way of asking someone out on a date? Noticing Gu Yueyan's gaze, Lin Xianyu hurriedly waved her hands. "No, no, no, no, no—I'm not going to fall for your trick!"

Huh? Ren Suo was bewildered. Since Lin Xianyu wasn't willing, there was nothing he could do—Bonds couldn't be forced. They had to be mutual.

Ren Suo didn't mind. He had just acquired the Bond System and had plenty of time to study it. Besides, according to the Bond System's mechanics, Ren Suo didn't need to cast a wide net. A few high-level Bonds were sufficient for his needs.

The more Bonds he had, the more time he would have to spend on raising their Bond Levels. However, Ren Suo also needed time for Cultivation, playing games, and writing papers—where would he find so much time to socialize?

...

...

When dinner was served, it was a rare gathering of so many people: Ren Suo, Ren Xingmei, Lin Xianyu, Gu Yueyan, and Dong Chengling.

Originally, Ren Suo had intended to take his sister out to eat. However, before Dong Chengling left, she asked if they were coming for dinner that night. Ren Xingmei, sensing something, insisted on going with Ren Suo to Dong Chengling's place for dinner and even volunteered to cook herself.

"I only know how to cook some home-style dishes. I'm not sure if they'll taste good... I'm not very good at cooking either," Ren Xingmei said with a smile.

Gu Yueyan and the others tasted it and had to admit—it was delicious!

"Even better than what Teacher Dong makes!" Lin Xianyu timed her jab perfectly!

"Bro, what do you think? If someone has cooking skills like these, could she be your girlfriend?" Ren Xingmei asked cheerfully. She had been practicing cooking whenever she had free time, her skills even outdoing Ren's mother. Now, she believed, she had a firm chance to capture Ren Suo's stomach.

Ren Suo smacked his lips. His Bond Ability, 'Insight into the Mortal World,' had significantly enhanced his sense of taste. "Hmm, it's too sweet. Use one gram less sugar next time."

Ren Xingmei narrowed her eyes. I wasn't asking for your advice!

Having been a class leader for so many years, Gu Yueyan instantly sensed the hostility in Ren Xingmei's words and swiftly changed the subject. "Sister Xing, didn't you just finish your college entrance exams? How did it go?"

"I performed normally, so I'm quite satisfied," Ren Xingmei replied. "I was only 91 points above the first-tier university cut-off line, ranked ninth in the whole school."

Gu Yueyan forced a smile and shifted the topic again. "You must have studied really hard, right? Do you have any hobbies?"

"Not much in the way of hobbies. Apart from enjoying playing games with my brother, I also won first place in a school singing competition playing electric guitar, and I've written for magazines like 'Reader' in my spare time to earn some manuscript fees. I even volunteered at the subway for a few days before coming here," Ren Xingmei said with a chuckle.

Lin Xianyu was taken aback. "Cooking, studying, music, literature, and you're cute to boot... Are you two really siblings?"

"Of course we are!" Ren Suo moved his face next to Ren Xingmei's. "Do we look alike?"

"Well, you both have a pair of eyes."

"Right, and we both have a nose too."

After careful observation and serious consideration, Gu Yueyan and Lin Xianyu reached that conclusion.

"Shouldn't it be that the sister is cute and the brother is handsome?" Ren Suo tugged at the corner of his mouth.

At that moment, Ren Xingmei hugged Ren Suo's arm and laughed. "In my eyes, Big Brother is the most handsome and the best!"

So, you should all realize your inadequacy and then just get lost!

"Sister Xing, how long are you planning to stay here?" Gu Yueyan abruptly changed the subject. "You must have lots of activities planned for the summer holiday, right?"

"Just call me Little Star—I'm thinking of staying for a month or two. I'm done with my exams and have plenty of free time this summer," Ren Xingmei replied happily. "I plan to just follow my brother and have fun these days."

A month or two?

Dong Chengling appeared nonchalant, but Gu Yueyan and Lin Xianyu's expressions flickered. Ren Xingmei noted this and smiled secretly. Of course, she wouldn't really stay that long. If Ren Suo went out on a date, she'd find a way to get involved. By then, she could return home with a victor's smile and her prize, without even needing to actively cause trouble or ruin the atmosphere.

"What do you say, Bro—"

Ren Xingmei turned her head and saw Ren Suo crossing his arms in front of her.

"NO."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.