If she could, Shui Yue'er very much wanted to continue playing ostrich.
But she knew she couldn't hide her head in the sand forever.
Besides, since everything had already happened and been exposed, what she had to do now was find a way to gain her sister's approval—to become her sister's second younger sister.
Good sisters should stay together for a lifetime!
"I'm coming~"
Shui Yue'er answered softly, then got up from bed and opened the door.
Creak—
With a faint sound, the door swung open, and standing before her was her elder sister Shui Bing'er, face utterly expressionless.
Meeting her sister's cold gaze, Yue'er quickly lowered her head.
"Hmph—"
With a snort, Shui Bing'er walked into the room and shut the door behind her.
She said nothing, merely stared at her disobedient little sister.
She wanted to see what sort of explanation Yue'er could possibly give.
For a long while, no scolding came. Unable to resist, Yue'er stole a glance up at her sister.
But the moment she saw Bing'er still glaring, her heart flustered and she quickly lowered her head again.
"Raise your head. Look at me."
Bing'er's voice was flat.
"Oh~"
Yue'er responded softly, then summoned her courage to meet her sister's eyes.
"Tell me. What mistake have you made?"
Arms crossed over her chest, Shui Bing'er spoke with a calm tone.
At this moment, her head throbbed. How had her sister become so bold as to cook raw rice into cooked rice so directly?
Troublesome—far too troublesome!
After all, this was her blood sister. She couldn't bear to hit her. If anyone was to discipline her, it would have to be Father or Aunt—otherwise they might never remain true sisters again.
Scold her? But only if scolding would actually work!
She had noticed signs long ago that her sister's feelings weren't quite right. But she had brushed them off as mere girlish admiration, believing that with age, those feelings would fade.
Who could have imagined that her daring little sister would toss a bombshell like this—leaving her utterly stunned?
Look at the mess this troublesome girl had made! Disguising herself as her and sneaking into Mu Yang's bed?
Heavens! Even as the rightful girlfriend, she hadn't tasted it herself yet—yet her sister had beaten her to it. Was this something a person should do?!
If not for Yue'er being her own sister, Shui Bing'er would have long since turned her face against her.
Thump—
As soon as she finished speaking, Shui Yue'er dropped to her knees without hesitation, clutching Bing'er's arm and pleading:
"Sister, I was wrong! Please forgive Yue'er, alright?"
In that pitiful posture, she was like a wounded little beast.
Yue'er knew her sister's heart was soft. Playing the victim would surely help her through.
Seeing this, Bing'er couldn't keep a straight face any longer.
Since when had her sister become such a skilled actress?
"Stand up!"
With a stern expression, Bing'er pulled her sister up.
They were sisters—how could kneeling like this be acceptable?
Then Bing'er asked impatiently, "Yue'er, just what were you thinking?"
Yue'er rushed forward, hugging her sister tightly, cheek pressed to cheek. "Sister, you're Yue'er's dearest sister. Yue'er wants to stay with you forever, never parting."
Not mentioning Mu Yang, but only speaking of sisterly love—Yue'er inwardly gave herself a thumbs-up.
In order to win her sister's approval, she poured every ounce of her acting skill into play.
"Hmph~ As if I don't know you?"
Bing'er pushed her away with a dissatisfied snort, pressing her finger hard on Yue'er's forehead.
"I swear! Sister, don't let that rotten man affect our bond as sisters."
Yue'er declared with solemn determination.
Mu Yang: "…"
Secretly observing the scene with his spiritual sense, Mu Yang nearly burst out.
Rotten man? Was she talking about him? Tch~ Forget it. Best to pretend he hadn't heard.
Taking a deep breath, Shui Bing'er said: "Yue'er, search your heart. Has your sister ever wronged you? Whatever I had, did I ever give you less? I have always considered myself a good sister. And yet in the end, you… you… hmph!"
"... Sister, Yue'er was wrong. Please forgive me, I beg you. As long as you promise not to leave Yue'er, then in the future, if you tell me to go east, I'll never go west. If you tell me to catch a dog, I'll never chase a chicken!"
After some tugging back and forth, Yue'er once again hugged her sister, sobbing.
Black lines appeared on Bing'er's forehead.
In that moment, she couldn't help but wonder if her sister's trespass really did stem from an unwillingness to be apart from her in the future.
But regardless of reason, the deed was already done. More words were useless. Shui Bing'er decided, for now, not to pursue her sister's fault.
Of course, she wouldn't hold Yue'er accountable—but she did intend to settle the debt with Mu Yang.
She couldn't bear to strike her tender-skinned little sister. But Mu Yang? Him, she could beat as much as she pleased.
Anyway, his hide was tough. Even if she beat him to death's door, he wouldn't break.
Besides, from Bing'er's view, Mu Yang had taken the biggest advantage in this whole mess. Holding him accountable was hardly unfair.
So she said, "As for this matter, think carefully how you'll explain it to Father and Aunt."
"Oh~ I will."
Hearing this, Yue'er was overjoyed to realize her sister's resistance had softened—though she didn't show it on her face.
Their parents' opinion? That wasn't important. As long as she won over her sister, it would all work out.
Their eldest son-in-law doubling as their second—wasn't that family becoming even closer? And with Mu Yang being so outstanding, their parents surely wouldn't object. They might even be delighted.
After all, hadn't Father himself married both Aunt and Mother? Why then couldn't Mu Yang marry both sisters?
What Mu Yang didn't know was that it was precisely her father's precedent that emboldened Yue'er—and softened Bing'er's resistance.
"By the way, how were you able to disguise yourself as me?"
Bing'er asked curiously.
Shrinking her neck, Yue'er hesitated for a moment, then answered:
"Besides Nether Sea-Requiem, the Dolphin Skull Bone has another hundred-thousand-year ability called 'Simulation.'
By using Simulation, one can alter their aura and appearance, and even partially change martial spirit and spirit ring years. However, it doesn't change the essence, and cannot be used to increase strength."
"So that means… from the moment you gained the Skull Bone, you already planned this?"
Bing'er's tone turned sharp.
She knew it! Why else would Yue'er have hidden this 'Simulation' ability from her? Clearly she had premeditated everything!
"N-no~ Sister, don't be angry. Yue'er will massage your shoulders and legs for you."
Yue'er hurriedly denied it, showering her sister with flattery.