Gao Yang gently patted his sister’s head, full of affection. “Xinxin, I support you in your love for Lolita dresses and wanting to become an influencer, but it must remain a hobby. You mustn’t ever give up your studies, do you hear me?”

“But…”

“No buts! Dad doesn’t need to sell the house, and you don’t need to worry about money. I’ll figure something out.”

“What can you possibly do?” Gao Xinxin asked doubtfully.

What else could he do? Prince Kai’s family was rich, and Wu Dahai’s family was even wealthier. He could borrow some money from them, or see if they were willing to invest as shareholders, put some capital into Dad’s factory for cash flow. He would just work like a horse to pay them back later.

Gao Yang smiled. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Okay,” his sister relaxed a bit. She sat closer, resting her head on Gao Yang’s shoulder. “Brother, can I sleep here tonight?”

“No,” Gao Yang rejected her instantly.

“Why not? We used to sleep together all the time when we were little,” she pouted.

“That was when you were small. It’s different now,” Gao Yang said.

“But I’m a little scared,” her voice grew quieter, “Lately, I keep feeling like something’s off. I even had a nightmare last night... I dreamed you died.”

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“Why would I die? I’m perfectly fine,” Gao Yang chuckled.

“Dad was fine too, wasn’t he? And look what happened to him.”

“That was a rare accident. Our family’s had its share of bad luck already. We won’t be unlucky again,” Gao Yang reassured her. “Now go back to your room and get some sleep.”

“Alright, I’ll stay a little longer and then I’ll go.” Xinxin lingered, reluctant to leave.

Gao Yang didn’t rush her. He sat with her in silence. Earlier, he had found it strange that she knocked on his door, but now he realized that maybe she was just growing up.

After all, with everything the family had been through, it was only natural that she would be forced to mature.

Growth always happens in a single moment.

Suddenly, Gao Yang felt a pang of disorientation. Just two hours ago, he had been at the barbecue joint in Ten Dragons Village, discussing rune circuits, the World Fog, the Gate of the End, and the Crimson Tide with other Awakeners. Now, here he was, talking to his sister about their father’s accident, moving back to the countryside, and dropping out of school to work.

Sometimes, Gao Yang really couldn’t tell which “world” was real.

The siblings sat quietly for a few more minutes before Xinxin, with a sigh of resolution, stood up. “Alright, I’m going to bed.”

“Go on.”

As she headed for the door, Xinxin paused, her gaze falling on a sheet of A4 paper on Gao Yang’s desk. Though the room was dark, the moonlight from outside shone through the window, illuminating the corner of the paper.

—Damn! The Awakening Sequence List!

Panic surged through Gao Yang as he quickly stood up, pushing his sister toward the door. “Hurry up and go to sleep.”

“Oh,” Xinxin slowly walked out of the room.

Just as Gao Yang was about to close the door, his sister suddenly stopped and turned around, her face thoughtful.

“Something else?” Gao Yang grasped the door handle, trying to appear casual.

“Brother,” she stared at him, her clear eyes blinking with an eerie flicker, as if a hidden light source had been momentarily severed and reconnected, “When... did you awaken?”

Gao Yang’s heart clenched.

No!

No, no, no!

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!

……

【Beep——】

【Warning! You are in extreme danger】

【Luck point gain increased by 3000 times】