Xinxin froze, then looked at him with newfound admiration. “Wow, how did you know what I was going to say! And you even know about influencers? My brother’s come a long way!”

“Please, I can read you like an open book.”

“Get lost! Fairies don’t pass gas!” Xinxin laughed at her own words.

Gaoyang chuckled on the outside, but unease tugged at him within. A mere nightmare, yet he’d somehow played the prophet. Fortunately, he’d burned that list this morning, though he couldn’t remember everything in it. The system would continue to monitor and store data on its own.

“You loved roasted sweet potatoes every winter as a kid, and those made you the queen of farts. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten?”

“I’m not listening! I’ll kill you!” she shrieked, chasing after him in mock fury.

As they were fooling around, a voice interrupted.

“Gaoyang.”

Turning, Gaoyang saw a girl with a short ponytail, wearing a beige off-shoulder sweater, faded cropped jeans, white sneakers, and a cute bear backpack. Her bright smile and fresh appearance made her look like the epitome of a college girl.

It took him a moment to recognize her—it was Baitu. He was taken aback; her whole aura transformed with this new style.

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“Wow, so you’re really here!” Baitu approached him. “I heard your dad was hospitalized, and I just finished work nearby, so I thought I’d stop by.”

“Oh… yes,” Gaoyang replied vaguely.

“And who might this be?” Baitu tilted her head toward Xinxin.

“I’m his sister,” Xinxin replied, slightly annoyed. She never liked girls who got too close to her brother. “And you are?”

“I’m your brother’s senior from high school, now a first-year in college.” Baitu extended her hand with a grin. “You can call me Sister Baitu.”

“Weird name.” Xinxin eyed her skeptically. “Are you and my brother close? He’s never mentioned you.”

“Oh, really?” Baitu feigned a wounded look, throwing Gaoyang a glance. “Maybe he has too many girls around him. I thought I was different, but I guess I was just being foolish.”

Gaoyang gaped. “Wait, when did I ever—”

“Gaoyang!” Xinxin fumed. “How many female friends do you actually have? First, it was that big-breasted classmate, now it’s some senior…”

“What? Big-breasted? A hotel room?” Baitu gasped in exaggerated horror. “Gaoyang! You told me you couldn’t stand big chests, that you only liked my modest—”

“Gaoyang, go die!”

“You scumbag! Go to hell!”

Gaoyang’s heart cried out in despair: Help me! Women are terrifying!

…

Ten minutes later, sporting a massive black eye, Gaoyang walked out of the hospital with Baitu. She was still laughing. “That was priceless!”

“Please just call next time. I beg you, no more of this.”

“Your sister’s adorable.” Baitu clasped her hands behind her, skipping ahead. “Is she human, or is she a little angel?”

“No idea,” Gaoyang replied.

“Our organization has ways to identify human from beast. Want me to pull some strings?”

“No need.” Gaoyang turned serious. “Even if you find out, don’t tell me. I don’t care.”

A glint of sympathy flickered in Baitu’s eyes. “Not caring, or caring too much?”

She shrugged and sighed. “As a career mentor, here’s my advice: whatever you care about, don’t let it show too openly. Your weakness will one day be your downfall. Got it?”

“Got it.” Gaoyang shifted the subject. “Why are you here, anyway?”

“To take you to the company for your new hire orientation.”