Didn't you go to Teyvat to earn money to support me?

Shen Liang wanted to hit someone!

"Or are you going to stay in your room..." Anna belatedly realized, "Oh, little Pandora, you didn't bring a bottle, did you? I'll go find one, um..."

She suddenly blushed again.

Shen Liang knew what she was thinking without even having to guess, and her face darkened.

“That’s the downside of guest rooms… I’ll inform my family and have them build you a separate indoor bathroom, but it will probably take about a week. Pandora, please bear with it until then.” Anna quickly opened the door, peeked out, and only after seeing that no one was there did she cautiously say, “I’ll take you to the bathroom. Don’t worry, I’ll watch the door for you.”

This is the only way now.

Although they were at home, Anna, dressed in a little dress, and Shen Liang, dressed in a formal shirt, still sneaked into the water room like two little thieves.

There were three small stalls in the washroom; that was the women's restroom. Shen Liang impatiently pushed open the restroom door. Having held it in for nearly six hours, he didn't care even if Anna was behind him; he felt like he was about to get cystitis.

"You go in first, I'll close the door and not let anyone in," Anna said earnestly to Shen Liang. "That way, no one will know you went into the women's restroom."

"Thank you so much, Anna, for your oversight."

Anna smiled, turned around, and prepared to close the door and stand guard outside the washroom, acting as a doorman.

Then, the instant she stepped out of the door, she swiftly retreated, slamming the door shut and locking it!

"Hey Anna, why do you run away as soon as you see me?"

That was Kiana's confused voice.

"Open the door! Don't joke with me, I really need to use the restroom!"

At that moment, Anna's pupils dilated as she leaned against the bathroom door. With her A-level Valkyrie's five senses, she even seemed to hear the sound of Shen Liang running water in the women's restroom change for a second.

—How could it be such a coincidence!

—And of all times, it had to be Kiana!

----------

Kiana, whose long, snow-white hair swept across her slender thighs encased in gray athletic tights, paced anxiously outside the washroom after finishing her run, knocking on the door as she did so.

Five minutes had passed, and Kiana could sense that Anna was right behind the door. She hadn't gone to the toilet or washed up in the washroom, and even the guest rooms had washrooms... So her behavior of not letting herself in was extremely suspicious, so suspicious that Kiana couldn't help but suspect that something had happened to Anna inside.

So she was even less able to leave.

Frowning, Kiana knocked again. "Anna, what are you doing in there? Hehe, what are you doing... something you're up to?"

She was actually trying to lighten the mood with these ambiguous and teasing words, but Anna, who was behind the door, was already covered in cold sweat and her face turned pale when she heard them.

"Why is Senior Sister here?" Shen Liang, who had already zipped up her pants and stepped out, asked in a low voice, her expression grim. "Doesn't her bedroom have a toilet?"

“The second young lady’s bedroom is also on this floor. She probably just came back from her night run, so she chose the one closest to her.” Anna also whispered. “She’s quite outgoing and likes to take a shower in the washroom before going back.”

"Isn't this water room supposed to provide hot water for every floor? Why are you taking a shower in a public place like this?"

"The second young lady is indeed quite outgoing! She never minds being seen by other girls, and although it's a public place, there are no men in the castle... People are usually together in the bathhouse, so maybe the second young lady doesn't feel embarrassed."

Shen Liang pondered that Kiana was indeed that kind of person; she even had a bit of a roguish streak in her nature. Let alone being seen taking a bath by other girls, given her indiscriminate aesthetic sense—she'd accept anyone as long as they were pretty—she might even secretly be excited if a beautiful girl from the Shaniat family saw her.

Just like how she didn't mind that Shen Liang almost saw her.

Anyone who is pretty and cute enough is probably just another piece of meat on the chopping board in Kiana's eyes.

Shen Liang walked to the window and looked out. Below, several girls with parasols were having afternoon tea on the grass.

“Climbing out the window? Impossible. The Shaniat family are all Valkyries. They’ll notice any strange noises you make very quickly. Besides, if the castle’s security cameras find out, you might not be able to explain yourself,” Anna said quickly. “If they misunderstand and think Pandora is spying on the women’s restroom, that would be a really serious matter.”

“Then let’s just go out and explain things clearly.” Shen Liang calmed down and said, “Kiana doesn’t have much patience. If we wait any longer, she might think you’re having a sudden urge to cut your wrists in the washroom. This door won’t stop her.”

“But…” Anna said with some annoyance, “Why did I accidentally run in here in my panic?”

"What's the difference between you coming in and being outside? It's also suspicious that you were dragging your time out by chatting with your senior sister outside."

“No, it’s still a little different.” Anna hesitated before continuing.

Shen Liang glanced at her, thought for a moment and roughly understood, "Sister Anna, do you think it's hard to explain since we're both in the bathroom? Don't worry, my senior sister is a very easygoing person. As long as you explain it clearly, she won't suspect anything."

Anna lowered her head, her slender fingers gently scratching the lace trim on the top of her right stocking. For some reason, hearing Shen Liang's words stirred a subtle emotion within her.

It sounded like anger.

"There are rumors circulating outside that you and the second young lady have some kind of ambiguous relationship. Won't that make her jealous?"

Shen Liang didn't know how to answer, so he could only vaguely say, "My relationship with Senior Sister Kiana is not at that level yet."

“Good friends, huh? It’s so nice to be good friends,” Anna said softly. “You two trust each other completely, you’re like brothers and sisters. If you really get married in the future, you’ll definitely be a model couple, right?”

Shen Liang didn't quite understand what she was suddenly saying, but perhaps it was just the chaotic state of mind of a young girl suddenly being engaged; her inexplicable sentimentality was understandable. He didn't delve into it, and besides, there was no time to do so now.

"Anna! Say something! Bang bang bang!" Kiana, already extremely suspicious, began pounding on the door in a fit of rage.

Shen Liang was about to open the door when he saw Anna squat down.

"Water splashed on your pants, it looks like you peed your pants, not very elegant." Anna straightened the hem of his shirt and chuckled. "You should try to cover it up better."

Shen Liang pulled up her clothes to cover her waistband, and at that moment, the door opened.

The boy seemed not to have reacted, standing there staring at Kiana as she walked in. The white-fuzzy ball of fur wanted to ask Anna a question, but then Shen Liang came into view, which also startled her.

Then he gasped.

Perhaps Shen Liang didn't realize what was happening, but in Kiana's eyes, the scene before her eyes completely exceeded her imagination.

The handsome boy stood there, pulling up his pants. A stunningly beautiful girl, a little older than him, squatted in front of him. She seemed to have just finished tidying something, as there were still obvious water stains on her clothes.

She had just noticed the door bolt was open, so she simply pushed the door open and came in. She had considered many possibilities for Anna's unusual behavior, but this was the one she hadn't thought of.

Then she saw Anna pull a pale purple napkin from her pocket and awkwardly wipe her mouth.

Make a barely noticeable swallowing motion.

He avoided her gaze and looked away in shame.

Kiana felt like her brain was on fire.

A surge of anger welled up within her, though she herself didn't know where it came from. She glared fiercely at Shen Liang, who appeared completely harmless and seemingly unaware of what was happening, and gritted her teeth, saying, "Junior brother, I need an explanation from you!"

"I'm here to use the restroom, but since it's the women's restroom, I'd like to ask Anna to keep watch and prevent outsiders from coming in," Shen Liang said without any qualms. "Don't misunderstand Anna and me, you can watch the video."

"How could there be a camera in the bathroom? What do you want me to see?!" Kiana cracked her knuckles, her face contorted with rage at being cuckolded. "Shen Liang! Do you think I'd believe such a ridiculous reason?! You're a man, aren't you afraid of being watched?!"

“Your statement does not conform to the logic of gender equality, and regardless of whether I am looking at others or others are looking at me, according to German law, I am committing the crime of indecent assault,” Shen Liang explained calmly.

"Well done, junior brother! You truly are worthy of being Kiana's junior brother. You've really mastered your senior sister's flirting skills!" Kiana's incredulous gaze darted between him and Anna, her hair practically standing on end in anger. "You actually laid a hand on Anna! And this is only your first day at the Shaniat family!"

“It’s past midnight, it’s the next day now.” Shen Liang retorted as usual before frowning and looking at the white fluffy ball with a puzzled expression. “I don’t remember you being such an unreasonable person, Senior Sister. What are you angry about… Could it be that you’re on your period?”

"How did you know I was here today..." Kiana realized her slip of the tongue and stomped her foot angrily. "Junior brother! A rabbit doesn't eat the grass near its burrow, and besides, aren't I closer to the burrow? You...you came to find me! What are you doing messing with Sister Anna? You you you you...you're going to make me so angry!"

Faced with a bewildered Shen Liang and a "ashamed" Anna, Kiana could no longer maintain her composure. Frustrated and aggrieved, she rushed forward and delivered a powerful punch to Shen Liang's chest, then ran away with a sob in her voice.

"I...you!" This was quite a blow. Shen Liang clutched his chest and squatted down, taking a while to recover.

However, compared to the harsh blow, Shen Liang was more surprised by Kiana's inexplicable reaction. "Senior sister is really on her period today. She's completely unreasonable... Why is she crying when she hit me?"

The melancholy girl with chestnut hair glanced at Shen Liang, and after realizing that Shen Liang hadn't noticed her little actions, she remained silent for a while.

“It’s alright. Miss will figure it out herself later. She really was wrong. You two will still be close siblings. I predict she’ll figure it out within two hours.” Anna looked at him, a tired smile appearing on her face. “So cute, little Pandora.”

"Are all the Shaniat family riddle people?" After struggling for a while, Shen Liang decided to give up trying to understand what Kiana and Anna were talking about. Long mouths are for communication, can't they stop saying ambiguous things?

"Never mind, my senior sister's thinking is always so unpredictable. You can't follow her train of thought. She's just like my sister, impossible to understand." Shen Liang shrugged. "As for Anna, I'll be at your engagement party next week, right? I remember. We're comrades-in-arms, after all, and now we're like siblings."

“Mmm,” Anna said softly.

“Be brave and pursue your own happiness, Anna.” Shen Liang patted her shoulder. “I can see you’re hesitant. There’s nothing to hesitate about. If you have any thoughts or plans in your heart, just do them. You come from a good family, your parents are open-minded, and you’re carefree. Don’t think of yourself as some rich heiress who’s married for personal gain. Be more direct and decisive, and don’t care what others think.”

Anna, who was surprised by Shen Liang's sudden burst of energy, looked up.

Shen Liang laughed, "Can't I see you've been confused? You just couldn't hold your pee and didn't want to reason with her. Anna, don't worry so much about other people's feelings. Marriage is a lifelong commitment. If you have a goal, just do it at all costs. You're so beautiful and rich, honestly, who could refuse you?"

"Superficial." Anna lightly slapped him. "Is being pretty and rich all you need?"

"A beautiful and rich young woman is every man's ultimate dream. I used to think that if I didn't make it big by writing books, I would have my sister Bronya take care of me."

"It's really worthless!"

Kiana returned to her bedroom and pounced on her large cat plush toy on her bed.

That's really...strange.

Kiana stared at the photo of herself, Shen Liang, and the Arlin sisters on the headboard, countless questions rising in her mind.

After her rage subsided, Kiana began to examine her own heart.

First, let's consider why we're angry.

It's simple, because I stumbled upon my junior brother and Anna doing... that kind of thing.

Maybe I still have a little bit of a crush on my junior brother? That's why I'm jealous? He chose Anna, whom he'd only known for a month, instead of me, whom he'd known for a year? But Anna is a beauty too, so it doesn't matter that he got her. It just proves that his taste is on the same wavelength as hers, so there's no need to worry about his future harem not meeting her high standards.

Kiana might be a little jealous, but in fact, she is well aware that in the more "traditional" and "hereditary" circle of the Extraordinary side, ancient logic is more prevalent.

Having multiple wives and concubines is no big deal. Even though her father, Siegfried, was a playboy before marrying her mother, Shen Liang is also an extremely rare male superhuman, just like her father. Countless Valkyries are eager to obtain his genes, so she should get used to this kind of thing sooner rather than later.

Moreover, you probably couldn't find another boy this good-looking even if you searched the entire Extraordinary Side.

Then there's why Shen Liang wanted to explain that he wasn't the type to do things without taking responsibility, and that he had never hidden his ambition to be a scumbag. Kiana even admired this kind of personality; after all, she was the same kind of person, and like Shen Liang, she liked pretty girls.

Therefore, Shen Liang shouldn't have explained; he should have simply put his arm around Anna and said, "Sorry, senior sister, it seems you've come at the wrong time."