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

Shen Liang couldn't help but smile wryly. If Kiana appeared when the camera was turned on, it would be really embarrassing.

"How many times have I told you not to video chat with me when you're not dressed properly? I'm a perfectly healthy adult male, after all."

“An adult male?” Bronya snorted noncommittally, and Shen Liang wasn’t sure if she was being disdainful or sneering.

They all seem pretty much the same.

"Let's talk about the proper distance between men and women when my brother is taller than me. Right now, my brother... if it weren't for Bronya's respect for him, he should be calling Bronya 'sister'."

To hell with you! I'd rather die than do something so filthy, despicable, vile, and utterly shameless! You've really got some nerve, talking to your brother like that!

Shen Liang seriously suspected that Bronya's respect for him had diminished day by day since he shrunk. All the other children in the orphanage still loved and respected him, but what was with Bronya's attitude?! Now she actually dared to try and overturn the hierarchy! How dare she! Does she think any black-haired person is Seele?!

"Landlord~" Kiana came out of the bathroom.

Shen Liang reacted as soon as he heard the door open and instinctively wanted to turn off the call. However, Bronya on the other end of the line was not someone to be trifled with. She heard the voice too and stared coldly at the screen, speaking in a threatening tone: "Don't turn it off. Listen to Bronya properly, or she won't have you as her brother anymore."

Shen Liang wanted to offer some gentle advice, but Kiana had already come over in a carefree manner, picked up the ionic hair dryer, and started drying her hair.

Shen Liang had never been so glad that he had turned off the camera, because at this moment the white-haired JK was only wrapped in a white bath towel, her long, healthy legs completely oblivious to Shen Liang's gaze, her milky white shoulders were not covered, and her equally wet white hair was spread out, as alluring as a lotus emerging from the water.

But honestly, it's one thing for you girls to take a shower at a certain time, but do you girls have to come out and dry your hair after showering?

What are you blowing? Hair dryers are really loud!

Bronya will hear you!

Don't you have any sense of public morality?!

Bronya's expression was extremely cold and stern. She spoke slowly and deliberately, "Brother, you've only known each other for less than a week, and your relationship is already so good that you can chat after taking a shower?"

"No, Bronya, listen to your brother..."

"Oh~ Landlord's sister, so cute! Just as cute as you, Landlord. Are you related?" Kiana appeared out of nowhere behind Shen Liang, leaning against the back of the sofa and looking in amazement at the silver-haired, twin-tailed curly-haired loli in the video. "She also has a serious little face every day, just like you, Landlord."

"Do you even consider us family?" Shen Liang felt exhausted.

“That makes sense. It seems unlikely that a Slavic person and a Han Chinese person would be siblings…” Kiana chuckled, then looked at Bronya, whose expression had become even colder, and suddenly realized something. With a wicked smile, a plan came to mind.

The white fluffy ball immediately puffed out its cheeks and stared wide-eyed at Shen Liang: "If they're not siblings, then where did she come from, this fox spirit! You actually communicated with a fox spirit right in front of me!"

"Why did my sister suddenly turn into a fox spirit?" Even though Shen Liang always preferred to keep his complaints to himself in order to maintain his cool and handsome image, he couldn't help but blurt them out at this moment.

But Kiana still happily played the victim, seemingly having seen through her boyfriend's infidelity, pointing angrily at her phone, "It's my sister again! You always say she's just your sister, how many sisters do you have?!"

"We really do need to count them..."

"Hmph, what a boring joke." Bronya on the screen laughed coldly. "Brother, you've taken a liking to this kind of big-breasted, brainless woman. This kind of idiot will lower the average IQ of our family."

"If I had to say, I don't think her breasts are that big."

"Huh? You bastard, I haven't even settled the score with you yet and you're already ganging up on me with this vixen?" Kiana roared. "What do I lack compared to her! Tell me! In your heart, who's prettier, me or her!"

Chapter Twenty-Four: Do You Need an Orphanage's Approval to Pick Up Girls?

After mentally comparing the white and silver colors for a second, Shen Liang decisively said, "She's beautiful."

"Hey, she's your sister! At a time like this, you should be trying to win over the girl you can date!"

"Are you saying you're the kind of girl I can pick up?" Shen Liang glanced at her sideways.

"For example, but it's perfectly fine if the landlord wants to date me, as long as you waive all the rent and utilities..."

"Dismissed."

"I was just kidding." Kiana immediately crossed her arms and took several steps back, but still spoke with anticipation, "How could I, Kiana, be the kind of person who would abandon my dignity for a mere rent and a handsome man? Landlord, you should at least be two or three years older. Letting others know that I've become a boy-lover is a disgrace to the Schariac family. You know how strict German laws are in this regard; damn it, even the Romeo and Juliet Treaty doesn't apply in this godforsaken place..."

Shen Liang heard her muttering to herself turn into loud complaining, and she began to angrily criticize German marriage law.

“Although she’s an idiot, she’s really interesting. I can understand why you took a liking to her, brother.” Bronya remained silent for a long time on the other end of the phone before finally sighing.

"Huh? Landlord, you really like me?" Kiana was stunned.

"Shut up."

"Oh."

After a few seconds of silence in the living room, Shen Liang glanced at Kiana, who was deep in thought, and then at Bronya, who was still very dissatisfied. He decided to give up thinking and spoke first: "Kiana, it's your turn to ask."

He was referring to the fact that his teleportation screen was set up in the bathroom. Now that Bronya was here, the three of them could have an open and honest discussion.

"Hey, what did you ask? Oh, you're asking if I'll reply. I'm sorry, landlord, you're a good kid, but you're still young. I know you like your older sister a lot, but that's just teenage infatuation. You've misplaced your affections. When you grow up, you'll meet someone better. If all else fails, come back to me when you're older. To be honest, I have a pretty good impression of you. After all, you do meet my criteria for a partner. If I didn't have a partner back then, we could give it a try."

Shen Liang looked at Kiana, and Kiana looked at him too. Five seconds later, she suddenly realized, "Ah, it's that matter."

"Are you provoking Bronya?" The silver-haired, emotionless loli decided to hold a grudge.

"I thought you wouldn't explain, landlord! How did you do that?! A portal to another dimension? A dragon emperor from another dimension? Are you Kamen Rider Decade walking through different dimensions, or a jewel spirit? I knew this world wasn't as peaceful as it seemed on the surface. Your strange family background must mean something's wrong!" Kiana nimbly somersaulted from behind the sofa to the seat next to him, blinking her big blue eyes at him, her face saying, "I'm so curious."

"What's wrong with my family background...?" Shen Liang was stunned.

"Anyone would think that a little boy raising two little girls, who never seem to go to school, and who has no elders or nannies but is incredibly wealthy, is definitely suspicious," Kiana said with a wicked grin. "And you can tell from their hair color that they're not even siblings. All three kids in one family look like that, it's incredibly suspicious!"

"You still rent if it's suspicious?"

"Why not rent?" Kiana stuck out her tongue slightly. "It's so interesting! You guys are obviously different from everyone else. Something interesting is bound to happen when I'm around. I just need to wait, and your secrets will be exposed on their own. See, I just waited for it! Hey, who are you anyway? Can you tell me? I promise I won't tell anyone!"

Shen Liang realized that Kiana was indeed a sixteen-year-old high school girl; her boundless imagination was indeed in line with her age, after all, she was only two years older than Bronya and Rosalia.

And he does seem to be a complete idiot... A modern person who still believes in the supernatural and "the truth of the world" can't be that smart.

—No, supernatural forces do exist in this world, and he is one of them. Kiana can't be called stupid; on the contrary, she's incredibly smart.

Shen Liang and Bronya exchanged a glance. Strictly speaking, it was Shen Liang looking at Bronya, as Bronya couldn't see him and was lost in thought.

Bronya understood the situation, and they were both trying to figure out how to cover it up. Kiana was ultimately an outsider and difficult to trust; if Shen Liang's actions were exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable.

A peaceful life is not only what Shen Liang wants, but Bronya wants it too. After she finishes her work and earns enough money, she wants to bring everyone from the orphanage to Shen Liang's place to retire and live a peaceful life.

Seeing that Shen Liang and Bronya were both silent, Kiana looked around for a while before gradually realizing something, and her expression became serious.

"That...it's not some kind of setting like an infinite world in the God Realm, is it?"

Shen Liang looked up.

"Hiss... How could I forget this? Weren't you programmed to never reveal your identity to Earthlings, never reveal anything about your transmigration settings, or you'd be wiped out by the main god, the light sphere, or the system?" Kiana looked regretful. "Your sister is just like you, isn't she? You can't reveal this kind of information, right? I asked this to satisfy my curiosity, but I'm actually pushing you to the brink, aren't I?"

The concept of the Main God Space is indeed easy to explain.

Shen Liang wanted to use this opportunity to say a few words, but he saw Kiana waving her hands frantically.

"Stop talking, stop talking! I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to pry into your privacy, I was just curious, really... I'm so sorry!" Kiana's voice trembled as she imagined it all. "You must have had a tough time in the God Realm. You can cook and do housework, you're obviously not from a rich family. Now you live in a mansion and support your sister, which requires so much money. You must have suffered a lot in the God Realm... It's a huge loss to exchange God Realm tokens for money. Landlord, you really... you've had it so tough."

Kiana wiped away her tears, feeling an indescribable sadness.

The contestants from other God Spaces fight tooth and nail to become stronger, to surpass their limits, and to fight!

But the landlord might just be trying to make some money, to support his two pampered younger sisters, to give them a good meal... For something so simple, something so easily attainable, he would risk everything.

His dream, which he risked his life for, is just my everyday life!

Shen Liang suddenly felt that telling her the truth wasn't a big deal, and that this brain would basically say goodbye to being a double agent.

But then Bronya interjected, "Indeed, we have our reasons. When you are trustworthy enough, we will tell you the truth as much as possible without breaking the rules. Until then, we hope you can keep this secret for us as our friend."

"Trustworthy...?" Kiana let out a long breath, her gaze hardening. "I will do my best! How exactly?"

Specifically, don't go around telling everyone that I can time travel!

"That's something Miss Kiana and her brother should think about," Bronya said coldly. Then she closed the communication and sent another message while Shen Liang was still wondering about it.

Metal Gear: "Brother, you have to figure out how to deal with the mess you made. If you can't turn that idiot into one of us, then it just means that you lack masculine charm. You're a reliable adult male now, so seducing a high school girl should be a piece of cake."

What does it mean to deceive?!

Metal Gear: Bronya: "Given the special circumstances, Bronya, on behalf of the entire Cocolia Orphanage, hereby grants my brother's right to date."

What is this?! What is all this stuff?! Even if I want to date Kiana, do I need your permission? Shen Liang was completely baffled.

—Wait, do I need the orphanage's approval?

Chapter Twenty-Five: A Letter from Theresa

Having fooled Kiana, Shen Liang began to review the information from this time travel.

The key issue for Haigi Island right now is the war, and the greatest value he can provide to Haigi Island is food.

But his usually taciturn system finally spoke, directly targeting Coral Palace Heart Sea. Before figuring out what the system actually did, he had to change his strategy.

Previously, he had been acting like a businessman, completely disregarding Coral Palace Heartsea's evaluation of him, only concerned with how to earn more Mora from Sea Spirit Island. But now that Coral Palace Heartsea is the Stigmata candidate, he has to cultivate a good relationship with her; who knows how to accelerate that candidate's progress?

It seems like it might be based on favorability or intimacy, so at least the little shrine maiden needs to be turned into his fangirl. Just asking for money is too cliché; cultivating a relationship with the next leader of Haiqi Island is always a good idea.

You have to cast a long line to catch a big fish.

Most importantly, what happens when the progress of this Stigmata Apprentice is fully completed?

Shen Liang was very curious about what this system could bring him.

Thinking as she went upstairs, Shen Liang pushed open the door to her bedroom.

The air conditioning was on full blast in the room, making it warm and cozy. Two little girls were lying on the bed in a messy state.

Rosalia and Lilia have always been restless sleepers. The blankets were kicked to the side of the bed and mostly fell to the floor. The sheets were all wrinkled, which showed that they had been fighting for quite a while before going to sleep. However, once they fell asleep, they would put aside their grudges and sleep soundly face to face, hugging each other.