I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

There was silence for a few seconds on the other end of the phone.

Fang Ran dropped her joking tone and her voice became serious:

"Zizi, when it comes to matters of the heart, no one else can make decisions for you, but as your sister, I have to remind you."

"The worst thing in a relationship is mistaking habit and dependence for love, or mistaking love for habit."

"Ask yourself carefully, put aside the labels such as 'he is Gu Yan' and 'we grew up together,' and just see him as a man."

"When you see him, does your heart race? Do you want to get closer? Do you mind if he's nice to other women? Do you... want to have a closer relationship with him?"

Fang Ran's questions were like a small hammer, gently tapping on Shu Zi's heart.

Heart racing? Yes, just now in the car, her heart was pounding so fast it felt like she was about to run away.

Want to get closer? It seems... we've always been close, but today's closeness makes her feel flustered yet... a little secret joy?

Does she care that he's nice to other people? Just the thought that Gu Yan might treat another woman the way he treated her makes her feel uncomfortable and her heart aches.

As for a closer relationship...

Shu Zi's face flushed red instantly, and she buried her head even deeper into the pillow, letting out muffled sobs.

Fang Ran continued, "Zizi, possessiveness is one of the most direct and honest expressions of affection. Your feelings for him have long since transcended the simple 'sister to brother' dynamic."

"You're just... afraid to admit it, or you don't realize that this is also a form of liking someone."

Qiao Yueke's voice rang out at the right time:

"Zizi, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Since my brother chose to speak out, it means he's prepared to wait and accept it, and besides—"

"He's been waiting for more than just a year or two; he's probably gotten used to it by now."

"It's his business if he likes you. Whether you accept it, when you accept it, and how you accept it are your business."

"You have plenty of time to feel and confirm."

"Yes, there's plenty of time!" Fang Ran's voice quickly followed, her tone shifting abruptly.

"However, Shu Xiaozhi, we need to get this straight: even if you eventually figure things out and develop feelings for him, you absolutely cannot let him think he's gotten his way so easily!"

???

The topic jumped too far, and Shuzi didn't react for a moment.

"Huh?" Shu Zi raised her face from the pillow, looking bewildered.

"What?!"

Fang Ran said matter-of-factly, "Gu Yan is outstanding, and he's undeniably good to you, I admit that. But liking someone is one thing, rules are rules!"

"He's kept this up for so many years, culminating in this huge move, making you all flustered and confused, just thinking he can casually say 'I like you' and wait for you to nod in agreement? He's dreaming!"

"You have to save up to pull an SSR in a game, and Gu Yan thinks he can get something for nothing... cough, try to get our Zizi out of him? No way!"

"Pfft—" Qiao Yueke couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Shu Zi was also left speechless by Fang Ran's absurd analogy: "What are you talking about...?"

Am I wrong?

Fang Ran got more and more excited as he talked, feeling like he was the top strategist with the complete guide to winning back his wife:

"He's been holding back an ultimate, deadly move for twenty years, and now he's suddenly unleashing it on you. You think you can just give up immediately? That's not fair! We need to switch from defense to offense, set up challenges, and increase the difficulty!"

"Levels? Difficulty?" Shu Zi blinked, her thoughts successfully led astray by Fang Ran.

"It's a test period, you idiot!"

Fang Ran's voice was full of exaggerated "You don't even understand this?"

"We must set a trial period! Let him know that the title of 'childhood sweetheart' isn't a get-out-of-jail-free card. His past good relationship was just a starting point; if he wants to become a full-fledged member, he'll have to show an upgraded, limited-edition, VIP-level sincerity!!"

Qiao Yueke listened silently and lit a candle for her cousin.

Good luck to you, there's nothing I can do for you.

As Shu Zi listened, an image inexplicably flashed into her mind: a progress bar appearing above Gu Yan's head, labeled "Favorability/Sincerity," while she held a small "Examiner" sign in her hand...

The scene was so beautiful that she quickly shook her head.

"Although... it seems... to make some sense?" she muttered to herself.

"Ah! That's right!"

Fang Ran slapped her thigh, the sound so loud that Shu Zi could hear it from the other side:

"Remember, this is your home turf! Show your Miss Shu's prowess tomorrow! As for the more detailed assessment rules and practical skills..."

She paused, creating suspense, her voice brimming with smugness: "We'll meet tomorrow, and I'll teach you in person! I guarantee our CEO Gu will never forget this journey to becoming a permanent employee!"

"Great!" Shu Zi clapped her hands, her spirits lifted by her words.

"Alright, get some beauty sleep. You can't show up tomorrow with dark circles under your eyes! Bye!"

I put down my phone, and the room returned to silence.

Shu Zi lay on the bed, no longer flustered or helpless as before.

After a long time, she closed her eyes, but Gu Yan's face and the expression on his face when he whispered "Nuonuo" involuntarily appeared in her mind...

My heart skipped a few beats again, much to my dismay.

She suddenly opened her eyes, stared at the ceiling, and whispered fiercely to herself, "Shuzi! Stop thinking about it! Go to sleep!"

She rolled over and forced herself to count sheep.

One Gu Yan, two Gu Yan, three Gu Yan...

"Ugh—!" Shu Zi scratched her hair in frustration and buried her face in the pillow.

Oh no, I can't sleep.

Meanwhile, in another bedroom separated by a wall.

Gu Yan was still awake.

He stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a glass of water, looking at the quiet night outside.

The city lights flickered in his eyes.

My fingertips tapped unconsciously on the cup, once, then again.

After a long while, he turned around, put down the cup, and walked to the bedside to lie down.

The room darkened, with only a sliver of light filtering through the curtains.

The place next door was quiet and peaceful, without the slightest sound.

He knew that tonight might be too sudden for her, but he didn't regret it.

That little kitten had been sheltered under his wings for so long that it couldn't distinguish between dependence and love anymore.

Once feelings are expressed, they cannot be taken back.

He gave her the answer, frankly expressing all his love, and handed the choice to her, letting her think it over at her own pace.

He was willing to wait, giving her ample time and a buffer.

But this waiting will never be a passive, stagnant process.

The night is long, and we are separated by only a wall, yet we are so close.

She's always there; she can never escape, nor can she go anywhere else.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, on the top floor of a luxury apartment building.

Fang Ran tossed her phone aside with satisfaction, leaned back, and sank into the soft sofa, a sly smile of "successful plot" still on her face.

She had just stretched when she heard a soft laugh from beside her.