Shen Ruoyu was still shaken, her head dizzy and her face pale. How could she have had such a dream? Just moments ago, she was outside mocking Qi Ziyi for his transgression, and now this dream left her feeling inexplicably guilty. She tried to reassure herself that dreams were the opposite of reality; perhaps her numerous rebirths had started to muddle even her dreams.

“Sister? What’s wrong?” Shen Xinghuai pushed open the door to find Shen Ruoyu reclining casually on the couch, a trace of panic on her face. Her robes were disarrayed, offering a glimpse of her undergarments.

Shen Xinghuai subtly averted his gaze, stopping a few meters away. “Sister, did you need me urgently?” He knew she disliked him. He still remembered her harsh words, “What kind of younger brother are you? You’re a curse! Stay as far away from me as possible. I’m afraid being near you will bring me bad luck!”

He had taken her words to heart, never lingering in her presence. Even when they had to share a room, he maintained the greatest possible distance. He lowered his dark eyes. 

Though he possessed a delicate, noble face, the grey robe he wore was faded from repeated washing. Tall and slender, he was nonetheless very thin, the robe hanging loosely on his frame. Such a noble birth, yet living such a hard life, there was no one else like him in the entire capital.

Shen Ruoyu gestured to the chair behind him. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t punish you anymore. Sit down. It’s been a while since we’ve spoken.” After awakening, she realized how cruelly she had treated her younger brother. She hadn’t mistreated him since. However, it wasn’t so much a change of heart as a desire to avoid being a catalyst for the affections of several men.

“There’s no need, sister. I’ll just stand here.” 

Shen Xinghuai kept his head lowered, fearing this was another one of her torments. He worried that the moment he sat, she would find some excuse to drag him out and beat him.

Seeing he wouldn’t accept her offer, Shen Ruoyu didn’t force him. After all, she had truly been unkind to him. After suffering for over a decade, how could he not harbor resentment?

“I heard you had a fever a few days ago. How are you feeling? Are you better?” In this rebirth, Shen Ruoyu didn’t want to exhaust herself nurturing Shen Xinghuai, but she still needed to maintain appearances. 

In past lives, she had tried every method to help him survive, dedicating almost all her time and energy to him, yet she still couldn’t change his fate. She remembered one life where she had finally eliminated everyone who posed a threat to him, only for him to die in a house fire that very night. Just when she thought she could finally enjoy life, her hopes were dashed once more. So, in this rebirth, she had learned her lesson. Since he was destined to live only a few short years, she would live as she pleased.

“Thank you for your concern, sister. Rong Yan has been taking care of me these past few days, and I’m much better now.” Shen Xinghuai’s voice trembled slightly. He had developed the fever after she threw him into the river. If Rong Yan hadn’t cared for him, he would likely have died in the woodshed. 

Her question brought back the suffocating feeling of the water engulfing him. His knuckles turned white as he gripped his sleeves, cautiously responding to her every word.

“Alright, Xiao Huai, don’t worry. I won’t treat you like I did before.” Shen Ruoyu padded barefoot to his side and stroked his smooth hair. 

“I won’t give Rong Yan a chance to be near you anymore.”

The idea of her playing the villain to facilitate their relationships was ludicrous. She would be kind to Shen Xinghuai, preventing those others from getting close to him and developing feelings.

Sensing the boy stiffen, Shen Ruoyu withdrew her hand. Shen Xinghuai turned his head, his fair earlobes flushed. “Sister…”

Realizing he was shy, and recalling her dream, Shen Ruoyu suddenly relaxed. “It’s my fault. I forgot you’re a grown man now.” Indeed, the dream had started to unravel. How could such a docile young man be the same as the madman in her dream?