The quiet hum of the security gate opening was the only sound in the stillness of the night. The mansion's lights had dimmed for the evening, casting long shadows against the pristine marble floors. A sleek black car rolled into the driveway, and moments later, Ji Yanluo stepped inside.
His coat caught the breeze as he walked through the door, tall, straight-backed, exuding quiet authority. He paused at the threshold. Something was off.
The air inside was… sharp.
He could feel it. Tension, thick like smoke after a fire.
He looked toward the living room and saw them—Bai Zhiqi standing by the bookshelf, arms loosely crossed, her face calm but unreadable. Ji Lingxue sat stiffly on the edge of the armchair, brows furrowed, lips pursed in an expression of unhidden irritation.
Their gazes snapped to him the moment he entered.
Ji Yanluo unbuttoned his coat slowly, eyes shifting from one to the other. "What happened?"
No one spoke.
He set his coat aside, loosened his cufflinks, and walked further into the room.
Lingxue was the first to explode. "You tell us, big brother!"
His gaze slid to her.
She shot to her feet. "You bring home a woman—some stranger—and let her live in our house without telling me anything? Who is she, and why is she here?"
Zhiqi didn't flinch, but her gaze hardened just slightly.
"She's here because I said so," Ji Yanluo replied coolly, his voice low and unreadable.
"Not good enough!" Lingxue snapped, arms flying up. "You don't just bring someone here and expect everyone to treat her like some VIP! She talks back, acts like she owns the place—"
"She lives here," he cut in.
Lingxue blinked. "Excuse me?"
He looked at her directly, voice even. "This house belongs to me. I decide who stays."
The cold statement silenced her for a heartbeat.
Zhiqi turned her head slightly, watching him now.
Lingxue wasn't done. "Then who is she to you, huh? You keep her locked away in your private condo, and now she's here without a word of explanation. Even Xiao Lin won't tell me anything."
Ji Yanluo's expression didn't flicker. "She's under my protection."
Lingxue's face dropped. "So she's what? Your mistress? Some secret lover? Are you kidding me, gege?"
Zhiqi's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing.
Ji Yanluo turned to her slowly. "Zhiqi, did she say anything… offensive?"
Zhiqi smiled thinly. "Not at all. We're getting along wonderfully."
He studied her face for a beat too long, then turned to his sister. "She's not someone you get to insult, Lingxue."
Lingxue looked betrayed. "So that's it? You take her side?"
"I'm not taking sides," he said, calm but final. "I'm giving facts. You're not allowed to cause trouble for her while she's here."
Lingxue clenched her fists. "I don't even know who she is!"
"She's Bai Zhiqi," Ji Yanluo said quietly.
The name meant nothing to Lingxue. She stared at him. "Okay… and?"
He walked to the small bar and poured himself a glass of water, his movements steady. "She's here because she needs a place. And I've given her mine."
Zhiqi's expression shifted briefly—something like surprise in her eyes.
Lingxue scoffed and stepped forward. "You've never let anyone into your space before. Why her?"
"That's none of your business."
"Don't give me that CEO tone, gege!"
He looked at her, sharp now. "Then stop acting like this is high school. You're not here to police me or my guests."
Lingxue's mouth opened and closed. Then she turned to Zhiqi again, face red. "Fine. But don't think I trust you."
Zhiqi's voice came smooth as glass. "I wouldn't dream of it."
That only made Lingxue stomp away, muttering something under her breath as she disappeared up the stairs.
Silence settled in.
Ji Yanluo sipped his water, then finally turned toward Zhiqi. "Sorry."
Zhiqi tilted her head. "Didn't think the Ice King had a baby sister."
"She's not always like that."
"She doesn't like me."
"You're not easy to like."
She raised a brow.
He smirked faintly. "Neither am I."
The corner of her lips twitched, just slightly.
"Get some rest," he said finally. "Tomorrow will be different."
"How so?"
"You'll be working."
She blinked.
He turned away with that same unreadable air. "Good night, Miss Bai."
And just like that, the temperature in the room returned to normal—if only slightly.