Qiao Chuchu, clad in a bathrobe, leaned back against the chair.
Pei Mu held her face in one hand, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.
Pei Ci ca up from behind, placing his hands on her shoulders.
Pei Ci's low, magnetic voice echoed in her ear: "It's been seven years since we last had a proper conversation. Surely, you haven't forgotten the little secret that belongs only to the three of us, have you, Chuchu?"
Qiao Chuchu didn't answer, her gaze shifting to the mirror.
Pei Mu's pale hand gently cupped her face, while Pei Ci leaned in from behind, resting his head on her shoulder.
She was sandwiched between the two of them.
The twins shared identical faces, even the placent of their moles was perfectly mirrored.
They were tall, standing at six-foot-three, though not as burly as Pei Youchuan. Instead, they were lean and elegant, with an air of effortless confidence.
Their features bore so resemblance to Pei Che, but unlike Pei Che's aloof, untouchable deanor, they exuded a rebellious arrogance, tempered only by the sharp lines of their tailored suits.
They were like heaven-sent replicas.
She stared, entranced.
Pei Mu and Pei Ci also looked at her through the mirror.
Pei Ci bent down, his face pressing against hers from behind: "What are you thinking about?"
Pei Mu leaned in from the side, his face brushing against her other cheek.
Qiao Chuchu murmured, dazed: "I'm thinking that you two are a pair of impeccably dressed wolves in sheep's clothing."
The two of them blinked in surprise, but instead of getting angry, they laughed.
Pei Mu studied her features carefully, a hint of nostalgia in his voice: "Ti flies. You've grown up so much, from a naive little girl to a full-grown woman."
Pei Ci's eyes swept over her: "Your skin is so fair, so clean, so tender."
"Why are you comnting on that?" Qiao Chuchu crossed her legs, her tone sharp: "Are you two planning to take a bite out of ?"
They smirked mischievously, speaking in unison: "Maybe we are."
She tilted her head back in irritation, resting against the chair, exposing her pale neck: "You two are like a pair of annoying flies when you're together. Get out, I'm tired."
Pei Ci and Pei Mu's eyes darkened, but they didn't move.
Pei Mu bit his lip hesitantly, his gaze lingering on her neck: "Were you scared earlier?"
She closed her eyes: "Of what?"
"When that man was chasing you." Pei Mu reached out, lightly tapping her neck: "Were you scared? Did you think of us? Did you hate us?"
Qiao Chuchu paused, then laughed: "You've never been hunted down before, have you, Sixth Brother?"
Pei Mu frowned.
She glanced at him sideways: "I only had a minute to survive. In that mont, all I could think about was fear. My body reacted on pure instinct."
[When the sulfuric acid splashed on my face, it wasn't just fear—it was despair.]
[Because I knew I was disfigured.]
[Not just disfigured, but blinded, with my hands chopped off. My body was like at on a butcher's block, dying in the ugliest way possible. Even the mory makes sick.]
But—
She looked at the two of them in the mirror: "What would you do if you saw my corpse?"
[Would you really die with , like the system said? Or was the system just lying to ?]
Pei Mu and Pei Ci didn't look at the mirror, their eyes still fixed on her neck.
Qiao Chuchu waited for a minute, but no answer ca. She smiled bitterly: "You two can leave now."
[I really am a fool. I believed everything the system said. Our relationship is so strained—why would they follow in death?]
Pei Ci: "I would."
Qiao Chuchu: "What?"
Pei Ci was lost in thought, his fingers lightly tapping her neck, then her cheek, unconsciously leaning closer to her.
Qiao Chuchu turned her face to his.
His lips nearly brushed against hers.
Pei Ci froze.
Qiao Chuchu's irritation was montarily replaced by curiosity, her expression reverting to its forr innocence: "Why?"
Pei Ci's gaze lifted, locking onto her eyes: "Because you believe in ghosts and spirits. If you were really killed, as a ghost, you'd need soone to help you."
She laughed incredulously: "The existence of ghosts is unknown."
"I know." Pei Ci said: "But your death is certain."
Qiao Chuchu's breath hitched, even more confused: "But you and Sixth Brother clearly hate —"
"Can't we hate you and still care about you?" Pei Mu chuckled from the side: "Besides, maybe we've all been influenced by you."
Qiao Chuchu looked at him, puzzled.
Pei Mu took her hand, his tone aningful: "Like what you said that day at the karaoke."
Qiao Chuchu racked her brain but ca up empty: "I can't rember. Care to give a hint?"
Pei Mu smiled gently, changing the subject: "We're running out of ti. Let do your makeup."
Pei Ci picked up the hairdryer, standing behind her to blow-dry her hair, clearly unwilling to say more.
Qiao Chuchu looked at the two of them in the mirror and sighed.
[The rift between us is so deep. If they have any secrets, they definitely won't share them with . Better not to ask.]
Pei Mu and Pei Ci went about their tasks, showing no reaction.
But their minds drifted back to that New Year's Eve when they had completely fallen out with Qiao Chuchu.
That night, she wore a beautiful short dress, tears streaming down her face as she clung to Pei Yuan's arm: "Big Brother, I don't want you to get married. I don't want you to fall in love with soone else. If one day all of you get married, leaving all alone, how am I supposed to handle that?"
Pei Yuan's face was stern, but he patiently explained: "I've told you before, I won't get married."
She pleaded desperately: "Then be with , okay? I'll do anything, I'll agree to anything. Please, Big Brother, please!"
Pei Yuan: "...You're too young, Chuchu. You're not mature enough. You don't understand what love is. You're confusing familial affection with romantic love. When you grow up, you'll regret this."
He gritted his teeth, restraining himself: "We can't ruin you just because you don't understand."
Qiao Chuchu scread: "I won't! I really won't regret it! I love you all!"
Pei Che grabbed her and pulled her aside: "Qiao Chuchu, can you control yourself? Do you even know what you're saying?!"
Qiao Chuchu, tears streaming down her face, broke free from Pei Che's grip: "I just don't want to be your sister anymore, that's why I'm saying this. I'm almost an adult! Once I'm an adult, we can be together, and no one will dare say anything about the Pei family!"
Pei Che was stunned: "You think we're worried about what outsiders will say? Do you realize what kind of chaos you're trying to bring to this family? Picking one of us would be bad enough, but you want all seven! You're still so young—do you have any idea what the consequences would be?!"
She argued fiercely, her face flushed: "I want all seven! Not one less!"
Pei Fengnong couldn't take it anymore and slamd his cup on the ground!
"Qiao Chuchu, do you have to ruin New Year's like this?!"
He roared: "Then I'll just go get married!"
Qiao Chuchu grabbed a cup and hurled it at his head: "If you dare get married, I'll hang myself at your wedding!!!"
Pei Fengnong was left with a bleeding gash on his forehead, blood trickling down his face as he pressed his lips together in silence.
Pei Youchuan, shocked, yelled at Qiao Chuchu: "Have you lost your mind?! Are you acting out again? How dare you hit your own brother?!"
Qiao Chuchu stood her ground against all seven of them, her tone unyielding: "I'm not acting out. I'm being rational. I'm just trying to talk to you!"
"Are you even n?!"
Her tears fell like rain, her face a mix of pain and defiance: "I'm like this, and none of you feel anything? Not even a little attraction? Not even a hint of desire?!"
Pei Buxian sat curled up on the couch, clutching a pillow, his eyes red as he watched Qiao Chuchu.
He buried half his face in the pillow, silent.
Pei Mu looked around, exhaustion written all over his face: "Qiao Chuchu, if you keep this up, let's not spend New Year's together anymore."
Qiao Chuchu turned to him.
He avoided her gaze, staring at the ground, his voice heavy with weariness: "I don't want to spend every New Year's arguing with you. It's too exhausting."
Pei Ci stood beside him, looking at Qiao Chuchu but saying nothing.
Qiao Chuchu suddenly let out a cold laugh: "You think I enjoy spending New Year's with a bunch of cowards like you?"
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