"Second Miss, would you like some afternoon tea?" Aunt Zou asked.
Qin Xin put down the book and shook her head. "No need, I'm not used to that."
She had picked up the book around noon and had only turned two pages since then. Her mind was occupied with other thoughts, making it hard to focus.
"What about the eldest miss? Is she having any?" Aunt Zou stood up and looked around, "Speaking of which, where is the eldest miss?"
Qin Xin pursed her lips, "She went back to the bedroom with Senior Ningning for a nap."
Aunt Zou was taken aback, "A nap? What for?"
"Let's not ask the obvious," Qin Xin said expressionlessly. "Everyone already knows."
"….…"
Indeed, Aunt Zou realized that she had overstepped. The eldest miss taking Senior Ningning back to the room for a nap—surely no one would think they were actually sleeping.
However, it was broad daylight, and engaging in such activities during the day wasn't very proper. Fortunately, Qin Mom hadn't come to visit today; they could just pretend they were enjoying the weekend.
After placing the snacks down, Aunt Zou glanced at the book on the table, "Second Miss, you seem troubled."
"No," Qin Xin unconsciously glanced towards the bedroom, sighed, "Just a little worried."
Aunt Zou smiled, "The eldest miss and Senior Ningning have been together for a while now. Although it's not very dignified to do this in broad daylight, it's not the first time either, so there's nothing to worry about."
Qin Xin forced a smile and shook her head.
You wouldn't understand, today is different.
...
"Is that it?"
"You're usually so imposing, but you're not that great."
"Didn't even break a sweat."
Qin Yue relaxed, feeling a wave of relief.
She had been a bit nervous, but then realized that Bai Ningning was slow and gentle, posing no real threat. Her ability to engage was quite average.
"Don't rush," Bai Ningning said calmly, "I'm preparing."
"Preparing for what?" Qin Yue scoffed.
Bai Ningning replied seriously, "I'm stacking Conqueror and Canyon Creator."
As she spoke, she adjusted her position, her skills ready to unleash, "It's coming."
Qin Yue still didn't take it seriously, "What's coming?"
"The Canyon Vanguard."
"Heh, I think you're delusional, talking about the Canyon Vanguard… ah—!"
Before she could finish, Qin Yue's face turned pale, her body tensed up.
The shield had broken.
She finally understood why Bai Ningning had been humming that song about "washing kelp" the first time she came to her house that night.
If it weren't for her pride, Qin Yue might have wanted to hum along too.
It hurt.
Some say that youth is painful. But after youth ends, life is bitter. If you haven't tasted pain, you haven't truly experienced youth.
Qin Yue was born into a special family, and she was naturally competitive. She dedicated all her time to improving her abilities. Throughout her childhood and adolescence, she missed out on the experiences she should have had.
And today, for the first time, she tasted the flavor of youth.
It really hurt, just like in those domestic youth films.
...
The book was picked up and put down again. The snacks were desired but discarded.
Qin Xin checked the time on her phone; it was four o'clock. It had been three hours since her sister went to the bedroom to find Senior Ningning.
Three hours, the battle must have reached a fever pitch by now.
She wondered how long it would take for her sister to come out; there were only three hours left until dinner, which the Qin family usually had around seven.
...
The battle was nearing its end… or rather, when the battle officially began, it was essentially over.
After a period of probing, stacking Conqueror and Canyon Creator passives to significantly boost her stats and final damage.
Then, with the impact of the Canyon Vanguard, she shattered the tower's shield in an instant.
Next came a standard Gwen output combo, using the E skill to dash in close, continuously triggering the passive Thousand Piercing with each auto-attack, dealing massive magic damage to Qin Yue.
With every four auto-attacks, she unleashed the Q skill, Quick Cut. Bai Ningning's slender fingers formed a pair of scissors, cutting fiercely at Qin Yue.
Each time she cut, Qin Yue would momentarily lose her voice.
And the most intense output was, of course, the ultimate skill, Needle Barrage, which was a skill that looked like a needle. As the name suggests, it dealt severe piercing damage with sharp needles.
Nine silver needles, nine piercings!
After unleashing the three segments of her ultimate, Qin Yue slumped down. She knew she had been solo killed, and the entire bot lane had been breached.
Well, two top laners were soloing in the bot lane; that was the situation.
After finishing a combo, Bai Ningning felt it was enough and gently suggested: "How about we call it quits?"
You can surrender and lose half, at worst, just meow once. In a top lane solo, losing first blood and a tower, falling behind by one thousand five hundred gold—what's the point of continuing?
Qin Yue gasped for breath, struggling to utter a word: "No…"
"Can't be counted as a loss, right?" Bai Ningning nodded, "Got it."
Gwen is least afraid of prolonged battles. Although it seems like her ultimate ability has high damage, she is actually a sustain hero. If you want to fight, then let's fight; it's time for the second set of Conqueror to kick in.
Qin Yue silently rolled her eyes.
There was no need to ask these unnecessary questions; if you want to stop, just stop—this was what she really wanted to say.
The autumn sun sets neither too early nor too late. As dinner time approached at the Qin family, the sky darkened.
Qin Yue had already fallen into a deep sleep.
Having been solo killed and even having her line broken, she probably wouldn't be recovering anytime soon.
"Knock, knock, knock."
Someone knocked on the door, and then Qin Xin's voice came from outside: "Sister, Ningning, whether either of you is awake, I just want to ask, are you having dinner, and how many of you?"
"Eating," Bai Ningning replied, "One."
Qin Xin outside sighed.
How should I put it? The fact that only Ningning is left is indeed not surprising. The only somewhat surprising thing is that Ningning's voice doesn't sound tired at all; in fact, she seems a bit energetic.
It's like after a team fight, not only is her health fine, but she hardly used any mana.
Bai Ningning happily got out of bed, ready to change clothes. Passing by the mirror, she looked at herself in her white-collar uniform, and she really looked like a CEO's secretary.
A secretary should do what a secretary is supposed to do. So, the question arises, what should a secretary do?
Recalling the scenes from the afternoon, Bai Ningning had her answer.
Three words—CEO.
She took off the tight clothes and changed into her favorite loose pajamas, humming a little tune as she floated out the door, gently closing it behind her.
Closing the door gently is a good habit, especially when there's a beautiful lady sleeping inside.
"Have a good sleep," Bai Ningning whispered softly to the door handle, "It's just a loss, it's not a big deal; you'll be fine when you wake up tomorrow."
You've never won anyway, right? No need to see a therapist over it, I suppose.