"Big Sis, try this one…" Inside a women's clothing store named "Fair Lady," Chu Chu was holding a pink dress up against Chu Lian's body, her face full of a cute smile, clearly hoping that her big sister would just give in to her wishes.
Unfortunately, seated stiffly on a bench, both hands clutching tightly at the hem of her hanfu skirt, Chu Lian shook her head rigidly, unwilling to try on the outfit.
Giggle… Covering her mouth with a laugh, Chu Chu noticed that while her big sister had seemed indifferent at first, once inside the store she had turned completely stiff, as if paralyzed. That was how she knew her sister was genuinely nervous inside. So she kept handing her all kinds of outfits—some cute, some alluring, some enchanting—urging her to change out of the hanfu.
Office lady attire, student uniforms, nurse outfits, flight attendant suits, school swimsuits, lolita dresses—every kind of clothing that suited Chu Lian's figure was taken out. Sometimes Chu Chu would wear them herself while standing in front of her, sometimes secretly compare them behind her, sometimes directly pestering her to put them on.
In short, Chu Chu seized every opportunity to tease her into this rare embarrassed state, giving no sign of stopping until she succeeded.
Only, she failed to notice that the frequency of that faint purple glow flashing in Chu Lian's eyes quickened with every round of her teasing.
Nervous, Chu Lian lowered her head slightly, her expression stiff, wanting to smile but unable to. Yet at the corner of her lips, an eerie smile began to surface.
This was something Chu Chu, once again courting death in her excitement without considering consequences, completely overlooked. Even if she noticed, perhaps she wouldn't care.
"Good thing Xiu'er is with Inori trying on clothes, otherwise I never would've had this chance. It's so rare to see Big Sis embarrassed and nervous at the same time. So cute, so cute, so cute, so cute!"
"I really want to just take Big Sis home as a pet, hug her to sleep and bathe with her every day—that would be the most wonderful thing."
Holding a white ultra-short cheongsam, Chu Chu wanted her sister to wear it, all while delighting in her own thoughts.
"Do you really want me to wear these clothes?" Suddenly, Chu Lian's voice sounded beside her, shattering her sweet fantasy and pulling her drifting thoughts back.
"Of course! Big Sis is so beautiful—why shouldn't you wear these lovely outfits? Only these beautiful clothes can bring out your perfect grace, leaving everyone who sees you unforgettable." Chu Chu answered instantly without hesitation.
"I see. So you think I should wear these for the world to admire?" Chu Lian's voice carried a strange charm that made Chu Chu instinctively answer her question.
"Of course! Just like Father and Mother want Big Sis to become the most outstanding, most beautiful, and most proud person in the world. Even though I don't like Big Sis showing off as a celebrity, I still want her to be the most wonderful person in this world! That way… that way…"
At this point, Chu Chu's voice suddenly grew shy, as if the words were hard to say. But in the end, the great excitement welling up in her heart drove her to confess: "Because only then can Chu Chu openly declare Big Sis as Chu Chu's wife. To marry such an amazing wife is the one thing Chu Chu has always wanted! So please, Big Sis, just indulge me this once!"
"If I wear them, will you record this moment of my elegance?" Chu Lian's voice was as calm as water, yet irresistibly enchanting. Though she answered the earlier question, she completely ignored the latter part. Her bearing was utterly different from usual, as if divinity itself had descended.
"I always carry the best camera with me! It's to capture every wonderful moment of Big Sis. Look, I already have hundreds of pictures—each one so beautiful. They're my lifetime's treasure!" Seeing her sister's implied agreement, Chu Chu finally lost all restraint. She happily pulled out a camera from under her skirt, proudly showing it off to Chu Lian.
With her back to Chu Chu, Chu Lian narrowed her eyes, a chilling gleam flashing within them. In a faint tone, she said: "No wonder I've always felt someone was peeping at me. I thought it was an illusion, but it turns out someone has really been recording my every move. Should I thank you for that, my dear little sister?"
At those words, Chu Chu instantly went quiet. She finally sensed something was wrong. Her big sister's reaction… seemed unusually calm?!
This is bad. If she acted tsundere or got angry, I'd probably just get beaten. Even if she went into a darkened state, at worst I'd only be bullied for a while. But if her big sister isn't darkening and instead enters Queen Mode, then I'm done for!
Chu Lian's so-called Queen Mode wasn't like a second personality emerging after darkening. Rather, when she was overwhelmed by shame and anger, she would automatically shut out all irrelevant emotions, leaving only her proudest, coldest self.
Chu Chu had only seen this mode twice before, and each time it left her swearing never to provoke her sister into opening that Queen Mode again.
Yet today, in her excitement at shopping with her big sister, she completely forgot this, pushing her shame line higher and higher with constant teasing. And then—her big sister went full-on unstoppable…
"Chu Chu, do you remember what I once told you?" Chu Lian turned around, her face showing an unprecedented expression of icy elegance and arrogance.
This aura, usually only belonging to mature, dominant women, didn't seem to fit her exquisitely youthful features sculpted by nature's grace. Yet paired with her now violet-blue eyes, it strangely suited her, making her appear like a queen enthroned at the highest peak.
"B-Big Sis, let's talk this over, no need to go all-out like this." Seeing this scene, Chu Chu instantly deflated, all her excitement vanishing. She didn't dare utter another word. Under the weight of her sister's presence, she could only attempt a half-joking tone to cover her unease.
"Hmph…" The corner of Chu Lian's lips curved into a disdainful smile. She looked at her as if she were the lowest of ants. "I'll give you one chance. Just as you promised, record my elegance. If you fail, don't blame me for ignoring our bond as sisters."
From that petite figure came a command of absolute authority, carrying irresistible dignity. "I don't want to waste words. Bring out every outfit that suits me and looks good. I shall let the world see—what a grand blessing it is for them to admire this form."
Her words carried the tone of stubborn defiance. Clearly, Chu Chu's antics had truly angered her, and though she knew it might be improper, she still said it anyway. In truth, she simply wanted to vent her fury. As for the consequences—that wasn't something she would think about now.
After all, she had shut off all emotions and personalities except this one. In this state, though not a second personality, she resembled one—acting only according to her own mood, without considering what trouble it might bring her true self later.
Truly tsundere to the end—even in Queen Mode, unconsciously doing tsundere things.
Terrified, Chu Chu hurried away, leaving Chu Lian standing coldly, her gaze sweeping over the surroundings.
This "Fair Lady" boutique was one of the most upscale women's clothing stores on the pedestrian street. Any clothing one wanted—of any size, style, or design—could be found here. Otherwise, Chu Chu wouldn't have managed to pick out so many outfits perfectly suited to Chu Lian's figure.
At this moment, Li Xiu'er and Inori, who had been trying on clothes nearby, spotted Chu Lian alone. Seeing her current appearance, they sensed something strange and walked over.
"Oh, my beloved consort has returned? Come massage my back, I've grown a bit tired from sitting." The instant Chu Lian saw Inori by her side, a peculiar emotion flickered in her eyes. Her cold smile softened with a trace of warmth—like an icy beauty's fleeting smile, dazzling beyond compare.
So stunning was that smile that Inori and Li Xiu'er froze in place for over a full minute. Only when Chu Lian's brows furrowed slightly did they snap out of it.
"Chu Lian, what's wrong? Why did you suddenly become like this?" Li Xiu'er had spent plenty of time with Chu Lian normally, so once she recovered from her daze, she immediately noticed the change in her. Especially those eyes—like violet-blue gemstones—so different from the usual pure-black, night-sky pupils.
"Oh, so it's Cousin Xiu'er. Seems your shopping trip was quite pleasant, to have the mood to come here and ask me this." Chu Lian raised the corner of her eyes, a meaningful smile playing across her lips as she looked at her.
"Chu Lian, what's wrong with you?" Seeing this, Li Xiu'er could no longer doubt something was off. Until now, Chu Lian had almost never addressed her by family relation. Even if she did, it was always "Cousin"—never "Cousin Xiu'er."
She knew Chu Lian was a principled person, not one to change how she spoke so casually. But now, without knowing what exactly had happened, even though she was anxious, she had no way to help.
"Lian, am I your consort?" It was Inori who calmly stepped forward and asked.
Hearing her question, Chu Lian turned her gaze away from Li Xiu'er and lifted her chin proudly. "Of course. You are this queen's most beloved consort."
Inori's eyes lit up faintly, and then her next words left Chu Lian unable to respond: "In Huaxia tradition, a consort is not a lifelong companion, but akin to a concubine in an ordinary family. Then tell me, Lian—who is your queen consort?"
"My queen consort, of course, is…" But before finishing, Chu Lian faltered, suddenly lost. She herself didn't know who her queen truly was.
Before her eyes, faces began to shift—Ayase, Su Wan'er (her first love in her past life), Bai Yu (her childhood sweetheart in her past life), Inori, Chu Chu, Chu Ke, Li Xiu'er, the woman in blue, even Cai Ya, Lux Lyle, Ruriko Nana, and several figures blurred yet etched into her very soul. One by one they spun before her, until at last they alternated between Ayase and the others, never settling, only to fade away.
Clutching her head, Chu Lian shook violently, forcing the stabbing pain out. Raising her gaze toward Inori, she saw her smiling softly as she said: "Lian, I believe you will definitely come to know."
"Is that so?" Slowly sitting down, the Queen no longer maintained her icy mask. Her gaze fixed ahead, she seemed lost in thought.
This state lasted until Chu Chu returned, leading five attendants who stopped before her…