A fierce battle was raging inside Bai Xiaoya’s little head.
The so-called ‘battle between heaven and man’ referred to the scene in which an angel and a devil, each holding different opinions, argued in your mind to help you make a choice—a scene often seen in anime.
It sounded childish, but there was actually scientific basis for it.
The human prefrontal cortex indeed had this function.
“I disagree. I think we should play games,” Said the little devil with horns and a tail.
“When you were busy with work before, the greatest pleasure during holidays was playing games all day, not being glued to the screen all day!”
Another little devil chimed in: “That’s right, just because the environment has changed, doesn’t mean you should lose your original happiness.”
Then, a figure shrouded entirely in shadow spoke, looking very dark,
“Seeking pleasure is still too early. The opponent isn’t simple. I think you should stay vigilant and invest your limited time into work. Come up with more strategies.”
Too gloomy.
The two little devils distanced themselves in disdain.
Finally, a pure white Angel Lady with six wings on her back spoke,
“Work is already exhausting. Why restrain yourself further? Besides, mom and dad aren’t home. Such a golden opportunity shouldn’t be missed by reason or emotion. Do the thing that brings you the most happiness!”
Each viewpoint was convincing in its own way.
Bai Xiaoya listened all the way through and felt they all made sense.
But… why was the one supporting indulgence actually the Angel Lady?
Truly, heaven is empty—because the angel has made the first charge.
At this moment, the two little devils stood together.
“I admit, it’s indeed fun. But what’s the price? Don’t forget how many times you did it the night before last!”
Uh… four times?
“The body is the foundation of everything. If you collapse, how will you complete the next Task?”
“Don’t tell me you can’t even break a button anymore.”
The two little devils took turns speaking, leaving everyone else speechless.
Bai Xiaoya nodded her little head.
“True, maybe playing games really is better…”
At that moment, in the next room, Bai Xia’s fair, slender hand pinched the Arrow-shaped Second Hand and turned it into the pink-and-white zone, then pressed it lightly.
Choice Second Hand—the weight of indecision in the human heart.
“I vote for the Angel Lady!”
A voice suddenly echoed in her mind.
No one knew who said it, and the words were empty, but with just this sentence, the situation changed dramatically.
The little devils and the Shadowy Figure both retreated a step, while the Angel Lady charged forward, speaking as she advanced—
“Consciousness can exert subjective initiative. Leaving aside the facts, can’t happiness be better for the body?”
“Games don’t always bring happiness—what if you get destroyed by someone?”
“Even if it’s not a competitive game, what if the storyline is so infuriating it just makes you angry?”
“Compared to that, carrying the true name of happiness is guaranteed to bring joy one hundred percent!”
The little devils retreated step by step, the Angel Lady’s momentum unstoppable!
Victory was decided.
Bai Xiaoya threw aside her pillow.
“Fine, I’m charging in!”
In the next room, Bai Xia closed the transparent cover of the pocket watch.
The pink-and-white color on the dial began to spread, gradually swallowing up all the markings.
Mission complete.
She stood up and began tidying up, placing the Lock Pick, Signal Blocker, Nylon Restraint Rope, and Digital Camera with its Camera Tripod—items she had prepared in advance—by the door.
All that remained was to wait, and it wouldn’t be long—
Bai Xia had experienced it firsthand the night before last and knew it would last for about a dozen minutes.
“Tch.”
So weak and yet so eager to play, she thought.
A dozen minutes could pass quickly—or very slowly—especially when you were just waiting and doing nothing.
Bai Xia sat on the edge of the bed, her hands empty, her thoughts drifting inevitably to Bai Xiaoya in the next room.
A few days ago, before entering the Bai Family and meeting Bai Xiaoya in person, Li Butler had mentioned her—and seemed rather opinionated, saying the Eldest Miss was a spoiled, brainless vase with a big chest.
Bai Xia knew well that people’s judgments about others were full of subjective emotions and shouldn’t be fully trusted.
So she ignored all subjective remarks, keeping only the one objective description—big chest.
Later, when she reached the Bai Family’s Courtyard and saw the pair of white rabbits lying on the balcony, that was completely confirmed.
That was Bai Xia’s first impression of Bai Xiaoya.
Afterwards, they had some contact—the fragrant tea conversation in the Courtyard, where Bai Xiaoya was interesting, not hostile or wary, nor treating her as someone competing for the family fortune, but simply enjoying their rivalry.
Interesting, mysterious, and… creative—especially those fragrant words.
Bai Xia had never read such things in books.
She had thought the intoxicating scent came from the Bai Family’s famous tea, but later realized the fragrance was Bai Xiaoya herself.
Big chest, cute appearance, fragrant, mysterious, and a love for the risqué.
Bai Xia couldn’t help but recall the experience from the night before last.
Even separated by a thick wall, she could imagine Bai Xiaoya on the bed, face flushed, body full of youthful energy twisting and turning, the air filled with her sweet scent and the sound of her whimpers.
Just like now.
Suddenly, Bai Xia’s heart tightened.
Her pretty face stiffened, legs pressed together, suppressing the strange feeling quietly rising within her.
“Damn it.”
The experience from the night before last had left its mark.
Though the reasoning mode had ended, the body remembered the taste, and every now and then, memories would bring it back.
She shook her head to chase away the chaotic thoughts, looked down at the pocket watch, and saw the pink-and-white color gradually fading.
Only once today?
Well, that was enough—Bai Xiaoya probably didn’t have any strength left to resist.
Now it was her turn.
Bai Xia picked up the backpack she had packed by the wall, lifted the Camera Tripod that wouldn’t fit inside, and walked toward the next room.
***
What is the meaning of life?
Where is the end of the Universe?
If lost life can be restored, can the Universe revive after Heat Death?
A white-haired, big-chested girl lay on the bed, gasping with little cries, too exhausted to lift her hand.
Her mind wandered back from the sea of Philosophy, her cortex feeling as though it had been massaged.
Tired, so tired, but… what a rewarding experience.
“I got a bit too relaxed,”
Bai Xiaoya began to scold herself.
“I can’t keep doing this. I need to keep working hard.”
Being a Villainess was her job.
An excellent Villainess should have a healthy body and outstanding tactical skills.
“So starting tomorrow, I’ll—”
Click, click.
Strange noises came from the door.
Bai Xiaoya rubbed her eyes and tried to sit up, but failed, so she just tilted her little head toward the doorway.
“Who is it?”
No answer.
Half a minute later, the locked door opened from the outside, and a figure appeared there.
Bai Xiaoya stared, mouth open.
“Sister, why are you…”