Chapter 135: Brother

The "Sweep Operation" was being carried out silently yet efficiently across the globe, with various authentic and counterfeit ancient texts and strange artifacts continuously delivered to specialized research teams, in an attempt to unearth treasures capable of filling the power vacuum caused by the system's "hibernation." Yet this process was bound to be long and fraught with uncertainty.

Just as Qin Feng was focused on leveraging secular power to seek breakthroughs, a warm breeze, tinged with a hint of jealousy, blew from the distant Imperial Capital to his office in Luocheng.

The source of this breeze was naturally his beloved sister, Qin Yu.

Since the uproar over the "16-pack abs" and the "Seeking to Be My Sister" incident, Qin Yu, though silent on the surface, had quietly awakened a small, possessive longing unique to a sister—especially when she saw girls online calling her brother "husband" or "brother," and even people like Liu Qianqian shamelessly clinging to him, making her feel a dull ache in her chest, as if her most precious treasure were being coveted.

She knew her brother was busy, managing a vast Empire and handling many hidden matters she didn't fully understand. She didn't want to burden him, yet she craved more of his attention, needing confirmation of her unique place in his heart.

This petty emotion reached its peak when she saw the "Qin Feng Life Science Foundation" he had established and its "Be My Sister for a Day" public welfare campaign.

Hmph! So girls could just donate some money and become "a sister for a day"? And get signatures and photos too?

Then what about me, the real sister?

So, on a sunny afternoon, Qin Yu hugged her Tablet Computer and dialed Qin Feng's video call.

The call was answered quickly, and Qin Feng's image appeared on the screen. He seemed to be in his office, the Luocheng city skyline behind him, a faint trace of fatigue on his face (the system's side effects had not yet fully faded), but his eyes softened instantly upon seeing his sister.

"Xiao Yu, what's wrong?" Qin Feng's voice came through the speaker, gentle and magnetic.

"Bro~" Qin Yu dragged out the syllable, sounding slightly spoiled, her lips pouting, "Are you out there with other sisters?"

Qin Feng was momentarily stunned by this random question, then laughed: "What nonsense are you talking about? Where would I get other sisters?"

"How can you say that!" Qin Yu pointed at her Tablet Computer, speaking with mock seriousness, "Look at your Foundation's campaign—'Be My Sister for a Day'! And signatures! And photos! Those girls must be thrilled! You're so nice to them…"

Her tone was thick with jealousy, like a child whose candy had been stolen.

Only then did Qin Feng realize—this little girl was jealous. He looked at her puffed-up, slightly wounded face on the screen and felt nothing but amusement and warmth. This pure, dependent familial affection was the most precious comfort in his cold, calculating world.

"Foolish girl," Qin Feng's voice grew even softer, filled with indulgence. "That's just a public welfare campaign, meant to help sick children. In my heart, no one compares to even a single strand of your hair."

"Really?" Qin Yu's eyes lit up, but she still pouted. "Then prove it."

"Prove it?" Qin Feng raised an eyebrow, finding her little tantrum adorable. "What do you want me to do to prove it?"

Qin Yu's eyes darted, then a mischievous smile spread across her face: "I don't care! I want 'Brother's Affection' too—and it has to be way more than those 'one-day sisters' get!"

She began counting on her fingers: "First, I want the latest full VR gaming set! Top configuration! Then, I've set my eyes on a limited-edition necklace—only a hundred made worldwide! And—oh, our school has a anniversary gala next month—I want you to come back and be my special guest! And—"

She rattled off a long list of demands, some reasonable, others pure childish fantasy.

Qin Feng listened patiently, not the least annoyed—his smile deepened with every word. This feeling of being "blackmailed" by his sister was a rare relaxation and joy for him.

"Alright, alright, I'll do it all," Qin Feng agreed without hesitation after she finished. "The VR gear—have Chen Ming order it. The necklace—I'll have someone bid on it. The school gala… Brother will be there on time."

He paused, watching her face instantly brighten into a radiant smile, then added: "But all these are 'Basic Love'."

"Huh? There's 'Basic Love' too?" Qin Yu blinked her big eyes.

"Of course," Qin Feng smiled faintly, a hint of mystery in his gaze. "True 'Brother's Affection' can't be measured by material things."

He shifted tone and asked: "Xiao Yu, how's your schoolwork lately? Any difficulties? Or… has anyone been bullying you at school?"

He began to attentively inquire about her studies and daily life—what books she'd read, her hobbies, even small anecdotes from school. He didn't adopt the posture of a lecturing elder, but spoke like an equal, trustworthy friend, listening carefully and offering advice when appropriate.

This heartfelt, tangible care moved Qin Yu far more than any expensive gift ever could.

She stopped mentioning material demands and began enthusiastically sharing her daily life—complaining about a strict teacher, boasting about solving a tough problem… The siblings chatted animatedly across the screen.

The video call lasted nearly an hour, until a classmate came to find her, and she reluctantly ended the call.

After hanging up, Qin Yu hugged her Tablet Computer and collapsed onto her soft bed, her face glowing with happiness and satisfaction.

She understood.

True "Brother's Affection" wasn't endless material indulgence—it was that no matter how busy he was or where he was, he would always make time for you, care about your joys and sorrows, and be your most solid support when you needed him.

That sense of security and happiness was irreplaceable.

In the office, Qin Feng stared at the darkened screen of his phone, a warm smile on his face.

His sister's petty jealousy and "unreasonable demands" were the sweetest respite in his cold business wars and hidden struggles.

He pressed the internal intercom button and instructed Chen Ming:

"The VR gear and necklace Miss mentioned—get them done. Also, clear my schedule after the 15th next month—I'm returning home."

"Yes, Director Qin."

After handling his sister's "affection" requests, Qin Feng turned his gaze back to the ancient texts and strange artifacts on his desk, his eyes sharpening once more, deep and piercing.

His sister's warmth was the sanctuary he must protect.

The frost and blades of the outside world demanded he wield even greater strength to confront.

The Sweep Operation must accelerate.

He picked up the Black Fragment he had been holding, its faint cool aura radiating, feeling the subtle yet real anomaly within, his eyes flashing with resolve.

No matter how difficult the path ahead, he must walk it.

For everything he cherished.