Persuade With Reason

As the first rays of morning sunlight slipped through the gaps in the curtains, Jin Fei was already up, practicing the "Royal Fitness Technique of the Great Phoenix" on the balcony.

Jin Bo knocked and entered just as Jin Fei was performing the eighth move of the routine.

"Brother, would you like to learn?" Jin Fei continued her movements with ease. "Though the royal secrets are traditionally passed down only to women, now that the Great Phoenix dynasty has fallen, it wouldn't hurt for you to learn some self-defense skills."

Jin Bo's expression remained blank. "I've seen this technique before. It's also known as 'Eaglet Takes Flight.'"

At the mention of the word "eagle," Jin Fei's eyes immediately turned sharp. She stared at Jin Bo for a few seconds. "When did our royal secrets get leaked?"

Jin Bo: "..."

Indeed, not only had it been leaked, but many elementary school students were familiar with it, as it was the second set of calisthenics for primary and secondary school students!

"I not only know 'Eaglet Takes Flight,' but also 'Rainbow Sunshine' and 'Dancing Youth,'" Jin Bo said, tidying up Jin Fei's blanket, showing no interest in the martial arts secrets of the Great Phoenix dynasty. "Let's go have breakfast."

"You even know 'Rainbow Sunshine'?" Jin Fei was pleasantly surprised, patting Jin Bo's shoulder. "That's the secret technique of the enemy kingdom's royal family. Brother, you're impressive. But you're mistaken about one thing—our Great Phoenix's secret technique isn't called 'Eaglet Takes Flight.' It's called 'Female Eagle Soars!'"

Jin Bo glanced at Jin Fei, deep in thought.

Eleven years ago, when his sister was in sixth grade, she participated in a calisthenics friendly match against a neighboring school. Their school performed 'Eaglet Takes Flight,' while the opposing school did 'Rainbow Sunshine.' Due to an absent classmate, Jin Fei's class scored lower than their opponents.

He clearly remembered that, as the class monitor, his sister had comforted her classmates after the loss, encouraging them to keep trying, and never mentioned the incident to their family.

Yet, after all these years, it seemed his sister still hadn't forgotten it.

The siblings had returned to their parents' place the night before. After breakfast, Jin Fei wiped her mouth and stood up. "Let's go."

Jin Weifeng and Zhou Yun both looked up at their daughter. "Where are you going?"

"To take Jin Bo to school," Jin Fei said seriously. "He's a boy, and I don't feel comfortable letting him go alone."

The couple exchanged hesitant glances, then looked at Jin Bo, who remained silent, focused on his meal. After a few seconds, Zhou Yun spoke. "Alright, be careful on the way."

Jin Weifeng put down his chopsticks. "I'm not busy with work today. I can drive you there."

"No need," Jin Fei pointed to the phone on the table. "I checked last night. It won't take long to get to Jin Bo's school by taxi."

Jin Weifeng wanted to say more, but Zhou Yun tugged at his sleeve under the table. "Mom believes in you."

Jin Fei's face lit up with a smile.

Once the siblings left, Jin Weifeng wished he could don an invisibility cloak and follow them.

"Stop pacing around in front of me," Zhou Yun pushed the bowl to the center of the table. "If you're restless, clean up the dishes."

"I'm just worried about Fei Fei..." Jin Weifeng said as he cleared the table, glancing anxiously out the window. "She can't handle any more major shocks. What if something happens while she's out?"

The family was well-off, with the couple running several supermarkets and holding shares in a profitable company. However, their busy schedules often left them little time to focus on their children. Jin Fei had always been obedient, considerate, and academically outstanding, never giving them any trouble. Whenever they attended parent-teacher meetings, the teachers would praise Jin Fei endlessly.

No one could have predicted that their daughter, who had always sailed smoothly through life, would suffer such a major emotional setback. They blamed themselves for not paying enough attention to her, or else things wouldn't have escalated to this point.

"Fei Fei has been staying at home for months now. We can't keep her cooped up forever," Zhou Yun said through gritted teeth. "She'll get better gradually."

Sunlight streamed into the room, brightening the half-drawn curtains in the living room.

Jin Bo had always been a decent student, but because Jin Fei was so exceptional, everyone around him expected him to do even better. During his rebellious teenage years, he had resented people bringing up his sister and had even fought with her several times.

"Here we are, young man," the taxi driver turned to Jin Bo. "Remember to give me a five-star rating."

"Thank you," Jin Bo snapped out of his thoughts and realized his sister had already gotten out of the car, carrying his suitcase.

"Sis!" Jin Bo rushed over. If his roommates found out he let his sister carry his suitcase, they'd never let him live it down.

"Don't fuss, be good," Jin Fei reached out to pat Jin Bo's head, preventing him from taking the suitcase. "It's not heavy. Let me handle it."

Jin Bo's face turned red as he looked away. "I'm not a kid anymore."

"No matter how old you get, you'll always be my little brother in my eyes."

Hearing this, Jin Bo was reminded of the argument they'd had years ago, when he had shouted at Jin Fei, "I must have been cursed for eight lifetimes to have a sister like you!"

After that, his sister had stopped visiting him at school. Of course, the heated argument had eventually subsided, thanks to her calm demeanor.

The sound of suitcase wheels rolling on the ground echoed as Jin Bo followed Jin Fei, as quiet as a quail.

When they reached the dormitory building, Jin Fei handed the suitcase to Jin Bo. "If your roommates are here, call them down. I'll treat you all to lunch."

She sighed, thinking how difficult it must be for four boys to share such a small space.

"Okay," Jin Bo took a few steps, then turned back to look at Jin Fei. "Sis, wait here for me. Don't wander off."

"Don't worry, I won't leave until you come back," Jin Fei smiled at Jin Bo. Boys were always so contradictory—clearly scared to be alone, yet refusing to admit it.

Seeing his sister's expression, Jin Bo knew she had misunderstood. He took a deep breath and strode toward the dormitory.

Jin Bo's three roommates, all from out of town, had arrived at school the day before. When Jin Bo entered, they greeted him and offered snacks.

"Any lunch plans?" Jin Bo walked to the balcony and looked down. His sister was still standing in the same spot, not having moved an inch.

She was beautiful, with fair skin, and her presence outside the boys' dormitory had attracted quite a few glances from passing students.

Jin Bo frowned. Men were all wolves—no good!

"Nope," one of the roommates grinned mysteriously. "Did you get a girlfriend and want to introduce her to us?"

"What are you talking about?!" Jin Bo coughed awkwardly. "My sister's visiting our school today and wants to treat you all to lunch. If you're not interested..."

"We're interested, we're interested!" The roommates howled like wolves. "If your sister's treating, we'll crawl there if we have to. Let's go, don't keep her waiting."

The three of them dragged Jin Bo downstairs, arm in arm. Suddenly, one roommate whispered excitedly, "Look outside the gate. There's a goddess."

"I could..."

"Could what?!" Jin Bo hissed through clenched teeth. "Keep your eyes to yourselves, you wolves. That's my sister!"

"Brother-in-law, would you mind having a brother-in-law your age?!"

"Get lost!"

Jin Fei watched as Jin Bo and his three roommates playfully walked out of the dormitory, a warm smile on her face. It seemed her brother got along well with his friends.

"Hello, I'm Jin Bo's sister," Jin Fei greeted them with a smile. "Thank you for looking after him in the dormitory."

"No, no."

"Not at all."

The once rowdy roommates now spoke in voices as soft as mosquitoes, their faces and ears red, unsure where to put their hands and feet.

Seeing them like this, Jin Fei chuckled softly.

Boys were always so shy. She understood.

They chose a well-reviewed restaurant near the school. As Jin Fei listened to the boys' banter, she occasionally chimed in, quickly learning about Jin Bo's life at school.

After the meal, Jin Fei bought them some fruit to take back.

"Boys should eat more fruit. It's good for your skin."

The three roommates exchanged meaningful glances at Jin Bo. Who would have thought the usually carefree guy was so into skincare?

Under their scrutinizing gazes, Jin Bo felt his reputation had been thoroughly tarnished.

"You should all eat more too," Jin Fei said, buying a portion for each of the roommates.

"Thank you, sister." Seeing Jin Fei carrying several large bags, her three roommates, with great chivalry, offered to help her carry them.

"No need," Jin Fei declined their help. "I can handle it. As a strong woman, how could I let you boys carry these?"

The three roommates turned to look at Jin Bo. How could such a handsome brother let his sister carry such heavy things?

Jin Bo pretended not to notice the accusatory looks from his roommates and silently covered his face. He was afraid that if he tried to carry the bags, his sister would start saying things like "boys are delicate" or "women should protect the weaker ones."

Seeing that Jin Bo remained unmoved, the roommates looked back at Jin Fei, who was walking ahead, fair and delicate, and their accusing gazes grew even stronger.

Back at the school, Jin Bo and his roommates took Jin Fei on a tour of the campus. They hadn't gone far when Jin Fei heard someone calling her name.

"Sister Jin Fei," a young girl in a dress walked up to her. She glanced at Jin Bo, who was standing beside Jin Fei, and asked, "Are you doing okay?"

Jin Fei looked at her but didn't respond.

Seeing that Jin Fei wasn't acknowledging her, the girl lowered her head and whispered, "I know you resent me in your heart, but... but..."

"Jin Fei," a man in a shirt and tie quickly approached. He took the girl's hand and said, "What happened in the past has nothing to do with Xiao Xiao. We're engaged now, and once she graduates, we'll hold our wedding..."

"We don't talk to scumbags like you. Let's go!" Jin Bo, seeing the pair, tried to pull Jin Fei away.

Jin Fei found the man somewhat familiar, as if she had seen him in some gossip news—a frivolous man with eight ex-girlfriends and a reputation for being unfaithful.

What was his name again?

Never mind, she couldn't recall it.

She turned her head to look at the girl in the dress, who was biting her lip, her eyes glistening with tears, and frowned slightly. "As a girl, how can you act so coy when speaking?"

Could it be...

Her expression changed, and she took a big step back. "I'm not interested in women."

As a charming and irresistible beauty who captivated men, women, and people of all ages, she really felt the pressure.