Chapter 15: Call Me the Goddess of Strategy

Fiora and Vivian were sitting in the living room, waiting for Leon. The two had already been up for a while, secretly hatching plans.

Fiora had officially started her role as Vivian’s love coach.

“Fiora, do you… really want me to be alone with my brother?” Vivian asked nervously.

“Of course!” Fiora replied confidently.

“But wouldn’t it be too awkward to suddenly go out with him alone?”

“Um… yeah, if you did that now, Leon would probably clam up. And you wouldn’t know how to respond either.”

“Ahem! That’s where I come in! I’ve already come up with the perfect plan—the Three-Person Date Grand Strategy! It might look like I’m tagging along as a third wheel, but I’m actually going to act as a buffer between you two. I’ll create moments for you and Leon to be alone together, so he has to start noticing you.”

“As expected of Fiora! I thought you were just a… well, socially awkward shut-in. But you’re actually an experienced love guru .”

“Ahem, ahem! You flatter me. I don’t deserve it.”

Fiora had fully taken on the role of a dog-headed tactician.

She’d conveniently forgotten that she was a hopeless shut-in whose years of being single equaled her age.
Now, she was drawing from her vast collection of romance fiction to orchestrate a foolproof plan—one that would shift Leon’s attention to his sister and spare herself from being “trained.”

“If there’s one thing I understand, it’s how guys think. That’s my greatest advantage. I know exactly what Leon’s thinking right now.”

“Really? Tell me!”

“Um… well, in short, I’m sure he likes women, not men. Trust me on that.”

Fiora actually wanted to spill the beans about Leon’s perverted tastes. But if she said too much, Vivian might start disliking him—and that would ruin her plan.

At that moment, Leon came downstairs.

He had dark circles under his eyes, looking like he hadn’t slept all night.

“Hey! Leon’s coming down!”

“Oh!”

The two girls, who had been whispering closely together, instantly sprang apart and sat at opposite ends of the sofa—like nothing had happened.

“…You two?”

Leon paused for a second, but decided not to say anything.

Instead, he approached Fiora, as if he’d made up his mind.

“Fiora, can you come out with me for a bit?”

Here it comes! He wants to mess with me again!

Fiora’s heart was in turmoil, but she put on a calm face.

“Leon? Why so sudden?”

“I haven’t registered your advanced s*ave certificate yet. And it’s your first day here, right? I should at least show you around.”

Fiora felt a needle-sharp gaze drilling into her back.

She glanced to the side—it was Vivian, staring at her like she wanted to skin her alive.

Vivian! Calm down! This isn’t a date! He’s just trying to bully me again, like back in Donglin City!

Fiora knew that if she agreed, something bad would happen. So she decided—this was the perfect time to launch her love conquest operation!

“Leon, I want to take Vivian with us.”

“Fiora? Why—”

“Um… uh…”

Fiora met Vivian’s gaze.

[Fiora: Let’s start the plan now!]
[Vivian: But… going out with my brother so suddenly… I’m not ready!]
[Fiora: It’s fine, trust me! I’m here!]

To encourage the shy little sister, Fiora smiled warmly.

Then, without thinking, she grabbed Vivian’s hand and pulled her in front of Leon.

Vivian’s face turned crimson, but after a moment of hesitation, she nodded.

Leon’s eyes lingered on their joined hands.

Fiora finally realized what she’d done and quickly let go, her face heating up too.

That was way too bold for her!

“Do you get it, Leon? Vivian’s coming with us! No objections!”

Leon’s face darkened slightly. “Oh, I get it. You’re with Vivian now.”

Fiora blinked.
Wait, isn’t this guy a sis-con? Why does he look so sour about this?
Could there be… some deeper reason?

***

Once outside, the three of them wandered the streets of Sunrise City, the capital of the Donghui Kingdom.

Leon was more silent than usual.

Fiora tried to chat with him a few times, but the air around him was… icy.

To break the awkwardness, she focused on talking and laughing with Vivian instead.

She found that as long as Leon wasn’t involved, Vivian was actually very easy to get along with.

[Vivian: Fiora, what do we do now? My brother seems to really hate this.]
[Fiora: Don’t panic! It’s all under my control! They don’t call me the God of Strategy for nothing!]

“Vivian, suddenly I really want a gift! Hey, look over there—a flower shop! Let’s check it out!”

“Okay, Fiora. Brother, want to come?”

Leon nodded faintly.

Inside the shop, the elderly owner greeted them warmly, even recognizing Leon and Vivian. But Leon, however, didn’t say much and stopped in front of a certain type of flower.

Seeing this, Fiora pushed Vivian forward.

Go for it, Vivian! Push him to give you flowers!

Leon fidgeted by the lilies.

“Vivian, do you like… lilies?”

“Eh… C-could it be you’re going to give me flowers?”

“It’s… lilies, you know. That kind of thing. Are you… interested in lilies in that way?”

Say yes, Vivian! Say you love them!

Vivian caught Fiora’s frantic gestures from the corner of her eye.

“Of course! I love lilies! How did you know?”

Leon’s face twisted strangely, like he’d just taken a critical hit.

“Fiora wanted a gift… and now you’re really going to…”

“Brother, you’re right! I love lilies, so…”

Vivian! Make the request, don’t let Leon freeze up because of shyness!

Fiora could already see the opportunity for success, so she kept pushing Vivian to go all out.

“C-can… you… give… them… to me?”

Great, Vivian! You did it, you succeeded! You’re going to receive Leon’s affection!

Fiora gave a thumbs-up, and Vivian smiled and responded with a thumbs-up of her own.

But then, the unexpected happened.
Leon muttered bitterly, “Give them, then. Tell her… your feelings…”

And then, without warning, he staggered out of the flower shop, leaving the two girls completely baffled.

Fiora sighed deeply, pushing up her imaginary glasses.

“It seems this is going to be a tough battle. Leon is indeed a hard nut to crack. Looks like I’ll have to go all out.”