Starting as a Manga Editor-Chapter 216: ...Missing Your Sister?

7 PM.
After a full day of game selection, drafting live-streaming plans, and convincing Li Xue to co-host, Master Tang—exhausted from the nonstop work—finally returned home.
Yet, standing at her doorstep, Tang Yao didn't rush inside. Instead, she took a deep breath, composed her expression, and pushed aside all work-related thoughts before unlocking the door.
This had become her daily ritual.
As usual, the lights were on inside, and the faint aroma of home-cooked food wafted from the kitchen.
...Braised pork?
The moment the thought crossed Tang Yao's mind, Xun emerged from the kitchen wearing an apron.
With the weather growing hotter, Xun had dressed lightly: denim shorts showcasing her slender legs and a white tank top paired with a bear-patterned apron—utterly domestic.
"Xun."
While loosening her ponytail, Tang Yao tiptoed toward her sister, peering curiously into the kitchen. "Is that braised pork?"
"Mm."
Xun acknowledged softly, tilting her delicate face upward to gaze at her sister.
"What's up?"
Tang Yao secured her hair tie around her wrist and smoothed her long, silky hair, puzzled by Xun's unusual demeanor.
"..."
After a brief silence, Xun murmured, "Your hair's gotten longer. Want to schedule a trim together sometime?"
"Really?"
Surprised, Tang Yao glanced sideways—though, of course, she couldn't see her own waist-length hair. Giving up quickly, she turned back. "Nah, it's fine for now. I'm swamped lately—maybe another time."
"..."
Xun parted her lips as if to speak, but after studying her sister's expression, she lowered her eyes. "Oh... By the way, you've been working Saturdays too. It feels like ages since you rested."
"No choice."
Tang Yao tugged at her hair tie and sighed. "Post-New Year chaos piled up, and now bigger companies are bullying us. I have to prepare—Avalon's survival isn't just about me anymore. You've been handling so much... If you're tired, I could hire a housekeeper to cook—"
"I'm fine."
Xun cut in sharply. "No housekeeper."
Tang Yao paused. "...Are you tired?"
Something felt off.
Today, Xun seemed... hesitant. Uncharacteristically so.
Assuming it was fatigue, Tang Yao softened her voice. Though they were financially secure now, Xun had shouldered all the cooking—returning from class to prepare meals for two. Tang Yao had suggested hiring help before, but Xun always refused.
"I'm not tired. Just..."
Xun shook her head, words trailing into silence.
"What can't you tell your sister?"
Tang Yao gently pinched Xun's cheek. "Spit it out!"
If Tang Yao had once felt like she was merely playing the role of an older sister, time had eroded that barrier entirely.
Xun's face remained impassive. "It's nothing..."
"..."
Observing the petite girl before her—youthful features tinged with something unspoken—Tang Yao scratched her head.
Teenage girls were enigmas... but Xun was clearly hiding something.
"Really okay?"
"Mm. You're home early—go shower first."
Xun pressed her lips together, shaking her head slightly.
Noticing the fleeting gloom on her sister's face, Tang Yao froze, then realized—
...Since New Year's, she'd barely spent time with Xun.
Weekends swallowed by work had dwindled their moments together.
Though mature for her age, Xun was still just a high schooler.
And Tang Yao was her only family.
"Xun."
Guilt tinged Tang Yao's voice as she squeezed Xun's shoulders. "Once this crunch ends, let's get haircuts together, okay?"
"..."
Xun looked down. "Don't force it if you're busy."
"There'll be a break eventually."
Tang Yao hesitated, then whispered, "...Did you miss me?"
Xun stiffened. "No."
"..."
Her reaction confirmed everything.
Suppressing a smile at Xun's stubborn denial, Tang Yao—perhaps influenced by corporate habits—suddenly looped an arm around Xun's neck.
"Sorry I didn't notice. It'll be over soon, and we'll spend proper time together."
"..."
Surrounded by her sister's familiar scent, Xun froze.
Ears reddening, she jerked away in flustered protest. "I didn't! I—I'll check the food!"
She spun and fled to the kitchen.
"...Huh?"
Blinking at Xun's retreating figure, Tang Yao marveled.
Was that... embarrassment?
Wait—this tactic worked on sisters too?
It was just an arm hug!
But... maybe this could double as a secret weapon against both Xun and Li Xue?
Shaking her head to dispel the odd thought, Tang Yao refocused.
Priorities: finalize the duo-stream plan, wrap things up quickly.
...For Xun's sake.
---
The next day, Wei Chi, creator of *Essence*, arrived at Avalon as scheduled.
Li Xue personally greeted him.
"Welcome aboard. Your workspace is ready," she explained while leading him to a meeting room. "But our CEO wants to discuss the game first, so we'll head there now."
"Understood."
Trailing behind, Wei Chi was visibly nervous. Though her phone voice had hinted at it, he hadn't expected Li Xue to be this stunning in person.
As a hardcore introvert, facing a radiant extrovert like her was paralyzing.
So much so that he barely processed the "game discussion" part—until they reached the meeting room door.
Wait.
What did "discuss the game" entail?
Was Avalon reneging on letting him lead? Adding microtransactions?
Anxiety spiked.
What kind of person was Avalon's CEO, anyway? No public info existed...
Probably some unyielding tycoon who'd built Avalon from scratch.
Definitely not someone who'd compromise.
Wei Chi's dread deepened as Li Xue opened the door. "Mr. Wei?"
Snapping back to reality, he entered—and froze.
Instead of a stern middle-aged man, a breathtaking young woman (or so she appeared) sat inside.
Wrong room?
He whipped toward Li Xue for clarification.
With a gesture, she introduced, "This is Tang Yao, Avalon's CEO."
Wei Chi: "......???"
His head swiveled back to Tang Yao with robotic slowness.
...SHE'S the CEO!?