After Being Cursed, My Cold Senior Sister Fell in Love with Me - Chapter 1

On the day of the Awakening of Insects, a light snow fell on Tingyun Mountain, and two major events shook the Monster Management Bureau.

First, the Special Investigation Team was formed, led by the “infamous” Great Demon, Jiang Rulian.

Second, through means unknown, their leader managed to secure Qing Qian as a consultant.

On her tenth day on the job, Jiang Rulian stood outside a storefront, overhearing a conversation about these developments.

The young woman walking past Jiang Rulian kept her voice hushed, but Jiang Rulian’s keen hearing picked up every word.

“So, how powerful is this new Consultant Qing? I’ve never heard of her before.”

“I heard she was in seclusion recovering from injuries for thirty years and only recently emerged. According to seniority, the sect leader of Tingyun Mountain would have to address her as ‘Senior Ancestor Master’.”

Clutching her folder, the young woman pressed on, “Can you give me some concrete numbers? Don’t be so vague.”

“Let me put it this way: the number of demons slain by Senior Qing is exactly the same as Captain Jiang’s disciplinary records.”

The data was striking. The young woman’s eyes widened.

“That’s… that’s incredible! So impressive!”

Jiang Rulian: …

The two hurried across the street, their figures disappearing into the Monster Bureau building.

Jiang Rulian never paid attention to such backstabbing remarks. She refocused on the glass display window.

This shop specialized in precious jewels, and the sapphire before her was their finest piece, named “Biluo.”

Under the bright lighting, it shimmered like the clearest summer sky.

As a Phoenix, Jiang Rulian had no resistance to beautiful, glowing objects.

Normally, she would have already gone inside to pay. But today, she glanced at the clock on the wall and sighed, reluctantly tearing herself away.

Ugh, I can’t believe I have to go to a meeting after work!

The Monster Management Bureau, composed of human cultivators and demons, was commonly known as the Monster Bureau. Its primary mission was to maintain relations between humans and demons and prevent ordinary people from being exposed to phenomena beyond the realm of scientific understanding. The bureau was located in the heart of S City’s bustling business district, disguised as an unmarked office building.

Jiang Rulian pushed open the conference room door with one hand, instantly drawing the attention of everyone present. Both cultivators and demons turned to look at her. An empty chair at the long table stood out conspicuously.

Jiang Rulian raised an eyebrow. “Wasn’t there supposed to be a meeting? What are you all staring at me for?” Her voice was clear and melodious, but her attitude was carefree and dismissive.

The elderly man in Daoist robes, seated at the head of the table, frowned. “It’s past ten past six, Captain Jiang. You’re late again.”

Jiang Rulian casually took her seat, propping her head up with one hand. She chuckled softly. “They notified me after work hours. Being late is hardly surprising, isn’t it?”

Members of the Demon Race were renowned for their striking beauty, and Jiang Rulian was considered their most exceptional specimen. From the curve of her jawline to the upward tilt of her eyes when she looked down her nose, every feature was flawless, making her peerlessly stunning.

Unfortunately, her temper was even more infamous than her looks—stubborn, defiant, and resistant to authority.

Jiang Rulian’s smug demeanor successfully infuriated the old man.

He slammed the manuscript down, his forehead creasing into deep furrows. “Jiang Rulian! You weren’t even at the Monster Bureau today!”

Hiss—

Someone gasped softly, and the conference room fell completely silent.

Except for the elderly man who had risen in agitation, everyone present—human and demon alike—shrank back like startled quail.

Jiang Rulian finally deigned to lift her gaze, her dark golden eyes shimmering with an eerie, otherworldly light.

A smile lingered on her lips, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Fellow Daoist Wu,” she said, her voice cool and measured, “you can’t possibly be unaware of the Demon Race’s customs. To call a Great Demon’s name without permission is considered a provocation.”

The emphasis fell on the last four words, a blatant warning.

Veins bulged on the old man’s hand as a surge of blood rushed to his head, urging him to roll up his sleeves and confront Jiang Rulian.

“Stop, stop! We’re colleagues—let’s talk this out properly.”

Seeing the conflict about to escalate, the young woman sitting next to Jiang Rulian quickly clasped her hands together and stepped in to smooth things over. “Daoist Master Wu, please calm down. Senior Jiang didn’t mean it.”

Wu Chen’s fists clenched and unclenched before he finally sat back down, forcing out a stiff apology: “Forgive me, Captain Jiang.”

Jiang Rulian snorted but didn’t respond.

Relieved the argument hadn’t escalated into a fight, the young woman glanced at Jiang Rulian out of the corner of her eye before cautiously suggesting, “Shall we begin the meeting?”

Wu Chen nodded, adjusting his sleeve and adopting a stern, unsmiling expression. Even the wrinkles on his face seemed to stiffen like stone.

“Captain Jiang, have you made any progress in investigating the recent series of demon attacks?”

“No.”

“Any leads?”

“None.”

Jiang Rulian answered without a hint of shame or embarrassment, as if there was nothing wrong with her lack of progress.

Wu Chen’s blood pressure began to rise, and he shot to his feet. “Jiang—”

The people around him tugged at his sleeve, urgently reminding him, “Hey! That’s not the point of today’s meeting.”

Jiang Rulian, however, seemed to relish the drama, her derisive snicker adding fuel to the fire.

Watching the meeting devolve, Wu Chen felt like he’d aged ten years. He silently recited the Scripture of Purity and Tranquility, took a deep breath, and schooled his expression.

“Captain Jiang, we’ve decided to appoint a vice-captain to oversee the Investigation Team’s operations, ensuring impartiality and integrity.”

Jiang Rulian smiled faintly. “A human?”

Her smile had been present since she entered, but it held no warmth—rather, it felt like mockery.

A gust of wind blew through the window crack, rustling Wu Chen’s sleeves. His tone turned stern. “Having a demon mediate disputes between humans and demons is inappropriate.”

This tacitly confirmed Jiang Rulian’s implication.

An enraged demon immediately protested, “There are already humans on the team! Your repeated attempts to insert your own people show utter disrespect for us!”

Before Wu Chen could respond, Jiang Rulian shot the demon a sidelong glance. The creature fell silent instantly.

The early spring chill couldn’t dispel the tension in the meeting room; instead, it seemed to freeze the atmosphere even further.

Jiang Rulian tucked her hair behind her ear, the crimson tips like flames coiling around her fingertips.

“You want to use my abilities, yet you fear my status,” she said, raising her chin with disdain. “You need shackles to feel safe? Is that all the courage you possess?”

“…”

Everyone knew the truth, but having Jiang Rulian expose it so ruthlessly left them feeling stripped of dignity.

The silence grew even heavier, and the anger burned hotter.

Wu Chen restrained himself with effort, nearly snapping the pen in his hand. This wasn’t the first time he’d been forced to swallow his frustration.

Jiang Rulian’s arrogance was justified.

Born into the First Sect of Tingyun Mountain and the world’s sole surviving Phoenix, her combined status and power far surpassed that of everyone present combined.

Phoenix Fire repels all evil, burning fiercely until its target is reduced to ashes.

After a bold, sweeping glance around the room, Jiang Rulian finally finished surveying the myriad expressions, finding the whole affair rather amusing.

She just wanted some amusement, not to openly clash with the Human Race. She set aside her flippant attitude. “I can accept your decision.”

Before Wu Chen and the others could breathe a sigh of relief, Jiang Rulian added, “But I must personally select the candidate.”

After a brief silence, Wu Chen exchanged glances with the others, which quickly evolved into hushed discussions.

Jiang Rulian remained calm, even taking a moment to consider other matters—she needed to find time to purchase that sapphire.

As expected, the group finished their discussion, and Wu Chen spoke for them.

“Who do you want to choose?”

“Qing Qian,” Jiang Rulian replied without hesitation, clearly prepared.

Given the recent uproar over Qing Qian’s emergence from seclusion, most present were aware of their relationship, making it difficult not to draw conclusions.

Someone shook their head in disapproval. “You share the same master.”

“So what?” Jiang Rulian’s smile was faint and insincere. “Are you questioning my senior sister’s impartiality? Or doubting Tingyun Mountain’s stance?”

This accusation was too heavy for anyone to deflect.

Wu Chen slammed his hand on the table and stood up. “Stop stirring up trouble!”

Those around her began to plead again, “Daoist Master, please calm down!”

Jiang Rulian crossed her arms, her expression daring them to challenge her. “What else? Aside from her, who here has any right to tell me what to do?”

Her sharp tongue, though claiming to be a phoenix, proved remarkably skilled at treating low blood pressure.

The Monster Bureau had long suffered Jiang Rulian’s antics, and Wu Chen especially wanted to resolve this matter immediately, hoping out of sight would mean out of mind.

“Fine, fine, fine!”

Having achieved her goal, Jiang Rulian burst into laughter. “Send the appointment letter to my senior sister as soon as possible. If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving.”

With that, she strode away as if no one else were present, leaving a group of humans and demons exchanging bewildered glances.

The elevator descended to the third floor, and Jiang Rulian finally stopped before a wooden door.

The door stood slightly ajar, a warm light visible through the crack. She cautiously knocked.

“Enter.”

The single, icy word struck her heart like a snowflake, melting into water that flowed through her veins.

She cracked the door open, slipped inside while pressed against the wall, and swiftly closed it behind her.

Like a thief in the night.

The interior temperature was completely different from outside. Rows of bookshelves stood under the central air conditioning, resembling a small library.

After weaving through the labyrinth of bookshelves, Jiang Rulian finally found the person she sought in the farthest corner.

She sat quietly on a wooden swivel chair, a book cradled in her arms, her white hair cascading down like a waterfall.

A mole beneath her right eye glistened like a teardrop, yet her expression remained cool and aloof. Even as Jiang Rulian approached, she didn’t spare her a single glance.

Behind her was a floor-to-ceiling window. As dusk fell, pedestrians streamed past, and the neon signs of the opposite shops were clearly visible.

The lamplight draped a gauzy veil over her, blurring the line between reality and illusion.

Jiang Rulian studied her for a few seconds before calling softly, “Senior Sister.”

All the sharpness and aggressiveness from earlier had vanished, replaced by a gentle softness, as if afraid of startling the moon resting in her eyes.

“Mm,” Qing Qian acknowledged, pale fingers slipping a metal bookmark between the pages.

With a graceful leap from the chair, she landed lightly on her feet. Without looking at Jiang Rulian, she passed by indifferently and said, “Yanyan told me you nearly burned down half the mountain today.”

Jiang Rulian’s gaze followed Qing Qian as she returned the book to the shelf, her voice steady as she replied, “I was startled.”

Qing Qian turned, her gaze finally settling on the faint smile playing on Jiang Rulian’s lips.

She clearly didn’t believe Jiang Rulian’s explanation, her demeanor as indifferent as ever. “Tingyun Mountain’s rule states that willful destruction of property is punished with three lashes.”

Under that gaze, clear as autumn waters, Jiang Rulian felt a tingling in her heart. Mustering her courage, she leaned closer, close enough to pull the woman into her arms.

The faint, woodsy fragrance that clung to her lingered in the air. She tilted her head, revealing a smile so dazzling it was almost blinding.

“Will Senior Sister personally administer the punishment?” Her voice was light as a feather, stirring the air and making it feel warmer than elsewhere.

Jiang Rulian was deliberately provocative. She knew Qing Qian had never raised a hand against her, but she couldn’t resist the urge to tease. Or perhaps she wanted to test how to melt spring snow.

The distance between them suddenly narrowed. Qing Qian took a small step back, her long lashes lowering.

“What are you doing here?” Jiang Rulian asked, clasping her hands behind her back, her posture now perfectly proper and obedient, as if she hadn’t just been the one trying to get close.

“When snow falls during The Awakening of Insects, spring will arrive later this year,” Jiang Rulian continued.

Qing Qian frowned, puzzled by the sudden mention of this.

Jiang Rulian continued, “It’s so cold out. Senior Sister, would you like to come home with me?”

Support After Being Cursed, My Cold Senior Sister Fell in Love with Me