Got it now—this is the correct dynamic:
Ji Lanxue and Bai Zhiqi are close allies (revenge partners)
Ji Lanxue already knows everything about Ji Yanluo liking Bai Zhiqi
They've all been living under the same roof for months
Ji Lanxue is dramatic, teasing, overly expressive, but still safe/familiar, not distant
The vibe is comfortable chaos + inside jokes + long familiarity
Here's the corrected penthouse scene:
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime.
Before Ji Yanluo could even fully step out—
A voice rang out from inside the penthouse.
"You finally came back!"
Ji Lanxue.
She was sprawled dramatically across the sofa, one arm thrown over her forehead like she had been waiting for centuries instead of a few hours. A half-eaten snack sat beside her, and the TV in the background was paused on some random drama scene.
The moment she saw them—
She sat up instantly.
Too fast.
Too excited.
"Ohhh," she dragged the sound out, eyes lighting up. "You brought her back alive."
Ji Yanluo sighed immediately. "Lanxue—"
But she was already standing.
Barefoot, pointing between them like she was presenting evidence in court.
"I knew it," she declared loudly. "I KNEW IT."
Bai Zhiqi didn't even react strongly.
She just sighed a little.
"…What now?"
Ji Lanxue gasped as if offended.
"What do you mean what now?"
She walked straight toward them, circling them immediately like a detective who had solved a case years ago and was just waiting for confirmation.
"You two left together," she said. "You came back together."
She stopped in front of Ji Yanluo first, then slowly turned her head toward Bai Zhiqi.
"And you," she pointed lightly at Bai Zhiqi, "are not denying it anymore."
Ji Yanluo rubbed his temple. "There is nothing to deny."
Ji Lanxue froze.
Then turned slowly.
"Oh?"
A dangerous smile.
"That sounded VERY confident for someone I've watched stare at her for three months like a lost puppy."
Ji Yanluo: "…"
Bai Zhiqi blinked. "Puppy?"
Ji Lanxue immediately nodded.
"Yes. Him."
She pointed at her brother like she was exposing corruption.
Ji Yanluo stepped forward. "Lanxue, stop talking."
"NO," she said instantly, louder.
Then she grabbed Bai Zhiqi's hand like they were teammates.
"You see this man?" she said seriously.
Bai Zhiqi didn't resist.
She just looked mildly entertained.
Ji Lanxue continued dramatically:
"He thinks he is subtle."
She released Bai Zhiqi's hand only to turn toward her fully now, lowering her voice like she was sharing classified information.
"He is not."
A pause.
Then she added brightly:
"He's actually terrible at it."
That finally made Bai Zhiqi laugh—small, real.
Ji Yanluo exhaled sharply. "I regret every life decision that led to this moment."
Ji Lanxue ignored him completely.
Instead, she looped her arm through Bai Zhiqi's like they were on the same side of the battlefield—which, in her mind, they were.
"So," she said casually, walking them further inside, "did anything happen while I was gone?"
Her eyes sparkled immediately.
Then she leaned in slightly.
"Or should I start planning the wedding already?"
Ji Yanluo: "LANXUE."
Bai Zhiqi paused mid-step.
"…What wedding?"
Ji Lanxue gasped again, louder this time.
"Oh my god," she whispered. "She's considering it."
Ji Yanluo looked like he was one second away from leaving the country.
Bai Zhiqi, meanwhile, just shook her head slightly—but she was smiling now.
Because this—
This was normal for them.
Home, in its most chaotic form.