The blush on my face felt scorching as the peculiar stares of the passengers on the bus bore into me. Their gazes were piercing, as though I’d been stripped and forced to stroll down a crowded street. Mortified, I stiffened, mimicking Wu Jing’s demeanor, and dragged Xier over to an empty seat. Maybe the best way to handle this was with a forced smile—just pretend nothing’s wrong.

“Honestly, the world’s morals are in decline. For a teacher to use a child’s fare card—how thick-skinned can you get!”

“Whoa, look at her chest! That’s not a kid; that’s... that’s like a melon-sized joke!”

“Miss, are you trying to make us laugh? If that’s the case, I’ll fund your bus pass for a year, as long as you let me... heh heh heh!”

“Well, to be fair, teachers don’t make much money these days.”

Listening to the surrounding chatter, I couldn’t even lift my head. I buried my face into Xier’s chest in shame, whining silently. Oh, Miko, you’re so awful—how could you come up with this humiliating scheme to get back at me?

Meanwhile, Wu Jing—who had been blushing crimson just moments ago—looked completely unfazed now. Clearly, beauty attracts far more attention, proving the age-old wisdom: there’s always a new low when it comes to embarrassment.

As soon as the bus arrived at the next stop, I wasted no time grabbing Xier—still giggling—and the equally amused Xiao Ling, rushing off the bus in one breath. The moment my feet hit the pavement, I exhaled in relief—the searing stares had finally disappeared.

“Little Hua Shu~ White and bright~ All ears standing upright~”

“Xiao Ling, are you seriously making fun of your older brother even after getting off the bus?” I groaned.

“But bro, this child fare card isn’t mine—it’s from Miko!”

“Hahaha! The way you acted back there on the bus,” Xiao Ling doubled over in laughter, “you were like an ostrich, head buried in Xier’s chest, not even looking up!”

“Well then, I’ll deal with your dear Sister Miko when we get home,” I said ominously. But instead of catching the gravity in my tone, their laughter only gained momentum.

*Clang!*

I slammed the security door open the moment we arrived home; the booming sound perfectly delivered my raging fury.

“Miko, you’ve gone too far! Giving me a child fare card—what kind of...”

I stormed into the room, only to stop short, dumbstruck. The sight before me was not what I had anticipated—Miko and Xiao Yao, sitting on the couch, chatting away like old friends.

“Hua Shu~ Welcome home~”

“Hey, Hua Shu, you're back!”

They greeted me with such cheerful warmth that I involuntarily nodded, slipping into my house slippers and instinctively heading further inside. Wait, no, this wasn’t right—wasn’t I supposed to be delivering my wrath upon Miko? And now they’re steering the conversation away like pros!

“Miko! Do you even realize how mortifying it was for me on the bus because of that child fare card you gave me?”

“Hua Shu, aren’t you curious why I can sit here talking with Yao like nothing’s strange?”

“Er... I guess that is a little odd. Xiao Yao, didn’t you say only those who truly want to see you can see you?”

“Exactly~ So I have no idea how Miko managed to see me the moment she walked in. Did you tell her about me, Hua Shu?”

“Well, uh... yeah, I did mention you to Miko at school.”

I sighed, pulling Xier and Miko to join me on the couch. But wait—why was Xier still covering her mouth, laughing uncontrollably? Has she been holding back since the bus ride? Damn! They’ve successfully changed the subject again!

Miko’s stealthy talent for distractions nearly made me forget the reason for my fury.

“Miko, you’re being too outrageous! Always diverting the topic!”

“Meh~ You caught on?”

Enraged, I yanked Miko onto my lap, pinning her down with one hand while raising the other to smack her firm, springy backside.

*Smack!* *Smack!* *Smack!*

Ah! The satisfaction—each hit reverberated perfectly. I couldn’t help but land a few more.

To my surprise, Miko didn’t resist at all. She merely turned her face to the side, flashing me a coy grin, before gripping my leg and rubbing her face against my ankles with a delighted expression.

“Hey, hey! Be serious! Answer me—do you understand what you did wrong?”

“Huh?! Isn’t this *your* fault for straying in the first place? I couldn’t bear to leave you, so I came up with a little payback!”

“What do you mean, me straying?! I’d never—wait, uh... okay fine, I’m wrong, I admit it.”

Just as I was about to deny her accusation, Xier—who’d been silently watching our squabble from the side—suddenly leaned in to kiss me, her eyes brimming with unspoken longing. Her move left me stunned—how could I refute anything now?

“So? Have *you* understood your mistake, Hua Shu? And remember, the wrongdoer has to take their punishment~”

With that, Miko grabbed my ankle and pressed in a peculiar spot, sending an electric shock of unbearable sensation coursing through me.

“Ahh! Okay, I’m sorry, Miko! Stop, please! Xiao Ling, don’t just stare—help me out here!”

But much to my horror, Xier didn’t intervene; she fixated on the spot where Miko had triggered that reaction, seemingly memorizing what she’d observed with a quiet smirk.

Nooo... something’s leaking down there—that’s it, my reputation’s ruined! Miko, you’ve destroyed me utterly—what do I even do now? Wait! My sister! Xiao Ling! She’ll save me surely...

“Xiao Ling! Help! Miko’s gone mad!”

*Thump, thump, thump.*

Xiao Ling dashed into the living room, only for her face to flush beet red upon seeing my humiliating plight. She covered her face and scurried right back to her room without saying a word!

“Little sis! Why are you blushing at a time like this?! Your big brother’s losing his dignity here!”

“Hua Shu, I’ll let you off this time. But if you... oh, um, sorry...”

Miko muttered awkwardly after letting go of my ankle, sensing my utter defeat. Noticing a damp patch on my skirt, her gaze sharpened with sudden realization. Flustered, she nervously apologized while I sat there, lifeless, bereft of hope.