“Will you come to our last gathering before graduation?”

The cold-eyed, expressionless youth froze mid-step.

A class reunion… oh, graduation gathering. Yeah, truly the last one. After university, everyone scatters to the winds.

But… four years as a background character, not even interning together—was he even worthy?

No close friends at the party. Just sitting alone in a corner, sipping juice. Pathetic. Yet skipping the final gathering felt too rude.

Maybe feign refusal first. If he insists, then accept.

Mind made up, the youth said flatly, “Nah. Busy.”

His classmate blinked in surprise, then chuckled. “Figured you’d say that. Won’t keep you. Wishing you all the best.”

“…”

After a long silence, he sighed softly.

Again. Always like this.

He knew his flaw. Inside, soft and humble. Outside, cold and aloof.

He remembered a holiday gathering—same pattern. Classmates partied at KTV; he stayed in his dorm watching anime.

Bored, he stumbled on a shoujo series. Met Shirakabei Ririchiyo. Finally understood: he was a tsundere. Sometimes, he felt she was his 2D counterpart.

But… not really. Shirakabei was a stunning beauty. He was just an ordinary otaku.

What about the future?

Leaving campus—the ivory tower—entering society’s harsh reality… communication issues would magnify. Maybe even landing a job would be impossible.

What to do?

Lost in despair, the youth didn’t notice the swerving truck barreling toward him.

Crash—!

And just like that… he never had to worry again.

———— The Line Between Life and Death ————

Pain. Everywhere. Like being hit by a truck.

…Right. He *was* hit.

Time blurred. The pain faded, leaving only a faint throbbing in his chest.

When the last trace vanished… he—no, *she*—opened her eyes.

A spacious, spotless bedroom. Delicate trinkets everywhere. A fairy’s boudoir. Nothing like an otaku’s room.

The girl blinked hard. She remembered: lost in life… then the truck.

But now—she lifted a hand. Fair, snow-white skin. Slender, translucent fingers.

Her heart pounded.

Could it be…?

Residual memories surfaced: *Bai Ningning*. A girl about to start her sophomore year.

She’d really been reborn!

Bai Ningning scrambled out of bed, rushed to the mirror. A breathtaking beauty stared back.

Flawless features. Dreamlike perfection. Straight out of an anime.

Even a little like that Shirakabei counterpart.

Only issue: her face looked youthful—almost middle-school aged. No one would believe she was in college.

But when her gaze drifted downward… a wave of dizziness hit her.

Proportions meant for an adult… *beyond* adult.

Fingers trembled. Pupils shook. Heart hammered fiercely.

Forget counterpart—she was the *premium* Shirakabei!

Without hesitation, Bai Ningning clasped her hands in prayer.

“God… thank you. Not just for life… but for *this* life.”

Beauty. Figure. With this foundation, communication issues? Trivial.

Life was set.

*As long as the original left no baggage…*

Then she recalled the faint chest pain upon waking.

Her delicate brows furrowed. Something was off.

She spotted the phone on the bed. Recalled her waking position. Mood turned grave.

Phone’s location. Chest pain.

What if… the original saw a message, got a massive shock, and her heart gave out?

Unlocking it should show the screen. Face ID would work.

Carefully, she picked up the phone. Suddenly—more memories flooded in.

*‘Sister volunteered.’*

*‘Just playing around.’*

*‘I never promised anything.’*

*‘Heh.’*

After thirty minutes of mental sorting, the truth cleared.

The original? Quite the “green tea.” Charmed a fair, wealthy, beautiful older sister. Enjoyed her relentless pursuit.

But played hard to get—gave *zero* sweetness. The romance felt like a ghosting online date.

Until she accidentally voiced her true thoughts… and the older sister overheard.

That day, the older sister snapped out of it.

From memories: she was formidable—sharp mind, powerful background. Just love-struck and naive before.

Once clear-eyed, she began quiet retribution. Kept up appearances. Then, exploiting the original’s gaming habit, “lent” expensive virtual items.

*“Lent to you for fun.”*

Until one day—after gaming at an internet cafe—the account was VAC-banned. All skins locked. Worthless.

When the original tried to coo and plead:

*“I only lent them. Pay me back.”*

*“Can’t? We’ll see the lawyers.”*

Shock hit. Heart failed. She passed.

Bai Ningning sighed deeply on the bed.

“You had such lovely looks… why be a ‘green tea’? Now the caring sister’s gone. Debt. Lawsuits.”

“And you ran off… leaving *me* to clean it up.”

“How am I supposed to pay?!”

She scowled at the mirror, muttering to the departed original: “Dating’s dating. Even if not sincere… at least hold hands! If you’d given *any* sweetness, it wouldn’t have ended like this.”

Seriously—no hand-holding on dates? For *that* price?

But Bai Ningning understood the shock. Memories revealed: orphaned. No assets. Even this room was lent. Without the sister, she’d be dorm-bound, tuition-anxious… maybe walking a dark path.

This debt? Impossible.

*God didn’t gift me a better life… He resurrected me to pay.*

Her chest tightened.

“Enough. Stay positive,” she rallied herself. “Virtual items? Can’t cost *that* much. Just… buying this life.”

Skins don’t even give stats. A dead person gaining life? A win.

She face-unlocked the phone. Chat screen glowed.

[.] : Pay up. Can’t? Court awaits.

[.] : Repayment list attached.

*(“.” was the older sister’s QQ name.)*

Bai Ningning tapped the image.

Four-Leaf Clover Titan Souvenir AWP Dragon Lore ×1

Four-Leaf Clover IBP Gold Howl ×1

Four-Leaf Clover Titan Pure Blue Case Hardened ×1

Factory New Miami, Pandora, premium gloves, high-tier knives…

Total: Rounded down for you: 2,500,000 yuan.

She rubbed her eyes. Counted the zeros. *One… two… three… four… five.*

“TWO POINT FIVE *MILLION*?!”

Vision blurred. Heart stabbed.

She tried pressing her chest—but her ample chest blocked her hand.

“You *silly* girl!” she yelled at the mirror. “Why chase skins that don’t even boost stats?!”

Two-point-five million?! Work a lifetime? Maybe not enough.

Room spun. Chest crushed. She staggered, collapsed onto the bed, utterly spent.

“God…” she whispered, tears welling. “Just… kill me.”

This life’s too expensive. I can’t afford it. *Sob.*

*Ding-dong. Ding-dong. Ding-dong.*

Three new messages.

Limbs heavy, she fumbled for the phone.

[.] : I know you can’t pay. But… another way exists.

[.] : Depends on your sincerity.

[.] : Come to my place tonight. You know where.

Bai Ningning jolted upright—*pop!*—a pajama button flew across the room.

Staring at the screen, anxiety coiled tight in her chest.

What’s this? What does it *mean*?