Human desire knows no bounds—a truth Zhong Cheng felt deeply in this very moment.

After enjoying the Ghost Emperor’s armrest and shoulder pillow, he wasn’t satisfied. He wanted more.

His greedy nature laid utterly bare.

But so what?

Bad boys get the girls.

Zhong Cheng wanted to mimic other couples—gently stroke his girlfriend’s hair, comfort her, steal a little closeness.

But when he eagerly tried to lift his right hand, it wouldn’t budge.

Ah, right—he’d forgotten his little sister was clinging to it.

“Xiao Xi, could you let go of my hand?”

“Why?”

“My girlfriend needs comforting.”

“No. *I* need comforting more. And bro—grab me popcorn. I’m scared.”

“Damn it!”

…

They stepped out of the cinema.

Thanks to his sister’s meddling, Zhong Cheng’s plan fizzled, leaving a faint trace of regret.

Still, resting against the Ghost Emperor’s generous curves had been worth savoring.

“My friends invited me out. I won’t stick around and be a third wheel,” his sister announced after checking her phone.

*All play, no work. Wait till senior year—you’ll cry then.*

“Go ahead, go ahead,” Zhong Cheng waved dismissively, secretly hoping this third wheel would vanish ASAP.

Yet she lingered, smirking mischievously at him.

“Something on my face?”

“No.”

“Then why stare? Suddenly think your brother’s handsome?”

She mimed spitting, utterly disgusted.

*So dramatic.*

“My allowance is gone. No money, no fun,” she stated flatly, shoving her phone’s QR code toward him.

“Ask Mom and Dad. I’m not funding your fun. No way.” Zhong Cheng sighed in exasperation.

“Don’t pay? I stay. Third wheel mode: activated.” She grinned wickedly.

Shameless little sister—she’d nailed his weak spot.

Annoying, yes, but Zhong Cheng genuinely wanted her gone.

Back in the theater, he’d almost succeeded—if not for her.

Had she done it on purpose?

This scheming little sister—already this calculating before college? Terrifying.

Helpless, he handed over a hundred yuan.

She wasn’t satisfied. Demanded more.

*Damn.*

Robbery with a straight face?

Spanked too little as a kid? No morals now?

Truth was, *he* got spanked more.

Their parents lived by “raise sons strictly, daughters indulgently.” Xiao Xi was Daddy’s little girl.

He? Just a worn-out quilt to be tossed around.

He added fifty more. Finally, she left.

Still fuming, he pinched her cheek—a tiny revenge.

She shot him a glare. “Disgusting brother complex!” she snapped, drawing stares and whispers from passersby.

*Tsk.*

Who’s the brother complex? Clarify before you leave, you sister complex!

Money barely squeezed from Tie Niu—robbed by this shameless sister, and she dared act righteous?

“Xiao Xi had to leave. Continue strolling? No problem, right?” Zhong Cheng asked.

“No problem,” the Ghost Emperor replied.

Good.

A flicker of anticipation stirred in him.

*This is a date, right?* Two people wasting study time together—definition of a date.

Plans? None. Last-minute panic. Never expected to be alone with her.

Whatever. She probably wouldn’t mind.

National Day crowds packed the commercial street—dense, bustling, vibrant.

Shops flashed discount signs to lure passersby.

The cinema sat inside the mall; stepping out led straight to the lively street.

Locally famous for entertainment spots and trendy social-media hotspot stores, it was perfect for young crowds.

Hand in hand, they wandered aimlessly.

Zhong Cheng gently took the Ghost Emperor’s hand—smooth, practiced, no hesitation.

He glanced at her. She met his gaze. Eyes locked.

A faint, coldly teasing smile touched the corners of her lips.

*Displeased?*

Hard to tell. Her smiles always carried that icy edge—he was used to it.

He didn’t flinch. She wouldn’t kill him over this. He was still her emergency rations.

Assurance bred boldness.

Time to collect a little more “interest.”

He tightened his grip, pulling her closer until their shoulders brushed—a quietly assertive move.

“Any place you’d like to go? Anything you want to try?”

“No.”

As the guy on this date, Zhong Cheng aimed to lead, show reliability.

*If life forces your hand, you might as well learn to enjoy it.*

Trapped with the Ghost Emperor? Then face her head-on—make a move, show her the way.

With enough boldness, even a ghost could be tamed!

Zhong Cheng shuddered with thrill at his own audacity. *Truly… I am awesome.*

They kept walking, hands linked.

Today, the Ghost Emperor drew little attention—street filled with beauties, some in revealing outfits chasing likes.

Even unmatched beauty couldn’t outshine bare skin.

Such was the harsh reality.

In romance, smooth pacing beats poetic words. Nail the rhythm, avoid crashes—you become Mount Akina’s legend tonight.

Zhong Cheng noticed her gaze often lingered on other girls—especially the pretty ones.

At first, confused. *Why’s a stunning girl checking out other girls? Into girls?*

No.

He realized: she wasn’t admiring faces. She was studying their clothes.

*Huh.*

Turns out—human or ghost, female creatures love beauty and style.

Perfect timing. A women’s boutique displayed chic outfits against its glass wall.

“Let’s go in.”

Zhong Cheng pulled her inside, no hesitation.

Inside:

Black-and-white tiled floor like a chessboard. White walls. Racks separated by glass panels.

Warm spotlight beams overhead.

Clean, bright, minimalist—everything visible at a glance.

Shoppers filled the space; staff too busy to greet them.

“Pick anything you like. I’ll buy it,” Zhong Cheng said, playing the generous young master.

Silent, she released his hand and began scanning the store, drifting toward a rack.

Moments later, she held up an outfit.