Though a chill prickled her spine, Liang Lin figured Liang Di wouldn’t dare be so reckless—unleashing tentacles in a school bathroom swarming with students.

She was only half right.

The moment they stepped inside, Liang Di seized Liang Lin by the collar and shoved her into a stall. The restroom gleamed spotless. A row of cleaning aunties stood guard outside, rushing in the second a stall emptied to wipe, mop, and spritz expensive perfume.

“Mmph!”

Liang Lin slammed against the wall, back pressed to cool tiles, face-to-face with Liang Di’s faintly furious expression.

*Why is she angry?* Liang Lin frowned inwardly. *I’m the one who should be furious. I’m the one humiliated.*

“Liang Di, can’t you at least give me face outside?” she snapped. “Don’t mistake my recent kindness for acceptance. I’m only honoring our childhood bond.”

Liang Di leaned in abruptly, warm breath ghosting across Liang Lin’s cheek.

“Sister… you seemed happy about her tea party invitation, didn’t you?”

Liang Lin missed the meaning—and the thick hint of jealousy hanging in the air.

“What’s my mood got to do with you?” She rolled her eyes. “I’ve said it: I couldn’t care less about those aristocratic girls’ gatherings. Stop twisting my words.” She shoved Liang Di hard.

Liang Di, weaker, stumbled back a step. Her expression darkened, shadows swallowing all light, sending a cold ripple through the air.

Liang Lin reached for the stall door.

“Huh?!”

Her collar yanked from behind. Before she could react, Liang Di hauled her up, pinning her against the wall in a strange, provocative pose—face to the tiles, back fully exposed.

“Liang Di, what—?”

A tiny tentacle coiled around her wrist. Liang Di pressed a knee between her legs, body flush against Liang Lin’s back.

Warmth bloomed on Liang Lin’s ear, a tingling shiver racing down her spine. She flushed crimson, mouth opening to shout—but Liang Di clamped a hand over it.

“Hey, Sister Liang Lin…” A whisper, breath warm against her ear. “If we… do something strange here… does that count as stealing a secret moment?”

Only muffled “Mmm! Mmm!” answered.

“Hehe~ Sister’s so cute~”

Liang Di chuckled low, then nipped her ear.

“Don’t worry. I have limits. I won’t do anything… improper.” A deliberate pause. “But… since you’ve been disobedient… punishment is necessary.”

*Click~*

A weight settled around Liang Lin’s neck.

Liang Di released her. The tentacle retracted. She stepped back.

“All done~”

Cheerful. Smug.

Dread sank deep in Liang Lin’s chest. She reached up—*no*. Her face twisted in horror.

Something circled her throat. She strained to see, chin tucked so hard her double chin showed, but the angle betrayed her. Maybe she’d glimpsed it… and refused to believe.

She burst from the stall, stumbling to the mirror.

Frozen. Petrified.

“…”

In the glass: a girl with a sleek black collar. *Herself.*

“…Shit!”

Rage ignited. Veins throbbed on her forehead. Fury roared like a caged beast.

“Liang Di! Are you fucking crazy?! What the hell is this thing on my neck?!”

She swung. Liang Di sidestepped effortlessly, arms crossed, smiling.

“I think it looks lovely.”

“I’ve said it before, Sister—you’d be happiest as my obedient dog. Dogs wear collars. It’s cute~”

*Insane.*

*Fucking insane.*

No trace of childhood innocence remained. Just a full-blown maniac.

Liang Lin clawed at the collar. It clung like a living leech, suctioned tight to her skin.

“Take this fucking thing off! I don’t want to cross swords with you here!” Her eyes burned red with fury.

“Haha~”

Liang Di’s laugh danced, light and taunting.

“I.”

“Won’t.”

“Do it.”

“You fucking—?!”

Just then—footsteps. Two classmates entered.

Liang Lin froze, then darted into a stall.

*Why hide?* That collar screamed humiliation. If seen? Rumors would fly: *The infamous “delinquent girl,” strutting in a bathroom collar, playing some bizarre… game.* One whisper, and within three days, the entire aristocratic circle would know. Her reputation—shattered.

Her heart hammered.

*Tap. Tap.*

Liang Di knocked the stall door mischievously.

“Sister Liang Lin~ Class is starting soon. I’ll head back. Don’t be late for etiquette~”

“Liang Di… you—!”

Fuming helplessly, Liang Lin clawed the door, powerless.

*Skip class?* Crouched on the floor, she bit her nails, ruffling her long hair in despair.

She had to get out. Hiding forever wasn’t an option.