Doomed… Doomed… Doomed…

The moment Lin Lin spotted Gao Liang’s figure, she froze. *Did I develop trauma from that guy? Please don’t tell me it’s PTSD.*

She rubbed her eyes—yet there he stood, solid and unmistakable.

Lin Lin went blank.

After a long, stunned pause, it hit her: the Gao Liang in Digital City was real. Not a hallucination.

How is he here?!

No—this is NOT the time to wonder!

Run before he sees me—NOW!

If he catches me, he’ll make me meow again. HELP! I finally made it to weekend freedom from this guy!

She spun around, snatched her bulky bag, and bolted.

Then—

“Lin Lin—!”

Her feet locked. She trembled where she stood. *If I just keep walking… he’ll think he mistook me.* She resumed at a casual pace, pretending not to hear.

Gao Liang watched her familiar, stubbornly unturning back and blinked in confusion.

*Isn’t that Lin Lin?*

True, bumping into her here was unlikely—but that slightly stained white shirt? Instant recognition.

“Lin Lin~ Lin Lin~!”

Footsteps pounded closer… closer… until—

“Lin Lin!”

A hand landed on her shoulder, blocking her path.

Lin Lin stiffened.

She awkwardly turned her head, forced a brittle smile, and feigned surprise. “Oh… Gao Liang?”

“Phew~ Knew it was you! I called forever—didn’t you hear?”

Gao Liang frowned. He’d shouted loud enough… and her expression now? Robotically blank.

“Ahaha… spaced out…”

She kept her face calm, but her calves shook, eyes darting everywhere—anywhere but his.

“Hmm?” Gao Liang stroked his chin, then smirked. “Lin Lin… were you *pretending* not to hear? Trying to avoid me?”

*Gasp—*

She stumbled back, horrified. *Can he read minds?!*

“N-no! I was just… worried how to carry these home!” She gestured to her bags with a strained laugh. “See? So heavy! Can’t chat—gotta go! Bye~”

“Wait!”

He grabbed her wrist, snatched the bags. Lin Lin lunged—*robbery?!*—but he simply set them down. She froze mid-reach, realizing: *He’s holding my stuff hostage to keep talking.*

“No rush~” Gao Liang grinned. “What’d you buy? I’ll carry it.”

Lin Lin blinked. Uh…

Huh!

*Wait—he’s already caught me. Turn the tables!*

Make him haul this stack all the way home. Even superhuman stamina would crumble. Serves you right, Gao Liang~

Gou Ge’s words echoed: *“May those who target you get their comeuppance.”*

Perfect timing!

Hehe~ Want to play gentleman? I’ve waited for this day!

She smoothed her expression, switched to a saccharine falsetto: “Reaally? Gao Liang~? You’re so kind! These are *so* heavy—I’m helpless~ Having Brother Gao Liang is just *wonderful*!”

*Pffft—*

*Internal cackle: Even I can’t stand this voice. Little Gao Liang? Easy prey.*

Time to be my errand boy! Annoying rivals is pointless. True revenge? Make them work like an ox—*happily*.

Hiahiahia~

“Sure.”

His quick agreement made her smug—*victory!*—until he cleared his throat.

“But Lin Lin… you haven’t meowed today. And you’ve *seen* me.”

Eh…

She wilted, head dipping shyly. *Ugh. What’s done is done. I’m basically a pro now.*

Sacrifice for his comeuppance? Worth it!

“Meow~”

A reluctant, squeaky catgirl purr.

Mm~

Gao Liang nodded, satisfied. *Proficient. No resistance. First step: complete. As the little vampire girl said—start simple. Then escalate.*

Time to up the ante.

He smirked, remembering his purpose. “If you agree to my next request… I’ll carry your bags home. Deal?”

“Huh?! I already meowed?!”

She protested. A sly glint flickered in his calm eyes.

“But meowing’s just our greeting. My *request*? Still coming~”

“Y-you! Cheater!”

“Well… you *were* supposed to meow, right?” He chuckled. “Don’t worry—it’s small. Just… help me tease someone.”

“What?!”

Lin Lin froze, stepping back. *Tease someone else?*

Mmph…

Scum!

“Misunderstand! It’s my *sister*—she dragged me here. Bumping into you? Actually nice.”

“She’s *just* my sister~ Says purple’s ‘full of charm’?”

“Ahem. *Actual* sister.”

Under Lin Lin’s skeptical gaze, Gao Liang coughed awkwardly.

“So… what do I *do*?” she asked warily.

“Pretend to be my girlfriend!”