“Like hell it is!”

Lin Lin pouted. Seeing he had no intention of leaving, she hurriedly tried to push him out—but he barely budged, instead glancing around her room with amused curiosity.

“Oh? Lin Lin’s room is surprisingly minimalist,” he remarked.

“Whether it’s minimalist or not is none of your business! Out, out! Stop staring at my bed!”

She kept shoving him toward the door. Gao Liang half-smiled and went along, and soon the two tumbled into the living room like playful rivals—then…

Face-to-face with Lin Lin’s parents, who stood on high alert, and her younger brother Lin Yu beside them, still utterly bewildered.

Uh…

Five people froze in the living room, trapped in thick silence.

*Ahem.* Lin Lin snatched her hand from Gao Liang’s back and stepped three paces to his right.

“Um… Xiao Lin, who’s this young man beside you…?”

Her mom pointed hesitantly. Lin Lin’s throat tightened. “Uh… uh…” she stammered, cold sweat trickling down her spine.

*Jeez… How do I explain this? Why are Mom and Dad looking at me like that…?*

Just as she floundered, Gao Liang stepped forward with a calm smile.

“Good evening, Uncle, Auntie. I’m Gao Liang, Lin Lin’s classmate. We ran into each other outside today—she was carrying something heavy, so I helped her back. First time visiting, unannounced… no proper gift, but please accept this wine as a small token. Sorry for the intrusion.”

He handed over a neatly wrapped bottle. Her dad took it, eyes lighting up. “Fine wine,” he murmured appreciatively.

Lin Lin’s brain short-circuited.

*Wait—where did that come from?! I didn’t see it! Does he have a fourth-dimensional pocket?! Dora-Gao?!*

*And why give a gift?! This feels like…*

“Coming’s fine, but bringing wine? Pfft~ Feels like you’re here to propose marriage,” her mom teased.

Lin Lin’s face burned crimson. “No! We’re just ordinary friends!”

“Sis… you actually have a friend?” Lin Yu added, stabbing the wound.

*Chua!*

Lin Lin: down for the count.

“Aha…” Gao Liang ruffled her hair gently. “Lin Lin’s shy. She probably doesn’t mention school friends at home.”

“Our Xiao Lin’s never brought a classmate home since she grew up! Bringing a boy today feels so special~ Gao Liang, don’t mind us—stay for dinner?”

Mom had activated: *Stay-for-Dinner Skill!*

Gao Liang glanced down at Lin Lin crouched like a flustered kitten. She sighed helplessly.

*In normal families, this is just politeness… but Mom means it. And after dinner? “Stay overnight! Xiao Lin can bunk with Xiao Yu!”*

*No way. I’ve lost too much already—but my bed stays mine!*

*Arch-nemesis. NOT. ON. MY. BED.*

Gritting her teeth, she stood. “No no! His sister’s waiting outside! He should go—bye bye, Gao Liang!”

She shoved him toward the door. Gao Liang glanced back. “Hey Lin Lin, it’s fine. My sister’s patient.”

“Nope, busy man! Go go go! I’ve got plans tonight!”

*(If you don’t leave, how am I supposed to livestream?!)*

“Xiao Lin!” Mom’s voice turned stern. “He helped you—how can you chase him away?”

Lin Lin froze.

*Jeez…*

And so…

“Try this dish, Gao Liang! How about this one?”

Mmm…

At the table, siblings sat united in silent resentment—glaring at Mom piling Gao Liang’s plate and Dad clinking glasses with him.

*Seriously… this couple’s acting like they’re recruiting a son-in-law—meow.*

Lin Yu whispered, “Hey… is he your boyfriend?”

“Like hell!” Lin Lin kicked him under the table. “We just ran into each other!”

“I thought you found someone else ’cause I didn’t carry your stuff,” he muttered, then fell quiet.

Lin Lin ate plain rice in silence. The table belonged to Parents vs. Gao Liang.

“Lin Lin does well in school. We’re desk mates—she even asked me for tutoring.”

“Oh my! Thank you for caring for our Xiao Lin! Such a bright, kind boy—she’s so lucky!”

*Tch—*

*Not lucky at all!*

Lin Lin shot him a venomous glare. *Darn it—why not tell them how you blackmailed me into meowing? Or that desk-slamming incident in the abandoned classroom?!*

*I swear you won’t walk out alive today!*

After dinner, Mom beamed. “Gao Liang, it’s late—stay over? I’ll have Xiao Lin…”

Gao Liang shot Lin Lin a teasing glance. She glared back. He smiled, nodded, and cut in smoothly:

“No thank you, Auntie. I just remembered—I’ve got plans tonight. Thank you for your kindness.”

Mom stopped pressing. “Xiao Lin, see him out.”

…

“Visit anytime! You’re always welcome!”

Parents waved enthusiastically. Lin Lin escorted him downstairs, utterly drained.

At the stairwell exit, she sighed.

“Finally over.”

“Mm. Your parents are really warm,” Gao Liang said with a smile. “By the way, Lin Lin… so this is where you live?”

Huh?!

Lin Lin sucked in a sharp breath.

*Holy crap—he knows my address!*

*Hss—*

She shivered. “I-I don’t welcome you! Don’t just show up!”

“Pfft, relax. I’ve got a show to watch tonight. Tutoring—tomorrow at six. I’ll pick you up here.”

“Ah—! Meet me at the community gate!”

“Pfft. See you?”

“Mm… See you tomorrow.”