Day Two, Sunday.
Lin Lin was starting to feel a flicker of regret.
She’d woken up cheerful, still riding the high from utterly crushing her fans online last night. Dopamine hadn’t worn off yet—so giddy she’d bounced out of bed and thrown a playful combo punch at the curtains.
But…
As the excitement faded, the girl suddenly remembered the worry that had haunted her right before sleep.
*Today’s the day I go to Gao Liang for tutoring…*
Ugh.
Lin Lin’s mood plummeted. In that moment, she truly understood what “restless and uneasy” meant.
And so, this Sunday passed in quiet melancholy and quiet torment.
Her gloomy, almost despondent expression naturally caught Lin Yu’s attention.
Lin Yu had just stepped out of his room for a sip of water when he froze—Lin Lin sat on the sofa, lost in thought.
She clutched her phone like in a trance, staring blankly at the chat window. The content was blurred; she wasn’t even typing.
Lin Yu stood stunned, took a sip to calm himself, and kept watching.
She hadn’t noticed him at all—completely immersed in her own world, like a living painting…
*Waiting for the Big Shot*
*Has she been like this since dinner?* Mom and Dad were out walking. Why was she still glued to the living room… waiting for what?
*Ding-dong—*
Dusk settled. A notification popped on her screen. Lin Lin jolted back, eyes dropping to the tiny red dot beside Gao Liang’s profile icon.
[Gao Liang: Finished dinner?]
[Gao Liang: I’m parked at your complex gate. Come down when you’re ready—I’ll take you to the tutoring spot.]
Lin Lin took a deep breath.
The agonizing wait was over. Time to face the music.
*Better to get it over with.*
Face set with resolve, she typed:
[Lin Lin: I’m on my way!]
She shoved the phone into her pocket, stood—and nearly bumped into Lin Yu.
Glancing at his water cup, she asked casually, “Just grabbing a drink?”
“Ah…” He nodded, watching her slip on shoes. “Heading out. Tell Mom and Dad if they ask.”
She sidestepped him, slipped out the door. Lin Yu stood blinking slowly behind her.
Uh…
He froze a beat, then bolted to the window. Below, her petite figure jogged straight toward the gate.
*Where’s she rushing off to?*
…
Lin Lin hurried downstairs, scanning the gate area. A tap on her shoulder made her whirl around—flustered.
Gao Liang stood smiling, car keys in hand. “Evening, Lin Lin?”
“E-evening… evening… meow.”
“Mm~” He nodded approvingly, waving. “Follow me.”
He led her roadside. A car waited, driver inside.
They slid in. “Uncle Wang,” Gao Liang said, “same place as last time.”
The driver shot him a knowing glance. “Young Master, moving awfully fast, huh?”
“Uh… just tutoring,” Gao Liang waved it off. Clearly a misunderstanding.
Lin Lin tapped his shoulder from behind, voice tight. “Hey… where *exactly* are we going?”
“Ahem. You’ll see.”
He coughed, expression awkward. Lin Lin frowned. *What’s the big deal? Why’s the location so hard to say?*
“Not… somewhere outdoors, is it?” she ventured after a long pause.
“Pfft—Lin Lin, do you think we’re going picnicking?”
Gao Liang burst out laughing. Flustered, she puffed her cheeks and thumped his arm. “Then *tell* me! Where?!”
“Tutoring you last time in that abandoned classroom drained me. This spot’s comfy. I promise—you won’t suffer.”
Reassured, Lin Lin nodded. *Hmm… if he says so, should be fine.*
But… why *did* the driver say that?
Mmm…
She rubbed her temples, sighing at her own cluelessness. Glanced back—only a taxi followed. Turned forward. Silence.
Meanwhile…
Lin Yu gripped the security grille, jaw slack.
*This doesn’t make sense. At this hour… she went out?*
Unheard of! Since elementary school, Lin Lin—socially anxious enough to avoid internet cafes—had *never* willingly left home alone at night.
This only happens if she found the *One Piece*’s exact location… or hit the lottery jackpot.
Wait…
His eyes tracked her to the gate. She paused, glancing around—waiting.
His chest tightened. A suspicion flickered.
Then—yep. A familiar figure appeared behind her.
Him. Gao Liang.
*Hiss—*
Yesterday she called it a “coincidence.” Today? *At our doorstep?*
Planned. Definitely planned.
Wait… is my sister…
Going on a *date*?
Whoa.
Lin Yu wasn’t jealous. He knew Lin Lin’s rep: goddess-tier at first glance, total mouse after five minutes. Hard for guys to stay interested.
But…
*This is Gao Liang!*
Star of the school basketball team. Prince Charming to half the student body.
The sheer absurdity of it sent curiosity buzzing.
They chatted briefly, got in the car.
As the taillights vanished, Lin Yu slumped onto the sofa.
*None of my business. None of my business. None of my business.*
Hmph. Lin Lin can do whatever.
Mmm…
Boring.
…What *are* they up to?
Mom *did* tell me to keep an eye on her.
No no no—stop thinking!
Can’t think about this!
Argh!
He raked his hair like ants crawled under his skin, shoved on shoes, and dashed outside.
“Driver! Follow that black car!”
He trailed silently, straining to see inside—but nothing.
Until the car stopped.
Lin Yu looked up.
…
L…
*Love hotel?!*
