"If Senior were a boy, I’d totally chase her!" Liang Sheng declared after a moment of deep thought. Well… okay, that was just a thoughtless slip.
Gu Yuqi chuckled again. She always found herself smiling around this junior. Winking at Liang Sheng, she left the girl grinning foolishly.
"How about you be my girlfriend, junior?"
"Sure, sure, hehehe… Huh? Wait—what?" Hold on… what did Senior just say? *Girlfriend*? Lost in Gu Yuqi’s beauty, Liang Sheng hadn’t processed a word and just babbled "blah blah."
Liang Sheng stammered, "S-Senior… you’re… joking, right?"
Ding~ Affection increased.
"Gu Yuqi’s affection for Liang Sheng: 8"
True—Gu Yuqi had zero resistance to anything cute. Despite her cool, aloof vibe, she secretly adored plush toys and pink things. To her, Liang Sheng was like her favorite fluffy kitten. Warmth bloomed in her chest.
Ding~ Affection increased.
"Gu Yuqi’s affection for Liang Sheng: 11"
*Wow, the goddess senior’s warming up to me!* Liang Sheng cheered inwardly. Sure, Gu Yuqi’s affection wasn’t rising as fast as Song Anan’s… but that face? *Totally* her type. Looks were everything—yes!
Shamelessly, she clung to Gu Yuqi’s arm, peppering her with questions.
"Senior, do you live nearby?"
"Yeah."
"Then… walk with me tomorrow?"
Gu Yuqi froze, silent.
*Rejected…* Liang Sheng slumped her head, pouting with a deeply wronged look.
*Ugh, who could resist this?!* Gu Yuqi had meant to refuse—she disliked chirpy girls—but Liang Sheng’s cuteness hit like a blinding aura. Before she knew it, she mumbled agreement.
"Ah…!" Liang Sheng froze, mouth agape—adorably ridiculous.
"Yes!" Eyes crinkling into crescent moons, she skipped ahead, tugging Gu Yuqi along. *Why do I turn into a cute little girl around Senior…?*
Ding~ Affection increased.
"Gu Yuqi’s affection for Liang Sheng: 12"
Hmm… everything’s perfect except Senior’s affection climbs *so* slowly. Liang Sheng sighed wistfully.
At her doorstep, Gu Yuqi ruffled her hair gently before walking off. *Whoa—Senior’s such a gentleman!* Liang Sheng’s heart swelled.
Overwhelmed, she shouted after the retreating figure: "Senior! I love you!"
The silhouette stiffened slightly, then trembled. Too far to see clearly.
Ding! Affection surged dramatically.
"Gu Yuqi’s affection for Liang Sheng: 23"
Aah! Liang Sheng spun in a joyful circle. *Yep—that tremble was laughter. She thinks I’m adorable!*
Back home, she found the original Liang Sheng’s mother tidying up. Only now did she truly *see* this house.
*Ten thousand times better than my old home…* A pang of homesickness flickered—then faded as her mom smiled warmly, taking her bag. *Why miss the past? This place feels warmer.*
*Ding-dong!*
Song Anan stood at the door, tear-streaked face glistening. Liang Sheng jolted. *Did I make her cry?!*
Song Anan’s lips quivered. Liang Sheng pulled her close, burying the girl’s face against her chest—stifling the sobs.
A proud tear welled. *I finally gave someone a comforting chest hug…*
Ding~ Affection increased.
"Song Anan’s affection for Liang Sheng: 76"
Huh? Only 76? *Right—I ditched her after school.* She checked Song Anan’s affection for the male lead… *98?!* Resentment simmered. *Losing to that womanizing jerk?!*
She yanked Song Anan into her room, pinned her gently against the wall. "Haven’t I been good to you?"
Song Anan’s ears flushed. "V-Very… good."
Ding~ Affection increased.
"Song Anan’s affection for Liang Sheng: 79"
"Then why give *my* lunch to Su Ze?"
Song Anan blinked, then smiled shyly. "Is Sheng… jealous?"
Liang Sheng turned away stiffly. "N-No way!"
"I see Sheng as my best friend… but Ze is the one I like…"
*Phew.* Liang Sheng released her, smiling. *Right—I’m a straight girl. No need to worry our socialist sisterly bond would turn romantic.*
"Good. But don’t let love make you forget friends, little miss."
"Mm… mm." Song Anan pressed a hand to her chest, distracted. *Why does "good" hurt so much? I wanted her to argue…*
"I’ll go…" Song Anan murmured, dejected.
Liang Sheng sighed, pinching her cheek. "Anan, I was wrong to leave you at the gate. Cheer up—you sad makes *me* sad."
Tears welled. "Wah!" Song Anan buried herself deeper. *Okay… "women are made of water" is an understatement. This is a faucet hooked to the ocean!*
Ding~ Affection increased.
"Song Anan’s affection for Liang Sheng: 83"
*Almost caught up to the male lead!*
After the tears slowed, Liang Sheng patted her bottom. "Go home—it’s dark. Need me to walk you?"
Song Anan shook her head shyly. "I’m fine… sorry for troubling you, Sheng."
Liang Sheng ruffled her hair with a grin. "Off you go, my little princess." Song Anan’s face bloomed crimson.
Ding~ Affection increased.
"Song Anan’s affection for Liang Sheng: 87"
*Hehe~ See? I’ve got charm Su Ze could never match.*
Finally alone, Liang Sheng exhaled. *Good grief—comforting girls used half my brain cells today.*
Post-dinner routine done, she smacked her forehead. *QQ! Forgot to add Senior!*
She tapped QQ open, entered the ID. "Verifying…" *Senior’s offline…*
Bored, she flopped onto bed, snow-white feet swinging, creamy calves peeking under her skirt. *If I transmigrated here… would I be the female lead? A domineering CEO chasing me? (No—more like girls chasing *you*, ahem.) Escape Su Ze the jerk!* She giggled.
*Biu~*
*Voice message!* She tapped it eagerly.
"Good evening, Junior Liang Sheng~"
Just that. (Gu Yuqi had racked her brain too.)
Liang Sheng grinned, putting on her sweetest voice: "Good evening, Yuqi Senior~" *Hehe, no way she won’t melt.*
*Ping!* Instant reply.
"Junior, are you okay? Your voice sounds off—are you sick?"
*Huh?! HUH?!* Not the blushing, lovesick reply she’d imagined!
*In my fantasy: Senior replaying my voice, whispering "I like Liang Sheng"…*
"On the verge of tears," she typed "I’m fine." *My perfect shipping fantasy… ruined by mom-mode nagging.* She sank dejectedly into her blanket.
Meanwhile, Gu Yuqi fretted: "Don’t overuse AC!" "Don’t sleep with windows open!" "Bundle up!"
Touched yet exasperated, Liang Sheng sighed. *I wanted flirty… got household chatter.* Yep. Reality and fantasy? Worlds apart.
