Could it be…? Liang Sheng froze, stunned by her own thought. She’d verify it tomorrow.

The next morning, the weather was perfect. Gentle sunlight spilled down, and a soft breeze brushed against skin, warm and cozy. Song An’an had arrived early, waiting outside. She’d braided the short strands on her left front into a neat three-strand plait, face glowing with anticipation, wondering what Liang Sheng would say.

The moment Liang Sheng stepped out, she spotted Song An’an. Smiling, she greeted her with a “Good morning” and draped an arm over her shoulder as they walked.

Song An’an lowered her head, voice softer than a mosquito’s buzz: “A… An Sheng… don’t you have anything to say?”

“Hm?” Liang Sheng blinked. Was there something she *had* to say?

“N… never mind,” Song An’an murmured, heart sinking.

*Whoosh~* Affection level dropped.

“Song An’an’s affection level for Liang Sheng: 97”

Huh? Where did I mess up again…? Liang Sheng felt like crying but had no tears.

Wait… Oh~!

A cool breeze swept by. Liang Sheng smiled. A pair of cute dimples popped onto her cheeks. She gently ruffled Song An’an’s hair. “Your new hairstyle… it’s really cute.”

Ah! Song An’an stared, thrilled, at Liang Sheng’s hand on her head. She *complimented* me! And ruffled my hair!

*Ding~* Affection level rose.

“Song An’an’s affection level for Liang Sheng: 100+”

Ahhh! Liang Sheng was even more excited. First time seeing a girl’s affection for her break 100! Did that mean she’d been “conquered”? Her heart raced.

Emboldened, she added warmly, “An’an, this style suits you perfectly. I really like it.”

*She said she likes it!* Song An’an’s mind skipped right past “hairstyle” and landed firmly on *me*.

*Ding!* Affection level surged.

“Song An’an’s affection level for Liang Sheng: 100+”

Beaming, Liang Sheng reached school. As Song An’an left, she tugged Liang Sheng’s skirt and pressed a juice bottle into her hand. Liang Sheng looked puzzled. Song An’an’s cheeks flushed. “It’s… freshly squeezed pear juice. Don’t drink store stuff—it’s not pure.”

“Wait for me at lunch! I brought my own!” She shyly dashed off.

Liang Sheng touched her own head, confused. *Why so shy?* Simple—Song An’an’s imagination had spun their dynamic into full-blown romance.

Inside the classroom, Miss Lu’s familiar haughty face greeted her. Liang Sheng tensed, fearing another lunch invitation.

But Miss Lu only let out a soft “Hmph!” as she entered—not annoyance. Quiet delight.

First period: math. Homeroom teacher Dong Yue. Liang Sheng couldn’t care less about this “male lead’s girlfriend.” Current stats:

“Affection level for Su Ze: 28

Affection level for Liang Sheng: 3”

Yep. Stark difference.

Ugh. She’d *already* survived high school once. Reliving it? Pure agony.

She fought sleep until the bell rang. The moment Dong Yue left, Liang Sheng moved.

She tapped Su Ze’s desk, eyes signaling *outside*. He blinked, then followed.

“Last Saturday… did you meet a girl who looks like me?” Liang Sheng cut straight to the point.

Su Ze nodded. “Short hair. Not as cute as you.”

Ugh. Player move #3. Always flirting.

Liang Sheng pulled a small mirror from her pocket, squinted at the display. Sure enough—

“Affection level for Su Ze: 70”

She tucked the mirror away, uneasy. *This isn’t my feeling. It’s the original Liang Sheng’s.* Confirmed: when he flirted just now, she felt zero flutter—only internal eye-rolling.

Conclusion: the original soul still lingered inside her.

A shiver ran down her spine.

Su Ze watched, baffled. Mistaking her mirror-check for vanity, he added smoothly, “You’re plenty cute. No need to check.”

Liang Sheng sighed, ignoring it. Time to fulfill Liang Jin’s request. “She’s my cousin. She asked me to invite you—next Saturday, 8 a.m., Yiyuan Hotel. To thank you properly.”

“Mm. Okay,” Su Ze agreed.

Huh? Just like that? Liang Sheng stared. He’d been so distant lately…

Seeing her shock, he smiled warmly. “Because she’s *your* sister.”

*Sigh.* Smooth. Thought he was a straight-laced guy. Nope. Flirt master.

But Liang Sheng felt nothing. Not her type.

“Thank you,” she said softly, dimples reappearing.

*Ding~* Affection level rose.

“Su Ze’s affection level for Liang Sheng: 35”

*Of course.* Even player Su Ze isn’t immune. She shook her head with mock resignation.

Turning back toward class—

*Gasp!* A pair of resentful eyes glared from the window. Liang Sheng stumbled back. After the haunted house trauma (two nights of sweat-drenched nightmares), this gaze promised more sleepless horrors.

She squinted. Lu Ziqing. Face twisted, nails scraping the sill with a *scritch-scratch*, nearly gnawing the wall. Liang Sheng hurried over, rubbing her hands with an apologetic smile.

Lu Ziqing spun away, plopping into her seat, back turned. Liang Sheng swallowed her pride, whispered explanations.

After what felt like pounds of saliva and thousands of sweet words, Miss Lu finally calmed. Liang Sheng slumped into her chair, wiping sweat. *Life is tough.*

At least affection level didn’t drop this time. Small mercy.

Glancing out—Senior An Hua chatted cheerfully with Su Ze. Lu Ziqing noticed too. Her expression darkened. She stormed out, radiating “I will end you.”

An epic showdown loomed.

Liang Sheng stayed seated, mentally drained.

Wait… this scene… from the novel! An Hua thanks Su Ze, Lu Ziqing sees them, then—*kiss* to claim him!

Liang Sheng sat up straight, eager for the drama.

But before she could enjoy a single bite—

Lu Ziqing whirled, glared. “You! Come here!”

*Me?* Liang Sheng stood, bewildered.

“What’s the hesitation? I’m talking to *you*!”

*No… the plot was finally on track!* Now she, the outsider, got dragged in.

She shuffled outside. Two girls chirping over one guy. Comedic? Sure. Headache-inducing? Absolutely.

“Listen well!” Lu Ziqing declared. “These two are *mine*. Don’t you dare touch either!”

Then—she yanked Su Ze into a hug. Released him. And pulled Liang Sheng close too!

Liang Sheng froze. *What?! I did nothing! We’re just friends! Are you trying to turn friendship into marriage?!*

After An Hua fled, Liang Sheng fake-sobbed: “My dear Miss Lu~ My innocence is ruined! I saw you as a friend, but you were after my body all along!” Wiping imaginary tears.

Lu Ziqing rolled her eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself. I used you to piss off that icy An Hua. How dare she act so high and mighty while eyeing *my* man?”

“But she doesn’t like *me*!”

“She *mentioned* you!” Lu Ziqing huffed. “I hate that fake purity!”

*You’re imagining things,* Liang Sheng muttered silently.

“Anyway,” Lu Ziqing declared, chin high, “*You* took advantage of *me*.”

…Did Liang X Ru gift you this audacity?! Liang Sheng’s jaw dropped. *I’m* the weak, pitiful, helpless one here!

Fuming, she opened her mouth—

Lu Ziqing shot a glare. “Fact. No debate.”

Her entire rebuttal evaporated.

Defeated, Liang Sheng trailed back to class.

Behind them, Su Ze still stood frozen outside—also stunned by the hug.