"Ahhh!" Liang Sheng jolted awake at the shriek. "Ugh, not a single peaceful moment all day!" Grumbling, she sat up and glared toward the noise.

"Sis! It’s all your fault! It’s already seven!" Liang Jin wailed. Liang Sheng blinked in surprise and checked the wall clock—7:05.

Liang Jin’s face crumpled into a pout. "It’s your fault! Why’d you drag me to sleep? I overslept and missed the time!"

Liang Sheng shrugged. "My fault? You could’ve just not slept."

Liang Jin scrambled to leave, but Liang Sheng pointed at her hair. "Aren’t you gonna fix that bird’s nest?" Liang Jin froze, panicked, rushed to the mirror—and shrieked again. Liang Sheng calmly covered her ears, utterly used to this.

---

"Sis… what *is* that look…?"

Liang Sheng wore long blue-black hair, oversized aviator sunglasses, bold vintage-red lipstick, dramatically darkened eyebrows, her most mature outfit, and a fancy handbag.

"It’s a disguise. So no one recognizes me," Liang Sheng said with an enigmatic glance.

*Fine. I’ll just smile and say nothing,* Liang Jin thought, forcing a tight smile. *Why do I have such a chuunibyou sister?*

Under Liang Jin’s watchful eyes, Liang Sheng… opened the window and climbed down the ladder.

"Sis, why not use the door?" Liang Jin leaned out.

"Duh! Looking like this, you think I’d dare let Auntie see me? Hurry down."

"Oh…" Liang Jin followed.

Near their destination, Liang Jin suddenly gripped Liang Sheng’s hand, expression strained. "Sis… I’m nervous…"

Liang Sheng pushed up her sunglasses with a soft "Hmph," chuckling. "Scaredy-cat. Weren’t you in a hurry just now? Go on."

"N-no… let me catch my breath…" Liang Jin gasped, clinging tight.

In the end, Liang Sheng had to drag her inside—like a creepy aunt luring a kid.

Su Ze hadn’t arrived. Liang Sheng checked her watch: twenty minutes left. She settled the flustered Liang Jin into a seat, took the one behind, and ordered fried shrimp, stir-fried crab meat, a few cool rice cakes, and millet-rice porridge. Then waited.

Minutes ticked by. Liang Sheng was nearly done eating when Liang Jin poked her back softly. "Hey… you *sure* it’s 8 a.m.?"

Liang Sheng turned her head slightly. "I’d bet this plate of fried shrimp it’s 8 a.m. But if he misheard—"

She froze. Su Ze walked in. She straightened instantly, ducked her head. "He’s here. Keep distance, Liang Jin. Don’t let him recognize me." *Or I’ll be branded a stalker. Mortifying.*

"Oh… want some cool rice cake?" Liang Sheng added quietly. Only silence answered.

Su Ze passed her, stopped by Liang Jin. "Are you Liang Sheng’s cousin?"

Liang Jin stiffly stood, words stuck. After a long pause: "Y-yes… y-yes, I am…"

Liang Sheng facepalmed. *So useless.*

Su Ze’s voice softened. "May I ask… your name?"

"L-Liang Gao—oops! Liang Jin!" Her face burned crimson. *Damn you, Sis! Why mention rice cake?!*

"Pfft—*cough cough!*" Liang Sheng choked on her porridge, tears streaming. *How can anyone be this clumsy? (Well… at least I know myself.)*

Su Ze chuckled warmly, gaze gentle on Liang Jin.

Suddenly, Liang Jin stood, flushed, and thrust chocolates forward. Liang Sheng peeked, fists clenched. *Here it is—the confession! If you don’t want to get the cleaver, just agree, you jerk!*

"I… I’m grateful for your help last time. This is my thank-you gift…" Her voice faded.

*Say more!* Liang Sheng peeked anxiously. Su Ze had already accepted it. Liang Jin fell silent. *Ugh. The eunuch worries more than the emperor. I’m stressing myself sick over her love life!*

Awkward silence hung. Liang Jin twisted her fingers under the table, biting her lip. Liang Sheng watched helplessly from behind.

Su Ze ate quietly.

A sharp jab to Liang Sheng’s waist. "Ow! What?"

"Check your phone."

"Oh." Pockets—empty. Handbag—empty. Skirt—no pockets. She rummaged everywhere. "Sorry… I didn’t bring it."

Liang Jin finally grasped her cousin’s utter unreliability.

The meal ended awkwardly. Only progress: Liang Jin got Su Ze’s QQ number.

At checkout, Su Ze paid swiftly. "A gentleman shouldn’t let a lady pay. It’s impolite," he said gently. *Ah!* Liang Jin felt her brain short-circuit.

*Ding~ Affection level increased.*

*Liang Jin’s affection for Su Ze: 92*

*Seriously? My own sister’s score is lower than some random guy’s?* Liang Sheng grumbled inwardly.

Walking home, Liang Jin stayed silent, lost in the memory of Su Ze’s warmth.

"Sis… from now on, call him ‘brother-in-law’," Liang Jin sighed dreamily.

Liang Sheng scoffed. "Shameless! You haven’t even confessed! Met twice and already fantasizing?"

Liang Jin eyed her suspiciously. "You… don’t like Senior Su too, do you?" Liang Sheng gagged dramatically, waving a finger. "NO, NO, NO. Impossible. I’d rather date a dozen girls in a yuri romance than like Su Ze." *Classic flag.*

"Tch. Sis, you’re tasteless. Even if I stop liking him, I’d never like a girl." *Another flag. Yep. Cut from the same cloth.*

Liang Sheng sighed. "You don’t understand. Love between girls is still love. Even if society doesn’t accept it."

Liang Jin didn’t reply, walking slowly ahead.

At home, Liang Sheng climbed back through the window. Only 9:30 a.m. Her mom, Zhong Wen, assumed she was sleeping off school exhaustion and left her be.

The day passed in a blur.

Next afternoon, bored, Liang Sheng went out.

True to her yuri heroine role—around the corner, she met An Hua walking a dog.

Same style as school, minus the uniform. Her fair legs sheathed in black thigh-high stockings. Liang Sheng, a devoted stocking enthusiast, couldn’t look away.

She flashed what she thought was a sweet smile. "Senior An Hua, good afternoon."

An Hua nodded curtly. "Afternoon." Ice-cold.

Liang Sheng felt a flicker of annoyance. *With Su Ze, she’s all smiles and chatter. With me? Ice Queen.*

"Hmph." She walked past without glancing back.

She didn’t see An Hua’s cheeks flush faintly.

*Ding~ Affection level increased.*

*An Hua’s affection for Liang Sheng: 10*

*Huh?* Liang Sheng’s jaw dropped. Rubbed her eyes. *No mistake.*

She stopped, stroking her chin. *Tsk. Don’t judge a book by its cover… Wait—wrong phrase. Ugh, vocabulary fail. Anyway… so that holier-than-thou act? All fake. Total masochist.*

Boldly, Liang Sheng slapped An Hua’s butt. The girl shuddered. Liang Sheng mimicked Miss Lu Ziqing’s haughty tone: "Oho~ Senior An Hua… your face is red."

An Hua spun away, hiding her burning cheeks.

*Ding~ Affection level sharply increased.*

*An Hua’s affection for Liang Sheng: 24*

*Ha! Total masochist! So much for the icy black-haired goddess—myth busted!*

Before Liang Sheng could gloat, An Hua turned back, eyes glistening, voice trembling. "Hate you!" She covered her face and fled.

Liang Sheng stood frozen. Looked down. Looked at the retreating figure. Mouth slightly open. *Senior… you left your dog here…*

An Hua stumbled to a flowerbed, gripped a tree, checked no one was around, and slid down. She hugged her knees, face buried, black hair disheveled, breathing ragged.

After a long while, she lifted her head, removed her glasses slowly. Her eyes burned with raw longing, cheeks still flushed. A hoarse whisper escaped: "Not enough… Not enough… I still want more…"

*What do I do…? I still want Liang Sheng to humiliate me…*

An Hua trembled—thrilled mentally and emotionally, yet terrified her true self would be exposed.