Liang Sheng wrapped her arms around Gu Yuqi’s neck, leaped up, and coiled her legs around the other girl’s waist. An enigmatic smile lingered on her face.

She lifted her chin, leaned in close—a fleeting kiss brushed Gu Yuqi’s cheek, feather-light, as if time itself had slowed.

Gu Yuqi froze, staring straight into Liang Sheng’s eyes, where a hint of amusement danced.

“Liang Sheng! Die, die, die—aaaah!” Wu Qian shrieked hoarsely. Her knuckles gripping the railing had turned bone-white; cracked lips revealed faint traces of blood.

Liang Sheng glanced sideways at Wu Qian, smirked, and leaned in again toward her forehead.

But before contact, Wu Qian let out a shrill scream.

“Aaah!” She vaulted off the railing like a madwoman, stumbled onto the rooftop, and staggered toward them, unsteady and wild-eyed.

Liang Sheng’s confident smile widened—she’d won. She hopped down just as Wu Qian drew near.

*Slap!* A crisp crack echoed. Wu Qian’s cheek swelled high, puffy as a steamed bun.

“You…!” Dazed and disoriented, Wu Qian swayed, lost.

“Hah! ‘You’ what?” Still unsatisfied, Liang Sheng kicked her hard in the stomach. Wu Qian crumpled, retching.

Not done yet, Liang Sheng stomped ruthlessly—aiming only at non-lethal spots.

And Gu Yuqi? Frozen in place, dumbfounded, ignoring Wu Qian’s pained cries.

*Clatter! Clang!* A commotion erupted from the hallway. The tardy young principal, bald school doctor, and a swarm of teachers and staff flooded onto the rooftop.

They froze at the scene: Liang Sheng standing tall… and Wu Qian, the red-haired girl battered on the ground, barely conscious.

“Ahem…” Liang Sheng’s mind raced. She snapped a crisp salute. “Reporting! I’ve rescued this girl attempting to jump! Umm… but she kept trying again. To save a precious life, I had no choice but to… subdue her until she couldn’t move. *sob*”

She blinked innocently, fake tears welling.

And everyone believed her.

Some rushed to help; others called for an ambulance. The principal placed a solemn hand on Liang Sheng’s shoulder, voice thick with praise: “Truly worthy of our St. Maria’s Elite Academy! Well done!”

Liang Sheng simply smiled.

Inside? Panic. Her heart hammered like a drum. But she didn’t care. Success meant hero status. Failure? Just some random girl. Play the frightened victim, and they’d pity her—not blame her.

Yes, Liang Sheng was ruthlessly pragmatic when needed.

Only then did Gu Yuqi snap out of her daze, watching in disbelief. *It’s over? Just like that?*

*Ding!!! Ding!!!!* Affection points skyrocketed!

“Gu Yuqi’s Affection for Liang Sheng: 62”

Liang Sheng let out a soft “hehe,” turned, and walked away.

“Wait! Liang Sheng!” Gu Yuqi hurried after her into the first-floor lobby.

“Hmph… what is it?” Liang Sheng’s tone turned icy, eyes flickering with impatience.

Gu Yuqi bowed awkwardly. “Thank you, junior Liang Sheng.”

“You’re welcome…” Liang Sheng’s voice suddenly sweetened. Gu Yuqi relaxed—then Liang Sheng snorted, covering her mouth, shoulders shaking with forced laughter. “Did you really think I’d say that, senior?”

Crimson lips parted. “Senior… I’m very disappointed in you.”

Gu Yuqi jolted. Confusion and hurt flashed across her lovely face.

Liang Sheng tilted her head slightly, avoiding her flustered expression. “Your actions today… deeply disappointing. So you’re the… ‘saintly’ type.”

“No… that’s not—Liang Sheng, what are you saying?” Gu Yuqi’s thoughts spun. “Any normal person would’ve done the same…”

“I wouldn’t!” Liang Sheng shot back sharply. “If I were you: one, I’d done nothing wrong. Two, she used her life to threaten me for a despicable goal. I’d pull out my phone, record everything, prove her death wasn’t my fault.”

“But…”

“Enough, senior. This is where our relationship ends.” Liang Sheng walked away without looking back.

Gu Yuqi stared at her retreating figure. *But… what about that kiss?*

Around the corner, Liang Sheng clutched her chest and muffled a roar: “I actually dared to give Senior Yuqi the cold shoulder! To snap at someone that gorgeous! Oh heavens—I’ve finally grown a spine!”

She didn’t truly want to cut ties. Just needed to vent, make her senior coax her back. One glimpse of that face? She’d nearly drooled and forgiven her instantly. But the act had to hold.

—— —— ——

The next day, Liang Sheng stood stiffly beside the stage, watching the principal’s spittle-flying speech. She bit back nervous laughter.

“Student Liang Sheng! She braved danger to rescue her senior! What spirit is this? Class—answer me!”

Silence. Students blinked at each other like bewildered statues, mouths flapping.

Thankfully brief.

“The spirit of fearless heroism!” “Self-sacrifice!” “Utter impartiality!” “Loving classmates like one’s own children!”

*Wait—“like one’s own children”? So I’m Wu Qian’s dad?* Liang Sheng stifled a giggle.

Praise swelled into full-blown “rainbow farts.” Liang Sheng’s face twisted trying not to laugh.

“Learn from her selfless spirit! Applause!”

*Clap… clap…* Sparse clapping.

The principal frowned. “Louder! Your atti—"

Thunderous applause and whistles erupted. *We’ve stood an hour. Legs numb. If he talks longer, sunset.*

Ceremony over. Liang Sheng’s legs trembled. *Yep. Former Chinese lit teacher. Homeroom type.*

After school, nearly everyone waved cheerfully. Whispers and pointing followed. She liked the spotlight—but not the gossip.

“Tsk, such a hero. I’d never dare… what a ‘saint’.” “Yeah, ‘selfless’ my foot.”

Liang Sheng shot them a glare. They laughed harder.

*Sour grapes? Lemon monsters!* The old Liang Sheng would’ve stayed quiet. Not now. She was Liang Sheng—wealthy, connected, cherished.

She marched over, raised a hand. The girl squeezed her eyes shut: “She’s hitting me!”

Liang Sheng smiled sweetly, gently wiping the girl’s lip. “Sis~ you’ve got something right here~”

The girl blushed. “Wh-what?”

Liang Sheng tilted her head cutely, pried open one eye, stuck out her tongue. “Lemon juice! Old hag! No wonder you’re so sour!”

“You… you—!” The girl flushed crimson with rage.

“Bye-bye~ Ugly! Mon! Ster!” Liang Sheng skipped off cheerfully.

At the gate, Song Anan gazed at her with starry-eyed awe. “A-Sheng! You were amazing! So cool!”

*You bet!* Pride swelled—though post-beat-up jitters crept in. *Dramas always have the villain get revenge-killed… Wait, I’m not the villain… right?*

She spotted Gu Yuqi approaching—pale, dark circles under her eyes.

“Anan, let’s go.” Liang Sheng shot her a cold glance and pulled Song Anan away. *Inside? Aching for her.*

*Huh? Why leave like this?* Song Anan glanced back. *…Even better! Just us!* She happily swayed beside Liang Sheng.

*Ding~*

“Song Anan’s Affection for Liang Sheng: 100+"

Gu Yuqi lowered her head, trailing slowly behind.

Liang Sheng’s chest tightened. *But she needs this lesson. That personality… she’ll get hurt.*

Song Anan clung to her arm, eyes sparkling. “A-Sheng! How did you save her?”

Liang Sheng stammered, avoiding the kiss detail—no tears today. She puffed her chest. “I lunged, yanked her back! She struggled, so I punched her.”

Zero truth.

But Song Anan believed every word, stars twinkling in her eyes.