Liang Sheng had just stepped through the door when Liang Wengao and Zhong Wen rushed over, asking incoherently, “Sweetheart, a-are you okay? Turn around! Raise your hands! Let me check!”
Liang Sheng’s face froze in utter confusion. What on earth was happening?
“Daughter~” Liang Wengao bent down and hugged her tightly, sobbing like a flustered maiden. Then he pulled back abruptly, gripping her arms. “Why didn’t you tell Dad?! Why not yesterday?! How could you do something so dangerous!”
Zhong Wen chimed in beside him, “Yes! Exactly!”
Ah… Liang Sheng finally got it—they meant her “heroic rescue.”
“Well… I just happened to be there, so I saved her,” she explained.
Overcome with emotion, Liang Wengao pulled her into another hug. “That’s my girl! Just like your old man!” He pulled back again, repeating the motion. “But promise me—never do that again. Too dangerous.”
Zhong Wen nodded vigorously.
He straightened up and began pacing the living room.
“Hmm… My daughter’s bravery must be celebrated! Next week—no, this Saturday! I’ll host a banquet at the countryside villa! Let everyone know our daughter’s deed!” Liang Wengao declared passionately.
Zhong Wen’s agreement surged louder: “Yes! The whole city—no, the entire nation should know!”
Liang Sheng’s jaw nearly dropped. Seriously? For this… Okay, fine, it *was* brave. But… this much fuss?
*Sigh. The wicked luxury of the rich.* Outwardly sighing, she hid a sly grin. Well… she *was* rich now too.
— — —
*Thump thump. Thump thump.*
Liang Sheng jolted awake. Who knocks on windows at midnight?! Eyes wide, she fumbled for her phone: 11:34. Definitely not Liang Jin. Oh no… Ghost?!
She yanked the blanket over her head, whispering, “It’s a dream…” But her body betrayed her—shivering uncontrollably.
“Liang Sheng.”
Mommy! The ghost knows my name! Don’t answer—your soul’ll get stolen!
“Liang Sheng? Awake? Open the window. I need to talk.”
A ghost’s trick… but the voice sounded familiar. Wait—Senior Yuqi?!
Heart pounding, Liang Sheng peeked out from under the blanket. A stack of study notes sat on the sill. *Thank you, System! My “golden finger”!* So *that’s* what it’s for!
Relief flooded her. She scrambled up, yanked the curtain open, and saw Gu Yuqi’s exhausted face.
“H-how’d you get up here?” Liang Sheng stammered.
Gu Yuqi shrugged. “Saw a ladder. Climbed up. Then saw you sleeping… and droo—"
“Mmmph!” Liang Sheng clamped a hand over her mouth. *Nope!* Goddess image intact! *(…Yeah right. You’re a clown girl.)*
Wait… She’d closed the curtains! Liang Sheng’s expression screamed: *Kid, you’ve got SO many question marks.*
“Pfft.” Gu Yuqi burst into muffled laughter, shoulders trembling slightly.
Liang Sheng’s cheeks flushed. Ugh… Even laughing, she’s gorgeous! Bad brain!
Only two girls in-story had SSS-tier beauty: Gu Yuqi… and *her*. Liang Sheng shuddered. A deranged yandere—stalking the male lead, ready to kill *anyone* near him.
Silver lining? She debuted halfway through the plot.
Lost in thought, Gu Yuqi suddenly pulled her close, brushed stray hair from her forehead, and pressed a soft kiss there.
“Good night~” Gu Yuqi smiled, moonlight making her glow. Then she vanished.
Liang Sheng covered her forehead, feigning shock (inside: emotional tsunami).
*Thud.* She collapsed onto the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. AAAAAH! ASSAULTED! BY SENIOR! She rolled face-first into her pillow, giggling wildly. *(First time someone’s this happy about being “assaulted.” Probably insane.)*
But… why visit at midnight?
Too wired to sleep, she hugged her pillow. *Did Senior… desire me?* EW! Gross! She’s not like that!
Face buried deep, cheeks burning: *She missed me… lovesick… rushed here (wait, same compound?!) just to see her beloved’s moonlit, celestial beauty (…shameless!) and left satisfied.*
She burst into laughter, thrashing on the bed like she’d mainlined sugar.
“Sweetie? Nightmare? Why such weird noises?” Zhong Wen called from downstairs.
“N-nothing! Go sleep, Mom!” Liang Sheng stammered.
Relieved, she turned to sleep—then froze. *Where’d the ladder come from?!*
She peered out. Familiar… Oh! Liang Jin’s old ladder!
Chill down her spine. Thank goodness it was Senior Yuqi. What if it’d been thieves… or chainsaw-wielding maniacs?! She’d be *gone*.
She wanted to stow it—but the dark lawn made her chicken out completely.
But sleeping felt unsafe too…
Gritting her teeth, she climbed down.
Moonlight glimmered. A breeze tapped her neck like a mischievous girl—goosebumps erupted.
Then panic: *How do I fold this?!* She tapped, pressed, fiddled… Nothing.
“Listen! Shrink for your granny or I’ll smash you!”
“Still not shrinking? Crematorium next!”
“DAMN IT! SHRINK FOR YOUR GRANDPA!”
*Haa~* A pained groan. A screw nicked her leg. Tears welled. “Your fault! Too long! SHRINK!” *(…Suspiciously suggestive. But no proof.)*
No response. Furious, she hurled it down. *Snap.* Broken.
She smacked her forehead. Well… problem solved? Too short now.
Happy~ She skipped back… back… wait.
*Broken ladder. How do I get UP?!*
Despair and absurdity warred on her face.
Eventually, she knocked, endured Zhong Wen’s scolding, and slunk inside.
— — —
All Senior Yuqi’s fault. Liang Sheng woke grumpy. Thanks to that midnight visit, she’d spent *ages* alone in the dark.
But… Senior’s face… *hehehe*… drool escaped again. Beauty is justice! For *that* face? Forgiven!
…So undignified.
Days passed. Liang Sheng and Song An’an walked ahead to school; Gu Yuqi trailed behind like a loyal dog.
Rumors spread:
Version 1: They dated. Liang Sheng dumped Gu Yuqi for Song An’an or Lu Ziqing.
Version 2 (wild): Liang Sheng cast a love spell on Gu Yuqi.
Liang Sheng was annoyed yet amused. Song An’an? Thrilled! Even as “the other woman,” sharing Liang Sheng’s name felt blissful.
Lu Ziqing? Exploded. Paid to trace the source—Jin Zhengxuan of Class D, Grade 11. Stormed in, threatened her, raised a hand. Jin burst into tears. Rumor died.
Liang Sheng sidled up, eyes shining. “Young Miss… did you do that… for me?”
“No.” Lu Ziqing shot her a disdainful look, flicked her hair. “That ‘Lu Ziqing = third party’ line was disgusting. Don’t flatter yourself. Why would I care?”
…Oof. Bucket of ice water. Again.
(Unseen: Lu Ziqing’s flushed cheeks after she left. A whisper: “It *was* for you.”)
Well. A cold, tsundere young miss would never say it outright.
