Liang Sheng looped her arm through Gu Yuqi’s and walked along happily. But after a few steps, she suddenly felt something was off. She was still mad at her, okay? How could she be this spineless?

She let go of Gu Yuqi’s arm, gave a huff, and turned to leave. But inside, she kept chanting, Stop me already. Come on, stop me!

Maybe her sincerity really moved the heavens, because Gu Yuqi caught her by the arm. “Miss Liang Sheng, you promised me a dance. We haven’t danced yet.”

A perfect excuse to back down. Liang Sheng turned around at once, but she still put on a reluctant face. She clicked her tongue and said grudgingly, “Fine. Just one dance. I’ll do it since you got me out of that.”

“Thank you for the honor~” Gu Yuqi gave her a smile, and Liang Sheng’s heart skipped again. And again. And again.

Gu Yuqi didn’t even give her time to react. She grabbed Liang Sheng’s hand and led her toward the dance floor. Liang Sheng tugged her back, looking horrified. “Senior Yuqi, I can’t dance!”

She finally called me Senior Yuqi again!

Gu Yuqi got excited on the spot. She hadn’t heard that name in so long, it felt like another lifetime. Though, really, it hadn’t even been a week.

“It’s fine. I can. Just follow my lead.”

...Gu Yuqi had overestimated Liang Sheng.

Her feet had already been stepped on dozens of times. Right now, she was the very definition of suffering and enjoying it at the same time.

At the end of the song, Gu Yuqi suddenly hugged Liang Sheng. She rested her head on her shoulder and wrapped an arm tightly around her waist. In a very soft, careful voice, she whispered, “I was wrong. I’m sorry.”

Ahhh! What did I just hear?

Liang Sheng seriously suspected her ears were broken. Or maybe she was dreaming. She rubbed her ears. Still there. Then pinched her cheek. It hurt. Ah! Senior really apologized to her!

Usually so quick-witted, Liang Sheng had no idea what to say now. One hand just waved awkwardly in the air, not knowing what to do.

“I-It’s okay. I forgive you.” She squeezed that sentence out with great difficulty, like toothpaste from the very end of the tube.

Seeing how reluctant her answer sounded, Gu Yuqi loosened her hold on Liang Sheng’s waist and said anxiously, “Really. I thought about it afterward, and it really wasn’t worth it. I was too impulsive. That was my fault. It was only right for you to get mad, Junior Liang Sheng!”

“No, no, no, Senior, I really did forgive you!” Liang Sheng hurried to explain. She truly had forgiven Gu Yuqi from the bottom of her heart.

“Really?” Gu Yuqi still sounded half-convinced.

“Really really really~” Liang Sheng nodded like crazy.

To prove she meant it, she grabbed Gu Yuqi by the head and yanked her closer, pressing her straight into her chest.

This time, Liang Sheng really wasn’t being a pervert. She genuinely wanted to prove herself. But Gu Yuqi clearly didn’t think so. Her face turned red, and she secretly smiled to herself. Junior was really passionate.

Ding~ Favorability increased.

Gu Yuqi’s favorability toward Liang Sheng: 68

See? That’s the power of a chest bury.

“So nice~” Gu Yuqi hugged Liang Sheng again, and Liang Sheng wrapped her arms around Gu Yuqi’s neck too.

Then a big hand suddenly pulled the two of them apart.

“Hey, hey! What are you, brat, doing to my daughter!? And what’s with that little braid? You look all girly!” Liang Wengao glared at Gu Yuqi, fuming.

Without waiting for anyone to explain, he planted his hands on his hips and shouted, “Name your price. How much will it take for you to leave my daughter?” It was exactly like one of those idol drama scenes.

Gu Yuqi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Liang Sheng burst out laughing. She pointed at the person who had just been called “girly” and said to her father, “Dad, what part of her looks like a boy to you?”

“Huh?” Liang Wengao froze on the spot.

After a moment, he scratched his head with his big hand and gave Gu Yuqi an embarrassed smile. “Sorry, sorry. Uncle’s eyesight isn’t too good.”

Gu Yuqi quickly waved her hands. “It’s okay, it’s okay, Uncle. This outfit makes it really easy for people to misunderstand.”

It was all to coax Liang Sheng, after all. Gu Yuqi had already figured out her temperament. If she dressed a little cooler, it would absolutely make her happy.

Liang Sheng took her hand and said to Liang Wengao, “Dad, I’m taking Gu Yuqi to change into a prettier dress.”

“Okay, okay, okay. Go on, hurry.” Liang Wengao agreed at once, thinking to himself, Once she changes, people won’t mistake her anymore. Hmph. My precious daughter belongs to the Liang family.

Liang Sheng picked out an all-black gown for Gu Yuqi. It matched her own all-white one perfectly, almost like a couple’s outfit.

When Gu Yuqi came out after changing, Liang Sheng just stared blankly. What kind of heavenly being was this? She looked handsome in menswear, and in a dress she looked ethereal.

“No, no, no. You can’t wear this! How can you be prettier than me!” It sounded jealous, but in truth, Liang Sheng just didn’t want anyone else to see such a beautiful Gu Yuqi. What if someone tried to steal her away? And what if that person was prettier than her? Then how was she supposed to compete?

Gu Yuqi suddenly grabbed Liang Sheng’s hand and, with a swift pull, drew her right in front of her. Her warm breath brushed against Liang Sheng’s face as she asked, “Am I pretty?”

“Pretty...” Gu Yuqi’s face reflected in Liang Sheng’s eyes, and she fell all over again.

Gu Yuqi chuckled. “Then let’s go downstairs. Don’t worry. I’ll only let you see.” After saying that, she casually grabbed a black feather mask and put it on.

“O-Okay then.” She sounded reluctant, but inside, she was blooming with joy.

As soon as they went downstairs, they heard a burst of commotion outside.

Whoa. Who was arriving with this much fanfare? Bodyguards and luxury cars were lined up in a row. Every bodyguard had a stiff face, and despite it being nighttime, they were all wearing sunglasses. Who knew if they could even see the road?

Liang Sheng felt like they all looked exactly the same, like they’d been copy-pasted.

One bodyguard opened the door of the car in the middle, and the first thing everyone saw was a long, beautiful leg.

With a boom from the heavens, the young miss made her dazzling entrance.

Lu Ziqing stepped out of the car with sunglasses on her face. Then Su Ze was dragged out too, half-pulled and half-yanked by the young miss. The two of them were actually wearing matching black formal outfits.

“Well, well~ My young miss is here?” Liang Sheng jogged over and took Lu Ziqing’s arm. But Lu Ziqing suddenly frowned, raised a hand, and said, “Wait, don’t move yet. Why is it so dark out here? I can’t see a thing.”

...Young miss, you’re wearing sunglasses. If you could see anything at all, I’d be seriously impressed.

With an awkward smile, Liang Sheng took the sunglasses off Lu Ziqing’s face and asked carefully, “Young miss, is it better now?”

Lu Ziqing’s face instantly turned red. Then, in classic biting-the-hand-that-fed-her fashion, she snapped, “Mind your own business! I could see just fine before.”

Liang Sheng: “...” Heh. Sure. Whatever you say.

“Come, come, come. I’ll help you inside, Your Highness. Wouldn’t want you failing to see again in a second.” Liang Sheng joked with a grin.

“I don’t need your help, hmph! I can go in by myself!”

And then... she tripped.

The culprit was the pair of pretty stiletto heels she’d insisted on wearing.

Liang Sheng quickly caught her. “Aiya, I told you I’d help you. Young miss, your noble golden body mustn’t be hurt.”

“F-Fine then. You can help me.” Lu Ziqing agreed awkwardly.

The bodyguard standing closest to her was dumbfounded. In a panic, he whipped out his phone and made a call.

“Hello? What is it?” An impatient voice came from the other end.

“Miss, she... Miss, she... sh-she-she-she...” the bodyguard choked out tearfully.

“What happened to her!?” The person on the other end slammed the table and roared into the phone.

The bodyguard got so scared he stopped choking up immediately and answered at once, “Miss made a friend...”

The person on the other end was Lu Ziqing’s father. Hearing that, he let out a breath and dropped back into his chair. “What the hell, you scared me to death. It’s just that she made a friend... wait, what did you say?”

“Miss made a frie—”

Lu Ziqing’s father slammed the table again and shot to his feet. “She made a friend!?” He was practically in tears.

“Someone actually didn’t dislike my daughter, wuwuwu.” Truly the words of a real father.

Though, to be fair, he wasn’t wrong.

When Lu Ziqing was five, she made a friend. That friend, with a runny nose and all, made a little doll for her. Lu Ziqing was clearly delighted, but she didn’t want to show it, so the first thing out of her mouth was, “So ugly.” And then... that kid burst into tears, and the friendship ended on the spot.

When she was eleven, a girl wanted to be friends with her. Lu Ziqing was obviously happy, but she said nothing, just gave a huff and walked away. That chance ended before it even began.

Then at fifteen, Lu Ziqing finally managed to make a friend. That friend liked a boy and showed Lu Ziqing his photo. Lu Ziqing pouted and said disdainfully, “So ugly. He looks like a toad.” Right after that, the friend cut ties with her.

She brought it all on herself. Just like that, Lu Ziqing grew up without a single friend.

Thus, the formula was complete:

tsundere + sharp tongue + being blunt at exactly the wrong times = Young Miss Lu Ziqing.

Back to the present, Liang Sheng had thick skin, and she’d also read the original story. Not only did she not find Lu Ziqing annoying, she actually thought she was adorable.

Lu Ziqing’s father instructed the bodyguard, “You make sure to keep a close eye on this friend of Ziqing’s. Don’t let her run off! Sigh, this is hard. So hard...” This old father had truly worried himself sick over keeping his daughter’s little boat of friendship from capsizing.

“Daughter, this is...?” Liang Wengao had noticed the over-the-top entrance long ago. He searched his memory, but couldn’t think of anyone he knew who liked making such a grand show of things.

Liang Sheng introduced Lu Ziqing to him. “Her name is Lu Ziqing. She’s my good friend.”

Lu Ziqing felt a warmth in her heart. She actually said I’m her good friend. Th-That made her a little happy.

Ding~ Favorability increased.

Lu Ziqing’s favorability toward Liang Sheng: 59

“H-Hello, Uncle.” For some reason, Lu Ziqing felt a little nervous. She really wanted to leave a good impression on Liang Sheng’s father. It was probably kind of like a daughter-in-law meeting her in-laws for the first time.

Su Ze came in too and walked over to Lu Ziqing’s side. Liang Sheng hesitated for a moment, but still introduced him. “Dad, this is Su Ze. He’s my—”

Before she could finish saying “classmate,” Liang Wengao stared at Su Ze like he was facing a mortal enemy. “What’s your relationship with my daughter?”

“Dad, let me finish. He’s my classmate.” Liang Sheng explained helplessly. This was absolutely a daughter-con. A full-on daughter-con.

“Oh, oh. That’s good then.” Liang Wengao finally relaxed. He quietly pulled his daughter aside and whispered, “That kid doesn’t look like any good sort. Don’t get too close to him, got it?”

Right. In your eyes, every man except yourself looks suspicious.

Liang Sheng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but she also felt very happy. It really was nice to have someone care about you.

So she answered, “Okay, got it, Dad.”

Only then was Liang Wengao satisfied. Smiling warmly, he patted Liang Sheng on the head and praised her, “Good girl.”