Ah, what a pity—I’m still in the prime of my youth. Must I really die at the hands of a deranged yandere?

"Ah! I get it!" Hua Nai exclaimed, throwing her arms around Liang Sheng. "Sheng-chan must’ve liked me ages ago! Secretly investigated me, even followed me! I’m so, so happy…"

Wait… You figured all that out before I could explain? I wanted to marvel at her bizarre logic, but fear made me nod frantically. "Y-yes! Yes! I really, really like Hua Nai!"

*Ding~* Affection Level increased.

"Hua Nai’s Affection Level toward Liang Sheng: +100"

It… went up again! Liang Sheng nearly burst into tears. For the first time, rising Affection felt utterly terrible—she was drowning in despair.

Hua Nai tightened her arms around Liang Sheng’s neck. Liang Sheng had every reason to suspect she meant to kill her for her beauty… and then do something unspeakable.

Through blurred vision, Liang Sheng saw tall men in black suits burst into the restroom doorway. Trapped in Hua Nai’s chokehold, she could only let out muffled "Ah! Ah!" cries.

"Who?!" Hua Nai spun around at the footsteps. Seeing men glaring fiercely, she released Liang Sheng and slipped a hand into her pocket.

Please don’t be a knife… Liang Sheng’s eyes tracked every move. Sure enough—she pulled out a switchblade. *Click.* The blade snapped open.

Hua Nai’s face was no longer sweet. Features twisted into a snarl, cute little fangs bared—now terrifying.

"Sheng-chan, don’t come closer! You might get hurt. Stay back," Hua Nai said softly, glancing back. But turning to the men, her face twisted again.

"If any of you dare lay a finger on Sheng-chan, I’ll kill every single one of you!" she roared.

The shortest man stepped forward. "Miss, if you’d just obey Madam and come quietly to the psychiatric hospital, none of this would’ve happened."

He paused, about to act tough—when another group of burly men in black suits and sunglasses appeared at the door.

Liang Sheng recognized them: Lu Ziqing’s bodyguards.

Guys… did you forget this is the *women’s* restroom?

The short man flinched but puffed his chest, jabbing a finger at a bodyguard. "Hey! Can’t you see I’m making an arrest? Scram if you don’t want a beating!"

Wow. Either incredibly skilled or recklessly bold. No one talks like that without backup.

*Thud.* The bodyguard’s fist connected. The man collapsed, foaming at the mouth, twitching. Pathetic.

Whoa—are you One Punch Man?! Liang Sheng gazed in awe. He hadn’t moved his legs—just raised one arm and knocked him out cold.

"Liang Sheng, are you in there?" Lu Ziqing peeked in, voice tight with worry.

"Here!"

"Waaah! Waaah!" Song An’an burst into tears. "Sheng, are you okay? I—I saw bad guys go in!"

"I’m fine, I’m fine," Liang Sheng reassured quickly.

Gu Yuqi shoved through the crowd, rushed to Liang Sheng, grabbed her hands, scanned her up and down. Only when sure she was unharmed did she exhale in relief.

*Whoosh!* A fist shot toward Gu Yuqi. Trained in sanda, she blocked it with her arm, staring in shock. Hua Nai.

"Who are you to Liang Sheng?" Hua Nai snarled, knife tip aimed at Gu Yuqi’s chest.

"I don’t know her! I don’t know her!" Liang Sheng lied hastily—Hua Nai was dangerously strong.

Hua Nai lowered the knife, shooting Gu Yuqi a venomous glare.

Gu Yuqi frowned, hurt. Then—boldly—she swept Liang Sheng into her arms.

Flustered, Liang Sheng looked up. What was she doing?

"Hmph. So… what do *you* think our relationship is?" Gu Yuqi challenged, pointing between them.

"Put Sheng-chan down!" Hua Nai shrieked, slashing the knife toward Gu Yuqi’s face.

Holy crap! Liang Sheng curled into a ball.

Gu Yuqi stepped back, dodging smoothly.

"Y-you! Put me down *first* before fighting her!" Liang Sheng wailed, tears streaming.

"Okay—"

Hua Nai lunged. Distracted, Gu Yuqi stepped back too slow.

Blood trickled slowly down her pale arm. Before Liang Sheng could react—*thud*—she was dumped onto the floor.

Ouch! Ouch! My butt’s bruised, girl! Don’t you know gentle handling?! Liang Sheng rubbed her sore bottom, tears in her eyes.

Hua Nai crouched, face full of concern—and heartache. *That stupid woman dropped Sheng-chan!* (Wasn’t it *you*?) Hua Nai’s anger simmered.

She stood, raising the switchblade again. Liang Sheng gritted her teeth, tugged Hua Nai’s sleeve in a whisper-soft voice: "Hua Nai… don’t kill anyone close to me. Or… I’ll really come to hate you."

Hua Nai’s mouth fell open, utterly devastated. "Does Sheng-chan care about others *this* much? Isn’t Hua Nai enough?!"

"No. I have family, friends… If you kill them, I—I might take my own life!" Liang Sheng gambled everything.

Hua Nai tightened her grip—then *clang*. She dropped the knife, threw herself at Liang Sheng, clinging desperately, voice choked: "Don’t abandon me, Sheng-chan. I’d do anything for you… even end my life."

Liang Sheng was stunned—and relieved. This yandere wasn’t the kill-the-lover type, but like Yuno: one who’d sacrifice everything for love.

Then—unexpectedly—the chubby guy beside the short man swung an iron rod at Hua Nai’s head. Instinctively, Liang Sheng shielded her with her hands—

*Thud!* The rod slammed onto Liang Sheng’s hand. She screamed. Hua Nai froze, whirled to see the trembling man, then Liang Sheng’s bleeding hand—and erupted.

"Aaah! You *dared* touch Sheng-chan?! I’ll kill you!" Hua Nai shot up, ready to tear him apart. Then hesitated. "Sheng-chan said… no killing people close to her. But *you* hurt Sheng-chan. So… you’re fair game!" Tilting her head, she nodded to herself.

The chubby guy smirked lewdly. *Not bad for a kid…*

*Thud.* Severe pain bloomed in his gut. Warm liquid trickled down. He looked—Hua Nai had plunged the switchblade into his abdomen.

"Aaaaah!" He rolled his eyes and collapsed.

Chaos erupted outside: socialites shrieking, people calling 911, children wailing.

"Daughter! Are you alright?!" Liang Wengao yelled hoarsely, blocked by a sea of people. He’d rushed down after hearing the commotion, grabbed a terrified waiter—and nearly fainted at the answer.

"Dad, I’m fine! Don’t come in! *Please* don’t come in!" Liang Sheng shouted back.

Hua Nai yanked the blade out, eyeing the blood with disgust. "Disgusting." Then she turned, smile warm as spring breeze: "Sheng-chan, my hands are dirty. I shouldn’t get close to you."

Truthfully, Liang Sheng was scared—but seeing the man who hit her get his comeuppance felt deeply satisfying.

She smiled. "Hua Nai is really amazing!"

Hua Nai’s face lit up, flushed crimson, hands clasped to her chest. "Sheng-chan praised me… She *praised* me! So happy…"

Though confused, Liang Sheng kept going: "Hua Nai is cute, a good girl. You’ll listen to me, right?" A calculated line to manage the girl who’d clearly gone dark.

It worked. Hua Nai beamed, little fangs showing. "I know! I’m Sheng-chan’s good girl," she chirped eagerly.

"Freeze! Police!" Officers arrived right on cue. One pointed at a towering bodyguard. "You the one who attacked someone?"

The bodyguard shook his head. *Not my problem.* He pointed to the purple-haired twin-tailed girl.

The officer blinked, skeptical. "You sure?"

"…" The bodyguard fell silent, then firmly: "I’m sure."

Brave onlookers confirmed it. Convinced, the officer approached Hua Nai sternly. "Young lady, come with us." Handcuffs clicked open.

Hua Nai stepped back, gripping the knife tightly.

No! Assaulting an officer would be disastrous! Liang Sheng called out sharply: "Hua Nai! Go with the officer (the 26-year-old officer felt a pang in his heart). I’ll wait for you at home. Obey them—or you’ll never see me again."

"But…"

"Obey me!"

She nodded, dropped the switchblade, held out her hands. *Click.* Handcuffs snapped shut.

Watching Hua Nai’s retreating figure, Liang Sheng finally let out a long, shaky sigh of relief.