After finally watching the police lead away the yandere and the thugs, Liang Sheng let out a shaky breath. Leaning against the wall, her legs felt weak, barely holding her up.
Gu Yuqi hurried over to steady her—then Liang Sheng remembered: Gu Yuqi’s arm was bleeding.
“Senior Yuqi, forget me! That gash is huge—go get it disinfected, quick!”
Gu Yuqi didn’t argue. She nodded and was guided from the restroom upstairs for treatment.
Song An’an rushed in, threw herself into Liang Sheng’s arms, tears streaming down her face.
“Sheng! Sheng, I was so scared… What if you’d been seriously hurt?” Her voice broke into sobs.
Before she could finish, Liang Wengao yanked her aside and crushed his daughter in a bear hug. The man who lived by “real men don’t cry” was now wailing uncontrollably.
Caught off guard, Liang Sheng was swarmed—some weeping, others shouting—making her feel like she was on her deathbed.
“I-I’m fine… Could someone please tend to my hand first?” she meekly murmured. But the noise drowned her out.
Sharp pain flared in her wound. Frustration boiled over. “EVERYONE, SHUT UP!” *Seriously? Fake tears from strangers? Cry for me if you know me—but why sob if we’ve never met?*
The room fell dead silent. Like kids whispering after the teacher leaves—then sudden quiet, followed by nervous laughter.
“Pfft—” Liang Sheng snorted. Others chuckled too.
“Alright, alright,” she said, straightening her face. “Take me to get this treated. What if it gets infected?”
Only then did Liang Wengao notice his daughter’s injured hand. Pale-faced, he roared, “What are you staring at?! Can’t you see my daughter’s hurt? MAKE WAY!” The crowd parted instantly. He escorted her out.
Upstairs, Liang Sheng scanned the room. No Zhong Wen. “Mom? Why isn’t she here?”
“Ah, her…” Liang Wengao mumbled evasively. “Got a call—urgent thing. Left in a hurry. Not sure…”
As someone bandaged her hand, Liang Sheng’s mind drifted.
*First: Wu Qian. In the original plot, she jumped after Gu Yuqi confessed to Su Ze. My interference made her attempt suicide early—but I saved her. Changed a minor character’s fate.*
*Then Hua Nai. She should’ve debuted after being released from the asylum, sent to St. Maria’s Noble Academy, then met Su Ze. But today’s Hua Nai hadn’t even entered the asylum. Saw the lit villa, sought shelter… and fell for me over a careless promise.*
*Now? Police took her. No asylum. Where she goes next? Unknown.*
Liang Sheng closed her eyes and sighed. The plot was irreversibly derailed.
*Nearly died today… Is this punishment for changing the story?*
A bitter smile. No answers. Just take it step by step.
Exhausted from fear and tension, she sank into deep sleep.
She woke at noon the next day. Golden sunlight spilled across her face. Her head throbbed. *A dream: Hua Nai stabbing me. All the girls running to Su Ze. Me, alone in blood, struggling.*
She blinked awake. Stared out the window. Familiar scenery. *Settled.* But she knew—she didn’t belong here.
Cross-legged on the bed, she finally questioned the affection system. *Why show heroines’ feelings for Su Ze… and me? What happens if all girls’ affection for me hits a threshold?*
“Ugh!” She ruffled her hair. *Other novels’ systems give cheats, rewards, even cute mascots! Mine just spits out data? Total junk!*
*Gurgle…* Her stomach growled. Starving since last night, she hopped barefoot to the kitchen, grabbed milk from the fridge, twirled happily—then froze.
The living room was packed. Every eye locked on her. Witnessing her silly moment.
*Cough!* She choked on her own spit.
Liang Wengao shot up, scowling. “Hey! Eyes elsewhere! My daughter’s not even wearing slippers—have some decency!”
Liang Sheng: “….”
Crowd: “….”
*Yep. Total daughter-daddy.* Fully dressed except slippers—and he’s panicking?
“Dad… where are my classmates?”
“Sent them home. Useless here. Just causing chaos.”
She scanned the strangers. Shot her father a look.
“D-Distant relatives… you know, extended family…” He avoided her gaze. *He didn’t recognize them either.*
An auntie stood, tears welling, clutching Liang Sheng’s hand. “Child! I’m your father’s cousin’s sister’s second daughter—you should call me… uh…”
Liang Sheng blinked. *What tangled relation is this?*
“Um, Auntie, could you—”
“YES! Call me Auntie! So smart!” The grip tightened.
Liang Sheng: “???” *Desperate much?*
“OW! Auntie, LET GO!” Pain shot through her wound.
“Tsk! Auntie’s just showing love! So ungrateful! Rude!”
*Damn it!* Liang Sheng yanked free, bandage crumpled. Shot the woman a glare and stomped upstairs.
Downstairs: “I TOLD YOU HER HAND’S INJURED! SMASHED BY AN IRON ROD!” Liang Wengao yelled. Muffled apologies followed.
Zhong Wen entered, sat beside her dejected daughter. “They’re distant relatives. Leaving soon. New here—we must be hospitable. Or people’ll say the Liangs got rich and turned snobbish.”
Liang Sheng snuggled into her mom’s arms. “But… why visit *now*? While I’m hurt?”
“No,” Zhong Wen shook her head. “I went to pick them up last night. Came home, heard you were hurt—rushed up, changed your clothes… Thank goodness you’re okay.”
“…Okay.” Liang Sheng pouted but stayed quiet. Complaining further would seem petty.
—— —— ——
A week of calm passed. First-year students faced their first monthly exam.
Liang Sheng, once a chronic underperformer, scored third in class—for the first time ever. Her hands trembled slightly holding the paper.
Homeroom teacher Dong Yue rubbed her eyes, flipped the paper repeatedly, checked name and class thrice, recalculated the score. Finally: *Yes. The girl who napped in class and woke up lost.*
*Ding~* Affection level increased.
*Dong Yue’s affection for Liang Sheng: 7*
After a pause, Dong Yue announced to the class: “Truly… never judge a book by its cover!”
Liang Sheng went silent. *…Teacher, are you calling me ugly?*
First place: an unassuming boy. Second: Lu Ziqing.
Lu Ziqing hesitated—tsundere pride warring—then muttered, “Only third? Pathetic loser.” Regret flashed in her eyes instantly.
Liang Sheng grinned cheekily. “Of course! How could I ever beat Miss Ziqing?”
“Hmph~”
*Ding~* Affection level increased.
*Lu Ziqing’s affection for Liang Sheng: 55*
Liang Sheng smiled. *Knew she’d eat that up.*
After school, Song An’an saw the paper. Stars sparkled in her eyes again. Liang Sheng waved dismissively, face nearly Pinocchio-long. “Hah! No big deal!”
At home, Liang Wengao and Zhong Wen’s jaws dropped. *Original Liang Sheng ranked dead last. This score? Impossible.*
“Daughter… you didn’t… grab the wrong paper?” Liang Wengao stared so hard he might burn a hole through it.
*Yup. Only a real dad would say that.*
