After playing their fill at the seaside, the lively group began heading toward the arcade.

The old Liang Sheng would never have imagined a school actually taking students to an arcade for fun.

But this was the original author’s design—no helping it. In this novel’s world, anything the author dreamed up existed. Honestly, the writer of *Su Ze’s Girlfriends* must’ve been in elementary school.

This trip was meant to be the male lead’s golden chance to bond with the girls. Yet Liang Sheng butted in—and not only did the girls fail to warm up to him, they grew resentful.

This couldn’t continue. From the corner, Su Ze’s eyes darkened slightly.

*Lu Ziqing… She loves me, doesn’t she?*

Su Ze let out a soft chuckle, stood, and strolled toward An Hua, who stood alone nearby.

“Senior An Hua, why are you by yourself?” he asked warmly.

An Hua stayed silent, unsure how to reply.

“How about we play together? I’m alone too—perfect timing for company.” He gave her a genuine, warm smile.

He avoided any tone of pity—that felt like charity. This sounded like a sincere request.

Grateful but hesitant, An Hua wondered: *What if Liang Sheng comes looking for me later?*

“Senior An Hua… I really am lonely,” Su Ze added, voice dipping into a pitiful, wronged tone.

“O…kay,” An Hua finally murmured. *Liang Sheng’s surrounded by friends anyway. And… he did help me once. Didn’t I feel a little fond of him back then?*

Wait—why *did* she feel that way just from one act of kindness? Other boys had been kind too. Plenty were more talented, more handsome than Su Ze. Why none of them? Could this be… love at first sight? Her brow furrowed.

*No. Suspecting ulterior motives after someone helps you… that’s ungrateful.*

“Let’s go,” she said in her usual cool tone.

Su Ze flashed his signature warm, sunny smile.

Meanwhile, Liang Sheng was stuck with only Song Anan nearby. Miss Lu Ziqing, still flustered from seeing Liang Sheng naked that morning, hadn’t left the dorm. Gu Yuqi, realizing her own feelings toward Liang Sheng felt… off, had gone into hiding.

An Hua felt uneasy beside Su Ze. That unchanging smile on his face—so polished, so unreadable.

“Hey! Su Ze! What are you doing with *her*?!” A sour voice cut through from behind them.

Su Ze turned, surprised. *Lu Ziqing’s been glued to Liang Sheng lately—why’s she here now?*

“I’m not worried about *you*! I just… came to check if you were talking to any… questionable girls!” Lu Ziqing insisted stiffly.

The commotion drew Liang Sheng’s attention. *Oho? Su Ze, Lu Ziqing, An Hua… Is the classic “two girls, one guy” scene finally happening?*

Intrigued, she tugged Song Anan closer.

Su Ze sighed deeply at Lu Ziqing, face etched with quiet disappointment.

“Miss, I believed you were understanding. I’m simply chatting with Senior An Hua—nothing more. Please don’t misunderstand.” He stood perfectly gentlemanly.

Lu Ziqing’s eyes welled. “Did I… cause you trouble?” she whispered.

Instantly, Su Ze’s expression softened. He stepped closer, gently brushing hair from her face. “Not at all, Miss. You’re wonderful just as you are—everyone adores you. I told you this when you were little. Stay exactly like this. No need to change.”

Lu Ziqing’s tears vanished into a relieved smile. *Only Su Ze truly gets me.*

Liang Sheng caught the phrase: *“I told you this when you were little.”*

*Wait… what?*

“Miss Lu! Come join us!” Liang Sheng called out.

Lu Ziqing glanced at Su Ze hesitantly.

“Go ahead, Miss. You’ll have more to talk about with the girls,” Su Ze nodded kindly.

*Liar.* Liang Sheng sized him up. *He just wants An Hua to himself.*

She squinted at An Hua—system data flickered:

*An Hua’s Affinity toward Su Ze: 54*

*Last night it was in the 40s… He really is skilled.*

Reluctantly, Lu Ziqing approached Liang Sheng. She preferred Su Ze—the boy she’d quietly adored for years. Liang Sheng? Just a classmate she found likable. Her possessiveness was pure spoiled habit: *What’s mine stays mine.*

“Ziqing,” Liang Sheng began her ploy smoothly, “What did Su Ze say to you back then? Let me gauge his feelings.”

Lu Ziqing brightened instantly. “What do you want to know? He’s said *so* much!”

“Like… today’s words?”

Lu Ziqing fumbled: “When I was eight… a boy fixed my pencil sharpener. I was… uh… but I said, ‘I could’ve fixed it myself!’ He turned away.” She puffed her cheeks.

*Of course he was upset. No good deed goes unpunished.* Liang Sheng sighed inwardly—*tsundere mode activated.*

“And then?”

“I told Su Ze. He said, ‘You did nothing wrong. *He* was wrong. Don’t change—you’re perfect.’ Doesn’t that sound gentle? But you can’t like him!”

Lu Ziqing rambled on. Liang Sheng barely listened.

*He’s reinforcing her stubbornness, her distorted sense of right and wrong. Why?*

She disliked meddling… but silence felt cruel.

“Miss Ziqing… can you really stand seeing Su Ze laugh so happily with another girl?”

“No!” Lu Ziqing snapped.

“Then… what’s your take on guys who play the field?”

Lu Ziqing fell silent.

“You’d wanna cut off his @& and turn him into your little sister,” Liang Sheng deadpanned.

Lu Ziqing gaped. *Such vulgar words?!*

“Su Ze isn’t like that! How would I know?” she shrugged.

“Are you *sure* he isn’t?”

“Definitely not! Ugh, stop it!” Lu Ziqing muttered irritably—less annoyed, more afraid her certainty would crack.

*Good intentions mistaken for malice.*

“Miss,” Liang Sheng said gently, “don’t let feelings blind you. Don’t mistake a player for a warm-hearted guy.”

Lu Ziqing’s eyes flashed cold. “Are you calling Su Ze a *player*?”

“I… meant your actions were selfish. You shouldn’t have said that. But Su Ze called it *right*—that’s why you have no friends. Is he… just humoring you? Trying to win you over?”

“Liang Sheng!” Lu Ziqing cut in sharply. “Criticize me all you want—but speak ill of Su Ze again, and we’re done.” Her gaze turned icy, distant.

*Hah?* Liang Sheng glared back. *Being kind doesn’t mean I’ll be walked on. Cute doesn’t mean you own the world.*

“Fine! No good deed goes unpunished! Anan, let’s go.” She turned away without looking back.

Lu Ziqing bit her lip—regret surged, sharper than ever.

She glanced back. Su Ze’s hand covered An Hua’s; she leaned into his arms; he smiled that same warm, unchanging smile. *For every girl.*

*Am I really special to him?*

*Were my actions ever… right?*

Every time she regretted something, Su Ze called it “cute,” “normal.” Her remorse faded… until now. Seeing Liang Sheng’s hurt face, her retreating back—the regret crashed back, overwhelming.

*Crack.*

Lu Ziqing froze, dazed. *Did something… just break?*

*If Su Ze had never said those things… would I have had friends?*

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

WARNING! WARNING! AFFINITY DECLINE INITIATED!

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Affinity plummeting.