Today, Sister Meng was dressed casually—tight jeans paired with a tiny camisole and a cropped canvas jacket.

Yet no matter how relaxed her style, every gesture still carried the quiet charm of a mature woman.

Her voice was soft and gentle, warm and kind like the big sister next door.

She was nothing like Meng Wanyu.

Even if Meng Wanyu spoke softly, you’d still worry she was plotting another trick the next second.

“You always seem so flustered whenever I see you,” Sister Meng said with a light chuckle.

“It’s pretty late—the buses have probably stopped running, haven’t they?”

Lu Chengzhou frowned slightly.

He’d timed it perfectly. How could they be off schedule?

“Today’s the weekly transit adjustment. The last bus left half an hour early, so service has already ended.”

Sister Meng pulled a cigarette pack from her pocket, tapped one out, and placed it between her lips.

She lifted her gaze, still watching him.

“So… what’s your plan?”

Lu Chengzhou sighed.

A flicker of dejection washed over him.

After all that effort sneaking out the window—what was the point?

Sister Meng glanced toward the nearby house.

Her little sister should be asleep by now.

Thinking of how her sister had set her sights on this guy Lu Chengzhou, a quiet annoyance stirred.

Before leaving home, Dad had warned her: *Keep an eye on her. Don’t let her wander.*

And now? Not only had she been fooling around, but their return to Jingzhou was delayed.

Her eyes returned to Lu Chengzhou.

She tapped the cigarette lightly with her fingertip.

*Need to stop them from seeing each other.*

Without hesitation, she spoke plainly: “Lu Chengzhou, have you considered transferring schools? I can arrange a better one for you.”

Lu Chengzhou froze.

*Transfer?*

The moment the words landed, a system alert chimed in his mind:

[Before unlocking specific achievements, please remain within the original story’s framework and strive to alter the plot!]

Just as he’d suspected—he couldn’t leave.

He knew the main leads’ relationship was twisted, both burdened with fatal flaws. As a side character, shouldn’t he just run?

Before, he lacked means. Now, Sister Meng offered an escape… yet he couldn’t take it.

*Another sigh inward.*

Guess he’d keep dancing in this battlefield of wits.

“I’m not considering transferring for now. Thank you for the offer.”

“Oh? Alright then.”

Sister Meng didn’t press further.

With buses gone and taxis scarce, she naturally drove him home.

At Lu Chengzhou’s apartment building, she parked.

As he reached for the door, she stopped him.

“You and my sister… better keep some distance.”

“She’s intensely possessive. And has… unusual quirks.”

“Bondage. Confinement. Strange role-play…”

Leaning closer, she gently unbuckled his seatbelt.

So near—he caught the elegant scent of her perfume, a faint glimpse of her curves shifting.

For a heartbeat, he felt dizzy.

Sister Meng smiled faintly, pulled a tissue, and dabbed the sweat on his brow.

*Must’ve startled him with those words,* she thought.

But Lu Chengzhou’s shame ran deeper—he’d just felt a flicker of attraction.

*First Meng Wanyu… now her sister? How shameless.*

She sat back straight.

“She’s a born hunter who loves to play. Fall into her hands, and she’ll play you to death.”

…

*Sigh.*

*A hunter who loves to play?*

Watching her car vanish into the night, Lu Chengzhou sighed again.

These sisters—two of a kind. Both hunters.

Only he remained the same: a bewildered herbivore.

Upstairs. Door open.

Before he could drop his bag, Su Qiaoman’s call lit up his screen.

A faint headache prickled.

But duty called—he answered.

“Hey, Azhou? Still up?” Su Qiaoman sounded surprised.

Lu Chengzhou kept it blunt: “What’s up?”

“Um… could you help me pick? Which dress suits me better?”

She’d learned her lessons—no more playing pitiful or cute.

“I sent the photos.”

He opened them. Two evening gowns.

Cheap knockoffs from Pinduoduo—99 yuan, free shipping.

“Brother Lin Chen’s birthday party… he invited me. I want to look nice.”

“What do you think, Azhou?”

Lu Chengzhou jumped on it. *Yes! Lock it down fast—save the side characters!*

“That’s exactly right. Don’t disappoint Brother Lin Chen,” he said earnestly.

“Mm…”

Why did that feel… off?

Su Qiaoman knew it was strange. He’d said something kind.

*Do I… not want to hear him say that?*

“Either looks great. No need to choose.”

“Really, Azhou?”

“Of course.”

“Okay… I’ll trust Azhou.”

The original story never described her gown. To him, it didn’t matter.

Lin Chen cared about face and figure—not fabric.

After hanging up, Su Qiaoman gritted her teeth and ordered one.

Even dozens of yuan stung. Lin Chen hadn’t been to school in days.

Before, he or Azhou would cover costs. Not today.

*This birthday party… I must win Brother Lin Chen back.*

Rich heirs changed minds fast. She couldn’t lose his interest.

Her sparrow-to-phoenix dream hinged on him.

(Thoughts she’d never voice.)

“Dress is done… but makeup and styling? Another expense.”

She frowned at her nearly empty bank balance.

“Guess… I’ll call Azhou again.”