As that saccharine-sweet “big brother” echoed through the auditorium, Jing Yuansheng’s face instantly turned a sickly shade of green.
His forced smile froze solid.
After a stunned silence, whispers erupted among the freshmen—endless murmurs about Jing Yuansheng and Lu Simo.
Though Jing’s talent couldn’t rival Tong Qin’s, he’d still been somewhat respected. Now? A laughingstock.
*Young master of the Jing family? Only Tier 3 awakening? Lightning-type ability?*
*So what? Still wearing that glaring green hat of betrayal.*
*His own girlfriend seduced Zhou Jiuyu? And that “big brother” call—so shamelessly flirtatious!*
“I’d say it was clearly his girlfriend chasing Akizuki Airi’s boyfriend…”
“Tsk, tsk. Shameless.”
“How could a so-called young master pick such a slut?”
“…”
Each jeer drilled into Jing Yuansheng’s ears. His mind buzzed blank—shame flared into blinding rage.
“Lu Simo! Explain this right now!”
“Yuansheng, no—it’s not… please listen…”
“Give me your phone!”
“Take it! Th-those voices are synthesized! Do you believe him or your girlfriend?!”
Lu Simo bit her lip, stepped forward—and slipped on a mysterious puddle beneath her heels. She tumbled down. A second phone slid from her dress pocket.
Wincing, she paled and lunged for it—but Jing snatched it first.
He pressed her fingerprint to unlock it.
“Yuansheng, don’t—don’t open it…” she stammered, mind short-circuiting.
He skimmed her social apps for half a minute, then slapped her hard. “Damn it! Not just ‘Big Brother Zhou’—who the hell are ‘Big Brother Lin’ and ‘Big Brother Bai’?!”
“Jing Yuansheng! You hit me?! You bastard! I’m done! So you’re a young master? Must I coddle you daily?!”
Clutching her stinging cheek, she slapped him back.
“You dare?!” He shoved her.
They tussled, shouting, a chaotic mess.
Onlookers feasted on the drama with grins.
*Honestly, this freshman ball was wild—catfights, cheating scandals. No dancing, but totally worth it.*
“Let’s go home,” Zhou Jiuyu said, reaching instinctively for Akizuki Airi’s hand.
Marina Tsukizuki smoothly slipped between them.
Airi’s outstretched fingers retreated. She lowered her head, a faint blush warming her cheeks.
*They’re not even dating… Why did I reach? And Sister stopped me!*
Zhou felt a flicker of awkwardness—he’d been teasing little Airi, and got caught. *Fair enough,* he thought. *Sisters protect sisters.*
Until Marina calmly intertwined her fingers with his, nodded with a soft smile. “Mm. Let’s go home, Jiuyu-kun.”
“You… you two?!” Airi’s eyes widened.
“What’s wrong, Airi?” Marina asked sweetly, gaze knowing.
Airi’s lips trembled. She darted to Zhou’s other side, clung to his arm, puffed her cheeks. “What’s *wrong*? He’s *my*… my good friend! Why are you so close?!”
“Oh? Can’t I be Jiuyu-kun’s friend too?” Marina’s eyes shimmered gently as she turned to him. “Jiuyu-kun… are we friends?”
Zhou blinked. Feeling two distinct warmth against his arms, he cleared his throat. “We are.”
“You… we’re supposed to be each other’s *only* friend!” Airi stammered.
“Airi, silly. ‘Only’ applies to couples—not friends, right?” Marina smiled faintly.
Airi bit her plump lower lip, speechless.
*Only couples… “Only friend” was just my selfish label.*
Yet watching Sister hold his hand… a strange irritation swirled inside.
*Am I… jealous?*
*Jealous of him?!*
*No way…*
*But… he’s the first person besides Sister to be this gentle with me.*
You could tell he was a little scoundrel—enjoying both sisters clinging to him, zero shame. Yet he’d stood up for her, danced with her, made her feel seen.
She’d feared being the lonely girl in the corner tonight. Instead, because of him, she’d been cheered, admired. That warmth… safety.
On the subway home, Airi watched their reflections blur in the window.
*What if we were snuggled right now?*
*He exposed Lu Simo, danced with me, fought for me…*
*Does Jiuyu-kun… like me?!*
She swallowed, glancing at his profile. *Why does he look even cooler now?*
“Spacing out? Station’s here. Planning to sleep on the train?” Zhou tapped her head.
“O-oh… got it. Don’t hit me,” she murmured, biting her lip—no glare this time.
Back home, Zhou stretched with a sigh. *Pretending all day… exhausted. Time to dream of hugging my silly maid’s softness.*
Just as he closed his door, Airi blocked it. Fidgeting, she whispered:
“Thank you… for tonight.”
“Perfect timing. Almost forgot—I haven’t collected payment yet, Airi-chan.”
His eyes swept her petite-yet-curvy frame. A mischievous grin spread.
*Plans changed. Real-life comfort first. Then dreams.*
“Huh…?” Airi froze. Her slender legs trembled under the skirt.
*I forgot… the “payment”! I’m ruined… ruined… Will he be rough?*
*Three seconds used… twenty-seven left!*
*Twenty-seven seconds… enough to draw blood!*
