“If you keep being this lazy, once Wakako wakes up, we’ll be back to being the underdogs. Do you get it?” Kazuko’s tiny body blocked the television screen.
“Kazuko…” Liang Sheng said impatiently, tilting her head to try to see what was playing on the television. “I admit I’ve been a bit lazy lately, but you won’t tell me anything, leaving me completely in the dark. Even if I busted my butt to be diligent, what would be the point? I’d just end up as a fool, getting toyed with left and right by you.”
“Liang Sheng… you—” Kazuko looked helpless and at a loss for words. “I’ve told you everything I can. Right now, you and I are in the same boat.”
“Then you should tell me,” Liang Sheng replied. She stopped watching the television and stared seriously into Kazuko’s eyes. “How many times has this world actually been reset?”
“You…” Kazuko instantly fell silent.
After a long moment, she let out a heavy sigh. “Fine. Just rest well today. It’s not too late to make a move tomorrow.”
Liang Sheng watched as Akino Kazuko vanished on the spot once more. She lost all interest in the television.
That entire day, Kazuko didn’t appear again. Nor did she speak to Liang Sheng in her mind.
Was she mad? Liang Sheng shrugged. Kazuko was clearly an old hag who’d lived at least several decades—maybe even centuries—yet she acted just like a kid.
“Kazuko, Kazuko,” Liang Sheng whispered toward the corner of the room. “Where’d you go, you dummy?”
There was no reaction.
“Okay, fine, I won’t ask anymore~ Stingy Ghost~” Liang Sheng pouted her lips. “You’re right—we’re in the same boat now. You wouldn’t screw me over, right? I won’t pry anymore. You must have your reasons for not telling me!”
“Hmph…” Kazuko finally materialized. “You wasted the entire day today, you know. Tomorrow, you’ll need to work hard to boost their favorability toward you, or scheme to tank their favorability toward Su Ze.”
“Oh, I prefer the second option.” Liang Sheng flashed a thumbs-up.
“Then… who’s your target tomorrow?”
“Teacher Dong Yue,” Liang Sheng answered.
Kazuko blinked in curiosity. “Why her all of a sudden?”
“Because her favorability toward me is way too low right now.”
“As for my reasoning… A responsible teacher like Dong Yue would surely love having a student come to her for help with questions, don’t you think?” Liang Sheng smiled faintly.
—
The next day, Liang Sheng got up early to get ready. She knew Dong Yue didn’t like sloppy people, so she skipped the army coat and instead donned a stylish beige long coat, topped off with a gray beret.
Then, she dialed Teacher Dong Yue’s number.
“Hello, Teacher! How are you~?”
“Hm?” Dong Yue didn’t immediately recognize the voice. She glanced at the caller ID notes and realization dawned. “Ah, ah, Liang Sheng. What’s up?”
“Teacher,” Liang Sheng said in the sweet tone of a model student, “I’ve run into some issues with math again… I’ve been studying it for ages, and it’s really frustrating me. C-could I come over to your place to ask you about it?”
“Ding~”
“Dong Yue’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 21”
“Of course!” Dong Yue felt a surge of gratification. Good kids who studied diligently even during break were a rare breed. She truly admired Liang Sheng’s attitude toward learning and firmly believed that a student like this had a bright future ahead.
“Teacher, I don’t know where you live. Could you send me your location?”
“Sure. I’ll send it now. Come on over—I’ve got time right this minute.” Dong Yue promptly shared her location pin and waited for Liang Sheng to arrive.
Liang Sheng received the pin and exchanged a grin with Kazuko. See? Problem solved.
The key issue was… Liang Sheng had overlooked one thing. The pin only pointed to the complex, and she and Dong Yue lived in the same complex. She had no idea which building. So, Liang Sheng called Dong Yue again.
“Hello, Teacher? We’re in the same complex, but I don’t know your exact address.” Liang Sheng scratched her cheek sheepishly.
“Ah.” Dong Yue stood up. “Wait at the complex entrance. I’ll come pick you up.”
“Ah, sorry to trouble you, Teacher…” Liang Sheng said politely. She planned to play the part of an obedient, courteous good girl in front of Dong Yue. Teachers loved kids like that.
Even though Liang Sheng was the one coming for help, Dong Yue sounded positively energized, like she’d mainlined caffeine. “No trouble at all! With your drive to learn, it’s my duty as a teacher to support you fully!”
“Mm-hm!” Liang Sheng agreed enthusiastically—though really, it was just currying favor.
“Let’s go, Kazuko~” Liang Sheng grabbed her bag and hurried out the door.
At the complex entrance, she suddenly got a call from Dong Yue, who apologized awkwardly from the other end.
“Liang Sheng, sorry about this. My family just called me out to help buy some things. How about we do this afternoon instead…?”
This was a golden opportunity. Liang Sheng had to seize it.
“What are you buying, Teacher?” she asked, then quickly added when it sounded nosy, “I’m not being gossipy or anything! I just mean, if it’s something heavy or if you’re getting a lot, I could tag along and help carry stuff.”
“Ding~”
“Dong Yue’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 25”
What a thoughtful kid. Dong Yue’s heart warmed. She was glad she’d chosen teaching as a career—having a student like this care about her made it all worthwhile.
“No need. It’s just some nuts and fruit. We’ve got relatives and friends over today, so I need to get back home to entertain them after.” Dong Yue’s voice softened.
Liang Sheng persisted. “Teacher, let me help anyway. Even fruit can get heavy, and I’ve got nothing going on at home. I should get out and exercise a bit.”
“Ding~”
“Dong Yue’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 27”
“Alright then,” Dong Yue relented. “Thank you, Liang Sheng.”
“Hee hee hee, no problem at all, Teacher.” Liang Sheng launched into bootlicking mode. “You work so hard teaching us every day. Helping with this is the tiniest fraction of a payback.”
“Ding~”
“Dong Yue’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 30”
Dong Yue couldn’t help sighing in admiration. “What a good kid. If all my students were as thoughtful as you, Liang Sheng…”
“Teacher,” Liang Sheng said earnestly (or so it seemed), “We all love you, really. They just don’t know how to show it. I’m just better at expressing it.”
“Ding~”
“Dong Yue’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 31”
“Good, good, good. You sure know how to talk, kiddo.” Dong Yue beamed like a flower in full bloom.
