Liang Sheng wrapped her arms around Cha Susu’s slender waist, gazing deeply into the other girl’s beautiful eyes. “Susu, I don’t want anything else. I just want you to stay by my side forever!”
“No… We can never be together like that.”
Aaaah! It was so sweet! If Su Ze hadn’t been there, Cha Susu probably would have collapsed to the ground and rolled around in delight.
Was Liang Sheng really that clever? No, not at all. She had just stumbled into it by pure luck. That’s what they called it—”luck”—and people like her were dubbed “Lucky Emperors.”
“Ding~” came the system’s prompt.
“Cha Susu feature unlocked: Deep Overbearing CEO Lit Patient.”
Damn, you really couldn’t judge a book by its cover. This cute little green tea girl was actually poisoned by all those online overbearing CEO novels. Pitiful! Tragic!
“Liang Sheng,” Bai Zhen said gratefully, “thank you for rescuing me from that super awkward situation.”
“No need to be so polite, Sister Bai Zhen~ Why get formal with me?” Liang Sheng replied offhandedly to Bai Zhen while typing on her phone. “Send me the script, Susu.”
Once Cha Susu had sent over the script file, Liang Sheng opened it and pretended to read for a bit. She dramatically raised a hand to cover her mouth in feigned shock, letting out a “Whoa!”
“Could you tone down the exaggeration? Anyone can tell you’re acting,” Kazuko said, unable to hold back a chuckle.
“Shut up. Don’t mess up my performance.”
Seeing her like this, Bai Zhen couldn’t help but ask, “What did you see? What’s with that expression?” After all, humans were curious creatures by nature~
But curiosity killed the cat, and Bai Zhen was about to fall right into the trap. Liang Sheng smirked inwardly, thinking she had her hooked.
“Ahem.” Liang Sheng struck an especially coy pose. “Well, uh, maybe I shouldn’t show Sister Bai Zhen. What if you saw it and…”
“Okay then.”
…
Liang Sheng: “???” That was it? No follow-up questions, even from someone less curious? Sister Bai Zhen, was your curiosity really that tiny??? Why wouldn’t you take the bait???
“Do you even have a trap?” Kazuko interjected.
“It’s not like we’re going to bed. Why would I carry one of those?” Liang Sheng shot back without a second thought.
And… there she went, steering into the gutter again.
“Come on, keep it pure, okay?” Kazuko rolled her eyes dramatically at her own perverted host.
Liang Sheng was busy plotting her next move to reel in Bai Zhen and barely registered what the Favorability System had said. She tossed out a casual reply: “Ugh, those things are so uncomfortable anyway. And between two women, you can go at it forever without getting pregnant. Relax~”
Kazuko: “…That’s not what I asked.”
This girl was beyond saving. Her pervy nature was ingrained deep. Even drilling it out with the sharpest bit wouldn’t work.
“What I meant was,” Kazuko tried again, enunciating clearly, “what kind of trap did you set?” She refused to believe Liang Sheng could twist it this time.
Surely, she’d get it now? (Not a chance.)
Unfortunately, Liang Sheng’s pervy level was underestimated once more.
“Jeez, Kazuko, why are you so thirsty!” Liang Sheng stayed lost in her own world. ” ‘Trap trap trap’ all the time—your mind’s the dirty one here.”
“I swear…!” Kazuko exploded.
“Quiet!” Liang Sheng snapped impatiently. “Can’t you see I’m thinking about something important? No time to debate condoms with you, you perv.”
Kazuko: “…” She felt so wronged. Wasn’t this a case of the pot calling the kettle black? Better to stay quiet—talking to a horn dog was contagious.
Sigh. No choice but to charge ahead anyway. It’d only cause a brief dip in favorability, maybe a day or two at worst. And once Bai Zhen read the web drama script, she’d be hooked by its content and plot. It was genuinely good—mind-bending and thrilling. If Bai Zhen liked it, her favorability toward the recommender—that is, Liang Sheng—would surely rise.
“Sister Bai Zhen,” Liang Sheng said solemnly, looking up at her with determined eyes. “You have to take this web drama.”
Bai Zhen blinked in confusion. “What are you talking about, Liang Sheng?”
“The script’s right here. Take a look, Sister Bai Zhen.” Liang Sheng held out her phone.
Whoosh~ Favorability dropped.
“Bai Zhen’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 57”
“Liang Sheng, I thought you understood me,” Bai Zhen said, lowering her head with a hint of disappointment.
“Sister Bai Zhen,” Liang Sheng met her gaze with utter sincerity, “that’s exactly why I understand you. That’s why I’m telling you to take this web drama.”
Whoosh~ Favorability dropped.
“Bai Zhen’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 49”
Bai Zhen was angry now. “Liang Sheng, you know I want to make big films, not some lowbrow web drama with no substance or technical merit. Just drop it—I won’t agree.” Her tone was ice cold.
“Sigh…” Liang Sheng let out a heavy breath, speaking earnestly. “Sister Bai Zhen, how are you even more immature than me right now?”
Whoosh~ Favorability dropped.
“Bai Zhen’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 45”
“Ever since that ridiculous viral fluke, everything’s gone wrong,” Bai Zhen said, clenching her fists as she bowed her head. “I don’t want to be labeled as some ‘traffic idol,’ ‘show-off,’ ‘clown,’ ‘lucky break,’ or ‘queen of flops.’ I want the first word people think of when they hear my name to be ‘talent.’ Real talent!”
Liang Sheng smiled and picked up her phone, its bright screen displaying the script. “So, Sister Bai Zhen, are you ready to stay red-hot from here on out?”
“Hm?” Bai Zhen looked puzzled.
“Who doesn’t start with a small web drama these days? Nobody jumps straight to blockbusters. And if they do, it’s probably family connections.” Liang Sheng grinned brightly. “I know you, Sister Bai Zhen—you like clawing your way up on your own, and your ambitions are sky-high. So trust me: this web drama is the key first step to landing a lead role in a major film.”
Bai Zhen calmed down and asked, “Why do you say that?”
“Just look at the phone already~ Everything starts somewhere~” Liang Sheng wheedled like a spoiled child.
Though reluctant, Bai Zhen took the phone and started reading.
Five minutes passed.
Ding~ Favorability rose.
“Bai Zhen’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 49”
Fifteen minutes passed.
Ding~ Favorability rose.
“Bai Zhen’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 56”
“Whew~” Bai Zhen exhaled deeply and handed the phone back to Liang Sheng. “The script’s too long. Send it to me when we get home.”
“Hehe~” Liang Sheng unbuckled her seatbelt and threw herself into Bai Zhen’s arms, nuzzling against her chest. “See? I only recommend it because I truly think it’s good. This script is worth it.”
Ding~ Favorability rose.
“Bai Zhen’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 60”
“Sorry,” Bai Zhen said, utterly melted by Liang Sheng’s cuteness—her heart was turning to mush, filled with guilt. “I got too worked up earlier. After reading the script, I see you’re really looking out for me. Thank you.”
“No need to apologize~ Sister Bai Zhen, I get how you feel.” Liang Sheng played the perfect understanding friend (not really).
Ding~ Favorability rose.
“Bai Zhen’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 63”
This kid was just too mature for her own good—mature in a heartbreaking way. Unlike… No, unlike them. Bai Zhen’s eyes gradually darkened.
“Come on, let me drive you home.” Bai Zhen smiled and refastened Liang Sheng’s seatbelt. “I’ll think seriously about the web drama. No more overreacting—thanks to you.”
“Hey!” Liang Sheng pouted playfully. “Sister Bai Zhen, you’re being formal again. Don’t be. I believe in your talent—you’ll become one of the new generation’s top serious actresses for sure.”
Ding~ Favorability rose.
“Bai Zhen’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 66”
Flattery worked wonders.
Once home, Liang Sheng sent the web drama script file to Bai Zhen, successfully completing what others might call her “tool role.” In truth, though, she was the one who profited.
What a day—living like a total simp. Exhausted, she flopped onto the bed. Another day as a simp, but at least there were gains to show for her efforts.
Oh, right! Liang Sheng bolted upright from her half-dozing state. Senior Sister Gu Yuqi’s issue still wasn’t resolved!
What to do? She paced anxiously around the room, that disappointed look flashing in her mind… Her heart suddenly stabbed with pain.
Lowering her head, wasn’t Hana actually the best romantic match? Gah—what was she thinking! Liang Sheng startled herself. Was she tired of living? This was dancing on the edge of death. If Hana ever caught her getting too cozy with some guy or girl and snapped, dragging her off to heaven… well, she wouldn’t be Liang Sheng anymore. She’d be Liangliang.
“What are you daydreaming about?” Kazuko prompted. “The most important thing right now is to go make it up to your Senior Sister Gu Yuqi.”
“Uh…” Liang Sheng chickened out. “Forget it. That look she gave me…”
Kazuko laughed at her. “You’re such a wimp. What’s there to fear? Just explain it clearly.”
Egged on by Kazuko, Liang Sheng’s resolve softened. Fine, she’d give it a shot. Die early, reincarnate early—and hey, it was her fault anyway.
At Gu Yuqi’s doorstep, she rang the bell for ages, but no one answered. She rang some more—still nothing. Was she refusing to see her…? No, Liang Sheng shook her head, reassuring herself. Probably out with her parents somewhere, or the family was at dinner. Why else would the house be empty?
Sigh…
Huh?
Liang Sheng stepped back a couple paces. Wasn’t this Senior Sister An Hua’s place?
Her lips pursed in a pout, and mischief bubbled up again. She was feeling so down—why not pop over and tease Senior Sister An Hua for a pick-me-up?
“I’m in!” Kazuko was even more excited than Liang Sheng. She loved a good roast.
