Liang Sheng walked arm-in-arm with Gu Yuqi, beaming with joy. But as they went along, she suddenly realized something was off. She was still supposed to be mad at her—how could she be so spineless?
Letting go of Gu Yuqi’s arm, Liang Sheng huffed and turned to leave. Inwardly, though, she kept pleading: Call me back, quick! Call me back!
Perhaps her sincerity truly moved the heavens. Gu Yuqi grabbed her arm. “Miss Liang Sheng, you promised me a dance. We haven’t danced yet.”
Liang Sheng seized the opportunity to back down gracefully. She spun around at once, though she made a special effort to look reluctant. “Tch,” she said grudgingly, “Fine, just one dance. Only because you rescued me.”
“Thanks for gracing me with it~” Gu Yuqi flashed her a smile, and Liang Sheng’s heart fluttered yet again.
Gu Yuqi didn’t give Liang Sheng time to react. She took her hand and led her toward the dance floor. Liang Sheng tugged back, her face full of alarm. “Senior Sister Yuqi, I can’t dance!”
She finally called me Senior Sister Yuqi! Gu Yuqi’s heart surged with excitement. It had been so long since she’d heard those words—it felt like a lifetime ago (though really, it had only been a week).
“No worries, I know how. Just follow my lead.”
…Gu Yuqi had overestimated Liang Sheng.
By now, Gu Yuqi’s feet had been stepped on dozens of times, but she was the perfect picture of pain mingled with pleasure.
As the song ended, Gu Yuqi suddenly pulled Liang Sheng into an embrace. She rested her head on Liang Sheng’s shoulder and wrapped her arms tightly around her waist. In a very soft, tentative voice, she murmured, “I’m sorry. I was wrong.”
Ahhh! What did I just hear? Liang Sheng wondered if her ears had failed her or if she was dreaming. She rubbed her ears—they still worked. She pinched her cheek—it hurt. Ah! Senior Sister really apologized to me!
Normally quick with her tongue, Liang Sheng now had no idea what to say. One hand flailed awkwardly in the air.
“I-It’s… fine. I forgive you,” she finally managed, squeezing out the words like toothpaste from a tube.
Seeing how reluctant Liang Sheng sounded, Gu Yuqi released her waist and said urgently, “Really, I thought about it later, and you’re right—it wasn’t worth it. I was just being petty. It was my fault. You had every right to get mad at me, Junior Sister Liang Sheng!”
“N-No, Senior Sister, I really forgive you!” Liang Sheng explained in a panic. She truly forgave Gu Yuqi from the bottom of her heart.
“Really?” Gu Yuqi sounded doubtful.
“Really, really, really~” Liang Sheng nodded vigorously, like she was pounding garlic.
To prove her sincerity, she grabbed Gu Yuqi’s head and yanked it close for a full-on face-plant into her chest.
This time, Liang Sheng really wasn’t being a flirt—she just wanted to prove her point. But Gu Yuqi didn’t see it that way. Her face flushed red as she chuckled inwardly: Junior Sister sure is enthusiastic.
“Ding~” Favorability increased.
“Gu Yuqi’s Favorability Toward Liang Sheng: 68”
See? That’s the power of a chest bury!
“Awesome~” Gu Yuqi hugged Liang Sheng again, and Liang Sheng wrapped her arms around Gu Yuqi’s neck.
That’s when a large hand suddenly yanked them apart.
“Hey, hey! What are you doing to my girl, you punk!? Still got that little ponytail—total sissy!” Liang Wengao glowered at Gu Yuqi, fuming.
Without waiting for explanations, he planted his hands on his hips and bellowed, “So, how much? Name your price to leave my daughter alone.” It was straight out of an idol drama.
Gu Yuqi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Liang Sheng burst out laughing and pointed at the so-called “sissy.” “Dad, where’d you get the idea she’s a boy?”
“Huh?” Liang Wengao froze.
After a moment, he scratched his head with a big hand, gave an embarrassed chuckle, and apologized to Gu Yuqi. “Sorry about that, sorry! Uncle here’s got bad eyes.”
Gu Yuqi waved it off hastily. “No, no, Uncle—it’s my outfit. It’s easy to get the wrong idea.” All to coax Liang Sheng, she thought. Gu Yuqi had figured out Liang Sheng’s type: a handsome look would definitely win her over.
Liang Sheng took Gu Yuqi’s hand and told Liang Wengao, “Dad, I’m taking Gu Yuqi to change into a pretty dress.”
“Sure, sure, go ahead!” Liang Wengao agreed at once. Once she’s changed, no more mix-ups, he thought. Hmph, my precious daughter belongs to the Liang Family.
Liang Sheng picked out a full-black gown for Gu Yuqi, perfectly matching her own all-white one—like a couple’s outfit.
Once Gu Yuqi had changed, Liang Sheng stared, dumbstruck. What kind of goddess was this? Handsome in menswear, ethereal in womenswear.
“No way, no way—I can’t let you wear that! How can you be prettier than me?!” It sounded like jealousy, but really, Liang Sheng just didn’t want anyone else seeing how stunning Gu Yuqi looked. What if someone prettier came along and stole her away? She couldn’t compete!
Gu Yuqi suddenly grabbed Liang Sheng’s hand and pulled her close with a whoosh. Her warm breath brushed Liang Sheng’s face as she asked, “Pretty?”
“Pretty…” Liang Sheng’s eyes reflected Gu Yuqi’s face. She was lost again.
Gu Yuqi chuckled softly. “Then let’s head downstairs. Don’t worry—I’ll only show off for you.” With that, she snatched a black feathered mask and slipped it on.
“F-Fine…” Liang Sheng sounded reluctant, but inside, she was blooming with joy.
Downstairs, they heard a commotion outside. Whoa—who brought this massive entourage? Bodyguards and luxury cars lined up in a row. The guards stood stone-faced, all wearing sunglasses in the dead of night—who knew if they could even see the road?
To Liang Sheng, they all looked identical, like carbon copies.
One bodyguard opened the door of the central luxury car, and a beautiful leg emerged first into view.
With a thunderous roar from the sky, the Young Miss made her dazzling entrance.
Lu Ziqing stepped out, sunglasses perched on her face. Then Su Ze was dragged out by the Young Miss, both wearing matching black gowns.
“Ooh~ My Young Miss is here?” Liang Sheng trotted up and grabbed Lu Ziqing’s arm, but the Young Miss suddenly frowned and raised a hand.
“Hold up—why’s it so dark out? Can’t see a thing.”
…Young Miss, you’re wearing sunglasses. If you can see anything, I’d bow down in awe.
Liang Sheng awkwardly removed the sunglasses from Lu Ziqing’s face and asked carefully, “Better now, Young Miss?”
Lu Ziqing’s face flushed bright red. She snapped back ungratefully, “Nosy! I could see fine before.”
Liang Sheng: “…” Sure, whatever you say.
“Come on, let me escort you in, old timer—don’t want you going blind again.” Liang Sheng teased with a grin.
“I don’t need your help, hmph! I’ll go myself!”
And then… she tripped. The culprit: those fancy thin-heeled stilettos she wore to look pretty.
Liang Sheng caught her quickly. “See? I told you to let me help. Young Miss, you’re too precious—what if you got hurt?”
“W-Well… fine, help me then.” Lu Ziqing agreed awkwardly.
The bodyguard closest to Lu Ziqing gaped in shock. He whipped out his phone and dialed frantically.
“Hello? What’s up?” An impatient voice came through.
“The Young Miss… the Young Miss… she sh-sh-she…” The bodyguard choked up.
“What happened to her?!” The man on the other end slammed his desk and roared into the phone.
Startled out of his tears, the bodyguard blurted, “The Young Miss made a friend…”
It was none other than Lu Ziqing’s father. He sighed in relief and slumped into his chair. “What? You scared me half to death. Just made a friend…? Wait, what did you say?”
“The Young Miss made a fr—”
Lu Ziqing’s dad shot to his feet again. “She made a friend?!” He was on the verge of tears.
“Who wouldn’t ditch my girl? Waaah.” Pure doting dad talk.
And he had good reason.
When Lu Ziqing was five, she made a friend who snot-nosedly made her a little doll. Lu Ziqing was thrilled inside but played it cool and blurted, “Ugly.” The kid wailed, and their friendship ended before it began.
At eleven, a girl wanted to befriend her. Lu Ziqing was delighted but huffed and walked off without a word. That chance died unborn.
At fifteen, she finally made a friend who showed her a crush’s photo. Lu Ziqing pouted. “Ugly, like a toad.” Cue instant breakup.
Tsundere plus sharp tongue plus brutal honesty at the worst times equaled Young Miss Lu Ziqing.
No wonder she’d had no friends from childhood to now.
Back to the present: Liang Sheng, thick-skinned and familiar with the original story, didn’t find Lu Ziqing off-putting at all. On the contrary, she thought she was adorable.
Lu Ziqing’s father instructed the bodyguard, “Watch that friend of Ziqing’s closely—don’t let her get away! Sigh, it’s not easy…” The old dad had poured his heart into keeping his daughter’s friendships afloat.
“Kiddo, who’s this…?” Liang Wengao had noticed the dramatic arrival. He couldn’t recall befriending anyone this flashy.
Liang Sheng introduced Lu Ziqing to Liang Wengao. “Her name’s Lu Ziqing. She’s my good friend.” Lu Ziqing’s heart warmed. She called me her good friend? A little thrill bubbled up.
“Ding~” Favorability increased.
“Lu Ziqing’s Favorability Toward Liang Sheng: 59”
“U-Uncle… hello.” Lu Ziqing didn’t know why, but she felt nervous. She really wanted to make a good impression on Liang Sheng’s dad—like a new bride meeting the in-laws.
Su Ze came in too and stood by Lu Ziqing. Liang Sheng hesitated, then introduced him. “Dad, this is Su Ze. He’s… my classmate—” Before she could finish, Liang Wengao eyed Su Ze like an enemy. “What’s your relationship?”
“Dad, let me finish—he’s my classmate,” Liang Sheng explained helplessly. Total daughter slave.
“Oh, oh, got it.” Liang Wengao relaxed. He pulled his daughter aside and whispered, “That guy’s no good. Stay away from him, okay?”
You think no guy’s good except you. Liang Sheng chuckled inwardly but felt warm. Having someone care was true happiness.
“Got it, Dad,” she replied.
Only then did Liang Wengao beam, patting Liang Sheng’s head. “Good girl.”
