Kazuko overheard her grumbling and nearly blew a fuse. “Even if Akino Wakako is so impressive, didn’t she still take a tumble this time? It’ll be ages before she bounces back, right? Doesn’t that prove I’m better than her?”
“But back when I wasn’t your host yet, how many times did you lose to her? Don’t you have any idea?” Liang Sheng sounded downright smug. “We only won because of me!”
Kazuko was speechless, but her words rang too true to argue with. She could only nod sarcastically. “Yeah, yeah, you’re the best. Happy now?”
Liang Sheng arched a brow. “Since you’re so grateful, how about you kowtow to me?”
“Hey, what the heck?!” If they weren’t out in public, Kazuko would’ve exploded and given Liang Sheng a good thrashing by now.
These days, Akino Kazuko had shot up almost as tall as Liang Sheng herself.
Lu Ziqing wasn’t thrilled about dragging Ni Sihan along, but seeing her finally stop clinging to Liang Sheng eased the knot in her chest a bit. Reluctantly, she agreed.
“Hold up, Young Miss!” Liang Sheng grabbed Lu Ziqing’s arm with a grin. “Mind if I tag along? It’s been forever since I last saw you. I really missed you.”
“You…!” Lu Ziqing’s face flushed crimson.
“Ding~” Favorability increased.
“Lu Ziqing’s Favorability Toward Liang Sheng: 118”
In her mind, Liang Sheng called out to her system. “Kazuko, bind Ni Sihan for me. I want to see the girls’ favorability toward her.”
“OK.”
“Ding-dong~”
“System Notice: Ni Sihan bound. Can now display girls’ favorability toward Ni Sihan.”
“Lu Ziqing’s Favorability Toward Ni Sihan: -5”
Phew~ What a relief. Liang Sheng relaxed a little upon seeing the number.
As expected, the young miss still loves me. A sweet warmth bloomed in her chest.
“Hmph, hmph.” Lu Ziqing huffed awkwardly before grabbing Liang Sheng’s arm. “You looked so pitiful all by yourself. Fine, you can come along.”
“Pfft.” Liang Sheng couldn’t hold back her laughter.
“You!” Lu Ziqing bristled at the sound. “What’s so funny?!”
Liang Sheng stood on tiptoe and affectionately ruffled her hair. “You, of course. My young miss is just too adorable~”
“You!!”
“Ding~” Favorability increased.
“Lu Ziqing’s Favorability Toward Liang Sheng: 126”
Watching their sugary exchange, Ni Sihan’s expression soured.
“Aww, you two are just so sweet together~” Ni Sihan chimed in, her eyes brimming with feigned envy. “I really wish I had a friendship as heart-fluttering as yours~”
“Ding~” Favorability increased.
“Lu Ziqing’s Favorability Toward Ni Sihan: -2”
Liang Sheng had expected something like, “You can be our friend too!” But no.
“Hope you find one soon~” Liang Sheng tilted her head with oblivious cheer.
“Of course! I lo—cough, Liang Sheng just loves sticking to me,” Lu Ziqing said with haughty pride, turning away to stifle a laugh.
Ni Sihan: “…” Why isn’t this going like I planned? Shouldn’t you invite me to join you for a fun little trio?!
Ni Sihan suddenly had no idea what to say.
By noon, when Liang Sheng was heading out to grab lunch with her beloved senior sister, Ni Sihan sidled up again. This time, she’d wised up—no touching Liang Sheng, just the pitiful act.
“Liang Sheng, I’m all alone here and don’t know anyone. Can I eat lunch with you?” She blinked her big eyes for effect.
“Uh…” Liang Sheng wanted to say no, but she couldn’t be sure if Ni Sihan had a system bound. What if she didn’t? That would be one awkward mix-up.
“Fine,” she relented. “But someone else will be joining us. You okay with that?”
“Of… sure! Making more friends is part of school life, right?” Ni Sihan tamped down her surging excitement. This was her chance to meet the rest of the harem group.
Liang Sheng shrugged and led her downstairs.
Gu Yuqi was waiting below, with Song An’an at her side clutching a lunch bag.
Huh? I only invited Senior Sister Gu Yuqi. Liang Sheng scratched her head, a cold sweat breaking out. Oh no, a Shura Field’s brewing.
“I wanna run away~ but I can’t escape~!” A classmate’s phone rang nearby, and the lyrics stabbed right at Liang Sheng’s heart. Was this custom-made for her or what?
Steeling herself, Liang Sheng approached and slung an arm around the two girls—one around the waist, the other over the shoulder. The height difference made it awkward.
“Come on, let’s eat! Charge!”
In her desperate bid for survival, Liang Sheng completely forgot about Ni Sihan. A few steps later, she remembered the girl trailing behind, her face etched with embarrassment.
“Oh! Ni Sihan, hurry up and come eat with us!” Both of Liang Sheng’s arms were occupied with Gu Yuqi and Song An’an, so she could only gesture with her eyes.
Ni Sihan’s embarrassment eased, and she jogged to catch up.
“Hi everyone, I’m Ni Sihan, new transfer today. I guess you could say Liang Sheng and I are friends?” Ni Sihan smiled shyly.
“Ah…” Gu Yuqi nodded. “I’m your senior sister, Gu Yuqi.”
Song An’an, already shy by nature, panicked at the newcomer and huddled into Liang Sheng’s arm crook. “S-Song… Song An’an. That’s me.”
“Haha.” Liang Sheng laughed awkwardly. Self-introductions were the worst. “Let’s just go eat already.”
Song An’an’s little scheme kicked in. She held up her lunchbox. “But, A-Sheng, I only made enough for two. What now?”
Liang Sheng panicked. Is this starting already?
Gu Yuqi picked up on the gunpowder in the girl’s words. She wondered what she’d done to set her off—though her memories had been wiped, leaving only the name Song An’an and no recollection of why.
“No worries. Let’s eat out. Junior Sister Liang Sheng can have your lunchbox, and I can grab something outside with… Ni, Ni Sihan, right?” Gu Yuqi was the picture of consideration.
Liang Sheng felt guilty hearing that. Song An’an inwardly cursed the little green tea. Ni Sihan blinked in total confusion.
“Th-that doesn’t seem fair?” Liang Sheng fumbled for words, finally squeezing out a question.
Gu Yuqi flashed her black-bellied side. “No other way around it. I wanted to eat with you, Junior Sister.”
Whoa. Liang Sheng’s eyes welled up with moved tears, utterly flattered. Senior Sister Yuqi hadn’t been this forward since losing her memories!
“How about we share a box?” Liang Sheng suggested, not her brightest idea.
