“Alright, since nothing’s wrong, I’ll head back first.” Ni Sihan stood up again, waving to the three girls sitting on the ground before sauntering off into the distance.
Gu Yuqi glanced at Liang Jin beside her, then shot Liang Sheng a meaningful look. “I’m heading out too, but… I still remember what you said to me at lunch today~ I’ll make sure it happens for you.”
Liang Sheng recalled what she’d said at noon, and her face instantly flushed red.
After Gu Yuqi left, Liang Jin wrapped her arms around Liang Sheng and started acting spoiled. “Sis~ my dear sis~ what did you promise that tall girl just now? Let your cute little sister hear it too~”
Don’t let Liang Jin’s usual bold and carefree demeanor fool you—when she turned on the baby act, she knew exactly how to play it, hitting Liang Sheng right where it counted. This performance left Liang Sheng completely disarmed, with no idea how to turn her down.
“Ahem, cut it out with the baby talk. You’re not a little kid anymore.” Liang Sheng turned her head away, not daring to look at Liang Jin for fear of going soft at the sight.
“I wanna know~~” Liang Jin hugged Liang Sheng’s arm tight and shook it back and forth, pouting her lips and batting her eyes with the saddest puppy-dog look. “Sister Liang Sheng~ don’t you love your little sister anymore? Is your friend somehow better than your own sister?”
“Urk, ahem.” Liang Sheng nearly choked, slapping her hand over her little sister’s face. “Fine, fine, I’ll tell you. Just quit with the cuteness already!”
Liang Jin let out a string of “hehehe” giggles, still clinging to her big sister’s arm.
Liang Sheng rolled her eyes a couple of times, piecing together an excuse to fob off Liang Jin.
“Oh, I just said I wanted some omelet rice, and she offered to make it for me.” Liang Sheng scratched her cheek, feeling a twinge of guilt.
Liang Jin eyed her skeptically. “For real? It kinda feels like you’re lying to us, big sis.”
Liang Sheng couldn’t meet her gaze and just repeated herself. “It’s true, really! How can you not trust your beloved big sis?!”
“Wow, pulling out the ‘big sis adult’ card now~” When she wasn’t playing cute, Liang Jin had just a hint of sharp tongue and black-bellied mischief, poking fun at Liang Sheng.
Liang Sheng bristled and lunged at her, pinching Liang Jin’s cheeks. “You little punk, talking back to your big sister like that? Looks like you need some discipline!”
“Hehehe.” With her cheeks squished, Liang Jin’s words came out a bit lispy. “Then go ahead and discipline me, sis~ turn me into your perfect twenty-four-filial little si… little sister~”
“What was with that pause? What were you about to say?” Liang Sheng’s ears were sharp enough to catch the slip.
“Nothin’, ahem.” Now it was Liang Jin’s turn to cough. “Nothin’, just my mouth tripping over itself like always!”
“Oh…” Liang Sheng looked dubious but let it slide. “Alright then, but everything I said earlier was the honest truth~”
Liang Jin had no choice but to buy it. “Okay, okay, I believe you!”
“You’re such a good little sister~” Liang Sheng leaned in with an exaggerated, super cheesy air kiss toward Liang Jin.
Liang Jin grinned and shoved her playfully. “Eww, Sister Liang Sheng, you’re so gross.”
“Grossed out? Then stop hugging me.” Liang Sheng rolled her eyes dramatically.
Liang Jin laughed. “I just love my sis, love clinging to her. Got a problem with that? Ours is the real deal—pure sisterly love, way better than all those fake friendships out there!”
“Yes, yes~~” Liang Sheng reached out indulgently and booped her little sister’s forehead.
“I’m the only one—your sister—who loves you even more than Mom and Dad~” Liang Jin kept working her big-sis brainwashing magic.
Liang Sheng sighed in helpless amusement. She’d seen through Liang Jin’s little ploy ages ago but played along anyway. “I know, I get it~ only my little sister loves me most~”
“Ding~”
Favorability increased.
“Liang Jin’s Favorability towards Liang Sheng: 120”
Even though Liang Jin now towered nearly half a head over Liang Sheng, she was still so childish and immature in every other way—endearingly so.
“Sister Liang Sheng~” Liang Jin lay in her sister’s lap, reluctant to let go. “It’s been forever since we slept together~ Can I stay here tonight?”
“No way~” Liang Sheng shut it down. “I know you’re a total sis-con, but I’m still saying no. Head home and get some sleep—you’ve got school tomorrow.”
“Oh… fine.” Liang Jin sat up reluctantly from her sister’s lap. “Then I’m off.”
“Oof! Bye-bye~” Liang Sheng waved goodbye to her little sister from her spot on the floor.
Liang Jin stood and took a few steps before turning back. “I’m really leaving now! Like, for real this time!!”
Liang Sheng laughed. “Then get going! Why the super pitiful face? Folks might think I bullied you~”
“Wah, I’m really going~” Liang Jin had already stepped out the door, but she poked her head back in to gaze at Liang Sheng sitting on the floor.
Liang Sheng smiled helplessly, stood up, and walked over to her sister. “C’mere, one goodbye hug from big sis, then home to bed!”
With that, Liang Sheng pulled Liang Jin into a massive bear hug and patted the top of her head. “There, you silly little sister. Now you can head home feeling better, right?”
Liang Jin pouted—she still didn’t want to go, but her mood had improved a ton.
“Then, Sister Liang Sheng, see you tomorrow~” Steel herself, she turned and marched off without a backward glance. No looking back, or she’d dive right back into her big sis’s arms.
Sigh~ such are the woes of having a cute, gorgeous big sister (?). Another young soul blinded by adoration already! Liang Jin stuffed her hands in her pockets, grinning with smug pride.
Once Liang Jin was out of sight, Liang Sheng clambered back onto the bed, lay down, and muttered to thin air. In truth, she was addressing her System.
“This Ni Sihan seems pretty nice~ so enthusiastic and helpful. Looks like a solid good girl.”
Akino Kazuko materialized, perching on the edge of Liang Sheng’s bed. “You can’t judge a book by its cover. How do you know what’s really going on in her head? Don’t slot Ni Sihan into the ‘good person’ category so fast, or if she pulls something shady on you later, you’ll be the one taking the hit.”
“Yeah… fair point!” Liang Sheng nodded along.
“And besides,” Akino Kazuko pressed on, “Ni Sihan gives me seriously bad vibes. Just seeing her makes my stomach twist. Better keep your guard up. One tiny nice deed from her, and you’re already melting.”
“Alright, alright!” Liang Sheng waved her off impatiently. “I get it. You should go by Mama Kazuko—you’re such a nag, my head’s buzzing. Now pay up for my mental anguish.”
Akino Kazuko laughed despite herself in exasperation. “Can’t talk to you. Every chat with you leaves me pissed off and cracking up at the same time.”
