“Of course! I earned my spot all on my own!” Liang Sheng declared proudly, hands on her hips and chin held high.
Liang Wengao was nearly moved to tears. “Wah wah wah, my little girl’s done us proud!”
Zhong Wen snatched up her phone right away, snapped a photo, and posted it to social media with the caption: Daughter, you must have been studying your heart out lately. Jumping from the bottom of the class to third overall—you’re Mom’s pride and joy forever!
Liang Sheng buried her face in her hands, mortified. Third in the class merited all this fanfare? If she placed third in the city, would they beat gongs and drums through the streets, set off strings of firecrackers with their deafening bangs and pops, and host a three-day feast for all the guests?
“Right, have they left yet?” Liang Sheng plopped down onto the sofa, sprawling out in a lazy slump.
“Sigh.” Zhong Wen let out a heavy breath, her face creased with worry. She leaned in close to Liang Sheng’s ear and murmured, “Don’t even ask. They’ve been crashing here for over a week, and not one of them has breathed a word about leaving. How are we supposed to bring it up when they won’t?”
What? How could these people be so shameless, treating the Liang Family home like their personal hotel? With more than ten of them around, were they trying to eat the family into ruin before clearing out?
Just then, an uncle shuffled out of the first-floor guest room, yawning widely. Spotting Liang Sheng, he flashed a grin full of yellowed teeth. “Yo, uh… you’re back, huh?”
This distant relative was so far removed—a cousin of her great-aunt’s cousin or some such—that there wasn’t a drop of shared blood, and nobody quite knew what to call him.
“Yeah, I’m back.” Liang Sheng gave a cool nod.
She grabbed her test paper from the table, ready to head upstairs.
The uncle stepped in front of her, plucked the paper from her hand, and peered at it. “Shengsheng, this score of yours ain’t half bad… wait, only 66?”
Liang Sheng nearly passed out from sheer rage.
“Uncle, you’re holding it upside down.” She clenched her jaw, summoning every ounce of willpower not to explode.
“Oh… oh.” He flipped the paper around and scrutinized it before tutting. “Even 99’s not great. My girl pulls over 110 on math, and that’s out of 150 full marks.”
Heh. Liang Sheng was beyond anger now.
“Uncle… your daughter’s in middle school. And this isn’t a language paper—it’s chemistry! Full marks are 100!” She shot a glare at those crooked yellow teeth, snatched the paper back, and stormed upstairs, stomping hard on every step.
The uncle stared at Liang Sheng’s retreating back, his expression souring. He grumbled to Liang Wengao, “Told you girls from rich families got attitudes. You spoil her rotten.”
Liang Wengao’s eyes bulged, his face hardening. “She’s my daughter, my money—I’ll spoil her all I like. Got a problem with that? And you hardly act like an elder yourself.” The uncle clammed up. After all, he was a guest under their roof, hoping to sponge off a few more meals.
Upstairs, Liang Sheng hurled her backpack to the floor and flopped onto the bed, spreadeagled like a giant “X.” Her cheeks puffed out as she fumed.
“Sigh, if only Hana were here. She’d help me beat the crap out of them!” Liang Sheng bellowed in a burst of frustration.
Well, it seemed heaven was listening.
“Ah~ Was Sheng-chan talking about me?” A figure suddenly wriggled through the open window, half her body already inside the room, her face flushed with a sweet smile. Liang Sheng nearly tumbled right off the bed, her own face draining of color as she gaped at the intruder clinging to the windowsill—Hana.
Her hand trembled as she pointed. Her voice came out all wobbly and high-pitched. “Y-you… how the hell did you get here?”
“Ah!” Hana ducked her head bashfully. “I heard Sheng-chan’s loving call for me!”
“How did you even find this place?” Liang Sheng’s mind reeled with pure terror.
“Hee hee, a girl’s gotta have her secrets.”
“…”
“Sheng-chan, I’m coming in~” With a graceful leap, Hana bounded onto the bed. She inhaled deeply, and her cheeks turned an even brighter red.
Flattening herself against the sheets, she buried her face for a moment before popping back up, looking utterly woozy. “Ah~ Sheng-chan, I’m in bliss~ It’s all your scent everywhere, like you’re wrapping me in a big hug.” She licked her lips with obvious relish.
Inch by inch, she crawled toward the frozen Liang Sheng before collapsing blissfully onto her chest with a happy smile.
Only then did Liang Sheng take in Hana’s outfit: a set of blue hospital pajamas. She seized Hana’s arm. “So they did send you to the mental hospital after all?”
Hana nodded, her expression turning pitiful. “I hate it there. No Sheng-chan scent, no Sheng-chan warmth.”
Liang Sheng’s thoughts churned in fierce debate. Should she say it? Tell her? At last, with a deep sigh, she shook Hana’s arm, her face grave.
“Hana, listen to me…”
Hana looked up, beaming. “Of course, Sheng-chan! Whatever you say, I’ll obey. You’re my favorite!”
Another sigh. “When you get back to the mental hospital, keep an eye on the area at night. Every evening, a middle-aged couple comes by for a stroll. Pull out your bracelet and show it to them—they’ll become your parents.”
Hana cocked her head, her eyes swirling with curiosity. “But… what’s in it for me?”
“You’ll have doting parents again.” Liang Sheng didn’t miss a beat.
“Hmm…” Hana looped her arms around Liang Sheng’s neck and pressed their noses together, her voice thick with longing. “As long as I have Sheng-chan, that’s enough for me. Everyone else can drop dead.” She touched their foreheads as well.
Oh boy, she was hopelessly hooked. Liang Sheng’s heart sank.
“No benefit? Then forget it.”
“There is! Promise!” Liang Sheng scrambled for a pitch. “Do this, and you can join my school. We’ll see each other every single day.”
Hana’s face lit up. “For real?”
“Yes, yes!” Liang Sheng bobbed her head frantically, like a chick pecking at feed.
Blushing furiously, Hana clapped her hands over her cheeks. “Ah~ So we’d be together all the time, drowning in Sheng-chan’s scent? I’d get to see you every day and wipe out all the losers sniffing around you.”
Lost in the fantasy, Hana finally nodded.
She rose reluctantly, eyes lingering on Liang Sheng. “Okay… to become your classmate ASAP, I’ll get moving right now. Wait for me, Sheng-chan!”
“Sure, sure.” Liang Sheng couldn’t wait for her to scram. Way too creepy—like she might murder out of love any second.
But then… a spark of genius. Liang Sheng latched onto Hana’s hand. Steel yourself. “Don’t go.”
Hana whipped around in delight and flung herself back onto Liang Sheng. “I knew it! Sheng-chan loves me so much, she can’t stand to see me leave!” Not even close…
Liang Sheng drew a deep breath and stroked Hana’s twin tails, her voice tentative. “Hana… could you do me a favor?”
Instant regret. Asking a yandere for help? That was begging for the switchblade.
“Absolutely!” Hana chirped without hesitation. Blushing, she placed a hand over her heart and half-knelt on the bed, licking her lips with a sultry flick that bared her fangs.
“Use me however you like, Sheng-chan! Exploit me to your heart’s content—I adore being your tool!” She dissolved into giggles, hand over her mouth.
Clutching the yandere’s thigh felt downright empowering.
Liang Sheng gripped Hana’s wrist and whispered her scheme right into her ear.
—— —— ——
Late that night, Liang Sheng crept downstairs with Hana in tow, edging up to the guest room door. Deafening snores rattled from inside. God, how did her parents even sleep through that on the floor below?
“Hana, just give them a little scare—nick them if you have to, but don’t actually kill anyone,” Liang Sheng hissed under her breath.
Hana smiled sweetly. “Relax, Sheng-chan. I won’t let you down.” She slipped on the Murder Rabbit Mask.
Click. The door eased open. Hana darted inside while Liang Sheng held it ajar, peeking through the narrow gap.
Now it was Hana’s time to shine.
Snap—the switchblade flicked open. She tiptoed toward the snoring auntie and uncle, deep in their dreams.
Leaning close, she blew a soft puff of air on the auntie’s neck. The woman scratched irritably, rolled over, and wound up facing straight at Hana. In a flash, Hana’s hand clamped around her throat. The auntie choked and flailed wildly, mouth gaping, eyes bulging, arms and legs thrashing in panic.
Hana yanked a towel free and crammed it into the auntie’s mouth. Now too terrified to speak, the woman slumped to the floor, quaking uncontrollably. Hana bound her hands for good measure. “Make a sound, and you’re dead.”
The auntie nodded desperately, sweat beading and trickling down her forehead.
Next, Hana swung a leg onto the bed—creak. The uncle jolted awake, grumbling, “What’s with you, old lady? Thrashing around in the middle of the night?” But his eyes flew open to meet a pair of bloodthirsty red orbs. His mouth gaped for a scream.
Hana’s hand slapped over it in an instant. The switchblade’s tip pressed flush against the flesh of his throat. She snarled softly, “One peep, and I slice you open.”
The uncle nodded frantically, terror-stricken.
“Hands on head—squat!” Hana commanded.
He huddled in the corner like a scolded child, pitiful and motionless.
Hana loomed like a mob boss, nudging his chin up with the knife tip. “Listen up. I’ve got a grudge against the Liang Family. I don’t want collateral—so pack up and scram tomorrow, or else.”
“B-but…” The uncle whimpered, reluctant.
“Hm?” Hana shot him a sidelong glare laced with menace.
He crumpled instantly. “Okay, okay! I’ll go tomorrow.” Survival trumped mooching any day.
