“Yo ho~ Looks like you’re bummed out from being ignored.” Liang Sheng sneakily nudged Bai Zhen a few times with her elbow, grinning as she pointed over at He Wennuo and Ye Yuzhe.
Bai Zhen slung an arm around her neck, her hand resting naturally on Liang Sheng’s shoulder. “Mm-hmm~ You seem awfully interested in them, don’t you?”
Liang Sheng grabbed her arm. “Heh heh~ I’m just one of those people who loves watching others fall in love.”
“Then…” Bai Zhen leaned in close to her ear, “what about your own love life? Not interested?”
Whoa, she’s way too close—the Big Sister smells amazing! Liang Sheng played dumb, scratching her head. “Heh heh, as for me, I haven’t met the right one yet.”
Haven’t met the right one? Bai Zhen’s mind flashed to Gu Yuqi’s face. Didn’t Liang Sheng have a thing for that woman?
“So, our little Liang Sheng doesn’t have anyone she likes?” Bai Zhen playfully pinched the green-haired girl’s cheek like she was copping a feel.
Liang Sheng’s eyes darted away, but she answered without hesitating for more than a second. “Yeah, that’s right. No one.”
Why lie? Bai Zhen couldn’t figure it out. As someone who’d been in relationships, she could tell Liang Sheng looked at Gu Yuqi differently than others.
That wasn’t how Liang Sheng saw it. She knew she really liked Senior Sister Gu Yuqi. But her life didn’t revolve around her—it’d be great to end up together, but if not, she’d manage, even if it stung a little. Maybe she was a bit of a player, but all she wanted was a girl who treated her right as a partner.
Just then, He Wennuo and Ye Yuzhe returned, with Ye Yuzhe cradling a little skirt in his arms. He didn’t look too happy about it.
“Whoa~ Yuzhe in that little skirt would look so pretty!” Liang Sheng tossed out some flattering words.
“Thanks, thanks.” The compliment lifted Ye Yuzhe’s spirits a bit.
An awkward silence hung over the table.
“Uh, so… let’s eat cake! Yeah, cake, heh heh…” Liang Sheng picked up a small slice of cake.
She took two bites before the other three even started.
Liang Sheng was puzzled. She got the weird vibe between He Wennuo and Ye Yuzhe, but why was bystander Bai Zhen sitting there all stiff and frowning too?
In truth, Bai Zhen was mulling over whether Liang Sheng actually liked Gu Yuqi. She’d assumed so before, but Liang Sheng’s attitude today threw her off.
“Ahem, how do you eat without chatting?” The awkwardness had everyone mute, and sweat beaded on Liang Sheng’s forehead.
The other three all turned their gazes squarely on her, but still no one spoke. They just stared at Liang Sheng like zombies who’d gone eight days without food finally spotting a meal. It was creepy.
This is getting too awkward. Liang Sheng sweated even more. Why are they staring like that?
She cracked. “Uh, anyway, you all keep thinking whatever. Ha ha, when you’re eating, you shouldn’t talk. No talking with food in your mouth, no talking in bed. That’s the rule!”
With that, she ducked her head and shoved a huge chunk of cake into her mouth.
“Urk—cough cough!” It was too big. Liang Sheng’s throat was narrow, and she hadn’t chewed enough in her panic. She coughed violently, nearly spitting out the cake.
“You okay?” Bai Zhen patted her back and pointed at the water glass, signaling her cousin to hand it over.
Oof, got a girl and forgot your bro—talk about prioritizing skirts over pals.
Even though it stung, He Wennuo quickly passed the glass to Bai Zhen.
Bai Zhen took it and held it caringly to Liang Sheng’s lips.
In that moment, He Wennuo’s attention locked onto Liang Sheng. Ye Yuzhe, who also cared about her, suddenly noticed his gaze glued to Liang Sheng. It left a sour taste in his mouth.
Truth be told, wherever they’d gone before, He Wennuo’s eyes had always stuck to him like glue, unwavering. But today, he’d been watching Liang Sheng the whole time. No one could stand seeing someone who’d always been good to them suddenly turn their attention elsewhere.
Once Liang Sheng finished coughing, she looked up and caught Ye Yuzhe staring dazedly at He Wennuo. Oh ho! She grabbed a napkin, wiped her mouth, and her eyes went wide as saucers. Something’s up here!
In reality, He Wennuo was just eyeing the physical contact between his cousin and Liang Sheng, curious about how far things had progressed between them.
He’s jealous. The trap’s totally jealous—you could see it in his eyes. Liang Sheng quickly tried to clarify things so Ye Yuzhe wouldn’t misunderstand again.
“Yuzhee, wanna come with me to grab a mango mousse?” She issued the invitation herself.
The other two knew what was up. One knew the green-haired girl was helping him chase his girl; the other knew the one she liked was helping her bro chase a guy.
Ye Yuzhe glanced left and right. With the others silent, he didn’t want to make a fuss and stood up. “Sure…”
When they were still a ways from the counter, Liang Sheng spoke up. “Yuzhee, if you heard someone say I like girls… what would you think of me?”
“Huh? What?” Ye Yuzhe was caught off guard by the sudden question. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, if I’m gay, what would you think?” Liang Sheng repeated.
Ye Yuzhe’s heart pounded wildly. He had a thought: Liang Sheng wasn’t just asking hypothetically—she was telling him her orientation for real.
“Liking guys or girls… it doesn’t matter who you like, it’s not wrong.” Ye Yuzhe was no smooth talker, stumbling over his words. “I wouldn’t think any different of you, Liang Sheng. After all…”
I like the same sex too. The words stuck in his throat, unsaid.
Liang Sheng nodded with a smile, patting her chest in relief. “Phew, good. I was worried you’d distance yourself because of it.”
“No way~ ” Ye Yuzhe rubbed the back of his head.
Liang Sheng nodded solemnly. “Exactly. Gender’s just for distinguishing restrooms, not love. Liking girls is fine—I’m not hurting anyone or causing any loss.”
The words hit Ye Yuzhe right in the heart.
Ding! Favorability rose sharply.
“Ye Yuzhe’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 113”
He’d never felt such strong agreement before.
“So…” Liang Sheng smiled warmly, “it’s the same for others. Boys who want to be girls aren’t wrong. Girls who want to be boys aren’t either. Even if a boy turns into a girl or a girl into a boy, no one’s hurt.”
