“Yay~~” Cha Susu bounced on her toes like an overexcited little girl, wringing her hands as her cheeks flushed bright pink. She immediately saved the voice message Liang Sheng had sent her.
“Ding~” Favorability increased.
“Cha Susu’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 185”
“Shengsheng’s voice just now was so captivating~” Cha Susu murmured softly to herself.
Liang Sheng thought her breathy, bubbly tone had come out cheesy and gross. But Cha Susu loved it.
—— —— ——
Ou Lu’s new perfume had finally been developed.
Lately, for some strange reason, Su Ze hadn’t made any big moves. Liang Sheng wasn’t sure if it was because the Heartthrob Value System was losing its power or if Su Ze simply knew he was about to lose.
On top of that, Su Ze had been skipping school a lot lately, off who-knows-where.
“It’s probably because Sister Ling Dang said something to him,” Liang Sheng thought with a vague premonition—and a sense of relief. She felt like she could almost sense her ultimate victory drawing near.
“I bet Sister Ling Dang couldn’t bring herself to strike at him, after all those years together.”
“They’re probably just savoring their last moments right now.”
Liang Sheng stood outside, waiting for Ou Lu. She’d been invited to the launch event for Ou Lu’s new product.
The instant Ou Lu perfected the perfume, Favorability shot up by twenty points, hitting 190 in a flash.
It was so close. Everything was almost there.
Liang Sheng hummed a little tune, her heart bubbling with joy.
“Sister Ou Lu! Congratulations!” Liang Sheng threw her arms around Ou Lu as she arrived to pick her up.
Ou Lu stroked Liang Sheng’s silky hair and took a deep breath. “The perfume I’m wearing right now is based on your scent. Can you smell it?”
Liang Sheng sniffed hard. “Mmm!”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “Does my scent really smell that good? It’s sweet and fragrant, with this fresh vibe.”
“Yeah~” This venomous beauty gazed at Liang Sheng with doting affection. “Even though I managed to replicate your scent in this perfume, it still doesn’t smell as good as the real thing on you. If I could just…”
Liang Sheng’s heart skipped a beat. Was a confession coming? Favorability was high enough, and for a domineering Female CEO type like this, it would probably be straightforward and bold.
How should she respond? Play it vague? Use schoolwork as an excuse again? Ou Lu probably wouldn’t buy it.
But Ou Lu trailed off, leaving it hanging. Instead, she said meaningfully, “We have plenty of time ahead… later…”
And that was it.
Liang Sheng could only beam innocently, flashing her adorable dimples. “Yeah~ I’ll always be by Sister Ou Lu’s side, no matter what. When you’re busy, I won’t bother you. When you’re free, I’ll hang out and make you smile. I’m your little ray of sunshine—your family, even!”
Family?
The word was so vague to Ou Lu. In her mind, family were just the people who’d pushed her to grow stronger, to keep advancing—no more, no less.
Ever since middle school, no one in her family had ever hugged her again.
Now, gazing down at the delicate girl nestled in her arms, Ou Lu felt her heart soften.
If she became family… she’d stay by my side forever, always bringing laughter and joy. That was what Ou Lu hoped.
“Ding!” Favorability rose sharply.
“Ou Lu’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 200+”
Liang Sheng was over the moon, nearly grabbing Ou Lu’s face for a big kiss.
Seeing her purse her lips in that odd way, Ou Lu blinked, a thought creeping in: Wait, was she about to kiss me?
The idea made Ou Lu’s heart itch. Could she kiss that round, flushed cheek? It looked so soft and sweet, perfect for pinching—or kissing.
“Can I kiss you?” Ou Lu asked boldly, a smile tugging at her lips. “You know… to celebrate the perfume launch.”
It was a flimsy excuse, but it worked.
Caught up in the excitement, Liang Sheng didn’t hesitate. She leaned in, lips puckered, and planted a loud “Muah!” right on Ou Lu’s cheek.
Cough!
“Ding~” Favorability increased.
“Ou Lu’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 200+”
“You’re too cute. Come on, let’s go.” Ou Lu pinched Liang Sheng’s cheek and took the green-haired girl’s hand, leading her to the car.
At the event venue, Liang Sheng was ushered backstage. She fidgeted nervously, rubbing her hands—because Ou Lu had just told her she’d be going onstage.
“Onstage? Huh? What would I even say?” Liang Sheng was flustered. “I don’t know how to speak in public. I’d freeze up and not get a word out!”
Ou Lu soothed her. “You don’t have to say anything. Just stand next to me.”
“Okay… alright…” Liang Sheng said stiffly.
As Ou Lu took the stage for her passionate speech, Liang Sheng spotted Mo Qingrou backstage.
“Huh? Sister Mo Qingrou, what are you doing here?” What a coincidence.
Mo Qingrou didn’t look surprised at all—or at least, she didn’t show it.
She nodded toward the man beside her. “My uncle. He works here and brought me along.”
“I had some free time,” Mo Qingrou added.
“Oh…”
“I’m going onstage soon. Heh, watch me shine up there, Sister Mo Qingrou!” It was half self-pep-talk, half bravado.
Mo Qingrou nodded.
Then, as if struck by a thought, she asked, “Why are you going onstage?”
Mo Qingrou’s uncle glanced at her in astonishment, then at Liang Sheng.
The old Mo Qingrou never pried into anyone else’s business. Even if she cared inside, she’d never voice it.
What was the deal between this girl and her niece? Mo Qingrou’s uncle wanted to ask, but one look at his niece’s icy expression made his throat bob. He swallowed the question.
“Uh? Oh, me and the perfume company’s boss… y’know, the one with red hair? She says my scent is nice, so this perfume…” Liang Sheng stumbled over her words.
Part of her worried Mo Qingrou might get jealous; another part figured her poker-faced, aloof personality meant she wouldn’t.
But this time…
“She likes you?” Mo Qingrou’s cold gaze landed on the radiant Ou Lu, who was delivering her speech with poised confidence onstage.
“Pfft—cough cough!”
“Pfft!”
Liang Sheng and Mo Qingrou’s uncle both choked at the same moment. They exchanged wide-eyed looks, equally stunned that the aloof Mo Qingrou had actually said it out loud.
