Such a clichéd line, yet it sent a wave of warmth flooding through the novice teacher Dong Yue’s heart. Ah, was this the concern of a student? Being a teacher felt wonderful.
“Ding!” Favorability rose sharply.
“Dong Yue’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 29”
Liang Sheng hadn’t expected words so trite to move the other woman so deeply. A quick calculation showed she was just six points shy of hitting 20. Keep pushing, she told herself—aim for 37.
Dong Yue smiled, a contented expression on her face. “If all my students performed as well as you do on exams, I wouldn’t end up this exhausted…”
Liang Sheng replied with syrupy sweetness. “Teacher, I have my flaws too—it’s my fault. I always seem so inattentive in class, even though I do listen carefully. It’s just my bad habits. I’m sorry.”
Dong Yue felt her eyes grow moist. Why did it feel like this child had suddenly grown up? What a sensible, wonderful kid.
“Ding~” Favorability increased.
“Dong Yue’s Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 35”
Outwardly serene, Liang Sheng was inwardly crowing with delight. Look at that—her charm was irresistible. And favorability wasn’t limited to heartthrob value; a teacher’s fondness for a model student counted too. What teacher wouldn’t adore a well-behaved good girl?
Dong Yue continued explaining the problems to her, and Liang Sheng nodded repeatedly, showing she’d understood.
“Two points short is practically there—round up to 40 and call it good. Be satisfied,” Liang Sheng muttered to Kazuko inwardly as she stepped out of Dong Yue’s office.
“Fine, whatever.”
Kazuko paused before adding, “But since you didn’t hit 20, no reward. I’m feeling generous today, though—no punishment either.”
Liang Sheng pursed her lips and scoffed. “Tch. Keep making excuses, you lame system. You’re nothing like Su Ze’s almighty one. Sigh, how do you even compare to other people’s systems? How?”
Her rapid-fire retorts left Kazuko bristling. “Hey, hey! Just wait till my powers recover—you’ll be sorry!”
Liang Sheng shrugged with utter nonchalance, her expression so smug it practically begged for a punch.
“I’m already gorgeous. Just stating facts.” She struck a coy pose, raising an orchid finger to her cheek and smiling softly.
Kazuko: “…” Fine, I concede. When it came to shamelessness and changing the subject, no one could outdo Liang Sheng.
When Liang Sheng got home and pushed open the door, a dark shadow lunged right at her.
“What the—!” Liang Sheng paled in fright and yelped.
Her scream apparently startled the intruder, who slipped with a lurch and thudded to her knees in front of Liang Sheng.
Liang Sheng blinked in stupefied silence before blurting out, “No need for formalities—you’re overwhelming me with courtesy here.” Who wouldn’t be thrilled—or terrified—to have someone drop to their knees right at the door?
Once she’d recovered, Liang Sheng looked down and saw the girl on the floor gazing up at her tearfully, mumbling, “Sister Liang Sheng…”
Ah, it was Liang Jin. This little lass hadn’t shown up in ages; Liang Sheng had nearly forgotten about her.
“Aiyo, cousin Liang Jin! What brings you here? Sigh, such enthusiasm—giving me a full kowtow after so long apart. I can’t handle that!”
“You scared me with your ‘ahh!’ first!” Liang Jin scrambled to her feet, her face full of resentment.
Liang Sheng took Liang Jin’s hand and led her inside, asking along the way, “What’s this about? Not Su Ze again, is it?”
“Hee hee.” Liang Jin grinned foolishly. Liang Sheng knew right then it was at least eighty or ninety percent about Su Ze. Liang Jin never showed up without some ulterior motive—typically, favoring a guy over her sister.
“Nah, just checking on Brother Su Ze as an afterthought. I mainly wanted to see you, sis~” Liang Jin wrapped her arms sweetly around Liang Sheng’s waist.
“See, sis? I’ve grown taller~ Almost caught up to you!” Liang Jin gestured proudly.
Irritated, Liang Sheng glanced at Liang Jin’s stats.
“Name: Liang Jin
Age: 16
Height: 164 cm
Weight: 47 kg
Looks: S
Hobbies: Flute, daydreaming
Trait: Pure girl
Features: Loves to let her imagination run wild
Slightly silly sweetheart, bit of an airhead
Family: Father is a real estate company director
Mother owns a toy factory
Favorability toward Su Ze: 74
Favorability toward Liang Sheng: 62″
Hmm, this little lass’s favorability toward both her and Su Ze had dropped. Must be from not seeing each other for so long—even deep feelings faded with time, Liang Sheng analyzed sagely.
“Sister Liang Sheng? Sister Liang Sheng?” Liang Jin pushed at her when she zoned out.
“Hm… Huh? What is it?” Liang Sheng snapped back and told Liang Jin, “Out with it already.”
Liang Jin smiled shyly, fidgeting with her skirt hem before murmuring, “Um, Sister Liang Sheng… like… how’s Su Ze doing at school? Any girls chasing him? Is he like school heartthrob level? How many girls in his class like him? Does he eat properly? What does he like to eat? Has he mentioned me? Has he asked you about me? Has he said anything nice about me? Has he lost weight? Is he getting even handsomer?” What a mouthful.
“You…!” Liang Sheng choked, nearly suffering internal injuries. “You you you!” How was she supposed to answer a barrage like that? What was she supposed to do with herself?
And why was she asking about his favorite foods? “Getting handsomer”—what nonsense? This girl was way too full of herself…
“Sister Liang Sheng…”
Liang Sheng clutched her aching head. “Stop calling me sis. You’re my sis, got it? My sis!”
Liang Jin pouted aggrievedly. “Sister Liang Sheng, just answer what you can.”
Liang Sheng looked up and fixed her with a piercing stare. After a long moment, she asked, “Didn’t you say you came to see me?”
Liang Jin flinched under the intense gaze, looking guilty as she averted her eyes. She traced circles on the floor with her toe, hands clasped behind her back, and mumbled with her head down, “Well, I’ve seen you now. You’re doing fine, so of course I gotta ask about Brother Su Ze.”
Liang Sheng’s expression cracked somewhere between laughter and tears. She covered her face and wailed, “Su Ze’s doing great. Tons of girls like him—enough to circle our cute little village twice over.”
She devolved into nonsense, hoping it’d shut down the questions.
“Ah?” Not the sharpest, Liang Jin bought it hook, line, and sinker. She leaned in anxiously. “Sister Liang Sheng, do I still have a chance?”
Liang Sheng inwardly crumbled. Why did every girl fall for that big scumbag Su Ze?
