Song An’an clung to Liang Sheng’s arm like an octopus, pressing it firmly against the softness of her chest. This left Liang Sheng feeling a bit embarrassed.
Damn, this girl suddenly stopped hanging off Su Ze and latched onto me instead. Honestly, it felt pretty good. Liang Sheng mused to herself. Am I actually more appealing than the male lead? Do girls like me more, get more excited around me?
Meanwhile, Young Miss Lu Ziqing was thrilled that Song An’an wasn’t causing trouble anymore. Her cheeks flushed red as she hugged Su Ze’s arm, just like Song An’an was doing with Liang Sheng’s. Unfortunately, Su Ze’s face remained utterly impassive. He stared blankly at Liang Sheng and Song An’an, his brows furrowed.
“Hey… let’s go ride the Ferris wheel,” Young Miss Lu Ziqing suddenly suggested. She spoke with a shy glance toward Su Ze. But all she got in return was his blank expression, which left her both angry and disappointed.
Liang Sheng responded, “Sure, I’ve been wanting to ride it for a while now.”
As they headed to the Ferris wheel, Liang Sheng quietly pulled Lu Ziqing aside and whispered, “Want me to give you and Su Ze some alone time? An’an and I can ride together, and you two can take another one.” Lu Ziqing froze for a moment before mumbling her agreement. But deep down, she didn’t feel great about it.
What the hell? You don’t want to ride with me? Young Miss Lu Ziqing fumed inwardly.
Splash— Favorability decreased.
Lu Ziqing’s Favorability Toward Liang Sheng: 59
Huh? What did I do to piss off this young miss this time? Liang Sheng sighed to herself. Women’s hearts are impossible to fathom. I was clearly trying to be nice, but I ended up shooting myself in the foot.
Liang Sheng had figured Song An’an would throw a fit about not riding with Su Ze. But when she asked if Song An’an wanted to share a gondola with her, the girl agreed in a flash.
Song An’an sneaked a smug grin and shot a triumphant glance at Lu Ziqing. See? Liang Sheng likes me the most!
Lu Ziqing, who had been sulking over Liang Sheng’s words and only half paying attention while clinging to Su Ze’s arm, suddenly locked eyes with Song An’an’s challenging stare. She gripped Su Ze’s arm tighter and glared back viciously.
Lu Ziqing couldn’t keep up the facade any longer. She released Su Ze’s arm, strode over to Song An’an, and said coldly, “You go ride with Su Ze. I’m riding with Liang Sheng.”
Song An’an blinked in surprise, clutching Liang Sheng’s clothes tightly. “No way! I want to ride with A-Sheng. She already said she’d ride with me!”
“Liang Sheng! You tell us—who do you want to ride with?” Lu Ziqing turned her ire on Liang Sheng, who immediately threw up her hands in surrender.
Liang Sheng glanced at the brewing Shura Field between the two girls with a headache. Sure, it was flattering to have beauties fighting over her, but her fragile body couldn’t take the strain.
“Uh… how about you two decide?” Liang Sheng offered weakly after a long pause.
“No way!” both girls shouted in unison.
Sigh. What a headache!
Lu Ziqing shot Song An’an a disdainful look, grabbed one of Liang Sheng’s arms, and started dragging her toward the Ferris wheel. Song An’an seized the other arm and yanked Liang Sheng toward her chest, glaring at Lu Ziqing with pure resentment.
Liang Sheng felt like she was being drawn and quartered by five horses in some ancient torture. She looked utterly done with life. Then she cast a hopeful glance at Su Ze. You’re the male lead—say something to calm your future girlfriends!
Su Ze stepped toward Liang Sheng and stood in front of her. “Liang Sheng, ride with me.”
Huh? Wait, why me all of a sudden?
Liang Sheng blankly checked Su Ze’s status.
Favorability Toward Liang Sheng: 33
That can’t be right. His favorability toward me is that low—why would he want to ride with me? Normally, he’d pick Lu Ziqing, who adores him, or Song An’an, who has a crush on him. Why me, someone he’s barely acquainted with?
Before Liang Sheng could respond, the two girls chorused again, “No way!”
Su Ze blinked in surprise, then pursed his thin lips. In a tone like he was coaxing a child, he said to Lu Ziqing, “Ziqing, don’t make a fuss.”
Lu Ziqing looked up in delight. This was the first time Su Ze had called her Ziqing—instead of Miss Ziqing. With that thought, she released Liang Sheng’s hand.
Su Ze leaned down and whispered in Lu Ziqing’s ear, “Be good. I want you and Song An’an to bond a bit. You’re all classmates—don’t let things get too awkward.” Lu Ziqing’s face turned red. She bit her lip and nodded slightly. See how gentle Su Ze was with her, how thoughtful?
Ding— Favorability increased.
Lu Ziqing’s Favorability Toward Su Ze: 100+
He then turned to Song An’an. “I’ve got something important to discuss with Liang Sheng. Sorry to drag you away from your friend, An’an.” Song An’an let go as well, not wanting Liang Sheng to think she was some unreasonable shrew.
Su Ze approached Liang Sheng, still in his flat tone. “Let’s go, Liang Sheng.” She had no choice but went along, figuring it beat the Shura Field. Girls fighting was terrifying.
They boarded the Ferris wheel properly. Song An’an watched Liang Sheng depart with obvious reluctance. Sigh, riding the Ferris wheel with Liang Sheng would have been so romantic. What a letdown.
Silence. Utter silence. Liang Sheng sat stiffly across from Su Ze, unsure what to say.
“Sorry,” Su Ze suddenly apologized, leaving her baffled.
He continued, “I saw how awkward your situation was, so I pulled you out. I made the call on my own—sorry about that.”
Wow, this guy’s smooth. If Liang Sheng didn’t know what kind of person he was, she’d have fallen for it. But having read the novel, she felt zero attraction to the big scumbag Su Ze.
Su Ze studied Liang Sheng, frowning slightly before scooting closer. She leaned back, repulsed by his approach.
His hand inched toward her face. Su Ze gently brushed the stray hairs from her forehead, then smiled like warm sunshine. “Much cuter this way.”
Damn! Too smooth! Liang Sheng’s heart raced a little. Back in her old world, she’d been single for twenty years, never even touched by a guy. Now some mildly handsome boy was getting close—she couldn’t handle it.
Liang Sheng awkwardly turned her head away, avoiding his gaze. Su Ze’s icy demeanor vanished, replaced by an enigmatic smile.
The Ferris wheel’s camera captured it all.
Meanwhile, Song An’an and Lu Ziqing rode in tense silence. Not a word passed between them the entire time. Silence was golden.
Once off the ride, Liang Sheng hurried back to the girls.
A staff member waved them over. “We’ve got photos from your Ferris wheel ride. Want to take a look?”
Curious, Song An’an approached and flipped through the prints.
On the third one, her face darkened. Lu Ziqing and Liang Sheng peered over. Liang Sheng’s mind went blank—it was the photo of Su Ze fixing her hair. She stammered, “Uh… I-I can explain!”
She shot a desperate look at Su Ze. You caused this—explain it! He just shrugged, saying nothing.
Splash! Favorability dropped sharply.
Liang Sheng thought, I’m doomed, and turned resignedly.
Song An’an’s Favorability Toward Su Ze: 66
Sigh, it dropped, as expected… Wait, what? Not toward me—toward Su Ze! What’s going on?
Splash— Favorability decreased.
Lu Ziqing’s Favorability Toward Liang Sheng: 51
Okay, that’s normal for the young miss. But Song An’an’s… did my golden finger glitch? Liang Sheng wondered.
Su Ze! Song An’an glared furiously at the photo. Why did I ever like him? I hate him now! She tore the picture to shreds in disgust.
For the first time, Lu Ziqing silently approved of Song An’an’s actions. Good riddance, she thought.
Liang Sheng watched Song An’an worriedly. She’s pissed—this kid’s furious. My golden finger must be busted.
Noticing Liang Sheng’s gaze, Song An’an whipped around, her expression shifting instantly. She flashed a sweet, cute smile at Liang Sheng.
“A-Sheng, let’s go! Take me to ride something else.” Song An’an beamed playfully, winking.
Huh? That attitude… she’s not mad? Did I overthink it? Or… does Song An’an like me now? No, no—she can’t. I’m straight; loving me leads nowhere. Liang Sheng spiraled into wild thoughts again.
Nervously holding Song An’an’s hand, Liang Sheng looked up and spotted the massive “Haunted House” sign. Oh! A haunted house—the perfect spot to flirt!
Excited, Liang Sheng grabbed Song An’an’s hand. “Come on, An’an, Young Miss—let’s do this one!”
Song An’an tugged at Liang Sheng fearfully, while Young Miss eyed the haunted house tensely. Seeing their faces, Liang Sheng patted her chest confidently. “Don’t worry, An’an, Young Miss. I’m not scared of this stuff. Inside, I’ll protect you both!”
—— —— ——
“Aaaaaahhhhh!” Piercing screams echoed through the haunted house corridors. Su Ze frowned and shot a disdainful glance at the source behind him—Liang Sheng.
Yes, the same Liang Sheng who had been grinning cockily just a second before entering, boasting endlessly. Now she was huddled behind him, whimpering.
Song An’an, Lu Ziqing, and Liang Sheng all trembled together behind Su Ze. Liang Sheng kept chattering defiantly, insisting she wasn’t scared.
But every time a staff member in ghost makeup jumped out, she let out a bloodcurdling shriek—then claimed she was just boosting everyone’s courage with her enthusiastic yells.
When they finally emerged into the light, Liang Sheng was on the verge of tears. Not only had she failed to flirt with the girls, but she’d nearly been scared witless. And Su Ze had stolen all the glory. Look at Lu Ziqing—eyes full of stars, no trace of her young miss poise. She was a total fangirl now.
By noon, Young Miss Lu Ziqing declared boldly, “Come on, I’ll treat you all to a big meal.” It showed how great her mood was. First, she found Liang Sheng much more tolerable. Second, Song An’an wasn’t clinging to Su Ze anymore. Third, Su Ze had called her “Ziqing.”
That was all it took to make the young miss happy.
