Winter vacation arrived right on schedule. Liang Sheng wore a pair of cute gloves adorned with little red flowers. Her long hair cascaded freely over her shoulders, topped by a hat that matched her hair color perfectly. She was bundled up in an oversized black down jacket that nearly dragged along the ground, her snow boots crunching through the snow with a satisfying “crunch crunch.”
Spotting an old man selling roasted sweet potatoes nearby, Liang Sheng stomped over eagerly, shaking off the snowflakes clinging to her clothes. She handed him a twenty-yuan bill, her voice clear and bright. “Grandpa, one roasted sweet potato, please!”
She took a delighted bite, crouching down on the snowy ground to savor it. It had been ages since she’d had one—Liang Sheng ate with such gusto that her eyes nearly welled up with hot tears. This familiar warmth felt like home!
Lost in her treat, Liang Sheng recalled her stellar final exam results, her eyes crinkling into happy slits. Her mom had been over the moon that day, treating her to a lavish full seafood feast.
Another set of footsteps crunched through the snow—”crunch crunch”—but Liang Sheng paid it no mind, too focused on the sweet potato filling her mouth to notice anything else.
A pair of pink shoes came into view, stopping right in front of her.
A bad feeling welled up inside her. Liang Sheng’s gaze traveled slowly upward along those cute pink shoes.
Purple hair. A pink puffer jacket. Liang Sheng’s pupils shrank in shock, and she nearly toppled backward onto the ground.
“Y-you… urk!” A chunk of sweet potato lodged in her throat. Liang Sheng’s mouth gaped open; she couldn’t budge. Her entire face flushed red—whether from the cold wind or the choking, she couldn’t tell.
“Oh dear! Sheng-chan, be careful!” Hana hurried around behind her, bending down to gently pat Liang Sheng’s back. “Has Sheng-chan missed me? Hehe~”
Liang Sheng finally managed to swallow the potato and nodded frantically. “Y-yes! I missed you so much!”
“Eeee!” Hana straightened up and spun in place, flashing a V-sign at Liang Sheng. “Sheng-chan missed me! I’m so happy~”
…As long as you’re happy.
Liang Sheng let out a sigh of relief. Gazing at Hana’s rosy cheeks, she suddenly found the girl rather adorable… aside from that yandere streak of hers.
“Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in forever,” Liang Sheng asked casually.
Ding! Favorability increased significantly.
“Hana’s Favorability towards Liang Sheng: 200+”
“Eeee~ Is Sheng-chan worried about me? I’m so happy!” Hana cupped her cheeks, her smile sugary sweet.
“Ara~” Hana pressed her left index finger to her lips, grinning mischievously. “It’s nothing. Just got nipped by an annoying pest.”
Liang Sheng shivered; that smile felt a little vicious. She forced an awkward laugh. “Oh, really? Glad you’re back.”
Ding~ Favorability increased.
“Hana’s Favorability towards Liang Sheng: 200+”
Hana crouched down and wrapped Liang Sheng in a tight hug, her eyes fluttering shut in bliss. “I’ll always stay by Sheng-chan’s side. After all, I’m the one who loves you most~ No one else can compare.”
For some reason, Liang Sheng’s heart ached at those words.
She knew Hana’s feelings had long surpassed mere friendship—they were the love of a lover. Yet she couldn’t return them.
“Hana…” Liang Sheng hugged her back lightly, her voice muffled. “How much do you like me?”
Hana stiffened. She opened her eyes, revealing a gentleness Liang Sheng hadn’t seen in ages.
“I’d do anything for Sheng-chan—even kill or end my own life. As long as it makes Sheng-chan happy, forever happy, I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Then can you promise not to hurt Senior Sister Yuqi? The words formed on Liang Sheng’s lips, but she couldn’t voice them. She felt ashamed, like she was exploiting Hana’s love to protect someone she cared for, who didn’t care for her in return.
Tears spilled from Liang Sheng’s eyes. Senior Sister Gu Yuqi hadn’t reached out to her once since that last time.
“Sheng-chan?” Hana sensed something was wrong with the girl in her arms. “What’s the matter?” She tried to pull away to check on her.
But Liang Sheng clung desperately tight. Afraid of hurting her, Hana didn’t dare push too hard and could only hold still in the awkward stalemate.
“Sheng-chan, don’t scare me like this. What’s wrong? Let me see your face, okay?” Hana’s voice was so tender that Liang Sheng felt even more aggrieved, her tears flowing uncontrollably.
Unable to break free, Hana simply gave up trying. Instead, she scooped both arms under Liang Sheng and lifted the squatting girl right off the ground.
“Come on, let’s go home,” Hana said, her tone still gentle.
All the way back, Liang Sheng sobbed steadily while Hana chattered on.
“Sheng-chan, did you know? I’ve grown two centimeters taller—now I’m 170 cm~ Doesn’t that make you feel all safe and secure?” “Sheng-chan, look how long my hair’s gotten? I haven’t cut it in ages—it’s almost to my calves now~” “Sheng-chan~ My family just moved into your neighborhood, so you can come play anytime!”
A sense of comfort washed over Liang Sheng. In that moment, a thought bubbled up: If there were no Senior Sister Gu Yuqi, the one I’d like right now might be Hana. She gave a bitter smile. Too bad there were no “ifs” in this world.
Hana was surprisingly strong. Carrying Liang Sheng, she soon reached their new home.
“Mom, I’m back! This is the Sheng-chan I’ve been telling you about!” Hana called out loudly the moment they stepped inside.
Liang Sheng startled, wanting to ask Hana to put her down, but before she could speak, a blurry figure appeared before her tear-clouded eyes.
“Oh my, what’s wrong with this poor girl?” Hana’s mother asked in surprise.
“She’s sick,” Hana replied curtly with those three words. Then she carried Liang Sheng upstairs to her own room.
Liang Sheng wiped her tears and squinted around Hana’s room. Still all pink.
Then… holy crap, what the hell is that?! Liang Sheng’s eyes widened. The entire wall of Hana’s room—everywhere—was plastered with… photos of her! Small snapshots and massive posters alike!
Her sleeping at her desk. Eating a meal. A graceful back view. A serene profile while studying. Looking dazed. Tilting her head with a silly face. Puffing her cheeks in anger. Grinning like an idiot. Staring off into space. Posing like a goddess. Holy crap—even one where she was just in her underwear! And it was oversized! Worst of all, many were taken in Liang Sheng’s own home.
It hit her then: Hana had installed cameras in her room, watching her every move around the clock.
Liang Sheng wanted to cry but had no tears left. The touching sentiment she’d just felt toward Hana evaporated instantly. She didn’t dare move. Didn’t dare move a muscle.
Seeing Liang Sheng’s stunned expression, Hana’s smile grew even sweeter—no trace of embarrassment, just a hint of smug pride. “See, Sheng-chan? What do you think? Proof of my love for you~ Ehehe~”
