“Did you hear? Young Master Ke was pushed into the river last night by Jiang Tang’s people.”
“How did he offend Jiang Tang?”
“Wasn’t it because he cursed at Jiang Tang in front of the school gate before?”
“Wasn’t he cursing at Su Nianyao that day?”
“Hey, he clearly didn’t dare offend Jiang Tang, so he deliberately took it out on her lackey! Even when you hit a dog, you have to consider its owner.”
“Without evidence, how can you say Jiang Tang did it?”
“The red arrow mark on Young Master Ke’s head had the character ‘Jiang’ written on it…”
“Shh—shh—Su Nianyao is here!”
…
Su Nianyao walked into the classroom and immediately spotted her new desk, which stood out like a sore thumb.
Her classmates looked at her strangely, their expressions suggesting they wanted to say something but hesitated.
Before she entered, the classroom had been buzzing with discussion, but the moment she stepped inside, the entire room fell silent.
It was obvious.
They were definitely discussing matters concerning “Su Nianyao.”
But what did “Su Nianyao” have to do with her, a player who was about to clear the game?
She calmly took her seat.
Her gaze landed on the pink sticker reading “Jiang Tang’s Property,” and she immediately looked away as if she’d been burned.
These idle young masters and ladies couldn’t possibly be discussing this desk, could they?
That was enough.
Was there no other topic to talk about?
She propped her forehead up with one hand and unconsciously picked at the edge of the sticker with the other.
The sticker was a little sticky.
Suddenly, inspiration struck her.
What if she copied the idea and stuck a “Su Nianyao’s Property” sticker on Jiang Tang?
Wouldn’t that provoke the childish chuunibyou Jiang Tang into giving her the full Affection Rating?
Brilliant.
After school, she’d buy Band-Aids on her way home.
Cheap ones, in bulk!
As Jiang Tang came out of the dance studio, she heard someone loudly plotting near the stairwell.
“Young Master Ke suffered because of that little bitch surnamed Su. We have to get revenge for Young Master Ke!”
“How do we get revenge?”
“Lock her in the toilet and wash her brain with mop water!”
“That’s too easy on her. We should slap her a few times to teach her a lesson!”
“Let’s see if she dares ignore Young Master Ke again next time.”
Jiang Tang snorted softly.
These hypocrites certainly remembered the rule of bullying the weak and fearing the strong.
They didn’t dare confront her, the person who had actually taken action, and only dared to take their anger out on her female lead.
“Hi~”
Still wearing her dance costume, her little skirt bouncing like a swan’s, Jiang Tang walked over to the group of scheming girls.
“It’s Jiang Tang!”
“We’re doomed! She heard us!”
“Sorry, Jiang Tang. We were just hot-headed. We won’t scheme against Su Nianyao anymore!”
The girls turned pale at the sight of Jiang Tang and trembled uncontrollably.
“Don’t be~ I actually quite like your plan~” Jiang Tang winked, her lips slowly curling into a smile.
“Would you mind handing this plan over to me and helping me with a little favor?”
“N-no, we don’t mind…”
The girls answered timidly.
They glanced at one another and saw the same confusion in each other’s eyes.
Wasn’t Su Nianyao Jiang Tang’s lackey?
Why was Jiang Tang even more excited about bullying Su Nianyao than they were?
And why was she so proactive about it?
“Ring, ring—”
The class bell rang.
Su Nianyao, who had been holding it in for a long time, rushed to the toilet to take care of her personal needs.
Holding her skirt, she instinctively rushed into the men’s room, realized something was wrong, and immediately turned around to enter the women’s room.
She didn’t realize that a pair of eyes had been watching her every move from outside.
When she came out, a group of girls pushed and shoved her toward the VIP lounge.
“What are you doing? Let me go!”
Su Nianyao struggled, but these girls were like NPCs in a haunted house, saying nothing as they pushed her forward.
Bang!
The lounge door slammed shut behind her.
The air conditioning was set extremely low, cold enough to make Su Nianyao’s fragile body shiver.
A faint floral scent lingered in the air.
Su Nianyao looked around the VIP lounge, a place that symbolized privilege and wealth.
With her back against the door, she twisted the doorknob behind her, but it wouldn’t budge.
Someone outside had locked it.
‘This is bad.’
‘Could those idle rich young masters be trying to mess with me again?’
Several malicious faces of male classmates flashed through her mind.
This character setting even required her to “endure silently.”
Endure, my foot!
She was a player, not the real Su Nianyao.
She had no time to play these people’s school bullying games.
She might as well make a big scene today and let them know she wasn’t someone they could mess with!
If they wanted to target her again, they’d better consider whether they could handle the consequences.
Su Nianyao found a golf club behind the door to defend herself and carefully examined every possible hiding place in the room.
If her panel attributes weren’t enough, she’d make up for them with weapons.
Her nerves were taut like those of a cheetah ready to pounce, and she was prepared to leap forward and deliver a painful blow to her opponent at any moment.
At that moment, someone walked out of the luxurious bathroom through its ajar door.
Upon seeing Su Nianyao fiercely swinging the golf club, the person froze in place.
Jiang Tang?!
Su Nianyao quickly twisted the golf club she had swung with all her strength.
The club head narrowly grazed Jiang Tang’s hair before slamming into the wall with a thud, leaving Su Nianyao’s hand numb.
Jiang Tang set the pink bucket full of water in her hand on the ground, glanced at the crack in the wall, and smiled.
“So fierce, little wildcat.”
“What are you doing?! If you wanted to see me, couldn’t you have just contacted me? Did you really have to do this?!”
Su Nianyao felt as though she’d survived a disaster.
Her cold hands and feet gradually warmed up, but an inexplicable anger surged through her heart instead.
“Hmm… isn’t this more exciting?”
The culprit didn’t think there was anything wrong with scaring her.
“…What exactly do you want to do?”
Su Nianyao put down the golf club and approached Jiang Tang, speaking fiercely in a much lower voice.
“Biu~”
Jiang Tang pulled out a pink, cat-shaped water gun and aimed it at Su Nianyao.
A stream of water shot out and struck her chest.
“I’ll shoot you dead—”
“…”
Su Nianyao couldn’t help shivering.
The water spread across her shirt and dripped down.
Her school uniform was soaked and clung uncomfortably to her body.
A sudden water fight?
Right here?
Young lady, your tastes are a little special.
If you play like this, you’re going to lose quite a few friends.
Su Nianyao noticed another water gun in the bucket and reached out to grab it.
Biu—biu—biu—
Several streams of water shot toward her face.
She tilted her head to dodge them, but the water hit her hair, leaving strands plastered against her scalp.
“Don’t move. Hands up.”
Jiang Tang pressed the water gun’s nozzle against Su Nianyao’s chest and slowly moved it down toward her abdomen, forcing her to step backward.
There were clearly two water guns, yet Jiang Tang hadn’t even given her one.
How stingy.
Su Nianyao cursed inwardly, failing to notice that Jiang Tang’s eyes grew brighter and her breathing heavier as more of her uniform became wet.
The water continued pouring down.
From her head to her shoulders, then from her shoulders to her back.
Su Nianyao wanted to sneeze but held it in, feeling a little embarrassed.
If she really sneezed, wouldn’t that mean she’d fallen for Jiang Tang’s trick again and let herself be led around by the nose?
Looking into Jiang Tang’s fiery eyes, Su Nianyao swallowed and felt as though what covered her body wasn’t water.
It was Jiang Tang’s hands.
From her head to her shoulders, then from her shoulders to her back.
Everywhere.
She subconsciously looked away.
‘Who did she learn this from? Xiao Ai, is there something like “108 Little Tricks to Make a Girl Devoted to You” in the shop?’
[There are similar books, but why is Master looking for this?]
‘To learn! If I don’t raise my game, that little brat Jiang Tang is going to outdo me.’
[Rather than studying, wouldn’t sending props be faster?]
‘Look at my balance before you say that. Doesn’t your conscience hurt?’
[Okay, Master. I’ve filtered the books available within your balance:]
[, Price: 2000 Game Coins.]
[, Price: 1500 Game Coins.]
[, Price: 1300 Game Coins.]
‘Are these books even appropriate?’
[Absolutely appropriate~]
‘I knew I couldn’t trust you.’
“…Is it over?”
Su Nianyao couldn’t find any hope in the shop, so she decided it was better to rely on herself.
She was feeling cold now, and the girl standing opposite her was looking at her with an excessively intense gaze.
The clash between ice and fire made her extremely uncomfortable.
“You’re under arrest. Come here.”
Jiang Tang put down the water gun.
The water in the pink bucket was almost gone.
She raised her hand as though she were about to slap Su Nianyao.
…Su Nianyao had no idea what Jiang Tang suddenly wanted to do.
She closed her eyes.
‘It’s fine. I’ll memorize these moves first and copy the homework later. Wouldn’t that be more efficient than reading those strange books?’
The slap never came.
Instead, a warm palm gently patted her cheek, and slender white fingers began exploring her face.
From her cheekbone to her chin.
Slowly.
As if tracing something.
How did Jiang Tang manage to make her gaze feel so tangible?
If Su Nianyao started practicing in front of a mirror every day now, would it still be too late?
Su Nianyao suddenly opened her eyes.
Jiang Tang was standing very close to her.
So close that she could see her own reflection in Jiang Tang’s eyes.
Wet hair, strands stuck to her face, and reddened earlobes.
“You—”
“Don’t move. This officer is checking whether you’re wearing a human skin mask.”
Jiang Tang’s hand didn’t stop.
From her chin to her neck, then from her neck to her collarbone.
Water droplets trickled down her fingertips.
Su Nianyao bit her lower lip without making a sound.
So hot.
Was the air conditioning… turned off?
Why was it so hot?
The faint floral scent in the air became increasingly noticeable.
Jiang Tang tucked a pink lily behind Su Nianyao’s ear.
“Here, a reward for being obedient today~”
Jiang Tang held her face and gently sniffed the lily.
Her warm palm made Su Nianyao’s body tremble.
“Smell it. Isn’t it fragrant?”
…Was it? Was it really?
Su Nianyao also quietly inhaled the floral scent.
The next moment, she suddenly came to her senses.
…She’d been led astray.
It was all Jiang Tang’s fault!
Jiang Tang withdrew her hand and stepped back.
[Ding—]
[Plot Point completed: Humiliate Su Nianyao in the toilet by pouring water, slapping, etc. Villainy Value +20.]
[Current Villainy Value: 175.]
The System notification sounded in her mind.
The Point-Scrounging System celebrated by performing a tap dance on the panel, but Jiang Tang ignored it.
[Host, mission accomplished! Time to clock out!]
The Point-Scrounging System excitedly urged Jiang Tang to finish work.
Shut up.
Now was her free-play time.
Jiang Tang turned down the Point-Scrounging System’s screeching in her mind.
Her attention remained fixed on Su Nianyao’s wet shirt.
The fabric clung to her body, and Jiang Tang’s gaze lingered on her appearance.
Jiang Tang licked the corner of her mouth and ordered, “…Take it off.”
Su Nianyao covered her chest with both hands and looked up at her.
“What do you want to do?”
“Your clothes are wet. I’m telling you to take them off and change.”
“Or you don’t have to. Just walk out like this.”
The mischievous Jiang Tang turned and used an IC card to unlock the lounge door.
She held the doorknob as though she might open the door at any moment and let everyone outside see Su Nianyao in her wet clothes.
Su Nianyao looked at her, unconvinced by the bluff.
“…Change into what clothes?”
“Change into these.”
Jiang Tang immediately took a prepared paper bag out of the cabinet and tossed it to her.
Inside was an Insite High School uniform.
…She had even prepared clothes for her?
How thoughtful.
Su Nianyao quickly went into the luxurious bathroom to dry her hair and change.
When she came out, she awkwardly tugged at the hem of the uniform, which barely covered her.
The chest was a little tight, and whenever she raised her hands, her waist became visible.
Su Nianyao weakly reminded her, “These clothes are a little small.”
“Yeah, they’re my clothes.”
Jiang Tang sat on the chair with a satisfied smile.
She suddenly felt as though she’d fallen into a strawberry-cream trap, wrapped in soft, gentle foam.
An illusion, an illusion.
It was just a school uniform.
Steady. She had to take the initiative!
Su Nianyao bit her lip, blushed, and lifted the hem.
“It’s too short. Look, my stomach is getting cold from the air conditioning. Is there something I can use to cover it?”
“Isn’t there a jacket inside? Found it!”
Jiang Tang rummaged through the cabinet, took out a jacket, and approached her.
She folded the jacket in half and began tying it around Su Nianyao’s waist.
At that moment, Jiang Tang’s hands were both occupied behind Su Nianyao.
A good opportunity!
Su Nianyao immediately reached out with her long-planned fingers and tickled Jiang Tang’s most sensitive spots.
Caught off guard, Jiang Tang quickly let go and stepped backward.
The loosely tied jacket fell to the ground.
“A return gift for you!”
Su Nianyao pressed her advantage, using her mischievous fingers to tickle Jiang Tang all over.
With every tickle, Jiang Tang squirmed beneath her fingers.
It was so much fun.
Jiang Tang trembled in surprise and burst into laughter.
She dodged Su Nianyao’s nimble fingers while searching for an opportunity to counterattack.
How could Su Nianyao, who had finally gained the upper hand, let this opportunity slip away?
She caught Jiang Tang’s wrist with her other hand and continued tickling her.
Jiang Tang laughed until her entire body went weak.
Her center of gravity shifted, and she staggered backward, taking Su Nianyao with her.
The two fell heavily onto the large sofa beside them.
During the tussle, Su Nianyao ended up half lying on top of Jiang Tang, while Jiang Tang’s hands wrapped around the exposed skin at her waist.
Their hair became tangled together, and their warm breaths brushed against each other’s faces.
The tips of their noses nearly touched, and a faint blush from their playful tussle lingered on their cheeks.
The air gradually fell quiet.
Su Nianyao found herself looking into a pair of eyes filled with warmth.
The delicate starlight deep within Jiang Tang’s eyes inexplicably tugged at her heartstrings.
She hurriedly got up.
“Where are my clothes? I’ll take them home to wash.”
“No can do. These are my trophies.”
Jiang Tang propped herself up on the sofa and looked at her.
She had been the one to attack, yet she was also the first to retreat.
She seemed completely unaware of how awkward she looked to others, appearing alluring without even realizing it.
“…What are you doing with my clothes? You’re not thinking of swapping clothes with me, are you?”
Su Nianyao blurted out the question, then immediately regretted it and slapped her own mouth.
She should have been the one to use that move.
Hadn’t she just reminded Jiang Tang of the idea herself?
Then she saw Jiang Tang’s eyes slowly widen as though she’d thought of something.
She looked exactly like a little devil who had just come up with a mischievous idea.
“That’s a really good idea…” Jiang Tang looked at Su Nianyao meaningfully, like a snake eyeing its prey.
“Do you want to see? I’ll only show you.”
“…”
Was that normal?
Why did talking to Jiang Tang always make her feel as though she might be led into a ditch at any moment?
Go. Leave now.
Get out of this strange place as quickly as possible.
Already at the door, Su Nianyao stopped, trying to salvage a little dignity before making her hasty exit.
She awkwardly called out to Jiang Tang.
“I’m leaving now.”
“Mmm~” Jiang Tang hummed a long note through her nose.
“Do you want me to ask you to stay?”
Bang.
The only response Jiang Tang received was the sound of the door slamming shut as Su Nianyao fled like a refugee.
Jiang Tang clutched her stomach and laughed uncontrollably on the sofa.
“Oh my, the wildcat has been scared away~”
However—
She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes after laughing and recalled the scene of “Su Nianyao” hurriedly rushing into the men’s room.
She tapped the armrest of the chair thoughtfully.
“Hey, System.”
[I’m here.]
“Send me another detailed profile of the female lead.”
[Okay, my noble Host.]
The Point-Scrounging System responded in a clear, broadcast-like voice and diligently got to work.