Chuzheng found out that Sang Yu now lived not far from the school and opened a small photography shop. The business wasn’t great because the owner opened it on a whim, opening only when he felt like it.

No one knew how the school managed to find him.

Chuzheng went over to take a look, but the shop was closed. After wandering outside for a while, the shop door remained tightly shut, so Chuzheng had to go back.

Chuzheng bought some things and strolled back.

On her way upstairs, she ran into her aunt.

Both of them stopped at the same time on the stairs. Her aunt gave her a sharp look, let out a cold snort, swayed her bucket-like waist, and went down the stairs quickly.

Chuzheng: "..."

What is she doing here?

Chuzheng went home and found nothing unusual there.

Mother Lu was on the phone with her friends, and Father Lu had probably just come back from work and was preparing to cook.

"Xiao Chu, you’re back from school?"

"No classes today."

Father Lu suddenly realized, "Oh dear, my memory! I worked overtime and forgot all about it. Did you go out to play with your classmates?"

Chuzheng played along: "Yeah."

"Then read some books first, and Dad will cook." Father Lu smiled cheerfully. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"I just ran into Auntie. What’s she here for?"

"Huh?" Father Lu looked confused, "I didn’t see her. Honey, did Sister-in-law come over?"

Hearing the word Sister-in-law, Mother Lu seemed to have some kind of mental shadow, and she hung up the phone after a few words with the person on the other end: "No."

Chuzheng: "..."

Was she hallucinating?

No way.

Chuzheng was sure she really saw her.

Since she wasn’t here for Father Lu and Mother Lu, what was her purpose?

"Did your Aunt say anything to you?" Father Lu asked hesitantly.

"She didn’t speak." Chuzheng said, "I’ll head back to my room first."

Father Lu probably felt it was better not to probe further and suddenly remembered something, "Oh right, there were a few packages earlier; I put them in your room."

Chuzheng went to her room and immediately saw the packages on the desk.

She hadn’t bought anything; it was probably something the original person had ordered before.

Chuzheng found a knife to open them up, finding two sets of clothes and a pair of shoes in the three boxes, all in Lolita style.

Chuzheng checked the original person’s online shopping account, found the orders; they were from two shops, totaling up to ten thousand yuan.

"..."

How much pocket money did Father Lu give to the original person anyway?

Looking through the two shops, Chuzheng found that the original person bought the cheapest items; however, the others were even more expensive.

A girl’s toys are indeed not to be underestimated.

Just as Chuzheng was about to set down her phone, a message popped up on the screen.

[Miao Miao Miao: Have you received the clothes?]

The person messaging was someone the original person met online but had met in person before; the last photo was taken by this person.

Glancing at the newly arrived clothes, it should be this, right?

The conversations between these two rarely moved beyond such topics, so...

[More Cuteness: Yes.]

[Miao Miao Miao: Quick! Let’s do a video call!]

Miao Miao Miao seemed more excited than the person herself.

Of course, if the original person was here, she’d probably be very excited too.

[More Cuteness: ...]

Chuzheng rightfully refused Miao Miao Miao’s request, and Miao Miao Miao sent a few crying emoticons in disappointment.

[Miao Miao Miao: Then wear it for me at the convention in a few days!!]

Chuzheng: Huh huh huh???

What kind of hidden plot is this?

[Miao Miao Miao: I’ve already booked the hotel; this time, there can’t be any blunders like last time, searching for hotels in the middle of the night. It was exhausting.]

[Miao Miao Miao: When are you arriving?]

[Miao Miao Miao: Where are you?]

[More Cuteness: I have exams, not going.]

[Miao Miao Miao: ...]

[Miao Miao Miao: No way, sis, it’s a holiday that day! What kind of demonic school do you go to? I’m going to call and complain!!]

[Miao Miao Miao: Are you lying to me!?]

[Miao Miao Miao: How could you leave me alone like this?!]

In just a few lines, Miao Miao Miao had overtaken the entire screen.

[More Cuteness: ...]

Chuzheng had no intention of going; that overly cutesy place was unsuitable for someone like her, a serious person.

No, no, definitely not going!

Chuzheng shut off notifications for Miao Miao Miao’s messages, and only occasionally replied when she saw them.

-

Monday.

Chuzheng arrived at school with her backpack. Before entering, she saw Lu Qian blocking Bai Dongai outside the school.

The two seemed to be talking about something, and Bai Dongai, usually the smiling joker, stood there expressionless.

In just a few seconds, Bai Dongai circled around Lu Qian and walked into the school.

Chuzheng entered the school and the classroom ahead of him. With a sour look, Bai Dongai came in, tossed his backpack on the desk, and leaned over to talk to Chuzheng: "Bro, that girl Lu Qian, is she trying to get to you by going through me?"

Chuzheng: "??"

"She just blocked me and asked if I had time."

Chuzheng raised an eyebrow slightly.

To be honest, Bai Dongai was even more handsome than the guy the original person liked in college. But in the storyline, Lu Qian didn’t seem to interact with Bai Dongai in school.

Then again... maybe they did, and the original person just didn’t know.

During that time, she was infuriated by Lu Qian and had no interest in looking after others.

"And then?"

Bai Dongai snorted, "As a top student, I’m always absorbed in my studies, so of course, I refused."

Chuzheng: "..."

Alright then.

You’re the top student, you win.

Unlike me, this top student always has time.

-

In the following days, Lu Qian kept appearing around Bai Dongai.

She’d watch him play sports and even deliver water.

But Bai Dongai was often given water by girls, so his friends didn’t find it strange or bothered to notice which girl it was.

In the mornings, she’d sneak breakfast, snacks, drinks, and various little gifts into Bai Dongai’s desk.

Bai Dongai gave everything to the classmates at the back, while he complained to Chuzheng: "Lu Qian suddenly being nice to me, it’s all your fault!"

"Maybe she just likes you."

"What a joke." Bai Dongai doesn’t believe it, "If she liked me, why didn’t she come around before? Only after the last photoshoot did she suddenly start. It has to be a conspiracy."

Chuzheng idly spun the pen in her hand, "Have a little confidence in your looks."

Bai Dongai took out a mirror from the back and checked his reflection, narcissistically, "Have I become even more handsome lately?"

Chuzheng: "..."

Taking back what I said earlier.

Bai Dongai, unsatisfied with the mirror, stretched his neck towards Chuzheng, "Quick, look, isn’t your desk buddy more dashing than ever?"

Chuzheng: "..."

Chuzheng silently opened a book, pretending to read seriously.

Bai Dongai rolled his eyes and returned the mirror to the students at the back, "Our friendship is on the brink, my man! Keep this up, and you’ll lose me for sure!"