They are still close to me today despite their negative feelings

An Yu's gaze towards me seemed even colder than when we first met.

……

An Yu stormed off in a huff.

This time, instead of slapping me, they threw the bag at me and then kicked my chair.

Never mind, I'll apologize later.

After all, I had an appointment with someone here.

With that thought in mind, I glanced at my watch, then took the bag and walked to the public restroom at the edge of the street.

When I returned to the bubble tea shop, the customers had changed several times.

If we were to say who attracted the most attention in the store just now, it would be the short-haired beauty sitting on the high stool with an unhappy expression.

The person being secretly observed in the store right now is a young girl wearing a blue ribbon, sitting on a sofa chair and looking somewhat nervous.

Although her demeanor and appearance are still somewhat youthful, she already possesses a captivating charm that draws attention. Coupled with her approachable and friendly nature, many boys are feeling a surge of attraction.

"Hey little sister~ Are you alone? Let's exchange contact information and get to know each other?"

Wait, what are you still doing here?

The guy who approached her looked very familiar.

"Um, sorry, I'm waiting for someone."

The girl looked somewhat troubled.

"Damn, why are they all waiting for someone?"

The boy muttered something and was about to shamelessly sit down again.

"I already have plans with her. Do you have something urgent to attend to?"

I asked with a smile.

"Brother Lü Ning!"

Under the indescribable look in the man's eyes, Ling Chuqing exclaimed happily, sat down close to me, and hugged my arm.

[Next chapter preview: Why are you, Ning Ruoyu, starting to poach other people's partners?]

It's an NTR (Netorare) doujinshi (fan-made comics) told from the perspective of a blond guy, then labeled as a pure love story. Title: "The Neighbor's Wife Is Alone Today Too."

Does that mean I have to make a heart shape with my eyes, a peace sign, and a black face? That's too absurd! I don't want to lose!

Aaaaaaahh ...

"My affairs are none of your business!"

Chapter 39: There are still more good people than bad in the world (seriously)

It's different from the message sent to me.

In the dinner invitation message that Ling Qingxue sent to An Yu, although she mentioned the breakup, she also expressed her lingering feelings and pain for Ma Hang.

Naturally, An Yu, arriving at the restaurant, would "coincidentally" encounter the distraught Ma Hang. In this situation, An Yu's personality usually dictates that he would inquire and offer help—his meddlesome nature is not hard to discern.

So when An Yu, a kind-hearted citizen who was preparing to help the two clear up their misunderstanding, entered the restaurant and saw that I was also there, he naturally had some doubts.

When other couples argue, they are still reluctant to let go. How come Ning Ruoyu is already trying to steal someone else's partner?

This difference in perspective stems from the discrepancy in information between An Yu and me. To me, I'm the great hero who saved the girl and helped her pursue her true self; An Yu, however, sees me as a scheming, frivolous young man…

It's a difference in information based on different perspectives. The NTR doujinshi (a type of Chinese comic book) takes the perspective of the blond guy and then labels it as a pure love story. (Example: "The Neighbor's Wife Is Alone Today Too").

As Ling Qingxue had predicted, I felt An Yu was meddling, while An Yu felt I was shameless. A fierce argument erupted between them, and fueled by Ling Qingxue's instigation, they exchanged harsh words and parted on bad terms.

—Things have developed to this point, and it seems that things are indeed as Ling Qingxue had planned.

I don't actually know Ling Qingxue's true thoughts and personality completely, and I'm even a little confused about her ultimate purpose. But I've encountered quite a few troubles when I was working in this field before.

Remember the three "don't touch" principle I mentioned? Students, widows, and landmine women.

Unfortunately, aside from students, we can at least legitimately refuse services. Widows and landmine women, on the other hand, generally have to grit their teeth and live on with a smile.

...I could smell a trace of the pheromones of the "landmine woman" on Ling Qingxue. And recalling the landmine women I've encountered—I'd better not recall them, or I won't be able to sleep tonight.

If possible, I'd really just want to stay away from her. Unlike in my past life, she's not a customer; I can choose to refuse contact. Unfortunately, due to certain circumstances, it seems that's no longer possible.

Well, there's nothing I can do then. You've turned off all my escape options; I don't want to lose a thousand dollars in the blink of an eye.

Losing a thousand dollars is one thing, but what if the version I'm playing isn't either the Crimson Purple or Arceus, but some kind of mysterious rule?

Does that mean I have to make a heart shape with my eyes, a peace sign, and a black face? That's too absurd! I don't want to lose!

...Sorry, that was too disgusting.

With Ling Chuqing holding my arm, to be honest, besides feeling that vibrant softness, I also felt a bit hot.

Don't hug or cuddle on hot summer nights.

Just as I was about to turn around and say something to her, I saw that her gaze met mine.

It was filled with joy and sweetness.

"Brother Lü Ning, thank you for inviting me tonight! I never expected you would be willing to go out with someone as embarrassing as me..."

...I started to feel uneasy.

I had a specific goal in mind: to increase my favorability with Ling Chuqing. Now it seems I might have accidentally raised it too high?

At least I have no intention of unlocking this clingy side.

I actually just wanted to use tea-making and cleaning to trigger the "take out" option, not to reach level six intimacy to unlock "longing".

1. "How could it be shameful, you idiot? Don't talk about yourself like that again."

2. "How could going out with such a cute girl be anything to be ashamed of?"

3. "Hey girl, what are you saying?"

The three options above popped into my mind. Although the first two seemed brilliant, I decisively chose the third.

It really can't go any higher. If the favorability goes any higher, my conscience and my future will be in trouble.

"What are you talking about?" I pretended to be clueless.

Ling Chuqing was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then lowered her head and blushed.

"Yes, that's how it is. Right, I'm such an idiot. Brother Lü Ning is definitely not the kind of person who would care about those things."

Aaaaaaahh ...

Ling Chuqing hugged him even tighter and chuckled shyly.

The two Ling sisters are so strange!! I just sensed the aura of landmines on Ling Chuqing too! Is your family an arms factory?!

I looked at this girl who was trying to win herself over and forced a smile.

Let's shut up and head to the restaurant. Every second, Ling Chuqing's affection for "Lü Ning" seemed to rise along with the body temperature of the woman pressing against her!

……

In the restaurant, Ling Qingxue looked at An Yu, who had returned, with some confusion and helplessness.

"Ling Qingxue! Although Ning Ruoyu is definitely at fault in this matter, I think you should still talk to him and make things clear!"

"An'an, I don't quite understand what you're saying?"

"If you still have feelings for Ma Hang, you should continue to do your best to tell him about this! I think this ambiguous attitude is very bad!"

Let me clarify here: An Yu's remarks weren't acting—this guy doesn't have that much acting skill.

I didn't actually tell her most of the things, including the problems and doubts surrounding Ling Qingxue. So this was just to let her take advantage of the argument and, while "I" was away, tell Ling Qingxue her true thoughts.

An Yu is someone who really dislikes ambiguity...

"Whether he still has lingering feelings for Ma Hang or harbors affection for Ning Ruoyu, I think the first thing is to understand one's own feelings so as not to hurt anyone!"

“...Otherwise, if we keep wavering, it won’t be good for anyone,” An Yu said sincerely.

Actually, I initially wanted to entrust this role to the president, but since I wasn't that familiar with him, I had to let An Yu take on the role. Unexpectedly, An Yu's harmless and approachable demeanor made this kind of preaching even more effective.

Then there's——

"So, I just contacted Ma Hang. Although it might be meddling, please tell him your true feelings when he gets here!"

Ta-da! A special move—a double counterattack! You didn't expect that, did you?

Contacting Ma Hang was definitely my idea. Many of Ling Qingxue's methods stemmed from information asymmetry, much like a primary school detective who could easily outmaneuver the entire red team by simply sitting down and being honest with each other.

"Huh? You're an undercover agent?" "Huh? You're an undercover agent too?" "Wow, you're all undercover agents?!"

—The winery, sent to [the winery].

So what I really need to do is try to create an environment where everyone can sit down.

"Sister? What are you doing here?"

Ling Chuqing continued to hold my arm as we walked to Ling Qingxue's table.

"Sister An Yu? What about Brother Ma Hang you just mentioned?"

Ling Chuqing looked confused.

But no one answered her question.

An Yu stared at my arm, which was being held by Ling Chuqing, then narrowed his eyes slightly and shifted his gaze to me, his expression becoming increasingly displeased.

Ling Qingxue also showed a surprised expression.

"Chu Qing, you, how could you be with classmate Lü Ning..."

"Because Brother Lü Ning invited me to dinner this afternoon."

Ling Chuqing answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world, completely unaware of the deeper chill in her sister's eyes.

"Don't talk about me and Lu Ning anymore, sister. What's been going on between you and Ma Hang lately? Why does it sound like you're..."

"My affairs are none of your business!"

Ling Qingxue maintained her smile, but her words became more vicious than ever before.

"Eh?"

Ling Chuqing seemed not to have reacted and stood there stunned.

At the same time, the restaurant door was forcefully pushed open. A burly man rushed in, panting, and shouted loudly without regard for anything else.

"Xiaoxue!! I heard from junior An Yu that she said...!"

I kept smiling as I observed the slight cracks beneath Ling Qingxue's perfect smile mask.

[Next chapter preview: Ling Chuqing held my arm without fear.]

You can't touch my head anymore, or I feel like my head is going to be wiped off.

General~

Wu Yuehua grabbed my collar. The student council president didn't actually harbor the same prejudice or discrimination against me as other students at school, but at that moment, the disgust on her face was so intense it felt suffocating.

Chapter 40: It turns out, you're the best toy.

"...Although it may be a bit nosy for me as your younger sister, I can't just stand by and watch you make the worst possible choice in a moment of impulsiveness!"

Ling Chuqing held my arm without any fear.

It's so tight, it's not a matter of softness anymore, I can even feel my heart beating.

An Yu's gaze grew increasingly cold as she looked over.

"I don't know what happened between you and Brother Ma Hang, but no matter what, someone like Ning Ruoyu is absolutely unacceptable! Have you forgotten what that guy did?!"

Yes, yes, I know I can't. Don't apply any more pressure; I feel like my arm is going to go numb.

"Xiaoxue, if you really have some kind of trouble, please don't hesitate to tell me directly—even if it's not as a romantic interest, I will offer my help as a friend and senior!"

Ma Hang also presents himself as a steadfast and persistent good man.

"Sister An Yu must think so too, right?"