After nearly an hour of browsing through various brand stores, Zhang Zhixing felt like chairs were her lifeline.

“Are you done yet?” Zhang Zhixing slumped into a chair, eyeing Liang Yao, who was laden with shopping bags. “How much more do you need to buy?”

Liang Yao raised his foot in front of a mirror like a lord inspecting his realm. “These pairs—wrap them all up for me.”

“That’ll be 68,960 yuan. Will you pay by card, cash, or scan the code?”

The sales associate smiled politely at the pair, internally marveling at how photogenic the “siblings” looked.

Zhang Zhixing wore a fitted blouse paired with high-waisted wide-leg trousers, her silky black hair draped over her shoulders.

Liang Yao was decked out in trendy streetwear. With his stunning features and black stud earrings, he looked like he had just stepped off the cover of a fashion magazine.

The sales associate’s smile froze the next second.

Liang Yao pulled out a wad of cash from his hoodie pocket and started counting it in front of her.

After finishing, Liang Yao pursed his lips and glanced at Zhang Zhixing. “I’m short by 10,000.”

Zhang Zhixing frowned. “Don’t even think about asking me. All my money’s in fixed deposits. I’ve only got a few thousand on hand.”

“Should’ve brought more cash.” Liang Yao looked regretfully at the packaged shoes. All of them were limited editions—the last pairs in the store.

Leaning on the counter, he turned his dejected doe eyes to the sales associate. “Can you hold these for us until tomorrow?”

The sales associate smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry, but store policy doesn’t allow that.”

Liang Yao’s eyes circled the shoes longingly, itching to grab them.

He turned to Zhang Zhixing and leaned closer. “After I pay, let’s just make a run for it.”

Zhang Zhixing folded her arms and gave a perfunctory nod.

Taking a deep breath, Liang Yao placed the cash back in his pocket and pulled out his wallet. “Card, then.”

The sales associate took his card.

After processing the payment, she handed it back with a smile. “Thank you for your purchase.”

Liang Yao struggled to pick up the packaged shoes, glanced around, and said, “Let’s go, let’s go.”

Zhang Zhixing pushed the door open. “What’s the rush? You think they’ll sprout wings and fly over here?”

“Close enough.” Liang Yao quickened his steps. “Where’s your car? Hurry!”

Zhang Zhixing pointed. “Past the intersection, then—”

The screeching sound of tires interrupted her.

“Skrrt—”

Several cars braked simultaneously at the intersection. Doors flew open, and a swarm of men in suits spilled out.

Liang Yao’s face fell, and he immediately bolted. After two steps, he looked back at Zhang Zhixing, who was still walking leisurely, and shouted, “Run!”

“They’re after you, not me. Why should I run?” Zhang Zhixing stuffed her hands in her pockets.

Liang Yao gritted his teeth. “Double!”

“Double what?”

Zhang Zhixing’s pace picked up slightly.

“Double the rent!” Liang Yao barked.

“Deal!”

Zhang Zhixing broke into a sprint, quickly overtaking Liang Yao. She turned back to him, her tone light. “Come on, run!”

The suited men had sharp eyes, immediately locking onto Liang Yao’s position and charging in their direction.

The commercial street was bustling, and the dramatic chase scene drew stares from onlookers.

Seeing no way out, Zhang Zhixing grabbed Liang Yao’s arm and urged him forward.

Liang Yao stumbled and collided with a passerby.

“Thud—”

A shoe tumbled out of one of the bags.

Liang Yao froze and started to stop.

“No time!” Zhang Zhixing yelled, not even turning around. “Keep running!”

But Liang Yao ignored her, bending down to retrieve the shoe.

Zhang Zhixing turned back to look at him, momentarily dumbfounded, before shouting, “Aren’t you in a hurry? It’s just a shoe, for crying out loud—”

Liang Yao interrupted her as he grabbed the shoe and resumed sprinting. “This is an AJ! It’s not just a shoe! It’s life!”

Their commotion allowed the suited men to close the distance, now only a few steps behind.

Gritting her teeth, Zhang Zhixing grabbed Liang Yao’s arm. “Money! Money! Money!”

“What? You’re asking for severance fees already? Sister, you’re too ruthless!”

Liang Yao’s eyes widened in despair.

“Cut the chatter.” Zhang Zhixing reached into Liang Yao’s hoodie pocket with precision and pulled out a small stack of bills.

“Stop right there!”

One of the men lunged forward, nearly grabbing Liang Yao’s hoodie.

Zhang Zhixing shut her eyes and, with resolve, threw the stack of cash into the air. “This money—whoever picks it up can have it!”

In an instant, the pink bills scattered like petals in the wind.

The onlookers were stunned for a moment, then rushed in to grab the cash.

Within seconds, the suited men were separated from Liang Yao by the surging crowd.

Wasting no time, Zhang Zhixing dragged Liang Yao into a mad dash.

After weaving through alleys and dodging pedestrians, they eventually stopped in a wooded area of a park.

Zhang Zhixing leaned against a tree, panting heavily, her vision swimming with stars.

Liang Yao dumped his bags, all adorned with luxury brand logos, onto the grass. He, too, leaned against a tree, coughing and retching. “I’m… dead, cough cough… I’m really gonna… cough… die…”

Zhang Zhixing supported her waist, panting heavily. “All this just to buy you a few pairs of shoes—you’re really willing to go to any lengths!”

“But we got away, didn’t we?” Liang Yao clung to the tree trunk and slumped to the ground, looking up at Zhang Zhixing with a grin. “Sister, you’re truly my real sister. That move just now was genius!”

Zhang Zhixing took a few deep breaths and kicked him. “Cut it out. All this trouble for some rent money nearly cost me my life!”

Liang Yao quickly reached out and hugged her leg. “Sister, don’t be angry. It’s not worth it.”

“You—”

Caught off guard, Zhang Zhixing lost her balance and toppled into Liang Yao’s arms.

“Ugh—”

Liang Yao let out a muffled groan as he fell back onto the grass.

When he opened his eyes, he found Zhang Zhixing’s face inches away from his.

Her black hair clung to her cheeks, her pale face tinged with a rosy hue. Her cat-like eyes glistened, and she hadn’t yet caught her breath. Her red lips parted slightly as she gasped, a sheen of sweat resting on her nose.

Too close.

Liang Yao could almost feel the warmth of her body radiating through her clothes, searing into his chest.

His mind went blank, but his hands instinctively slid to her waist.

What am I doing?

Embarrassment flooded through him, but he tried to play it cool, clearing his throat. “I didn’t expect it—Sister, your waist is surprisingly slim!”

Zhang Zhixing lowered her head to look at him, noticing the silver-haired brat blushing so hard he looked ready to burst, yet still stubbornly holding his composure.

She rolled to the side, slipping free of his hands, and lay beside him on the grass.

Both of them were still catching their breath after the frantic chase, their heavy breathing filling the air.

Neither spoke for a while.

Eventually, Zhang Zhixing chuckled and muttered, “Little rascal.”

The heat that had just receded from Liang Yao’s face came rushing back.

She was insulting him, yet for some reason…

Liang Yao clenched a handful of grass, unable to suppress the smile creeping onto his face.

---

Early the next morning, Zhang Zhixing finished her morning routine to the sound of Liang Yao’s violin.

After nearly a week of living together, Zhang Zhixing had been forced to adopt an early wake-up schedule.

She glanced at the time. Today, Zeyang had a magazine illustration shoot.

This was Zeyang’s first gig outside of the idol variety show, and Zhang Zhixing intended to oversee it personally.

She changed into her work clothes, ready to head out.

Liang Yao emerged from the balcony, carrying his violin. “Where are you going?”

“To work.”

Zhang Zhixing leaned against the doorframe as she slipped on her shoes.

“Oh, I forgot you have a job.” Liang Yao put away his violin, his eyes darting mischievously. “Are you coming back tonight?”

“Of course. Why?”

Zhang Zhixing turned to look at him.

“Nothing, really. Just that the first episode of the show I was on premieres tonight.”

Closing his violin case, Liang Yao’s expression turned a little smug, though he tried to act indifferent. “I thought you might want to see how handsome I look on TV.”

Zhang Zhixing chuckled and leaned against the door. “Alright, I’ll watch with you tonight and see just how handsome you are.”

“Who said you’re watching with me? I was just letting you know.”

Liang Yao turned his head away, avoiding her gaze, then added, “Wait a second.”

He went to the kitchen and returned with a plate. “Here.”

On the white plate sat several adorable little meat buns.

Zhang Zhixing looked pleasantly surprised. “You made these?”

Liang Yao tilted his head. “Delivery.”

Zhang Zhixing: “…”

She shrugged, picked up a bun, and popped it into her mouth. “Not bad.”

After heading downstairs and getting into her car, Zhang Zhixing heard the system notification.

[Do you want to activate Liang Yao’s romance route?]

“No, no, no.”

It seemed the system kept asking her this question more frequently as her interactions with Liang Yao grew increasingly ambiguous.

She enjoyed the subtle flirtations, but the idea of a “romance route” made her wary.

Zhang Zhixing despised calculated actions and found earning favor points tedious. Even in her previous world, she had only gone along with the flow of events, doing what felt natural.

Upon arriving at the shoot location, Zhang Zhixing parked and headed backstage at the studio.

Zeyang had just finished his makeup and looked at her in surprise. “Sister Zhang, why are you here?”

He was dressed in a simple gray T-shirt paired with high-waisted ripped jeans, cinched with a silver-ring belt that accentuated his slender waist. He looked fragile, almost ethereal.

Zhang Zhixing’s gaze lingered briefly on his waist, and a pang of envy crept into her heart.

She said, “This is your first photoshoot. I came to check on things.”

Zeyang rested his chin in his hand, his tone tinged with disappointment. “It’s been almost a week since I’ve seen you, Sister Zhang.”

Zhang Zhixing rolled her eyes internally. “You don’t have enough gigs yet for me to be trailing after you constantly.”

Zeyang’s tone grew quieter. “So Sister Zhang thinks I’m just a rookie with no value, huh?”

“I didn’t mean that.” Zhang Zhixing paused and turned to leave. “I’ll go check the shoot setup.”

Zeyang grabbed her wrist. “Is it just my imagination, or does Sister Zhang really dislike me?”

Of course, I dislike you. Zhang Zhixing thought. Your fake innocence is starting to rival mine, and competition in this field is fierce.

Taking a deep breath, she felt thoroughly annoyed.

She suddenly spun around, pushing Zeyang against the wall.

She looked at him and smiled faintly. “So, what do you want me to do?”

Her hand trailed over his shoulder and slid down to his chest. “Like this?”

Zeyang froze.

Zhang Zhixing continued, her hand gliding to his waist, her finger tracing lightly. “Or like this?”

The ticklish sensation made Zeyang’s Adam’s apple bob involuntarily.

Zhang Zhixing leaned in closer, her breath almost brushing his face. Her knee nudged between his legs. “Or maybe… like this?”

“Ugh—”

Zeyang let out an involuntary groan, his body stiffening as his mind spiraled into chaos.

He bit the inside of his cheek, struggling to catch his breath.

Expressionless, Zhang Zhixing straightened up and stepped back. “The shoot’s about to start. Let’s go.”

Zeyang stared at her retreating figure, still dazed.

When he finally regained his senses, he hunched over, clenching his jaw tightly.

It took a long time before a certain restless part of his body finally settled down.

Unable to contain his frustration, Zeyang punched the wall.

This woman…

Why am I so easily…

Outside the door, Zhang Zhixing was equally stunned.

No wonder he’s the male lead. He’s built like a tank.

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