Peach-Orange! – Chapter 202 – Her Flower

At the edge of the dance floor, Su Tao hesitated before finally grasping the outstretched wrist.

But after glancing at the couples dancing; men and women, even same-sex pairs, she released her grip.

The person before her tilted her head. “What’s wrong?”

“Never mind.”

Su Tao shook her head. “Tang Tang, this could too easily be misunderstood.”

The short-haired youth brushed her asymmetrical locks. “Let them misunderstand. Frankly, if I hadn’t stepped in just now, you’d have been surrounded by two dozen young masters.”

Leaning closer, she explained seriously, “The more you reject them, the more obsessed they become. They see you as the ultimate challenge. Whoever conquers you gets bragging rights for months.”

Tang Tang hadn’t expected to encounter her junior high classmate at this high-society event. Though Su Tao had been an orphan back then, that distinctive aura remained unmistakable.

Seeing Su Tao besieged by suitors, she’d immediately intervened.

Yet even now, lingering gazes and whispers followed her.

With a sigh, Tang Tang said, “Su Tao, we’re both girls. You’re straight, I’m normal. What’s there to misunderstand? Besides, with my current look, everyone calls me ‘young gentleman’ anyway.

“Though me being shorter than you does raise questions.”

Su Tao understood her old friend’s intentions.

Rеаԁ οn ΚatReaԁіոɡСаfe

Accepting a dance invitation here meant declaring oneself “claimed.”

Among these elites, few would poach another’s flower.

Precisely why—

After prolonged hesitation, Su Tao refused softly, “It’s alright. They’re just being bothersome. My… a close brother will come soon. He’ll handle it.”

She already had her flower.

Even if that blossom had withered, struggling to revive—

She wouldn’t betray it this way.

Not even through misunderstandings.

Otherwise… wouldn’t Xiaocheng be sad?

Checking her phone, she reread Si Chen’s message: [Found the doll. Bringing it over soon. Enjoy the banquet, don’t wander around looking distraught. It will leave a bad impression.]

Noticing her expression, Tang Tang shrugged. “Guess you’ve been through a lot these years. But if you can’t reject those pests properly, at least step outside for air.

“Lingering by the dance floor just signals availability.”

Rеαd οn KαtRеaԁіոgСаfe

Su Tao managed a smile. “Thanks, Tang Tang. Maybe we could—”

“Next time.” Tang Tang waved. “Family duties call. Enjoy the party.”

As she left, Su Tao headed for the rear exit, seeking solitude.

Watching from the windowsill, Chi Xiaocheng exhaled in relief.

Yet that momentary wrist-grasp still stung.

Just that split second!

One fleeting contact!

Those hands should only hold hers.

Why touch another?

Since her… condition began, her thoughts had grown extreme. “Security” now outweighed all else.

She’d assumed reaching 60% affection and possessiveness meant she could relax, nurturing things slowly.

Now she saw: until maxed, nothing was safe.

Reαⅾ oո КatRеαⅾiոɡСαfe

A familiar voice startled her from brooding: “Ah, so it came back on its own.”

Si Chen stood at the window, examining the sentient doll.

The doll’s glowing red eyes held his fascination. “Camera lenses embedded here? Brilliant engineering.”

He marveled, “Faking death while monitoring Su Tao via this drone… Where’d you get this tech? I want one.”

Chi Xiaocheng glanced at him.

High-IQ individuals really were different.

They invented their own explanations.

Dongfang Yang would’ve screamed about ghosts by now.

Lifting her, Si Chen mused, “No audio function? Pity. Still, your ‘death’ worked perfectly. Su Tao mentions you constantly.

His tone turned earnest. “You know I’m on your side.

“Thus, a clarification: I, Si Chen, eternally peach-free.

“That… earlier incident was purely strategic assessment. My back’s literally tattooed ‘Never Love Tao’ in gold leaf. I’ll show you when you wake up.”

Rеaԁ οո КatReаԁiոɡСαfе

“Anyway,” he concluded, “I’ll return you to Su Tao now. We’ll pretend I found you outside.”

As he carried her through the crowd, the system fretted internally:

[Host! Stay calm! Su Tao might have reasons! Our affection points just reached passing grade. Pressure could regress progress!]

[She’s starting to love you. Previous methods won’t work now.]

Yet its worries proved unnecessary.

Where Chi Xiaocheng once pretended to be yandere—

She now embraced her altered psyche while maintaining rationality.

“Relax, System,” she replied mentally. “Pressure never earns love. Only joy and beauty foster true attachment.

“My original plan was to awaken, confess, and build our life together.”

She visualized the status lens’s data.

“But affection can grow slowly. Possessiveness must max first, so Tao-Tao seeks no others. Right?”

Her revival strategy had evolved.