Chapter 57: Who is better, me or her?

A Reluctant Invitation

“This… it’s nothing special, just a one-bedroom apartment, super cramped…”

“No problem, I just want to take a peek!

I’m curious about what kind of apartment the state assigned you guys.”

Yi Diandian sidled up, grabbing Lin Lu’s arm and swinging it playfully.

After just one morning, she’d already mastered the move with ease—something even Su Keke, the official girlfriend, hadn’t tried yet.

But Lin Lu really didn’t want to bring her to the apartment.

If she learned the way, what if she kept showing up?

Handing his address to an old foe wasn’t smart.

“It’s not worth seeing…”

“It’s totally worth seeing~”

“It’s really not…”

“It is, it is! Let me see, Xiao Lin, you’re the best~”

Yi Diandian hugged his arm tightly, whether by accident or design, pressing it against her chest, her face nuzzling his sleeve as she gazed up with pleading, doe-like eyes.

Even with Lin Lu’s resistance to women, her cuteness nearly broke him.

A Strategic Dodge

His remaining shred of rationality warned him not to give in.

But he couldn’t outright refuse his newly-minted creditor.

So, he deflected with someone else’s authority.

“Let me call Keke and ask.”

Lin Lu knew who held the real power.

Whether he agreed or not, if Su Keke said no, it was a no-go.

He dialed her number.

It was Saturday—she’d likely be lounging at home, not out.

“Hey, what do you want…”

Su Keke’s cool voice came through, clearly still in bed, probably curled up like a kitten in her blankets, waiting for her “master” to come back and cuddle.

“Diandian wants to come check out our place later…”

No need to guess—she’d never agree.

They’d just been at odds earlier.

But…

“Hmph, let her come then.”

Lin Lu was stunned.

“Huh? But didn’t you two just…”

“Mind your own business, you filthy playboy!”

Su Keke hung up with an annoyed huff.

An Unexpected Welcome

“Let’s go, Xiao Lin.”

Yi Diandian was ready, mentally prepared.

What could Lin Lu say?

He had to take her home.

But he deliberately took a longer route and extra subway stops.

Su Keke had texted him to take his time getting back.

He didn’t get why at first, but when they arrived, it clicked—Su Keke had used the time to get dolled up.

Her face glowed with flawless Japanese-style dewy makeup, matching Yi Diandian’s.

She’d tied her blonde hair into ultra-dense twin tails, a rare choice.

Even her outfit was a blue-and-white sailor suit straight out of an anime.

A Clash of Styles

It must’ve taken at least half an hour to pull off.

Lin Lu had no idea when she’d started going for the 2D look.

Before, among the girls he knew, only Yi Diandian rocked anime-style outfits.

Now, the two stood side by side, like characters straight out of a manga, vying for attention, making the dingy apartment feel radiant.

“Wow~ I didn’t notice in the video call earlier, Diandian, you’re dressed so cute today!

You’re even better at this than those otaku-baiting girls online.

You must be a pro at charming guys.”

Su Keke greeted her “bestie” warmly, lavishing praise on her outfit with barely veiled sarcasm.

“I’m not out to charm any guys!”

Yi Diandian caught the shade, pouting as she sized up Su Keke.

She planted her hands on her hips, pointing accusingly.

“You’ve got some nerve calling me out when you’re copying my style!”

“Copying you? This isn’t your invention.

I wear what I want…

Or are you worried I look better in it, stealing your vibe and making you less special in front of Lin Lu?”

A Heated Showdown

She’d hit the nail on the head.

Yi Diandian’s face flushed, and she snapped, “You look like an ugly duckling in it!”

Su Keke had dressed like this on purpose.

She grabbed Lin Lu’s sleeve.

“Lin Lu, judge—who suits this style better?

No ‘each has her charm’ nonsense.

We’re rocking the same vibe, so pick a winner!”

Yi Diandian yanked his other sleeve, her face anxious.

“Xiao Lin, tell her!

I’m the cuter one, right?

She’s just a poor imitator.”

Lin Lu swayed as they tugged, his brain practically scrambled, but it didn’t stop him from crafting a quick response.

“Sometimes Keke looks better, sometimes Diandian does.

It depends on the moment…”

A Dangerous Demand

Su Keke and Yi Diandian were thrown by his vague answer.

“No dodging!

Explain yourself, or you’re in for it!”

Su Keke flicked her twin tails lightly across his face, tickling him.

“I say it straight, and you won’t hit me, right?”

Lin Lu shrank back.

“Hmph, depends on what you say.

But if you don’t, I’m definitely hitting you!”

Another tail swiped his nose, carrying a sweet scent—not painful, but deeply humiliating.

Lin Lu silently vowed to one day return the favor with something of his own.

Yi Diandian, meanwhile, tiptoed and gently rubbed his stung lips with her soft hand, soothing him.

“It’s okay, Xiao Lin.

I’ll protect you.

I just want a fair answer.

Winning by threats is pathetic—just self-deception.”

A Strategic Evaluation

“Hmph…”

Su Keke switched tactics, giving a slap then a sweet.

Blushing slightly, she crossed her arms under her chest, subtly pushing up to hint at rewards for good boys—like last night’s treat…

Lin Lu paced, eyeing their Lolita dress and sailor suit, mulling it over before speaking slowly.

“First, Diandian, you wear these anime-style clothes like they’re your everyday look.

On the street, you blend in perfectly, like a heroine straight out of a manga…”

Yi Diandian nodded, pleased, but Su Keke’s face darkened.

A Risky Critique

Lin Lu pressed on under pressure.

“Keke, your sudden style switch is eye-catching, but it doesn’t suit you for going out.

It doesn’t feel like everyday wear on you.

Instead…”

He hesitated, nervous to continue.

“Instead what?!

Spit it out—I won’t hit you.”

Su Keke bared her little tiger teeth, glaring fiercely.

With a free pass, Lin Lu mumbled, “It feels like… you’re wearing something for intimate play…

Especially those twin tails—they just scream… that vibe…”

“Which vibe?”

“Like… erotic…”

Like a steering wheel…

A Flustered Finish

As Su Keke’s face burned, picturing Lin Lu “driving” her, he hurriedly wrapped up.

“That’s why I said it depends on the context.

For daily life, Diandian’s look is more natural.

But for… uh, private moments with a boyfriend or husband, Keke’s vibe has a stronger contrast, more… alluring.”