Chapter 40: Mature women

The woman’s name was Zhong Menghuai.

She was the deputy director of X University’s Law School and Meng Zhi’s academic advisor in college.

Thinking of her, Meng Zhi felt a momentary daze.

She was a teacher, an adult.

Not just in age, but a truly mature adult.

Her system-assigned task was different from the others.

It was to fulfill her needs.

Or, bluntly put…

…to be her fling.

That’s how the adult world worked, maybe.

Zhong Menghuai never made demands like Chen Xinya or the others.

Their relationship stayed purely physical.

She didn’t need him to constantly manage her emotions or pamper her.

Sometimes, she’d even check on him.

No endless texting, no panicking if he didn’t reply instantly.

She’d just send a message when she wanted him: “Coming out tonight?”

She’d book the room, shower, and wait.

She’d buy condoms—different kinds, even.

Sometimes, during their moments of intimacy, she’d ask about his school life but never pried into his love life.

She’d only said if he got a girlfriend and wanted to end things, just let her know.

That was Zhong Menghuai.

She handled her own affairs, hid her thoughts and emotions like a true adult, never burdening others with her negatives.

She was nothing like Chen Xinya, Feng Xiyao, or even Lin Yuhan.

Meng Zhi couldn’t read her.

Even at the end, he wasn’t sure if she saw him as just a fling.

The reason she scared him?

Her desire was intense.

Really intense.

Barely thirty, yet her stamina was like a succubus.

Before meeting, she seemed to hold back for ages.

When they met, it was all action—non-stop.

One night could burn through a box of condoms and more.

In that life, Meng Zhi had to train relentlessly, bulking up and boosting his endurance just to keep up.

She used sex to vent her stress, unleashing all her pent-up emotions in bed.

She always took control, leaving him to follow.

She loved dominating, and he wasn’t allowed to defy her.

Every time, he felt an oppressive weight.

Almost… suffocating.

But thrilling.

She was a rare beauty, after all.

“I wonder if she’ll be at the banquet,” Meng Zhi muttered.

If she was reborn like the others and hadn’t sought him out, maybe he was just a fling to her.

Or maybe she wasn’t reborn and didn’t know him yet.

He wanted to confirm.

Even if she was reborn, he wouldn’t feel pressured like with Chen Xinya or Feng Xiyao.

Zhong Menghuai was a mature woman who wouldn’t cling like a lovesick girl.

Part of him even looked forward to seeing her.

Then he wouldn’t be stuck like today, nearly losing it from pent-up frustration.

Closing his phone, exhaustion hit.

He yawned deeply, eyes heavy, and drifted off.

No matter what, sleep first.

He woke to evening.

Groggy, Meng Zhi checked his phone.

Seven p.m.

Crawling out of bed, yawning, he stepped into the living room and froze.

The kitchen hummed with the range hood and sizzling sounds.

The TV blared.

Feng Xiyao, still in the oversized nightgown, lounged on the couch, munching chips.

“You’re up.”

She was glued to a historical drama, not looking up.

“Come sit. Dinner’s almost ready.”

“Chen Xinya made a bunch of dishes. She’s waiting for you.”

Meng Zhi: “…?”

‘What’s this?’

‘Did I wake up in some alternate timeline?’

Since when were these two so peaceful?

“Dinner’s ready~”

Chen Xinya emerged from the kitchen in an apron, smiling.

“Perfect timing. Come eat.”

“Rice is in the cooker. I made enough for three. Help yourself if you need more.”

Meng Zhi sat at the table, his gaze flickering between them, then ventured, “Uh… did something happen while I was asleep?”

“Nothing. Why?”

Chen Xinya tilted her head.

“…Never mind.”

Whatever.

Them not stirring up trouble was exactly what he wanted.

Over dinner, Meng Zhi told Chen Xinya he’d attend the teacher appreciation banquet.

“Oh? Changed your mind?”

“Yeah. It’s the last high school group event.”

He picked at his food casually.

“They invited me personally. Kinda have to go.”

“Be careful, then.”

Chen Xinya smirked mysteriously.

“I heard lots of students use the banquet to confess to their high school crushes.”

“You should dress sharp, or it’ll be embarrassing if someone confesses to you.”

“No way anyone’s confessing to me.”

He brushed it off.

“You know how antisocial I am in class.”

“Maybe some girl likes your cool, brooding vibe?”

“…Then she’s blind as a bat.”

Both Feng Xiyao and Chen Xinya stiffened, coughing awkwardly.

“The banquet…”

Feng Xiyao picked at her food, sulking.

“Dunno if they’ll let a sophomore go.”

Meng Zhi didn’t hold back.

“Forget it. It’s not even your school’s thing.”

She pouted, muttering something inaudible.

Chen Xinya didn’t press, and the three ate quietly.

After dinner, Chen Xinya washed the dishes.

Surprisingly, neither girl lingered.

They changed and prepared to leave.

“I’ll come find you for the banquet in two days. We’ll go together,” Chen Xinya said at the door.

“Huh? Together?”

“Yup. Like I said, people confess to their crushes that day.”

She tucked her hair behind her ear, her clear eyes shy.

“I… don’t want anyone confessing to me.”

“And I don’t want… anyone confessing to you.”