Chapter 51: Playing Gard to Get
The dining table held a prepared breakfast, but the girl was nowhere to be seen.
Zhou Ting didn’t think much of it at first, but when he reached the table, he spotted a note.
A bad feeling surged as he picked it up and read it. As expected…
“Ha, leaving a note and running? She needs a lesson.”
That morning, Lin Xiaoxiao had woken up, still convinced she should leave. Without waking the sleeping man, she made breakfast, packed her things, left the note, and fled.
After leaving Zhou Ting’s place, Lin Xiaoxiao felt lost. She used to live in a dorm, but returning there wasn’t an option now.
Would she need to rent a place?
It wasn’t something she could sort out quickly, so she checked into a hotel, dropped off her things, and headed to school.
After a distracted class, she sought out Zhou Yang’s classroom, only to learn he hadn’t shown up.
Helpless, she tracked down his close friends and finally found him in an internet café, immersed in a game with headphones on.
Hesitating, she tapped his shoulder.
He glanced at her, his face darkening when he saw it was her, then turned away, ignoring her.
She shrugged, sat at the computer next to him, and logged in.
His expression grew darker, irritation clear. He yanked off his headphones. “Can you not sit next to me? It’s annoying.”
She liked guys—fine, he could accept that without judgment. But hooking up with his dad? Unacceptable.
She didn’t get mad, just smiled faintly. “You’re finally talking to me?”
He froze, then moved to leave.
She stood, blocking him. “Zhou Yang, can we talk?”
He scoffed, mocking, “Talk? About how you seduced my dad?”
Her heart stung, but she didn’t explain much, just gritted her teeth. “You heard about me and your dad from Xin Wan, right? Did she not tell you I’m a woman?”
She knew hiding her gender was pointless now. Zhou Yang should’ve realized her true identity when he learned about their relationship.
But Xin Wan hadn’t clarified, and his preconceptions made him still think she was a guy.
He froze, his first reaction disbelief. Lin Xiaoxiao being a man was ingrained in his mind—how could she suddenly claim to be a woman? Who’d buy that?
“You think I’d believe you?” he said.
She sighed. “Don’t I look like a woman? Notice I don’t have an Adam’s apple?”
She tilted her neck, revealing her smooth, fair skin.
He averted his gaze, uncomfortable. Thinking back, aside from her surprising strength, nothing about her seemed masculine…
Subconsciously, he believed her, but he couldn’t—or wouldn’t—accept it.
“I don’t care if you’re a man or a woman. If you had any shame, you’d cut ties with my dad.”
“Or what, you want to marry him and live worry-free? Give it up—he won’t marry you!”
She flinched, protesting, “I don’t think that…”
Remembering her purpose, she took a deep breath. “I came to apologize. I’ve moved out. I know you don’t want to see me, so you won’t have to at home.”
He paused, then said coldly, “I’m annoyed just seeing you now. Move.”
She stepped aside. Having said her piece, she had no reason to stop him.
He glanced at her and left the café.
That night, Lin Xiaoxiao ate something simple and returned to the hotel. Wincing at the cost, she resolved to rent a place tomorrow, especially since she had no classes.
Lying in bed, staring at the plain ceiling, her heart wouldn’t settle.
Would Zhou Ting be angry at her sudden departure? No, he was angry.
What kind of punishment awaited when he found her? The thought brought a strange feeling, her face warming…
But she wasn’t worried he wouldn’t find her—she hadn’t planned to escape, just move out.
Worst case, she went to school daily; he’d find her.
The next day, she found a decent rental. Small but well-equipped and affordable.
After half a day of cleaning, she looked at the bare space, deciding to add decorations later to give it some warmth.
If all went well, this would be her little home.
For the next few days, she attended classes and took a part-time job at a nearby restaurant, keeping busy and fulfilled.
Without her past burdens, this life would’ve been her dream.
But now…
Staring at her unanswered messages, her eyes dimmed, distracted.
Was he really that angry, ignoring her?
A wave of grievance hit. She’d moved out to spare him and Zhou Yang embarrassment—why else would she leave?
Maybe this was for the best. Their deal might actually end, she thought, a bit petulantly.
Then the system piped up: [Host, your play-hard-to-get tactic seems to have failed. The target’s affection level hasn’t risen.]
Slumped over the table, listless like a neglected flower, she muttered, “No need to remind me. Go cool off somewhere.”
Play hard to get? She hadn’t even thought of that. She’d nearly forgotten that stupid main quest.