Chapter 55: You’re so annoying…
Outside the bathroom, Zhou Ting sat on the bed, watching the hazy figure behind the frosted glass and hearing the trickling water. His calmed mood reignited.
“Little one, quit that part-time job,” he called out.
Lin Xiaoxiao, scrubbing the red marks on her chest—only noticing they grew clearer—huffed in frustration. “Why? If I quit, I won’t have a job.”
He replied lazily, “Why work? Isn’t it nice being taken care of by me? Eat, sleep, repeat.”
She froze. Eat, sleep, repeat… that’s a pig’s life!
No way she was a pig! Fuming, she snapped, “I’m not quitting! You’re controlling that too?”
He sighed, explaining, “Your summer break’s coming, right? If you’re restless, I’ll find you a proper internship. That restaurant boss isn’t a good guy. I just mentioned you, and he sent you up. What if it wasn’t me today?”
She pouted. “That’s because you’re an overbearing capitalist.”
Only someone with real power could make the manager act like that.
Still, his words sank in—she planned to quit the job later.
Then it hit her, and she glared. “You saw me earlier, didn’t you? That’s why you had me deliver the wine?”
He hummed lazily, sated and in a sage-like calm.
His casual admission annoyed her. She stopped scrubbing his marks, shut off the shower, wrapped herself in a thin bathrobe, and marched out to face him.
Zhou Ting eyed her up and down. Fresh from the shower, her fair skin glowed with a rosy flush, utterly enticing.
“What’s up?” he asked, chuckling, his heart itching.
She stared at him. “Why didn’t you message or call me these past few days?”
He blinked, waving his phone. “You didn’t call me either.”
Speechless, she fumed. “Are you even a man?”
His gaze darkened, and he yanked her into his arms.
The sudden move loosened her bathrobe, revealing a glimpse of skin.
“Am I a man? Don’t you know best?” he teased, nibbling her ear.
Her body weakened, unable to retort, deflating.
He lifted her chin, meeting her eyes. “Little one, isn’t our deal just a transaction? Or… have you fallen for me?”
Her heart skipped, and she quickly lowered her lashes to hide her emotions. But with a sly glint, she smiled brightly, admitting, “Yeah, I’ve fallen for you. You feeling anything?”
Her arms hooked around his neck, her expression lively, like a little vixen.
Caught off guard by her boldness, he paused, then swatted her backside. “Not honest, huh? That ‘love’ feels fake. I’m not convinced.”
She scoffed, wriggling free, uncaring of her slipping robe, and flopped onto the bed. “I said it, you don’t believe me. Why ask then?”
He didn’t respond, just frowned. “Get up. Sleeping with wet hair will give you a headache. Dry it first.”
Turning over, genuinely sleepy, she ignored him.
Sighing, he grabbed the hotel’s hairdryer, pulled her up, and sat her by an outlet. “Sit still. Dry your hair, then sleep.”
He started blow-drying her hair as she swayed, grumbling, “You’re so annoying. I’m sleepy…”
The dryer’s hum filled the room. Watching her dazed state, her hair slipping through his fingers, he felt a moment of trance.
After his own shower, he returned to find her asleep, curled up on the bed.
Though not petite, her balled-up form sparked a protective urge.
Lying beside her, he pulled her into his arms. She wrinkled her nose, shifting to a comfy spot, and slept on.
Her scent, mixed with body wash, filled his senses. Her bright smile and “I love you” replayed in his mind, stirring an odd feeling. This vixen was too good at tempting—he’d have to keep her close to avoid trouble…
Smiling faintly, he drifted into sleep beside her.
A good dream.
*
Lin Xiaoxiao woke to the system’s chime, finding Zhou Ting still beside her, holding her tightly.
Without AC, she’d have melted in this heat…
Then she noticed her progress with Zhou Ting had jumped from 30% to 40%!
Stunned, she wondered what she’d done.
The system explained—it was her playful “I love you.” Though she meant it as a tease, and he didn’t take it seriously, it still worked?
Touching her chin, new ideas sparked…
Lost in thought, she was suddenly embraced from behind.
“Why not sleep more?” His lazy voice came from behind.
She squirmed but gave up when she couldn’t break free. “Can’t sleep. Has Zhou Yang gone home?”
Since their talk, she hadn’t seen him at school—he seemed to be avoiding her.
He shook his head. “He’s crashing with his buddies. Good for me—some peace. So, wanna move back and keep this lonely old man company?”
She paused, then laughed, but quickly turned serious. “No way. You promised I didn’t have to move back. No takebacks.”
Struggling up, she tightened her robe. “Get me some clothes. My outfit’s ruined because of you.”
It reeked of wine—unwearable without washing…
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