Chapter 16: Come to My House
The professor’s sharp gaze landed on her, and the subtle attention of the entire class seemed to focus on her.
Pei Zhanxi felt her blood freeze, her mind blank. All that remained in her awareness was the hand Wang Yan had forcibly pinned to his thigh beneath the desk, its heat burning almost painfully.
“Pei Zhanxi?” The professor’s voice carried a trace of impatience and confusion.
“I…” She tried to focus on the question, but Wang Yan’s presence was overwhelming.
The warmth of his body, the firmness of his thigh, the teasing trace of his fingertips on her hand…
[Panic +50]
[Shame +40]
[Mind blank +30]
Wang Yan watched with amusement as the “ice sculpture” beside him trembled.
She forced herself to glance at the blackboard and stammered through an answer. Logic was intact, but her speed was much faster than usual.
“Hmm, basically correct, but your explanation could be more precise.” The professor nodded and moved on to the next question, granting her a temporary reprieve.
Pei Zhanxi’s tension eased slightly—but the torture under the desk was far from over.
Wang Yan, of course, would not let this perfect opportunity for gaining emotion points slip away.
He subtly shifted, leaning closer to her ear.
“Pei Zhanxi, your hand is so cold, it’s making my leg numb.”
He crossed his left leg over his right, trapping her hand in a classic leg lock.
[Extreme Shame +60]
[Extreme Shame +60]
[Extreme Shame +60]
She felt like her hand was trapped between two hot irons.
“Y-you… let go…”
She could only struggle weakly.
“Shh, don’t move.”
He pressed her hand even harder, whispering, “See? The professor is looking this way. Do you want everyone to see our ‘mutual help’?”
[Submission +5]
[Despair +30]
Pei Zhanxi froze completely, forcing her expression to remain neutral as if nothing had happened.
In public, she was still the high-cold, solitary top student. Since enrolling, she had been remarkably isolated, going straight home after class.
Wang Yan was delighted watching the emotion points spike again. He subtly adjusted his posture, allowing her to write with her right hand. Despite the discomfort, her handwriting remained neat.
The rest of the class was like a trial by fire. Every sensation, every subtle touch from under the desk—the heat, the teasing, the closeness—kept her mind in turmoil.
Finally, the bell rang.
Pei Zhanxi seized the moment. She yanked her hand free and hurriedly stuffed her books into her bag, avoiding Wang Yan’s gaze, desperate to escape.
Back at home, she could shut the door and curtains, curling up alone in bed. That was all she wanted—just to be alone.
But the moment she tried to bolt, Wang Yan caught up.
“Pei Zhanxi! Why run so fast?” he said, breathless but smiling brightly.
“Weren’t we supposed to meet this afternoon? I promised to take care of you and repay my debt.” He shook the hand they held together, reminding her of their “agreement.”
Her body stiffened. The hand he held was like molten metal—she could only keep it still, head down, whispering, “…No agreement…”
“How can there be no agreement?” Wang Yan interrupted, leaning slightly closer. “Back at the hospital, I took care of you diligently. You… cooperated quite well, didn’t you? So now it’s my turn to repay you. I’ll make lunch myself, guaranteed to be a hundred times better than the hospital food!”
Pei Zhanxi’s mind immediately flashed back…
[Shame +20]
[Resistance +10]
She lowered her head, long bangs hiding her expression. Her small jaw tightened, lips pressed together—silently conceding.
Wang Yan’s grip did not loosen. Even if she arrived at his home, he could still hold her hand.
He cheerfully led her toward his home, silently enjoying the “emotion farming” as they walked.
Curious, he teased, “Pei Zhanxi, why are you so afraid of me?”
He squinted slightly, smiling in what he thought was a friendly manner. “Am I not good-looking?”
Her steps faltered, head lowering further. After a few seconds, a tiny voice escaped: “…You’re… good-looking…”
“Hmm?” Wang Yan pretended not to hear, leaning closer. “What did you say? Speak up.”
“Too popular… you… stand out in the sunlight… can’t play together, we…” she whispered, struggling to organize words.
“Huh? Because of that?” Wang Yan laughed brightly, shaking the hand they still held—even as she tried to pull away.
He understood now: emotion points came from both resistance and need, a mix of push and pull. Positive or negative emotions, so long as linked to him, all counted.
Perfect. Another “machine” to farm points, making up for the massive emotional cost of feeding Tong Xingyao.
Tonight, he planned to make a nourishing fish stew.
Pei Zhanxi said nothing, silently following him, almost burying her head in her chest, hoping to block out the world.
Finally, they reached Wang Yan’s front door.
He took out his key and opened it.
“We’re home!” Wang Yan released her hand and stepped inside first, turning back with a radiant smile, as if the previous teasing never existed.
“Welcome, Pei Zhanxi. Lunch will be ready soon—I promise it will leave a lasting impression.”
Pei Zhanxi hesitated at the threshold, taking in the warm, tidy interior and Wang Yan’s handsome face. Her body tensed involuntarily.
She tiptoed carefully into his home.
BANG!
The door slammed behind them, blown by the wind, echoing through the quiet apartment.