Chapter 11: Saving electricity Bills

The bustling street was alive with the interplay of night and lights, tourists weaving through the vibrant scene.

Lin Xiaoxiao stuck close to Zhou Ting to avoid getting lost.

But she underestimated the crowd’s density. Distracted by a shop’s trinkets for a moment, she looked up to find Zhou Ting gone.

She pushed forward and, soon enough, spotted him standing out in the crowd, unmistakable.

Pausing, she approached him and said, “Sorry.”

Zhou Ting raised an eyebrow. “Why apologize?”

Lin Xiaoxiao scratched her head, unsure. Maybe she was just used to saying sorry first in life.

Seeing this, Zhou Ting extended his hand.

Lin Xiaoxiao froze, unmoving, until he clasped her hand, their fingers interlocking.

“This way, we won’t get separated. Let’s go.”

With that, Zhou Ting turned calmly, pulling her along.

Lin Xiaoxiao stared at their joined hands, oddly free of the discomfort she’d expect from a man holding her hand…

As they walked, the crowd thinned, but Zhou Ting showed no sign of letting go.

She opened her mouth to speak but swallowed her words.

Back home, as Lin Xiaoxiao changed her shoes, Zhou Ting suddenly scooped her up and tossed her onto the sofa.

“Mmph…”

His presence enveloped her, catching her off guard.

“Don’t… don’t do this. Shower first… mmph…”

But her words were cut off as he sealed her lips, his hand slipping to her waist.

“Shower now, and we’ll just need another later. Let’s save water.”

Lin Xiaoxiao inwardly rolled her eyes. This guy was never this eco-conscious normally…

Feeling his roving hands, her body softened, responding despite herself.

But she’d never admit it was her reacting—just this female body’s fault, that’s all!

After days of such intense encounters, though her mind resisted, her body had grown somewhat accustomed.

Even if she wouldn’t admit it, being swept up by this man, the intoxicating rush wasn’t entirely bad…

Closing her eyes, her lashes trembling, she let go of her resistance.

She couldn’t fight him off anyway, right?

Zhou Ting saw the girl’s flushed face, ripe for the taking, and his breath grew heavier.

But just as he was about to escalate, the sound of the door opening froze them both.

Lin Xiaoxiao shoved him off, frantically fixing her disheveled clothes.

Zhou Yang walked in, catching his dad’s icy glare and feeling a chill.

“Uh, Dad, what’re you guys doing? No lights on…”

Lin Xiaoxiao, now composed, tried to act calm, but if Zhou Yang turned on the light, he’d see her unnaturally red face.

Zhou Ting said coolly, “Nothing. Keeping the lights off saves electricity.”

Zhou Yang, about to flip the switch, froze and withdrew his hand.

“Saving electricity? Since when are you so frugal, Dad?”

Zhou Ting, already irritated, shot him a look. “What, I can’t be?”

Zhou Yang, with a strong survival instinct, backpedaled. “Of course you can! We’re all about saving energy in this house.”

“I’ll, uh, leave you to it. Heading to my room.”

He slipped away, giving Zhou Ting no chance to respond.

Lin Xiaoxiao exhaled in relief. That was close—almost caught.

But then, Zhou Ting’s hand crept up again, making her tremble.

“Mmph, don’t… Zhou Yang might see…”

Zhou Ting pinned her waist, nibbling her earlobe. “He’s in his room now. He won’t notice.”

Lin Xiaoxiao pushed against him, determined to resist tonight, blocking his advances.

Seeing this, Zhou Ting relented. “Fine, my room then?”

She shook her head, whispering, “No, still not okay. Last time, Zhou Yang heard us. Let’s just… skip tonight.”

Zhou Ting, frustrated, lifted her chin. “Lin Xiaoxiao, have you forgotten our relationship?”

Her eyes lowered, heart sinking.

Right, she was just his mistress—she had no right to refuse.

“I… I know. I was wrong…”

Zhou Ting saw the light fade from her eyes, feeling an unexpected twinge of irritation.

“Fine, I’ll let you off tonight. But we’re not done with earlier.”

He bit her earlobe, his voice a greedy whisper. “You need to make it up to me. And it better satisfy me…”

Lin Xiaoxiao trembled but nodded faintly. “Understood.”

*

Another day passed. Zhou Ting was so busy he didn’t come home, sparing Lin Xiaoxiao.

But she ran into Zhou Yang twice at school. For some reason, his attitude seemed softer—less infuriating.

Still, she hadn’t figured out how to “make it up” to Zhou Ting in a way that would satisfy him…

Lin Xiaoxiao wilted at the thought. The son was a jerk for stealing her girlfriend; the father was a jerk for constantly bullying her…

Then the system’s prompt sounded.

[Host, please complete the task soon, or it will be considered a failure.]

Lin Xiaoxiao froze, remembering the task she’d forgotten…

Looking at the task panel, she hesitated.

Maybe she should try it? It might satisfy Zhou Ting and complete the task—a win-win.

But that meant wearing women’s clothes. What about her principles? Her dignity?

Then again, did she still have principles or dignity?

Her face fell, and she slumped onto her desk. She’d already been slept with—what was wearing women’s clothes?

As long as she held firm that she was a man at heart, appearances didn’t matter.

Unbeknownst to her, in the back of the classroom, a girl stared at her back, her eyes shadowed with malice.