Chapter 22: The love task is in place in one place

A Paranoid Inspection

After his shower, Su Keke obsessively checked her shirt and skirt for suspicious marks.
Finding none, she sniffed the bathroom for odd odors.
Rumor said it smelled like flowers, but she was sure it’d be foul.

Disgusting—she’d never like it!

“I was just gaming on the toilet,” Lin Lu said.
“You’re paranoid, like you’ve got a persecution complex…”

“I didn’t find proof, that’s all.”

Oddly, not catching Lin Lu in the act left Su Keke irked, even disappointed.

‘Living with me, and he has no thoughts?’

‘Such disrespect to my looks!’

“No more talk—sleep,” Lin Lu said, drying his hair and collapsing onto the bed.
It beat the dorm’s iron slab, but something in his pocket jabbed him.
He pulled out the unsold box—his buyer bailed, citing “found cling wrap at home.”

Lin Lu: What can I say?

He tossed it onto the bedside table, but Su Keke, mid-skincare routine, spotted it.

“You said you sold that filthy thing!” she exclaimed.
“Why’s it still here?”

“Buyer backed out.”

“Then throw it away!
How can I sleep knowing it’s there?”

He raised an eyebrow.
“Why’s it bother you?
It might come in handy someday.
If it’s not handy, I’ll fumble when I need it.”

“Dream on!
You’re not getting that chance!”
Her freshly moisturized face glowed, now flushed red.

“What?
You planning to sponsor me?”
Lin Lu blinked.
“I was gonna sell it again if I’m broke.”

Her face burned hotter, eyelashes trembling.
Speechless, she flopped onto the bed, switched off the light, and faced away—she had filming tomorrow and needed rest.

A Moonlit Tension

Turning, Su Keke saw Lin Lu’s face, moonlit, its sharp contours softened, veiled in mystery, hiding years she didn’t know.

Her neck warmed.
This man was sleeping less than half a meter away—truly sharing a bed!

Suddenly, Lin Lu’s eyes opened, meeting her glowing gaze in the dark.

“Senior, I know I’m hot, but staring?
Look tomorrow.”

“Narcissist!”

She grabbed a pillow from a drawer, placing it between them.
“Cross this line, and you’re the world’s worst beast!”

Lin Lu recalled an old scholar’s “beast or worse” joke but held back—she might bite.

The moonlight dimmed, the room quiet, save for their breaths—one steady, one erratic.

A Sleepless Guard

Su Keke stayed awake, clutching her chest, fearing a midnight ambush.
Wolves—and pervy wolves—thrived at night.

A rustle made her tense, eyes shut, plotting escape.
At least beg him to use the bedside box—she had films and concerts, not a belly!

But Lin Lu just rolled over.

False alarm.

Half a minute later, another sound.
Her body stiffened, despairing.
‘Three times max!
More, and I’ll limp to set at dawn…’

Just another roll.

In the dark, she snapped, “Can’t sleep?
Stop tossing!”

Yawning, Lin Lu replied, “Someone’s keeping me up.
Sleep on the sofa?”

“…Get lost!”
Yet, she relaxed slightly.
“Since we’re awake, let’s plan our weekend date.
The rules mandate one weekly.”

His tone was lazy.
“Dates vary.
A quick street stroll counts—fast, cheap…”
He winced.
“Why kick me?
You crossed the line!”

Her tiny feet pelted his shins, soft like a massage.

She just huffed, silent, but kept kicking.

A Disappointing Plan

Their first date after reuniting—curb-walking?
What a jerk!

“Fine… Wanxiang Mall, then?” Lin Lu offered.
“But it’s pricey—a meal’s hundreds…”

“I’ve got money!”

Su Keke stopped kicking, coolly adding, “Wanxiang’s dull, but if you want, I’ll indulge you.
I’ll buy you clothes and shoes too.”

Lin Lu mused—unclipped tags could fetch cash on Xianyu.

“Wait, didn’t we already hold hands today?
You grabbed my arm.”

“That’s not holding—interlocked fingers count,” she said.
“We’ve done it before, dummy.”

A Bold Proposal

An idea struck Lin Lu.
He nudged the pillow down, meeting her eyes.
“Let’s knock out the easy tasks now.
Saves forgetting later.
Two weeks for hand-holding, one month for hugging, two months for kissing—let’s do them all tonight.”

“What nonsense!”
Su Keke shrieked, grabbing the pillow to whack him.
“Admit you want to take advantage, pervert!”

He caught it.
“Makes sense, no?
We’ll do them eventually.
We did all this when dating—routine stuff.
You shy now?”

“Shut up!
Sleep!”

Fuming, she clapped a hand over his mouth.
How dare he treat her like a bro, casual about everything!

Girls need ceremony!
Even state-mandated, it should feel special—not a freebie.

Her cheeks blazed, half-shy, half-furious.
“By your logic, why not use that bedside filth, push me down, and finish all tasks now?”