Chapter 27: Calling you stepmother

Humiliated and indignant, Lin Xiaoxiao yielded to Zhou Ting’s wicked threat.
“Fine, six months, okay?”

Switching from a nearly twenty-year life as a man to a woman’s habits was no small feat for her.

Zhou Ting frowned, still unsatisfied. “One month.”

Her eyes widened, panicking as she struggled. “No way! Let me go…”

He didn’t budge, his voice low. “Stop moving, or I’ll ‘play’ with you right now.”

She froze, glaring at him with puffed cheeks.

“Three months,” he said. “In three months, ditch this boyish look. I’m keeping a woman, not a tomboy. Lin Xiaoxiao, does that sound fair?”

She faltered, guiltily looking away, muttering, “Three months, fine. Why so fierce…”

Satisfied with her compromise, he patted her rear, signaling her to stand.
“That’s settled. Go cook.”

“Oh, and grow out your hair from now on. No cutting, got it?”

Rubbing her rear, she snapped, “Got it, got it!”

She stormed out.

Zhou Ting watched her leave, then glanced at the chest binder, his eyes narrowing.

She was lying. She was hiding something.

But he wasn’t in a rush. Like a hunter, he’d tame her until she spilled all her secrets.

He picked up the binder, its faint milky scent stirring him.

That evening, Lin Xiaoxiao was washing dishes when Zhou Yang sauntered in, munching an apple with a cheeky grin.

She ignored him but couldn’t resist. “What’re you standing there for?”

He coughed, teasing, “Not bad, Lin Xiaoxiao. A guy doing housework like a pro.”

She rolled her eyes. “That’s all you’ve got to say? Help out, then.”

He shook his head firmly, then casually said, “So, since you like guys, your thing with Shanshan was fake, right?”

She paused, eyeing him. “Can’t I swing both ways? You stole my girlfriend, so stop gloating.”

His face froze, and he laughed awkwardly. “Not what I meant, just asking…”

Her gaze turned sly. “You haven’t done it with Wang Shanshan, have you?”

She pressed her thumbs together, the gesture obvious.

He jumped like a startled cat. “W-what? I’ve been with tons of girls, okay?!”

She tsked. He was a virgin!

Then again, she had no room to judge—she’d been one before becoming a woman…

“Don’t worry, Shanshan and I only held hands. Honestly, she’s not right for you.”

After their breakup, she’d seen Shanshan’s true colors.

But Zhou Yang shrugged it off. “Shanshan’s great. A bit money-obsessed, but who isn’t? It’s normal.”

Lin Xiaoxiao scoffed. “That’s just her act for you.”

He looked skeptical. “What, you still jealous I took her?”

She laughed, incredulous. “Jealous? Forget it, you’re hopeless. Don’t cry to me when she cheats.”

She grabbed a milk bottle to drink, but Zhou Yang piped up, “I want some too.”

Rolling her eyes, she handed it over. “It’s two steps away. Can’t you get it yourself?”

He didn’t take it, saying boldly, “You’re the housekeeper, right? Might as well use you. Oh, I don’t drink cold milk—heat it up.”

She sneered, grabbing another bottle and walking off. “I’m not your mom. Heat it yourself! Go tattle to your dad if you’re mad—see if you dare.”

He glared, muttering, “What kind of housekeeper acts like this?”

*

Sipping her milk, Lin Xiaoxiao headed to bed. Passing the study, she noticed light seeping through the cracked door.

Was Zhou Ting still working?

She paused but moved to her room.

The study door opened, and Zhou Ting stepped out with an empty cup, spotting her with the milk. He froze.

“You…”

Panicking, she blurted, “I-I’m going to bed. You should too.”

She tried to slip away.

He knew she was avoiding him—overwhelmed by his “attention”—but her evasion only made him want to tease her more.

“Come in,” he said firmly.

She froze. She couldn’t refuse him, but she didn’t want to go—nothing good awaited.

Her eyes lit up, using Zhou Yang as a shield. “That’s not good… Zhou Yang’s in the living room…”

He didn’t care, saying coolly, “If you don’t come in, I’ll make Zhou Yang call you ‘stepmom’ right now. Believe me?”

Her body stiffened, stunned. “W-what did you say?!”

He leaned closer, smirking. “Don’t believe me? Want to try?”

Her face flushed red—whether from anger or shame—and she dodged him, obediently entering the study.

He grinned triumphantly, following and closing the door.

In the study, before she could look around, Zhou Ting casually snatched her milk and drank it.

Lin Xiaoxiao was speechless, her emotions a mess.

Did he call her in just to steal her milk?140