Chapter 30: Be good, it’s okay

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement, deciding not to tease Xiao He further. After all, asking him to flirt with girls was indeed a tall order.

With that, she sipped her cocktail, finding the taste quite pleasant.

Watching the men and women dancing fervently in the dance floor, it wasn’t long before her head started feeling dizzy…

Xiao He noticed, his lips curling slightly as he asked with concern, “Xiaoxiao, you okay?”

She shook her head, feeling odd. What was happening? Was she drunk?

That shouldn’t be possible—it was just a cocktail.

“I’m… I’m fine. Just a bit dizzy. Let’s head outside,” she said.

Xiao He nodded, reaching to help her, but she instinctively dodged.

He didn’t press, simply watching the delicate “boy” wobble forward.

By the time they reached the bar’s entrance, Lin Xiaoxiao’s head was spinning even more.

She finally realized something was wrong—this wasn’t drunkenness.

A thought struck her, and she looked back at Xiao He, hesitating. “Lao San, you…”

Before she could finish, he stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Xiaoxiao, the photographer you’re looking for is here.”

She froze, her foggy mind struggling to process. Then he continued, “Actually… it’s me.”

Even though she’d suspected it moments ago, his admission stunned her.
“What did you say? Why… why would you do this?”

But before she could get an answer, her head grew heavier, and she collapsed, swaying.

Xiao He caught her, preventing her from hitting the ground.

She didn’t know how much time passed.

Lin Xiaoxiao groggily opened her eyes, her head still spinning. It took a while to recall what happened.

She’d gone to meet the photographer, only to be drugged by her roommate, Xiao He…

Her eyes widened, and she tried to stand, only to find herself tied to a chair, unable to move.

Struggling in vain, she scanned her surroundings. Even in the dim light, it was clearly a plain rental apartment. Where had Xiao He taken her?

Suddenly, the room’s light flicked on, blinding her momentarily. When her eyes adjusted, Xiao He stood before her.

Furious, she demanded, “Xiao He, what the hell are you doing? Untie me now!”

He gazed at the struggling “beautiful boy,” a flicker of obsession in his eyes, before softening his tone. “Don’t be scared, Xiaoxiao. I won’t hurt you.”

His words were hard to believe. In her eyes, he’d always been a shy, introverted boy—how could he do this?

“What do you want?” she pressed.

Instead of answering, he pulled out a takeout meal and offered it to her. “You must be hungry. Eat something.”

She turned her head away, her heart sinking further.

Seeing her refusal, Xiao He sighed, his voice tinged with pained conflict.
“Xiaoxiao, I know you’re mad at me for this, but I couldn’t help it. I had to do this, or I’d lose my chance forever.”

Confused, she looked at him warily. “What do you mean?”

He gritted his teeth, earnest. “Can’t you see? I like you, Xiaoxiao!”

His confession shocked her speechless, staring at him in disbelief.

“What… what are you talking about?”

She was still presenting as a boy to the outside world—her secret as a woman shouldn’t have been exposed!

But his next words stunned her further.
“I know exactly what I’m saying!”

“Xiaoxiao, honestly, I was conflicted about this at first. I’m a guy, yet I fell for you. If I confessed, you’d probably reject me.”

“But that day, I saw you on a date with a man, kissing him.”

“Do you know how I felt? I was devastated it wasn’t me, but thrilled to know you like men too.”

“From then on, I knew I had to tell you how I feel!”

“Xiaoxiao, remember when we first moved into the dorm? The others ignored me, but you greeted me, became my friend…”

His passionate outpouring, coupled with his intense expression, sent a chill through her.

She never imagined this quiet roommate had such a terrifying side.

“I don’t like you. Let me go. I’ll pretend this never happened,” she said.

His face froze, disappointment flashing before a bitter, dark smile emerged.
“I knew it…”

“But I’ve already crossed the line. There’s no turning back now!”

“Xiaoxiao, I know forcing you won’t win your heart, but it’ll quench my thirst. If I keep you here, I believe you’ll accept me one day!”

Her eyes widened in horror. He planned to imprison her? He was insane!

Afraid to provoke him further, she tested carefully, “Can you at least untie me? This is really uncomfortable. Don’t you like me?”

Her plea made him hesitate.

Seizing the moment, she added, “At least tie me differently. My ankles hurt…”

He agreed, crouching to loosen the ropes around her legs.

Her heart pounded. The moment the ropes came off, she kicked him hard.

Xiao He yelped, blood streaming from his nose. Seizing the chance, she bolted.

But after two steps, he grabbed the trailing rope, yanking her down.

As she tried to get up, he lunged, pinning her. His bloodied face looked monstrous.

“You lied! You were trying to escape!” he snarled.

She struggled, cursing. Stay and be an idiot?

Seeing escape was hopeless, she spat, “You’re a lunatic! Get off me! You disgust me!”

As her clothes tore, despair set in. Was she really going to be violated by him?

In that moment, she realized how repulsed she felt by anyone but Zhou Ting. Only he was different…

If only he were here…

Tears welled as she wished desperately, a glistening drop falling.

Just when she thought all was lost, a noise at the door caught their attention.

With a loud bang*, the door was kicked open! Even if the rental’s door was flimsy, that took incredible strength!

Xiao He froze, staring at the man entering.

Seeing Zhou Ting’s face, Lin Xiaoxiao’s heart trembled, a wave of relief washing over her.

Zhou Ting took in the scene, his eyes narrowing coldly, his gaze like a blade on Xiao He.

Without a word, he strode over in a few steps, kicking Xiao He off her. The boy screamed, clutching his stomach and curling up, defeated.

Lin Xiaoxiao stared, stunned, before a strong hand pulled her into a warm, familiar embrace—Zhou Ting’s.

“Lin Xiaoxiao, you’ve got some guts, sneaking off to meet other men behind my back,” he teased.

She trembled, a surge of grievance overwhelming her as she burst into sobbing tears.
“No… I didn’t! He tried to force me!”

Seeing her cry, Zhou Ting softened, stroking her head.
“There, there. It’s okay now…”

The situation was obvious—he’d only teased her out of anger, not expecting her to break down.