Chapter 37: The body doesn’t want to listen to reason

On the couch, they sat at opposite ends.

Feng Xiyao curled up like a kitten in the corner, clutching her knees, sneaking glances at Meng Zhi.

Meng Zhi stared glumly at the TV.

Some cliché historical drama played, but neither paid attention to the plot.

…He’d only gotten up to use the bathroom.

Now, he was too worked up to sleep.

Honestly, he’d considered slipping back to his room to take care of things.

But after witnessing her embarrassing moment, he wasn’t sure she wouldn’t barge into his room.

Because that was totally something Feng Xiyao would do.

Lock the door? That’d scream guilty.

The more he thought, the more frustrated he got, laughing at himself.

He’d never imagined stressing over something like this.

In his last life, he’d have pinned this little vixen to the couch without a second thought.

But this life was different.

He had to stay pure.

If she caught him slipping, keeping his distance later would be impossible.

Feng Xiyao was uneasy too.

‘Why’s he mad again?’

‘Did I do something wrong?’

‘Before, showing him my legs always got me forgiven.’

‘Are my legs not good enough now? They look the same.’

The silence grew awkward.

Neither broke it.

As if on cue, the TV hit a cheesy scene: the male lead leapt, catching the falling heroine, slow-motion gazes locking, lips nearing for a kiss.

It was enough to make anyone blush.

Feng Xiyao snuck a glance at Meng Zhi.

Meng Zhi: “…I’m changing the channel.”

“Why? Not good?”

“It’s trash.”

“Then why’s your crotch bulging?”

His expression froze, then he glared at her, annoyed.

“Where are you even looking?”

She stuck out her tongue, playing cute to dodge.

No choice, he shifted to hide it, switched to a comedy show, and mentally chanted for calm, willing himself to settle down.

But her gaze felt like an invisible hand, teasing him.

Whenever he turned, she was staring, curious.

“Hey, you—” Finally, fed up, he turned to send her to her room.

“Wanna do it?”

Her blunt words froze the room.

“…Do what?”

“You know… it.”

Her pale cheeks flushed, eyes darting aside shyly.

Meng Zhi stared, taking ages to process her serious expression.

“Are you crazy, or am I?”

“What’s crazy? We’re adults.”

She hugged her knees, muttering, “If you want to… I’m okay with it.”

Her eyes flicked to him, testing his reaction.

His mouth twitched as he looked away.

“I’m not that open.”

“It’s not about being open. Isn’t it just doing it with someone you like?”

Her eyes blinked, glistening as she looked at him, hopeful.

“I already like you.”

“I don’t like you. So I can’t.”

Her gaze dropped, dejected, as she mumbled, “Oh.”

Meng Zhi exhaled in relief.

Close call.

‘Maybe we did it too much last life. I almost said yes.’

‘Abstinence really weakens willpower.’

But her stunt made it even harder to calm down—

“How about just my mouth?”

“Absolutely not!”

“Hands or legs, then…”

“What’s the difference? I said no!”

She pouted, turning away sulkily.

Meng Zhi was out of patience.

If her clothes weren’t in the washer, he’d kick this vixen out to save his sanity.

After another awkward silence, she spoke again.

“So.”

“Have you done it with Chen Xinya?”

“…No.”

He turned away, dismissive.

“How far have you gone with her?”

“Nowhere.”

“Held hands?”

“…”

“Kissed?”

“…”

“When?”

“…When we were kids.”

“Oh, when you were both little?”

“Sort of.”

He hated this topic.

“We didn’t know anything back then. It wasn’t a real kiss, just kids mimicking adults.”

“I see.”

Her expression softened, a hint of smugness creeping in.

“Why ask?”

“Because… I care. Wanna know if she’s ahead of me.”

She tilted her head, short hair swaying, her lazy smile gleaming.

“Guess she’s not.”

“There’s nothing with you either, don’t get it twisted.”

He waved her off.

“But we’ve kissed.”

“No tongue!”

“You’re lying! I totally used tongue!”

“No, you didn’t!”

“Then I’ll do it again!”

As she crawled toward him, eyes predatory, he shrank into the couch corner.

“What are you doing? Stay back.”

She wore only his mom’s old nightgown, too big, the neckline revealing almost everything.

No bra, her pale skin glaringly obvious, making it harder for him to look.

“You better think twice. I’ll call your mom to drag you home.”

She ignored his threat, staring at his pants, then asked, “Really… not gonna do it?”

He swallowed hard.

Her flushed cheeks were alluring, her tone serious, like discussing something sacred.

For a split second, his mind wavered.

Why hold back?

‘I’m reborn to enjoy life, why torture myself?’

Reason screamed against reckless thoughts.

But his body wasn’t listening.

As she inched closer, the doorbell rang like a bucket of cold water.

“Meng Zhi, you awake?”

Chen Xinya’s voice.