Chapter 37: The title has been hacked
The vibrant, flame-red lipstick glided onto Lin Xiaoxiao’s soft, cherry-blossom lips, as if draping them in a luxurious veil.
Her youthful air, under the red’s glow, seemed to mature, gaining a touch of sultry allure.
The slight curve of her painted lips hinted at a subtle charm, stirring even her own heart.
The instinct to love beauty, whether male or female, was undeniable, and Lin Xiaoxiao was no exception.
She used to scoff at girls obsessed with makeup—it was all fake, not their true selves. But now, she began to understand.
Who could resist the temptation of looking more beautiful and captivating?
But she quickly wiped off the lipstick.
Though she admired beauty, makeup seemed like such a hassle. She doubted she’d ever embrace it.
The next morning, with Zhou Yang at a friend’s house, breakfast was just Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Ting.
This gave her a chance to complete her task. With Zhou Yang around, she’d be too paranoid about getting caught.
Watching Zhou Ting finish breakfast and prepare to leave, she hesitated but knew time was running out. Taking a deep breath, she acted.
The next moment, before he could react, she “accidentally” spilled half a glass of milk on his shirt.
“Oh no, I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed.
He shook his head, wiping it with a napkin. Looking at her lowered head, he ruffled her hair. “It’s fine. No big deal. I’m heading out.”
He moved to leave for work.
Panicking, she grabbed his hand.
He raised an eyebrow, smirking. “What, can’t bear to see me go?”
She rolled her eyes inwardly but feigned guilt. “Your shirt’s dirty. You should change first.”
He was about to say it wasn’t worth the trouble, but her earnest gaze made him pause. Hooking her waist, he leaned down and kissed her.
“Mmph…” Her eyes widened, unprepared for this turn.
After a long moment, when he finally released her lips, she was unsteady, panting softly in his arms.
Her slightly parted lips looked so inviting—he wanted to fill them completely…
He suppressed the urge for daytime indulgence and said, “Since you insist, I’ll change.”
As he moved to get a shirt, she quickly interjected, “I’ll get it. I feel bad for ruining your shirt.”
He sensed something off about her but, in a good mood, didn’t dwell on it and agreed.
Her tense heart eased halfway.
In his room, she grabbed a fresh shirt, then hurriedly applied the lipstick.
She pressed her lips to the shirt’s collar, leaving a faint red mark.
Wiping the lipstick off her mouth, she studied the shirt. This was her plan—if Zhou Ting didn’t notice, the task was done.
She’d exploited a loophole; the system hadn’t specified she had to leave the mark in his presence, right?
With the shirt in hand, she returned. Zhou Ting had removed his stained shirt, revealing a physique that made hearts race.
As someone who’d once been a man, she wasn’t fazed—maybe just a bit jealous. Her old body had been frail and feminine…
He took the shirt without inspecting it, slipping it on.
To distract him, she asked, “Should I wash the dirty one?”
He nodded. “Yeah, thanks, my little lover.”
Her heart skipped at his words, and she looked away, embarrassed.
He chuckled and left with his phone.
Only then did she fully relax, immediately checking with the system. “So, I completed the task, right?”
[Ding, Host, that’s cheating.]
She bristled. “How’s that cheating? Did your task say I couldn’t do it this way? Give me the reward.”
Unsure what “Constitution +1” meant, she was still excited—it was her favorite reward so far.
Unable to argue, the system grudgingly delivered.
But she felt no difference, disappointment sinking in. “So stingy. You’re a cheapskate system now.”
[… Daily tasks have modest rewards. And the penalty’s light—green hair can be dyed back.]
She glared, speechless. She should’ve skipped it!
Meanwhile, Zhou Ting drove to the company’s underground parking, messaging Li Xian before heading to the meeting room.
When he arrived, the executives were already there.
But their gazes were odd, filled with subtle surprise.
Sensing their stares, he frowned but dove into the meeting with his usual efficiency.
After it ended, he noticed Li Xian’s strange expression and kicked him lightly. “What’s with the constipated look? Need a sick day?”
Li Xian blinked, excited. “Can I, boss?”
Zhou Ting scoffed. “Dream on. Want a break? Go settle your final paycheck.”
Li Xian grinned awkwardly. “Nah, I’ve got an old mom and a harem to support.”
Zhou Ting waved off his nonsense. “Enough. Why were you all staring at me during the meeting?”
Li Xian smirked, pointing at Zhou Ting’s collar. “Boss, had a good night, huh?”
Having worked with him for years, Li Xian had never seen gossip-worthy signs of a woman—until now.
Zhou Ting finally noticed the lipstick mark on his collar, recalling the morning’s events, his brow furrowing.