Chapter 42: Emergencies

Understanding the Fear

Mi Xue finally understood why Lin Lu, fearless as he seemed, was terrified of Zhuang Yan Yue. He was like a mouse spotting a cat. As she suspected, Zhuang Yan Yue was a formidable woman. If even the old Lin Lu feared her, Mi Xue knew to steer clear.

Opening Up

Lin Lu kept talking, as if a dam had burst. “Compared to Yueyue controlling every part of my life back then, I could control all of you, make you obey me. That was addictive, a feeling I’d never had before…

Maybe one girlfriend wasn’t enough to prove myself to Yueyue, so I went for a second, then a third. It spiraled. Eventually, it wasn’t about proving anything to her—it was the thrill of controlling and conquering you all, something I never got with Yueyue…”

A Cathartic Release

Unloading it all, Lin Lu felt lighter, finally venting what he’d bottled up. Mi Xue was the perfect listener, never interrupting, just soothing him with gentle touches. Even as his face brushed against her chest, tickling her, she just blushed and endured.

If it weren’t so embarrassing, she’d have slipped her dress straps down to let him nestle like a baby in his mother’s arms…

A Childish Core

From the start, she’d seen Lin Lu as a kid who never grew up. His reckless, playboy ways were immature. She thought it stemmed from losing his birth mother young and his father, busy with business, only throwing money at him, neglecting his care…

That’s why he clung to Zhuang Yan Yue early on. Though not his real sister, she filled a maternal role, compensating for what he lacked.

But Zhuang Yan Yue veered toward being a “bad mother,” like many parents who impose too much on their kids, controlling every word, action, and aspect of their lives. Over time, the suppressed child inevitably rebels.

If a kind “big sister” had given him enough maternal love and proper guidance, he might’ve turned out a good kid quickly.

Sadly, no such person existed back then.

A Hollow Stepmother

Mi Xue had met Lin Lu’s stepmother, his father’s new partner after his wife’s death. As Lin Lu said, she was just after their wealth, putting on a fake show of care without fulfilling a mother’s duties.

So who could play the “good mother” for Lin Lu now?

Mi Xue bit her lip, holding him a little tighter.

The Heart of the Matter

The problem was, Lin Lu wanted to distance himself from her…

“Why don’t you want to be a playboy now?”

Mi Xue circled back to her original, most pressing question.

Lin Lu gave a bitter smile. “With my current status, can I afford to be? I’d get beaten to death. I’ve been through too much to crave women like before.”

A Misunderstood Shift

Mi Xue’s body stiffened, her eyes wide with shock. “Y-You don’t like women anymore?”

Lin Lu quickly clarified. “What nonsense! I’m just not desperate for them, but my orientation’s still normal, okay?”

Mi Xue exhaled, relieved. She’d almost gone down a psychological rabbit hole about orientation correction…

“Then… do you want to be a playboy?” Her voice trembled with nerves.

“It’s not about wanting. If I tried now, Su Keke would have me locked up…”

Reading Between the Lines

Mi Xue analyzed his words. He said he couldn’t be a playboy, not that he didn’t want to. Did that mean, given a safe chance—like Su Keke not reporting him or a woman who didn’t mind his ways—he’d be willing?

Who, man or woman, wouldn’t seize a guilt-free chance to play the field?

Perhaps only a true devotee of pure love could resist.

This thought lifted Mi Xue’s spirits.

A Sudden Release

“Junior Lin, you should head back early. Don’t miss your check-in time.”

Lin Lu had mentioned the daily cohabitation check-in with Su Keke.

He was stunned she let him go so easily. Had his story softened her view of his scumbag past, earning her pity?

It wasn’t his goal, but it was a welcome outcome.

A Door Unlocked

Mi Xue entered the password, opening the “broken” door, then ruffled Lin Lu’s head, still nestled against her chest, signaling he could leave.

He finally lifted his head. The closeness was heavenly but stifling, and hunching over was uncomfortable.

An Unwelcome Visitor

As he straightened, a flash of golden hair caught his eye. Turning toward the open door, he saw a blonde girl with a dark expression, her face half-hidden by a black mask. Her sharp gaze locked onto Mi Xue’s noticeably larger chest.

Lin Lu cringed. He’d sent Su Keke his location and room number after their call, saying if he didn’t return soon, it meant an emergency, and she’d need to rescue him.

Su Keke came through, but her timing was awful. The issue was resolved, and she caught him in an intimate moment with Mi Xue…

She’d showered, removed her makeup, thrown on a mask and casual clothes, and rushed over—only to see her boyfriend relishing another woman’s embrace, looking reluctant to let go.

An Awkward Recognition

Mi Xue belatedly noticed the masked blonde at the door but didn’t recognize her. It had been years since she’d seen Su Keke, who hadn’t dyed her hair back then and was now masked.

But she was mortified that the girl saw her hugging Lin Lu, her dress disheveled. Blushing, she lowered her head, noticing her rumpled chest.

A Furious Accusation

“Lin Lu, this is your emergency? Heh, pretty urgent indeed. If I came later, she’d be popping emergency pills!”