Chapter 52: Barehanded Grabbing

[Host, you should take the initiative. Keep this up, and the target might forget you entirely.]

Though exaggerated, the logic held.

Lin Xiaoxiao felt irritated by the system’s words. She was the one who chose to move out, but going back to that man after just a few days…

She couldn’t do it. Shaking her head, she said defiantly, “Stop giving me bad ideas. If he forgets me, great—I can live as a normal guy again.”

[Host, do you really think you can go back?]

The system’s question stunned her, leaving her speechless.

Could she return to her old life?

The answer was obvious—no. She knew it deep down but kept deceiving herself.

Tears welled up, spilling over as she cried bitterly—not just from being ignored, but from grieving her lost identity.

She couldn’t go back. She’d have to live as a woman forever, even if she’d grown used to it…

The next evening, at her restaurant job, her coworker Xiao Wang teased her listless look. “What, were you out thieving last night? Those dark circles!”

Yawning, she replied, “Don’t ask. I’m already an insomniac, and then a rat kept me up half the night chasing it.”

He blinked, picturing her grabbing a rat barehanded, and said, “Why not just get rat poison? You didn’t catch it by hand, did you?”

She coughed, embarrassed. “Uh, I forgot…”

Seeing her flushed face, Xiao Wang’s heart fluttered. Mom, I think I’m in love…

“Go catch a nap,” he offered. “Not many customers today—I’ll cover for you.”

She rolled her eyes. “No thanks, I want to keep working.”

As night fell, the restaurant got busier. After days of practice, she handled customers with ease.

Then the manager walked in, telling Xiao Wang, “Clear a private room. I’ve got an important client coming.”

Xiao Wang nodded and got to work.

Curious but dutiful, Lin Xiaoxiao kept organizing trays.

Soon, the manager ushered in the “big client,” and her eyes twitched—it was Zhou Ting!

Her heart trembled, and she instinctively turned away, unsure why she was hiding.

As he disappeared around the stairwell, she absentmindedly resumed cleaning tables.

He didn’t see me, right? Why am I hiding? I didn’t do anything wrong…

Xiao Wang approached, gossiping enviously, “Heard the boss is moving abroad and needs cash, so he’s selling his dozens of chain restaurants. That guy who came in? An old friend, likely taking over. He’ll be our new boss.”

Her hands shook, nearly dropping a tray. No way it’s that coincidental…

“It’s not confirmed,” she said. “Let’s get back to work.”

Xiao Wang grinned shyly, watching her slender figure, and blurted, “Xiaoxiao.”

She turned, confused. “What?”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

She paused, then shook her head. She was just a kept canary—no boyfriend, and never would.

Another woman might’ve caught his intent, but Lin Xiaoxiao didn’t, brushing it off and resuming work.

Xiao Wang, thrilled by her answer, was smitten by her hardworking, innocent charm… okay, maybe her looks.

But soon, the manager returned, handing her a bottle of wine. “Lin Xiaoxiao, take this to Room 3602.”

She nodded, seeing nothing odd.

“Do you know how to decant wine?” he asked.

She shook her head honestly. High-end stuff like red wine? She couldn’t even taste it, let alone decant it.

The manager sighed but waved her off. “Fine, just deliver it.”

Xiao Wang stepped up. “Manager, I can decant. I’ll take it.”

He knew Room 3602 was for the “new boss” he’d mentioned, having set it up himself. Knowing the manager’s tactics—likely sending Lin Xiaoxiao for her looks to please the client—he worried she’d be taken advantage of. For his budding “love,” he wanted to protect her.

But the manager wasn’t having it. “No, Xiaoxiao goes. Hurry, don’t keep the guest waiting.”

“But Manager—” Xiao Wang tried to argue.

Sensing the tension, Lin Xiaoxiao intervened. “I’ll go, Manager. Wang-ge, you handle your stuff. I’ll be right back.”

She headed upstairs with the wine. She didn’t know the manager’s game, but she wasn’t a pushover. She valued the job but wouldn’t let herself be bullied.

Xiao Wang watched her go, an uneasy feeling lingering.

At Room 3602, Lin Xiaoxiao’s heart raced. Taking a deep breath, she knocked and entered.

The sight inside froze her.

Only one man was in the room, and he was all too familiar.

Seeing her wide-eyed, stunned look, Zhou Ting’s lips curved. “Little one, don’t recognize your master after a few days?”