Chapter 6: You’re Late
Back home, Lin Xiaoxiao prepared dinner.
Having learned to cook in high school to care for her aging grandma, she was no stranger to it.
But clearly, her simple home-cooked dishes didn’t meet Zhou Yang’s expectations in terms of presentation.
He poked at the food with his chopsticks, muttering, “This looks so bad—how good can it taste?”
Lin Xiaoxiao fought the urge to fling her chopsticks at his head!
This annoying guy had no respect for her efforts!
Of course, she already disliked Zhou Yang—who could stay friendly with the guy who stole their girlfriend?
But with Zhou Ting present, Lin Xiaoxiao swallowed her words.
Fortunately, Zhou Ting shot Zhou Yang a look after hearing his muttering.
“Can’t eat it? Then don’t. Stop whining.”
Zhou Yang shut up instantly, eating with a scowl.
To his surprise, it actually tasted pretty good.
After dinner, Zhou Yang didn’t return to his room but sprawled on the sofa, playing games.
Zhou Ting led Lin Xiaoxiao to a room and said, “You’ll stay here from now on. There are blankets in the closet—you’ll need to set it up yourself.”
Though he said this, he sent her a message on WeChat.
They’d added each other yesterday, and seeing his message, Lin Xiaoxiao’s body stiffened.
Meanwhile, Zhou Yang watched his dad meticulously explain the room to this effeminate guy, feeling inexplicably annoyed.
Just a male maid—did he need to care so much?
It almost felt like he, the son, was less important.
Likewise, Lin Xiaoxiao was facing a shocking task.
Yesterday, after accepting Zhou Ting’s help, the system had deemed her extortion task complete.
Though surprised and relieved, she didn’t expect the system to stir trouble again so soon.
[Ding, congratulations on completing the beginner task. The Bad Woman Training Plan has officially begun…]
Lin Xiaoxiao froze, about to speak, when the system’s voice rang again.
[Ding, Daily Task for a Scheming Woman (1): Within five minutes, pretend to fall into your sugar daddy’s arms to show your delicate side.]
[Reward: Grow one centimeter taller.]
[Penalty: Shrink five centimeters.]
Lin Xiaoxiao felt a wave of shame at the task.
Forget the penalty—falling into Zhou Ting’s arms in front of Zhou Yang, who still saw her as a guy, would look so wrong!
This system was no good—it was here to torment her!
But she had to do it. She was already short—losing five centimeters was unthinkable.
Glancing at Zhou Ting behind her, Lin Xiaoxiao gritted her teeth. Fine, it was just a little fall. If something went wrong, it wouldn’t be too embarrassing.
Calculating the distance and timing, she “accidentally” stumbled, yelping as she fell toward Zhou Ting.
Her cry drew both Zhou Ting’s and Zhou Yang’s attention, but perhaps caught off guard or with too much force, she not only fell into Zhou Ting’s arms but knocked him down too.
“Dad, you okay?” Zhou Yang dropped his phone, worried.
Zhou Ting grunted, his tone stiff.
“I’m fine…”
Lin Xiaoxiao, unaware, had grabbed something soft that quickly hardened like a candle…
Panicking, she stammered, “Uncle Zhou, are you okay?”
Zhou Ting sighed, seeing she still hadn’t let go, and whispered, “So eager already?”
Lin Xiaoxiao froze, realizing she’d grabbed something she shouldn’t have. Her face flushed red.
“N-no, I didn’t mean…”
She scrambled to her feet.
Zhou Yang, now beside them, frowned at her red face.
“What’s wrong with you? Can’t even walk without falling? My dad’s not young—what if you hurt him?”
Before he could finish, his dad’s fist landed on his head, followed by a “kind” smile.
“Brat, what did you say?”
Zhou Yang’s expression shifted, fawning.
“Dad, I didn’t mean it like that—I’m worried about you.”
Zhou Ting narrowed his eyes, scoffing.
“Such a filial son.”
Lin Xiaoxiao couldn’t get a word in, which was fine by her. She’d muddled through the task, right?
But recalling the accident, how was that guy’s thing so big? It was enough to make anyone feel inferior!
Then she realized—she wasn’t even a man anymore. She didn’t have one to compare.
What a sad story…
*
The night deepened, stars glittering across the sky.
The house was dark, except for Lin Xiaoxiao’s room, still lit.
She stared at the message on her phone, her heart filled with dread and resistance.
But she knew she couldn’t avoid it. After stalling for over half an hour, she turned off the light and left her room.
Standing before another room’s door, she lacked the courage to knock.
Then the door opened.
Before she could react, a hand pulled her inside!
“Mmph…”
As soon as she was dragged in, the man sealed her lips, reducing her to kitten-like whimpers.
After a while, Zhou Ting pulled away from her lips, saying softly, “You’re late.”
Lin Xiaoxiao opened her mouth, searching for an excuse, but meeting his gaze, she fell silent.
Seeing her quiet, Zhou Ting’s lips curved slightly.
His success came from understanding people, especially this inexperienced girl.
To maintain control in this transaction, he needed to keep her firmly in his grasp—a plan he’d had from the start.
He spoke again.
“I don’t like tardiness. Since you’re late, you’ll face a punishment.”
“But the punishment… you can decide it.”
Lin Xiaoxiao’s body trembled at his words. Then she saw him lie down beside her, silent.
She sat up slowly, her clothes disheveled from earlier, revealing a glimpse of her pale collarbone.
Seeing him motionless, her already panicked heart grew more frantic, even sparking resistance.
That resistance urged her to act, as if inaction would bring greater fear.