Chapter 65: A Skill

Back home, Lin Xiaoxiao didn’t bother with trivial matters. With rare free time, she decided to focus on gaming.

By evening, she glanced at the time, hesitating over whether to message Zhou Ting about coming over.

She didn’t want him to, knowing her body couldn’t handle it.

Yet, another emotion tugged at her, clashing with her reason.

After wrestling with herself, she set her phone down. Forget it—she didn’t want that jerk here, always bullying her…

But as if on cue, Zhou Ting’s call came through.

She grabbed her phone but paused, deliberately waiting before answering softly, “Hello…”

“Why’d it take so long?” His mildly annoyed but gentle voice came through.

She made an excuse. “Uh, I was showering, so I got delayed.”

Her words piqued his interest. In his office, he paused mid-signature. “Just got out of the shower?”

Before she could respond, he ended the call and switched to a video call.

Seeing this, she understood, exasperated and slightly panicked.

Jerk, getting excited over a shower? Hmph!

If she’d actually been showering, fine—but it was just an excuse.

Gathering her courage, she answered.

Seeing her fully dressed on the couch, Zhou Ting realized, displeased. “Not so honest, little one.”

She rolled her eyes, admitting, “Fine, I wasn’t showering. Sorry to disappoint.”

He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Disappointment can be fixed. You don’t need so many clothes at home, right? It’s hot.”

Glancing at her outfit, she blushed, catching his meaning. “I’m! Not! Hot!”

Her shy reaction made him smile, mood lifting.

Work used to be fine, but lately, without teasing her, it felt dull.

Noticing his office background—she’d been there, even “bitten” there—she hesitated. “You’re busy, right? Is it okay to call?”

He nodded. “Pretty busy, but I’m stealing a moment to tease my kitten.”

She pouted. “I’m not a cat. Stop with the nicknames.”

He ignored her, coughing lightly. “I’m going on a business trip for a week, leaving soon. Be good at home, okay? Don’t skimp on AC—you’ll get heatstroke.”

Her heart skipped, a surge of joy hitting her. A week without his torment? And what was with his parental tone? She wasn’t a kid!

“Got it, got it. Safe travels?” she said, barely hiding her grin.

Seeing her barely contained smile, his face darkened. “What, you’re that happy I’m leaving?”

She froze, reining in her expression. Maybe she’d shown her excitement too soon.

“No way! I just… thought of something happy,” she denied.

He teased, “What, you’re having a baby?”

It was a meme, but her eyelids twitched. “No way!”

Realizing her reaction was too strong, she added nervously, “Anyway, don’t worry about your trip. I won’t bother you.”

She ended the video call, staring at her phone, unsettled. After a moment, she got up, grabbed something, and headed to the bathroom.

Emerging, she sighed in relief.

Meanwhile, Zhou Ting frowned, recalling her intense reaction. He’d overlooked something…

Before he could dwell, his secretary Li Xian entered. “Boss, time for the airport.”

Snapping back, Zhou Ting nodded, shelving his thoughts.

With Zhou Ting gone, Lin Xiaoxiao slept soundly, free from midnight bullying.

Waking naturally, her mood was bright all day.

With no morning classes, she pondered what to do when the system’s long-silent voice chimed in.

[Ding! Detecting the host’s idleness and lack of ambition, a daily task is issued: Master a Skill.]

[As a bad girl, you must learn to captivate a man’s heart. Choose one of the following skills to learn and reach beginner level within a month.]

[Option 1: Piano.]

[Option 2: Peppa’s Postpartum Care.]

[Option 3: Baking.]

[Reward: Gain Succubus Lips, enhancing your charm.]

[Penalty for Failure: Become a real catgirl.]*

Her mood soured. Though she was free without her job, choosing her own tasks and being forced to learn were different. And these options? She wasn’t interested.

The reward was fine, but the penalty? Turning into a real catgirl would get her dissected!

Shuddering, she shook her head. No way—she didn’t want to be a lab rat. She had to complete this.

“Which one…” she muttered, cursing the system before eyeing the options.

Piano? Too fancy for a crude person like her.

Peppa’s Postpartum Care? What even was that?

Baking it was. She didn’t mind cooking, and making cakes or cookies could be fun.

Plus, she could make Zhou Ting test them—her little guinea pig…