Chapter 9: Only once and countless times

After dinner, Lin Xiaoxiao started to clear the dishes, but as she stood, the man beside her grabbed her.

Seeing this, a flash of panic crossed her eyes.

“Uncle…”

Zhou Ting sighed, exasperated, then pinned her against the table, leaning down to bite her pale neck, whispering, “When it’s just us, don’t call me uncle.”

“Mmph…”

Feeling a slight sting on her neck, Lin Xiaoxiao squirmed uneasily but couldn’t escape his grip.

“Then… what should I call you?”

Zhou Ting undid the top button of her collar, starting to act recklessly.

“That’s for you to figure out. But it better satisfy me.”

Helpless, Lin Xiaoxiao turned her head away, avoiding her own shameful reflection.

As long as she didn’t see, the nausea in her heart felt less intense…

Tonight was destined to be another sleepless night.

Perhaps aware of last night’s intensity, Zhou Ting was slightly more restrained, leaving marks only on the living room sofa, by the window, and in the bathroom.

The once-closed shell, under the crashing waves, had begun to open slightly.

In the darkness, Zhou Ting looked at the sweat-drenched girl beneath him and asked softly, “Decided what to call me yet?”

Lin Xiaoxiao’s senses hadn’t fully returned, her breaths heavy, her eyes still clouded with lingering desire.

Hearing his question, her mind regained a sliver of clarity. Her lips parted, murmuring, “I… I don’t know…”

Zhou Ting chuckled lightly.

“If you don’t know, we’ll go with my choice.”

He leaned down, biting her ear, whispering something that sounded like a devil in the dark.

Lin Xiaoxiao’s eyes widened, a deep flush of shame crossing her face.

“No, that… that’s too much! It’s not okay…”

Zhou Ting’s hand slid to her delicate frame, squeezing lightly with a smile.
“Really not okay?”

Lin Xiaoxiao trembled, unable to voice her refusal. But to call him that—it was far too humiliating, wasn’t it?

Seeing her resistance, Zhou Ting employed a tactic of retreat and advance, overwhelming the girl beneath him.

“Mmph, stop… stop, I’ll say it, okay…”

Zhou Ting slowed his assault, a mischievous grin in his eyes as he watched her.

Lin Xiaoxiao, under his gaze, knew she couldn’t escape without saying it. Closing her eyes, she hesitated before whispering, “M-master…”

Her voice trembled, soft and alluring, the special atmosphere turning her once-neutral tone utterly delicate.

Hearing it, Zhou Ting’s eyes darkened, a desire to tease her rising again.

Lin Xiaoxiao thought she’d escaped, but what followed was another wave of intensity…

The next day, a gentle breeze swept through the campus, lifting girls’ skirts and stirring the hearts of restless boys.

Lin Xiaoxiao sat in class, distracted.

Thinking of last night, she felt estranged from herself. How could she have become like that?

No, it wasn’t her fault—she was forced. It was all that man’s doing…

Finding this excuse, her unease eased considerably.

In the afternoon, she visited the hospital again. Thanks to Zhou Ting’s arrangements, her grandma had a caregiver, easing her worries.

She stayed until evening before leaving, but on her way back, the system, quiet for a bit, came online again.

[Ding, as a bad woman, appearance matters. Daily Task for a Scheming Woman (2): Within three days, wear a pure maid outfit to seduce your sugar daddy. The system will provide all clothing, wigs, makeup, and props.]

[Reward: Enhanced vision (improved eyesight, permanent protection from nearsightedness).]

[Penalty: Vision deteriorates to 800 degrees.]

Lin Xiaoxiao froze, her expression filled with shame. Wear a maid outfit? Female clothing?

No way—she’d never wear women’s clothes! Once you start, there’s no going back. She understood that much.

But the reward and penalty made her hesitate. 800-degree vision…

As she wrestled with her thoughts, she wandered into a quieter area.

A commotion from a nearby alley snapped her back to reality.

Quickening her pace, she wanted to avoid trouble.

But passing the alley, she paused.

Among the punks fighting, one figure looked familiar.

“Zhou Yang?”

Hesitating, Lin Xiaoxiao walked over.

“Hey, you guys—ganging up isn’t fair, is it?”

One of the punks, annoyed at her interference, snapped, “What’re you looking at? Scram, or we’ll beat you too!”

Lin Xiaoxiao sighed, dropped her bag, and stepped forward.

Zhou Yang saw the approaching “boy,” stunned, then witnessed something shocking…

Soon after, Lin Xiaoxiao grabbed two cans of cola from a nearby store, handing one to Zhou Yang.

“What’re you staring at? Take it.”

Zhou Yang took it, his expression complex, looking at the delicate “boy” beside him.
“Didn’t expect you to be so good at fighting.”

Lin Xiaoxiao waved it off casually.
“It’s nothing. But you…”

Looking at Zhou Yang’s bruised face, she couldn’t help asking, “Why were they after you?”

Zhou Yang stayed silent. Lin Xiaoxiao didn’t press, continuing, “Looking like that, how’ll you explain it to your dad?”

Zhou Yang shrank at the thought of his father.
“Don’t tell my dad I was fighting, or I’ll get another beating.”

Lin Xiaoxiao opened her cola, taking a few gulps, some spilling down her neck, dampening her collar.

“Fine, I won’t say anything.”

Under the sunset, the “boy” seemed to glow, dreamy and ethereal, making Zhou Yang blink.

After a while, he snapped out of it, surprised.
“You agreed just like that?”

Lin Xiaoxiao glanced at him, saying flatly, “What else? It’s not a big deal. Handle it yourself.”