“I don’t know, I don’t know, why can’t I tell you I like you? I just can’t bring myself to say it. I really want to confess my feelings to you, I really want to confess my feelings to you…”
Jiang Fusheng sang and danced to the clear melody, her eyes fixed ahead, unable to meet his gaze.
[Congratulations, Master! You’ve completed your first mission perfectly!]
007: Hehe, this is fun.
“……” Good grief! I’m never listening to you again.
She didn’t dare linger. As soon as the song and dance were over, she darted back to the sofa like a bolt of lightning, sat down, picked up the glass and drained it in one gulp.
It’s so hot, so hot!
Why is it so hot!
My face is burning too!
It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
She clutched the enamel cup tightly, praying in her heart that Xiao Changhe wouldn’t say a word, or else her awkwardness would flare up again!
Her toes began to tap the floor of what felt like a vast living space!
“Clink.”
A green bean was tossed into the basket, making a crisp sound.
Xiao Changhe stood up, walked over to her, and fixed his gaze—filled with complex emotions—firmly on the top of her head. After a long moment, he spoke: “You…”
“I didn’t do anything! You didn’t see anything either!” Jiang Fuseng sprang to her feet, her eyes wide with panic, her lips trembling, standing as stiff as a board, just like a child who’d done something wrong.
Xiao Changhe raised his hand.
“Don’t hit me!” Jiang Fuseng, terrified, hurriedly covered her head. “I’m sorry, I was wrong. I’ll never act so bizarre in front of you again.”
It’s all that wretched 007 system’s fault!
It wouldn’t give me a decent mission, but had to hand me this bizarre one!
Now look what’s happened—I’ve ruffled his feathers. He might well think I’m a lunatic!
[How can this be my fault? You were the one who accepted the mission!]
“I don’t care! You’re the one who brainwashed me!”
[Right, right, it’s my fault. You’d better think of an explanation, Master!]
But there was no pain as she had imagined.
She let her hands drop in confusion, only to find him stifling a laugh, his lips curving into a smile as he looked at her.
“You speak, I’ll listen.” He reached out, brushing the strands of hair stuck to her face aside, and gave her flushed cheeks a gentle pinch.
They felt so soft to the touch.
I’d love to take a bite.
“Say what?” Jiang Fuseng was momentarily bewildered, blinking her eyes.
“Confess your feelings.”
“C… confess?”
“Mm.” Xiao Changhe nodded.
Jiang Fuseng’s mind went blank for a moment, but she quickly recalled that the dance she’d just performed was to Xiao Yaxuan’s ‘Confession’, and the lyrics were the same.
Confession… So, he’d misunderstood.
Still, this misunderstanding was certainly better than being called an idiot or a lunatic!
It’s just a confession, isn’t it? Simple!
Jiang Fuseng took a deep breath and broke into a smile. “Brother Changhe, actually… I like you.”
Xiao Changhe’s eyes, usually as dark as ink, brightened slightly. “Why?”
“You’re handsome, tall, and muscular…” Jiang Fuseng held up her fingers, counting as she spoke.
“Since… when… have you liked me?”
“Just now! I’ve just fallen deeply for you! Really!”
“You’re… lying.” Xiao Changhe’s smile vanished, his expression suddenly turning stern.
Jiang Fuseng: “……” Was she seen through that quickly?
[Master, given your excellent performance on your first task, I can now offer you an additional small task. Are you willing to accept it?]
Jiang Fuseng grumbled to himself.
Willing my arse!
This wretched system of yours certainly doesn’t have any good tasks!
[Hug the person in front of you for 30 seconds. If they break free, the task fails. Task points: 99. Master, that’s enough points for a bottle of oyster sauce!】
“Oyster sauce my arse! I’m not taking it!”
【Really not taking it?】
“Of course not! Can’t you see he’s already angry? He’s realised I was lying—my life’s practically on the line!”
【Oh well, what a shame… I thought a little hug might just soothe his wounded heart at a time like this!】
“Wait!”
Come to think of it, this wicked system does have a point!
【Hmm?】
“I’ll do it!”
【Right then! I’ll accept it for you, Master. Go for it! I’m cheering for you, going wild for you, and giving you a massive shout-out.】
Seeing her keep her head down, Xiao Changhe felt a surge of inexplicable anger welling up inside him; his eyes turned a frightening shade of red. “Speak.”
He didn’t know why, but whether others liked him or not, he didn’t care.
Yet when she said she liked him, he was overjoyed.
But upon realising she was lying, he… got angry!
Jiang Fusheng shuddered, then suddenly reached out and wrapped her arms around his muscular waist, stammering, “I’m sorry… I was afraid you wouldn’t want me. I don’t want to be left behind. I’ve finally found a home, and you’ve finally accepted me…”
“Let go.” Xiao Changhe’s voice was devoid of any warmth.
“No!” Jiang Fuseng bit her soft, tender lips with her pearly teeth, refusing him in a soft voice, “Waaah.”
007, is the time up yet? Hurry up!
If he gets even angrier, I’ll be beaten to a pulp in a moment!
Xiao Changhe noticed her body trembling, and his icy heart melted instantly. “Good girl, let go… let go first.”
“No!”
[Countdown begins: 10, 9, 8… 1! Mission complete! Points credited!]
“I…”
“All right!” Jiang Fusheng didn’t wait for him to finish; she instantly released her grip, took a step back, and pretended to wipe away tears.
In this life, she relied entirely on her Oscar-worthy acting skills.
With her gone from his arms, Xiao Changhe felt a sudden sense of emptiness.
Seeing her head still bowed, he hesitated for a moment before reaching out to lift her chin. Looking into her slightly reddened eyes, his expression filled with guilt, he said gently, “Don’t cry. I… I want you. No… I won’t reject you. I won’t abandon you.”
“I lied,” Jiang Fuseng blinked.
Xiao Changhe shook his head, gently rubbing the corners of her reddened eyes with his fingertips. “It’s all right.”
“Brother Changhe, you’re so kind!” Jiang Fuseng reached out again to embrace Xiao Changhe.
007, are there any more hugging tasks? Give me another one, another one—I’ve got this down pat!
[Wow! You’re being a bit greedy, Master!]
“Cut the nonsense. Is there one or not?”
[No!]
“……”
A seed of desire sprouted in Xiao Changhe’s heart, and he found himself pulling her close.
“Ahem.” A sudden cough broke the intimate atmosphere in the living room.
Jiang Fuseng quickly let go, blushing as she looked at the newcomer, her voice barely audible: “Aunt Xiao.”
“Have I interrupted you two?” Xiao’s mother asked playfully.
“No, no.” Jiang Fuseng shook her head hastily, her tongue tripping over itself. “I, I was just… um…”
Xiao Changhe’s lips curved into a faint smile as he walked over to take the bowl of porridge from his mother’s hands and set it on the table. “I’ll go and wash… wash the green beans. Take your time… take your time drinking it; it’s hot.”
After giving her this reminder, he strode out, picked up the vegetable basket and left.
Seeing this, Mother Xiao chuckled softly. She came over, pulled Jiang Fuseng back to sit on the sofa, picked up the porridge, stirred it with a spoon, blew on it, and handed it to her.
“Thank you, Auntie.”
“Come now, dear. I’m so happy you’ve married into the Xiao family. That lad Changhe’s never had any experience with other girls—he’s a proper block of wood, a bit dense at times. Just use your own ways to tame him; he’ll listen to you.”
Huh?!
Jiang Fuseng was taken aback.
A blockhead? Single-minded?
She’s definitely his own mother!
But this ‘taming’… it sounds a bit odd.
“Don’t worry, Auntie, Brother Changhe isn’t bad at all.”
“Anyway, if he gives you a hard time, just tell me, and I won’t let him off the hook!”
“I know.” Jiang Fusheng nodded, bringing a spoonful of meat porridge to her lips.
The aroma of the porridge filled her nostrils.
This porridge was a bit bland, and the pork had a slight gamey taste.
As a ‘culinary genius’, others needed to take a bite to know the flavour, but she could tell just by the smell.
Mrs Xiao asked, “Is it tasty?”
“It’s all right…”
“Knock, knock, knock!”
There was a knock at the front door.
“Sister Xiao, there’s been an incident in your cornfield! You’d better go and have a look!”