While Su Chunchun’s body was getting better every day, her feelings remained statistically neutral. Even the negative feelings from the past were gone like the wind. It was just zero, all zero.

 

Although Chen Liang felt somewhat powerless, he unexpectedly didn’t feel impatient from approaching her step by step. Despite needing to be tolerant of everything, he somehow even found a sense of enjoyment from it.

​

…

 

As the day was ending, Su Chunchun was placed before a large table. There was an extravagant amount of appetizing dishes sitting before her, but not once did she take a bite.

 

Chen Liang's face expressed a bit of disappointment; but since there was an energy pill inside her system and she didn’t look as weak as before, he let the matter go. 

 

Sighing, he bent his body over her figure. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he lifted her up and gently carried her upstairs to the bedroom.

 

At that time, he encountered a problem.

 

These days, it was Zhang Ma who helped her bathe; but today, the housekeeper had something personal to attend to, so…

 

His fingers slightly trembled. Peering over his shoulders, he perceived her sitting on the bedside, looking completely oblivious. 

 

A sigh left his lips. 

 

He went to the bathroom and began to fill the tub with hot water. Preparing the pajamas and the toiletries that Su Chunchun would use, he then came out and gently led her to the bathroom. 

 

"If you need anything, I’ll be staying here outside. You go inside and take a bath. You can use this towel from this side to dry yourself. As for these clothes over here, put this on if you’re done. Then call me if—”

 

While aiming his finger at the pajamas that were on the hanging rack; Chen Liang suddenly froze, realizing something. 

 

He shook his head.

 

"Forget it. It had been so long since I heard you speak. Just come out directly after you wear your clothes. Just be careful. The floor is too slippery, and you might fall if you’re not careful.”

 

Afraid that he would go too far with his rambling as he was feeling a bit too uneasy, he finally left her alone in the bathroom. 

 

However, as he was worried, he didn’t go too far. Finding himself a chair, he placed it just outside the bathroom before grabbing a random magazine and casually flipping its pages.

 

But the sound insulation of the bathroom seemed to be not well-constructed or maybe it was his hearing ability that was a bit too heightened—every tiny sound of every little movement inside seemed to seep into his ears.

 

His concentration wavered, and he couldn't bother to read the magazine.

 

The faint splash of water; it must be her playing with hot water. The faint clatter of bottles; it must be her reaching out for those toiletries. Or maybe, she was only curious picking them up and trying to unscrew them. 

 

Xi Xi Su Su [1] 

 

The faint rustle of some fabric…

 

Suddenly, Chen Liang felt a bit too hot.

 

He took off his suit jacket and placed it aside. The white shirt underneath remained; he unbuttoned two buttons in order to cool himself.

 

The sound of running water gushed for a while before it suddenly went completely silent.

 

Chen Liang frowned, unconsciously standing up from his seat. But just as he stood up, he heard a loud noise from inside.

 

His heart was anxious. At that moment, his reasoning flew out of his mind; and he immediately rushed in with no hesitation.

 

"Teacher, what happened...?!" 

 

Taking a look at the situation inside, he found himself dumbfounded.

 

It was a mess. 

 

Although she had her clothes all over her figure, she was very soaked. Her long hair was drenched. The droplets continuously trickled down her cheeks. On one side, the toiletries could be seen spilled all over the floor.

 

Her glazed eyes turned to look at him. The wet clothes that clung to her perfectly drew out her curves. Chen Liang couldn’t help but stiffen. 

 

When he regained his reason, his worries suddenly came swarming over, fearing that Su Chunchun might develop a cold. 

 

Quickly, he stepped forward to take her drenched figure in his arms. He immediately rushed towards the bedroom to find a new set of pajamas for her. 

 

As he was changing her, his limbs were rigid in its movements. He held his breath, fumbling his way throughout the changing process, as he quickly dressed her up. It was only when he was done that he let go a sigh of relief.

 

However, perceiving the person before him who still had no reaction in regards to what happened earlier made his expression go freeze. 

 

"What am I even thinking about?" he dispiritedly murmured under his breath.

 

Looking at Su Chunchun's long hair still drenched with water, he frowned. He untied his cufflinks, rolling the sleeves of his wet shirt right to his arm length. Taking a towel, he began to dry Su Chunchun's hair.

 

Su Chunchun sat on the edge of the bed while he stood before her. As he lowered his gaze, he could still see the distant look on her face.

 

Her eyes slightly drooped. The hair that had been gently rubbed was now damp and carried a distinct scent of softness and moisture. 

 

In Chen Liang's current perspective, he could only see her long, thick lashes covering her gaze from him. Lowering his sight, his eyes then fell over her small, button nose then to her lips with a touch of pale powder.

 

Perhaps because she had just showered, her lips looked rosier than usual, like with a glossy texture as if they carried a subtle allure [2].

 

For a moment, his heart seemed to skip a beat. 

 

Lost in thoughts, Chen Liang didn’t even know what had just stirred him. It was only when he regained his reason that he realized that he had already lost the towel he was holding. Instead, he found himself grasping Su Chunchun’s shoulders as he leaned in to kiss her.

 

Their lips simply brushed against each other for half a second, and yet Chen Liang already felt like his heart was about to burst from the arousal.

 

In the next instant, the tip of his tongue lightly presses, softly parting her lips. Once he gained entry, he then delicately smothered her tongue with his, gently sucking her pale lips every now and then.

 

This is a kiss devoid of any slightest lust. Compared to the previous brutal and raging kiss, this kiss is full of warmth and caution.

 

The previous kiss might be addictive and liberal, but it was mostly driven by lustful instinct. While this kiss, on the other hand, even if its sensation felt like a dragonfly’s fleeting touch on the surface of the water [3], he couldn’t help but long for more. 

 

From his movements, Su Chunchun didn't do anything as she mainly raised her head and let him indulge in it more. However, there was still no reaction on her face. Not even for a little. And her sluggish eyes remained empty and unmoved.

 

He deepened his kiss, further and further; but when he inadvertently raised his head and looked at her, there was still nothing. 

 

It was like a moment of stalemate! As if a bucket of freezing water had splashed over him, the cold feeling seemed to pierced him straight to the bone [4] and neatly extinguished the inflamed desire within him in an instant.

 

Staring down at her, she still looked dull and gloomy. It took a lot of strength for him to suppress the turbulent emotions inside of him as he released his grip on her body.

 

【 Host, the Female Lead's affections as always are zero. At this rate, the mission will certainly fail. Moreover, Han Xiping was able to reconcile with his real family earlier than expected, and he has now returned to the city.】

 

At the system's sudden notification, he clenched his hands. The force exerted was too hard that the back of his hands turned white, and the knuckles could almost be heard faintly. 

 

Of course he knew that her current affections for him is zero. Somehow, he even felt more helpless from this rather than her actually having a negative feeling as she now only viewed him as a complete stranger. 

 

She doesn't hate; she doesn't hurt [5].

 

In this case, perhaps in the eyes of Su Chunchun right now whose mental state was not stable, he was just a disposable existence. He could only be compared to the common flowers and plants that wilt alongside roads.

 

【 If it's possible, the host should abandon the side quest with the Female Lead and instead focus on the main quest. Although the points received will be less, it will not be judged as a task failure. 】

 

Quest.

 

Chen Liang ran a hand across his hair.

 

It seemed like he had long stopped regarding her as a quest anymore.

 

From his previous tasks, as long as he does his casual tricks, he can easily snatch the hearts of his capture targets. However, after encountering Su Chunchun, he didn't realize that he had invested a lot of effort and affection more than what was expected and that eventually his heart, in the process, was slowly influenced by the other person.

 

His hoarse voice was weak and powerless. "What exactly do you want me to do?"

 

A few days passed like a blink of an eye, and Chen Liang was at a loss with Su Chunchun who was always lost in her thoughts everyday. He didn't dare to explode in front of her again, so he could only suppress his frustration. Just when things seemed hopeless, an invitation letter was suddenly delivered to his doorsteps.

 

Sitting before the table, the expression on his face was completely indecipherable as he took in the contents of the exquisite invitation.

 

It was an invitation sent by the Han Family, and they were requesting his presence in their evening banquet. In addition, they also mentioned the name Su Chunchun in the letter, wanting her to attend with him as well.

 

The implication, while hidden, was self-evident.

 

He is back.

 

Looking down at the flamboyant three characters signed in the name of Han Xiping, Chen Liang knew that this letter, despite its touch of elegance, it was subtly intended to provoke him.

 

【 Host, although the side quest fails, as long as you are able to help the Female Lead and Male Lead solve their misunderstanding, we can still ensure the completion of the main quest. It will not be judged as a complete failure, so—】

 

Su Chunchun leaned against the window, looking beyond the glass with a vacant gaze. Though she appeared a bit distant, her gaze seemed to flicker for a moment.

 

Task completion?

 

Let her help him recognize which is more important for him—is it those so-called points or her?
 

[1] 窸窸窣窣 (xī xī sū sū) - an onomatopoeic phrase used to describe the rustling sound of fabric being rubbed together. It is often used to depict a quiet, soft, rustling noise.

 

[2] 微微的诱人湿气 (wēi wēi de yòurén shī qì) - a figurative language used to describe a subtle and enticing moisture or dampness. In this context, it refers to the glossy texture and inviting appearance of the woman's lips after showering. It suggests a sensual and appealing quality, evoking a sense of allure or temptation.

 

[3] 蜻蜓点水 (qīng tíng diǎn shuǐ) - "a dragonfly touching the water." This phrase is figurative language used to describe a light or gentle action, often used to depict a light touch or kiss.

 

[4] 彻骨生寒 (chè gǔ shēng hán) - "piercingly cold to the bone." This phrase is figurative language used to describe a sudden, intense feeling of coldness or shock that affects someone deeply.

 

[5] 不痛不恨 (bù tòng bù hèn) - "neither pain nor hatred." This phrase is used figuratively to describe someone who feels indifferent or apathetic.