episode_0020

Lin Yi: 😅.

If this mission isn’t completed within the two-hour time limit, it means failure—and failure means losing three points each in stamina, skill, and luck.

Once any of those stats drops to 1, the consequences are fatal. And if all three hit rock bottom at once? Might as well choke to death on a sip of water.

“Professor Lin Yi, why do you look so pale all of a sudden? Like a startled little rabbit. So pitiful~ A man as adorable as you shouldn’t make such expressions carelessly—you’ll catch the eye of wicked women.”

Shen Xixi covered her mouth, laughing with unrestrained boldness, her soft chest trembling.

“Professor Lin Yi, were you frightened? It’s alright. I’ll always stand by your side. No matter where you are, just give me a call, and I’ll rush to you immediately.”

Yun Ling pulled Lin Yi’s hand into her embrace, standing up and pressing close to his shoulder, stroking his hair like a mother comforting a child.

Her soft, milky-scented chest gently pressed against Lin Yi’s face.

Shen Xixi’s eyes narrowed slightly. She tapped the table and smiled coolly. “Men can be like this sometimes—so easily startled by the smallest things. But there are many ways to comfort them, don’t you think, Professor Yun Ling?”

“Oh? You mean… But here? Let me prepare first—I’ll need some rope to tie him up so he doesn’t run away when he snaps out of it. That wouldn’t be good…”

Yun Ling looked puzzled and surprised.

“…You’re overthinking it. I meant he has a wife. Could you not cling to him like that?” Shen Xixi rolled her eyes.

“Oh.”

Yun Ling stiffened, then awkwardly and guiltily released Lin Yi, returning to her seat. She took a sip of tea, her gaze drifting.

“…It’s nothing. Just a little surprised.”

Hearing Shen Xixi’s voice, Lin Yi snapped out of his thoughts—too preoccupied with the mission to have heard Yun Ling earlier. He picked up the still-warm tea from the table and took a sip.

“Professor Lin Yi, no need to be surprised. With me here, everything will be handled perfectly. Just like before.”

Shen Xixi seductively extended a finger, curling it slightly.

“Before?” Yun Ling glanced at her questioningly.

“Ah, Professor Yun Ling might not know this, but Lin Yi used to write novels for a female audience. I’ve been following his work for a long time—I even wanted him to write a character based on me, one who’d fall in love with the male lead.”

Shen Xixi smiled brightly, pulling out a slightly yellowed novel from her handbag.

“My Messy Boyfriend Only Likes Wu Tao”

“Ah… I never imagined Professor Lin Yi once wrote for a female audience. But since you already have experience in other genres, you should definitely try pioneering a new one.”

After a brief moment of surprise, Yun Ling looked at Lin Yi with even firmer determination.

“…Then I’ll leave it to Professor Yun Ling. I’ll do my best in terms of quality.”

Lin Yi’s lips twitched as he watched Shen Xixi pull out the novel.

That was a work from over a year ago.

Back then, he and Shen Xixi had just met. He was a no-name writer scraping by with racy content that appealed to the masses.

And in this world, female-oriented fiction bore striking similarities to the harem light novels from Earth—so writing it had been relatively easy.

At the time, Shen Xixi was already a fairly renowned illustrator.

She often played the role of a gentle older sister, offering him advice. She’d wait for him under the large cherry blossom tree in front of his apartment.

Falling pink petals, a season dyed in vibrant hues, and a beautiful, mature woman…

Until he discovered the basement in Shen Xixi’s home—one so deep he couldn’t see the bottom.

Only then did he realize the protagonist of the novel he’d written under her “inspiration”… was himself.

“Since Professor Lin Yi agrees, let’s eat. Order some drinks—some work goes faster with alcohol.”

Yun Ling excitedly called the waiter, asking for a set menu and extra drinks.

From an angle Yun Ling couldn’t see, Shen Xixi stared greedily at Lin Yi, her red lips curling, eyes glinting with an odd light. She mouthed soundlessly:

“Remembering the past, aren’t you? Back then, I guided you—physically—on how to write a good female-oriented novel.”

Lin Yi hesitated.

He couldn’t deny it. But that didn’t mean he’d accept it.

The past should stay in the past…

Dishes were brought out one by one, along with mildly fragrant, low-proof liquor.

“To a successful collaboration between the two professors!”

“Cheers!”

“Cheers…”

They drank and ate, discussing the groundbreaking new male-oriented work.

Before he knew it, Lin Yi had downed two full glasses.

Yun Ling, unable to hold her liquor, clutched her small porcelain cup, cheeks flushed, eyes hazy. She leaned back drowsily.

“I’m… not drunk. Just a little dizzy… Let me… catch my breath…”

Her voice trailed off.

She was out.

Shen Xixi’s tongue flicked over her lips as she swirled the remaining liquor in her glass.

Then she stood abruptly, her movements laced with drunken allure, and strode to Lin Yi’s side. Leaning down, her lips parted, exhaling warm, alcohol-laced breath.

“Lin Yi… Now that we’re alone in this private room, you don’t have to pretend anymore. Back when you were drunk… who was it that served as your ‘airplane’~?”

With a wild, predatory grin, Shen Xixi bit down on Lin Yi’s earlobe.