Chapter 19: A Midnight Visit to a Man’s Bedroom

"What are your terms?"

A spark of hope ignited in Chen Xingmiao's eyes, and she leaned forward.

Xiao Ziyu felt her nose brush against his own, and his body stiffened instantly. He coughed awkwardly, reached out to help her sit up, and subtly put some distance between them.

"When the time is right, I will naturally tell you, my wife." He offered no further explanation, waiting quietly for her reply.

*Could he be digging a pit for me to jump into?*

Chen Xingmiao hesitated, feeling skeptical. However, Xiao Ziyu was a villain; according to his character setting, if he wanted to get into Zhuiyu Academy, he would succeed—it would be far more effective than her clumsily trying to win them over herself. Besides, they were currently husband and wife; the little villain surely wouldn't have any sudden urges to kill her, right?

After weighing the pros and cons, Chen Xingmiao nodded. "I agree."

"My wife is truly straightforward. Since that is the case, I shall keep my word."

A reckless smile curled at the corners of Xiao Ziyu's mouth. He tucked the quilt in and lay down again. Seeing that Chen Xingmiao hadn't moved, he reached out and pulled her firmly into his arms.

She was startled and instinctively tried to get up, but Xiao Ziyu wrapped his arm around her, pinning her against his chest. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and bit her earlobe as if to punish her.

*Damn it, is the little villain part dog? Why are you biting people!*

Chen Xingmiao shivered as if electrocuted, but she couldn't move an inch.

"Don't move," Xiao Ziyu whispered into her ear.

Feeling his warm breath, Chen Xingmiao felt a tickle against her neck. She tried to shift to the side, but the next moment, Xiao Ziyu hauled her back.

"Move again, and I won't mind tying you up." He threatened, his voice turning cold.

*Seriously, big brother, what exactly do you want?*

Chen Xingmiao felt like crying, but she didn't dare move another muscle. She had no choice but to stay pressed against him until, after some time, they both drifted off to sleep.

Perhaps it was the lack of acclimatization after her transmigration, but she, who usually slept soundly, woke up in the middle of the night.

*Ouch, that hurts.*

She clutched her stomach, grabbed her clothes by the moonlight, and put them on, only to find that the other side of the bed was empty.

*What’s going on? Why did the little villain run off in his sleep?*

As she pondered this, her stomach cramped again. Chen Xingmiao couldn't worry about anything else; she dashed out of the room without even putting her shoes on properly.

After finding relief, she returned to the bedroom, intending to go back to sleep, only to discover that Xiao Ziyu still hadn't returned.

*How strange. Where could the little villain have gone in the middle of the night? Surely someone that big wouldn't get lost, and besides, Xiao Liu didn't...*

[Congratulations to the host for triggering a sub-mission: Assist Xiao Ziyu. Mission success rewards 100 points.]

Xiao Liu’s sudden voice made Chen Xingmiao’s expression darken.

*Damn, it really is "speak of the devil." Xiao Liu, are you all working overtime in the middle of the night? Heartless capitalists! I rely on my looks to make a living; getting enough sleep is crucial!*

She muttered to herself, her dissatisfaction reaching a peak.

[Only if I issue missions frequently can the host return home sooner, right? Go for it, host!]

Doing a mission only earned 100 points, but the antidote last time cost 200. She hadn't even had the chance to argue about this disproportionate exchange rate, and now this broken system was back to painting big pictures again?

Chen Xingmiao glanced at the pitch-black night outside the window, put on her coat with a sigh, and asked, "Xiao Liu, you at least have to tell me where the little villain is right now."

[Detected that Xiao Ziyu is currently in Xiao Zilin’s room. The floor plan of the Xiao residence has been transmitted to your brain. Please receive it.]

As soon as Xiao Liu finished speaking, the locations within the Xiao residence became clear in Chen Xingmiao's mind.

*Well, you’re actually reliable for once. Worthy of praise; you finally did something useful.*

Xiao Liu gave a small chuckle and fell silent. Chen Xingmiao pushed open the bedroom door again and headed straight for Xiao Zilin’s room.

In the darkness, the dim candlelight flickered inside the room.

"Xiao Ziyu, I am willing to sit here and speak with you because I think highly of you. Do not be ungrateful."

It was Xiao Zilin’s voice.

She crept to the door and peered through the crack to observe the situation inside.

Xiao Zilin was sitting upright in a chair with a look of arrogance, while Xiao Ziyu stood straight before him. The atmosphere between them was tense, as if they were in the middle of a fierce argument.

*Sure enough, whether it's a villain or a cannon fodder character, they are just idle and obsessed with their "careers." Why on earth are they arguing in the middle of the night instead of sleeping? Is there nothing that can wait until daylight?*

"Who's there?" Xiao Zilin suddenly shouted in alert. He lunged toward the door and flung it open.

Chen Xingmiao, completely unprepared, tumbled forward into the room and had an unceremonious, intimate encounter with the floor.

"Oh? So it is my sister-in-law." Xiao Zilin closed the door unhurriedly and looked down at her with eyes full of mockery.

Xiao Ziyu also turned to look at her, his expression unreadable.

"I didn't know my sister-in-law had a habit of barging into men's bedrooms in the middle of the night," Xiao Zilin sneered coldly.

*What do you mean, a "habit" of barging into bedrooms?* If the two of them hadn't insisted on progressing the plot at midnight, she wouldn't be working overtime instead of enjoying her beauty sleep.

Chen Xingmiao scrambled up from the floor, brushed the dust off her clothes, and snuck a glance at Xiao Ziyu. Aside from his usual coldness, there was no other emotion on his face.

"Husband... what a coincidence. Are you out for a stroll, too?"

Xiao Ziyu’s cold eyes scanned her from head to toe. He stepped toward her, forcing her back until she was pinned against the corner wall.

Chen Xingmiao panicked and put her hands against his chest. "Husband, let's talk this over. Men and women should not touch."

As soon as she said this, Xiao Zilin burst into laughter and patted Xiao Ziyu on the shoulder with a mocking tone.

"So, you two haven't... yet. I suggest you consider my terms carefully. I’m going to sleep; see yourselves out." With that, Xiao Zilin walked toward his bed and dismissed them.

Chen Xingmiao scrutinized Xiao Ziyu and noticed his face had darkened even further.

"Let's go." Without another word, he grabbed her and dragged her away, his grip so tight it made her frown and shake her head.

"Husband, it hurts. Let go of me, let go..."

Chen Xingmiao called out from behind, but Xiao Ziyu acted as if he couldn't hear her. He didn't release her until they were back in their bedroom.

He glanced down at her reddened wrist and turned his head away.

*If things continue like this, he must be wanting to kill me more and more.*

Chen Xingmiao pressed her lips together, not daring to take a deep breath. She didn't dare say another word, only retreating bit by bit.

"Why did you go to his room so late?"

Xiao Ziyu restrained his tone as much as he could, slowly breaking the deadlock between them.