The Stick in the Pocket
Lin Zimo quickly steadied the wine decanter, asking worriedly, "Qingya, are you okay? Let me wipe that off for you."
He swiftly grabbed a few tissues and, without a second thought, leaned down to dab at the red wine staining Su Qingya's thighs and stockings.
Su Qingya glanced down at Lin Zimo's focused figure as he wiped, feeling the strange sensation on her legs. Her delicate, snow-white cheeks flushed bright red in an instant.
She swore it wasn't on purpose, but this turn of events felt suspiciously like she was seducing him.
Her body had never been touched by a man before, and now she had no idea whether to stop Lin Zimo or not.
Fortunately, it didn't take long.
Lin Zimo snapped back to reality, immediately standing up and sheepishly pulling his hand away. "Qingya, I didn't mean to... I just wanted to wipe off the wine stain for you, but it looks like it's not coming out. Let me buy you a new skirt. Just wait here."
After his hurried explanation, Lin Zimo rushed downstairs to the Balenciaga store to pick one up.
Su Qingya tugged uncomfortably at her stockings, her refusal dying on her lips as she watched the guy vanish in a flash.
Moments later, Lin Zimo returned, carrying a Balenciaga shopping bag.
But the second he pushed open the private room door, he saw Su Qingya had stripped off her stained stockings. She sat there with her smooth, creamy long legs crossed, gleaming dazzlingly white under the lights—impossibly eye-catching.
You're testing a man's resolve with this?
Which man could withstand such a test?
Lin Zimo swallowed hard, setting the bag down in front of Su Qingya. He lowered his voice. "Qingya, go ahead and change into the clean skirt. I... need to hit the restroom."
Seeing Lin Zimo beat a hasty retreat, Su Qingya finally felt a spark of satisfaction. Hmph hmph, you stinky man—tease all you want without taking responsibility.
Lin Zimo didn't dare steal another glance, terrified he'd lose control. The moment he reached the restroom, he splashed cold water on his face, taking a few moments to calm down.
He could tell Su Qingya was one of those good girls who fell hard and meant it. But he wasn't about to hang himself on one tree—not yet. Better not to lead her on.
Play when you play, fool around when you fool around. Cherish the good girls; don't waste time on the bad ones.
By the time Lin Zimo returned to the room, all the dishes had arrived. The two dined elegantly on the restaurant's exquisite gourmet delicacies.
Su Qingya didn't want to part ways with Lin Zimo so soon, so she ate extra slowly. An hour passed before they finally finished.
As they left the restaurant, Lin Zimo caught the waiter's odd stare.
That look screamed, Damn, you rich kids sure know how to play—taking a whole hour for dinner and changing outfits mid-meal!
Tsk tsk tsk, wilder than a coatroom hookup!
Lin Zimo: "……"
Bro, it's not like that.
In the outdoor parking lot, Su Qingya gazed at the darkening night sky and said haughtily, "It's dark out. As my boyfriend, don't you think you should drive me home?" School was closed tomorrow for Mid-Autumn Festival, so she could head straight back.
"Of course. What's your address?"
Lin Zimo smiled. Even if she hadn't asked, he'd have made sure to get her home safely—it was basic etiquette as a rental boyfriend.
"Dayi Manor, Huayuan Yunhe Villa." Su Qingya watched him intently. Guys in the past had groveled the instant they heard her address.
But Lin Zimo's face didn't change. Instead, he teased humorously, "I hear the standalone villas there run five small goals a pop. You're a real little rich girl, huh!"
Su Qingya was thrilled with his reaction. As expected of the man who stirs my heart. She couldn't resist adding, "Yeah, and I'm the only child. After graduation, I'll inherit everything. Wanna be my boyfriend? I'll split the family fortune with you—halfsies."
Maybe it was the wine, but Su Qingya felt unusually flushed after blurting that out.
Lin Zimo would've been lying if he claimed it didn't tempt him. Who could say no to soft rice from a young, gorgeous heiress like that?
But at the last second, reason kicked in. His current charm and looks were all system-granted—pure facade.
Once the day ended and he reverted to normal, who knew if she'd still want him? Better to keep the reins in his hands than risk it.
He'd rack up more tasks, claim real power, then decide.
"My appetite's too big for soft rice. Give me time to grind, and we'll meet at the peak."
They hit a red light. Lin Zimo braked and turned to meet Su Qingya's eyes, dead serious.
Her heart jolted, deeply touched. "Okay! Let's each strive hard and meet at the peak!"
Seeing her drop the persistence at last, Lin Zimo breathed a sigh of relief. They'd just pulled into the villa's parking lot. He grinned. "Here we are. Text me a good review once you're upstairs, yeah?"
Su Qingya eyed his handsome face, unwilling to let him slip away. Her parents weren't home tonight anyway. Buoyed by the wine, she smiled slyly. "Sure~ But you have to walk me up. I love the bag and skirt you got me today. I've got a gift for you too."
Her upbringing wouldn't let her accept gifts without reciprocating.
Lin Zimo suspected she had designs on him, but for that review, he couldn't say no. "Glad you like 'em. If Miss Su insists, who am I to refuse?"
He followed Su Qingya into the lavish villa, taking in the understated luxury everywhere.
Having seen his share of grandeur in his past life, he betrayed no surprise—cool as ever.
Su Qingya led him to the third-floor living room, then suddenly yelped, stumbling drunkenly and tackling Lin Zimo right onto the sofa.
The maid, en route with tea and fruit, caught the scene and quietly backed out, seeing nothing.
Su Qingya sprawled across his firm chest, his embrace feeling so warm, so safe.
Her cheeks burned beet-red, practically steaming with shyness.
She kept her lovely eyes downcast, too flustered to meet his gaze, her mind racing.
I'm throwing myself at him like this—why hasn't the jerk kissed me yet?
Does Lin Zimo want me to make the move?
As Su Qingya wrestled with whether to take charge, she felt something odd pressing beneath her. She reached down, grabbed it, and asked puzzled, "Huh? Lin Zimo, what's with the stick in your pocket? It's rock-hard and poking me!" She even tried to fish it out.
"Hiss—don't grab it! That's no stick!"