It has been the third time since Jiang Qiongyin checked her watch. Seeing that it was already 9:30, she frowned and asked Zang Xiuming, “What day is it today?”

Zang Xiuming replied, “Friday. Why, honey?”

“It’s still a workday, but Lingling hasn’t gotten up yet.”

Zang Xiuming was shocked and put down his newspaper. “What?! She usually leaves early…”

His voice suddenly trailed off as he realized that brat hadn’t come downstairs either.

His expression changed, and he was about to go upstairs to check.

“Don’t go. It’s probably not what you’re thinking.” Jiang Qiongyin quickly stopped him, pondering, “Let me check first. Maybe she’s just too tired.”

Zang Xiuming was reluctant but eventually gave in to Jiang Qiongyin. Still, he warned, “If there’s anything wrong, you must call me. If you two don’t come down within half an hour, I’ll definitely go up!”

Jiang Qiongyin agreed, not understanding why Zang Xiuming was making such a fuss. Yan Wenshu had slept in the guest room last night—what could have happened?

However, that thought vanished the moment she opened Zang Ling’s bedroom door. The blanket was still neatly arranged as she had folded it, a clear sign that its owner hadn’t returned.

Oh no.

Could she really be in…? A possibility flashed through Jiang Qiongyin’s mind, and she quickly turned toward the guest room next door.

At that moment, Zang Ling was still dreaming. In her dream, Yan Wenshu was guiding her hand across his abs, slowly moving downward.

Her heart pounded as she was about to tug off the towel around his waist when a loud voice suddenly rang out.

“What are you two doing?!”

Zang Ling’s eyes flew open. The first thing she saw was Yan Wenshu’s dazzling face, leaving her momentarily stunned.

Why is he on my bed?

Jiang Qiongyin saw Zang Ling staring blankly at Yan Wenshu, she immediately closed and locked the door behind her with a stern expression.

Zang Ling rubbed her eyes. “Mom, why did you lock the door?”

Noticing that Yan Wenshu was still asleep, Jiang Qiongyin quietly approached Zang Ling and whispered, “If I don’t, and your dad comes up to see this, just wait for this kid to get slaughtered!”

Zang Ling frowned. “Is it really that serious? I’m not eighteen anymore.”

She knew her mother had a misunderstanding. After all, she didn’t feel anything like those post-s*x description in novels.

“Zang Ling, take this seriously!” Jiang Qiongyin glanced at the still-sleeping Yan Wenshu and cautiously asked, “Did you two… use protection?”

Zang Ling felt awkward. “We didn’t do anything like that.”

Jiang Qiongyin was skeptical. “Really?”

“You actually resisted?”

Zang Ling couldn’t help but laugh. “Mom, even though I’ve never been in a relationship, I’m not that kind of person.”

Jiang Qiongyin finally relaxed a little but was still uneasy. “You really didn’t do anything? Do you even know how it works?”

“Of course we didn’t! I’m not a little girl anymore. I obviously know.”

Zang Ling threw off the blanket, stood up, and jumped a few times. “See? Do I look like someone who just did that?”

Jiang Qiongyin saw her daughter looking completely energetic and fully clothed, finally feeling at ease. She pinched Zang Ling’s arm. “You gave me a scare! I won’t interfere in your private life, but make sure you’re careful in the future—unless you’re planning to have kids, got it?”

“Got it—”

Zang Ling said, “You go down first. I’ll be ready soon.”

Jiang Qiongyin looked confused. “You’re not going back to your room?”

Zang Ling glanced at Yan Wenshu, her eyes curving mischievously. “I still have something to do.”

——

The system waited for Jiang Qiongyin to leave before narrating Zang Ling’s actions.

[She got back on the bed.]

[She rested her head on your arm.]

[She placed her hand on your stomach.]

[She closed her eyes.]

The system was puzzled. [What is she doing? Taking a nap?]

Yan Wenshu was also curious about Zang Ling’s intentions.

He slowly opened his eyes, only to find her staring at him intensely. A shiver ran down his spine as he hurriedly withdrew his arm and scooted away.

Zang Ling’s gaze landed on his flushed ears. Supporting her head with one hand, she smirked and said, “That’s right! Just as you see, Yan Wenshu, we’ve already done it.”

Yan Wenshu stared at the cigarette, which popped out from nowhere, in her mouth. A question mark practically floated above his head.

The system was speechless. [Nothing even happened. Why is she lying? Is she trying to blackmail you into becoming hers?]

Yan Wenshu replied, [No, she just wants to embarrass me.]

…Was that really the case? The system remained doubtful.

Seeing Yan Wenshu dumbfounded, Zang Ling burst into laughter. She climbed out of bed, stretched lazily, and said, “Idiot, I’m just messing with you. Look, I’m fully dressed. Nothing happened. I was just teasing you—sorry about that.”

“…You don’t remember what happened last night?”

Zang Ling threw the cigarette into the trash and turned back, puzzled. “What about it? I just remember you asking if I had…”

Suddenly, she recalled something and stared at a particular spot on Yan Wenshu, her expression awkward. “Um… what size do you wear inside?”

Yan Wenshu remembered as well and muttered his size under his breath. He expected her to get embarrassed, but instead, she remained perfectly calm.

“I’ll grab a new one from my dad’s stash later,” Zang Ling said casually. “Since the time is running out now, just make do.”

Yan Wenshu smiled. “…Okay.”

Sometimes, he suspected that she was just pretending to understand.

[Host, what do we do? Zang Ling doesn’t remember what happened yesterday. Does that mean Saturday’s date is ruined?]

[Your storyline is about to begin soon. The female lead will find out that the male lead is engaged to Zang Ling, and she’ll come to you to pour out her sorrows. Then, the male lead will show up just in time to see it and start holding a grudge against you.]

The system was worried. [Right now, you still haven’t officially become Zang Ling’s boyfriend. When the time comes, you’ll have to follow the plot.]

Yan Wenshu knew this all too well. This meant that if he didn’t hurry and complete his mission, his life would still be controlled.

Living like an animal.

Seeing him stay silent, Zang Ling wondered if he was angry. She felt guilty and said, “Did I hurt your feelings? That wasn’t my intention.”

She sincerely apologized again.

Yan Wenshu shook his head, lifted his gaze to look at her, and smiled faintly. “No, actually, I wanted to ask… Yesterday, you mentioned going to the movies on Saturday. Does that still count?”

Did I say that?

Zang Ling almost blurted it out. But hey, if it was something good, why would she refuse? She had to thank her past self.

Hahaha.

“Uh… yeah! It counts.”

Wait, something feels off.

“Yan Wenshu, you remember everything from yesterday? From beginning to end?”

Yan Wenshu’s lips curved slightly as he replied a little sheepishly, “Yes, from just before you fainted… I remember everything.”

“I fainted? Alright then, so you knew I was lying.”

The system panicked. [Host, think of an excuse quickly! If Zang Ling finds out you did it on purpose, she’ll definitely think you were playing with her.]

[I know.]

Yan Wenshu apologized, “At first, I thought you still remembered. You suddenly fainted yesterday, and I was planning to wait for you to wake up, but I ended up falling asleep myself…”

Zang Ling rubbed her nose. “No need to apologize. That’s on me.” She finally understood why he had that dumbfounded look when she said they had slept together.

Ahhhh, does he think I’m an idiot?!

She quickly found an excuse. “Ah! I just remembered—I forgot to feed my fish. Gotta go!”

Before Yan Wenshu could react, she fled the scene at full speed, afraid he would ask more questions.

The system sighed deeply. [Host, do you think Zang Ling will remember to bring you new underwear?]

Yan Wenshu hesitated. …She would, right?

——

In the blink of an eye, it was Saturday.

Yan Wenshu dressed simply. A white T-shirt paired with black cargo pants. Clean and casual.

As he stepped out, the system kept mumbling. [I still think a suit would be better. It’d show that you take this date seriously. Plus, that day when Zang Ling saw you in a suit, her eyes lit up. She definitely likes that look. It’s 8 a.m. now. You still have two hours. You can go back and change.]

Yan Wenshu remained indifferent.

Based on what he had learned, Zang Ling liked men with a clean and fresh look. Wearing a suit to a movie date would be too formal, almost like going to work. Unnecessary.

The meeting spot was a famous cinema in C city. Since he rented an apartment in the downtown area, it would take him about 20 minutes to get there by taxi.

He walked to the bus stop and waited. He had already booked a ride, and the car would arrive in ten minutes.

With nothing to do, Yan Wenshu lowered his head in a daze. Passersby couldn’t help but glance at him, this stunningly handsome man sitting at a bus stop.

The system, bored, started counting how many people were secretly checking him out. As it counted, its eyes suddenly widened. [Host! Zang Ling is here!!]

Yan Wenshu winced at the system’s loud voice. He looked up and saw a red sports car approaching.

Silently, he canceled his taxi booking.

The sports car stopped right in front of him. In the driver’s seat, a stunning beauty in a red dress pushed down her sunglasses slightly, revealing a pair of dazzling eyes. She flashed a bright smile at him. “Good morning, Yan Wenshu.”

The system was dazzled, [Damn, Zang Ling looks gorgeous! Host, I told you. Your outfit is way too plain!]

Yan Wenshu stared at her for a moment, then awkwardly shifted his gaze. The system noticed right away and gasped. [Host, do you think Zang Ling looks beautiful?]

[Hmm…]

The system was shocked. Then, it got excited. This was a great sign! If he thought she was pretty now, wouldn’t that lead to liking her later?

It genuinely hoped Yan Wenshu could find someone he liked—someone who also liked him back.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at Dragon Leap Cinema.

Since it was the weekend, the theater was packed with moviegoers, mostly couples. But high-profile, stunning duos were rare. So when Zang Ling and Yan Wenshu walked in together, they drew quite a bit of attention.

Zang Ling, wearing six-centimeter stilettos, turned to him excitedly. “I bet you’ll never guess what movie I picked. Want to take a shot?”

Yan Wenshu walked slightly ahead of her and thought for a moment. “Is it a romance movie?”

“Nope.”

“Sci-fi? War movie?”

She shook her head. “Neither.”

Yan Wenshu chuckled helplessly. “Then I really have no clue…”

Zang Ling smirked mischievously. “You’ll find out soon enough!”

As soon as she spoke, the ticket checker called out, “Please show your tickets.”

“Oh, right. Here you go.”

Standing behind her, Yan Wenshu heard a familiar voice and suddenly froze.

After getting her tickets checked, Zang Ling stepped aside to wait for him. But then she heard the female ticket checker speak in a surprised and familiar tone—

“Wenshu? You’re here to watch a movie too?”

Wenshu?

Calling him that… so intimately?

Zang Ling frowned.

Who was this girl, and what was her relationship with Yan Wenshu?