Chapter 22 : Isn’t My Wolf Friend a Bit Too Intense?

Song Zhiyi felt like she might be suffering from insomnia.

Every time she closed her eyes, all she could think about was Chen Mo licking his own fingers. Somehow, the scene shifted in her mind to him licking her fingers, and then leaning close to her ear with his usual deep, magnetic voice and saying:

“Zhizhi, so sweet.”

In shock, Song Zhiyi jolted upright in bed like a patient on the verge of death. The first light of dawn filtered through the window, and she glanced at her phone.

It was only 6 a.m.

Song Zhiyi covered her face. She, she, she…

She might have just had a wet dream!

The shameful images from the dream were still vividly clear. Chen Mo’s husky voice, the sound of his breath, mingling with his wild and roguishly handsome face—it was so sensual that Song Zhiyi could barely handle it.

Damn it!

She actually woke up at the most critical moment…

Chen Mo’s house had a gym, convenient for working out after meals. Over the past six months, Song Zhiyi had occasionally thought about exercising, but she never lasted more than two or three days before giving up.

With such comfortable conditions, why not sleep in a bit more instead?

“Why are you up so early?” Chen Mo came out of the bathroom and saw Song Zhiyi already awake.

“Maybe… I went to bed a little too early last night.”

Chen Mo had just shaved, and a tiny droplet of water slid down his smooth jawline along the sharp contours of his face.

Song Zhiyi blushed.

Chen Mo: “?”

Why was the girl… suddenly turning red?

“Since you’re up early, don’t waste the time. Want to join me for some morning exercise?” Chen Mo suggested after a moment’s thought.

“Oh, sure.”

Song Zhiyi felt that some exercise might help her calm down.

When Song Zhiyi finished washing up, changed into sportswear and walked into the gym, he saw Chen Mo doing sit-ups with his upper body naked and only wearing a pair of grey shorts that did not go over his knees.

The muscles on his back subtly tensed with his movements, looking firm and powerful.

Chen Mo’s physique wasn’t as exaggerated as those who spent all their time in the gym. His muscles were evenly toned, the kind that made girls’ hearts race just by looking.

Song Zhiyi opted for the exercise bike, scanning the equipment in the room and deciding this was the only one suitable for her.

Chen Mo, meanwhile, finished his sit-ups and moved on to several sets of push-ups. After a few minutes, apart from sweating a little, his breathing remained steady.

In contrast, Song Zhiyi started to pant after just a few turns on the bike.

“How long have you been pedaling? Already out of breath?” Chen Mo got up and noticed Song Zhiyi in the corner, huffing and puffing on the bike. He found it endearing.

She had joined the gym a few minutes after him, and he had only just finished warming up, yet she was already worn out.

“…” Song Zhiyi pouted slightly. “I’m not good at sports, okay?”

“Then what if your stamina can’t keep up in the future?”

If she got tired so quickly, how would she manage during other activities?

“I’ve already graduated; I don’t need to take the 800-meter test anymore.” Besides, even if she failed PE, losing a few credits wouldn’t stop her from getting her diploma.

“There will be other… physical tests you’ll need to pass,” Chen Mo replied, a faint smile flickering in his eyes.

Tests for which he would be the examiner.

Song Zhiyi: “???”

Without elaborating, Chen Mo turned on the treadmill.

Song Zhiyi didn’t overthink it and focused on her bike. Occasionally, her eyes drifted over to Chen Mo.

The gym was filled with the faint hum of the treadmill. Half an hour later, Chen Mo’s breathing began to quicken, joining the background noise.

“…”

Song Zhiyi suddenly felt that coming to the gym with him had been a terrible idea!

Hearing Chen Mo’s slightly labored breaths, she couldn’t help but think of the dream she had last night. His breathing now sounded just like it had in her dream.

Song Zhiyi had intended to exercise to calm herself, but the more she worked out, the more restless she became!

In a panic, she pedaled the bike even faster.

Chen Mo: “…”

Why did the girl suddenly act as if she’d been injected with adrenaline?

Wasn’t she worried about overworking herself and pulling a muscle?

“Song Zhiyi.” Chen Mo stepped off the treadmill and walked over to her corner.

“Ah…?” Song Zhiyi lifted her flushed face to look at him. “What is it?”

“Stop pedaling. If you keep going like this, your muscles will be sore tomorrow.”

Song Zhiyi glanced down at her legs. “But I feel like I’m just getting into the zone.”

“That’s an illusion. You’re overexerting your muscles.”

“…”

“Be good. Stop now,” Chen Mo said with a slight frown.

“…Fine.”

Song Zhiyi stopped what she was doing and got off her bike.

Chen Mo noticed that her face was still unnaturally red. It seemed like her cheeks had been flushed ever since she got up that morning.

Was she running a fever?

Chen Mo reached out to check her forehead.

But just as his fingers lightly touched her skin, Song Zhiyi abruptly jumped back two steps as if she had been shocked by electricity. “W-what are you doing?”

“I noticed your face is really red. Are you running a fever?”

“No, no.” Song Zhiyi waved her hands frantically. “It’s just that… I pedaled really hard earlier. Yeah, that’s it!”

“…”

Chen Mo silently retracted his hand. His deep eyes lowered slightly.

Had his actions last night been too forward and scared her?

But he hadn’t even done much.

Or maybe this little white rabbit was just too innocent…

Song Zhiyi swore to herself that she would never step into a gym again!

And if she absolutely had to go, it would not be with Chen Mo!

The next morning, as soon as she got out of bed, her legs felt like they were filled with lead. Her muscles ached, and even walking was a struggle.

Supporting herself against the wall, she made her way to the dining table, collapsed onto a chair, and weakly ate her breakfast.

It was Monday, and she still had to go to work.

Dragging herself into the newsroom, she was immediately met with the collective stares of the entire editorial team.

“Xiao Song, are you okay?”

“We’re never going back to that KTV again. Bad vibes!”

“Exactly!”

They had all heard from Lin Qiqi about what had happened Friday night. After the initial shock, they were indignant.

Sure, Song Zhiyi was beautiful, but she had never been temperamental. She always conducted herself with integrity, dressing plainly. Though, no matter what she wore, she always seemed captivating. Still, that didn’t give anyone the right to bully her!

Especially not some rich, spoiled brat who thought money gave him the power to control others!

“I’m fine, don’t worry.” Song Zhiyi smiled at them.

“You don’t have to make the coffee today; let Xiao Lin handle it.”

Lin Qiqi: “Thank you, everyone.”

Su Hong adjusted her glasses and walked over to Song Zhiyi. “I heard you managed to gather incriminating evidence against Young Master Chi during that incident?”

“It was a coincidence.”

“You’re very smart.” A rare look of approval appeared on Su Hong’s face. “Well done, Xiao Song.”

From the perspective of both a journalist and a victim protecting herself, Song Zhiyi’s actions had been brilliant.

“Thank you, Chief Editor.”

“Alright, get to work.” Su Hong patted her shoulder but paused when she noticed Song Zhiyi’s trembling legs. “…What’s wrong with your legs?”

“Nothing, just twisted them a bit.”

“Then sit down and rest.”

Song Zhiyi slowly shuffled to her seat. Lin Qiqi had noticed her awkward walking posture from the moment she entered. “Zhiyi, your legs…”

Her walk was eerily similar to what Lin often saw in the steamy romance comics she read—when the heroine was so thoroughly “taken care of” by the male lead that she couldn’t even stand properly afterward!

“Uh…” If she told the truth, wouldn’t she seem utterly brainless?

“Oh, I get it! I totally get it!” Lin Qiqi cut her off with an exaggerated “auntie grin.”

Song Zhiyi: “?”

What do you get?

“Wow, your wolfish boyfriend is really something!” Lin whispered gleefully. “Then again, dating someone with a strong build and stamina like his—of course you’d be a little sore sometimes. It’s perfectly normal!”

“It’s not what you think! I—” Song Zhiyi saw the knowing smirk on Lin’s face and realized her friend’s thoughts were likely filled with indecent fantasies.

“No need to explain; I won’t tell anyone.” Lin Qiqi lowered her voice conspiratorially. “By the way, what’s his star sign?”

“Scorpio… Why are you asking?”

“I heard Scorpios have the strongest libido!”

Looks like her friend was in for a very “fulfilling” life.

Song Zhiyi’s cheeks flushed even redder. But she couldn’t resist asking, “…Really?”

“Look at the way you’re walking! What do you think?”

Song Zhiyi: “…”

I said it wasn’t Chen Mo’s fault!