CHAPTER 15

She remembered that the last time she entered a novel world, as long as the task was completed, she could be transported to the next world at any time. But why had the rules changed this time? Now she had to return to the exact location where she first crossed over before being transported.

Just as this doubt arose in Shi Li’s mind, an answer appeared—

This mission involves a personal entanglement and can only be completed using the most primitive method. If the task performer wishes to use the configuration from the first mission, they may voluntarily exchange it. For example, they can trade their right to know the future plot of the next novel world in exchange for the ability to be transported at any time.

In other words, if she wanted to be transported immediately upon mission completion like last time, she would have to forfeit knowledge of the next novel world’s plot.

Then what special privileges did she have as a transmigrator?

Without hesitation, Shi Li refused the exchange. The words in her mind gradually faded away. Just as she was lost in thought, she suddenly felt a presence approaching, and the next second, her lips were kissed.

Shi Li snapped back to reality and looked at Shen Jingyan in confusion.

Shen Jingyan let out a cold snort, looking as if he had been forced, and said reluctantly, “Returning the courtesy.”

…Who wants to exchange courtesies with you in a situation like this?

Shi Li found it both amusing and frustrating. After he lay down on the bed, she sensibly turned off the lights and climbed into bed in the dark. Once she was settled, she didn’t forget to soothe his ego. “Actually, you’re really strong. You pulled me onto the bed in one move.”

“…Stop talking.” Shen Jingyan’s voice was cold in the darkness.

Shi Li pursed her lips but obediently kept quiet. As she breathed in his fresh, clean scent, she quickly fell asleep, even dreaming that he was trying to carry her again. In her dream, she hurriedly refused, “Don’t lift me, you can’t…”

She had no idea that she had spoken the words out loud.

Shen Jingyan, who hadn’t fallen asleep yet, instantly darkened his expression. Looking at her sleeping soundly in his arms only made him even more irritated.

Although they had dated for two years before, they had never shared a bed like this.

Tonight was the first time, yet she slept so soundly—without a trace of the wariness a woman should have when sharing a bed with a man.

…Did she really think he was incapable? Did she not see him as a man at all?

Shi Li slept peacefully and sweetly, even waking up the next morning with a smile from her dream. But from that morning on, Shen Jingyan’s face had been dark and brooding.

…Hadn’t she already coaxed him last night? Why was he angry again?

Shi Li was confused and tried asking, but every time she did, Shen Jingyan’s expression worsened. In the end, she had no choice but to let it go.

And so, she continued living in his room. Although he always seemed displeased, life was much better than before.

However, this peaceful and comfortable routine lasted less than two months before Shi Li started getting restless.

She had noticed something troubling—the Male Lead Hatred Value had stopped decreasing. Ever since she had made up with Shen Jingyan, it had remained stuck at 10%. No matter how much time passed, it didn’t budge.

So what was the problem?

Shi Li couldn’t figure it out, so she decided to visit the construction site.

The so-called “construction site” was actually a house that she and Shen Jingyan had designed. Not long ago, for some unknown reason, he had abruptly decided that the place was no longer needed and wanted to abandon the project.

Shi Li had thought the house was rather odd from the beginning, but since it was already nearly finished except for some final details, it seemed like a waste to give up on it.

So she had specially persuaded him, “It would be such a pity to stop now. What if you need it in the future?”

Shen Jingyan had pondered for a long time before ultimately agreeing to continue the construction.

Now, when Shi Li arrived for an inspection, she found that the house had already been fully furnished. Since they had used new materials, it was ready to move into at any time.

It had also been completed so quickly because only the third floor had been furnished.

Shi Li had teased Shen Jingyan about this more than once—why did the first and second floors feel like they existed solely to hold up the third floor?

That night, sitting on the bed, Shi Li told Shen Jingyan about the house being finished.

Shen Jingyan had just taken a shower. He was only wearing a bath towel around his waist, his skin pale and his features strikingly handsome. His damp hair made him look particularly seductive. Though he wasn’t particularly muscular, he had a great frame.

Especially the faintly visible lines of his hip bone…

Shi Li stared, then abruptly fell silent.

Her gaze was too intense.

Noticing her reaction, Shen Jingyan lazily glanced over. “Why did you stop talking?”

“…Nothing.” Shi Li’s eyes darted away.

Shen Jingyan saw her reluctance to look at him and paused. Lowering his head, he took a look at his own thin frame—his face immediately darkened.

Shi Li had turned her face away, but after a long silence from him, she couldn’t help but glance back.

To her shock, Shen Jingyan had silently appeared right in front of her.

Shi Li jumped. “Do you walk without making a sound?”

“You’re disgusted by my body, aren’t you?” Shen Jingyan asked at the same time.

Shi Li was dumbfounded. “Disgusted by what?”

His expression flickered between emotions before finally settling into a cold mask. “If you find it so disgusting, then don’t force yourself.”

With that, he turned off the lights, lay down on the bed, and closed his eyes. “I’m tired. You can leave.”

Shi Li stood in the darkness in silence for a while before carefully climbing onto the bed.

For the first time, she accidentally brushed against him. His entire body stiffened—but the moment their skin touched, he relaxed.

…He said he wanted her to leave, yet he was clearly afraid of her actually leaving.

Shi Li sighed softly and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist. Their body heat quickly melded together.

Shen Jingyan made a half-hearted attempt to push her away before giving up. However, his words were still as sharp as ever.

“Aren’t you disgusted by me? Then why are you hugging me?”

“If you keep being dishonest, I’ll really leave,” Shi Li narrowed her eyes in warning.

This man was always like this—sometimes making people feel sorry for him, and other times making them want to hit him.

Shen Jingyan’s expression darkened at her words, but in the end, he remained silent. Only then did Shi Li rest her head on his arm, her small hands wandering aimlessly across his body.

Shen Jingyan wasn’t wearing a shirt. Every touch of hers was like lighting a fire on his skin, and soon, his whole body was burning, as if he was about to explode. It was unbearable, yet he didn’t stop her. Only when he couldn’t take it anymore did he ask in a hoarse voice, “What are you touching?”

“I just feel like it. And I also want to tell you—I’m not disgusted at all. In fact, I love your body,” Shi Li said with a bright smile, slipping in a question while she was at it. “You’ve been acting strange for the past few days. What’s wrong?”

Before Shen Jingyan could answer, she added, “If you lie, I won’t talk to you about this anymore.”

Shen Jingyan pressed his lips together. After a long pause, he finally muttered, “You said I’m incapable.”

Shi Li: “…When?”

When people said a man was “incapable,” it usually referred to one specific thing. She wasn’t bold enough to say something like that, was she?

“The first night you slept with me,” Shen Jingyan’s voice was completely flat, without the slightest fluctuation.

Shi Li’s mouth twitched. She was about to deny it when she suddenly remembered the dream she had that night.

She was speechless.

“So I was talking in my sleep?”

Seeing that Shen Jingyan didn’t deny it, Shi Li couldn’t help but laugh. “Come on, I was dreaming that you were trying to carry me, and I told you not to. That’s all.”

“So what? In essence, you still think I’m incapable,” Shen Jingyan paused before adding, “You think my health is too poor to make you happy like a normal woman.”

Shi Li fell silent, not knowing how to explain.

Shen Jingyan had always been physically weak since childhood. Although he appeared proud, he was actually sensitive and insecure. Because he cared about her, he would overanalyze every word she said.

At a time like this, arguing was useless.

After a brief moment of silence, Shi Li simply slid her hand down to his abdomen and untied his bath towel.

Shen Jingyan’s body tensed. “What are you doing?”

“Well, whether you can or not… shouldn’t we test it out to know for sure?” Shi Li whispered in his ear. Then she flipped over and straddled him, cupping his face and rubbing against him affectionately.

Shen Jingyan lay there stiffly for a moment before suddenly wrapping his arms around her, flipping them over in an instant.

He was now the one in control.

“Willingly?” he asked hoarsely.

Shi Li chuckled. “What else?”

Shen Jingyan didn’t give her a chance to say anything else before fiercely sealing her lips with his.

It had to be said—the novel world was truly something else.

Even though Shen Jingyan was usually as delicate as a pampered flower, once in bed, he was still a tenacious little beast.

Shi Li was thoroughly exhausted after being tormented twice. She fell into a deep sleep in his arms.

When she woke up the next morning and opened her eyes, she found herself staring directly into Shen Jingyan’s gaze.

Male Lead Hatred Value: 1%

Shi Li: “!!!”