Chapter 34: Random Task

A beam of dazzling light leaked through the curtains, shining on the bed where their clasped hands gripped tightly. The wrinkles in the bedsheet stood out especially clearly.

Her phone slowly slid off the bed and landed on the floor with a soft thud.

Jiang Xiaoyi propped herself up on her elbows, her breathing still uneven as she lowered her head. Her disheveled clothing draped down, brushing against Meng Chuning’s waist.

“…” Meng Chuning’s gaze, laced with amusement, gradually softened. Her fingers tightened around Jiang Xiaoyi’s hand, feeling the rhythm of her breath.

Their positions—one above the other—grew increasingly intimate. The atmosphere quieted, filled only with the faint sounds of their quickened breaths.

As Jiang Xiaoyi gradually caught her breath, the tingling numbness at her waist faded. But the grip on her hand only tightened further. Puzzled, she slowly lifted her eyes from Meng Chuning’s slightly flushed face.

Meng Chuning’s right hand was interlocked with hers. From the pressure, her rounded, pink-tinted nails had turned red.

“Xiaoyi…” Meng Chuning tilted her face up to meet Jiang Xiaoyi’s eyes before letting her gaze drop, locking into a shared stare.

Their breaths began to mingle, exchanging warmth in the air.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Xiaoyi felt a flush of heat and slowly loosened her left hand, though the other remained trapped in Meng Chuning’s grasp.

Seeing no response from Meng Chuning, Jiang Xiaoyi leaned down to pick up the phone that had fallen near the foot of the bed, using her free hand.

The elbow braced near Meng Chuning’s ear slowly descended. Jiang Xiaoyi was practically pressed against her now, her cheek grazing Meng Chuning’s temple. A slight turn of Meng Chuning’s head would bring their lips together.

Jiang Xiaoyi touched the phone but forgot how close they were. She turned her face first, beaming as she said, “Sis, I got it—mmph…”

Meng Chuning arched her slender neck slightly and pressed forward. Her parted lips captured the sweetness of Jiang Xiaoyi’s scent.

While Meng Chuning remained composed, Jiang Xiaoyi froze. Her dark, glossy eyes widened slowly. Realizing what was happening, she pushed back up on her elbow, turning her face away before she could fully pick up the phone. All that remained on her lips was a slick, burning heat.

Meng Chuning’s tongue pressed against her teeth as she eyed Jiang Xiaoyi’s glistening lips.

“I… I won’t delete it anymore. Sorry, Sis.” Jiang Xiaoyi’s throat felt parched, a thirst rising in her. She wanted to lick her lips but held back.

Meng Chuning licked her own lips lightly and smiled. “You really won’t delete it?”

“Mm.” Jiang Xiaoyi kept her eyes lowered, avoiding Meng Chuning’s gaze. It had been her idea to practice those breaths for her sister, and she’d even agreed to the recording. Backing out now to delete it felt wrong.

And now she was still straddling Meng Chuning after accidentally kissing her. Even if she claimed it was unintentional, Meng Chuning probably wouldn’t buy it. This position seemed far too deliberate.

Meng Chuning released her hand at just the right moment. “Then I’ll keep the recording, okay?”

A gap formed between their tightly clasped hands. Jiang Xiaoyi’s palm was slightly sweaty, red marks blooming on the back of her pale hand. She lifted her hand first and climbed off Meng Chuning.

“Mm, as long as you don’t send it out anywhere, Sis.” Jiang Xiaoyi nibbled her lip lightly. She noticed Meng Chuning’s long skirt had bunched up to her thighs, her long legs splayed flat.

“…” Jiang Xiaoyi recalled that she’d probably pinned Meng Chuning’s legs with her knee earlier to keep her still, which was when the skirt had ridden up.

Meng Chuning sat up, smoothing her skirt back over her legs. She got out of bed and poured a glass of water, bringing it over. “Want some water?”

“Mm.” Jiang Xiaoyi reached out and took it, sipping once before tilting her head back to finish it. For some reason, her chest felt scorching hot, as if it needed ice water to douse the flames.

Meng Chuning gave a soft tsk. How could a single kiss make her this flustered? She’d applied hand cream for her that morning, and that had been far more intimate.

After draining the iced water from the glass, Jiang Xiaoyi finally calmed down a bit. Seeing that Meng Chuning didn’t seem angry, she relaxed.

Changing the subject, Jiang Xiaoyi asked, “Sis, it’s already afternoon. Do you need to head to work?”

Meng Chuning hummed in agreement. “Director Wu just called about some work matters. I’m about to go.”

With that, Jiang Xiaoyi thoughtfully offered, “Should I bring you some lunch later?”

They’d spent the entire morning and half the afternoon in the bedroom. Jiang Xiaoyi hadn’t noticed and had slept straight through to the afternoon; the lunch delivery had arrived uneaten.

Meng Chuning chuckled. “Sure.”

Just then, Director Wu’s call came in. Meng Chuning answered while heading out. “On my way.”

Hearing the front door click shut at the entryway, Jiang Xiaoyi unconsciously licked her lips. She could still taste a hint of sweetness.

“Ahhh…” Jiang Xiaoyi grabbed at her hair. What was she even thinking?

System PP popped up to announce: 【Punishment Task completed perfectly. Reward: one Random Task.】

Still dazed, Jiang Xiaoyi slowly typed a question mark: 【Why not just reward me with 100,000 chill points directly?】

System PP: 【Completing the reward Random Task will also net you 100,000.】

Jiang Xiaoyi knew the system’s tricks by now—the bigger the reward, the more twisted the task.

System PP switched tactics to flattery: 【Host, you’ve done amazingly on these last two tasks. Keep it up, and you’ll shake me off in no time.】

Jiang Xiaoyi: 【Really…?】

System PP: 【Absolutely, Host. So, will you take on the Random Task?】

Hearing System PP sound so friendly for the first time, and weak to praise, Jiang Xiaoyi replied: 【Sure.】

System PP chuckled inwardly. Praise really worked wonders; she got all lightheaded. Should’ve used the customer service tone from the start.

Smiling, System PP said: 【Before leaving B City, please leave a hickey on Meng Chuning’s neck. Random Task reward: 100,000.】

Tasks more outrageous than this had come before, but hearing this one made Jiang Xiaoyi’s cheeks flush: 【That seems kinda… no, right?】

System PP: 【Nothing wrong with it at all. You’re about to be apart for two days. Wouldn’t it be bad if Meng Chuning forgot you? A hickey will help her remember. Don’t tell me you want her to forget you?】

Jiang Xiaoyi bit her lip: 【…Not really?】

System PP twitched its nonexistent mouth: 【Drop the question mark. Go complete the task, Host. Failing before leaving B City means the Random Task loops, your balance gets wiped, and you’ll owe debt.】

Jiang Xiaoyi: 【…】

It had blocked every escape route.

After issuing the task, System PP vanished quickly. Jiang Xiaoyi flopped back onto the bed, feeling utterly drained.

She’d just accidentally brushed Meng Chuning’s lips and was already a nervous wreck. Now it wanted her to leave a hickey on her neck? Way too perverted.

A hickey required sucking, after all. How was she supposed to do that “accidentally” on her neck?

“…” Jiang Xiaoyi’s sluggish brain recalled System PP’s words about shaking it off soon. Did that mean if she kept completing tasks to its satisfaction, it could clock out and leave?

Unsure if her guess was right, Jiang Xiaoyi went along with it anyway.

First, she called the front desk and ordered some light dishes packed up for Meng Chuning.

The receptionist at the YN Group Branch smiled. “Miss Jiang, President Meng said that when you arrive, you can head straight to her office and wait.”

Jiang Xiaoyi: “Thanks.”

The office floor was pin-drop quiet. Faint sounds came from the half-open meeting room. Jiang Xiaoyi’s gaze drifted that way.

Meng Chuning had swapped her cotton dress for professional attire—a white blouse tucked into a black pencil skirt that accentuated her slim waist. Silver-rimmed glasses lent her a cool, aloof air, her sharp eyes stern as they swept over the employees below.

Jiang Xiaoyi stared blankly in that direction, rooted to the spot as if intimidated by Meng Chuning’s icy presence. Suddenly, Meng Chuning seemed to sense something and looked her way.

“…” Jiang Xiaoyi bit her lip instinctively. She couldn’t help imagining how tantalizing Meng Chuning would look in that stern outfit with bite marks on her neck.

Meng Chuning waved her phone at her, signaling to check WeChat.

A message popped up.

M: 【Wait for me in the office. Ten minutes.】

Jiang Xiaoyi nodded at her and turned toward the office. Tension flooded her body. Meng Chuning in work mode felt unapproachable—how could she even think of biting her?

Ten minutes flew by. Meng Chuning pushed open the office door, with Director Wu still briefing her from behind. Spotting Jiang Xiaoyi, Director Wu tactfully closed the door and left.

From outside, Director Wu announced, “If anyone has anything, report to me first. President Meng is very busy right now.”

Jiang Xiaoyi: “…”

Thanks a lot, Director Wu. No need to lock the door now.

Meng Chuning settled into her chair and looked up at Jiang Xiaoyi. “Xiaoyi, what did you bring me to eat?”

Across the desk, Jiang Xiaoyi stammered, her eyes fixed on Meng Chuning’s face. “Some… light steak and veggies.”

Meng Chuning smiled. “Xiaoyi, why are you so nervous?”

Jiang Xiaoyi ducked her head and opened the insulated box. “I… I’m not.”

“You’re not?” Meng Chuning picked up some lettuce with her chopsticks. “You look just like a new employee giving their first report to me.”

Jiang Xiaoyi let out an “ah.” Was it that obvious?

Chewing the lettuce, Meng Chuning asked with mock disappointment, “Do I make you that nervous?”

“No, Sis.” Jiang Xiaoyi explained, “It’s just… the first time seeing you in glasses. You seem so different from before. It makes me feel a little… unfamiliar, so I’m tense…”

Seeing Meng Chuning’s expression shift, Jiang Xiaoyi hurried to add, “But you look great in glasses, Sis. Really good.”

The air in the office grew chilly, matching the cold aura around Meng Chuning.

Jiang Xiaoyi clamped her mouth shut. Had she said something wrong again? Meng Chuning’s silence felt like anger.

“…” Meng Chuning leaned back in her chair, her fingertips nudging the frame of her glasses. “Unfamiliar?”

They’d spent two days together constantly, even sharing a kiss in the bedroom just half an hour ago. And now a pair of glasses made Jiang Xiaoyi feel unfamiliar? Getting closer to her really was no easy feat.

She really was mad. Jiang Xiaoyi bit her lip in regret.

Meng Chuning stood, her swivel chair sliding back a short distance.

“Sis…” Before Jiang Xiaoyi could apologize, Meng Chuning crooked a finger at her. “Come here.”

“…” Jiang Xiaoyi obediently circled the desk, even sliding the chair back into place. She felt more nervous than any new employee reporting to President Meng for the first time.

Meng Chuning turned, leaning her waist against the edge of the desk as she told Jiang Xiaoyi, “Closer.”

Jiang Xiaoyi stepped nearer, her voice soft. “Sis, are you mad?”

“Xiaoyi.” Meng Chuning’s tone warmed. “How can we make it familiar?”

“Hm?” Jiang Xiaoyi hadn’t expected the question.

Meng Chuning pressed on. “If I take off the glasses?”

Jiang Xiaoyi rushed to say, “No… I mean, not that, Sis. I don’t want you to take them off.”

Meng Chuning pinched the frames with two fingers, removed the glasses, and tossed them aside. “Didn’t you say I felt unfamiliar?”

“Sis…” Jiang Xiaoyi reached out to tug at Meng Chuning’s sleeve, trying to make amends. “Not unfamiliar at all. I misspoke earlier, okay?”

Meng Chuning lowered her gaze to where Jiang Xiaoyi was lightly tugging her sleeve, a hint of coquetry in the motion.

Jiang Xiaoyi saw that Meng Chuning remained unmoved, and panic began to bubble up inside her.

Suddenly, Meng Chuning let out a soft sigh. “Forget it.”

Jiang Xiaoyi blinked in surprise. “？！”

Her sister wasn’t angry anymore.

“Xiaoyi, you should head back and get some early sleep,” Meng Chuning explained. “I’ll be coming home late tonight. I’ve got a ton of work.”

It was over. The consequences of saying the wrong thing were proving far more serious than she’d imagined.

Meng Chuning would be home late tonight, then flying off to B City first thing tomorrow. If they lost contact, Jiang Xiaoyi wouldn’t even get a chance to apologize. They’d truly drift apart into strangers.

And she’d promised to make her sister happy. Yet here she was, just days later, making her mad instead.

Meng Chuning tried to step past her, but Jiang Xiaoyi instinctively grabbed her wrist and pulled her back, pinning her against the corner with her body. “Sister, wait—don’t go yet.”

The corner was cramped, and with her back pressed against the wooden bookshelf, Meng Chuning was completely blocked. A hint of amusement flickered in her eyes as she asked, “Are you scared I’ll stay mad at you?”

Jiang Xiaoyi kept hold of her wrist and nodded earnestly. “How can I make it up to you, Sister? How do I get you not to be angry anymore?”

Meng Chuning furrowed her brow lightly, pushing at her with one finger that barely carried any force. “But you said we were strangers. Isn’t getting this close a bit inappropriate?”

“…” Jiang Xiaoyi had never been good at sweet-talking anyone—she’d never even tried. All she could manage was something clumsy yet sincere. “I want to get to know you better, Sister. Can you give me a chance?”

Meng Chuning’s smile was threatening to break through. Without a second thought, she replied, “Sure. Where do you want to start getting to know me?”

Where to start? The question left Jiang Xiaoyi stumped for a long moment.

Watching her lips, Meng Chuning prompted her. “Xiaoyi, I’ve got a meeting in ten minutes. I might not have time to get familiar with you tonight. Or tomorrow. And the day after that, when I get back to A City, I’ve got other work lined up…”

Jiang Xiaoyi’s panic spiked as she listened to Meng Chuning rattle off her packed schedule. It was just like System PP had said—once they returned to A City and dove back into work, Meng Chuning would forget all about her.

A muffled thought crossed her mind: she didn’t want her sister to forget her. Leaving a strawberry mark to make sure she remembered sounded pretty good, even if the method was a bit… unspeakable.

After a pause, Meng Chuning assumed Jiang Xiaoyi would start with something normal like personality, hobbies, family background…

But Jiang Xiaoyi’s gaze drifted downward, settling on the side of her neck as she asked slowly, “Sister… can we start by me biting your neck?”

Meng Chuning froze completely. It was such a unique way to “get familiar”—unique enough that she actually kind of liked it.

Jiang Xiaoyi’s heart pounded in her ears. She’d blurted out something else that might make Meng Chuning mad. Who started getting to know someone by biting their neck?

“Sister, let me rephrase. Not biting your neck—” Jiang Xiaoyi released her grip on Meng Chuning’s wrist, bracing for her to get shoved out the door. But that didn’t happen.

Instead, Meng Chuning reached up and undid one button at her collar. Her snowy-white neck came into view, along with the elegant line of her collarbone.

“…” Jiang Xiaoyi’s eyes lifted, but not before catching a glimpse of the soft curves pressing together there. Meng Chuning had an amazing figure—if she arched her chest even a little, those buttons might just pop.

Meng Chuning tilted her head back to look at her. “Make sure you bite somewhere discreet. I’ve still got that meeting later.”

“…” Jiang Xiaoyi’s mind went blank. “Sister, you’re really not mad? I suggested something so over the top.”

“If you don’t bite, then I’ll be mad.” Meng Chuning glanced at the time. “You’ve got seven minutes…”

Before she could finish, a hot pressure ground against her neck. Meng Chuning instinctively arched her back away, her body shrinking backward.

Jiang Xiaoyi wrapped both hands around her waist and pulled her close again, burying her face in the crook of her neck. “Don’t move, Sister…”