Bai Ling’s struggles were utterly useless…

She was carried like a big white cat by its owner—in this deeply embarrassing pose—by Duan Heng back to the car. Then, back to the villa in the same way. Her face stayed flushed the whole time.

Luckily, no Zombies appeared on the road. Both made it home safely. After Duan Heng tossed Bai Ling onto the sofa and transferred the System Coins, her initial fury slowly cooled. She blinked in surprise.

‘Current System Coins: 3,765. Use wisely.’

“Huh? You didn’t kill that many Zombies. How’d you get so many System Coins?”

Just over two hundred Zombies had given them over seven hundred System Coins combined. That didn’t even count the extra 10% lost during Duan Heng’s transfer. Bai Ling’s confusion was understandable.

Duan Heng replied casually:

“You can get System Coins from dead bodies too. Touch a corpse to claim 20–80% of their coins. Or kill them directly—but killing people gives no experience. Those mutual-aid squad members had all killed Zombies. Together, they barely added up to four hundred. Honestly, it felt low. Tch.”

He even frowned slightly, as if dissatisfied. Bai Ling, lying on the sofa, rolled her eyes at him—*You’re complaining about dead people’s money? Heartless.*

Still, thinking it over… nearly twenty squad members. Excluding the Zombies they’d just killed, each had only taken down about twenty Zombies. Their efficiency was indeed poor.

“The premium shop refreshes tomorrow,” Duan Heng said flatly, already loading a new magazine and strapping on a dagger. He looked ready to head out.

“But before I go…” He turned back to tease Bai Ling.

“You stay home. Once the anesthetic wears off, make dinner for me, my good wife~”

He crouched by the sofa, poking her cheek like she was a kitten.

Bai Ling shot him a resentful glare. The smoker Zombie’s anesthetic hadn’t faded yet. She gritted her teeth, furious.

“Can’t you wait for me? My toes are moving already! Half an hour more and I’ll be up—I want to kill Zombies too!”

“Not today. Be good.”

“Next time, I’ll take you along for more kills. Don’t worry—I won’t leave you too far behind~”

Seeing her pout, Duan Heng gently stroked her cheek, his voice tender.

Then, on impulse—

Maybe because her helpless, unwilling expression was too cute—he leaned in and kissed her cheek lightly.

Pop—

“You!”

Bai Ling’s eyes flew wide instantly.

Warmth lingered on her skin, but her expression was pure shock. Disbelief flooded her face.

“Y-you! What did you do? What are you doing to me!”

“Nothing much.”

Duan Heng stayed calm, his smile just a bit brighter.

“You called me husband. Isn’t kissing my wife normal?”

“Not normal at all!”

His weak excuse made her mind spin. She yelled, face burning:

“That was just an emergency! You forced me! I’m not your wife!”

“Oh? Really?”

Duan Heng’s voice dropped softly. His smirk turned sly. His hand shifted from her cheek to cup her chin, like interrogating a hostage.

Bai Ling’s eyes widened further. Her panic melted into daze. She felt the rough texture of his fingers rubbing her skin, radiating heat that brought a dangerous sense of safety.

His thumb and forefinger pressed gently, parting her lips into a soft pout.

Then his low voice rumbled again:

“Just forced? Not even a trace of your own feelings?”

His gentle tone held a hint of mischief. Duan Heng seemed even more handsome than usual. Bai Ling’s thoughts scattered. She could only stare back, lips parted:

“No… none… mmph!”

His fingers tightened. Her denial choked off.

She looked small and pitiful, glaring at him. Yet her heart raced against her will. His face drew closer. His breath brushed her cheek—tingling, burning. Her vision blurred.

“Bai Ling, seriously…”

Duan Heng’s voice deepened, firm and irresistible:

“Don’t you have even a little thought about me? Didn’t you say once—if you ever became my sister, you’d let your good bro have some fun first? What? Going back on your word?”

“Mmph…”

Bai Ling knew she had to deny it. Tell him it was just roommate banter.

But no matter how hard she tried, only soft, sweet sounds escaped—like a lover’s coo.

Her pupils trembled.

Her toes curled. Her hands gripped the sofa blanket tight. Words failed her.

Inside, chaos erupted:

*Wait?*

*Wait, wait, wait!*

*What’s happening? Duan Heng, what are you doing? I’m your good bro!*

*This is wrong! Immoral! Against all norms! Unacceptable!*

*But… why…*

She knew she must refuse clearly.

But seeing Duan Heng’s sharp profile, his calm gaze, his lips so close—she froze like a kitten pinned by a tiger.

*Ugh… fine…*

After the storm of thoughts, Bai Ling suddenly stopped resisting. She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing like a martyr.

Her expression hardened—from panic to gritted-teeth resolve. She was ready.

Yet…

Just as she expected the unthinkable to happen—

Duan Heng’s hand slid from her chin. The expected moment never came. He just pinched her cheek playfully.

“Look how tense you are. Just kidding.”

*Huh?*

“I’m off to earn System Coins. Remember dinner, Bai Ling! Bye!”

*Hey! Wait—*

Bai Ling opened her eyes, reaching out. But Duan Heng was already gone with his weapons. She lay alone on the sofa, face crimson, eyes wide with shock.

*Why… why did he stop?!*

Her heart screamed in bitter resentment.

Then deeper panic crashed over her.

*Wait—why do I feel… disappointed? How?!*

*Damn you, Duan Heng!*