In the end, Xiaohan was the first to surrender.

Last night, as she slept, she’d vaguely felt unbearably hot. Now, seeing Chunan’s actions, she finally realized who the culprit was.

Too bad she didn’t dare fight back—she’d lose anyway.

Crawling out of bed, she decided to be blunt: “Chunan, we’re good friends, right?”

Chunan stood by the bed, watching her silently.

Her expression turned even graver. “Friends joke and bicker sometimes, right? I’ve always respected you—it’s just harmless teasing. Please don’t take it personally. I genuinely care about you. So… no hitting my face? And go easy elsewhere, okay?”

Chunan gave a tight-lipped smirk and turned toward the wardrobe.

He opened it to find women’s clothes crammed into two-thirds of the space.

Chunan: “…”

“…I didn’t want this either. There’s just no room,” Xiaohan stammered, nerves spiking.

With his back to her, Chunan sighed inwardly. He grabbed a change of clothes and left the bedroom.

Only after the door clicked shut did Xiaohan relax slightly.

Truth was, she was a little scared of Chunan.

She’d lost count of how many times he’d taught her a lesson.

Since childhood, her restless nature made her “lively” at best and “itchy for a beating” at worst—a textbook brat. Back at the orphanage, she’d often infuriated the nearly-seventy-year-old director, rejuvenating him into chasing her across the yard with a stick.

Naturally, she’d pushed her luck with Chunan countless times, even unknowingly.

Chunan, with an adult’s patience, never held back. She’d always been smaller and weaker, getting beaten often enough to run crying to the director for comfort.

At first, he’d soothe her with treats and toys. But once he realized she was just freeloadin’ off his sympathy, he ignored her completely—even when she sobbed after Chunan’s beatings.

After that, she learned to behave… sort of. She still provoked Chunan, just less often.

Her feelings for him were complicated. Fear? Yes. Resentment? None. She actually liked him.

She knew Chunan was far more sensible. He’d looked out for her since they were kids. With her bratty past, she’d probably be dead without him.

But after messing up, facing him again? She was genuinely terrified.

Chunan never held back when disciplining her.

Before, she could slip away and hide for days, waiting for his anger to fade before sneaking back to apologize. It worked—she got fewer punches.

Now, living under his roof, she couldn’t run.

She was really scared.

Especially after his silent treatment earlier. She couldn’t tell if he was angry. That calm-before-the-storm feeling was pure torture.

…She’d only exposed his secrets in front of his ten-thousand fans. It shouldn’t be *that* unforgivable… right?

Her anxiety lasted until Chunan returned from his shower.

Seeing him enter, Xiaohan’s heart lurched. She scooted to the bed’s edge, sitting rigidly upright—picture-perfect obedience.

Chunan stared at her for seconds. Finally, he spoke: “Aren’t you afraid of falling off?”

Xiaohan blinked.

He didn’t seem too mad?

Ignoring her inner panic, Chunan lay down on his side. “Want me to buy you a VR rig too?”

Xiaohan hesitated, then nodded carefully. “…Can you?”

“Sure,” Chunan smiled. “But you gotta earn it, right?”

Xiaohan froze—then jolted back in shock. She tumbled off the bed with a thud. “Whoa—!”

Chunan: “…”

Was he really that scary?

Luckily, the bed was low, and a rug cushioned her fall near the desk. She scrambled back up, wary. “No sex! Anything else is fine!”

Chunan locked eyes with her. “Do I look like a pervert?”

“…Aren’t you?”

“Even if I were, I wouldn’t hit on you,” he frowned. “Why’s your head filthier than mine?”

Xiaohan’s mouth twitched. “Then what did ‘earn it’ mean…”

“Massage my legs. I’ve been on my feet all day.”

Chunan didn’t get this “exclusive assistant” gig. Even with extra tasks, he’d have to help her complete them—and pay her upfront. Economically, it was a high-risk deal. Only a fool would take it.

Plus, no sex.

Xiaohan: “…”

Just a leg massage…

She scooted over obediently, kneading his legs. She glanced up curiously. “You’re not mad?”

“Huh? Mad about what?”

“…Nothing.” Better he forgot.

After a pause, she asked, “You’ll really buy me a VR rig?”

“Maybe,” Chunan nodded. “If you behave.”

He knew her thoughts but couldn’t be bothered explaining. Calling him stingy wasn’t worth raging over. Her acting like he was a tyrant was almost funny.

Childhood trauma ran deep, he guessed.

But he didn’t regret it. Sometimes she truly deserved it. Her impulsive nature got her into trouble without her even realizing.

Was she scatterbrained? Or just missing a screw?

Probably both.

Still, her current reaction showed progress. She had self-awareness now—unlike before, when she’d stare blankly after screwing up.

As for the VR rig, he was considering it. It fit his plan—just thought of it.

Why not buy it outright? Simple: official stores were always sold out. Scalpers charged double online. His savings could handle it easily, but old thriftiness made him hate wasting money on markups.

So before deciding, he’d collect a little “interest” from Xiaohan. Right?