"Lemon covered her giggles and held the candied haw to my lips like a microphone. But what’s with this mean-spirited teasing?"

"Seriously, can’t you stop mocking me? I’ve gone from human to commodity now—"

I said with a bitter smile to the little girl beside me. Not many people tease themselves like this, right? I doubt I’ll ever do anything so ridiculous again.

"If you’d shown up earlier to help, things wouldn’t be like this. I wouldn’t be suffering here—"

I still shifted the blame neatly.

"Who knows? Even if Lemon had helped Uncle back then, it might not have worked. After all, no matter what, Uncle would still face this choice..."

"You’re just an elementary schooler. Being too mature isn’t good—no kids will like you!"

I teased the girl beside me, annoyed. But Lemon wasn’t wrong. Even if she’d appeared then, it’d only prove I’m not a lolicon. I still couldn’t avoid this messy love triangle choice. I just didn’t get why we had to wait at this stall for them to peel apples.

"Lemon didn’t understand why her sister and Xia Mo needed to peel apples. Was this necessary for something?"

Lemon truly didn’t grasp adult thoughts. I had no intention of filling such an innocent child’s head with bad ideas, so I didn’t answer.

We were at a teppanyaki stall—Lingchuan’s dad’s place. He looked fierce: muscular, a huge scar on his face. But he was surprisingly deft. Hard to imagine his thick palms cooking so deliciously.

Though he and Lingchuan shared that scary glare, he was gentle. He let us mess around at his stall—but for me, it was a nightmare.

And this fierce chef had even slipped off to other stalls, leaving us four to watch. Who knew how they’d treat me next.

"Darling... just wait a little longer! Almost done!"

Seriously, put the knife down! Stop waving it!

Compared to Xia Mo, who joked with me, Lingchuan seemed flustered. I knew her cooking skills. Last time, I couldn’t see well from the kitchen—but I never expected her to hold a knife so unsteadily. I suddenly feared she’d cut herself.

Lingchuan hadn’t inherited her dad’s cooking talent. Probably all the brains went to her sister, all the brawn to her.

After a minute, the girls brought the peeled, sliced apples. I knew Lingchuan’s skills—the oddly shaped slices on the left were hers. Xia Mo’s side was neat.

"So what are you two planning with this?"

I sat on the chair, inching backward bit by bit to escape. To avoid detection, each movement was tiny.

"Of course—wifely skills!"

Xia Mo puffed her chest proudly, speaking matter-of-factly. But are you trying to kill me? The other girl beside you is a total black hole at this!

"Only a good cook makes a qualified wife, right? So let’s compete—but not in cooking..."

I thought so too. But wait—you’re comparing skills by peeling apples? That makes no sense.

Just then, Xia Mo flashed a sly smile. She must be plotting something—I turned to ask Lemon to take me away, but she’d hidden again. This loli act could get us in trouble.

"But—a few apples can’t decide who’s better. My cooking’s been approved by him!"

Lingchuan didn’t back down. But hey—if you’re this stubborn, what happens when you get humiliated? I still haven’t cleared up that misunderstanding from when I tricked you—

"Oh ho? I didn’t expect you, this walking pervert machine, to visit her house. Why haven’t you come to mine...? A guy with a girlfriend who keeps running to other girls’ homes is such a scumbag."

Xia Mo glared at me with disdain. Seriously, do you think I wanted to? It was work—I wouldn’t have gone otherwise. Besides, Lingchuan’s cooking isn’t praiseworthy!

"Whatever. This next contest will decide the winner..."

Xia Mo paused dramatically. But why am I in this boring contest? Oh right—I almost forgot. I’m just a prize now—maybe not even that.

"We’re competing in feeding play!"

Are you kidding? Treating me like an animal? Feeding play? As long as it’s not shit.

"Isn’t this simple? What’s challenging..."

Lingchuan shook her head dismissively. Seriously, with that arrogance, you’ll trip. The girl on your left has every demon—from Eastern yakshas to Western Satans—on her side.

"Since you think it’s easy, you go first... I’ll go second. So please, Lingchuan—if you get darling to bite, I lose."

Xia Mo acted humble. I knew it was a trick. Lingchuan nodded, grabbed a toothpick, and speared her own apple slice. This seemed normal—what could be wrong?

But my mood was oddly calm about being fed. If Lemon were doing it, I’d be nervous. But when someone glares fiercely and slowly approaches, can you open your mouth? I sure can’t.

"Open that stinky mouth now... or I’ll use force!"

Seriously, you’re feeding me apples—why does it feel like forcing weird stuff? I won’t give in! I turned my face away.

"How can we play if you’re so uncooperative?"

Lingchuan complained. But wait—you’re the one pressuring me! Besides, opening my mouth is my choice, okay?

"Darling isn’t appreciative. You fail, Lingchuan... Now let me show the real technique."

Xia Mo smiled. She speared a neat apple slice, put it in her mouth, and held it between her teeth—half sticking out. Could she be planning to...

She slowly approached me, apple in teeth. A blush spread on her face. She closed her eyes and leaned her pretty face closer. As the distance shrank—I swallowed hard.

If this continues, things will get really bad!

Finally, the apple touched my lips. I won’t open them, I swear!

But at this distance, our breathing grew loud. Moist air from her nose hit my face. I could hear my heartbeat clearly—

What to do? Bite? Or not bite? (Don’t you dare split that word!!)