Chapter 169: Gentle Su Peng
“I like you.”
Su Peng’s eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled, and his deep black pupils were filled with affection.
An Han froze, her hand stopping midair as she looked at him in disbelief. Her brain seemed to crash for a moment.
Wha— was that… a confession?!
Ever since his affection level passed eighty, she had known Su Peng liked her. But this confession came way too suddenly, catching her completely off guard.
She could clearly feel the sincerity in his eyes, and she had never doubted his feelings for her. Yet right now, her mind was in total chaos. She didn’t know how to respond. For a moment, under the rush of hormones, she almost blurted out “yes.”
Her arm accidentally brushed against the hot steak plate, and the sting on her skin instantly brought her back to her senses. She quickly lowered her head to avoid his gaze, took a deep breath, and tried to calm the pounding of her heart.
Calm down!
She pretended she hadn’t heard Su Peng’s confession, trying her best to stay composed. With a stiff face, she began cutting the steak with her knife and fork.
The steak, which should have been juicy and tender, now tasted like nothing. She swallowed bite after bite mechanically, her hands trembling slightly as she cut.
What should I do?
He’s not going to do something crazy, right?
Or should I just pretend I didn’t hear anything and let it pass?
She forced a smile and tried to change the topic. “This steak tastes pretty good…”
“Right? Should I bring you here again next time?”
“It’s too expensive, better not…” An Han quickly looked away again, unable to meet his eyes. She just couldn’t accept the idea of liking a man and even less the idea of dating one.
If she really became Su Peng’s girlfriend, then after that would come holding hands, kissing, hotel rooms, and then… the gynecology department…
Her body shivered, she could already imagine that terrifying scene.
I’d rather keep living as a guy! Going to the proctology department sounds better than gynecology!
“An Han.”
“What?!” She jumped in shock, her body trembling again.
Su Peng had clearly noticed her attempt to change the subject. He smiled slightly, leaned forward with his elbows resting on the table, and then his smile faded. His tone became serious.
“Can you be my girlfriend?”
“Uh, I… I don’t think so…” An Han forced an awkward smile, panicking as she threw out every excuse she could think of in a row.
“Um, I really like girls.”
“I don’t think we have enough emotional connection yet. It’s too fast.”
“If our classmates find out, they’ll think we’re gay…”
“The point is, I don’t even like you! I’m not interested in men at all.”
“Also… can you not look so gloomy? You’re scaring me a little…”
An Han hunched her shoulders and tried to make herself look small and pitiful, sneaking nervous glances at Su Peng, who was now standing. Her voice grew weaker and weaker.
“Can’t we just sit down and talk nicely? Why are you standing up?”
Su Peng’s face darkened. He stood, took a sip of red wine, and began pacing back and forth, his brows tightly furrowed.
The sound of his footsteps echoing in the private room made An Han extremely nervous. It was unlikely, but she still worried that Su Peng might lose control and do something strange.
He’s not going to kiss me by force again, is he?
Her eyes darted around the table and finally landed on a clove of garlic on her plate.
It was probably there as part of the steak seasoning, but she quickly stabbed it with her fork, shoved it into her mouth, and chewed hard.
Even though it had been cooked, the strong smell was still enough to make her scrunch up her face in disgust. She forced herself to swallow it while holding back a gag.
Go ahead, try kissing me now, I’ll make you sick!
Su Peng suddenly stopped walking. He had noticed her little trick, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
“I remember you don’t even eat garlic sauce…”
“……”
An Han pressed her lips tightly together, afraid that if she opened her mouth even a little, she might throw up.
[Option 1: Become Su Peng’s girlfriend. Reward: Advanced bed skills]
[Option 2: Strongly reject him. Reward: Unexpected money]
[Option 3: Endure and brush it off. Reward: Random attribute point]
You stupid system! Did your internet cut off or something?! I already rejected him strongly just now!
[Option 2 selected]
[Mission complete]
What the—!
Even though the “unexpected money” reward was something An Han really needed right now, clearly, choosing Option 2 had landed her in big trouble!
She couldn’t even catch her breath, clutching her chest and coughing so hard she bent over. The strong garlic smell rushed up from her throat, making her gag uncontrollably again.
“If you can’t eat garlic, then don’t,” Su Peng said with a laugh, amused by her reaction. He walked to the table, grabbed a tissue, and handed it to her. “Here, wipe your mouth.”
An Han immediately straightened up, shaking her head fast to refuse his kindness. She grabbed a tissue herself and wiped the corner of her mouth.
No time to think, I have to run! Who knows what this guy will do next!
If there hadn’t been a system mission, An Han might have just finished her steak after rejecting Su Peng. But now? Forget the steak, even staying here one more second felt dangerous.
The mission’s appearance made it clear, strongly rejecting him would trigger something bad afterward!
She quickly stood up, even forgetting her phone on the table, and hurried toward the door. “My stomach suddenly hurts. I’ll head out first!”
Su Peng was surprised by her reaction. As she tried to pass by, he suddenly reached out to stop her.
“What’s wrong with you?” he asked, confused.
“Nothing, my stomach just hurts. Maybe I’m not used to eating fancy food,” An Han said awkwardly, stepping back. She saw a chance and quickly tried to slip past him from the other side, but Su Peng also moved that way.
In her panic, she didn’t have time to dodge and bumped straight into his chest.
Dazed, she looked up, her eyes full of panic, and Su Peng saw everything clearly.
“What’s going on with you?” Su Peng frowned. He had thought that even if the confession failed, it wouldn’t be this awkward.
An Han had looked shy a moment ago, but now she was acting like a frightened bird.
“I… I just want to go home…”
“The food’s not even finished.”
“I don’t want it anymore,” she mumbled softly, lowering her head. “Really… my stomach hurts.”
Her doll-like face now carried a pitiful and scared look, the kind that made people instinctively want to tease or comfort her.
Su Peng’s breathing grew heavier, his gaze turning more intense, which only made An Han shrink even smaller, like a frightened quail, until she backed right into the wall.
“Why are you so scared of me?”
“I-I’m not…” she said weakly, not daring to meet his eyes, even as she saw his feet slowly stepping closer.
The air felt heavy. She could clearly feel the tension, the danger, in his eyes.
It’s over… he’s going to kiss me again, isn’t he?!
“I’m warning you! Forcing a kiss counts as harassment, it’s illegal!” she blurted out, summoning what little courage she had left.
Then she saw Su Peng spread his arms. The next moment, she felt a wave of warm male scent surround her as he pulled her into an embrace.
An Han froze completely, even forgetting to breathe for a few seconds. Her eyes shut tight on reflex.
It’s over, it’s over!
Su Peng’s strong arms held her tightly. She could feel the warmth of his face pressed against hers.
“If something’s bothering you, just tell me. Don’t keep it all to yourself, okay?” Su Peng said softly near her ear. “Talk to me. I’m here.”
“I… it tickles. Can you not breathe on my ear…?”
“……”