Chapter 46: Hurting Each Other

Some people are alive, yet they are already dead; some people have died, yet they still live on…

Right now, Mei Long Qingling felt as if she were better off dead. Her arm, suspended in midair, began to stiffen, while a gentle breeze drifted through the half-open window, stirring the elephant pattern.

The elephant’s trunk danced in the wind.

“You… Huh? The moon’s so big tonight!” Haruhi Harano quickly pretended to be clueless, directing her gaze toward the cloudy night sky outside the balcony window—there was no moon to be seen.

“You jerk!” Instantly, Mei Long Qingling’s face flushed bright red, like a ripe apple. In her agitation, her small foot stamped the floor several times. With her right hand, she balled up the grayish-blue cloth and hurled it at Haruhi with all her might.

But her strength was too feeble, the fabric too light; halfway through the air, it fluttered down like a falling leaf.

An awkward silence filled the room. Even Haruhi felt embarrassed for her. If he were in her place, he’d probably have forgotten everything out of sheer mortification. It was the kind of social death that made you want to dig a hole with your toes and build a luxury villa—complete with a swimming pool.

“You jerk! Haruhi Harano, you’re a complete jerk!” She hadn’t come home early or late—no, she just had to come back at this exact moment. Mei Long Qingling’s normally fair cheeks were now flushed scarlet, though whether from embarrassment or anger—or perhaps both—was unclear.

…

“All right, all right, don’t—pfft, cough, cough—don’t be angry. I didn’t see anything.” Haruhi stifled his laughter as best he could, sitting on the sofa and trying to comfort the furious young lady.

He had to recall every sad or painful memory from his entire life just to keep from laughing out loud at this moment.

Mei Long Qingling puffed out her cheeks, looking like a little disgruntled kitten. Her brows knitted in annoyance, arms crossed, jaw clenched.

“So what if you want to see my underwear? It’s fine! With our relationship, if you’d just asked, would I have refused? Hahaha!” The more she spoke, the less Haruhi could contain himself, and finally he doubled over in laughter. He couldn’t help it—the scene was just too comical.

Who would have imagined that this little tsundere would, in his absence, take out her own underwear and study it intently, only to be caught red-handed by him? It was hilarious beyond belief.

Expressionless, Mei Long Qingling turned away, her icy gaze sending a chill down Haruhi’s spine.

He quickly put on a straight face and cleared his throat. “Honestly, Miss Qingling, I really didn’t see anything. You know I have selective nearsightedness—600 degrees, nearly blind! So please, don’t feel pressured,” Haruhi said with utmost seriousness.

Mei Long Qingling stared at him with wide eyes. Under her gaze, Haruhi felt a pang of guilt, but he forced himself to remain composed, sitting up straight to look down at her from above.

Truth be told, his height advantage gave him a surprising amount of confidence. For a moment, he almost believed he hadn’t done anything wrong. Well, he hadn’t, had he?

“You!” Now sitting upright, Mei Long Qingling seemed even smaller, her cheeks puffed up adorably.

“Miss Qingling, it’s fine, it’s over now. Everyone goes through moments like these,” Haruhi continued nonchalantly. “Don’t be angry…”

Before he could finish, he felt a warm sensation on his lips.

Mei Long Qingling had thrown herself onto him, slender arms encircling his neck. She slowly stood up, putting herself in the dominant position, and then, with strength in her legs, tried to push Haruhi down.

Haruhi let himself be guided by the little rebel’s strength, gradually reclining onto the bed. His large hand slipped under her T-shirt, gently caressing her smooth back.

Such was youth—barely an hour earlier, they’d just finished a bout, and already, after such a short time, they were ready for more.

Mei Long Qingling kissed him fiercely, almost aggressively, nipping at him from time to time until his lips were nearly raw.

Of course, Haruhi didn’t simply let her have her way; his large hands left their own marks on her.

Come on, mutual destruction! Who’s afraid of whom?

They lost themselves in their frenzy, but in the end, it was Haruhi who yielded first. At this rate, he’d never get dinner tonight—his lips were already bitten to shreds by this little tigress.

“All right, all right, it’s late. I still need to make dinner. What do you want to eat tonight?” Haruhi gently removed her stubborn little head from his face, breaking the kiss.

Mei Long Qingling said nothing, but retaliated by continuing to smother him with kisses.

At first, Haruhi tried to dodge, but the young lady was relentless. Finally, he lost his patience, flipped her over, and pinned her beneath him, reclaiming the upper hand.

If the tiger doesn’t bare its fangs, did you think I’m a Garfield?

There was no desire, no passion—this was a battle unique to Haruhi Harano and Mei Long Qingling.

An hour later, the two sat side by side on the sofa, finally having separated.

Haruhi winced in pain, convinced he wouldn’t be able to use his lips for the next two days—every lick brought a taste of blood.

Mei Long Qingling fared little better. She gingerly touched her waist, sucking in her breath from time to time.

It felt as if she were about to explode from the squeezing, especially in the softer parts that had received special attention. Bruises were already forming.

Yet her cheeks remained puffed out in anger. Where did she find all this energy to be mad every day?

With a flick to her forehead, Haruhi rose and went into the kitchen. Only with a full stomach would he have the strength for… other things.

Once in the kitchen, he noticed the stove and cupboards had been thoroughly cleaned. Everything bore the mark of careful scrubbing. He was a bit surprised—there were only two people living here. Who had done the cleaning?

Surely, the little sea snail girl had paid a visit.

Sigh. Mei Long Qingling, that silly girl, didn’t even realize when strangers entered the house. How could she be so careless?

Still, despite his thoughts, he took some beef from the fridge, planning to make cumin beef cubes for the little rebel.

He cut, marinated, heated oil, and followed each step skillfully.

Before long, the irresistible aroma of food wafted through the apartment.

Out in the living room, Mei Long Qingling involuntarily swallowed. Hearing footsteps, she quickly wiped her mouth, crossed her arms, and tensed her expression into that of a cold goddess, staring straight ahead.

She was making it perfectly clear: I don’t want to talk to you right now. You’d better come and coax me!

Haruhi found her performance amusing. He deliberately placed the steaming plate of beef cubes on the coffee table right in front of the golden-haired beauty, clapped his hands, and, without a word, returned to the kitchen to prepare the next dish.

Once Haruhi was gone, Mei Long Qingling relaxed, glancing at the kitchen. Her eyes, however, were glued to the steaming plate of beef cubes, unable to look away.

He quickly put together a small cold dish as well, and with that, dinner was ready. Though he was mindful of his fitness, beef was still on the menu.

Beef and chicken breast not only provide the body with essential energy but, thanks to their low fat content, are beloved by fitness enthusiasts.

When he brought the cold dish to the coffee table, Mei Long Qingling still sat motionless, though her cheeks were puffed out again—this time not from anger, but because her mouth was stuffed with something.

Haruhi glanced at the plate of beef cubes, then at her delicate face, especially the smear of yellow oil at the corner of her mouth, and couldn’t help but laugh.

Upon hearing this, Mei Long Qingling turned and glared at him fiercely, but it was obvious she was struggling with a mouthful of food.

Haruhi decided not to tease her any further; if he lingered, the little girl might suffocate.

He shrugged and returned to the kitchen to scoop rice.

He even lingered a few seconds longer in the kitchen, and, when he returned, the timing was perfect—Mei Long Qingling’s face had returned to normal, though her expression was still one of displeasure.

“All right, all right, let’s eat. Don’t be angry,” Haruhi offered her a way out.

Dealing with a tsundere like her required balance—alternating between knocking her down a peg and giving her face.

You couldn’t spoil her, nor could you completely ignore her. A tsundere had her charms—especially a “wealthy and generous” one.

“Hmph!”

With a cold snort, Mei Long Qingling accepted his peace offering, took the bowl and chopsticks, and plopped herself down on the cushion.

Indeed, she’d been living in Haruhi’s home for almost a week, and both had grown accustomed to each other. Mei Long Qingling had become familiar with this little household.

As Haruhi ate absentmindedly, he checked his system panel.

Despite their familiarity, why hadn’t the mission been completed yet?

[Phase Mission:]
[Phase One: A girl lacking care is always lonely. Please help the homeless Mei Long Qingling get used to living in the player’s home. Reward: Eyes of Charisma.]

Even though Phase Two had already failed, Haruhi was still quite tempted by the Eyes of Charisma. It was practically a godlike skill.

But the requirements for completion were murky—what exactly did it mean for her to be “used to” living here?

He looked at Mei Long Qingling across the table, her mouth stuffed, cheeks smeared with yellow oil, looking utterly undignified. He suspected the system must have bugged—how was this not “used to” living here?

She was practically treating this place as her own home.

When he’d come in earlier, Haruhi had noticed not only the spotless living room and kitchen, but even his dirty laundry had been washed.

Did the system really require Mei Long Qingling to wash his underwear to complete the mission?