"Is it really hot? It's almost December."
"It's hot inside..."
"Then don't set the AC so high."
"Haven't you taken a shower yet?"
"You took my bathrobe, how am I supposed to shower?"
Xu Lin listened to the conversation outside and peeked out from under the bed. He couldn't see Jiang Zimeng's mom but saw a back perfect for cupping therapy and underwear with black and white bears on them.
I have to say, this girl has great curves along with a generous bosom, not an ounce of excess fat. Unlike Qin Yunhe, whose muscles are sleek and athletic, she has a very youthful figure.
Jiang Zimeng felt someone looking at her and quickly sat down to cover herself.
"Aren't you going to shower?"
"Why do I feel like you're trying to get rid of me?"
"No, no..." Jiang Zimeng smiled awkwardly.
"Forget it, go to bed early. Don't stay up all night watching anime and playing games. You'll ruin your eyes."
"This is my job..."
"Yeah, right. I'm leaving."
"Mom, I told you on my phone that someone's coming to buy the house tomorrow. Don't wander around."
"Got it."
After that, there was the sound of the door closing, and Jiang Zimeng's skin turned red as if all the blood rushed to her face. She hurriedly put on her pajamas.
"Can I come out now?"
"Yeah, you've seen everything already. Stop pretending to be a gentleman!"
"Okay, okay." Xu Lin crawled out, realizing that his undershirt was also dirty.
"You'd have been better off hiding in the closet."
"No choice, there wasn't enough time."
"Was it nice to look at?"
"What was nice?" Xu Lin looked at the blushing Jiang Zimeng and then understood.
"Wait, don't say such anime-like lines! Are you expecting me to say it was nice, and then you slap me? But to be honest, it was nice."
"Good. If it wasn't, why would I be a homebody? It's because I'm too perfect. I don't show my face on livestreams to avoid people focusing on me and not the games."
"Sure, sure."
Although she was praising herself, Xu Lin knew she was trying to ease the atmosphere and adjust her emotions.
"By the way, Sensei, you saw the only fake thing I own."
"Fake?"
"The black and white bear from Danganronpa. They never made official underwear."
"That's what you're concerned about?"
"My perfect figure, nothing to be ashamed of."
"True."
"You saw me, so let me see you too."
"Brother Jiang, please no!"
"Why not Brother Meng?"
"Too cute."
[T/N: I don't know if this was some kind of joke or something, but in the raw it was indeed brother.]
Jiang Zimeng just pulled him up as a joke, and he didn't dare to use force for fear of accidentally hurting her.
Then the other party lifted up the corner of his clothes, and Jiang Zimeng's eyes were fixed on him as she took a deep breath.
"Is this real?"
"You mean my abs?"
"Yeah!"
"They are. Don't touch, it tickles, haha!"
"Sorry."
Jiang Zimeng quickly pulled her hand back, looking at Xu Lin's smiling face with embarrassment.
"Your mom's taking a shower, so I'll head out."
"Alright..."
When Xu Lin said this, Jiang Zimeng realized that it was indeed the right time for him to leave. However, she felt a reluctance to see him go because she didn't have many friends, especially ones she could talk about anime and games with so freely.
As Xu Lin reached the door, Jiang Zimeng slowly followed and handed him a blue jacket.
"What's this for?"
"To wear outside. It's so cold, you can't go out dressed like that."
"Thanks."
They went downstairs and smoothly passed through the living room to the small wooden house, where the dog came running again.
Xu Lin instinctively stepped back. Normally, he wasn't afraid of dogs, but after today, he might join the group of people terrified of huskies.
"Sensei, don't be scared." Jiang Zimeng laughed, finding his reaction somewhat cute.
"I'm not scared. By the way, I'll transfer the money for the camera to you."
"No need. Use the money to upgrade your equipment, get a gimbal, and make better videos. I enjoy watching them."
"When I get famous, I'll recommend you."
"Sure, honestly, you have a lot of talent. I think you can make it."
"Thanks. By the way, have you returned to your Xing Mimi state?"
"Huh? What's Xing Mimi state?"
"It means you're full of energy and vitality. When I saw you this afternoon, you seemed a bit down."
"I just don't like socializing much. But if you talk to me about games, anime, and novels, I get very enthusiastic."
"That's good, being passionate about something you love."
"Yeah, I feel lucky. Even though I stay home a lot, my mom doesn't force me to go out. She complains about all the animals I bring home and the fur in the living room, but she also feeds them sometimes."
She smiled sweetly, and Xu Lin smiled back.
Truthfully, he was happy to know Jiang Zimeng. It wasn't about attraction—he already had 12 girls, and three hadn't even appeared yet. Having so many girls was stressful. Even though one more wouldn't make a difference, he felt it wouldn't be right.
Besides, he had just met Jiang Zimeng. He only felt that they shared similar interests in anime and games. She had a nice personality, was wealthy, and had a great figure—she was his ideal type before his rebirth.
Wait, what am I thinking?
He gave himself a light slap on the head.
"Since you won't take the money, I'll get going."
"Alright, it's almost 11."
"Yeah, if anything comes up, message me on QQ."
"OK."
"See you." Xu Lin smiled and waved as he walked to the door.
Watching him, Jiang Zimeng suddenly saw a familiar figure. When she was three, he waved like that, saying he was going to work to earn money for her and her mother. At nine, he waved again, saying he was being transferred and promising a better future and a big house. At sixteen, he waved for the last time, saying he had to leave but would visit often. She hadn't seen him for over six months.
Suddenly, she rushed forward and hugged the figure in front of her tightly. Xu Lin felt a sudden impact on his back and looked down to see two arms wrapped around his waist, holding him tightly—almost painfully. He didn't push her away. He heard her sobbing behind him, closed his eyes, and gently placed his hand on hers.
"No matter what happened, it's going to be okay..."
He comforted her with gentle words, and her sobbing grew louder, but her arms gradually loosened. After more than a minute passed, her crying also gradually stopped, and she spoke unevenly.
"Hoo hoo... I-I'm sorry... I got carried away."
"It's okay. Sometimes, we can't keep all the negative things inside."
"No, I'm just too fragile."
She slowly released her arms. Xu Lin started to turn around, but she quickly said, "Don't look at me, my face is all teary and ugly."
"Wanna chat for a bit?"
"If we chat more, it'll be midnight. You should go. I've vented enough. Thank you, Xu Lin."
"Alright, I'll really go then." He didn't want to pry into why she was upset, nor would he ask.
"Go on."
"Mhm." Hearing her voice regain its vigor, Xu Lin opened the door directly and walked out.
Just as Xu Lin left, the door connecting to the living room suddenly opened, and Jiang's mom walked in wearing a bathrobe.
"I wondered where the noise was coming from. Why aren't you in bed?"
"I came to lock the door. Cream Puff keeps running outside the wooden house! Stupid dog!"
Saying that, Jiang Zimeng slapped the husky on its back, and the husky widened its eyes, looking puzzled at its owner.
'Woof?'