Chapter 144

[Volume Title] Fourth Volume

[Epilogue]

“What did the fourth volume contain? Why did it suddenly end?

The author’s ability to control the plot is terrible, isn’t it?

There’s no rhythm at all?

The content is as bland as water, the plot lacks suspense, and even the female lead is uncertain. There are no more jokes! Delete the book and leave!”

…Ah! Please don’t really leave, dear readers!

I was just venting for everyone to save some saliva.

But the fourth volume really is long… It seems my ability to add fluff is getting stronger…

In the upcoming fifth volume, a lot of mysteries and foreshadowings will be resolved, including the revelation of the protagonist’s mother’s identity!

(I believe some smart readers have already guessed… Please keep this a secret!)

In other words, the next volume might be the last of this struggling book.

Actually, I originally planned to write a year’s worth of story, but seeing how poorly this book has performed, it’s almost a disgrace to the contract… Allow me to reduce the outline… If I don’t cut it, I fear I’ll become incomplete.

After all, “it’s shorter below” is better than “it’s gone,” right?

However, what’s being cut are just various side plots (some named male characters survived), while the main storyline was decided in the outline, ensuring its completeness.

So, finishing this story with a beginning and an end, I can manage that. Judging by the current word count, it should wrap up around one million words.

(If it drags on, there might be a sixth volume.)

Additionally, I want to apologize to the readers who have been sticking with this book…

When writing the fourth volume, there was a New Year mixed in.

(The New Year is incredibly busy!)

Plus, several game releases.

(Like Trails of Cold Steel III, That God III, and Demon May Cry 5 these days.)

These unavoidable factors significantly reduced my writing efficiency. Although I still didn’t give up, additional updates did decrease…

Even though you’ve given me monthly votes, I’m truly sorry!

But I really can’t find time for extra updates!

(During the day, I work, and at night, I come home, play games, and write. I’m so tired, already feeling sleep-deprived, close to baldness.)

If necessary, you can give fewer monthly votes. As long as someone comments and complains, I’ll be happy.

Finally, I took some readers’ advice and created a reader group. Here’s the group number: 954245459.

If no one joins, I’ll dissolve it and not shame myself…

—

[Volume Title] Fifth Volume

[Page 139] Pocky Challenge (Part One)

[Flashback Five Minutes Ago]

Coming back to my senses, Ajia, after crying heavily relying on Long Tao, ran to the restroom, covering her face, looking extremely hurt, as if she had suffered greatly.

I covered my mouth slightly, sidestepped, and whispered to Lǐn Huā, “Hey, do we really have to do this?”

Thanks to the high-sensitivity microphone built into the hidden earphones, even this tiny whisper could be clearly heard by Lǐn Huā.

Lǐn Huā responded, “We must! This is when Ajia is most feminine, we need to seize the opportunity and change her completely! Since you’re a new player, I’ll assist you with the scene. Just follow along, Kai-chan, I believe in you!”

“Huh? What kind of assistance?”

“It’s a bit complicated to explain, but I’ve arranged everything. Just wait.”

I asked again, “What about Xiao Lei? Why haven’t I heard that fool’s voice?”

“Oh?… Uh… I gave her another task. Don’t worry about it. Focus on your role!”

Does Lǐn Huā really like me? If she liked me, why would she push me towards another man so eagerly?

The door to the private room was knocked, and a female server, whom we hadn’t seen before, pushed in a food cart alone.

“Excuse me, I’m here to serve the dishes.”

She wore the barkeeper uniform of the restaurant, with her hair tied up and wearing thin-framed glasses, smiling like a seasoned service professional.

From the number of dishes on the table, this should be the last two. Due to various events, we hadn’t eaten much of the previous dishes, and considering it’s a high-end restaurant, the portion sizes were quite generous.

A green Thai curry chicken dish, with a sinister color, emitted a sweet coconut aroma, offering a flavor very different from common yellow curries.

Next came seafood pineapple rice, with half-open pineapple shells filled with abundant pineapple fried rice, visible pineapple chunks, and large shrimp, topped with meat floss and cashews, making it very appetizing.

Finally, the server brought a colorful fruit parfait, adorned with fruits, waffles, and… an unusually large amount of Pocky. Ten sticks of Pocky were inserted into the small cup, severely disrupting the beauty of the parfait.

Long Tao stared at the parfait cup in confusion.

“Hmm? Did Ajia order ice cream too?”

The server smiled and explained, “No, this parfait is a gift from the restaurant.”

“Parfait? So this ice cream is called parfait… No wonder it’s a high-end restaurant, even the freebies are this luxurious.”

Long Tao’s comment seemed a bit rustic, but I sensed something ominous. My intuition told me this parfait was part of Lǐn Huā’s “scene assistance.”

Noticing my gaze, the server winked at me mischievously and tried to stop Long Tao from tasting the parfait.

“Ah! Sir, don’t rush to eat. I have some exciting news for both of you!”

It couldn’t be good news!

At this moment, my sixth sense for danger was fully activated. Lǐn Huā must be plotting something behind the scenes.

I asked warily, “What news?”

“In fact, today our restaurant is running a ‘Free Meal Challenge.’ Our private room was lucky enough to win the challenge rights. If you two can complete the challenge, not only will this meal be free, but you’ll also receive a substantial prize!”

“Really?”

Long Tao opened his mouth slowly, lowering his spoon.

“Really? Free meals? And prizes?”

“Yes, indeed! The prize is ten thousand yuan!”

Long Tao’s shock gradually turned into unbearable excitement. After all, it was ten thousand yuan.

If I didn’t know this was a trap set by Lǐn Huā, I’d be even more excited.

Unaware of the trap, Long Tao pressed further, “Then, what’s the challenge?”

“As for the challenge content… it’s this!”

She pointed at the last parfait cup placed on the table.

Long Tao looked puzzled, “Is it some kind of five-minute eating challenge?”

The server shook her head vigorously, “No, no, no. Eating that way would definitely cause diarrhea. Our restaurant doesn’t joke with guests’ health! I mean this! This!”

She pointed at the parfait cup.

Wait, upon closer inspection, she meant the ten Pocky sticks inserted into the parfait.

The server’s glasses flashed.

“That’s right! It’s Pocky! The challenge is the Pocky Kiss Challenge!”

“Kiss?!” Long Tao looked panicked at me, “Do I have to kiss Ling Meng?”

Is Lǐn Huā doing this on purpose to mess with me?

Make me kiss a man?

Just kill me off!

Thinking of Chang Kai, a man of steel, how could I endure such humiliation…

The server pulled out a stack of something from the cart and slammed it on the table.

She adjusted her glasses and said, “This is the ten-thousand-yuan cash reward for the challenge. I’ll put it here. As long as you two complete the ‘Pocky Kiss Challenge’ under my supervision, you can take the money.”

—I couldn’t refuse.

It’s just a kiss with a man! Such a small matter. If I imagine Long Tao’s face as Sister Tao’s, it wouldn’t be so bad! Although this is a trap by Lǐn Huā, the cash on the table is real! At this moment, in this place, if not me, then who else would go through hell?

I looked at the thick stack of red bills and asked, “What exactly does the challenge entail?”

Long Tao panicked even more, “Eh? Ling Meng, are you serious? You want to kiss me?”

“But that’s ten thousand yuan!”

“Is my integrity worth ten thousand yuan?”

Does Long Tao really despise me that much?

He makes it sound like he wants to kiss me, but it’s all because of the money, right?

I leaned into Long Tao, and he stiffened… I mean, his body stiffened.

I lowered my voice.

“Oh, Brother Tao, why do you dislike me so much? Is there anything wrong with me?”

He grimaced, “But I have a girlfriend! How can I kiss you behind her back?”

A man, but I want the money.

“Then let’s finish this before Ajia returns. Come on, just a quick kiss!”

I held a Pocky stick and leaned towards Long Tao, but he backed away, hiding behind a chair with a terrified look…

Damn, his retreat struck a blow to my pride.

The server still smiled, clapping her hands and reminding, “Oh, Miss, you’re so proactive. Sir, please don’t hide. By the way, just a quick kiss isn’t enough! Until the Pocky is finished, you two can’t separate your mouths!”

What? The rules are so strict?

Too surprised, I dropped a Pocky stick, which broke.

“Oh, one fell. You still have nine chances. Keep going!”

I picked up another Pocky stick, turned back to Long Tao, but he had retreated to the wall.

He had given up trying to persuade me and shouted at the server behind me, “Miss! My girlfriend is coming back soon. Can we postpone this challenge?”

The server waved her hand, rejecting, “That’s not possible! This challenge is too simple for couples. It must be done by two non-couples, meaning you two!”

“Did you hear that? To get this ten thousand yuan, we’re the only ones who can do it!”

“Do you really want this ten thousand yuan so badly? Calm down! You’re not acting normally.”

Glancing at the ten thousand yuan again, I felt determined… It’s money! Who wouldn’t want it?

I held a Pocky stick in my mouth and walked firmly towards Long Tao.

“Oh, come on! Brother Tao, think of it as saving money. Nothing will be lost!”

I impulsively hugged my chest, pretending to have implants.

“No! This is going too far!”

“Ajia isn’t here now. She won’t know if we don’t tell her. What are you worried about?”

All my suffering was for that ten thousand yuan. Why can’t Long Tao understand?

“What are you two doing…”

Ajia rushed in from outside the private room, looking between me and Long Tao, her emotions in turmoil, eyes spinning like a cartoon character.

She blushed and rushed over.

“No! This can’t happen! Let me do it!”

In the next second.

Soft lips, accompanied by rapid breaths, landed unexpectedly on mine.

“Mmm?… Mmm!!!!”