Chapter Ninety-Eight: A Stolen Kiss

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The system pondered for a long time, speaking cautiously, “This system isn’t entirely sure either. Without the seven emotions and six desires, emotional fluctuations do lessen, but it also takes away much of the joy.”

The system had the rare privilege of encountering an ancient powerhouse, said to be on the same level as the Heavenly Dao itself.

Cold as ice, just one glance from him made the system feel it needed a lifetime to heal those few seconds.

What’s the point of living like that? Simply becoming a walking icebox?

“That’s true,” it admitted.

It was her own choice, and she had no regrets.

If she truly became one of those freaks, she wouldn’t even have a place to cry.

Mo Nian Nian felt refreshed and simply went to sleep, sinking into a deep slumber without a trace of worry.

The system was still contemplating how to explain all this to Mo Nian Nian when, in the blink of an eye, she had already fallen asleep soundly, utterly carefree.

System: ...

So frustrating.

It really longed to return — where the sky was blue, clouds white, grass green, and there were its little companions.

Most importantly, there were no difficult-to-please hosts like her.

Mo Nian Nian and Jiang Hu had finally settled a series of unequal agreements, sparing her from his pretense of drunkenness to deceive her.

But Jiang Hu... was growing increasingly strange.

Ever since Mo Nian Nian said she would stay to accompany Jiang Hu, he seemed like a completely different person.

Whenever there was nothing to do, he wished he could shadow Mo Nian Nian twenty-four hours a day.

Though she had someone at her beck and call, tending to her until she was almost useless, Jiang Hu was excessively clingy.

Mo Nian Nian suspected that if it weren’t for those unequal agreements she signed, Jiang Hu might have tried to graft himself onto her.

His behavior became bolder.

He would eat the leftovers on Mo Nian Nian’s plate right in front of her.

The way he did it was as if savoring some rare delicacy.

He would also sneak a hand-hold or a hug when he knew Mo Nian Nian wouldn’t get mad.

Afterwards, he wore the expression of someone who had gotten away with mischief.

If she scolded him, he smiled brightly, utterly delighted; if she hit him, he neither dodged nor resisted.

He apologized openly, yet never showed any remorse.

Mo Nian Nian was exasperated beyond words but gradually grew accustomed to Jiang Hu’s closeness.

Frustrated yet helpless, she finally gave in and followed him.

Moreover, Mo Nian Nian noticed her tolerance for Jiang Hu was steadily lowering.

At first, she would scold him for merely approaching, yet now they were cozying up together in the same bed watching movies.

Mo Nian Nian couldn’t help but wonder at which point everything had gone awry.

Her gaze shifted from the movie screen to Jiang Hu.

Jiang Hu blinked innocently. “What’s wrong, Nian Nian? Not good? Want to change it?”

“I was just wondering, how did you get up here?”

The Mo family had a private cinema — Mo Nian Nian’s personal sanctuary, where she placed soft, comfortable sofas and enjoyed the latest releases.

That wasn’t the point. The question was, how had she and Jiang Hu ended up like this?

Jiang Hu’s hand was still resting on her waist.

Mo Nian Nian glared fiercely. “Take your hand away.”

Jiang Hu let out a reluctant ‘Oh’ and withdrew his hand unwillingly.

“How did you get up here?” Mo Nian Nian demanded again.

Jiang Hu looked even more aggrieved. “You agreed yourself, Nian Nian.”

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Mo Nian Nian thought carefully for a long time. Was that so? It seemed like it.

She hadn’t really caught what Jiang Hu had said at the time; he’d also discussed some plot points with her, but she couldn’t quite remember what else.

She deeply realized that things couldn’t continue like this.

She called her company’s manager and instructed them to arrange all of Jiang Hu’s upcoming work.

The company rejoiced.

Jiang Hu was their only artist; whenever he stopped working, everyone else followed suit and nearly grew moss from boredom. Now, finally, they had something to do.

The manager sent Mo Nian Nian all the job offers they had screened for Jiang Hu during this time, all suitable opportunities.

Mo Nian Nian glanced through them and decisively said, “Shoot! We’ll film properly—I refuse to believe otherwise.”

Jiang Hu quickly received the notification. His schedule was packed, sometimes too busy even to return home.

He stared silently at the itinerary for a long while.

He had tried his best to show his best side to Nian Nian, so why did she still push him away?

Nian Nian was truly stubborn.

“Hey, Jiang Hu, are you listening? Have you looked at the schedule? Any issues?”

“Is this decided by the company?”

The manager replied casually, “Yes, the boss fought hard to get all this for you. You're lucky to have such a good boss.”

Jiang Hu’s eyes lowered slightly, hiding all the color within them; a faint, ambiguous smile played on his lips. “Got it.”

His eyes darkened to an abyssal depth.

What was he going to do?

He was on the verge of losing control.

Mo Nian Nian happened to pass by Jiang Hu’s door and overheard this exchange. She took a sip of milk, secretly somewhat hopeful. “Did you see the upcoming schedule?”

“Does Nian Nian really not want to see me?” Jiang Hu stood with his back to her, his expression unreadable.

Mo Nian Nian was perfectly justified. “How could that be? I’m only doing this for your own good. Think about how long it’s been since you appeared in public.”

“I’m doing this for you. Your fans miss you.”

“You look amazing shining on stage.”

Mo Nian Nian subtly flattered him—thank goodness she once spent time in fan circles, all to annoy Jiang Hu in the past.

The darkness in Jiang Hu’s eyes gradually faded, revealing specks of starlight. “Nian Nian, do you really like me?”

Of course… not really.

Though Jiang Hu was indeed a bit handsome and charming on stage.

“I do, very much.”

With that one sentence, Mo Nian Nian successfully pulled Jiang Hu out of the darkness, leaving behind scattered stars after the clouds parted.

He turned, his eyes shining. “I understand.”

Mo Nian Nian took another sip of her milk, leaving a ring of milk residue on her lips.

She stuck out her red tongue and licked it off.

Jiang Hu’s gaze instantly deepened, his Adam’s apple moving slightly.

“Nian Nian, I’m leaving, maybe for a few days. Can you give me a farewell gift?”

Mo Nian Nian eyed him warily. “What do you want?”

Jiang Hu’s dark eyes looked innocent. “I want to taste the milk you’re drinking.”

Mo Nian Nian immediately relaxed.

She didn’t know what was wrong with Jiang Hu; he liked eating her leftovers.

She was very familiar with this behavior and handed him the cup. “Go ahead, it’s no big deal.”

“Nian Nian, you agreed to this yourself.”

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Jiang Hu’s voice was low, the tail end rising slightly, sounding like a little hook.

Before Mo Nian Nian could react, Jiang Hu moved quickly, pulling her close and tasting the milk.

He licked gently, eyes half-closed.

He released her before she could get angry.

Mo Nian Nian was furious. “Jiang Hu!”

“Nian Nian, I’m leaving now. Take good care of yourself this week. I cooked some dishes and put them in the fridge; you just need to heat them up.”

“Don’t set the air conditioning too low.”

“Avoid eating too much cold or spicy food; your time is coming soon.”

“I’ve explained the household details to the housekeeper.”

“Nian Nian, remember to miss me.”

Mo Nian Nian: “...”

Her anger was about to peak but was slightly doused by Jiang Hu’s care.

Caught in this awkward middle ground, Mo Nian Nian felt uncomfortable and said with a dark expression, “Go away.”

Jiang Hu would be gone for at least a week, and she would have to endure not seeing him for that long. Not angry, not angry.

Jiang Hu dawdled a while longer before leaving.

As soon as Jiang Hu left, Mo Nian Nian immediately called the manager, asking if more engagements could be arranged for Jiang Hu.

The manager was silent for a moment. “Are you sure? Jiang Hu’s current workload is already heavy.”

Mo Nian Nian: “...Fine, then just keep an eye on him and make sure he stays busy.”

The manager’s expression changed.

They had thought the boss really liked Jiang Hu and was supporting him fully, securing many enviable opportunities. But it turned out the boss only saw him as a money-making tool?

Everyone at the company knew Jiang Hu was the boss’s person, always coming and going together.

What a surprise. The boss was truly ruthless.

Mo Nian Nian sneezed inexplicably. “That’s settled then. Just oversee the schedule. All endorsements must go through you; anything below top-tier, reject outright.”

“And scripts must be quality; money is no object.”

After giving her instructions and ensuring Jiang Hu wouldn’t have time to come back for the week, Mo Nian Nian happily returned to her lazy life.

Still, she felt somewhat unaccustomed without someone by her side.

But she believed this was all temporary.

Mo Nian Nian opened the fridge, intending to find something to eat while watching a show.

When she opened the door, she found a sticky note on the front.

“Nian Nian, don’t eat too many cold things; you’ll feel unwell.”

Mo Nian Nian recalled how terribly painful she was during her last period, and the hand that had reached out slowly withdrew.

Mortal bodies were no good—this didn’t work, that didn’t work.

Forget it, why fight with her own body?

Mo Nian Nian closed the fridge door.

She was about to start a movie when a large row of words appeared in the center of the screen.

“Nian Nian, I’ve organized all the trending films. On the left are the ones you’ve seen, on the right, the ones you haven’t.”

“On the right, I sorted them from left to right by your favorite genres and film quality.”

“Why does Jiang Hu keep following me like a lingering storm?” Mo Nian Nian muttered, deliberately choosing a film Jiang Hu had ranked low, convinced she definitely wouldn’t watch it.

She watched less than ten minutes before her survival instinct kicked in, and she exited to obediently select the film Jiang Hu had ranked first.

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