Chapter 19: A Forced Melon Isn’t Sweet

“Huh… huh?”

Ling Yuan was stunned, utterly stunned.

His first thought was—[Yan Xi acts like she really likes me too.]

But then—[Why me?]

“You don’t have a real-life girlfriend, do you, Ling Yuan~?”

He didn’t know how Yixin Xue had such strength, pinning his wrists so he couldn’t move.

“N-no…”

His heart was in his throat, a chill shooting from his feet to his head. Her obsessive expression made his scalp tingle.

She’d been so gentle just a moment ago…

“Close your eyes~”

Too scared to resist, he obeyed.

“Have you ever kissed a girl?”

“Wait! Wait! What’re you doing, Class President?”

How could he comply now? She was about to kiss him—his first kiss!

“So reluctant…”

Yixin Xue stared coldly at the boy beneath her, his face full of resistance.

“Class President, please let me go. You know a forced melon isn’t sweet…”

She nodded thoughtfully.

“You’re right.”

“So, can you get up…?”

“But you have legs~”

“…?”

“I like you. I want to keep you by my side forever, but you have legs—you could run away, so~”

“No, no, I won’t run, I swear…”

Ling Yuan said quickly.

The air fell silent. The snow-white kitten padded over, sitting beside them, tilting its head in confusion.

“Meow~”

Its tiny voice broke the tension.

“Fine, I’ll trust you.”

Yixin Xue pouted unhappily, getting off his lap.

“Thanks for trusting me!”

Ling Yuan sighed in relief.

[That was close. Almost lost my first kiss.]

Was this what 2D otakus were like? Faced with something like this, he didn’t enjoy it—he wanted to run.

Yixin Xue bit her lip, her face a mix of reluctance and embarrassed anger.

Ling Yuan glanced at her. Her expression was grim, like the day he didn’t turn in his homework…

“Class President…?”

He called cautiously.

She didn’t respond. Her thoughts were unreadable, but her hands were clenched, nails digging into her skin.

“Class President…”

“You’re such an idiot, Ling Yuan!”

She shouted, then ran to her bedroom, slamming the door.

“Meow?”

Ling Yuan scratched his head, locking eyes with the kitten, then shrugged helplessly.

“You think it’s my fault too?”

“Meow~”

“…”

He crouched down, lifting the kitten by its scruff.

“Hey, you’re eating my cat food. Don’t say stuff like that!”

***

“Huff—huff—”

Yixin Xue leaned against the door, sliding to the floor, covering her burning face. She couldn’t believe what she’d just done.

“Such an idiot. I worked up so much courage, and he rejected me…”

After a moment, her breathing and heartbeat steadied.

Her hands dropped to the floor. She looked up at the sky outside, a hint of despair in her eyes.

[Am I really less attractive than 2D girls…?]

This defeat stung worse than her last monthly exam.

“How could this happen… He shouldn’t have rejected me… I’m…”

Her voice choked, tears welling up, but her pride kept them from falling.

Her phone buzzed with messages, but she ignored it, pondering how she differed from 2D girls.

After a while, she stood, leaning against the wall. If Ling Yuan hadn’t run, she still had a backup plan.

If he wouldn’t accept her, she’d make him accept her slowly, through temptation. She didn’t believe he could resist forever.

Wiping away her tears, she opened the bedroom door. Hearing it, Ling Yuan rushed over, spreading out a test paper.

“Class President, I swear I tried my best this time. My handwriting’s messy, sorry—I haven’t done homework seriously in forever.”

Yixin Xue stood there, dazed. She glanced at the paper, then at him. He was oddly serious now.

“You…”

“Did you… cry, Class President?”

“Me… cry…?”

Her flame-red eyes widened briefly before narrowing. She turned away haughtily.

“Why would I cry? I’m not some fragile girl. I don’t believe you can keep being so stubborn.”

[Stubborn…? Me?]

Ling Yuan stared, dumbfounded. Her eyes were bloodshot, with traces of tears. She’d definitely been crying.

[Who’s the stubborn one here?]

“By the way, you haven’t eaten, right? I’ll make you something.”

She said casually.

“Uh… yeah…”

Ling Yuan mumbled, hesitant.

“You sure you’re okay, Class President?”

“I said I’m fine!”

She stormed into the kitchen. Soon, the sound of a knife slamming against the cutting board echoed—hard enough to make Ling Yuan wonder if it’d split.

He sat on the sofa, clutching his test paper, feeling like a prisoner minus the ropes.

[“You have legs, you could run away, so~”]

He swallowed hard, glancing at the kitchen, half-expecting her to charge out with the knife and take a swing at his legs.

But soon, that fear faded. Maybe it was his hunger, but the aroma from the kitchen smelled incredible.

Rice formed the base in a bowl, topped with four sections: grilled pork belly, beef rolls, spicy cabbage, and greens.

She regretted forgetting to buy eggs—otherwise, a soft-boiled egg in the center would’ve been perfect.

Quite refined.

Yixin Xue admired her creation, then glanced at the glass beside it. The afternoon’s success hinged on this watermelon juice.

If Ling Yuan drank it, he’d be out in fifteen minutes. Once he was asleep, everything would be easy.

A forced melon might not be sweet, but it’d be hers to control!

A wicked smile spread across her face.

[So many firsts to try. If he’s asleep, he won’t be shy~]

“What smells so good, Class President?”

Ling Yuan’s sudden appearance nearly made her drop the glass.

“A-ah, it’s a dish I loved in Japan. It’s not as pretty, but it won’t taste bad!”

“Wow.”

Ling Yuan eyed the lunchbox.

The tender meat glistened under the light, contrasting vividly with the fresh greens. The spicy cabbage, soaked in chili, was the perfect touch, making the dish look rich and vibrant.

[Way better than Yan Xi’s cooking.]

“This looks amazing, Class President!”

“Mm-hmm. The drink’s good too. Freshly squeezed watermelon juice~”