Chapter 32: Date Me

"No, you're not!" He began to act overbearing again.

She met his gaze without a hint of fear. "Yes, I am! What is a wife to you? Nothing more than a name on a marriage certificate, an ornament that must appear by your side whenever you need it, a woman you can toss aside whenever you please. You occasionally take other women shopping just to please them, but your wife? Your wife is just expected to wait at home for you every day, forced to pretend she doesn't see the lipstick stains other women intentionally leave on your clothes—and you’re too lazy to even hide them!"

He saw the mockery in her eyes but laughed aloud. "You never cared about these things before; why are you nitpicking now? I’ve checked, and I’ve asked authoritative experts—miscarriage might lead to depression, but it shouldn't cause such a drastic personality change!"

Meng Zexiao truly couldn't understand it. Was a child raised by the Kong family really this conservative? Among men of their status and position, which one didn't have a few women on the side? Their nominal wives usually became even more attentive after their husbands strayed, terrified that their status would be usurped by another woman. Yet this Kong Lingxin actually dared to suggest a divorce just because he had other women. Wasn't she afraid of losing her position as the Second Young Mistress of the Meng family?

Kong Lingxin sighed and shook her head. Communication between them was impossible; talking to him was even more exhausting than fighting him.

Seeing her expression, Meng Zexiao grew impatient. "Anyway, if you don't 'date' me properly, don't expect to sleep peacefully in the same bed as me again! If you do date me, I can treat you with the respect a normal couple has and won't force you to do anything you don't want to—including sleeping with me."

This condition actually met Kong Lingxin's needs. She raised an eyebrow. "Is that a promise?"

Meng Zexiao hated being questioned. He flopped onto the bed, crossed his legs, and said, "If you don't agree to my terms, then we'll continue our battle tonight. But don't think you can kick me in the crotch like last time; your future 'sexual happiness' depends on that!"

Kong Lingxin knew he was using "sexual happiness" rather than "true happiness." Her face flushed red, and she turned her head away.

Meng Zexiao said, "I'll give you three seconds to decide: do you want to fight with me every night, or do you want to date me properly? Starting now—one, two..."

"Fine! It's a deal!"

That night, Meng Zexiao kept his word; he didn't try to touch her as he had before. He didn't even raise much of an objection when Kong Lingxin drew a line down the middle of the bed. His only complaint was that his six-foot frame was forced to occupy the same amount of space as her slender figure. Kong Lingxin, being reasonable, shifted the boundary a few inches toward her side.

Although Kong Lingxin slept with her back to Meng Zexiao all night, she slept much more soundly than before, no longer feeling the need to defend herself at the slightest movement.

The next morning, Meng Zexiao was up at 7:30.

Kong Lingxin rubbed her sleepy eyes, reaching out to check the time, but Meng Zexiao was already standing. "Why check the watch? My alarm is set for 7:30 when I have to go to work."

Kong Lingxin replied with a soft, "Oh."

Meng Zexiao tilted his chin up. "Is that all you have to say? We agreed, didn't we? We are in the dating phase! Do you know what a girlfriend is supposed to do for her boyfriend in the morning?"

Kong Lingxin shook her head in confusion. "I don't know."

Meng Zexiao glared at her, impatient. "Get the clothes I need for work and go to the bathroom to squeeze the toothpaste onto my toothbrush."

Kong Lingxin pouted. "If we weren't living together, none of this would be necessary."

"But we are living together! Don't forget our agreement!" he insisted, his tone as domineering as ever.

Kong Lingxin didn't argue further. She turned, went to the bathroom to prep his toothbrush, and then went to the wardrobe to fetch his clothes.

She had expected that after washing up and changing, he would head straight downstairs for breakfast. She hadn't realized this man had such a long morning routine. He went into the bathroom to shower, then shaved, and only then washed his face and brushed his teeth.

Not knowing what he usually wore to work, she conservatively chose a black business suit paired with a blue diagonal-striped tie.

After he changed, Kong Lingxin stole a glance at him. His stubble was gone, and his chin was smooth and polished. In his suit and tie, he looked instantly vibrant, even more handsome and imposing.

He was indeed a handsome man, but also a source of trouble.

When he turned to look at her, she hadn't yet pulled back her gaze. He remarked, "I like the way you look at me with such infatuation."

Kong Lingxin denied it. "I wasn't infatuated! I was just admiring the clothes I picked out!"

Meng Zexiao straightened his tie. "Hurry up and wash up so we can go down for breakfast."

"Oh."

"No 'ohs.' From now on, you are not allowed to say that word in front of me."

"Okay."

"Two words aren't allowed either!"

"Understood."

"Are you doing this on purpose to spite me?"

"I'm going to wash up."

After escaping into the bathroom, Kong Lingxin let out a long breath. What she couldn't accept was that her reflection in the mirror was blushing. It was just a handsome man, so what? Don't forget, this man is a notorious flirt and the culprit who caused the death of your twin sister!

Only by reminding herself of this could she steady her breathing.

After washing up and ensuring she wouldn't blush at the sight of a handsome man in a suit, she walked downstairs as if nothing had happened.

Seeing her, Sister Qi smiled warmly. "Second Young Mistress, you look much better today."

Kong Lingxin smiled back and walked to the dining room to sit opposite Meng Zexiao.

It was a Western breakfast: skimmed milk, sliced bread, and fried eggs.

Kong Lingxin had grown up eating millet porridge and her mother's pickled vegetables; she wasn't used to this. After a bite of egg and bread, she felt her mouth go dry and stood up to get a glass of water from the kitchen.

Meng Zexiao asked, "Where are you going?"

He even wanted to control that! Kong Lingxin restrained her temper and smiled at him. "I just wanted to get a glass of water."

Seeing the unnatural expression on Meng Zexiao's face, a servant quickly intervened. "Second Young Mistress, I will get it for you."

"From now on, let the servants handle these things!" His face was cold, clearly displeased with her attempt to do things herself.

Seeing his reaction, Kong Lingxin sighed with resignation. "I'll keep that in mind."

His lips curled into a satisfied smile. "I'll be at work today, and you'll be home alone. How do you plan to spend your time?"

The question stumped her. After several days of living as a wealthy socialite, if not for the distractions of Bai Tingting, Peng Nan, and the other women at the banquets, Kong Lingxin would have been bored to death.