Zhao Yiming's eyes widened as he instinctively reached out and gently held Su Meilin's hand.
"Mrs. Su, are you alright? Where did he hurt you? Should we go to the police?"
He fired off questions one after another, his heart racing. But one thing was clear—his hatred for Jin Haolong grew even deeper, like dark ink spreading endlessly through clear water.
Even if he'd been a bastard in his past life, he would never have laid a hand on his wife. Never. A man who dared to hurt a woman was a coward. A true scum of the earth.
Su Meilin blinked in surprise at his sudden reaction, then gave a small, bitter laugh.
"Oh no, Mr. Zhao… my husband doesn't hurt me like that. He never lays a hand on me… at least not physically." Her gaze dropped to the ground, eyes distant and hollow.
"It's just… his words. They can be cruel. Even if what he says is true, he doesn't have to say it like that…"
Zhao Yiming's voice softened as he responded, calm and steady like a warm breeze, "Mrs. Su… abuse is still abuse."
"Whether the wound is visible or not, it's still a wound. And sometimes… the ones in our hearts take even longer to heal than those on the body."
His words settled over her like warm sunlight breaking through clouds, and for a moment, her trembling shoulders stilled.
He didn't offer hollow comfort. He didn't rush to fix things. He simply stayed, and in his presence, she felt something she hadn't in a long time.
Safety, peace, and somehow… warmth.
She looked at him through glassy eyes, and for just a moment, the way the morning sun caught in his long, slightly tousled hair made her pause.
'Strange,' she thought. 'Has he always looked this radiant?'
"…You're right," she whispered after a long pause.
"But I just don't know what to do. The more I try to fight back, the more his words cut me down…"
Her voice trembled as her fingers curled into the handkerchief he'd given her.
"I… I'm not just some dumb village girl! And what's wrong with making porridge from leftover rice?"
Her voice started to rise, shaking with frustration as she poured her heart out. Zhao Yiming stayed quiet, listening intently.
"What's wrong with saving food from yesterday?! What's wrong with handmade gifts?! Was that sweater I made so ugly he had to insult me and throw it away?!"
She suddenly froze. Her mouth trembled. And then, like a dam bursting, she began to sob—loud, unrestrained, no longer able to keep her pain inside.
---
And right at that moment, the system chimed in:
[Quest Appeared!]
[New Quest: Melon-choly Comfort!]
[Objective: Choose how to 'comfort' Su Meilin during her emotional breakdown.]
• Easy Mode – Rub-a-Back Therapy
(Just gently rub her back. Keep it safe, sweet, and boring. You're such a gentleman.)
[Success Rate: 100%]
• Medium Mode – Hug Her From the Front
(Wrap those strong arms around her trembling body. Make sure your head wraps around those delicious boobs. And yes, you'll feel everything.)
[Success Rate: 85%]
• Hard Mode – Soft Kiss, Hard Impact
(Press your lips gently to her mouth and lick it with your tongue gently and hug her until her melons a sticking to you! Make her heart melt and thighs twitch—she won't even understand why.)
[Success Rate: 60%]
---
Zhao Yiming's eyes had never been this wide in his life—not even that time he accidentally walked in on parents mating.
But this? This was worse.
He stared at the abomination of a quest the Goddess of Richness & Love had just slapped on his screen.
'What the hell, God?! Can't you see how fragile this woman is?! She's literally crying!'
[God of Richness & Love sends a message:]
[What do you mean? I helped you, moron! Be more thankful to me! Also, the rewards are HUGE. Like those melons!]
He clenched his fists and let out a long, suffering sigh.
'This damned deity… I knew they'd push me into kissing her! I just knew it!'
So he decided to do it himself. His hands moved on their own—one rising to gently cup Su Meilin's soft cheeks.
Her teary, confused purple eyes met his, wide and shimmering like blooming iris flowers. His heart clenched.
'Forgive me, Mrs. Su! I swear I'll bring you jade, gold, and ten-year ginseng after this!'
And then, slowly, he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.
It was gentle—just a soft meeting of lips. But then his mouth moved, teasing and warm.
His tongue traced along her bottom lip, slow and light, not demanding but… curious. A touch of heat, just enough to send shivers across her skin.
Su Meilin didn't pull away. In fact… why wasn't she mad?
Why did her chest rise quicker? Why did her fingers curl slightly against her dress? Why did her heart beat louder, faster?
Her breath hitched, and she blinked slowly, dazed and confused, even as Zhao Yiming finally pulled back—and immediately crushed her in a hug.
His head buried in her chest, breathing in the sweet scent of jasmine, he almost melted right there.
'Heaven… This is actual heaven. Mrs. Su's body is so soft. She smells so damn good. I could die here peacefully.'
[God of Richness & Love is smirking, eating popcorn…]
["I knew it! You're just like me now—A PERVERTED DISCIPLE! HAHAHAHA!!"]
That obnoxious, mocking laugh snapped him out of his fantasy, and his gaze flicked up.
Su Meilin was… speechless. Her mouth was still slightly open, glistening from their kiss.
Her cheeks flushed, her thighs clenched awkwardly, and her body warm with flustered heat.
'Heavens help me… she looks so damn sexy!'
"Ah… umm… Mrs. Su, I… I just—"
He wanted to apologize, but he knew no amount of "sorry" could explain that. So he said the only thing his heart told him to:
"Your husband… is a fool for treating you like that. If it were me… I'd eat your porridge every day. Hell, I'd lick the bowl clean, leftovers or not—so long as you're the one who made it."
His voice trembled, his ears went red, and his mouth kept going on autopilot.
"You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen… even goddesses can't compare!"
"And if you gave me a handmade sweater—I'd wear that thing every single day until summer! Oh, goddess of jasmine!"
He said it all with a straight face, but inside he was screaming into a pillow. He sounded like a lovesick idiot.
And yet… Su Meilin laughed.
A real, warm, breathy laugh.
Then she looked at him and asked softly, "Mr. Zhao… won't you come to my apartment?"
---
[DING!]
[Congratulations! Quest Complete!]
[You chose the Hard Option. Rewards are now available!]
[Rewards:]
[$2,000 | +25 Su Meilin Affinity | +10 Lust | +20 Charisma | 1500 AP
[New Perk Unlocked: Wholesome Heat
(When comforting women through emotional vulnerability, your words gain +30% effectiveness… but may also trigger physical reactions.)]
[God of Richness & Love's Comment:]
"WHAHAHAHA! You're officially my PERVERTED DISCIPLE NOW!!!"
---
[DING!]
[New Quest Available!]
'AGAIN?!'