Linda had initially been nervously watching me, but the moment she heard me blurt out, "What kind of reward?" her eyes instantly sparkled with mischief. With a sly sideways glance full of charm, she asked, "What reward do you want?"
I couldn't help letting my eyes wander over her figure. Linda immediately added, "The reward can't be too much. If it is, deal's off."
My gaze landed on her delicate lips, soft and pink like peach blossoms in March. A bold thought sprang to mind, and I hesitantly said, "Well, even though we haven't registered our marriage, we at least held a wedding banquet. So... can I kiss you once?"
By the time I finished the sentence, my voice had shrunk to a whisper and my face was burning. Linda was a stunning goddess, and I was just a nobody—we were from two completely different worlds. The gap between us made me feel so inferior that even saying it aloud felt ridiculous. I braced myself, sure she would mock me for being a toad lusting after a swan.
But to my surprise, Linda's eyes danced with cunning, like a sly fox. She asked playfully, "So you want a kiss from me?"
She... didn't reject me outright?
I looked up at her in disbelief. "Really?"
Linda, who had never even let me touch her hand before and treated me like poison, suddenly nodded with unexpected ease. "Alright. I'll give you one kiss, but in return, you have to keep quiet about the lie I told my dad. Deal?"
She actually agreed to give me a kiss—completely beyond my expectations. Staring at the gorgeous woman right in front of me, my heart began racing like mad. Amidst the joy, another thought popped up: *She agreed so easily… should I push for more? One kiss for such a humiliating lie seems like too little in return.*
So I said, "Linda, you know that if I go along with this, I'll never be able to lift my head around your parents again. That's a big price to pay. You should increase the reward a bit."
Her face immediately took on a cautious expression. "Increase how?"
I made an outrageous demand: "Unless you give me one kiss every week, I can't take the fall for this!"
I was mostly joking, but Linda's eyes gleamed with that same mischievous glint. She looked at me and said, "Okay, deal. You won't expose my lie, you'll take the blame, and in return, I'll give you one kiss every week. How's that?"
Joy surged through me like a wave. I stared wide-eyed at her, unable to believe it. "Really?"
Linda extended her pinky finger and said, "Pinky promise. Whoever breaks it is a puppy."
I never expected this goddess to show such a childish side. But if she used those words, she probably meant it seriously. My hands trembled slightly as I linked pinkies with hers, feeling the soft warmth of her fingertip. I exclaimed, "Alright! Whoever breaks it is a puppy!"
After sealing our agreement, it was time for Linda to fulfill her promise. I eagerly waited for the goddess's kiss.
She grinned like a fox that had just stolen a chicken. With a cheeky wink, she said, "Andrew, here comes your kiss. Catch it carefully!"
"Catch it?"
I was momentarily confused—who *catches* a kiss?
Then, she raised her fair hand to her lips, kissed her palm with those lipsticked lips, and gently blew a *flying kiss* at me...
Good grief. So *this* was the "kiss" she promised me—just a flying kiss. No wonder she told me to "catch" it.
Linda, who usually maintained a goddess-like air, couldn't help bursting into laughter when she saw the dumbfounded look on my face. She winked again and teased, "Andrew, did you catch the kiss I gave you?"
I realized I'd been tricked and shouted, "Linda! You set me up! You said you'd give me a kiss, how did it turn into a flying kiss?"
With a serious look, she replied, "I *did* say I'd give you a kiss. Isn't a flying kiss still a kiss? We made a pinky promise. Whoever breaks it is a puppy. You're a man—surely you're not going back on your word with a girl?"
Damn. Not only had she tricked me, she even used reverse psychology in case I backed out.
Looking at the scheming Linda in front of me, I finally understood why David had been coveting her for so long yet never got anywhere—this woman was *sharp*.
I had indeed made a pinky swear with her. She might have used a technicality, but it was my own fault for being careless. I couldn't find a way to weasel out of it, and after mumbling a few unintelligible things, I just gave up.
Seeing me at a loss, Linda looked especially pleased. With a grin, she concluded, "Alright, that's settled. Oh, by the way, you didn't finish your late-night meal earlier, right? You must still be hungry. I'll take you somewhere good."
"Where?" I asked, surprised. A secret wave of happiness rose in my heart. Even though I hadn't gotten a real kiss, at least Linda no longer seemed to hate me like she used to. Now she was even offering to take me out to eat—something I wouldn't have dared dream about before.
Linda started the car and said, "We're going to eat at Mingyue Pavilion."
"Mingyue Pavilion? That's way too expensive!"
I stared at her in shock. Mingyue Pavilion was one of the most renowned restaurants in town, known for its elegant atmosphere and delicious cuisine—also for its steep prices. It wasn't a place ordinary folks could afford.
Linda chuckled. "It's not expensive—someone else is footing the bill tonight."
I couldn't help but ask, "Who?"
She replied casually, "Our school's Director David."
So Linda was going to attend a dinner hosted by Director David. For some reason, an uncomfortable feeling rose in my chest. I couldn't help but say, "Actually, David's not a good guy. He—"
Linda finished my sentence for me. "You mean he has bad intentions toward me?"
I looked at her and said quietly, "Since you know he's a lecherous old man, why would you still go? Isn't that like walking into a wolf's den?"
"It's because of the issue with my title. I need his help to get it sorted. But don't worry, I can handle that old fox." She glanced at me and, seeing the concern on my face, her eyes softened a bit. "Why are you so worried about me?"
I blushed, feeling a little embarrassed. It was true—I was just an ordinary guy, and although she didn't like me, I still wanted to protect her. It was almost pathetic.
Not long after, we arrived at Mingyue Pavilion on Wutong Street.
The restaurant's decor was elegant and traditional. At the entrance stood two rows of hostesses in qipao, giving the place a luxurious, high-class feel. I followed Linda timidly inside.
A tall hostess approached and asked if we had a reservation.
Linda told her that Director David had made one. The hostess checked her list and smiled. "Mr. David reserved the Rose Room on the second floor. He's already arrived. I'll take you both upstairs."
She led us to a private room on the second floor. When we entered, we saw several middle-aged men already inside. Sitting at the head of the table was a slightly bald, chubby man—none other than Director David.
"Haha, the prettiest teacher at our school, Linda, is here!"
The moment he saw Linda, David's beady little eyes lit up with greenish greed, like a wolf spotting a lamb. He got up and rushed over eagerly.
"Traffic was a bit bad, so we're a little late. Sorry about that." Linda smiled sweetly, dazzling everyone.
David finally noticed me trailing behind her. His face showed surprise, and he asked, "Why is *he* here?"
Linda quickly explained, "Andrew is my cousin. I ran into him on the way, and since he hadn't eaten yet, I brought him along. You don't mind, do you, Director David?"
"Of course not. If he's your cousin, he's welcome," David said with forced enthusiasm. But his eyes clearly betrayed his displeasure. He clearly didn't like this unexpected third wheel.
He went on to introduce Linda to the other guests, all of whom turned out to be his buddies from the education bureau. Linda quickly greeted them with a charming smile.
I took the opportunity to check out the room. Dinner hadn't officially started—there were only a few appetizers on the table—but there was already a suspicious amount of liquor, including several bottles of Maotai. I couldn't help but feel relieved that I came with Linda tonight. These guys clearly had ulterior motives. They were planning to get her drunk.