42: Chapter 42 I'm sorry, I'll be gentle.

Chen Ye didn't speak, nor did he look at her; he simply leaned lazily against the sofa, his fingers tapping the armrest, waiting quietly.

Shen Jiaojiao struggled internally once again: "Am I really going to satisfy such a weird fetish of his just for a bite to eat? What does that make me?"

However, what she found even more unbelievable was that, even now, she still didn't feel any sense of disgust toward Chen Ye.

She was terrified, wondering what was wrong with her.

But she had no other choice at this moment; the global attack this morning had made it clear to her that things would only get tougher in the future.

Shen Jiaojiao took a deep breath, her small hands trembling as she slowly unfastened the belt of her khaki trench coat.

The trench coat opened to both sides, revealing the tight black floral mini skirt underneath.

Beneath the hem of the skirt were a pair of long, slender legs wrapped in ultra-thin black stockings, straight and with smooth lines.

Paired with black stilettos, they made the lines of her legs look even more alluring.

The mini skirt barely covered the tops of her thighs, where fair skin intertwined with the black silk, and the subtle, tantalizing curves made it impossible for anyone to look away.

Her cheeks were burning hot, and she kept her eyes lowered, not daring to look at Chen Ye. Her voice trembled with a hint of a sob: "I—I did as you said... and wore it..."

Shen Jiaojiao froze in place, her heart pounding wildly, her cheeks hot enough to burn.

Being stared at by Chen Ye's direct gaze, she should have felt ashamed, resistant, or even turned and fled.

Yet, deep down, there was no repulsion at all, only the flustered sensation of a heart fluttering like a trapped deer. She gripped the hem of her trench coat with her fingertips, and even her breathing became gentle.

Chen Ye's gaze fell upon her long legs wrapped in black silk.

The skin beneath the floral mini skirt was partially visible, and with her straight, slender lines and delicate ankles perched in stilettos, her figure was the epitome of grace and allure.

He was ecstatic, secretly rejoicing: I really didn't pick the wrong person. This beauty, this figure, these legs—she is truly the top-tier femme fatale of the apocalypse!

His fingertips itched; he really wanted to reach out and touch that delicate skin.

But he forcefully suppressed his restlessness, simply lifting his chin slightly, his tone lazy: "Sit up here."

The three light, airy words felt like a heavy hammer striking Shen Jiaojiao's heart.

Her whole body stiffened, despair instantly clouding her eyes, and a bitter smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

As expected, all men are the same—going to such great lengths to provide food and keep her in suspense, all in the end to target her body.

She had been rebellious since childhood and had never suffered such humiliation. She struggled frantically within: either storm out, or rebuke him harshly—starving to death was better than this!

But then she thought of Sun Haoyu's beatings and her empty stomach, yet her pride forcibly propped up her last bit of stubbornness.

"I..." Shen Jiaojiao's eyes turned red, her pearly teeth biting down hard on her pink lips, her voice trembling with a sob, "Please let me go. Even if I starve to death, I will not sell my body."

Chen Ye almost laughed out loud, but he feigned a look of confusion, rubbed the back of his neck, and spoke in an aggrieved tone:

"What are you thinking? I think I just have a stiff neck, so I wanted you to sit on the sofa and massage my shoulders and back. What on earth is in your head?"

Shen Jiaojiao froze instantly, her round eyes wide, her cheeks turning from bright red to purplish-red, blushing all the way to her ears.

She had actually misunderstood!

She was so embarrassed that her toes curled, and she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into right then and there.

She clutched her skirt hem helplessly with both hands, her head bowed so low it was almost buried in her chest: "S-sorry! I—I misunderstood you..."

"Don't just stand there, come over." Chen Ye urged again.

Shen Jiaojiao nodded awkwardly and shuffled over to the side of the sofa.

After hesitating for a moment, she sat down sideways, half of her hip pressed against Chen Ye's waist.

The soft sensation came instantly, and a faint scent of gardenias lingered at the tip of his nose.

Chen Ye squinted his eyes in comfort, relaxing his whole body.

Her small hands rested lightly on his shoulders, her fingertips slender and soft; every touch carried a subtle electric current, making him feel tingly and numb.

She had never massaged anyone before, and her movements were awkward and restrained. Her long nails occasionally poked into his skin, making Chen Ye wince in pain.

"Hiss, can you trim your nails next time? You're about to poke through my skin."

"Ah! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'll be gentler, gentler!" Shen Jiaojiao panicked and made her movements even softer.

Her small hands carefully kneaded his shoulders and neck. Her breathing was slightly rapid, and her warm breath brushed against Chen Ye's neck, causing a ticklish sensation.

The two exchanged words, their tone natural and intimate. They were hardly a savior and a person in need of help; they clearly looked like a couple who had been together for a long time.

Even Shen Jiaojiao herself was stunned; she had always been aloof and proud. Let alone massaging a man, she usually felt impatient even if she had to say one extra word.

But right now, with Chen Ye, she was actually willing to do these things. There was no resistance in her heart; instead, a strange sweetness welled up.

What kind of magic did this man possess?

[Ding! Shen Jiaojiao's favorability has soared, and she has interacted with the host by giving a massage.]

[Trust +10 → Current 43]

[Obedience +20 → Current 42]

[Symbiosis Value +30 → Current 85]

[Host passive attribute updated: Basic Physical Strength +30 → Current 85]

Chen Ye was overjoyed; not only was he enjoying a gentle massage from a goddess, but he had also gotten a huge boost in Symbiosis Value for free. Life couldn't be more comfortable.

Just when he was drowsy and completely relaxed.

"Thump, thump, thump! Thump, thump, thump!" A rapid and piercing knocking suddenly exploded again, so forceful it sounded like they were trying to smash the door down, instantly shattering the ambiguous peace inside the room.

Chen Ye frowned, his face full of annoyance. He didn't need to guess to know that it was highly likely Sun Haoyu, who had lost patience and come to the door to cause trouble.

He lifted his chin, signaling Shen Jiaojiao: "Go check it out."

Shen Jiaojiao, like a rabbit receiving an order, obediently got up and walked to the door. She peeked through the peephole, then turned back and whispered: "It's the Property Manager!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Ye immediately remembered who this Property Manager was—she was the Property Manager of this Residential Community.

In her forties, she always had a perm and thought very highly of herself, but in reality, she was just a divorced, middle-aged woman who spent her days eating, drinking, and having fun.

Chen Ye's heart sank, and a sense of foreboding washed over him.

It was the apocalypse now—monsters were besieging the city, order had collapsed—what business did the property management still have?

This Property Manager coming to his door definitely meant trouble!

"Don't open it. Ignore her," Chen Ye ordered coldly.

But the Property Manager outside was as stubborn as a mule, knocking incessantly and shouting at the top of her lungs: "Chen Ye! I know you're home! Open the door right now! Don't play dead!"

Her voice was sharp and piercing, standing out distinctly in the quiet hallway.

Chen Ye wasn't afraid of her, he just couldn't be bothered to tangle with such people. But the other party was relentless; if she kept making a scene, she might attract more neighbors, and the trouble would only grow bigger.

He stood up helplessly, yanked the door open, and said with a cold expression: "What do you want?"

The Property Manager had her hair styled in exquisite curls, wore a floral dress, and her makeup was still meticulous.

She looked Chen Ye up and down, then raised her eyebrows sarcastically: "It took you so long to open the door—what kind of shameful things were you doing inside?"

Her gaze shifted, and upon seeing Shen Jiaojiao inside the room, her eyes lit up, and she teased: "Oh my, isn't this the great beauty from next door, Shen Jiaojiao?"

"Not at home keeping your husband company, but running off to another man's home? You're really something!"