113: Deception and Reluctance

Regardless, Kong Jiamu showed the greatest patience he had ever displayed when interacting with a Female, making the kiss tender and utterly non-aggressive.

Tu Nan absurdly felt a hint of preacher-like divinity from it?

It must be that the medicine she had taken was affecting her mind somewhat, Tu Nan thought.

To stop herself from thinking such terrible things, she gently pushed Kong Jiamu away.

She swore she hadn't hinted for this peacock to continue doing anything; she had genuinely just tilted her head slightly, and coincidentally, her gaze fell toward the bedroom door.

Who knew that her head would be gently cradled back into place, as Kong Jiamu looked at her with doting helplessness.

"Look, the first lesson I want to teach you is this: prioritize your own feelings, and dare to refuse at any time."

Tu Nan was miraculously synchronized with Kong Jiamu from a moment ago; she was speechless.

What was this man imagining?

Also, wasn't he accepting the persona she had just presented too quickly?

Kong Jiamu appeared very gentlemanly.

He lifted Tu Nan from the sofa by her waist and only put her down when they reached the suite door.

"Alright. That's enough for today; your body won't be able to handle more." He laughed heartily, "After a whole night, isn't your back sore now? All those compliments I just gave you weren't meant to get you into bed right now."

He finally stopped doubting his performance last night and regained his confidence.

"This ship will be floating in the starry sky for a long time, won't it? Don't rush to verify; I will wait for you."

Kong Jiamu appeared affectionate, but listening closely, one would realize he limited everything to this specific voyage.

Limited affection, a fixed-term game.

And fifteen days.

This was the time left for Tu Nan.

"Mhm!" Tu Nan seemed convinced, pursing her lips into a smile.

Under Kong Jiamu's gaze, the curve of her lips widened until it settled, becoming the look Kong Jiamu had seen when he first encountered her on the flight—seductive, alluring, and confident.

Food cooked slowly is always more delicious, Kong Jiamu thought, appraising Tu Nan with satisfaction.

"Let's go, I'll walk you out."

***

After Kong Jiamu left, Tu Nan swiped open her room door.

As soon as the door opened, Lance jumped out.

"Done?"

After leaving the Captains Quarters, Tu Nan had asked Lance to take the two little ones to eat first.

Although the Children were safe and well-liked and cared for by the staff on the flight, ultimately, letting them roam too freely was inappropriate.

Lance was their big friend and was deeply loved by the Children. She also enjoyed hanging out with them.

To be honest, Tu Nan occasionally doubted Lance's mental age.

Currently, Lance was an ally, and Tu Nan would need her help later. Since she asked, Tu Nan hesitated slightly before nodding.

"Awesome!" Lance gave Tu Nan a thumbs-up.

This day was quite eventful for her, and for Pearl, it could be called magnificent. Lance thought.

"Well, I'm leaving now. Remember the Botanical Garden matter; resolve it as soon as possible, or things might get complicated." Stretching, Lance gave a final reminder.

She was referring to Tu Nan's previous mention of checking the Botanical Garden for the two missing plants needed to eliminate the Foster Mother scent.

Tu Nan nodded. She hadn't found a chance to tell Kong Jiamu yet.

She had initially thought booking the Botanical Garden would be easy, but later she discovered that it was not only exclusive to VIP clients but also had very limited opening hours each day, and all recent slots were fully booked.

She planned to ask Kong Jiamu for a favor to open up an extra time slot for her—just like he had done for himself that day.

Lance left.

Tu Nan went to the bedroom and looked at the Children sleeping soundly, hugging each other on the bed, her heart melting completely.

For this entire day, she hadn't really spent quality time with the Children, and when she got back to the room, she was so exhausted she instantly fell asleep.

The Children had actually ended up comforting her.

[Mommy, hurry and sleep. Are you very tired? We can play by ourselves.] Not just the steady Ao Ao, but even the usually energetic Miao Miao nodded vigorously, not bothering her at all.

How was she worthy of having such obedient Children?

Even if the System was this useless, unable to help her in the slightest, just for bringing Tu Nan from that world and giving her such adorable Children... she could curse It a little less.

Tu Nan left the Children in the bedroom, stood alone in the living room, and finally replied to Hain's message.

"Lord Hain, I apologize for missing your message. Are you available now? Did something happen during the Children's afternoon class?"

That's right, the afternoon was the time for the Children's bi-daily "Advanced Course."

When Hain had previously given Miao Miao lessons, Tu Nan was always there accompanying them. Although Miao Miao told him Tu Nan was just sleeping in the afternoon and that's why she wasn't with them, Hain still felt something was wrong.

Given Tu Nan's emphasis on the Children, she shouldn't have abandoned them during such a course.

She was so serious that she took notes every time, afraid the Children would miss any key points... but the messages he sent were like stones sinking into the sea, and the video call request he finally couldn't resist making went unanswered.

Was she sleeping that soundly?

In fact, it was his repeated communications that almost made Tu Nan open her eyes, allowing Wei Yang's call to wake her up so easily.

Tu Nan only had time to briefly reply to Hain on the way to the Captains Quarters, saying she was busy for the moment and would message him later, before fully dedicating herself to Kong Jiamu.

Until now.

Hain received her reply and immediately initiated a video call.

Tu Nan hesitated for a moment and then pressed the connect button.

Hain's elegant figure quickly materialized as a projection in the room. Ignoring the spatial separation, he strode forward until he was only a step away from Tu Nan.

"Did something happen that you couldn't handle?" His question was unusually direct, without pleasantries, and so urgent.

Tu Nan's heartstrings were gently plucked.

She felt an indescribable, genuine sense of shame and embarrassment.

Because she understood Hain's expression—it was an urgency born purely from concern.

"Nothing, I just had insomnia last night." Tu Nan kept her eyes on the floor in front of her, hesitant to look up.

"You're lying."

Hain couldn't see Tu Nan's expression.

"Did someone bully you?"

He hated that he was separated from Tu Nan by such a vast distance, which meant he couldn't immediately grasp her shoulders and lift her face when he felt anxious.

Tu Nan couldn't tell Hain the truth.

What could she say? That while Hain was worried, she had spent a passionate night with his friend and was so exhausted that she slept through the entire day?

Say that she wasn't the elegant and responsible Female Beast Hain imagined, but just a strange outsider who needed to rely on Male Beasts like them to prolong her life?

But she genuinely didn't want to lie to Hain.

So, she could only plead.

"Lord Hain, something did happen, but I promise it's all resolved now. Could you... allow me to keep my secret? Could you please not ask anymore."

Hain paced back and forth in place. He knew he should agree immediately.

Every gentleman should graciously agree when a lady makes such a request.

"I'm sorry." Hain seriously questioned his own heart, and honestly told Tu Nan, "I can't lie to you. I can't do it."

Tu Nan looked up in shock.

She then saw the self-reproach and stubbornness in Hain's dark eyes.

Hain was in some distress; this clearly conflicted with the education he had always received. He frowned, as if confessing his mistakes to a deity.

"I want to know everything about you. Although I wish you would tell me yourself, all I can think about is that if you don't tell me, I will have to dig it out."

After saying this, he suddenly couldn't face his own dark side, nor could he face Tu Nan anymore.

"I'm sorry..."

Leaving that phrase behind, Hain actively ended the communication with Tu Nan for the first time.