After Being Bent by Reader

Meanwhile, inside the Murong family's house…

Fang Qin knocked on the door of Murong Shi's room.

Half a minute later, Murong Shi, in her pajamas, opened the door. Yawning, she greeted, "Morning."

Fang Qin was momentarily rendered speechless. "Are you living in America? It's almost dinner time now, alright?"

Rubbing her eyes, Murong Shi said, "It's so late already?"

The next moment, Fang Qin tried to sweep away the hair blocking Murong Shi's face. Noticing the action, Murong Shi grew alert and stoped her friend's hand. "What are you doing?"

Staring at Murong Shi's face, Fang Qin asked, "Why is half your face swollen?"

"I drank too much water."

Retracting her hand, Fang Qin heedlessly said, "You got hit by your father, right?"

A gleam briefly flashed by Murong Shi's eyes, but she did not reply to Fang Qin's words.

Sighing, Fang Qin said, "Aunt Lian saw you running out of the house last night."

Surprised, Murong Shi asked, "Then, my mom…"

"Your mother shouldn't know about it since she was already asleep at the time. I don't think Aunt Lian will tell her about it, either."

Murong Shi fell silent.

"Also, don't turn off your phone next time. Your dad got so worried that he didn't sleep the entire night."

Putting on a contemptuous smile, Murong Shi said, "I'm not that important in his eyes."

"Nonsense. You're his only daughter."

"You are also the only child of your family, yet didn't your parents still sever all relations with you?"

"..." Fang Qin winced in pain at having her dark past brought up. "Can we not stab at each other? Aunt Lian said you stank of alcohol when you came back. Where did you go last night?"

Upon hearing Fang Qin's question, Murong Shi suddenly recalled the absurd kiss she had last night, and she couldn't help but be stunned.

Poking her friend in the forehead, Fang Qin asked, "I'm asking you a question."

Retracting her emotions, Murong Shi avoided Fang Qin's question and said, "I'm going to sleep a little longer. Call me when it's dinner time."

When it was time for dinner, Sun An returned. Murong Shi immediately left the dining room as soon as she saw him.

Stopping her, Sun An said, "Little Shi, I'm sorry. Dad drank too much last night. Please forgive me."

However, Murong Shi turned her head away from him.

Seeing this scene, Murong Mingshu asked, "What's going on?"

If Murong Mingshu found out that Sun An had beaten their daughter, dinner would probably have to be canceled. Hence, Murong Shi did her best to convince herself not to care about yesterday's incident. Then, putting on a normal expression, she said, "It's nothing. Let's eat."

After dinner, Sun An wanted to talk to her, but Murong Shi refused him. Then, to avoid her father, Murong Shi hid into Fang Qin's room and found her friend fiddling with another parcel.

"What did you buy again?"

"I didn't buy anything. It's a return parcel."

"What return parcel?"

"Didn't that author give me books last time? So, I made some chocolates and sent them to her. But that author had already moved when the courier got to her address. When the courier called the author and asked for her new address, she refused to say it. She rejected my present."

Murong Shi sent the parcel a glance. When she saw the words "Xu XX" on the shipping label, her heart thumped.

Pretending to be calm, she said, "If she returned it, so be it. Since the other party doesn't want it, stop insisting on it."

Knitting her brows, Fang Qin said, "But I can't get over it. The six books plus shipping should cost a lot of money. The author is living in the same area as us. Do you think she would still refuse my gift if I deliver it in person?"

"She definitely won't accept it, so stop wasting your energy."

"How would you know?"

"Did she tell you her new address?"

Shrugging, Fang Qin said, "She probably refused to say it before because of the courier. Why don't I give her a call now?"

Murong Shi's expression changed upon hearing Fang Qin's words, and she immediately held down her friend's hand.

"What are you doing?" Fang Qin looked at Murong Shi strangely.

"Don't call her. She really won't accept it."

"How would I know if I don't try?" Fang Qin said as she shook off Murong Shi's hand.

Anxiously, Murong Shi said, "I tried before."

"What? You gave her something before?"

Wearing an unnatural look on her face, Murong Shi cleared her throat and said, "Like you, she gifted me books as well. I wanted to give her something back, but she refused no matter what."

"That must be because you lack sincerity."

"She said something to me that changed my mind."

"What did she say?"

"This author likes to dramatize things. If you give her something, she'll think you're trying to woo her."

Surprised, Fang Qin asked, "For real?"

"Do you think I'm the type to take things for granted?"

Looking at Murong Shi's face, Fang Qin was eventually convinced as she said, "Alright, then. I won't send a gift, either."

Murong Shi sighed in relief at her friend's reply. Then, she said, "I can help return this favor on your behalf."

Puzzled, Fang Qin asked, "How are you going to do that?"

"I'm following her work. I'll just send her a few Deep-water Torpedoes later on."

"What torpedo?"

"It's a donation system used by the publisher's platform. She'll receive a portion of the donated amount.

Understanding what Murong Shi meant, Fang Qin said, "Alright, you thank her on behalf, then."

Nodding, Murong Shi added, "You should also stop looking for her in private."

"And why is that?"

"You're not closely acquainted with her. If you keep on bothering her, she'll think you're teasing her on purpose."

Blinking rapidly, Fang Qin said, "...What a strange author."

Murong Shi did not deny her friend's words. She then pointed at the parcel and said, "You might as well let me eat those."

"I haven't even tasted them myself," Fang Qin said as she swiftly opened up the parcel and pulled out a bar of chocolate. After breaking it in half and giving one half to Murong Shi, she took a bite out of the remaining half. Then, narrowing her eyes, Fang Qin said, "Delicious. I'm so talented."

Afterward, Murong Shi silently tore the shipping label from the parcel.

At this time, Fang Qin suddenly leaned in closer and asked, "So, are you trying to woo her or not?"

Lowering her gaze, Murong Shi said, "No way."

…

Xu Chuanchuan sneezed a few times, and she couldn't help but wonder if it was because she didn't sleep well last night. Now, even her nose felt a little stuffy.

If I fall sick at this time, can I take some time off from work?

When Xu Chuanchuan thought about facing Murong Shi tomorrow, she couldn't help but crumble mentally. It had been two days since that incident. Murong Shi had yet to seek her out, give her an explanation, or apologize to her. Xu Chuanchuan felt as if she had just been toyed.

Was she mad about the incident? If Xu Chuanchuan were to be honest, not really. She just felt a little aggravated.

Normally, what Xu Chuanchuan liked doing the most was interacting with her viewers. Now, however, she couldn't find any motivation to do so.

That kiss appeared to be poisonous as she still hadn't gotten over it after two days had gone by.

No, I mustn't think about it. I need to find something to distract myself.

Her reader group was currently in a lively state, so Xu Chuanchuan decided to visit it. Unfortunately, as soon as she entered the group chat, she immediately saw a name she didn't wish to see.

—Heavens, Tycoon Shi, I'm starting to wonder if your money really does grow on trees.

—Darling Shi, you're acting whimsically again. Lord will probably be smiling herself to sleep with these five Deep-waters.

—Lord, did you not see the Deep-waters Darling Shi gave you? It's already been two days since you replied to any comments. @I Love Malatang

When Xu Chuanchuan saw the word "Shi," she would inadvertently think about a certain someone. And when she thought about that certain someone, she would think about that kiss they shared. Then, she would start growing annoyed again.

Lalala, I can't see anything. Xu Chuanchuan tossed her phone aside.

…

Unfortunately, Xu Chuanchuan did not succumb to the demon of illness. The next day, her nose no longer felt stuffy. Apart from her low spirits, everything else was normal.

While sitting in the office, she constantly fidgeted in her seat as she stared idly at her computer. Then, when her eyes inadvertently swept over the landline phone, her heart tightened, and she had the urge to unplug the phone line.

What should I do if Murong Shi calls me over later?

"Little Xu."

At this time, Xu Chuanchuan suddenly heard her department chief's voice. Snapping out of her daze, she turned around and asked, "Yes?"

Then, the department chief said, "Miss Murong says her side no longer needs your help."

Xu Chuanchuan was stunned.

This should've been good news, yet Xu Chuanchuan couldn't bring herself to be happy over it at all.

Why doesn't she need me anymore? Is it because she doesn't want to see me?

Xu Chuanchuan suddenly felt a little frustrated, her heart sinking bit by bit. At the same time, an unspeakable emotion flooded her heart.

On what basis does she get to call for me and dismiss me whenever she wants? I can accept getting reallocated if it was for work-related reasons, but Murong Shi is obviously doing this because of that incident!

Xu Chuanchuan had trouble eating and sleeping for the past two days because thoughts regarding that incident filled her head constantly. Yet, Murong Shi had cruelly and casually shooed her off with just a few words.

Xu Chuanchuan was angry.

Setting her current task aside, Xu Chuanchuan snuck away from the Engineering Department's office while no one paid attention. Then, she went looking for Murong Shi.

…

"Come in."

Xu Chuanchuan started growing afraid again when she heard the familiar indifferent voice.

I can't retreat. Otherwise, there won't be an end to this matter.

Opening the door, Xu Chuanchuan walked into the office.

When Xu Chuanchuan saw that Murong Shi was alone in the office, she locked the door behind her.

Murong Shi shifted her gaze away from her computer when she heard the sound of the door being locked. When she saw who had come in, she frowned and flatly asked, "Did your department chief not tell you? I don't need you here anymore."

Xu Chuanchuan tensed up at Murong Shi's words. Then, she slowly turned around to look at Murong Shi but dared not move any closer to the other party.

After struggling to swallow the saliva in her mouth, Xu Chuanchuan said, "I...have a question to ask you."

"What is it?"

Xu Chuanchuan's anger vanished when she saw Murong Shi's nonchalant behavior. Instead, replacing her anger was shame and aggravation.

She started regretting her actions now.

Why must I confront Murong Shi? Couldn't I have just pretended as if nothing had happened? Xu Chuanchuan fell into a dilemma. She didn't know whether she should proceed or retreat in this situation. She also felt like an idiot when subjected to Murong Shi's calm gaze.

Yet, Xu Chuanchuan was also reluctant to walk away from this situation.

That was a kiss on her lips, after all. One should only share a kiss with the person one liked. One shouldn't treat kissing as a joke.

With heavy steps, Xu Chuanchuan walked up to Murong Shi and stopped in front of her desk. However, despite having resolved herself mentally, her mouth refused to comply.

Murong Shi did not urge Xu Chuanchuan, either. Instead, she grabbed the nearby mug and slowly took a sip of water.

Xu Chuanchuan's gaze inadvertently followed Murong Shi's actions. When her line of sight came into contact with Murong Shi's moistened lips, she felt her face heating up, and even her breathing became labored.

Hurriedly, Xu Chuanchuan lowered her head.

Meanwhile, Murong Shi calmly looked at Xu Chuanchuan and said, "I'm very busy right now, so please don't take too long."

I've already reached this point, so what am I still afraid of? Xu Chuanchuan shut her eyes for a moment. Then, she forced herself to look at Murong Shi as she asked in a trembling tone, "I just wish to know… Why did you kiss me that night?"

Murong Shi did not seem to be surprised at all by this question. Placing the mug down, she deliberately swept her gaze across Xu Chuanchuan's lips and said, "I would've forgotten about it if you didn't bring it up."

Xu Chuanchuan gripped the edge of her shirt, not daring to make a sound.

Murong Shi's lips suddenly curled into a smile when she saw Xu Chuanchuan's reaction. Then, in a calm tone, she said, "I'm sorry. I drank too much that day. I hope you don't mind."

Xu Chuanchuan's body swayed slightly, a bizarre scene appearing in her mind—

In a TV drama series, a scumbag man woke up after a night of drunken sex. Then, he said to the woman beside him, "Sorry, I drank too much last night. I don't remember anything at all."

Afterward, the woman had no choice but to accept her unlucky fate.

Although Xu Chuanchuan did not sleep with anyone, she felt she had just suffered the same treatment as the poor woman in the drama.

Meanwhile, Murong Shi was none other than the irresponsible scumbag.

Xu Chuanchuan suddenly had an urge to curse.