I want to eat you

"Stop right there!" Tang Mianmian quickly interrupted.

She knew exactly what kind of idea he had in mind.

Hanging both hands on his shoulders, she smiled sweetly. "My relatives said—you need to get some proper rest."

The man's face immediately darkened.

Relatives, relatives…

This "relative" was the one universally loathed by all men, wasn't it?

He snatched the towel from her hands, clearly annoyed. "Lie down. I'll dry your hair. And stop washing your hair during your period."

"Then can you endure it?" Tang Mianmian obediently let him dry her hair, enjoying every moment.

Finally, she was getting something back—it felt great.

"What if I can't endure it?"

"…Deal with it!"

Long Yejue flicked her forehead. "Ungrateful little thing."

Tang Mianmian rubbed the sore spot on her forehead and shamelessly asked, "Is it really that unbearable? If it is, maybe you should sleep on the couch? Don't glare at me, I'm just being practical—it's better for everyone!"

"The couch? What nonsense! I, Long Yejue, would never sleep there!" he declared arrogantly. Then in a lowered voice, he leaned in and said, "Actually… there are other ways…"

"Ah! I'm going to sleep. Let's not talk about this anymore." Tang Mianmian quickly backed off.

Damn, if this kept going, this man was about to lose all his decency again.

Seeing her dodge like that, he chuckled, and his hands became gentler.

Meanwhile, Long Ruoshui stormed back to her room, furious, throwing things around to vent her anger.

Su Wanru tried to comfort her. "Ruoshui, don't get so worked up. It's not worth it."

"That Tang Mianmian is too much!" Long Ruoshui was fuming and couldn't make sense of it all.

Why? Just why?

She was the rightful young lady of the Long family—she should be the one receiving all the affection. But why did Grandpa treat her so coldly?

And ever since Tang Mianmian showed up, things had only gotten worse.

Last night, when Su Wanru pointed out the suspicious details about the kidnapping, she finally realized how cunning Tang Mianmian truly was.

She had gone to great lengths convincing Zhu Wenyi to plant the seeds of doubt in Grandpa.

But instead of suspecting Tang Mianmian, Grandpa turned on his own daughter-in-law.

How could she possibly swallow that?

"Don't be angry anymore. You're too innocent—not even a match for her. And your grandfather is clearly biased and doesn't trust you. There's no point in arguing," Su Wanru said with a helpless look.

That only made Long Ruoshui more frustrated. Her eyes reddened with anger, and she swept a valuable ornament off the table, shattering it to pieces.

Su Wanru quickly stepped aside.

The noise drew Zhu Wenyi, who came knocking.

Su Wanru opened the door and, seeing it was Zhu Wenyi, gave an awkward smile. "Ruoshui's upset. I can't seem to calm her down."

Zhu Wenyi knew her daughter's temper well. She brushed past her and walked in, frowning at the mess. "You're eighteen now, not eight. Is this how a lady from a prestigious family behaves?"

"Mom, why are you scolding me too?" Long Ruoshui looked hurt and aggrieved.

Zhu Wenyi's face darkened. "Who else should I scold, if not you?"

"You should scold Tang Mianmian! You're the mother-in-law—you should act the part! How can you let her walk all over you?" Long Ruoshui shouted, unwilling to back down.

Zhu Wenyi could only shake her head. "You're a young woman. Why are you always obsessing over this stuff? We have Grandpa, we have your father and me—why are you worrying so much? Do you want to make Grandpa even more disappointed in you?"

"I'm just not convinced! Why should she get everything? I'm Grandpa's real granddaughter. She's just some woman who barely counts. If my brother stops liking her one day, she'll be nothing!" Her voice was full of resentment—she was desperate to drive Tang Mianmian away.

Zhu Wenyi knew how stubborn her daughter was, but she still remembered Old Master Long's words: peace in the family was everything.

Having been the eldest daughter-in-law of the Long family for so many years—and coming from a noble family herself—Zhu Wenyi understood the bigger picture.

If the main branch really caused trouble, the other branches would be the first to celebrate.

So she hardened her tone and said, "Your personality is exactly why Grandpa doesn't favor you. If you keep this up, don't be surprised if he sends you off to one of those behavior correction academies. And when that happens, no matter how much you scream, no one can help you—not even me."

Hearing that, Long Ruoshui finally showed some real fear.

Those schools were inhumane—they didn't care how rich or powerful your family was.

"Now you're scared, huh? Then behave. Stop stirring up trouble and wasting money. Grandpa hates nothing more than spending lavishly on luxury goods—got it?"

Long Ruoshui bit her lip, hurt. "It's not like we're poor. Can't I even buy something to make myself feel better when I'm upset?"

Zhu Wenyi was at her wits' end. She poked her daughter's forehead hard. "You're seriously going to be the death of me. If you won't listen, I won't bother with you anymore."

"Mom…" Long Ruoshui quickly softened her tone and tried to act cute.

"I'm telling you—don't mess with Grandpa right now. Tang Mianmian is someone he's protecting. Think carefully before you act." Zhu Wenyi spoke patiently, hoping her daughter would finally get it.

Still filled with frustration, Long Ruoshui let go of her hand and muttered, "It's not like I'm even his real granddaughter! And Tang Mianmian better not get too full of herself—I know my brother doesn't truly love her."

"Oh really? And how would you know that?"

"Obviously. Don't you think Tang Mianmian looks a lot like her?" Long Ruoshui said meaningfully.

Zhu Wenyi's face darkened instantly. "Don't you dare say things like that! Be careful, or your grandfather might throw you out of the house right now."

"I know, I know! So naggy!" Long Ruoshui flopped onto the bed. Though still resentful, she had already started plotting in her heart.

She couldn't let Tang Mianmian have the upper hand for too long.

After Zhu Wenyi left the room, Long Ruoshui sat up with a sudden burst of energy, full of resentment. "I don't believe I can't deal with that Tang Mianmian!"

"Did your mom get told off by your grandpa or something? Why did she suddenly change sides like that?" Su Wanru asked, picking up on details Ruoshui didn't notice.

Long Ruoshui was puzzled too. "Yeah, didn't she just go to Grandpa to talk about the kidnapping suspicions? Why did she come back and start defending Tang Mianmian instead?"

"Maybe… your grandpa scolded her. Why else would she be so afraid?"

"It's all Tang Mianmian's fault!"

Long Ruoshui practically screamed. Her life had turned into a mess ever since Tang Mianmian showed up.

Not only did she lose favor in the family, even her mother wasn't taken seriously anymore.

Unacceptable!

She couldn't just sit around and do nothing. Tang Mianmian needed to learn—this family wasn't that easy to push around!

"Wanru, you're always smarter than me. Help me out—give me a plan." Ruoshui turned to her friend for help.

Su Wanru hesitated. "I don't know… your mom just gave you a serious warning. What if something goes wrong…"

"Oh, come on! Helping me means helping yourself too! Once Tang Mianmian's gone, you'll have a chance with my brother. Don't you want to marry him?" Ruoshui clutched her hand, pleading.

Su Wanru's eyes narrowed slightly. After a moment of silence, she pursed her lips and said, "Alright, I'll come up with a plan. But if anything goes wrong, you can't tell anyone I was involved."

"Of course not! I swear I won't say a word!" Ruoshui raised her hand in a solemn oath.

Only then did Su Wanru smile. "There is a way…"

After enjoying the perks of delivering lunch yesterday, Tang Mianmian couldn't escape the same fate today.

She had just finished breakfast and gone back to bed for a nap. When she finally picked up a book to read, the phone rang—it was the big boss himself.

Still groggy, she answered lazily, "Mr. CEO, aren't you at work right now, handling a mountain of business, every second worth a fortune? Isn't it a waste of time to call me?"

"Calling my wife is never a waste of time," his low and charming voice came through, sending a tingle down her spine.

She couldn't help but drift into thoughts…

This morning when he got up, he still insisted on his so-called "morning benefit."

He always kissed her breathless before reluctantly going for a cold shower…

It made her heart ache.

Even if he was in good health, long-term cold showers couldn't be good. What if he got sick? That would be a real loss.

But if she didn't let him… that meant…

Ahhh, just thinking about it made her cheeks burn.

"I'm hungry," the man said, not waiting for her response.

Tang Mianmian replied instinctively, "Then go eat! Why call me? I'm not your food!"

"Oh?" He chuckled, voice laced with teasing. "You think I want to eat you?"

Only then did she realize what she'd just said, flustered. "I-I didn't mean it like that. I was trying to say…"

But no explanation could help her now.

"Though I really do want to eat you… it's just that right now isn't the best timing."

"..."

Someone stop her, she wants to slam into a wall.

"Alright, I'll stop teasing. I'm really hungry. Bring me lunch, wife."

The way he lowered his voice on that last word—it was almost sinful.

Even over the phone, it sent shivers through her. She wanted to throw the phone, but she knew she'd miss it the moment she did.

"You're the big boss. Say the word, and a dozen beauties will line up to deliver food. That Shen Xiao'ai from yesterday would be thrilled, I'm sure."

On the other end, Long Yejue narrowed his eyes. "Wife, jealousy is edible, but too much and your teeth won't handle it."

"..."

Why does he always win?!

"I'm not jealous!" she said firmly, trying to reclaim some dignity.

She was never this easily flustered before! What kind of spell did this man cast?

"Come on, bring me lunch. If you don't, I won't eat. Would you really let your husband starve while working hard to support you?" he continued to coax her gently.

Just then, the office door was knocked on. He said, "Come in," and continued talking sweetly over the phone.

"I didn't say I wouldn't bring it. Why are you making it sound so dramatic?" she said with a huff.

He raised a brow, his handsome face lit with amusement. "Then I'll wait. Come early—have the driver bring you over."

"..."

What a production.

"Fine. What do you want to eat?"

"You…"