I told you to kick me, not smack me

At last, he would get revenge for that kick.

Heh heh, Mi Ling, you promised. A bet's a bet.

Better yet, try backing out. Then you'll get more than one hit, and you won't be able to fight back even if you want to.

Chen Luo suppressed his excitement and cleared his throat. "All right, that's all for now. There's no rush to expand the team."

"Mi Ling, come to the bedroom with me. There are a few things I need to discuss with you privately."

Uh, kicking Mi Ling in front of everyone wouldn't be appropriate, would it?

Naturally, they would go to the bedroom and fulfill their agreement in private.

Mi Li was innocent and clueless, genuinely believing Chen Luo had something to discuss with Mi Ling. Ma Yu had already cast them an amused glance before going off to clear the table.

Mi Ling froze for a moment, then a blush began creeping up from her snowy-white neck.

Was he really going to kick me?

But I did promise.

Ugh, I was too naive. I fell for Chen Luo's trick. Why would he have added that stake if he hadn't been absolutely certain?

Gritting her teeth, Mi Ling stood up anyway. It was just one kick. What was the big deal?

Chen Luo went into what had originally been Mi Ling's bedroom first, and she slowly followed.

Rice, whose curiosity was considerable, wanted to follow too. As a cat, it's perfectly reasonable for me to listen in, right?

But Mi Ling pushed Rice aside.

It would have been fine back when Rice couldn't talk, but what if Rice broadcast it everywhere like a loudspeaker afterward, or used it against her at a crucial moment?

Rice stared forlornly at the closed bedroom door. Chen Luo is much nicer.

Once the door was closed, Mi Ling couldn't hide the flush on her face.

With her back to Chen Luo, Mi Ling said in a seemingly indifferent tone, "All right, hurry up and kick me."

Chen Luo gave her a puzzled look. "Do you have some misunderstanding about what sticking your butt out means? Or were you bad at language class?"

Mi Ling was standing perfectly straight. How was that sticking her butt out?

Her already flushed cheeks instantly turned as red as apples.

This is way too embarrassing.

Does he really have to be so particular?

Mi Ling protested angrily, "No, I don't get it. Why did you make kicking me part of the bet? You were the one who messed with me before, not the other way around. Did I offend you somehow?"

"How about choosing a different punishment? Anything is fine, as long as it isn't too much."

Exactly. When a normal person made a bet with a girl, even an outrageous stake would only be something like a kiss. Who asked to kick her in the butt?

Chen Luo couldn't exactly say he still remembered his grudge from his previous life, could he?

Chen Luo shook his head like a rattle. "Don't ask why. You lost, so honor the bet. Just tell me whether you're doing it."

Mi Ling felt both embarrassed and annoyed. That Chen Luo!

After a fierce internal struggle, Mi Ling gritted her teeth. "Fine. I, Mi Ling, keep my word."

Mi Ling braced her hands against the wall opposite the door, to the right of the foot of the bed, bending her lovely curves slightly.

"Hurry up."

Her voice trembled a little, and so did her body. She had never even imagined doing something like this, let alone actually done it.

It was simply too embarrassing.

Chen Luo's blood surged. This was far too thrilling.

I'm actually about to do this with the future goddess of war, the Flame Empress.

The beautiful sight was almost more than he could bear.

Suddenly, Chen Luo couldn't bring himself to kick her.

Dragging things out, Chen Luo took off his shoes.

Sneaking a glance at him, Mi Ling breathed a sigh of relief. Without shoes, it should hurt less. Surely Chen Luo won't kick me hard?

If you dare use any force, I'll cry right in front of you!

In truth, Chen Luo was trying to stall.

After ten seconds, Mi Ling grew impatient. "I'm counting down from ten. If you still haven't kicked me by then, don't say I broke my promise. You're the one giving up."

"Ten, nine, eight."

Chen Luo raised his foot, hesitating.

Kicking her would wipe away his past humiliation immediately, but he didn't necessarily have to avenge this grudge.

Did I seek Mi Ling out specifically just to kick her?

If I really kick her, that seems like a surefire way to stay single forever.

Sure, kicking her would feel great, but I might end up single for the rest of my life.

"Four, three."

With time almost up, Chen Luo panicked and slapped her instead.

Smack.

That feeling...

Mi Ling gave a small shriek, her face so red it looked ready to bleed, and turned to glare at Chen Luo.

"I told you to kick me! How could you smack me with your hand?"

Chen Luo smiled sheepishly. "I forgot. How about letting me make up for it with a kick?"

That would have given anyone a stroke on the spot.

Mi Ling lunged at Chen Luo like a tigress. "I'll pinch you to death!"

Her hands pinched hard at Chen Luo's arms and waist.

Chen Luo struggled to resist.

They rubbed and jostled, moving like the devil's own dance.

Chen Luo suffered, yet enjoyed every moment.

Only when she was panting for breath did Mi Ling let him go.

Mi Ling said fiercely, "If you dare tell anyone, I really will pinch you to death."

If Mi Li or Rice found out, she would have no dignity left at all.

Chen Luo nodded like a chick pecking grain.

Mi Ling didn't leave the bedroom immediately. She had to wait for her face to return to normal.

Chen Luo said, "I'll ask Sister Yu to make some dishes you like for lunch today, to celebrate you officially joining our team."

Mi Ling warned him, "If you dare trick me again, I'm done being nice."

Chen Luo gave a sheepish laugh. "If I trick you again, I'm a dog."

Dharma King: Excuse you?

After Chen Luo left, Mi Ling lay on the bed. Remembering something, she murmured in confusion, "Huh? He didn't even ask what I like to eat. Did Mi Li tell him?"

Chen Luo had Ma Yu start making lunch early.

They usually had eight dishes, but today they had twelve. Most were Mi Ling's favorites, and Chen Luo's too.

Looking at the table laden with food, Mi Ling was deeply moved. She knew that without Chen Luo, if things didn't improve in this apocalypse...

She probably wouldn't get to eat even four of the dishes on this table for the rest of her life.

On her way home from school, her greatest worry had been that her little sister Mi Li wasn't eating well, was going hungry, or was in danger.

Yet, lo and behold, the life she was living was practically paradise. Not only was she well protected, but she feasted on meat and fish every day.

At that thought, Mi Ling raised her drink and stood up, saying sincerely, "Thank you so much, Chen Luo, for taking care of my little sister."

Chen Luo smiled. "Of course. It's only right."

Wasn't it only right?

They dug in.

Just as he did with Mi Li, Chen Luo ate meat in hearty mouthfuls. His enthusiasm rubbed off on Mi Ling, and she stopped holding back too.

Mi Ling chewed the spicy slices of meat in her mouth. Ohhh, this meat is way too delicious.

I wavered again, but this time I didn't lose!

After they finished eating, Chen Luo took a sip of tea and said to the thoroughly satisfied Mi Ling, "Mi Ling, Mi Li, this isn't a suitable place to live. Other survivors will be searching this place at least eight times a day eventually. It'll be a real nuisance."

Everyone knew that densely populated residential complexes like this had plenty of supplies.

Before long, people would be swarming in to search for them.

Most importantly, the terrain was poor and the view wasn't open enough. Given a choice, it was best not to live in a high-rise.

"Let's pack up this afternoon. There's no rush. Put whatever you need in my storage space, and we'll leave tomorrow."