After Marking the Villain Professor (ABO, GL) - Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Xu Man was pulled to the second floor by Zhou Yutao, still in a daze. Everything that had just happened was utterly mortifying. More importantly, the sudden, rich scent of peach filled her senses, and her mind uncontrollably conjured up some indescribable images.

“Manman, what are you thinking about?” Zhou Yutao asked as she pushed Xu Man onto the bed, her kiss pressing down.

“I’m thinking about you, Sister,” Xu Man answered honestly.

Zhou Yutao smiled, her fingertips resting on the buttons of Xu Man’s shirt. The situation felt familiar. Though the bite mark on her shoulder no longer hurt much, Xu Man trembled slightly. She hadn’t dodged before, and she certainly wouldn’t now. What had happened earlier was embarrassing even for her, and for someone as aloof as Zhou Yutao, it must have been infuriating.

Xu Man quietly reflected, expressing her apology again. “I’m sorry for embarrassing you, Sister.”

“Why are you apologizing again?” Zhou Yutao’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “It’s not your fault, Manman.”

“If you really feel bad about it, how about letting me get even?” she teased.

It truly wasn’t Xu Man’s fault. Zhou Yutao had countless ways to deflect the situation but chose not to, simply because she craved a bit of excitement. Unlike most reserved Omegas, she preferred thrills. And it had indeed been quite thrilling.

“Huh?” Xu Man’s face flushed red, her eyes flickering. “Now? Isn’t that a bit… inappropriate?”

The last time they did something like this, it took at least two hours. Right now, time was short, and there were two people downstairs. She thought Zhou Yutao had pulled her up here to bite her shoulder, not to escalate things this far.

“Maybe next time, okay, Sister?” Xu Man’s voice grew quieter.

“Fine, but next time, I’ll have to charge some interest,” Zhou Yutao reluctantly agreed. She unbuttoned the top button of Xu Man’s shirt, burying her face in her neck and taking a deep breath. “For now, give me some pheromones.”

“Okay.” The warmth of peach-scented air enveloped Xu Man, and she couldn’t help but hold Zhou Yutao tightly. She made no extra moves, only releasing her pheromones and letting Zhou Yutao take the lead.

Soothed by the Alpha pheromones, Zhou Yutao calmed her inner restlessness. But seeing Xu Man’s shy, obedient expression, she couldn’t resist teasing her further. With a swift motion, their positions switched.

“Manman, I changed my mind. I’m collecting that interest now,” Zhou Yutao said, and before her words fully landed, Xu Man felt a light, playful smack. It wasn’t heavy, but it nearly made her heart leap out of her chest. The suddenness caught her off guard, and, to her surprise, she found herself enjoying it… maybe even wanting Zhou Yutao to do it again.

Was she developing some unspeakable little fetish?

As Xu Man’s thoughts spiraled in flustered confusion, a scream echoed from downstairs, followed by Big Banana’s tearful wail. “Qi Lin, you pervert! You’re going to kill me!”

“Enough, it’s already swollen, and you’re still hitting me! You’re definitely settling a personal score. I hate you!”

Xu Man instantly pushed aside her inappropriate thoughts and turned to Zhou Yutao. “Sister, should we go downstairs and watch the drama?”

After all, Big Banana had just witnessed her and Zhou Yutao’s moment. It wouldn’t be fair if they didn’t catch Big Banana’s spectacle in return.

“Mhm.” Zhou Yutao kissed her, straightened their slightly disheveled clothes, and they headed downstairs.

Downstairs, Tan Juan was crying and dodging Qi Lin. When she saw Xu Man and Zhou Yutao coming down, she looked at them like they were her saviors. “Manman, Sister Zhou, save me! Qi Lin’s not playing fair. She’s beaten me till I’m swollen and still wants to keep going!”

“Sister Zhou, I’ve already fulfilled our bet. Quick, let’s start the third round of Go!”

She darted behind Xu Man to hide but was pulled out by Zhou Yutao within three seconds.

Xu Man’s interest piqued. “Qi Lin, is what Big Banana said true?” Tan Juan was already suggesting a third game, so she must really be scared of Qi Lin’s beatings.

“It’s true,” Qi Lin said, stopping her chase with a tone full of undisguised regret. “By the way, Boss Xu, your stamina’s still so short.”

Xu Man was speechless. They hadn’t done anything!

This woman was utterly unlikable, always saying things Xu Man didn’t want to hear.

Tan Juan fumed. “See? She admitted it’s true, and she still wants to keep hitting me. If that’s not a pervert, what is?”

“No,” Qi Lin retorted. “I just wanted to see you cry, Miss Big Banana.”

It was far more entertaining than pinching her face. If Big Banana hadn’t suggested it herself, Qi Lin wouldn’t have known she could do this to her.

“You… I’m done playing with you!” Tan Juan’s trembling finger pointed at Qi Lin, her words stumbling.

Zhou Yutao glanced at the childish pair, pulled Xu Man to the table, and sat down calmly. “Third round, let’s start.”

Tan Juan and Qi Lin ended their antics and joined them.

Looking at the Go board, Tan Juan had a sudden idea and said to Zhou Yutao, “This round, I’ll play against Manman. Sister Zhou, you take on Qi Lin.”

She’d pick the softer target. She couldn’t beat Zhou Yutao, but surely she could handle Xu Man. Squeezing out more tears, Tan Juan pleaded, “I’m already in such a pitiful state, beaten so badly I can’t even sit properly. Sister Zhou, Manman, you wouldn’t deny me this small request, would you? If you don’t agree, I’ll sit on Manman’s lap and kiss Sister Zhou’s lips!”

Only Tan Juan could say something so shameless.

And she didn’t just say it—she acted on it, moving toward Xu Man.

“You dare!” Xu Man, Zhou Yutao, and Qi Lin darkened their faces simultaneously.

Tan Juan grinned, puckering her lips at Zhou Yutao. “If you don’t agree, I’ll do it. Sister Zhou, a kiss?”

Zhou Yutao turned away, unable to bear the sight. “Fine, we agree.”

Tan Juan instantly beamed like a flower. “Thank you, Sister Zhou! You’re the best!” She sat across from Xu Man. “Don’t worry, Manman. I’m not a pervert like Qi Lin. Even if you lose, I won’t make you do anything too difficult.”

Qi Lin sneered. “Me, a pervert? At least I don’t go around kissing just anyone.”

Her expression was grim, but she agreed to play the third round against Zhou Yutao.

Tan Juan shot back, “I don’t kiss just anyone either. I only kiss good-looking people, like you, Sister Qi, Manman, Sister Zhou, and maybe Fang Lingyun and Wang Kang. They’re all so pretty and delicate.”

She hadn’t actually kissed anyone… well, except for biting Qi Lin. She regretted not biting harder.

Qi Lin’s forehead vein throbbed. “Shameless.”

Some women just needed a lesson. She should’ve hit her harder earlier.

Tan Juan ignored her, winking at Xu Man. “Right, Manman? I’m a good person. You get me.”

After all, they came from the same world, sharing a common language that Qi Lin, that awful woman, couldn’t understand.

“No,” Xu Man said, finding it hard to relate to her. Tan Juan’s thought process was often impossible to follow. But Big Banana was indeed a good person, with solid values.

“Big Banana,” Zhou Yutao said, picking up a Go piece, an invisible aura of menace radiating from her. “If you keep flirting with Manman, come over here, and I’ll play with you.”

“Got it, Sister Zhou!” Tan Juan instantly straightened up. “You and Qi Lin play first. I’ll get you drinks and won’t disturb you.”

She placed two cups of coconut milk in front of Zhou Yutao and Qi Lin.

Zhou Yutao ignored her, focusing on the game with Qi Lin. The two went back and forth, playing for a long time.

Tan Juan couldn’t help whispering, “Qi Lin, I didn’t expect you to be this good at Go.”

It didn’t make sense. She, the campus Go champion, couldn’t last this long against Zhou Yutao. The novel never mentioned Qi Lin being skilled at Go. What was up with these villains?

Luckily, she hadn’t bet against Qi Lin. Her opponent for the third round was Manman.

Tan Juan whispered close to Qi Lin’s ear, never having much sense of boundaries with attractive women.

Qi Lin, however, felt differently. Ever since Tan Juan bit her, she was extremely uncomfortable with her proximity, even having nightmares about it. Yes, that woman’s actions were a nightmare to her.

Qi Lin’s hand trembled, and distracted, she lost to Zhou Yutao.

“You lost, Qi Lin,” Zhou Yutao said, eyeing her with interest. “Let me think, what should I make you do?”

Tan Juan gloated, “I knew it was an illusion. You’re no match for Sister Zhou. Someone’s getting punished!”

Xu Man added, “Yeah, Qi Lin’s stamina is pretty short too.”

She’d been mocked by Qi Lin so many times—surely one jab back wasn’t too much.

Zhou Yutao chuckled, wrapping an arm around Xu Man, who was already sitting beside her, and pinched her waist, lowering her voice. “I’m surprised Manman would say something like that.”

She thought her shy, honest Alpha would never make such a suggestive remark. Truth be told, she loved Xu Man’s bashful side. But she also had a little fetish—if Xu Man could loosen up, maybe whisper some naughty words during intimate moments, that would be even better.

Xu Man’s face heated up. “She kept saying it about me! You and I didn’t even do anything, Sister.”

Zhou Yutao’s smile widened. “Didn’t we kiss? How’s that nothing?” She teased, “It was only a few minutes. Qi Lin wasn’t wrong.”

Xu Man was at a loss for words. She wanted to say that in those few minutes, Zhou Yutao was left breathless, nearly unable to keep up. If not for others being around, it wouldn’t have been just a few minutes. But she could never say that in front of others—or maybe even alone with Zhou Yutao.

As they whispered, one smiling and the other blushing, it was clear they were flirting.

Qi Lin, annoyed, tapped the table. “Just tell me what to do.”

She disliked Omegas for being easily swayed by pheromones, and seeing Zhou Yutao so enchanted by an Alpha only irritated her more.

Tan Juan muttered, “I’ve never seen someone so eager to be punished. Is she dying to perform a pole dance for everyone? I heard Qi Lin loves pole dancing. I’d actually like to see that, haha.”

In truth, Qi Lin hated it. It wasn’t hearsay—the novel mentioned it. With her looks, she had plenty of clueless suitors, including an Omega who tried to seduce her with a pole dance. That Omega later became one of her test subjects, probably long gone by now.

Tan Juan wanted to see Qi Lin suffer, but since she hadn’t won against her, she could only grumble quietly. Learning from last time, she didn’t dare make suggestions.

Unfortunately, Zhou Yutao overheard and found it intriguing. She stopped teasing Xu Man and turned to Qi Lin. “I heard you love pole dancing. I’ll indulge you then. Dance for me and Manman. Maybe Manman can learn a thing or two. Oh, and Big Banana can be your pole.”

Tan Juan was stunned. She’d spoken so softly! It wasn’t intentional this time.

Why was Qi Lin glaring at her? It was Zhou Yutao who told her to dance. And she definitely didn’t want to be Qi Lin’s pole.

Qi Lin’s face darkened. “I don’t know how to dance!”

Damn Big Banana. Couldn’t she keep her mouth shut? Always stepping on her nerves—she really wanted to strangle her.

Zhou Yutao shrugged. “Too bad, I want to see it now. If you don’t know how, you can learn. I trust Dr. Qi won’t go back on her word.”

Xu Man’s expression wasn’t great either. She tugged at Zhou Yutao’s sleeve. “Sister, maybe we should let it go.”

The thought of learning pole dancing herself, with her lack of coordination, was suffocating.

Zhou Yutao glanced at her, eyes twinkling. “What, Manman doesn’t even want to learn a dance for me? If you learn, you can dance just for me. How’s that?”

In this dull world, she had to find some fun. She hadn’t even suggested a striptease.

Xu Man couldn’t resist those eyes and quickly changed her tune. “Big Banana knows pole dancing. She’s perfect to teach Qi Lin.”

Tan Juan fumed. “Manman, can you have some principles? Why do you listen to her every word?”

She had learned pole dancing but had no desire to perform or teach Qi Lin.

Xu Man ignored her, urging, “Qi Lin, Big Banana, hurry up. Don’t delay my learning.”

Zhou Yutao, pleased with Xu Man’s response, whispered praise and joined in. “Yeah, don’t hold up Manman’s studies. She’s got to perform for me.”

“Or is the audience too small, lacking atmosphere? If you don’t dance now, I might have you perform in the zombie horde later. Honestly, I’m kind of looking forward to it.”

Qi Lin and Tan Juan were speechless.

After a moment, Tan Juan made a last-ditch effort. “Manman and I haven’t played our game yet. We can dance after we’re done.”

“Next time,” Zhou Yutao said, pretending to check the time. “We’re running out of time. Fulfill the bet first.”

Reluctantly, Tan Juan grabbed Qi Lin, who dodged unwillingly.

Tan Juan’s temper flared. “You don’t want to learn, huh? Well, I’m teaching you. It’s an honor to be taught by me, the Pole Dance Princess. Come here, or I’ll bite you again.”

In her anger, she forgot that the bet was on Qi Lin, not her. She didn’t actually have to teach.

Qi Lin muttered, “…Pole Dance Princess?”

Tan Juan snapped, “Yeah, you got a problem? I just crowned myself.”

In the end, they danced. Despite Qi Lin’s reluctance, she picked it up quickly, earning praise from Tan Juan. “Not bad. You’ve got a bit of my old flair.”

Qi Lin was speechless again. Taking charge, she pinned Tan Juan down. “Don’t move. I’m dancing now, and you’re the pole.”

Tan Juan froze, captivated by Qi Lin’s sultry, provocative moves. Her heart raced. No, it was an illusion. How could she find a villain charming? Qi Lin was just an awful woman.

Snapping out of it by recalling Qi Lin’s usual nastiness, Tan Juan stood still, quietly helping Qi Lin complete the bet.

Xu Man had been watching intently, ready to learn, but within five minutes, Zhou Yutao covered her eyes. “I changed my mind, Manman,” she said.

“Huh?” Xu Man was confused.

“I shouldn’t have let you watch others. I’ll teach you myself,” Zhou Yutao said.

Recalling Qi Lin and Tan Juan’s moves, Xu Man caught the deeper meaning, blushing but feeling a twinge of jealousy. “Okay, Sister, teach me. But don’t watch them either.”

Despite her mild nature, Xu Man was fiercely possessive of her girlfriend. “But does Sister know pole dancing?” she asked, puzzled, since the novel never mentioned it.

It seemed reading the novel didn’t fully reveal Zhou Yutao. The book glossed over many details, but the woman beside her now was real, her lover.

“No,” Zhou Yutao admitted confidently, “but I learn fast.”

Xu Man found it adorable, her heart melting. “I believe you, Sister. I’ll wait for you to teach me.”

She’d felt shy at first, but the thought of Zhou Yutao teaching her made her eager. Shyness aside, she wanted to try something new with Zhou Yutao. She loved doing anything with the person she loved.

They didn’t watch the rest of Qi Lin and Tan Juan’s dance, whispering to each other until it ended.

Tan Juan was annoyed. “Hey, you two made us dance and didn’t even watch? What’s that about?”

Qi Lin, unusually quiet, lowered her gaze, lost in thought.

Tan Juan didn’t care. To her, she’d just taught Qi Lin a dance and served as her pole briefly. Upset by Xu Man’s attitude, she didn’t notice much else.

Zhou Yutao said leisurely, “You dance your dance. Whether we watch is our business. Qi Lin hasn’t complained, but you, a pole, are upset?”

“Since the bet’s done, you two can leave. We’re heading downtown in half an hour.”

Tan Juan was momentarily stumped, unable to retort. She nudged Qi Lin. “Don’t you have anything to say?”

Qi Lin snapped back, eyeing her. “Your dance was ugly.”

Tan Juan exploded. “Yours was uglier! Stiff limbs, dead fish eyes—uglier than John!”

She’d never admit she’d been charmed by Qi Lin.

Qi Lin said nothing more, heading for the car door, her fist clenched, her gaze less complicated. Yes, this was Big Banana—annoying Big Banana. Her whole being was tough, her waist not soft, her scent not pleasant. She was a rotten banana.

“Hey, don’t walk away!” Tan Juan yelled. “You’re the one who sucked, and you blame me? You can call me ugly, but not my dance. You’ve crossed my line, Qi Lin!”

Furious, she forgot her earlier resolve to avoid Qi Lin and chased her out the door.

With them gone, the car fell silent.

Xu Man shook her head, chuckling.

Zhou Yutao looked at her.

Xu Man quickly sobered up. “Right, Big Banana and Qi Lin’s dance was awful.”

Zhou Yutao raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t I cover your eyes? Don’t tell me you peeked?”

Xu Man inwardly cursed her slip, lying boldly for the first time. “I didn’t need to look to know it was bad.”

Zhou Yutao laughed, pinching her cheek. “Manman’s changed.”

Xu Man blinked. “What?”

Where had she changed?

Zhou Yutao shook her head. “I like you even more now.”

Xu Man’s face flushed again. She liked Zhou Yutao even more too.

“Manman, go rest for a bit,” Zhou Yutao said, clearing the Go board.

“No, I’ll stay with you, Sister,” Xu Man replied. With the trip downtown looming, everyone was on edge, but Big Banana’s antics had eased their tension.

Zhou Yutao finished tidying the board, tempted to pull Xu Man in for a kiss.

But Lin Sha walked in with Xin’er.

Zhou Yutao reluctantly let go of the idea, stepping back from Xu Man.

Lin Sha held a plate of sweet cakes. “Yutao, Boss Xu, want some?”

She tactfully avoided asking what they’d been up to.

Xin’er, however, had no such reservations, blurting out innocently, “Auntie Xu, Auntie Zhou, were you about to kiss like in the dramas?”

Xu Man coughed, changing the subject. “I’ll go check on Xu Yi and the others’ preparations.”

With that, she fled.