I Don’t Want to Be the Heroine Anymore - Chapter 8

The steam in the bathroom gradually dissipated as Mang Ke sat on the edge of the bed, watching Xun Fangyun pace back and forth in front of her.

Even after putting on her bathrobe, Xun Fangyun hadn’t forgotten to drag Mang Ke into the room—to “address the rift between them,” as she put it.

And so, there Mang Ke was, sitting on the bed while Xun Fangyun paced around.

Xun Fangyun had just finished showering and hadn’t dried her hair yet. Her long black locks clung to her cheeks, with glistening droplets sliding down her face and landing on the bathrobe draped over her chest, leaving damp patches behind.

She brushed aside her wet hair and pulled out a clean towel from the nearby cabinet, casually handing it to Mang Ke.

Mang Ke didn’t take it.

Xun Fangyun’s dark eyes gleamed with amusement as her red lips parted slightly. “Dry my hair for me,” she said.

Mang Ke blinked and muttered under her breath, “Why should I dry your hair? Can’t you just use a hairdryer?”

“I don’t like the smell of hairdryers,” Xun Fangyun replied.

Mang Ke looked up at the long black hair cascading over Xun Fangyun’s shoulders. Even in this state, her meticulously cared-for hair remained sleek and glossy, like the fur of a black cat—thick and lush.

Mang Ke cleared her throat softly, reaching out to take the soft towel. She scooted back slightly and patted the empty space in front of her. “Fine, I’ll reluctantly help you dry your hair. Come sit here.”

Xun Fangyun chuckled but didn’t refuse, turning around to sit in front of Mang Ke.

The sight of that lustrous black hair filled Mang Ke with envy. Her own naturally chestnut hair had a slight wave to it, and if she didn’t take care of it regularly, it would puff up like a lion’s mane—especially in winter, when static made it even more unruly. So when Mang Ke ran her fingers through Xun Fangyun’s hair, admiration overshadowed all other thoughts.

Xun Fangyun sighed contentedly at the soothing sensation on her scalp, leaning back slightly until she was half-lying against Mang Ke.

Autumn pajamas weren’t as thick as winter ones, so Xun Fangyun could still feel the warmth of Mang Ke’s body and the gradually quickening rhythm of her heartbeat.

“You… you’re leaning so close, how am I supposed to dry your hair?” Mang Ke grumbled quietly, though her body obediently supported Xun Fangyun’s weight.

What a tsundere woman.

Xun Fangyun exhaled softly. “Mang Ke, it’s been almost a month since you came to my place, hasn’t it?”

Mang Ke counted the days—indeed, it would be a full month in just a few days.

“Yeah, it’ll be a month next week.”

“Aren’t you going to ask why I’ve only let you stay at home without going anywhere else?”

Mang Ke chuckled. “Aren’t I a wealthy lady now?”

Xun Fangyun laughed lightly. “True. From now on, you’re my wife.”

Mang Ke seemed to catch something suggestive in those words and stammered awkwardly, “Uh—”

“Let’s get our marriage certificate today,” Xun Fangyun said calmly. “We’ll have to do it eventually anyway, so why not today?”

At that, Mang Ke’s hands froze.

What?!

Marriage certificate?!?!

Wasn’t this way too sudden?!?!

Mang Ke panicked. “Why?”

Xun Fangyun turned to look at her. “Do I need a reason to marry you?”

“I—”

For a moment, Mang Ke felt that what this person said wasn’t wrong.

She was a substitute bride, after all. It was only natural that they would register their marriage. She had already lived in Xun Fangyun’s home for a month—by now, it should be about time to get their marriage certificate.

But…

Blushing, Mang Ke said, “This is my first time getting married, and I don’t have any experience. Can we not rush it?”

Xun Fangyun’s expression also turned slightly odd, her ears tinged red as she replied, “As if it’s any different for me.”

Their eyes met, and Mang Ke caught a hint of something unreadable in Xun Fangyun’s gaze—as if she wanted to do something more.

Before Mang Ke could decipher that look, she felt a hand grip her waist, pulling her closer.

“You’re my fiancée,” Xun Fangyun declared, as if affirming something, then lowered her head and whispered, “Right now, I want to kiss you.”

The words had barely left her lips when Mang Ke was enveloped in a sweet fragrance, followed by the tender sensation of lips pressing against hers.

Mang Ke: “!!!”

Damn it, this woman actually kissed her!

Mang Ke tried to push her away, but the moment her fingers brushed against the soft fabric of Xun Fangyun’s bathrobe, she froze in shock.

Amid her flustered panic, she heard a light, teasing laugh—Xun Fangyun was mocking her.

Ahhhh! She touched something soft!!!

Xun Fangyun took hold of Mang Ke’s hand and murmured, “Open your mouth.”

Mang Ke: “Huh?”

In an instant, something warm and insistent slipped inside!

“Mmm…”

The gentle caress of a tongue, the intoxicating sweetness in the air—this was Mang Ke’s first deep kiss, and her entire body trembled from head to toe. If she hadn’t been sitting on the bed, she would have collapsed right then and there.

Xun Fangyun explored the kiss unhurriedly, not aggressively but with tender care, coaxing Mang Ke’s tongue and waiting for her response.

Mang Ke’s face burned crimson with embarrassment. Her hands fluttered helplessly before clutching at the hem of her skirt, too nervous to move.

For a while, the room was filled only with the sound of their mingled breaths.

By the time the long, lingering kiss ended, Mang Ke was on the verge of tears. She covered her eyes, unsure what to do—no one had ever taught her how to act after such intimacy.

Xun Fangyun couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of Mang Ke hiding her face. She pulled the other woman’s hand away and praised, “You’re very obedient. Just my type.”

Mang Ke’s ears burned even hotter. The little devil in her heart had long fled, leaving only a single stubborn thought lodged in her chest.

Xun Fangyun leaned in again, pressing a kiss to Mang Ke’s ear, making the timid girl shrink back with a shiver.

“Though it’s a bit late to say this now,” Xun Fangyun murmured softly, “I still want to make it official.”

Mang Ke looked at her in confusion.

Xun Fangyun took Mang Ke’s hand, studying the bare fingers—knowing exactly what was missing.

“From now on, you’re my wife,” Xun Fangyun declared. “Only I can hold your hand. Only I can kiss you.”

Mang Ke flushed with indignation. “Y-you shameless rogue!”

The only reply was a soft chuckle—followed by another kiss.

———

Meanwhile, Yue Yin lay on her bed, idly scrolling through her phone. She opened and closed the chat window with Mang Ke’s name, over and over.

After adding the little rabbit’s WeChat, why didn’t she message me first?

Yue Yin rolled over and poked at Mang Ke’s profile picture.

After struggling with herself for a long time, she finally moved her fingers and sent Mang Ke a sticker—a pink little rabbit.

Yue Yin: Are you awake?

Yue Yin: It’s been a while since we’ve been to a tea party. Are you free to go together?