Chapter 259: 260. Chapter 260: The Bet, The Date

260. Chapter 260: The Bet, The Date

"Alright, since you're so certain, how about we make a bet?" Bai Zhou raised an eyebrow, glaring at Meng Hongchen with a provocative look.

"Hmph, how do you want to bet?" Meng Hongchen sniffed, utterly unfazed.

"Let's bet on whether or not me and Orange will get together. Same one-month timeframe—if me and Orange end up together, you lose, and you become my little accessory, given to me as a bonus. What do you say?"

Bai Zhou pulled Meng Hongchen into his arms, showing no restraint in his desire and greed for her.

This wasn't an act—it was simply Bai Zhou's true nature…

After witnessing that scene, Meng Hongchen now understood Bai Zhou's true character, yet she didn't care.

After all, which man isn't lustful?

Bai Zhou is powerful and good-looking; it's perfectly normal for him to be a bit lecherous and fickle.

"Hmph, what if you two break up?" Meng Hongchen asked.

"If me and Orange don't truly get together within a month, I lose. Then you can do whatever you want to me—even if you make me join the Hongchen Family as a son-in-law, I'll agree."

Bai Zhou declared.

"Fine, it's a deal!"

Without hesitation, Meng Hongchen immediately accepted.

After all, Bai Zhou was trying to steal the Crown Prince Xu Tianran's woman.

Though she wasn't close to Xu Tianran, she'd heard rumors of his methods.

Anyone who dares steal his woman will suffer a terrible fate—he'll surely face Xu Tianran's retaliation.

Then she'd have her grandfather intervene, bringing Bai Zhou into the Hongchen Family…

Hehehe…

Meng Hongchen was already fantasizing about her happy future with Bai Zhou.

"Fine, it's a deal," Bai Zhou added quickly, thinking of something: "But during this time, you can't interfere with me and Orange's relationship—or the bet's off."

He and Orange were at a critical moment; if Meng Hongchen suddenly showed up… Orange would explode…

Especially today's incident—Orange absolutely couldn't find out.

It wouldn't necessarily break them up, but Bai Zhou would have to spend ages soothing her—wasting precious time…

"Hmph, I'd never do something like that," Meng Hongchen pouted, sounding a little guilty.

If Bai Zhou hadn't mentioned it, she'd have seriously considered using tricks to make him lose the bet sooner.

But then she seemed to recall something, her cheeks flushing as she fidgeted: "Still… since you did all that to me today, you owe me. This month, I won't interfere with you and Orange, and I won't come to your Laboratory—but you have to set aside time to be alone with me."

"Alright, alright…"

Bai Zhou's lip twitched, but he still agreed.

"Hehe, you don't have anything else planned today, right? Perfect—take me out to dinner to make up for how rude you just were~"

Hearing this, Meng Hongchen hooked her arm through his, grinning, though her cheeks still held a faint blush.

Though she didn't mind what Bai Zhou had done to her, she still felt embarrassed—and he had to make up for it thoroughly, or she'd be the one losing out.

"Fine…"

Bai Zhou's lip twitched again, feeling trapped.

Even though he saw she genuinely didn't mind, treating her to a meal was still necessary.

…

Bai Zhou pulled out his Micro Card and sent a message to Orange, feeling slightly guilty.

After all, he'd promised to spend these days with Orange—but now he was sneaking out to dinner with Meng Hongchen… Still, despite the guilt, he couldn't let go of a free Meng Hongchen.

"Sending a message to Orange?"

Meng Hongchen leaned over, whispering.

"Mm." Bai Zhou nodded; there was no need to hide it.

"You haven't added me as a Micro Card contact yet—I'll help you set it up…" She snatched his Micro Card, pulled out her own, and began operating immediately.

Bai Zhou hadn't paid attention at first, but when she took too long, he glanced over instinctively—and his lip twitched.

"Just add me as a contact—don't go snooping through my chat history…" He snatched his Micro Card back, utterly exasperated.

Fortunately, to prevent Orange from searching, he'd switched to a new Micro Card.

This one was exclusive to the Sun Moon Empire, and he'd chatted most with Orange on it—but since he spent every day with Orange, their chat logs weren't extensive, mostly voice messages, so Meng Hongchen hadn't seen much.

"Hmph… you and Orange exchange goodnight and good morning messages every day… from now on, you'll send me greetings every day too." Meng Hongchen spoke with a sour tone.

Though she hadn't read much or listened to the voice messages, she'd still seen plenty of their sweet greetings—and they were downright cloying…

She was truly envious…

"Fine…"

Bai Zhou conceded again, but something felt off…

Whatever.

After all, these were just minor conditions—as long as Meng Hongchen didn't cause trouble during this time, everything was manageable.

"That's more like it~"

Hearing this, Meng Hongchen finally smiled sweetly, looping her arm through his again—clearly in high spirits.

Though Bai Zhou had taken plenty of liberties with her, she'd used it to forge a much closer bond with him—she came out ahead either way.

Using Orange's location tracker, Bai Zhou knew Orange had returned to rest, so he let Meng Hongchen cling to his arm as they walked toward the Academy's exit.

Soon, the two entered a simple dessert shop.

Meng Hongchen clearly came here often; after greeting the owner, she led Bai Zhou into a private room.

No sooner had they sat down than several maids entered, each carrying trays filled with cakes, desserts, pastries, biscuits, fruit jellies…

Orange loved lavish meals, while Meng Hongchen seemed to prefer all sorts of sweets, pastries, and snacks.

Nevertheless, both were undeniably foodies; they simply had different tastes.

After all, entertainment options in this world were few; savoring delicacies counted as one, true for everyone from emperors down to commoners.

"This is my favorite shop; the sweets and pastries here are delicious. Bai Zhou, have a taste~"

Meng Hongchen sat beside Bai Zhou, reached out with her small hand, picked up a pastry, and held it to Bai Zhou's mouth.

"Aowu~"

Bai Zhou took a bite and savored it carefully.

"How is it, how is it? Isn't it delicious~?" Meng Hongchen looked at Bai Zhou with an expression full of anticipation, her big blue eyes blinking, very pretty.

Sharing was one of the best ways to draw people closer.

Meng Hongchen had brought Bai Zhou here naturally intending to share delicacies with him, gain his approval, and bring their relationship closer.

As long as the two had common topics or hobbies, future interactions would be much easier; at the very least, they would have an excuse.

(End of Chapter)