After Being Bent by Reader

Although the company had a powerful internet connection, the zipped folder Ange linked was massive. The progress bar hardly moved even after several minutes had gone by. When staring at the blue progress bar, Xu Chuanchuan inadvertently found herself brimming with anticipation.

"Did you get writer's block again?"

At this time, Murong Shi suddenly opened the door and entered the room, causing Xu Chuanchuan to nearly have a heart attack. After hurriedly switching tabs to her usual work document, Xu Chuanchuan said with a calm face, "Mhm, a little."

Murong Shi did not doubt Xu Chuanchuan's words. Instead, she suggested, "Why don't you take a shower first?"

Xu Chuanchuan worried that the download of those videos would finish when she was away and Murong Shi would accidentally see thm, so she said, "I think I can continue writing now. I'll go shower later."

Murong Shi did not force the issue and mindfully stepped away to avoid disturbing Xu Chuanchuan.

Then, Xu Chuanchuan started pretending to write her novel.

In the end, the file still wasn't finished downloading even after three hours had passed. Xu Chuanchuan had thoroughly lost her patience, and the anticipation in her heart had also subsided by now. So, she turned off her computer and went to take a shower.

In addition, Murong Shi had behaved herself relatively well in the following days. As a result, Xu Chuanchuan gradually forgot about those videos.

…

"Little Xu, there's a delivery for you."

Xu Chuanchuan was a little stunned when she received a call from the receptionist Xu Xiaomei. Then, she said, "I haven't bought anything recently. Are you sure it's for me?"

"It's yours. It has your name and phone number on it," Xu Xiaomei affirmed.

"Okay, I understand. Help me receive it first. I'll go get it after work."

"I think you best receive it yourself. This thing looks quite expensive."

Expensive? Did someone send me a gift?

Xu Chuanchuan skeptically walked out of the office and made her way to the front desk to receive the delivery.

The delivered item was a rectangular box. When Xu Chuanchuan took a look at the courier slip, she saw the words "fresh flowers" written in the item description section.

"So it's flowers? Did your boyfriend send them to you?" Xu Xiaomei asked curiously.

Could it be Murong? Xu Chuanchuan wondered.

"Open it up and take a look!" Xu Xiaomei urged.

Xu Chuanchuan was relatively curious about the package as well. After receiving the scissors Xu Xiaomei offered her, she cut open the package and opened the box, revealing an exquisite packaging box inside.

"Heavens! They're roses from Roseonly! These flowers are insanely expensive! Chuanchuan, your boyfriend must love you!" Xu Xiaomei screamed.

However, Xu Chuanchuan reacted as if she did not hear Xu Xiaomei screaming as she idly stared at the beautiful box.

At this point, Xu Chuanchuan no longer doubted that Murong Shi had sent these flowers.

When they were watching the Korean drama a few days ago, there was one scene where the male lead brought an exquisite box to invite the female lead on a date. When the female lead opened the box, lying inside was a bouquet of roses.

The scene moved Xu Chuanchuan, and she casually said, "Hah… I've never had anyone give me flowers before."

Then, Murong Shi asked, "Did nobody try to pursue you before?"

"Even you have never pursued after me before."[1]

"..."

Xu Chuanchuan dryly laughed for a moment before saying, "There was a boy who asked me out during high school. He even bought me a cup of milk tea. But I didn't like how he was short and ugly, so I rejected him."

Murong Shi chuckled when she heard Xu Chuanchuan's tale. Then, she jokingly said, "Thank goodness that person was short and ugly. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to claim you for myself."

It was only an unintentional lamentation. Xu Chuanchuan never thought that Murong Shi would secretly buy her flowers because of that incident. Though, after she got over the surprise, she couldn't help but be moved.

However, when Xu Xiaomei told her the price of those flowers, Xu Chuanchuan couldn't help but wince in pain. After leaving the front desk, she secretly went to look for Murong Shi.

Meanwhile, as if knowing that Xu Chuanchuan would come, Murong Shi smiled and asked, "Did you receive the flowers?"

Xu Chuanchuan nodded. Then, she walked over to Murong Shi and said, "I did, thank you. But it's too expensive. Why must you buy such expensive things every time? It's such a waste. Can it be refunded?"

Murong Shi's smile stiffened immediately. Then, she lightly tapped Xu Chuanchuan's head and said, "The price isn't the point. Can you stop being so stingy?"

On the way here, Xu Chuanchuan did an online search and found out that this particular bouquet of roses she received implied the meaning of "one love, one lifetime." She was deeply moved when she finished reading the product description. She also instantly found the roses in her hand becoming incredibly heavy.

This was the first time Xu Chuanchuan had received flowers from someone. It was even such an expensive gift. So, although she felt happy from the bottom of her heart, she also panicked a little.

Xu Chuanchuan knew that Murong Shi didn't lack money, but their difference in outlook toward money still troubled her significantly.

Compared to before they had officialized their relationship, Murong Shi's current treatment toward her was wonderful. It was so wonderful that Xu Chuanchuan found it a little unrealistic.

Hence, although Xu Chuanchuan didn't wish to ruin such a romantic moment, she still ended up saying, "Don't buy such expensive gifts in the future. It'll stress me out, otherwise."

"How so?"

"I'm not trying to be stingy. It's just that…I still owe you money. If I don't live frugally, I don't know when I can finish paying you back."

Murong Shi fell silent for a moment. Then, she said, "I only wanted to surprise you. I didn't think it would end up stressing you instead."

"I was really surprised. I'm also very happy," Xu Chuanchuan said as she embraced Murong Shi. Then, she continued, "But you have to promise me that you won't spend more than 100 yuan for any gifts you get me from now on."

"That's not even enough for a meal," Murong Shi said, stunned.

"I don't care. I won't accept anything more expensive than that. Also, I'm paying for our meals for the rest of the month. I won't accept any negotiations."

Murong Shi didn't know whether to laugh or cry over this situation. However, she also knew that her lover could sometimes be as stubborn as an ox. So, Murong Shi unconditionally cooperated with Xu Chuanchuan's attempt to salvage her dignity, letting Xu Chuanchuan pay for all of their meals for the rest of the month except for that one gathering.

…

When the end of August arrived, Little Yan concluded her "internship" as Murong Shi's assistant, and Murong Shi decided to arrange a farewell banquet for her.

Although only five people attended the banquet, Murong Shi had booked a luxurious KTV room.

Everyone had gone crazy that night, and Little Yan and Xu Xiangxiang both got drunk.

After leaving Xu Xiangxiang to Fang Qin, Xu Chuanchuan and Murong Shi supported Little Yan to the car.

Xu Chuanchuan got into the driver's seat and looked through the rear-view mirror. As she watched Murong Shi take care of Little Yan, she asked, "Are you going to find a new assistant once Little Yan leaves?"

"That won't be necessary. Linda will be returning in a few days," Murong Shi replied.

Speaking of Linda, it had already been three months since she had left. The time Linda started going on leave was also around the time Xu Chuanchuan had officially got together with Murong Shi, and Xu Chuanchuan couldn't help but sigh at how quickly time had passed.

After settling Little Yan into her room, Xu Chuanchuan and Murong Shi washed up and returned to their room. Xu Chuanchuan decided to skip writing for today and instead fiddle with her phone on the bed as it was pretty late already.

"It's late; stop playing," Murong Shi said as she leaned into Xu Chuanchuan and gave her hair a sniff.

Xu Chuanchuan did not resist when Murong Shi took her phone away. Just as she was stretching her body and was about to say, "Let's sleep, then," Murong Shi stole her lips.

Although they had shared the same bed every day for the past few weeks, it had already been a long time since they had been so intimate with each other. Murong Shi was both passionate and eager after getting a little alcohol in her system, and the simple goodnight kiss she originally planned for evolved into something completely different.

Xu Chuanchuan shuddered when she felt the cool air from the air conditioner hitting her exposed shoulders. Then, she pushed against the person on top of her.

Murong Shi's eyes were like black holes as she stared at Xu Chuanchuan for a long time. Eventually, she lightly sighed and said, "Let's sleep. Goodnight."

Before turning off the lights, Xu Chuanchuan took a look at the dead branches displayed on the bedside table.

These were the roses from Roseonly Murong Shi had previously gifted her, and there were a total of 19 stalks. Xu Chuanchuan had gone out of her way to buy a vase from the supermarket, filled it with water, and placed the roses in it to prolong their lifespan. However, after several weeks had gone by, the roses had long since wilted. By now, even the leaves had withered, and the branches had turned moldy. Even so, she still couldn't bring herself to throw them away.

When Xu Chuanchuan recalled the meaning the bouquet implied, mixed feelings welled up within her. As a result, she couldn't fall asleep even after turning off the lights and lying down.

After struggling and failing to sleep for a while longer, Xu Chuanchuan fumbled in the dark for a moment and turned on the lights.

"What's the matter?" Murong Shi asked while shielding her eyes from the dazzling light.

The night was strangely quiet. Xu Chuanchuan moved her lips a little before rolling over and kissing Murong Shi.

Murong Shi fell into a daze for a few seconds before she reacted. Then, she began fiercely responding to Xu Chuanchuan's approach.

However, Xu Chuanchuan quickly held down Murong Shi's hands and said, "I'll do it."

Murong Shi was very surprised. However, she didn't hesitate for long before picking Xu Chuanchuan up and placing the shorter woman on top of her body.

...

After the deed...

Xu Chuanchuan was thoroughly exhausted. Both her hands and tongue felt sore, and her entire body felt drained as she weakly laid on top of Murong Shi's body.

Murong Shi gave a pat on Xu Chuanchuan's inner thigh, her voice coming from Xu Chuanchuan's bottom as she said, "Get up. Don't tell me you want to sleep in this position?"

Xu Chuanchuan shuddered. She struggled for some time before she managed to sit up and roll off of Murong Shi. Afterward, she laid still and had no intentions of moving whatsoever.

Then, Murong Shi hauled Xu Chuanchuan into her arms and gave her a soft kiss before asking, "Does it still hurt?"

Xu Chuanchuan shook her head.

"Did it feel good?"

Xu Chuanchuan nodded with a blush.

"Did you like it?"

Xu Chuanchuan's face turned even redder. However, she eventually pursed her lips and nodded again.

Murong Shi immediately revealed a happy smile. Then, she said, "See? I told you it wouldn't hurt anymore, yet you refuse to believe me."

Xu Chuanchuan covered her face to hide her embarrassment. Then, she peeked at Murong Shi through the gaps of her fingers and said in a timid voice, "You still didn't...orgasm..."

Murong Shi slowly pulled apart Xu Chuanchuan's fingers one by one. Then, she tugged at her lover's reddened cheeks and teasingly said, "It means you still aren't sufficiently skilled."

Xu Chuanchuan: "..."

Although Murong Shi had spoken nonchalantly, her words had got Xu Chuanchuan thinking.

The inability to satisfy one's partner was a severe problem. It was very unfair to the other party.

After hesitating for a long time, Xu Chuanchuan secretly opened up her computer, looked for the zipped folder she had partially downloaded before, and resumed downloading it.

TL Notes:

[1]Even you have never pursued after me before: What Xu Chuanchuan means here is that Murong Shi has never done any of the actions one would normally take when chasing after a love interest, such as offering presents. Instead, Murong Shi bluntly asked to start a relationship. The entire process looked more like a business deal than courtship.