Chapter Twenty-Two: Turning Their Own Methods Against Them—An Explosive Display of Acting

"What should I do? I'm just outside the room. By the way, why is the soundproofing here so poor? Will they notice I'm eavesdropping?" Mingchuan felt a bit nervous, but suddenly an idea struck him.

He pretended to walk casually in the same direction as before, continuing onward. When Wenxin opened the door and came out, he feigned surprise, turned back as if he had just heard something, and called out, "Wenxin, why are you coming from there? Is that our room?"

Wenxin reacted just as Mingchuan had feared she might notice him eavesdropping. "Uh, no, it's just..." She realized that if she said she went into the wrong room, Mingchuan would surely suspect what she had been doing inside. So she made up a lie, though Mingchuan would never believe it. "I don't really know much about the base we're at right now, so I wanted to ask the Count about it."

"Oh, really?" Mingchuan acted unconvinced.

"So that was the Count's room? I didn't know why his room was there, but I wanted to know more too. Let me go ask him." He brushed Wenxin aside and knocked on the Count's door.

"At this hour? Wenxin, you haven't left yet? Wait, Mingchuan! What are you doing here? Is there something you need?"

"I got lost and wandered the wrong way, that's why I'm here. I saw Wenxin coming out of your room and got curious. Also, I have a question." Mingchuan seized the moment to close the door, leaving Wenxin outside to prevent them from coordinating their stories. "What did Wenxin ask you just now? Please tell me."

The Count felt uneasy. While he hadn't realized Mingchuan might have overheard their conversation, he knew that if their answers didn't match, their actions would be exposed.

"Nothing much, we just chatted a bit," the Count tried to brush it off, but Mingchuan pressed on. "What could you have to talk about? Just 'a bit'? Tell me the truth!"

"Well..." The Count didn't think Mingchuan was acting abnormally. He believed anyone would be suspicious in this situation. "She just asked me about some data on the new mecha." The answer was off, but Mingchuan responded, "Hmm, looks like you two didn't lie. Maybe you coordinated your stories, or maybe it's just a coincidence. Still, I'll let it go."

The Count breathed a sigh of relief.

"Alright, I won't bother you anymore. I'll head back with Wenxin." Mingchuan opened the door and bid farewell to the Count. Wenxin, hearing this, assumed the Count had given the right answer and also relaxed a little. She had no idea the seed of suspicion had already been sown, and her true identity would eventually be discovered by Mingchuan.

Back in the room, as usual, she clung to Mingchuan, pretending to like him to dispel his doubts. But Mingchuan kept his distance. "Enough, go back to your own room. Tonight, you can't sleep with me."

"Why are you like this? Weren't things fine yesterday?"

"Yesterday I was too tired to bother kicking you out. Today is different." With that, Mingchuan picked Wenxin up and set her outside his room.

"If you won't let me in, I'll just wait here." Wenxin was furious, but Mingchuan ignored her.

An hour later, Mingchuan's door opened. He saw Wenxin sleeping on the sofa and felt a pang of sympathy.

Just as he was about to pick her up and take her to her room, Wenxin opened her sleepy eyes. "You forgive me, don't you?"

"Don't be silly. I just didn't want you to catch cold, so I'm taking you back to your room."

"You still care about me. But I don't want to go to my room. I like having someone with me. I want to sleep with you." Wenxin wrapped her arms around Mingchuan and kissed him.

Her enchanting face left Mingchuan sighing, and he finally agreed to her request...

-- Aside --

Since I was late updating last time, I'm making up for it by posting early this time. That way, some of you can read it sooner.

As for the plot, I've managed to confuse myself. It's not what I originally planned, so I'll have to start over again.