Chapter 77: The kiss
The rewards hit.
All at once.
Alex’s body warmed.
Energy flooding through him.
Pie’s connection strengthened. Deeper. The 10% attribute boost is settling in.
But then—
Something else.
Lower.
A surge of heat.
Concentrated.
Intense.
His eyes widened.
What the—
The warmth spread. Pulsing. Powerful.
Like liquid fire.
Coursing through.
Filling him.
He felt... stronger there.
And also bigger.
"I love you, system."
The rewards hit.
All at once.
Alex’s body warmed.
Energy flooding through him.
Pie’s connection strengthened. Deeper. The 10% attribute boost settling in.
But then—
Something else.
Lower.
A surge of heat.
Concentrated.
Intense.
His eyes widened.
What the—
The warmth spread. Pulsing. Powerful.
Like liquid fire.
Coursing through.
Filling him.
He felt... stronger there.
And also bigger.
"I love you, system."
Alex stood in the arena.
Still basking in the crowd’s energy.
The cheers. The chaos. The disbelief.
Victory tasted sweet.
Then—
A hand grabbed his wrist.
Cold.
Firm.
"Huh?"
Before he could react—
The world blurred.
Colors streaking.
Ground vanishing.
WHOOSH.
His stomach lurched.
Teleportation.
One second.
Two.
Reality snapped back.
Different room.
Benches. Lockers. Mirrors.
The women’s changing room.
"Wait, what—"
Rose stood in front of him.
Face flushed. Deep red.
Chest heaving. Breathing hard.
Eyes unfocused. Glazed.
Pupils dilated.
Her hands shot to his waist.
Gripping.
Tight.
"Rose, what are you—"
"I can’t!"
Her voice desperate.
Shaking.
"I can’t control myself!"
She pulled him closer.
"Five hundred million. That body. That confidence."
Her nails dug in.
"I tried. I really tried."
Leaned in.
Lips almost touching his.
"But I can’t."
She kissed him.
Hard.
Desperate.
Hungry.
Alex’s eyes went wide.
Frozen for a second.
Her mouth moved against his.
Aggressive.
Demanding.
Her tongue pushed past his lips.
Invaded.
Took.
Alex stood still.
Processing.
Then—
His body responded.
Hands moved to her waist.
Pulled her closer.
Rose moaned into his mouth.
Her hands slid up his chest.
Gripping his shoulders.
The kiss grew more intense.
More desperate.
She pressed her body against his.
Curves molding to him.
Soft.
Warm.
Perfect.
Her tongue explored.
Tasting.
Claiming.
Alex kissed back.
Matching her energy.
His hands squeezed her waist.
She gasped.
Rose finally broke away.
Just barely.
Gasping for air.
Lips still brushing his.
Her eyes opened.
Hazy but aware.
A small smile.
"Not bad."
Voice breathy.
"You’ve kissed plenty of little girls before, haven’t you?"
Alex’s lips curved.
Dangerous smile.
"That’s a secret."
His hands slid up her sides.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Rose’s breath hitched.
Then—
Alex took control.
His hand moved to the back of her neck.
Firm grip.
Pulled her in.
Kissed her.
Hard.
Deep.
Rose’s eyes went wide.
Then fluttered closed.
Her knees weakened.
Alex’s other hand supported her waist.
Holding her up.
His tongue swept into her mouth.
Claiming.
Exploring.
Thorough.
Rose tried to respond.
But couldn’t keep up.
He was in charge now.
Completely.
His lips moved with precision.
Knowing exactly where to press.
Where to tease.
Where to bite.
Gently.
Then harder.
Rose whimpered.
Her hands clutched his shirt.
Desperate.
Holding on.
Alex tilted his head.
Changed the angle.
Deepened it further.
One hand was tangled in her hair.
Gentle but firm.
Controlling.
The other traced her spine.
Slow.
Rose shivered.
Her whole body trembling.
He kissed along her jaw.
Then her neck.
Just below her ear.
The sensitive spot.
Rose gasped.
Loud.
"Alex—"
Her voice weak.
Shaking.
He bit gently.
Then kissed the spot.
Soothing.
Her legs gave out.
Alex caught her.
Held her against him.
His lips returned to hers.
Slower now.
Torturous.
Taking his time.
Savoring.
Rose’s breathing turned ragged.
Uneven.
Her face completely flushed.
Eyes barely open.
Glazed.
Lost.
Alex could feel her trembling.
Feel her pulse racing.
She was close.
So close.
To losing herself completely.
He kissed deeper.
One more time.
Rose moaned.
High-pitched.
Desperate.
Her nails dug into his back.
Then—
Alex stopped.
Pulled back.
Completely.
Released her.
Rose swayed.
Eyes unfocused.
Breathing hard.
Almost panting.
She blinked.
Slowly.
Trying to process.
"Wha..."
Voice barely a whisper.
"Why did you..."
Her legs trembled.
"Stop.."
She grabbed the bench beside her.
For support.
Alex smiled.
Calm.
Collected.
"Can’t give you everything at once."
His voice smooth.
Teasing.
"Where’s the fun in that?"
"Also, I am not that age yet."
Rose stared at him.
Still dazed.
Still trembling.
Her face impossibly red.
Lips swollen.
Hair messed.
She looked wrecked.
Alex straightened his shirt.
Casual.
Her face impossibly red.
Lips swollen.
Hair messed.
She looked wrecked.
Alex straightened his shirt.
Casual.
Like nothing happened.
"See you later, Rose."
Winked.
Turned toward the door.
Rose’s mind raced.
Damn it!
Damn it damn it DAMN IT!
Why does he still have two months until his birthday?!
TWO MONTHS!
Her body still trembling.
Still aching.
She could feel the heat.
The need.
Right there.
So close.
And this little bastard—
He dared to tease her?!
Kissed her like THAT.
Then just... stopped?!
Where did he get the audacity?!
Her fists clenched.
Nails digging into her palms.
Alex reached for the door handle.
"We should go get that other treasure."
His voice casual.
"It’s getting late. I need to get back and take care of Auntie."
Rose’s eyes snapped up.
Auntie.
That word.
Like a knife.
Her investigation flashed through her mind.
That woman.
Lilian.
Beautiful.
Mature.
Living with Alex.
No blood relation.
And the way she looked at him—
That wasn’t familial affection.
Not even close.
Rose’s jaw tightened.
Another competitor.
A strong one.
Living under the same roof.
Seeing him every day.
Every night.
Unacceptable.
She had to act first.
Strike first.
Claim him before anyone else could.
But two months—
Wait.
Her eyes widened.
Two calculation methods.
Lunar calendar.
Solar calendar.
Most people used solar.
But some families—
Especially traditional ones—
Used lunar.
Her mind calculated.
Fast.
Dates. Conversions.
If Alex’s birthday was registered as solar...
But calculated in lunar...
The difference could be—
Her breath caught.
One to two months.
Depending on the year.
CLICK.
She locked the door.
Hard.
The sound echoed.
Alex froze.
Hand still on the handle.
Turned.
"Rose?"
She stood.
Breathing heavy.
Rough.
Her chest heaving.
Eyes wild.
Predatory.
Alex stepped back.
Instinctively.
"Uh... Rose?"
Rose’s face lit up.
Smile spreading.
Wide.
Dangerous.
Beautiful.
"Technically..."
Another step closer.
"You’re already eighteen."
Alex’s eyes widened.
"Wait, what—"
"By lunar calendar."
She closed the distance.
Right in front of him.
"You turned eighteen..."
Her hand touched his chest.
"One day ago."
Alex’s brain short-circuited.
"I... I did?"
Rose’s smile grew.
Feral.
"You did."
Her other hand locked the door again.
Double-checking.
"Which means..."
Leaned in.
Lips by his ear.
"I don’t have to wait anymore."
Her breath hot.
"Do I?"
Alex swallowed.
Hard.
His body responded.
That fertility boost.
Pulsing.
Ready.