Manipulative Harem God

517  Erratic Woman! Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Xiaoxi, let me help you with the balcony. After all, it's empty, so it won't be a problem to put it there," Qi Xiang's father suggested, his voice indicating a move towards the balcony.

Panicked by this suggestion, Murong Jinxiang quickly interjected, "Dad, please let me handle it. You should take a rest."

She was desperately trying to manage the situation, still unaware of Zhang Wei's precise hiding spot and thus fearful of any wandering by the elderly couple.

"No, I'll handle it," Qi Xiang's father insisted, determined to contribute.

But Murong Jinxiang could not risk it; she darted forward to grab the items herself, swiftly moving to settle everything on the balcony.

Upon confirming the balcony was clear of any additional presence, she exhaled a deep breath of relief.

Mysteriously, Qi Xiang's parents had decided to visit her room, and while Qi Xiang's mother explained that she needed extra space to dry some clothes since their own balcony was overrun, Murong Jinxiang found the timing and excuse suspicious.

She couldn't shake off the feeling that they had heard something—perhaps a faint noise or a whisper—and had come to investigate.

Zhang Wei lay cramped under the bed, feeling the tightness in his chest grow more unbearable with each passing moment.

He shifted slightly, his eyes darting around in frustration.

[Host, why are you hiding here? Can't you just use your shadow ability?] the System barely managed to stifle its laughter at Zhang Wei's condition.

A flash of realization crossed Zhang Wei's narrowed eyes.

Cursing inwardly, he chastised himself for forgetting his newfound abilities as a cultivator.

He didn't need to hide like he used to!

'Of course, I have experience hiding under beds! Not because I'm scared, but because those poor ladies were terrified of cockroaches. I helped them out as a side hustle!' he thought wryly, recalling his past adventures.

Meanwhile, the three continued their lively chat in the room.

Qi Xiang's parents had discovered that Qi Xiang had sent Murong Jinxiang home alone late at night, prompting the elderly mother to voice her displeasure.

"It's really unfortunate that they had to come here now, and Qi Xiang has once again mishandled things," she lamented.

The conversation flowed on, the trio engrossed in their discussion. After a while, Murong Jinxiang shifted the topic abruptly.

Qi Xiang's mother inquired if Murong Jinxiang had eaten yet, prompting her to suggest ordering something to swiftly conclude their visit.

However, her plan backfired.

"Xiaoxi, I know you manage the household finances, but please be careful and avoid extravagance," Qi Xiang's mother advised sternly. "Don't you want to buy a house? If you spend money like this, when will you be able to afford a new home?"

Faced with the persistent questioning, Murong Jinxiang felt helpless.

She played her trump card, "Mom, I honestly don't know how to cook. Qi Xiang used to handle all the cooking. Anything I attempt ends up inedible."

Qi Xiang's previously silent father suddenly perked up, smiling warmly. "It's alright if you can't cook. Cooking isn't good for a girl's complexion anyway. I can take care of that."

As Zhang Wei listened to their conversation from his hiding place, a chill ran down his spine.

Now that he won't go out to eat, it means he still has to lie down under the bed.

If he wasn't a cultivator, wasn't it equivalent to torture.

Lying on his stomach was incredibly uncomfortable for Zhang Wei, a sensation intensified by the need to constantly adjust his posture to alleviate the discomfort.

Any sudden movements risked hitting the bed frame, a prospect that filled him with acute embarrassment.

'Here I am, worth tens of billions, yet I'm stuck in this awkward position,' he thought wryly.

If not for the presence of familiar faces nearby, he might have considered revealing himself without hesitation, cultivator or not.

Thirty agonizing minutes passed.

When Murong Jinxiang returned to the room and switched on the light, she scanned the surroundings before lowering herself to place a bowl under the bed.

Zhang Wei, already contemplating his escape, couldn't help but smile wryly at the sight of the meal.

Did this woman want him to explode from eating rice?

Eating while lying down proved awkward, but the beautiful view from the balcony helped distract him enough to reluctantly accept the meal.

As Murong Jinxiang stood by the bed, her feet and calves came into Zhang Wei's view.

He hadn't dared to scrutinize them closely before, but now, he seized the opportunity to observe them discreetly.

Her calf was slender, straight, and exquisitely white, its softness and smoothness evident even in the dim light under the bed.

Murong Jinxiang's beautiful feet were perfectly formed, with clear, moist skin that caught Zhang Wei's attention more than any other woman's legs he had ever seen.

The temptation to bind them gently with ropes and restrain her against the bed flashed through Zhang Wei's mind, but he quickly dismissed the thought, focusing on remaining hidden.

Murong Jinxiang, unaware of the scrutiny her legs were under, kept her attention fixed on the door, fearing an unexpected visitor might intrude at any moment.

She breathed a sigh of relief as no one disturbed them until Zhang Wei finished his meal.

Once the bowl was clean, Murong Jinxiang didn't linger in the bedroom.

She hurriedly exited, closing the door behind her swiftly.

Outside, she checked on her parents' situation, deposited the tableware and chopsticks in the kitchen, and then returned to the bedroom with a purpose in mind.

She intended to say a few words to Zhang Wei.

However, just as she reached for the door handle, footsteps approached from behind. Murong Jinxiang turned abruptly and found herself face-to-face with Qi Xiang's elderly mother.

"Mom, what's the matter?" Murong Jinxiang forced herself to remain calm, her voice tinged with a hint of unease.

The elderly mother smiled kindly, her demeanor gentle. "Xiaoxi, I have a picture here, a painting of mandarin ducks playing in the water. Let's hang it up for you."

"Mom, please give it to me. It would be better if we hang it together when Qi Xiang comes back," Murong Jinxiang blushed slightly, her words shy and hesitant.

"Of course," the old mother agreed with a nod. She glanced around the room and noticed its slight disarray.

Concerned, and considering her daughter-in-law might be pregnant, she quickly added, "Since I have nothing else to do right now, let me help you tidy up so you don't have to strain yourself."

Murong Jinxiang was taken aback by the offer.

This was heading towards a potential disaster.

She hurriedly responded, "Mom, how can I let you clean? I'll take care of it myself. Please, just rest."

But the old mother paid no heed to Murong Jinxiang's protests.

She began tidying up determinedly, ignoring any further attempts to dissuade her.

Zhang Wei, hidden under the bed, was alarmed by this turn of events.

He pressed himself deeper into the shadows, fearing discovery.

'Is this woman really cleaning the room at 2 AM? How erratic,' Zhang Wei thought to himself, stunned and speechless at the situation above him.