No. 13 leaned in closer, his shimmering eyes reflecting her presence like rippling water. "I need sugar—just a little bit is enough to fuel me for a whole day's work."
His gaze was unguarded, the implication so blatant it might as well have been an outright declaration.
When two young people with matching hormones were involved, it was easy to guess each other's little thoughts.
Xia Miao received the intense signal loud and clear. Since humanity had entered the interstellar era, the original Earth had been abandoned due to irreversible damage. Yet now, she felt something akin to the heat of summer radiating between them.
When she didn’t move, No. 13’s clear, bright eyes suddenly turned Bambi-like—pitiful and a little aggrieved.
"Miss, can’t you give me just a little reward?"
Xia Miao was a simple woman. If she could resist a beauty’s charms, it’d be a miracle.
She repeated her old trick, lowering her head to plant two quick, smacking kisses on his lips. But this time, as she tried to pull away, the man’s hand shot out and caught her wrist. In the blink of an eye, the tables had turned.
He effortlessly trapped her in his shadow, her back pressed against the chair with nowhere left to retreat.
No. 13 leaned down, his lips sealing hers, giving her no chance to escape. When he felt her stiffen, a low chuckle escaped him.
Xia Miao tried to move, but his fingers interlaced with hers, gripping tight as if they were fused together.
With a slight shift of his weight, she was pinned between the chair and his body, the confined space saturated with his presence—even her breath was overtaken by his scent.
For the first time, Xia Miao realized that no matter how harmless he appeared, his strength far surpassed hers.
Somewhere in the haze of being invaded, she sensed a hint of possessiveness.
After a moment, as if realizing he’d gone too far, he slowly withdrew, his warm tongue leaving her mouth with deliberate slowness, as if savoring the shared wetness. His lips brushed hers, leaving them glistening and temptingly flushed.
No. 13 studied her for a long moment, his eyes flickering, voice rough. "Can I get an advance on my reward?"
"Wai—"
Before she could finish, his mouth was on hers again.
This time, for better access, he simply lifted her onto his lap. One arm circled her waist, the other cupped her face, tilting it up—effortlessly in control.
Amidst it all, a bizarre thought popped into Xia Miao’s head:
Second kiss and it’s already a French kiss? That’s fast—his culture really is different!
Ten minutes later.
No. 13 held the girl on his lap, cradling her face in both hands as if examining a rare artifact. He turned her head left, then right, studying her intently before finally smiling, as if he’d cracked some code.
"Ah, I see now. The reason humans enjoy romance is because their reproductive instincts peak at this moment. The dopamine and oxytocin released create an addictive euphoria."
His strange words made her feel like some kind of research subject.
Xia Miao’s face was squished between his hands, her words muffled. "What are you talking about?"
"Nothing." He grinned, his bright hair and blue eyes dazzling. "I just confirmed—I have the urge to reproduce with you."
Xia Miao shoved his face away. "No way! That’s too fast! You have to get married first before even thinking about kids!"
Her push was so forceful his face distorted slightly.
No. 13 pondered the word "marriage"—a legal document in human society that bound two unrelated individuals into a family unit, granting them protected spousal status under the law.
But as times changed, many young people despised the idea. Late marriages and delayed parenthood had become the norm.
No. 13 gave her an odd look. "You’re serious?"
Xia Miao blinked. "What do you mean?"
"It’s just a game of make-believe. Why bring marriage into it?"
Her expression darkened. "A game of make-believe?"
Her body tensed, eyes brewing something terrifying—like a volcano on the verge of eruption, or a lioness from ancient documentaries ready to tear her prey apart.
No. 13 inexplicably felt a pang of nervousness. "Didn’t you just want to have some fun with me?"
As most passengers on this train would say, no one from first class would ever seriously date a mere security officer.
Even if it happened, it was just a way to pass the time—a temporary game of pretend.
Once they reached their destination, the passenger would disembark, while the crew remained to serve the next batch. One moment, they might be "lovers," the next, strangers separated by light-years.
"Mikhail Anatolyevich Dobrolubsky!"
No. 13 flinched involuntarily.
No matter the era or species, a man hearing his full name from a woman’s lips would always feel an inexplicable dread.
"You hugged me, kissed me, and now you say it was just for fun?!"
"Do I look that easy to you?!"
"How dare you insult me like this? I never want to see you again!"
SMACK!
No. 13’s cheek stung. Before he could react, the girl had already wriggled out of his arms.
Xia Miao stomped her feet, pointing at him furiously. "You’re nothing but a heartless playboy toying with an innocent girl’s feelings!"
She spun around and stormed out, yanking the door open—only to reveal a group of young men eavesdropping, who stumbled and nearly fell over in their haste to scramble away.
Xia Miao huffed loudly, clenched her fists, and marched off.
The guys quickly crowded back around the doorway, gaping inside.
"Wow, first time I’ve ever seen No. 13—the guy who loves throwing punches—get slapped!"
"‘Heartless playboy toying with an innocent girl’s feelings.’ Tsk tsk tsk."
"What a scumbag!"
...
Inside the break room, No. 13 remained frozen in his chair, one hand pressed to his cheek, utterly bewildered.
Am I really a scumbag?