Manipulative Harem God

"Ugh... It's so dirty here..." Xiong Mei couldn't help but frown as her whole room was in disarray, dust settling on every surface, and no one seemed to have cleaned while she was away. She sighed, casting an exasperated glance around.

"Here, sit," she briskly cleaned a chair and offered it to Zhang Wei, who took a seat, watching her efforts as he leaned back.

Zhang Wei, observing her with an intrigued smile, broke the silence, "You would make a great wife, Xiong Mei."

Xiong Mei flinched at the unexpected comment, her eyes twitching as she contemplated whether it was an insult or a compliment. She whispered back, "I thought I was a canary...?"

Zhang Wei's eyes sparkled with amusement. "A canary, you say? Well, you're certainly not caged," he replied, his tone light but hinting at a deeper meaning.

Xiong Mei was taken aback. "So I can flap my wings and fly?"

Zhang Wei chuckled softly, enjoying their banter. "Yes, but I'd clip them before it comes to that."

"..." Xiong Mei's smile disappeared momentarily before returning with a hint of mischief. "Am I free to 'eat' outside?"

Zhang Wei nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, but I'd break your legs before that."

Xiong Mei wrinkled her nose playfully. "Is there anything I can do without asking you first?"

Zhang Wei leaned closer, his voice a seductive whisper. "Yes."

Xiong Mei's curiosity got the best of her. "What?"

Zhang Wei's grin widened, and he pointed towards his legs, leaving Xiong Mei momentarily startled.

!!

A shiver ran down her spine as she quickly silenced herself, realizing that in the privacy of her own home, the sound insulation was as reliable as her own brain.

It was better not to test both! Both had the potential to become dangerous!

Before the lunch bell rang, Zhang Wei and Xiong Mei ventured to the ancestral shrine, even though it was clear that neither of them had genuine intentions of worship.

Throughout the visit, Zhang Wei couldn't help but boast about the countless ways he envisioned playing with their granddaughter.

It was a peculiar yet oddly satisfying experience for him.

As the lunchtime chatter continued, it seemed as if an unspoken tension present in the air.

However, after the meal, Qiu Xingyu mysteriously slipped away, perhaps to brag about her wealthy son-in-law to the neighbors.

Meanwhile, Lisa retreated to her room, engrossed in some undisclosed task.

In the living room, Zhang Wei and Xiong Mei lounged on the couch, engrossed in a TV show. Xiong Mei, nestled close to him, issued a commanding directive, "Rui, ensure those dishes are spotless."

"Yeah, yeah," Xiong Rui grumbled under her breath as she reluctantly made her way to the kitchen, her eyes rolling dramatically at the sight of Zhang Wei and Xiong Mei's cuddling together.

As soon as Qiu Xingyu exited the scene, Xiong Mei appeared to seize control of the household, her presence radiating a newfound authority that even made Zhang Wei chuckle in amusement.

"Your sister, how old is she?" Zhang Wei inquired, even though he was well aware of the answer.

Xiong Mei stole a quick, conspiratorial glance toward the kitchen door. "She just turned eighteen not too long ago. This year, she's about to step into her final year of high school," she explained.

Zhang Wei nodded thoughtfully and then asked, "Do you think she'll be joining us in the city as well?"

Xiong Mei blinked her eyes playfully, turning around with a mischievous smile on her face. "Why? Are you interested in her?" she teased, adding a playful exclamation point.

Zhang Wei's face remained blank as he pinched Xiong Mei's waist lightly. "Don't create scenarios in your mind. I was just asking," he responded, a hint of seriousness in his voice.

Xiong Mei, still rubbing her waist, pouted and leaned closer. "Chances are she won't come to the city," she whispered. "I've been shouldering her tuition fees for most of the time. If she aces the university exams next year, I might consider dipping into the money you've given me, but it'll likely come from our capital, not Qingyun."

Zhang Wei nodded, intrigued. "How did you manage to cover her tuition fees before I came into the picture?"

Xiong Mei's face lit up with a mischievous smile, a spark of triumph in her eyes. But her narcissism was short-lived.

In a swift turn of events, the big brother decided to teach her a lesson in humility.

Before she knew it, Xiong Mei found herself over his knee, her protests drowned out by the sound of his hand firmly delivering a series of spankings.

"Ahh! Zhang Wei, leave me! I am really sorry!" she cried out, her voice a mix of mock distress and genuine surprise.

Her hands slapped against the floor, seeking leverage but finding none as he continued his punishment.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Xiong Rui's ears burned red as the muffled sounds of her sister's pleas and Zhang Wei's laughter reached her. 'What on earth are they doing?' she wondered, a sense of bewilderment washing over her.

"Haha..." Zhang Wei's laughter echoed from the living room.

"Hm? Where are you headed?" Xiong Mei's voice, now tinged with a curiosity, followed soon after.

"Just going to fetch a glass of water," came Zhang Wei's casual reply.

"Okay..."

The conversation, seemingly mundane, did nothing to ease the flurry of thoughts in Xiong Rui's mind. As the sound of footsteps approached, she straightened her back, her focus sharpening on the task at hand. The cold water from the tap numbed her fingers, but it was a sensation she was well accustomed to.

Zhang Wei entered the kitchen, his smile broad and carefree. Xiong Rui could feel his eyes on her, the sensation sending goosebumps along her skin.

Her movements became brisk, almost frantic, as she washed the dishes with renewed fervor, hoping to mask her flustered state.

"Need a hand?" Zhang Wei's voice was light, almost playful, as he approached her.

"No, thank you. I've got it," Xiong Rui managed to respond without looking at him, her voice barely above a whisper.

Zhang Wei lingered for a moment, watching her intently before moving to the sink to fill a glass with water.

The proximity, the brush of his arm against hers, sent a shiver down her spine, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of red.