Su Nian felt a warm breath brush past her ear, as light as a feather’s touch, yet it struck her like an electric shock, causing her body to tremble violently.
Choose.
Announce the lover relationship to the maids, or announce the master-slave relationship?
Neither option was something she wanted!
This bastard was simply despicable!
He dared to threaten her in such a way, forcing her into a corner, making her choose between two unbearable fates.
‘Announce the love relationship?’
Just thinking about it made Su Nian shiver with disgust, her stomach churning violently, nearly making her vomit.
Absolutely impossible!
To pretend to be a loving couple with this Horned Demon Bastard she hated to her core, acting sweet and affectionate in front of everyone?
That was more unbearable than death itself, even if it was fake…
Just imagining the scene gave her goosebumps all over, making her want to escape this world immediately.
But if she chose to announce the master-slave relationship…
That option was like a bottomless abyss, radiating a cold and despairing aura that made her shiver in fear.
It was equally unacceptable.
Until now, although she had suffered various humiliations at Shadowmoon Manor, those outrageous acts filled her with endless disgrace and despair…
At least no one else had witnessed them.
Those pains and torments were her secret alone.
As long as she could defeat the Horned Demon or escape this place, everything would be over.
But if the maids found out…
That kind and graceful Magic Girl Idol, the respected Mentor Su Nian, who shone brilliantly on stage and was admired by thousands, was actually the slave of the master of Shadowmoon Manor.
A plaything, called and toyed with at the whim of the master…
She might as well be dead.
In that case, she would completely lose her dignity, lose everything, and become the laughingstock of the entire Continent.
Forever living in shame and despair.
Absolutely impossible!
Caught between two terrible choices.
At this moment, Su Nian wanted nothing more than to pounce and bite Chu Tian hard, to vent her anger and unwillingness.
But reason told her she must not act rashly.
If she angered the Horned Demon Bastard, the consequences would be unimaginable.
She had to stay calm, to come up with a flawless plan to deal with this crisis.
“I… I choose neither!” Su Nian said through gritted teeth, every word squeezed out like venom, filled with endless hatred and determination.
“Oh? Is that so?” Chu Tian raised an eyebrow, seemingly unsurprised by her response.
A playful glint flickered in his deep eyes.
“Then it seems the maids will have to judge for themselves.”
He said lightly, his tone carrying mockery and amusement, as if watching a dying prey struggle.
As he spoke, he deliberately tugged the Black Leather Collar around Su Nian’s neck, producing a faint “click” sound, as if reminding her that her fate was still firmly in his hands.
At the same time, he made a move to pull back the blanket, as if about to let the maids in the next moment, exposing Su Nian’s secret to all.
“Wait!” Su Nian was clearly frightened, her face instantly pale as paper, her body trembling uncontrollably.
She absolutely did not want anyone to see the collar on her neck, nor to be led around like a pet by the man before her.
That image alone suffocated her with despair.
“Knock knock knock…”
The knocking outside continued.
“Knock knock knock—”
The sound was soft, yet like an invisible hammer striking Su Nian’s heart repeatedly, filling her with anxiety and unease.
That sound was like a death warrant, urging her to make a decision quickly.
Or else, everything would become irretrievable.
Time… was running out.
She had to decide soon, or once the maids barged in, her situation would only get worse.
Even the chance to choose would be lost…
Su Nian took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
She struggled to steady her wildly beating heart, trying to keep a clear mind to think of a way out.
“Little wildcat, don’t waste any more time.” Chu Tian’s voice was cold, shattering the last shred of hope in Su Nian’s heart.
His tone was like frost in the dead of winter—cruel and merciless, devoid of any warmth.
“I’ll count to three. If you still don’t decide, I’ll choose for you.”
Without hesitation, Chu Tian began the countdown.
His voice was cold and pitiless, like a death curse from hell, suffocating Su Nian with despair.
That voice hung over her head, ready to fall at any moment.
“Three…”
“Two…”
“One…”
Each number landed like a heavy hammer on Su Nian’s heart, inflicting unbearable pain.
Her heartbeat quickened, her breathing became rapid.
Her body trembled uncontrollably, as if on the verge of collapse.
Her mind went blank, not knowing what to do.
“I… I…” Su Nian bit her lip hard, struggling to utter the words.
Each syllable seemed to be forced from the depths of her throat, filled with endless pain and despair.
“What’s your choice?” Chu Tian watched her with keen interest, clearly enjoying the feeling of having complete control.
His deep eyes gleamed with mischief, as if watching a brilliant performance.
“I choose…” Su Nian’s voice trembled, on the verge of tears.
Her eyes welled with tears, but she held them back stubbornly.
“I choose… the lover relationship…”
Uttering those words felt like draining all her strength, consuming all her courage.
She felt as if her soul had been sucked dry, leaving only an empty shell, a living corpse devoid of hope or vitality.
“Ding dong, detected the host’s helpless choice to play the lover with the Horned Demon Bastard, humiliation value increased by 18,513.”
“Ding dong, absorbing humiliation emotion, annoyance value +18,513.”
“Very good.” Chu Tian nodded with satisfaction, a sly smile curling at the corner of his mouth like a cunning fox who had just succeeded.
Compared to simply humiliating the girl before him, slowly walking the “lover” route might just be the plan he had in mind…
And just as he expected, this choice could also gain him a large amount of annoyance value.
Though the process was forced and threatening, shameful and full of schemes.
“Since that’s the case, then Miss Su Nian, please cooperate with me to put on a show.”
Chu Tian said softly, his tone gentle and indulgent, as if they truly were a loving couple instead of two enemies forced together.
He slowly stood and approached Su Nian, reaching out to gently stroke her silk-smooth golden hair with delicate care, as if cherishing a precious treasure.
“Don’t worry, I will… take good care of you.”
Chu Tian’s voice was low and hoarse.
But this time, his words were neither the usual frivolous teasing nor false pretenses.
They were the truest expression from the depths of his heart.