“The effect of the herbal bath has always been excellent.” Her voice remained low and steady, betraying no emotion.
Mu Xi noticed the subtle change in Li Xin’s gaze and the faint, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
She knew Li Xin was watching, and she knew Li Xin cared.
This subtle attention brought a delicate sense of pleasure to her.
“Is that so? Just good effects?” Mu Xi asked softly, her tone carrying a hint of coyness.
She lifted her head, looking up at Li Xin with clear eyes laced with a trace of seduction.
Li Xin felt her throat tighten, swallowing hard.
She felt like steel being forged in raging fire—her whole body burning and stiff, unsure of what to do.
Miss Mu Xi’s words had brushed over her heart like a feather, instantly igniting a hidden flame deep within.
She fought to control herself, not daring to look at Mu Xi’s chest, yet her gaze was drawn like a magnet, unable to look away.
Images surged uncontrollably in her mind—those secret, wild thoughts threatening to burst free.
If Miss Mu Xi weren’t wearing clothes… if she could see Miss Mu Xi’s body completely…
The moment such a thought appeared, it was like Pandora’s box opening, unleashing a flood of vivid fantasies crashing wildly through her mind.
She felt suffocated, torn between desire and fear, reason and passion fiercely battling within her.
“I…” Li Xin parted her lips but found her tongue tied, unable to utter a single complete sound.
She wanted to explain, to say something to cover up her loss of composure, but facing Mu Xi’s clear and probing eyes, all her prepared words got stuck in her throat.
She felt like a clumsy apprentice, revealing all her awkwardness in front of the one she adored.
Mu Xi looked at Li Xin’s embarrassed expression, the faint smile on her lips deepening.
She was very pleased with Li Xin’s reaction, even enjoying this sense of control.
Because Li Xin harbored feelings for her—a feeling like a flower blooming silently in the dark, carrying a dangerous yet irresistible allure.
She liked this subtle probing, enjoyed watching Li Xin flustered in front of her.
“I was just teasing you, don’t take it to heart.” Mu Xi said with a light laugh, her tone casual as if the earlier ambiguous test were nothing more than harmless fun.
After speaking, she pulled the blanket over herself and closed her eyes, ready to sleep.
Li Xin was stunned.
She hadn’t expected Mu Xi to end the topic so easily.
She felt like a clown being toyed with, all her tension and anticipation turned to nothing.
That tiny flame just ignited in her heart was instantly extinguished by Mu Xi’s offhand remark.
She watched Mu Xi’s peaceful sleeping face, her heart a mix of emotions—disappointment and a faint sense of relief.
Disappointed that Mu Xi didn’t seem to care about her feelings; relieved that her earlier embarrassment hadn’t caused Mu Xi’s disgust.
Li Xin stood silently by the bed, staring at Mu Xi.
The room was quiet except for Mu Xi’s steady breathing.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, night had fallen, shrouding the Manor in a misty glow.
Li Xin felt that after tonight, there was another layer of inexplicable ambiguity between her and Mu Xi.
And this ambiguity was like a poppy flower—beautiful and dangerous, intoxicating yet unsettling.
She took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions surging inside her, turned, and quietly left the room, softly closing the door behind her.
***
The next day, Mu Xi arrived at the Practice Room on the fifth floor.
Li Xin pushed open the heavy soundproof door and was slightly taken aback—Miss Ye Lan was here as well.
Inside, the stained glass windows cast colorful shadows over the glossy black Steinway grand piano at the center.
Ling Yue stood beside the piano, holding several sheets of Music , her expression tense.
Ye Lan lounged on the sofa at the side, her posture relaxed as she toyed with a slender lady’s cigarette.
Smoke curled slowly, shrouding her delicate face in a haze.
Seeing Mu Xi enter, Ye Lan lifted her eyes, a faint, elusive smile playing at her lips.
“Little Xi is here. Take a look at the new sheet.”
Ling Yue’s face darkened as she handed the Music Sheet to Mu Xi, her voice tinged with suppressed anger. “Take a look at this.”
Mu Xi took the sheet and quickly skimmed through it.
The composition itself was flawless—smooth and beautiful melodies with moderate difficulty.
The problem lay in the lyrics.
They were explicit and blatant, filled with teasing and innuendo, utterly obscene.
A cold sneer flashed through her mind.
Ye Lan really knew how to play—this kind of song, in this setting, was practically pushing her into the fire.
“How is it?” Ye Lan’s voice carried a playful edge, her eyes fixed with keen interest on Mu Xi’s face, clearly eager for her reaction.
Mu Xi looked up, wearing a flattering smile, “It’s quite good.”
“How does it feel?” Ye Lan pressed on, her tone carrying a subtle test.
Mu Xi smiled faintly, the expression tinged with hollow joy.
“As expected, the Mistress knows me best. She knows I like this style.”
Hearing this, Ling Yue’s brow furrowed deeper.
She suddenly turned to Ye Lan, anger evident in her tone.
“Miss Ye Lan, isn’t this going too far, making her sing this kind of song?”
Ye Lan chuckled lightly, flicked the ash from her cigarette, and leisurely said, “Too far? I don’t think so. Those distinguished guests are people of status and position. We provide what they like. Little Xi’s voice is sweet and beautiful; singing this kind of song only makes them enjoy it more, doesn’t it?”
Ling Yue’s chest heaved with anger.
She couldn’t understand Ye Lan’s reasoning, nor accept sending Mu Xi to sing such degrading songs.
She wanted to argue further but was stopped by Mu Xi gently grasping her arm.
Mu Xi shook her head slightly at Ling Yue, signaling her to stop.
She knew arguing with Ye Lan was pointless and would only make things worse.
Ye Lan watched the small exchange with a meaningful gaze.
“Teacher Ling Yue, you must teach Mu Xi well. Don’t let me down. I’m very much looking forward to the performance at the end of the month.”
With that, she stood, stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray, and gracefully exited the Practice Room, leaving behind a faint scent of tobacco and an oppressive atmosphere.
Li Xin bit her lip, her eyes complicated as she watched Ye Lan leave.
Only the three of them remained in the room, the air heavy and suffocating.
Ling Yue looked at Mu Xi’s calm face, filled with worry and anger.
She knew Mu Xi was pretending not to care, but inside she must be hurting.
“Mu Xi…” Ling Yue’s voice was heavy as she tried to find comforting words but didn’t know how to begin.
Mu Xi turned her head and gave Ling Yue a relaxed smile, though a faint bitterness lingered in her eyes.
“It’s nothing, Ling Yue. It’s just a song, no big deal.”
Her voice was soft but carried a strength that was both heart-wrenching and resilient.
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