Mu Xi seemed oblivious to Li Xin’s unusual reaction, calmly slipped off her underwear.
Her snow-white skin was exposed to the air, like the finest mutton fat jade—delicate, smooth, and emitting a faint glow.
Her movements were slow, carrying an intentional display, as if every detail had been carefully calculated to stimulate Li Xin’s senses to the fullest.
Li Xin felt a surge of heat rush straight to her head, her temples pounding violently.
She clenched her teeth tightly, barely managing to maintain a calm exterior, unwilling to lose control.
Mu Xi’s actions were undoubtedly the ultimate challenge to her willpower and a silent test of her loyalty.
Mu Xi changed into a white dress.
The dress softly hugged her body, the pure white complementing her fair skin, making her look even more innocent and captivating.
Yet, the cut of the dress was not entirely modest; it perfectly accentuated her slender waist and long legs.
The lace’s hollowed-out design added a hint of elusive sensuality.
After changing, Mu Xi turned around and gave Li Xin a gentle smile.
Her eyes were clear and innocent, as if the previous act was nothing more than a casual change of clothes, devoid of any hint of seduction.
“How is it, Li Xin? Does this dress suit me?”
Li Xin’s Adam’s apple bobbed; her voice was hoarse.
“It suits you very well, Miss Mu Xi. You look beautiful no matter what you wear.”
Her gaze restrainedly swept over Mu Xi, struggling not to linger too long on her exposed skin.
Mu Xi’s lips curved up slightly, blooming into an extremely tender smile, like the warmest sunshine in spring that dispelled the last shadows in the room.
Her eyes were focused and soft, as if everything in the world had faded away—only Li Xin occupied her entire vision.
“Li Xin,” her voice slowed, carrying a faint, almost imperceptible whisper.
The trailing tone was soft, like a feather brushing against the ear, “I truly wish… we could always be like this, together, with no one else—just us.”
Those words were like fiery sparks carrying a burning heat, instantly igniting the mad thoughts hidden in Li Xin’s mind.
Her already taut nerves stretched even tighter, like a drawn bowstring stiff enough to snap.
‘Miss Mu Xi… was she confessing to me?’
The moment the thought surfaced, it immediately seized all her rationality.
Her heart pounded like a drum in her chest; blood rushed wildly; her temples throbbed; a buzzing filled her ears, making it almost impossible to hear the surrounding sounds.
Her mind went blank.
All the calm and restraint shattered completely under Mu Xi’s gentle words.
She opened her mouth, but her throat was so dry she could not utter a sound.
All the words were stuck, turning into emptiness.
Just as Li Xin was utterly lost in this sudden whirlpool of happiness, the tenderness in Mu Xi’s eyes quietly faded, replaced by a barely noticeable slyness.
Like a masterful actress, she instantly switched emotions.
Her once gentle expression turned slightly embarrassed and flustered, as if the suggestive words just now were an accidental slip.
“Ah, Li Xin,” Mu Xi suddenly seemed to realize what she had said, covering her cheeks with both hands, wearing a slightly annoyed look, her tone flustered.
“I’m sorry… I think I’ve lost my composure a bit. It’s getting late, and I’m a little sleepy. I want to rest… Could you please leave first?”
Li Xin awoke as if from a dream, instantly falling from the clouds to the depths of despair.
The overwhelming sense of loss surged like a tide, nearly drowning her.
So, it was all just her own wishful thinking?
Miss Mu Xi’s words earlier were… just a loss of composure?
She bit her lip tightly, struggling to suppress the emotions swirling inside her, refusing to reveal even the slightest hint of disappointment and pain.
She knew she shouldn’t expect too much.
Mu Xi was the pet of Master, of Ye Lan, while she was merely a humble guard.
To dream of receiving Mu Xi’s affection was nothing but foolish delusion.
Though her heart ached as if being slowly cut by a dull knife, years of training and ingrained obedience quickly restored her rationality and composure.
She took a deep breath, forcing her voice to sound calm and respectful.
“Yes, Miss Mu Xi. Please rest early.” After speaking, she didn’t dare glance at Mu Xi again, afraid she might reveal some inappropriate expression.
She turned, her movements stiff, walked to the door, opened it, then slowly turned back, casting one last lingering glance at Mu Xi.
Mu Xi stood with her back to her, her thin shoulders trembling slightly, as if genuinely remorseful over the earlier “loss of composure.”
Li Xin couldn’t see her expression clearly, but a trace of hope still lingered in her heart.
Perhaps Miss Mu Xi had really confessed to her just now but had to pretend it was a slip for some reason.
Clenching her fists tightly, she silently vowed to herself that no matter what, she would protect Miss Mu Xi, even at the cost of her life, and help her break free from Ye Lan’s control—to grant her true freedom and happiness.
With this firm and complicated resolve, Li Xin slowly closed the door, cutting off the intoxicating yet heartbreaking figure inside the room.
As the door sealed shut, she seemed to still catch the faint scent lingering from Mu Xi—sweet cream and milk mixed like opium, addictive and maddening, fueling her desire to completely possess this beautiful, dreamlike woman.
***
The next day.
Finally, the end of the month—the day the Guests were to arrive.
The air was thick with a restless tension.
Heavy engine roars grew louder, shattering the manor’s morning tranquility.
One after another, vehicles with sharp lines and glossy black bodies—less like cars and more like mobile fortresses—crushed the gravel paths, cutting through the shadowy forest, and finally stopping outside the manor’s tightly closed iron gates.
The reflective surfaces of the vehicles shone like cold, monstrous eyes, reflecting the dim morning light and adding to the grim atmosphere.
The doors opened silently, like the gaping mouths of beasts ready to devour.
First to step out were polished black military boots, followed by crisp trouser lines, and above those, garments lavish and bizarre in style.
Velvet, leather, metal, feathers—various materials piled onto these visitors, flaunting extravagant luxury while exuding an indescribable grotesqueness.
Most striking were the masks they wore.
Not the delicate masks common at masquerade balls, but exaggerated, symbolic decorations.
Faces of beasts, fierce and terrifying; metallic masks cold and merciless; even masks polished from the bones of unknown creatures, emitting a faint eerie glow.
They seemed like ghosts emerging from shadows, or wandering spirits haunting the human world.
Their deliberately concealed faces only revealed a sickly distortion and a lurking voyeuristic desire.
These people were the manor’s Guests—powerful, prestigious figures from various sectors.
They refused to show their true faces, perhaps fearing Ye Lan’s perverse deeds, or maybe because they themselves harbored unspeakable secrets that must never see the light of day.