What should she do now?
What else could she do? Just go with the flow!
Lin Xue’er had never been a normal person since she was a child. Even if her inner knot was untied, what difference would it make? You can’t wake up someone who’s only pretending to sleep!
As Xia Mengxi listened to Lin Xue’er mumbling to herself, a wave of despair and resignation washed over her heart, because she realized that ever since coming to this World, and even more so as Lin Xue’er’s childhood friend, she had already fallen into a Deadlock.
No, perhaps this wasn’t truly a Deadlock. Or rather, this was merely a Difficult Start.
Suddenly, Xia Mengxi’s thoughts cleared. The task God gave her was simply to capture the hearts of five designated girls. So after she succeeded with Lin Xue’er, couldn’t she just move on to the next target and seek protection from her?
Yes, exactly, that’s it. If she couldn’t handle Lin Xue’er, then she could simply find someone else to help her deal with Lin Xue’er.
Because Xia Mengxi had been so fixated on Lin Xue’er’s Blackening, she’d overlooked many other details. Now that she suddenly saw things clearly, her confidence instantly shattered the despair in her heart.
At the same time, now that she knew Lin Xue’er’s true face behind the mask, she no longer had any scruples. After all, while Lin Xue’er’s past was truly pitiful, Xia Mengxi was not about to endure Lin Xue’er’s twisted affection and spend her whole life imprisoned in her cage.
“Eh? Xiaoxi, why did your expression suddenly change? Are you scheming something?”
Crap! Oh no! She forgot Lin Xue’er was right beside her!
That beautiful face, suddenly magnified before her, looked utterly terrifying. And just as the cloth binding her lips was finally untied, she thought to herself that it was already too late, she’d been found out, so she deliberately glanced around to hide her true intentions.
“So what if I am? Lin Xue’er, you maniac!”
“I’m not a maniac, Xiaoxi…”
“You’re not? Hah, if you’re not, then let me go right now!”
Lin Xue’er shook her head, then gently stroked Xia Mengxi’s cheek. The latter angrily jerked her hand away.
“Lin Xue’er, if you don’t let me go now, you’ll definitely regret it!”
“Sorry, Xiaoxi, but letting you go is impossible. For the rest of your life, you’ll only ever be by my side.”
With that, Lin Xue’er stood up and took an Electronic Wristwatch from the desk nearby, waving it in front of Xia Mengxi.
“Xiaoxi, you’re looking for this, aren’t you? Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to inform Uncle and Aunt that you’re safe, and I’ve already thought of a way to hide things from them for a while. So even if they come back, they won’t search for you just because you’re missing.”
Xia Mengxi was stunned for a moment, then looked at Lin Xue’er in panic.
“You… You, what are you talking about? I don’t understand!”
Seeing her like this, Lin Xue’er smiled. But in the next moment, her eyes narrowed, as if she could see right through Xia Mengxi.
“Heh, Xiaoxi, do you think… I’m an idiot?”
This scene felt strangely familiar, but Xia Mengxi had anticipated it, so she vigorously shook her head.
“That’s what I thought. So, Xiaoxi, if you confess honestly now, I might forgive you. But if you refuse… then I’ll just have to Punish you.”
“I—I’m not afraid of you! I won’t tell you anything! Hmph!”
Lin Xue’er’s face darkened, obviously angered by her attitude.
Sure enough, without a word, Lin Xue’er tied the loosened towel back over her mouth and turned toward the door.
It wasn’t until she was about to leave the room that she finally spoke again.
“Xiaoxi, from this moment on, I’m going to teach you how to be a good, obedient girl. Only when you truly admit your mistakes from your heart will I forgive you.”
With that, the door slammed shut. Xia Mengxi, left inside the room, wore an expression of panic and helplessness, but inside, she was shouting with triumph.
That’s right, she was deliberately provoking Lin Xue’er. Her goal was to repeat the reversal she’d pulled off during her last confinement: pretending to obey Lin Xue’er to gain her trust.
Last time, she’d failed in the end, but that was because she hadn’t known that Lin Xue’er controlled everything about her. This time, not only had she gained experience, but her acting skills had improved, and she had a better understanding of Lin Xue’er.
Even more importantly, this situation was different from the first escape before Backtracking. This time, after escaping, she wouldn’t have to worry about Lin Xue’er’s future. As long as she found another target, she wouldn’t have to fear Lin Xue’er’s Blackening.
So this time, she was absolutely confident she wouldn’t repeat her old mistakes.
However, what she hadn’t expected was that Lin Xue’er’s Punishment was nothing like she’d imagined. If it was mental torment, her incredible willpower could easily endure it. But what Lin Xue’er held in her hands now was a physical threat—the Chicken Feather Duster.
At this, her heart screamed that this was bad! This wasn’t something you could endure by willpower alone!
“Uhh!!!”
As Lin Xue’er walked over, Xia Mengxi struggled desperately.
Where there is strength, there is weakness. Although her mind was strong, she had a girl’s body with no resistance at all, so she was truly terrified of Lin Xue’er’s swats. After all, a girl’s body really was fragile!
“Xiaoxi? Why are you so scared… hehe.”
Seeing Xia Mengxi’s face go pale with fright, Lin Xue’er couldn’t help but chuckle. She then placed the Chicken Feather Duster at Xia Mengxi’s feet and said, “Don’t worry, Xiaoxi, I won’t hit you. Your body is so delicate, just one hit and you might lose half your life. How could I bear to hit you?”
“Mm mm mm mm mm mm mm (Then why the heck did you bring it out)!”
“Hmm? Of course I have a use for it. After all, I still need to Punish you, Xiaoxi.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Xia Mengxi saw a Metal Tube appear in Lin Xue’er’s hand. After it lingered near her neck for a moment, her consciousness blurred and she fainted. When she woke again, she found herself in a starfish position, tied up on the bed.
“You’re awake, Xiaoxi. How strange, though—this time you woke up a bit earlier again. You’re almost at the dose for a normal person. Could it be… your body is starting to get healthy?”
Seeing Lin Xue’er so excited, Xia Mengxi actually felt a little uneasy. After all, if she had any advantage left, it was only her weak constitution, and she was the only one who knew it was fading. If Lin Xue’er realized, she’d lose one more lifeline.
So, she immediately struggled, trying to draw Lin Xue’er’s attention away by acting out.