No, no, no! This can’t be happening!
After spending some time alone, Xia Meng was left cold and clammy from the mere memory of her earlier thoughts. But even if a situation like that were to happen again, she still couldn’t convince herself not to feel terrified.
As for why, the reason was simple, this time, the method Lin Xue’er used to Tiaojiao her struck right at her sore spot. So whenever she so much as saw those words, her body would instinctively react.
“No! My mind is already starting to get messed up! If this keeps up, something bad will definitely happen!”
Should she just… leave now, while she still had the chance?
When she was hiding in the suitcase just now, she was only worried that Lin Xue’er might have some trick she didn’t know about. But now that she was in the other’s territory, maybe, just maybe… she could—
Xia Meng got off the bed, the traditional cloth shoes she wore making a steady thumping sound as she walked toward the iron door.
Because she knew how to pick locks, she was about to pluck one of the small hairpins from her hair to use it to unlock the iron door in front of her.
But just as her hand touched the hairpin, her slender hand dropped back down and she didn’t take it off.
“No, calm down. Don’t act rashly just because you’re scared.”
Since Lin Xue’er’s changes after her darkening had been so dramatic, she was certain the other must have things she still didn’t know about. So she should try to gather more information and advance step by step, only then could she survive.
With her thoughts changed, Xia Meng moved away from the iron door and returned to where she was just now.
But as soon as she sat down on the bed, she felt the lingering heat at the edge and immediately stood up again.
“Wait, if I don’t escape now, what if Lin Xue’er uses some even more intense method to Tiaojiao me? Even if I know what she’s doing, I’ll still end up being affected!”
Just like now, she realized that Lin Xue’er was using Chengfa to condition her into a Pavlovian response, but when Lin Xue’er really did pick up another matter to punish her with, she still couldn’t help but feel afraid.
Damn you, Lin Xue’er! Why can’t you just use ordinary punishment like grounding me in a dark room or something to break me mentally?
If it was only Tiaojiao on a psychological level, she could rely on her own strong willpower to get through it easily. But now, with this method, her body and mind were being broken down together.
“Damn it! If it were the old me, I wouldn’t hesitate like this. I would have just acted immediately.”
With no better option, Xia Meng could only sit down by the bed again.
Because her emotions were running high, her breathing became shallow and erratic. She reached up and gently tugged at the Necklace around her neck.
“Aaah, damn it!”
Feeling the weight of the Necklace, she was reminded of something else, and her anxiety quickly turned into deep dread.
“This thing is so troublesome! That was close, really close!”
What she was referring to was, of course, the Tracking Chip inside the Necklace.
In the past, she’d already committed plenty of foolish acts because of that Tracking Chip. She didn’t know if this current Necklace had one too, but Xia Meng’s instincts screamed that it definitely did.
If she’d actually been rash and run out, the Tracking Chip would have immediately relayed her location to Lin Xue’er.
“So I have to hold on a little longer. As long as God hasn’t shown up, that means I still have a chance. If worse comes to worst, I still have Huishu, that powerful ability.”
Speaking of which, she now knew how Huishu worked. In moments of mortal danger, the Necklace would trigger its power.
But… does that mean it can only be used passively? She can’t actively use it with her own will?
Just the thought that she could only use it passively made Xia Meng shudder. Even if it didn’t mean true death, that kind of experience would leave a deep scar on her soul that she could never forget.
Because of all this, the current situation felt utterly hopeless. Still, she wanted to endure, hoping she could change the situation.
But—enduring would only make things worse. The moment she gave in to the first condition Lin Xue’er set, Lin Xue’er would only push further, piling on more and more unfair rules.
Just like the eating routine she now knew all too well—just as before, Lin Xue’er claimed it was to make her a “good child” and wouldn’t allow her to take her own utensils or medicine, or even pick up her own food. Even the soup could only be fed to her by Lin Xue’er.
“Xiao Jie, from today onward, the times when you eat are up to me. You cannot serve yourself or act on your own, understood?”
“I… I understand.”
The eating itself was a small matter—she was already used to it, and she knew Lin Xue’er wanted to slowly make her dependent on her through countless little habits.
But now Lin Xue’er had gone too far. It wasn’t just small things in daily life. Even when she wanted to stretch her limbs, take a nap, read a book out of boredom, or drink a glass of water, she had to ask for permission. It was humiliating to be watched so closely.
“Xiao Jie, before you do anything, you must report to me. Only if I approve can you do it. Even just humming a little tune falls within this rule. Understand?”
“I… I understand.”
“Good. Whether you say so or not, you have to understand. Didn’t I already say? No matter what I say, you must agree. You cannot refuse, nor can you show any expressions I haven’t allowed. You hesitated just now, so I have to punish you.”
The moment she heard the word “punish,” Xia Meng went pale. Even though she’d only been punished once before, that one time was enough.
So she quickly tried to explain to Lin Xue’er, “Xue’er! I was only thinking about the details of what you said, not hesitating. Please, you have to believe me!”
“Really? Is that true?”
“Yes! Really!”
Lin Xue’er smiled, then nonchalantly pinned Xia Meng down on the bed.
At the same time, under Xia Meng’s shocked gaze, Lin Xue’er secured both her hands and feet, saying, “Even if I believe you, it doesn’t mean I’ll forgive you right away. You’re bound to make mistakes again, so to make sure you truly realize your faults, I still need to punish you. Only then will the lesson stick.”
Hearing these words, Xia Meng was so anxious she nearly cried.
But Lin Xue’er ignored her feelings and her pleas, directly undoing Xia Meng’s upper vest and, with a feather in each hand, trailed them across her sensitive skin.
“No, please! I won’t hesitate ever again, Xue’er, I beg you… aaah! Stop! Please!!”
Because her last punishment was just a few days ago, the memory of that clear, sharp sensation made the feeling even more unbearable.
So itchy…! So unbearable…! So—painful…!
“Stop! Please stop! No… ahh…!”
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.