Chu Tian took a sip of the Affectionate Witch Soup.
In that instant an indescribable, exquisite savor burst across his taste buds like fireworks.
The richness of the meat perfectly melded with the unique sweetness and freshness of the mushrooms.
The broth was smooth and warming, each drop seeming to brim with concentrated essence, soothing his mouth and throat, until his entire stomach felt warmed through.
That gradually unfolding, layered flavor made even his taste buds—long since spoiled by all sorts of delicacies—jolt with surprise.
Chu Tian’s hand, gripping the soup spoon, paused ever so slightly.
‘This… this is just too delicious!’ A flash of genuine astonishment flickered deep in his eyes.
He vaguely remembered—Su Nian, most of the time, was an unabashed little foodie.
Her little mouth was always munching on all sorts of snacks.
Since when has her cooking skills improved to this extent?
This taste was no worse than the most renowned imperial chefs of the royal capital—perhaps, in some ways, even surpassing them.
All the while, Su Nian was secretly observing the Horned Demon’s expression from the corner of her eye, catching that fleeting astonishment, and couldn’t help but feel delighted inside.
‘As expected, Saint-level culinary skill lives up to its name! Spending a hundred thousand Humiliation Value was absolutely worth it! Let’s see how you, you rotten Horned Demon, can nitpick now!’
The little villain inside Su Nian crossed her arms triumphantly, yet on the surface, she appeared all the more humble and respectful, even tinged with a bit of anticipation and nervousness, as if waiting for her Master’s praise.
She struck while the iron was hot, her voice so sweet it was almost cloying, every word seeming to drip with honey, the tail of each note drawn out, brimming with deliberately feigned charm.
“Master~♥, how do you find… Nian-slave’s ‘Affectionate Witch Soup’? Does it suit Master’s taste?”
Su Nian held her breath, gazing at him with longing, her sky-blue eyes wide open, trying to display twelve-fold anticipation and eagerness to please.
Chu Tian set down his white jade spoon with elegance, the spoon clinking crisply against the porcelain bowl.
He didn’t answer immediately, but instead looked up, a half-smile playing on his lips as he fixed Su Nian with his gaze.
Those eyes were deep, as if they could pierce through her meticulously crafted obedience and see straight into the little schemes hidden in her heart.
Su Nian’s heart gave a jolt at his look; her smile almost faltered, but she gritted her teeth and forced herself to maintain that syrupy-sweet expression to the end.
At last, he spoke, his voice carrying a lazy, magnetic undertone: “Mm, not bad.”
Just two words, yet Su Nian’s taut nerves instantly relaxed.
Success!
The Saint-level cooking skill didn’t disappoint her!
That rotten Horned Demon finally didn’t find fault!
Seeing that he truly seemed to be in a good mood, Su Nian immediately seized this rare opportunity, her voice becoming even softer and more tentative, laced with cautious probing.
“Master~❤, um… our [Magic Feather Fantasy]… just received an invitation to perform at the Winter Festival, the location is… at Academy City’s magical landmark, the Floating Fortress…”
She shot a quick glance at the Horned Demon’s expression.
Seeing nothing unusual, she plucked up her courage and continued, “This… this will be great for our [Magic Feather Fantasy]’s reputation, and… and for the promotion of Shadowmoon Manor’s magic items, especially the Magic Phone! Master, just imagine, if the performance succeeds, Magic Phone sales will soar to new heights. By then…”
Su Nian deliberately stressed the word “benefits,” her tone full of “loyalty” and the implication that “it’s all for Master’s sake.”
She didn’t believe that this money-grubbing Horned Demon would turn his back on a pile of shining gold coins.
That way—
Even if it was just for the so-called benefits, he should still let her go out.
‘Heh heh.’
Chu Tian, hearing this, fixed his deep gaze on Su Nian’s little face, so full of hope and nervousness, and the corner of his lips curled with a meaningful smile.
‘Little Nian’er, your calculations are sharp indeed.’
Su Nian’s heart leaped into her throat, anxiously awaiting his verdict.
After a long moment, Chu Tian finally drawled out two words: “You may.”
He did want to keep Su Nian by his side to harvest Annoyance Value.
But he also didn’t wish to completely disrupt Su Nian’s long-term life and career.
At the very least, her idol career and work as a Magic Tutor—he would still allow those to continue.
Besides a Magic Girl Idol and genius Magic Tutor, dazzling in the limelight by day, revered by tens of thousands—yet at night, forced to return and submit humbly.
That kind of contrast… isn’t it far more interesting?
***
On the other hand, hearing the Horned Demon Master agree, the boulder weighing down Su Nian’s heart finally crashed to the ground, and she felt lighter all over.
‘Wonderful!’
She’d been worried all along that this rotten Horned Demon’s so-called seven months of “punishment” and “training” would trap her completely in this luxurious cage—Shadowmoon Manor.
That she’d never be able to step outside the Manor’s gates again.
If it really turned out like that, her idol career and Magic Tutor status would go up in smoke!
Just thinking about her fans who supported her and the students at the Academy who looked up to her, Su Nian felt a wave of fear.
Now, she could finally put her mind at ease.
At least, her freedom during the day was preserved.
However, before this sense of relief could settle in her heart for even a moment…
“But…” Chu Tian drawled, drawing out the syllable.
Su Nian’s heart plummeted, her fleeting relief instantly vanishing.
She just knew it—this rotten Horned Demon would never let her off so easily!
“As an exchange,” Chu Tian admired the instant change in the girl’s expression, the curve of his mouth growing more pronounced, “starting tonight, every night when you return to Shadowmoon Manor, you must change into the special maid outfit I prepared just for you.”
‘Special maid outfit?’
“And then… lay out a soft mat at the main house entrance, kneel there as your Master’s exclusive slave maid, and respectfully greet me, your Master, when I return—then… present the chain of the collar around your neck.” Chu Tian continued.
A flush instantly crept across Su Nian’s cheeks.
He wanted her to wear such a shameful outfit, kneel at the door to greet him—and even personally offer up the symbol of her enslavement, the chain of her collar?
This was even more humiliating than being beaten!
“Ding-dong, Humiliation Value increased +19692.”
“Ding-dong, absorbing humiliation emotion, Annoyance Value +19692.”
Su Nian bit tightly down on her plump, moist cherry lips.
Exclusive slave maid…
She could picture herself, dressed in who-knows-what indecent “special maid outfit,” kneeling humbly on the cold ground, awaiting this man’s return like some emperor.
Wh—what if the other maids in the Manor saw her—
No, Chu Tian had specifically emphasized “main house entrance.”
Normally, as in the Master’s chambers, others shouldn’t pass by.
Thinking this, she felt a bit better, but the heavy weight of humiliation still pressed on her heart.
‘Resist?’
The thought flashed through her mind, but she ruthlessly crushed it herself.
Resisting was impossible.
“Yes… Master…” Su Nian took a deep breath, forcing down the churning humiliation and resentment in her heart.
But Su Nian quickly consoled herself inside.
It’s fine.
So what if she’s a little embarrassed at night!
By day, she was still the radiant Magic Girl Idol, the respected Magic Tutor!
As long as her core interests remained intact, this little sacrifice… was worth it!
Besides, the “punishments” and “training” this rotten Horned Demon mentioned sounded frightening, but thinking carefully, as long as she obediently cooperated, her situation wouldn’t really be any worse than before.
With this in mind, she even felt that, in this battle of wits, she might actually have come out the winner…
That’s right!
The witch soup wasn’t made in vain.
This round, she won!