The next day.
Chu Tian let out a long, satisfied breath.
He tightened his arms, pulling the soft, delicate body beside him deeper into his embrace, his chin habitually rubbing gently against the top of her head.
His movements were natural and intimate.
Clearly, Chu Tian was in a good mood.
The reason, of course, was the girl’s excellent reaction last night.
He had performed very well himself.
After all, with triple the stamina, he was more than capable when facing the girl.
“Awake?”
The deep, husky voice came from above her head, carrying the laziness of just waking up.
Su Nian’s body stiffened.
Instinctively, she continued to pretend to be asleep.
Chu Tian saw through her little act.
He let out a low chuckle, his warm lips landing precisely on her sensitive ear, lightly nibbling it.
“If you keep pretending to be asleep, we’ll review last night’s ‘punishment’ all over again.”
Su Nian’s body snapped taut like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
Her eyes flew open.
Her sky-blue eyes still held traces of lingering mist and a hint of fear.
“Master, I’m awake!”
“Mm, good that you’re awake.” Chu Tian patted the girl’s bottom with satisfaction, his tone as casual as if he were giving a minor instruction.
“Get up. Help your master dress.”
Su Nian bit her lower lip, climbing out of bed with a sense of humiliation.
The anklet on her foot let out a series of delicate “jingles” with every movement, the sound especially clear in the quiet bedroom.
She walked barefoot across the soft carpet to the dressing room to pick out Chu Tian’s clothes for the day.
Her body still carried the lingering effects of last night; every step felt unsteady.
When she returned before Chu Tian holding an ironed shirt, the man was leaning against the headboard, shirtless, watching her leisurely.
His powerful body still bore a few red scratch marks from when she had lost control last night.
Su Nian’s cheeks flushed again.
She quickly averted her gaze.
She stepped forward and clumsily buttoned his shirt.
Her fingertips inevitably brushed against his warm chest.
The familiar touch made her fingers tremble, her breath faltering for a beat.
The instinctive reaction of her body filled her with deep disgust and helplessness.
Chu Tian amusedly watched her flustered state.
Just as she finished the last button, he suddenly pulled her into his arms, making her fall onto his lap.
“Master…” Su Nian exclaimed in surprise, instinctively trying to struggle.
“Don’t move.” Chu Tian’s large hand pressed down on her waist, brooking no resistance, “Your performance last night satisfied your master.”
His thumb gently stroked the sensitive soft spot on her waist, causing her to shiver.
“Keep it up from now on.”
Su Nian buried her face in his chest, not daring to look at him, only able to let out a faint, mosquito-like “Mm.”
This docile, obedient appearance pleased Chu Tian.
He pinched her chin and planted a kiss heavy with possessiveness on her lips, not letting go until she was nearly out of breath.
“Let’s go and complete our breakfast.”
In the dining room.
Su Nian kept her head down, drinking milk in small sips, trying hard to minimize her presence.
She needed time to digest all of this, to rethink her future.
The flames of revenge still burned in her heart.
But last night’s experience and her body’s betrayal had poured cold water on those flames.
Her mind couldn’t help but wander to imagination—
What if, at the critical moment of reaching 100 million Humiliation Value, she found herself in a situation like last night?
How would she respond?
‘I should probably wait until dawn…’
Thinking about the decision she might make, the girl’s cheeks flushed red.
‘Wuwuwu…’
It seemed that before reaching 100 million Humiliation Value, she would have to practice getting over the withdrawal symptoms of being away from her Horned Demon Master.
‘Yeah, yeah!’
Just as Su Nian was lost in her chaotic thoughts, the Head Maid of Shadowmoon Manor entered the dining room.
She bowed respectfully to Chu Tian and said, “Mo Yuan Sir, there is a Royal Messenger from the capital of the Red Maple Kingdom waiting outside the manor. He carries a personal letter from His Majesty the King.”
Su Nian paused mid-motion, lifting her head sharply.
‘The capital? The King’s messenger?’
She looked at Chu Tian, but his face showed no surprise at all, as if everything was within his expectations.
Chu Tian wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, slow and deliberate.
The playful, dominant demeanor of the “Horned Demon Master” quietly faded, replaced by the unfathomable composure and authority of “Mo Yuan Sir.”
“Show him to the parlor.” He instructed calmly, his voice steady and firm.
“Yes, sir.” The Head Maid bowed and withdrew.
Chu Tian’s conversation with the Royal Messenger in the parlor did not last long.
When he returned to the bedroom, Su Nian was sitting on the chaise lounge by the window, hugging a soft throw pillow, watching the snowflakes falling outside.
The leather ankle shackles had been removed, but the collar around her neck remained.
Hearing the door open, the girl immediately switched to a docile expression and looked at the man entering.
“Master.”
Chu Tian walked up to her, looking down at her like he was inspecting his possession.
“The King wants to see me.” He spoke, his tone as flat as if he were talking about the weather.
“I’m going to the capital. I’ll be back by tomorrow at the latest.”
Here it was.
Su Nian’s heart skipped a beat.
Logically speaking, if she chose to escape while Chu Tian was away on his business trip to the capital, it would be a godsend.
Even if she didn’t choose to run and continued accumulating Humiliation Value, she could still have a day of rest.
But the anticipated elation did not come.
Instead, she even felt a little annoyed that she couldn’t be close to her master…
Huh?
How could she think that!
Was it the [Cannot Leave Master] status doing this?
Su Nian desperately told herself in her mind—
‘Yes, that must be it.’
That bastard! This was just a negative effect of the system.’
It definitely wasn’t that she actually didn’t want him to go.
“Then… when does Master leave?” she asked softly, her voice carrying just the right amount of reluctant attachment.
“Tomorrow morning.”
Chu Tian was very satisfied with her reaction.
He reached out and hooked her chin, his thumb gently stroking her soft lips.
“What, can’t bear to part with your master?”
“Mm.” Su Nian lowered her eyelids, speaking instinctively.
That soft “Mm” deepened the smile at the corner of Chu Tian’s lips.
He liked seeing her so dependent on him, even knowing it might be partly an act. It still satisfied him.
“Don’t run away before I get back.”
“Also, when I return, wear black stockings and high heels to properly welcome your master home.”
Su Nian’s face instantly flushed bright red.
Even though she was somewhat embarrassed, her mind couldn’t help picturing herself kneeling before her master, dressed in black stockings and high heels.
‘I should feel humiliated and ashamed…’
Why did she feel a little excited instead?
“If I find out you’ve been disobedient…” He paused, leaning close to her ear, speaking slowly and deliberately in a voice only the two of them could hear: “When I come back, it won’t just be three of me.”
Su Nian’s body trembled violently.
‘More than three?’
“I… I understand, Master.”
“Good girl.” Chu Tian patted the girl’s head with satisfaction.