“Easy?” Ye Lan raised an eyebrow, walked over to her, bent down, and gently lifted a strand of Mu Xi’s silver hair, rubbing it between her fingers as she stared sharply into her eyes.
“Do you think being controlled by me like this is easy?”
Mu Xi did not avoid her gaze.
Her eyes remained calm, “Fighting back… only makes it more tiring.”
Ye Lan laughed, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes; instead, it seemed even colder.
“Little Xi’er, you’re getting better at talking. But I like your honesty.”
She straightened up, walked to the window, and placed her hands on the sill, gazing at the gray sky over Stone City in the distance.
Her voice was light, but carried an unquestionable tone.
“Remember what you said today, Little Xi’er. Being obedient will make things much easier for you. Resisting… will only bring you more pain.”
Mu Xi lowered her eyes, her long lashes casting shadows under her eyelids, hiding the complex emotions churning within.
Easy?
Pain?
All she felt was endless humiliation and bone-deep hatred.
She pretended to be obedient only to dull Ye Lan’s vigilance, to buy more time to set her plan in motion—the almost insane plan she had rehearsed countless times in her mind.
The bathroom was her battlefield.
Over the next few days, Mu Xi became even more “well-behaved.”
She would proactively bring tea for Ye Lan, sit quietly in the study reading while Ye Lan worked, and even gently massage Ye Lan’s shoulders when she was tired.
Ye Lan seemed very satisfied with Mu Xi’s change, and her attitude toward her softened, occasionally even showing doting smiles.
When she called her “Xi’er” or “Little Xi’er,” her tone became gentle.
But Mu Xi knew this was just the calm before the storm.
Deep down, Ye Lan was still the arrogant and domineering ruler.
In Mu Xi’s heart, hatred and murderous intent lurked like a venomous snake, growing and spreading in the dark.
The more calm and obedient she appeared on the surface, the more violently her inner hatred surged.
She began to quietly “set the stage.”
Every time she bathed, she paid extra attention to the bathroom floor.
The tiles were smooth and cold; with just a bit of water and soap scum, it would be easy to slip.
She deliberately used extra body wash, letting as much foam as possible remain on the floor, and when rinsing, she simply sprayed water briefly without thoroughly cleaning.
She carefully observed the bathroom layout.
A metal shelf stood in the corner next to the showerhead, not very high, but with sharp edges.
If her head accidentally hit it…
Mu Xi’s fingertips trembled slightly, a cold excitement rising from the depths of her heart.
She could already picture Ye Lan falling to the floor, blood flowing from her head.
To ensure the plan was foolproof, she still needed a “bait.”
She began to casually bring up the topic of the bathroom in front of Ye Lan, asking about preferences for bath products, and even volunteered to prepare Ye Lan’s bathwater.
Ye Lan didn’t refuse Mu Xi’s “kindness”; instead, she watched her bustle about with amusement, a glint of playfulness in her eyes.
The opportunity seemed to be slowly approaching.
That day, after handling official business, Ye Lan returned to the bedroom to find Mu Xi had already “thoughtfully” prepared her bathwater.
The bathroom was filled with the scent of body wash, steam hanging in the air, warm and comfortable.
Ye Lan entered the bathroom, her gaze sweeping over the floor, seemingly noticing nothing unusual.
A satisfied smile curled at her lips.
“Xi’er is becoming more and more considerate.” Ye Lan walked into the shower, her voice carrying a lazy nasal tone, “Want to shower together, Xi’er?”
Mu Xi stood at the bathroom door, her body stiffening for a moment before she forced a shy smile, “No, I… I’ll go out and wait for you.”
“Mm, fine.” Ye Lan’s voice came from the mist.
Mu Xi’s heart pounded, and her palms were slightly sweaty.
She asked softly, “Is the water temperature okay?”
The sound of water flowing from the bathroom drowned out Mu Xi’s rapid breathing.
Ye Lan was already standing under the showerhead, the warm water washing over her body.
Droplets slid down her jet-black hair, leaving glistening traces on her fair skin, exuding a deadly allure.
Mu Xi quietly opened the bathroom door and peeked inside.
Her heart beat faster, blood seemed to boil in her veins, a strong impulse surging within her—to rush in, push Ye Lan down, and make her slam into the metal shelf.
But she forced herself to calm down and wait for the perfect moment.
Ye Lan seemed very relaxed, eyes closed, enjoying the comfort of the hot water, completely unaware of Mu Xi standing at the door, let alone the danger quietly approaching.
Mu Xi held her breath, gently pushed the door open, and stepped inside.
She lightened her footsteps, slowly approaching Ye Lan.
The water was loud; Mu Xi’s bare feet made no sound at all.
The bathroom floor was wet and covered in foam, the air thick with the scent of body wash and a faint warmth that made one feel dizzy.
Mu Xi walked up behind Ye Lan, only a step away.
She could clearly feel the heat radiating from Ye Lan’s body, the fragrance of body wash mixed with her natural scent—undeniably alluring.
But at this moment, Mu Xi’s heart was filled only with cold murderous intent.
She raised her hand, fingertips trembling slightly, gathering all her strength, ready to push hard against Ye Lan’s back.
Just as she was about to make her move, Ye Lan suddenly opened her eyes.
Those deep, phoenix-like eyes, like the brightest stars in the night sky, instantly caught the murderous intent in Mu Xi’s gaze, playful yet tinged with dangerous warning.
“What are you doing, Little Xi’er?” Ye Lan’s voice carried a hint of mockery.
Mu Xi’s heart sank like a stone.
Breathing became difficult.
Ye Lan had caught her.
But she had no way back.
Better to fight to the death than to surrender passively!
Mu Xi clenched her teeth, lunging forward, throwing all her strength into pushing Ye Lan down.
But Ye Lan’s reaction speed far exceeded her imagination.
The moment Mu Xi moved, Ye Lan quickly turned around and grabbed her wrist.
Mu Xi felt her wrist tighten, as if clamped by iron pincers, pain almost making her scream.
Before she could react, Ye Lan had already pinned her against the wall.
The cold tiles pressed against her back, sending a bone-chilling coldness through her.
Mu Xi struggled, trying to break free from Ye Lan’s grip, but Ye Lan’s strength was too great.
She couldn’t move an inch.
Ye Lan’s voice sounded in her ear, carrying a cold smile, “Little Xi’er, it seems you still haven’t learned your lesson.”
“Let me go!” she gritted out, her voice filled with anger and unwillingness.
“Let you go?”
Ye Lan let out a light laugh, her fingers gently stroking Mu Xi’s slender neck, her tone teasing, “Let you go, so you can keep trying to hurt me?”