The first light of dawn crept through the curtains, stirring Mu Xi from the heavy fog of her dreams.
The wild echoes of the previous night still lingered in her body, a dull ache radiating from her waist, her neck adorned with faint, ambiguous marks.
She stretched languidly, her bare skin brushing against the cool sheets as she massaged her sore muscles.
With tentative steps, she shuffled toward the window, her movements slow and deliberate.
Pushing the window open, Mu Xi let the crisp morning air sweep over her, chasing away the lingering heat that clung to her skin.
The horizon glowed with the promise of sunrise, a cascade of vibrant hues painting half the sky in fiery reds and golds.
She gazed at the spectacle, her heart a tangled knot of emotions—beauty and turmoil intertwined.
A soft creak broke her reverie as the door opened behind her.
Ye Lan slipped into the room, her presence as silent as a shadow, her piercing gaze locking onto Mu Xi by the window.
In the soft glow of dawn, Mu Xi’s petite frame seemed almost ethereal, a delicate sprite bathed in light.
Her silver-white hair spilled over her shoulders like a waterfall, catching the sunlight in a gentle shimmer.
Her fair skin, kissed with a faint flush of pink, bloomed like a rosebud on the verge of unfurling.
Ye Lan’s breath caught, her heart thundering in her chest.
A fierce wave of possessiveness surged within her, an urge to capture this fleeting moment and hold it forever.
She stood frozen, captivated, until Mu Xi sensed her presence and turned slowly.
Their eyes met, and a sweet, knowing smile curved Mu Xi’s lips.
“Good morning, Master,” she murmured, her voice soft and laced with a lazy, teasing charm.
Ye Lan exhaled deeply, wrestling down the torrent of desire that threatened to overwhelm her.
She crossed the room with measured steps, her hand reaching out to brush Mu Xi’s silken hair.
“Good morning, my little pet,” she replied, her low voice dripping with affection.
“Let me help you dress.”
Ye Lan selected a delicate pink gauze dress, slipping it over Mu Xi’s frame with care.
Each fleeting touch of skin against skin sent ripples through them both, a quiet current of unspoken longing.
When Ye Lan produced a small, ornate golden bell, Mu Xi’s brow arched in curiosity.
“What’s this, Master?” she asked, tilting her head, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.
Ye Lan chuckled softly, fastening the bell around Mu Xi’s neck.
“A little gift for you,” she said.
“I worry you might get lost in the estate. This bell will help us find you. My guards will always ensure your safety and guide you back home.”
Mu Xi’s heart sank, recognizing the bell for what it was—a subtle chain, a reminder of her captivity.
She forced a smile, her voice soft but strained.
“Thank you for your care, Master.”
As Ye Lan left, Mu Xi released a heavy sigh, her fingers brushing the bell at her throat.
She muttered a few choice curses under her breath, the faint jingle and the scent of her own perfume a constant reminder of her gilded cage.
Shaking her head, she pushed the thoughts aside and made her way to the third-floor media room.
The sight that greeted her stole her breath.
A massive curved screen dominated the wall, transforming the space into a private IMAX theater.
Surround sound speakers, concealed within the walls and ceiling, promised an immersive experience.
Plush leather sofas curved in a semicircle, each seat equipped with controls to adjust angle and firmness to perfection.
Mu Xi was about to sink into one when she noticed two black-clad female guards standing sentinel on either side of the room.
Their faces were impassive, their eyes sharp as hawks, watching her every move.
She sighed, resigned, and began sifting through the stack of films on the table.
Her eyes widened in shock as she scanned the titles.
Every single one was an adult film, all centered on intimate relationships between women—no trace of a conventional movie in sight.
A wave of dizziness washed over her, her mind reeling.
“Is this… Ye Lan’s taste?” she whispered, her emotions a tangled mix of curiosity and unease.
After a moment’s hesitation, she selected the least provocative title she could find.
As the images flickered across the massive screen, her cheeks flushed, her pulse quickening.
“I have so much to learn,” she murmured with a wry smile, mentally cataloging a few techniques that might prove useful later.
Hours slipped by, the explicit scenes leaving her face burning and her ears tinged with crimson.
She couldn’t help but imagine herself as the vulnerable heroines onscreen, their Ascending action: their experiences both alien and eerily familiar, resonating with her own encounters with Ye Lan.
Her heart raced, her breath uneven, as her mind replayed the vivid images, even when she closed her eyes to steady herself.
A sudden growl from her stomach shattered her thoughts.
“Grr…”
She pressed a hand to her abdomen, her gaze drifting to the stoic guard by the door.
Before she could speak, the door swung open, and a line of maids in crisp uniforms filed in, each bearing a tray of delicate pastries.
The sweet scent of cream filled the air, but Mu Xi’s brow furrowed.
She licked her lips, summoning her courage to address the nearest maid.
“Excuse me… could I have something else to eat? I’m worried my body can’t keep up with all this sugar.”
The maid paused, then offered a gentle smile.
“What would you like, miss?”
“Meat!” Mu Xi blurted, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
“Any kind of meat will do.”
The maid’s expression faltered, a hint of apology in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, miss. We can only prepare what the Master instructs.”
Mu Xi’s shoulders slumped, and she sighed.
With delicate fingers, she scraped off the excess cream and nibbled at the cake beneath, swallowing the so-called “mind-dulling pill” under the maids’ watchful gazes.
After the lackluster lunch, her eyes drifted back to the towering screen, but the allure of the films had faded.
Her fingers tapped restlessly on the armrest, then inspiration struck.
“I want to play a game,” she said to the empty air, unsure if anyone would respond.
To her surprise, one of the guards nodded, retrieving a game controller from a nearby cabinet.
Mu Xi’s eyes lit up as she scanned the game list, settling on a fighting game.
As the vibrant graphics filled the screen, a sly glint flickered in her gaze.
She chose the game’s fiercest female boss as her opponent, silently likening her to Ye Lan.
“Let’s see how tough you are!” she muttered through gritted teeth, her fingers dancing over the buttons.
Each blow she landed felt like a release, a channel for the frustration and resentment simmering within her.
Time slipped away unnoticed, the sky outside darkening as Mu Xi lost herself in the game, her eyes blazing with determination.
She was on the verge of defeating the final boss when the door burst open.
“Take that!” she shouted, caught up in the moment, unaware of the familiar presence looming behind her.
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