Chapter 62: Desire

Mu Xi’s body trembled slightly as she forced herself to ask, “W-what… what game?”

Her voice quivered, and a wary glint flashed in her eyes.

“It’s very simple,” Ye Lan replied with a light laugh. 

“We stare into each other’s eyes. Whoever blinks first loses. And the loser… gets a fierce kiss.”

Mu Xi’s heart sank. 

To her, this wasn’t a game at all—no matter who won or lost, she couldn’t escape being kissed.

But she knew she had no room to refuse, so she forced herself to nod, pretending to be calm. 

“O-okay.”

Ye Lan smiled in satisfaction, her long fingers gently stroking Mu Xi’s cheek. 

“Then let’s begin, Little Cat.”

Their gazes met in the air. 

Mu Xi compelled herself to look straight into Ye Lan’s eyes.

Ye Lan’s gaze was as sharp as a hawk’s, as if she could see right through Mu Xi’s soul.

Mu Xi felt a wave of discomfort, but she gritted her teeth and tried to remain composed.

Seconds ticked by. 

Mu Xi’s eyes began to ache, tears welling up at the corners.

She knew she couldn’t hold out much longer, silently praying that Ye Lan would blink first.

Just then, Ye Lan suddenly leaned in, her face almost touching Mu Xi’s.

Startled by the sudden move, Mu Xi reflexively blinked.

“Ah, I lost…” Mu Xi murmured, her voice low, tinged with both disappointment and a faint, secret anticipation.

Ye Lan let out a soft laugh. 

“Little Cat, it’s time to pay up.”

Her voice was low and magnetic, carrying an undeniable authority.

Before Mu Xi could respond, Ye Lan leaned in, her lips gently covering Mu Xi’s.

The kiss started out gentle but quickly turned intense.

Ye Lan’s tongue slipped past Mu Xi’s lips, invading her mouth with wild abandon.

Mu Xi felt dizzy. 

She instinctively wanted to push Ye Lan away, but Ye Lan’s hands held hers tightly in place.

She could only helplessly endure the deep kiss, Ye Lan’s presence filling every inch of her skin.

When Ye Lan finally let her go, Mu Xi was left breathless, her cheeks flushed crimson.

She lowered her head, not daring to meet Ye Lan’s gaze, her heart a swirl of complicated emotions.

Ye Lan looked at Mu Xi’s bashful expression with satisfaction, gently stroking her hair. 

“Little Cat, you’re so adorable.”

Her voice was indulgent, yet there was an unmistakable possessiveness beneath the surface.

Mu Xi pouted, a hint of grievance flickering in her eyes.

She shouldn’t have lost, but Ye Lan’s sudden closeness had completely thrown her off.

Yet Ye Lan seemed to misinterpret her expression, taking it as a silent invitation.

The corners of Ye Lan’s lips curled into a playful smile. 

Her slender fingers once again traced Mu Xi’s cheek.

A shiver ran through Mu Xi. 

She wanted to back away, but Ye Lan pulled her into her embrace.

“Little Cat, are you trying to seduce me?” 

Ye Lan’s voice was low and magnetic, brimming with irresistible dominance.

Before Mu Xi could explain, Ye Lan leaned in again, pressing her lips to Mu Xi’s.

This kiss was even more forceful than the last. 

Ye Lan’s tongue swept in, stirring up chaos inside Mu Xi’s mouth.

Mu Xi felt another dizzy spell. 

She instinctively wanted to resist, but her hands were firmly pinned.

She could only endure the deep kiss helplessly, truly tasting what it meant to be a plaything in someone’s palm.

When Ye Lan finally ended the kiss, Mu Xi was left gasping for breath, her cheeks burning red.

She kept her head down, not daring to meet Ye Lan’s eyes.

Ye Lan gazed at her shy demeanor with satisfaction, gently running her fingers through Mu Xi’s silver-white hair.

***

Practice time had arrived.

Mu Xi stood up and whispered to Ye Lan, “Master, I’m going to the Practice Room.”

Her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, tinged with a coquettishness she didn’t even realize.

Ye Lan lounged lazily on the sofa, twirling a strand of Mu Xi’s silver hair around her finger. 

Her gaze was deep and teasing. 

“Go on, my Little Cat. Practice well—don’t disappoint me.”

Mu Xi dared not meet Ye Lan’s penetrating gaze and hurriedly fled the room.

As she pushed open the heavy soundproof door, it felt as if she’d stepped into another world.

Mu Xi drew a deep breath, trying to dispel the lingering, suggestive images from her mind.

Ye Lan’s kiss, full of dominance and possessiveness, felt branded onto her lips, making her heart race and her body strangely sensitive.

“Damn it!” Mu Xi cursed under her breath, her cheeks burning.

How could she—how could she actually… crave that kiss, Ye Lan’s touch?

The feeling was both shameful and infuriating.

She was a man, after all!

How could she have such thoughts about a woman—no, about the woman who had imprisoned her?

She walked to the Steinway Piano, letting her fingertips glide over the cold keys, hoping music could distract her.

Afternoon practice was about to begin. 

Ling Yue would be here soon.

Just thinking of Ling Yue’s cold and strict gaze sent a shiver down Mu Xi’s spine.

Compared to Ye Lan’s danger, Ling Yue inspired a deeper, more primal fear.

It was like being stalked by a wild beast—she couldn’t relax for a second.

Steeling herself, Mu Xi opened her songbook and began vocal exercises.

But the notes seemed like mischievous sprites, darting around her mind, making it impossible to focus.

Ye Lan’s face, larger than life, and that lingering, passionate kiss kept flashing before her eyes.

She could almost taste Ye Lan’s breath on her lips—sickly sweet, tinged with a dangerous allure.

“No, I can’t think about this anymore!” Mu Xi shook her head hard, trying to fling the chaotic thoughts away.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus on technique.

She had to improve her singing—only then could she survive before those VIP guests, only then… could she get close to Li Xin.

She didn’t know how much time had passed.

Ling Yue pushed open the Practice Room door and walked in.

Mu Xi was sitting at the Steinway Piano, lost in thought. 

At the sound, she jumped up in a panic and stammered, “Teacher Ling Yue.”

Ling Yue gave her a cool glance, her eyes landing on the songbook. 

Her tone was calm as she said, “Let’s begin.”

Mu Xi nodded, adjusted her breathing, and tried to gather her focus.

She sat down at the piano, fingers touching the keys. 

Clear, cold notes flowed out.

But today’s practice was unusually tough.

The notes danced beneath her fingers, but she just couldn’t string them into a smooth melody.

Her voice wavered, and the high notes were especially strained.

Ling Yue frowned, interrupting her by saying, “Stop.”

Mu Xi stopped playing, looking at Ling Yue with unease.

Ling Yue walked over, her gaze sharp enough to pierce through anything. 

“You did well this morning. What happened?”

Mu Xi lowered her head guiltily, nervously twisting the hem of her clothes. 

“I… I’m just not in a good state today.”

Ling Yue studied her closely, noticing the unnatural flush on Mu Xi’s cheeks, her evasive eyes, and her quicker breathing.

Ling Yue was no fool. 

She saw right through it.

A hint of amusement flickered across her cold features, the corners of her lips curving into a knowing smile. 

Her tone carried a trace of insight. 

“Is it because of Ye Lan?”