Chapter 131: Scammed

So… she really was just applying medicine. She had overthought it.

That’s right, they were both women. Why had she let her mind go there? Was it because Qin Haiyue’s attitude towards her was so terrible, or was she just paying too much attention to these meaningless things?

Was it because she was worried about losing that important symbol, which made her uneasy and her emotions precarious… Was that roughly it?

Anyway, she didn’t really understand her own feelings.

Watching Qin Haiyue hold her foot in one hand and a cotton swab in the other, applying the medicinal tincture to the wounds on her leg.

She really didn’t seem to mind. Even though she had just taken a bath, feet were still dirty places, right? Even though they looked clean.

The medicine felt cool on the wounds, which did relieve some of the pain, but it definitely wouldn’t restore them to normal by tomorrow.

After finishing with the leg wounds, Qin Haiyue stood up and stretched.

“Alright, take your top off too.”

Ye Xingmian complied, and soon, she was left wearing only her underwear.

After the medicine was applied and had dried, she put her clothes back on and lay down on the bed.

This time, Qin Haiyue slept in front of her. She had moved to the spot by the window. But one thing remained unchanged: Qin Haiyue still treated her like a large body pillow, holding her tightly in her arms.

She didn’t get hit today.

She even had medicine applied. Was it to prepare for going to school tomorrow without looking abnormal?

She didn’t know.

The night deepened, and drowsiness gradually crept into her mind. Ye Xingmian curled up slightly.

Tomorrow was still something to look forward to, after all, she would be able to leave this sunless bedroom.

So, time to sleep.

***

In the morning, Ye Xingmian woke up early.

She had slept poorly, often dreaming throughout the night. They weren’t necessarily nightmares, but they were enough to suddenly wake her.

She only remembered hazy fragments, and it had been like this until now, until she woke up again.

Her head ached a little, feeling heavy and muddled, probably from the poor sleep. Her eyes were sore and strained as she forced them open. Turning her head, she saw Qin Haiyue sleeping soundly.

It was winter, and dawn came late. Even so, a white light still spilled into the room through the gap in the curtains.

It was getting late…

After a moment’s hesitation, Ye Xingmian gently pushed Qin Haiyue’s body.

No response.

Qin Haiyue was sleeping deeply, looking as if she wouldn’t wake up even if punched. Ye Xingmian hesitated for a while but ultimately dismissed the thought of leaving on her own.

It was too far from school. Without a car, she wouldn’t be able to make it by noon. And she hadn’t had breakfast yet. She quietly got out of bed and changed her clothes.

Thanks to these past few days of rest and the medicine, the wounds on her body had indeed improved a lot. But moving still hurt, though less than in previous days. At least it wasn’t so bad that walking was difficult.

She went into the bathroom by herself. After washing up, she leaned over the sink and looked at herself in the mirror.

She looked a bit haggard…

The faint dark circles under her eyes made her seem listless. Coupled with the slight distress between her brows and her somewhat vacant eyes, the girl in the mirror looked as if she had lost her soul.

She scooped up some cold water and splashed it on her face. The hair at her temples became damp, but she just felt less sleepy.

Looking in the mirror, she forced out a strained smile.

She was going to school soon. She couldn’t let the Class Monitor see her looking so worn out and worry about her.

Well, even though being concerned about was probably unavoidable, since she hadn’t been to school for two days.

Come to think of it, she was actually looking forward to it. Would she invite her to her home again today? Would she protect her in front of Qin Haiyue again? Just like before?

On one hand, she hoped the Class Monitor wouldn’t worry about her, but on the other, she was looking forward to these things. How contradictory she was.

She smiled somewhat helplessly, leaned against the wall, and slowly walked out of the bathroom. When she looked toward the bed, her expression froze for an instant.

“Awake? Why so early?”

Qin Haiyue had sat up at some point, leaning her upper body against the headboard, yawning lazily.

“Yes, I have class today. I was worried about being late…”

Lowering her gaze slightly, Ye Xingmian said softly.

“Heh, you’re really dedicated. Fine, come sit by me for a bit.”

Ye Xingmian looked up at her in confusion.

“What are you standing there for? Come here!”

Though uneasy, seeing the threatening look in Qin Haiyue’s eyes, Ye Xingmian slowly walked over.

During this time, Qin Haiyue had put on her clothes, gotten out of bed, walked around the foot of the bed, and came straight to stand in front of her.

Being looked down upon, Ye Xingmian felt nervous. She had a bad feeling.

“Wh-what is it…?”

Sure enough, that feeling was quickly confirmed.

Qin Haiyue pulled the chain down from the ceiling where she hadn’t noticed it. By the time she realized what was happening, the chain was once again fastened to the back of her collar.

She froze. When she looked up, her eyes were filled with disbelief.

She didn’t want to believe it. The hope she had clung to all night, the hope of being able to leave early for school—such a humble and fragile hope—had turned out to be nothing but a lie.

When she turned her neck, only the clattering sound of the chain was real.

“I’ve changed my mind. You’ll stay here all day today. I’ll let you go when I come back after school lets out in the afternoon.”

Ye Xingmian pressed her lips together and shook her head weakly.

“Why…”

“Huh? Why what?”

“Even this little bit of hope has to be a lie? Even this little bit of expectation has to be completely crushed? Why… did you lie to me…”

Let her go in the afternoon?

Could the words of a Qin Haiyue who had deceived her like this really be trusted?

Ye Xingmian felt her chest fill with grievance. She couldn’t speak.

“Lie to you? Why would I lie to you? Yesterday, I only said I’d set you free today. I didn’t specify morning or night.”

“What good would lying to you do me? Heh, if you absolutely must have a reason, then it’s because your behavior last night displeased me. Got it?”

After saying this baseless nonsense, Qin Haiyue pushed the door open and left directly, never returning.

In the bedroom, only Ye Xingmian remained.

After a while, there was a knock at the door. She walked over in a daze to open it.

Outside was the driver who had brought her food yesterday, holding breakfast, standing at the bedroom door.

“Miss Ye, this is the breakfast Miss asked me to bring you.”

She silently took it. The other person said “thank you” and placed it on the table. She had no appetite, just sat there staring blankly.

The driver still hadn’t left. Looking at Ye Xingmian’s profile, he hesitated for a moment.

“Miss Ye, I told the Second Young Miss about your situation yesterday. She seems inclined to help you get out. Has the situation improved at all?”

“Her…”

The Second Young Miss? Did he mean Qin Haiyue’s younger sister?

Ah, so that’s it. That’s why Luo Xi was called here yesterday by Qin Haiyue’s younger sister.

But… why?

Ye Xingmian remained silent, only nodding slightly to the driver.

The driver also left.