“This time’s reward, I’ve already given it to you in advance, Xiao Xi. You’re so smart, you wouldn’t let my sincerity go to waste, would you?”
Due to her eyes having been in darkness for so long, Xia Mengxi had to adjust to the unusually harsh light before she could focus on the girl in front of her.
She nodded, then asked somewhat uneasily, “Then… Xue’er, what do you want me to do now?”
Lin Xue’er flashed a satisfied smile, a rare hint of amusement in her expression.
“Come, sit on the edge of the bed first.”
Xia Mengxi, whose hand was being held, felt puzzled.
She was very curious about what Lin Xue’er wanted her to do next.
However, to her surprise, Lin Xue’er didn’t make any strange requests just told her to sit still and… open her mouth.
Was this… feeding her?
“Here, Xiao Xi, say ‘ah’-“
“Ah~”
Wow, she was really treating her like a dog, huh?
Fine, Lin Xue’er, just you wait!
While accepting the food from Lin Xue’er, Xia Mengxi wore a smile on her face but cursed inwardly.
Then again, considering Lin Xue’er’s twisted mindset, this kind of behavior was… ‘normal.’
Otherwise, she’d have to wonder if Lin Xue’er had truly turned dark or had been broken from the start.
“Xiao Xi, does today’s meal suit your taste?”
“Mhm! Xue’er, your cooking is delicious, so anything you make is to my liking.”
A little flattery could brighten someone’s mood, and Xia Mengxi clearly knew this well.
The change in Lin Xue’er’s expression showed that it worked perfectly.
“Xiao Xi, your words are so sweet. But I’ve already given you this reward. If you stay this obedient next time, I’ll give you an even better one.”
Xia Mengxi quickly nodded, then looked at the girl before her with anticipation.
“Okay, it’s a deal then, Xue’er. You can’t go back on your word.”
“Of course, as long as Xiao Xi behaves. Otherwise…”
At this critical moment, Lin Xue’er narrowed her eyes, exuding an intimidating aura.
But it lasted only a moment before she returned to her usual self.
“Alright, that’s enough for now. Xiao Xi, see you at the next meal.”
Picking up the tray, Lin Xue’er headed for the stairs but paused halfway up.
“The lights will turn off an hour after I leave. From now on, I’ll adjust how long they stay on based on your behavior each time.”
With that, Lin Xue’er smiled at Xia Mengxi-a warning that just as she could give ‘rewards,’ she could also ‘punish.’
So Xia Mengxi had better be a good girl, or she’d be left in darkness forever.
“I… I understand, Xue’er… See you next time.”
Xia Mengxi waved at Lin Xue’er with a smile.
The moment the figure disappeared from sight, she flopped onto the bed, exhaling in relief as she turned her back to the stairs.
“Man, that was exhausting! Ugh! At this rate, I could become an actor and win an Oscar after I get out of here.”
She muttered under her breath, her words laced with a mix of emotions-satisfaction with her own performance, anger at someone’s actions, but most of all… joy.
To be honest, during the first two steps of her three-step plan to turn the tables, she had been extremely nervous, afraid that Lin Xue’er would notice something amiss and she’d end up back in a deadlock.
But in the end, it had gone smoothly, with only minor scares.
“No, I can’t celebrate too soon. The last time I got this happy, Lin Xue’er caught me.”
To douse her excitement, Xia Mengxi recalled her memories of escaping the underground prison.
There was still one step left—until that was completed, it couldn’t truly be called success.
She couldn’t let her excitement cloud her judgment.
“Hold on, I have to hold on! Only when I’m truly free can I allow myself to be happy.”
Xia Mengxi didn’t let her current success blind her.
Instead, she gradually calmed down and worked even harder to perfect the act of the ‘good girl’ that Lin Xue’er expected.
By the time the next meal arrived, she was grateful she had honed her acting skills.
Otherwise, she might have faltered badly at the demands Lin Xue’er was about to make.
“Xue’er, you’re here.”
“Mhm. Xiao Xi, sit on the bed. I’ll feed you first, and after we eat, we’ll do something else.”
“Okay.”
Xia Mengxi obeyed Lin Xue’er’s instructions without protest.
But as she was being fed, she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of curiosity about what this new ‘order’ would entail.
Soon after the meal, following a period of rest, Lin Xue’er finally revealed the requirement for being a good girl this time—she was taking her to bathe.
“Bathe?”
The idea of bathing made Xia Mengxi uneasy.
After all, her last escape had been under the guise of bathing.
If Lin Xue’er was bringing it up now, she must have prepared countermeasures.
Sure enough, as soon as the request was made, Lin Xue’er produced a black leather collar.
At the sight of it, Xia Mengxi nearly cursed out loud.
Damn you, Lin Xue’er! Even if you’re trying to prevent me from escaping, you don’t have to use a dog collar to restrain me! This is downright humiliating!
“What’s wrong? Don’t you want to wear this collar, Xiao Xi?”
“I…”
Being treated like a dog was bad enough, but now she was expected to willingly admit to being one.
Xia Mengxi almost lost her composure, but thankfully, she had been practicing her mask-wearing skills diligently.
Otherwise, everything would have crumbled right then and there, all her efforts wasted.
“I… I don’t mind. It’s just… I’ve never worn something like this before, so I don’t know how.”
“Oh, is that it? Don’t worry, I’ll help you.”
Oh, thank you so much!
What a wonderful person you are!
Forcing a grateful smile in response to Lin Xue’er’s own, Xia Mengxi mentally added another tally to the list of grievances she held against her.
“There, all done. It suits you quite well, Xiao Xi.”
“Ha… really? Thank you for the gift, Xue’er. I… I like it.”
Dammit! I get humiliated and still have to thank her?
This debt just keeps growing!
“I’m glad you like it. Come on, let’s go, Xiao Xi.”
Lin Xue’er unlocked the chain on Xia Mengxi’s ankle, then fastened the rope on her own wrist to the pendant collar around Xia Mengxi’s neck.
After completing these actions, she took Xia Mengxi’s hand and led her toward the staircase.
Being led away, Xia Mengxi was leaving the metal cell for the first time.
However, what surprised her was that outside the metal cell was actually a room-fully furnished with daily necessities and furniture.
It was clear that Lin Xue’er had been living in this very room during the time she had imprisoned Xia Mengxi.