Returning backstage, Mu Xi slammed the door shut, caught her breath for a moment, then suddenly laughed.
Her trembling fingers undid those chains and lace that could barely be called clothing, letting them slide to the floor.
Her naked body was on full display before the makeup mirror, yet she felt not the slightest hint of shame—instead, there was a trace of provocative self-examination.
The girl in the mirror had flushed cheeks, silver hair plastered to her neck with sweat, her chest heaving violently, and the bright red heart on her lower abdomen stood out sharply under the lights.
She reached out, gently caressing every inch of her skin, feeling the lingering effects of the drug still surging through her veins.
“This look… even I want to take myself.” Mu Xi mocked herself, recalling those surprised or greedy gazes from the audience.
A faint gasp drew her attention.
She turned to see a cleaning auntie frozen by the door, mop in hand, nearly dropping it.
Instead of hiding, Mu Xi turned around boldly and pointed to the liquid marks at the entrance: “Sorry, Auntie, I made a mess on the floor.”
“No, it’s… it’s nothing, Miss Ye Lan often has us handle these…” The cleaner suddenly stopped mid-sentence, hurriedly lowering her head.
Mu Xi raised an eyebrow, ‘How interesting. Does Ye Lan also encounter situations she can’t control?’
“You should put some clothes on. I’ll come back in a bit.” The cleaner quickly exited after speaking, and the other staff averted their eyes and left as well.
Soon, only Mu Xi was left backstage.
She picked up a towel to wipe her body, but showed no intention of getting dressed.
In her previous life as a man, she never imagined that one day she would possess such a seductive body, let alone use it to fight enemies stronger than herself.
“Ye Lan, you lost this round.” She murmured to the air.
Suddenly, the door behind her was shoved open.
In the mirror, Mu Xi saw Ye Lan’s gloomy face.
The silver-haired girl turned unhurriedly, her gaze meeting the newcomer directly.
Ye Lan’s steps were slightly unsteady, her breathing uneven, obviously still unsettled from the shock earlier.
She approached, frowning deliberately: “You reek of piss. At least go wash yourself.”
“Disgusted?” Mu Xi purposely turned around, legs spread, striking the most wanton pose.
“Then get lost, or… want a taste?”
A flash of anger crossed Ye Lan’s eyes, quickly replaced by something more complex.
She had never seen Mu Xi like this before.
It made her both angry and inexplicably excited.
“Don’t test my patience.” Ye Lan’s voice was low, but it lacked its usual menace.
Mu Xi chuckled lightly, picking up a fresh towel and slowly wiping her inner thighs: “We agreed no one would find out what I had stuffed down there. I did it. I just ‘peed’ myself in public.”
She deliberately emphasized that word, watching Ye Lan’s expression shift.
Ye Lan’s gaze lingered on Mu Xi’s bare body, pausing at the little heart tattoo on her lower abdomen before nodding: “That’s right. But I’ve changed my mind. You still have to be punished.”
Mu Xi blinked, but the corners of her mouth curled into a provocative smile: “All right.”
She felt no surprise, only a sense of calm, as if everything was expected.
This was Ye Lan—always above everyone, always changing the rules, never allowing others to win.
“Do you know, Master,” Mu Xi suddenly stepped forward, her fragrant, sweat-drenched body almost pressing against Ye Lan’s expensive dress, “every time you change the rules, I kill you in my heart once.”
A strange gleam flickered in Ye Lan’s eyes.
She gripped Mu Xi’s chin.
“Interesting. Then tonight, I’ll let you kill me a thousand times in your heart.”
Mu Xi didn’t retreat.
Instead, she leaned in to whisper by Ye Lan’s ear: “One day, you’ll realize that the gap between imagination and reality is but a thread.”
Ye Lan laughed, though there was no smile in her eyes.
“You’d better worry about surviving tonight, my little pet.”
The backstage lights flickered dimly, two figures entwined, neither willing to back down.
***
Ten minutes later, Mu Xi was brought to a dimly-lit red room.
The space was narrow and cramped, the four walls painted in dark red, like congealed blood.
There was nothing inside except a single pendant lamp overhead, casting a harsh white circle of light on the floor.
Two female Guards in black, faces expressionless, tightly bound Mu Xi with hemp rope, the fibers biting into her delicate skin and leaving stinging red marks.
She was hoisted high, feet off the ground, her body swaying gently with the ropes.
Ye Lan stood in the shadows, fingers stroking a black leather whip.
The whip was jet-black, coated in some special substance, glinting with a sinister sheen under the light.
“Do you know why I brought you here?” Ye Lan walked forward, her high heels tapping a crisp rhythm on the floor.
Mu Xi did not answer, only regarded her calmly.
Silver hair stuck to her cheek with sweat, yet the stubbornness in her eyes was undiminished.
The whip came down without warning.
“Pa!”
Fiery pain swept through her body in an instant.
Mu Xi sucked in a sharp breath.
The pain was unlike anything before, as though countless fine needles stabbed into her skin, injecting searing venom.
Ye Lan savored the fleeting agony on Mu Xi’s face, the corners of her mouth lifting.
“This is a specially made punishment whip. It’ll make sure you remember today’s lesson.”
Another lash fell, this time across the inside of her thigh.
Mu Xi clenched her teeth, refusing to let a single sound escape.
“Pa! Pa! Pa!”
Three lashes in succession, each striking a different spot, the pain stacking layer upon layer.
Mu Xi’s breathing grew ragged, sweat beading on her forehead, but she still remained silent.
Ye Lan circled her slowly, the whip swinging gently in her hand.
“If you admit your mistake now and apologize, I’ll let you down.” Ye Lan’s tone was so soft it was almost gentle, yet carried an undeniable authority.
Mu Xi raised her head, a mocking smile on her lips.
She knew Ye Lan too well—this was just another game.
If she yielded now, all that awaited her would be harsher punishment.
“What kind of apology does Master want to hear?”
Mu Xi deliberately drew out the words, her tone full of provocation, “That I shouldn’t have been more attractive than you on stage, or that I shouldn’t have made you lose control in front of everyone?”
A flash of anger appeared in Ye Lan’s eyes.
The whip cracked viciously across Mu Xi’s back.
“Pa!”
This blow was particularly forceful.
Mu Xi’s body lurched forward, nearly biting through her lip.
But she gritted her teeth through the pain, and her smile only grew more apparent.
“What, did I hit the mark?”
Ye Lan narrowed her eyes, slowly walked to Mu Xi’s front, and lifted her chin with the handle of the whip.
“You think this will make me angry? Naive.”
She suddenly let go.
Mu Xi’s head drooped, and another lash landed on her shoulder.
“I could play this game with you all night.” Ye Lan sneered, “Until you’re begging me in tears.”
Mu Xi drew a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm.
The pain had her entire body trembling, but she knew her endurance now was for future vengeance.
“Master, you really do know me well.”
Mu Xi’s voice was soft, but with clear sarcasm, “I just love being treated this way by you. Every lash makes me even more loyal.”
Ye Lan’s expression shifted, clearly not expecting Mu Xi to respond like this.
She’d wanted to see Mu Xi break down and beg, only to realize her opponent was resisting in her own way.
“Keep pretending.” Ye Lan sneered again, lashing down once more.
Mu Xi closed her eyes, feeling the pain spreading inside her.
With every lash, she silently took note.
These scars were not only etched onto her body—they were carved deep into her soul.
“Master, the harder you hit, the more excited I become.” Mu Xi opened her eyes, meeting Ye Lan’s gaze.
“Isn’t this the side of me you love the most?”
A flicker of confusion passed through Ye Lan’s eyes, quickly replaced by anger.
She lashed out again and again, each stroke heavier than the last.