Every step was torture, the slick, sticky sensation between her thighs making her cheeks burn scarlet.
“Just hold on a bit longer, we’re almost there.” Mu Xi gritted her teeth and pushed forward, eyes fixed on the hidden spot up ahead.
Passing beneath a row of tall Wisteria Trellis, her view suddenly opened up.
Between the sheltering Rockery, there was indeed a neglected, secluded corner.
Mu Xi felt a surge of joy in her heart and hurried her pace, causing the banana between her legs to sway even more wildly.
She rushed over to the Rockery, bracing herself against the cold stone and panting heavily.
Just as Mu Xi was about to find a place to sit, a familiar and chilling voice sounded behind her: “My dear little pet, where are you trying to hide this time?”
Mu Xi froze from head to toe, her breath halting in an instant.
She turned her head slowly.
Ye Lan was leaning against a tree trunk not far away, her jet-black hair shimmering faintly in the sunlight, lips curved in a mocking smile.
“Turn around and face me,” Ye Lan commanded.
Mu Xi had no choice but to awkwardly turn her body, legs still tightly pressed together, sweat trailing down her neck.
“Mas… Master, I was only taking a walk as you instructed.” Mu Xi did her best to keep her voice steady.
Ye Lan walked over with graceful steps, circling Mu Xi, her gaze roaming shamelessly over her body and finally settling between her thighs.
“Taking a walk? Watching you struggle like that, I almost thought you were trying out some new dance.” Ye Lan laughed, her voice dripping with teasing.
“You’re as cute as a little penguin.”
Mu Xi’s cheeks burned even hotter, but she forced herself to look Ye Lan straight in the eyes and asked, “If you’re not satisfied with my performance, why not just say what you want? That would be far simpler than making me guess what’s on your mind.”
Ye Lan’s eyes grew sharp, her smile freezing, “Oh? My little pet’s growing fangs now? Looks like last night’s lesson wasn’t deep enough after all.”
Before Mu Xi could react, Ye Lan suddenly reached between her legs and easily pulled out the now limp banana.
Mu Xi cried out in surprise, her legs nearly buckling beneath her, but Ye Lan steadied her with the other hand.
The banana that was pulled out had lost all semblance of its original form, its skin sticky and smeared with the sweat from Mu Xi’s inner thighs, exuding a bizarrely sweet and strange aroma.
Ye Lan showed no trace of disgust.
Instead, she brought the banana up for a close inspection, then—under Mu Xi’s horrified gaze—slowly licked the damp, mushy fruit.
“Did you know,” Ye Lan murmured softly, “I’ve always admired your stubbornness.”
She raised her head to meet Mu Xi’s eyes, opened her mouth, and bit into the banana, chewing slowly, her throat working as she swallowed it all down.
Mu Xi was so shocked by the sight that she couldn’t speak, a cold shiver racing up her spine.
At the same time, however, a strange, indescribable feeling began to spread within her.
“Perfectly sweet,” Ye Lan licked her lips, her gaze growing even more intense.
“Now, it’s time for you to continue in a different way.”
She took two bananas out from her bag, peeled them, and held them out to Mu Xi.
“Raise your hands,” she ordered.
Mu Xi hesitated for a moment, then slowly lifted her arms.
She guessed Ye Lan was up to another trick—maybe she wanted Mu Xi to hold the two bananas above her head for ages, not letting her put them down.
But instead, Ye Lan stuffed the bananas under Mu Xi’s armpits, a wicked smile playing on her lips.
“Hold them tight, don’t let them fall.”
Ye Lan patted her shoulder and said, “Walk a lap for me.”
Only then did Mu Xi realize Ye Lan’s intention: she wanted her to walk while clamping bananas with her armpits!
She’d only just learned the trick of clamping a banana between her legs, and now she had to get used to a whole new method.
Worse yet, her armpits sweated more than her thighs.
The bananas would soon turn just as soft and mushy.
“You really are…” Mu Xi bit her lower lip, anger flaring in her chest, yet she dared not let it show.
“I really am what?” Ye Lan leaned in, her breath hot against Mu Xi’s ear.
“Say it. Let me hear it.”
Mu Xi turned her face away, refusing to answer.
Ye Lan let out a light chuckle, her fingertip tracing along Mu Xi’s neck, sending a shiver down her spine.
“Such a stubborn little cutie, always so irresistible. Now, turn around.”
Mu Xi pressed her arms tightly against her sides and turned cautiously.
The bananas rubbed under her arms, the sticky sensation unbearable.
“Did you know?”
Ye Lan paced around her and said, “Bananas are one of the fruits that soften the fastest with body heat. I’m really curious how long you can last.”
“What does this even mean?” Mu Xi couldn’t help but ask at last.
Ye Lan raised an eyebrow, “Meaning? To make you learn obedience—doesn’t that count for something?”
Mu Xi subconsciously tightened her armpits, squishing the bananas out of shape, but she forced herself not to let any pain show.
“I like seeing you in sweat-soaked clothes,” Ye Lan suddenly said.
“Especially when your nightgown sticks to your body. It’s really beautiful.”
Mu Xi’s ears turned red hot, and she clenched her teeth.
There was nothing beneath the dark green silk dress; once soaked with sweat, it was almost as if she were naked.
“You did this on purpose,” Mu Xi muttered.
“Of course,” Ye Lan was unashamed.
“Watching you get used to one torment only to be faced with a new challenge is incredibly addictive.”
She leaned in, her fingers gently stroking Mu Xi’s cheek as she said, “Especially the look in your eyes when you struggle to hold back your anger—it’s more effective than any stimulant.”
Mu Xi suddenly stepped back, nearly dropping the banana under her right arm.
She squeezed her arm tight in a panic, only deforming the soft fruit even more.
“Don’t rush. We’ve got plenty of time.” Ye Lan smiled.
“It’ll be at least half an hour before the bananas turn completely mushy—enough time for you to walk around the Garden twice.”
Mu Xi stood silent, a flash of resolve in her eyes.
Suddenly, she strode forward, no longer hesitating; her movements became smooth and assured.
Ye Lan looked surprised.
“Oh? Adapting so quickly?”
Mu Xi gave no response and simply kept walking.
She’d realized it: the more pain she showed, the more excited Ye Lan became.
The best way to resist was to give her nothing she wanted.
Ye Lan saw through her thoughts and suddenly pressed a hand to Mu Xi’s waist and asked, “You think acting indifferent will make me lose interest?”
Mu Xi’s body went rigid; Ye Lan’s fingers were right at her most sensitive spot on her waist.
“I know you too well, Mu Xi,” Ye Lan whispered in her ear.
“From the way your breath changes, to how your pupils dilate—there’s nothing you can hide from me.”
Suddenly, she pinched the soft flesh of Mu Xi’s waist.
The pain made Mu Xi’s arms reflexively squeeze tight, crushing both bananas at once, sticky fruit pulp smearing under her arms.
“See? You couldn’t last after all.” Ye Lan watched with satisfaction as shame and anger warred across Mu Xi’s face.
Mu Xi panted, banana juice oozing down from under her arms, cold and sticky.
She closed her eyes, telling herself not to react—not to give Ye Lan what she wanted.
“You’ll get used to it,” Ye Lan said softly, as if reading her mind.
“Just as you’ve gotten used to everything here.”
Mu Xi opened her eyes and stared directly at Ye Lan by saying, “But I will never submit.”
A glimmer flashed in Ye Lan’s eyes, both admiring and dangerously warning.
Suddenly, she grabbed Mu Xi’s arm, her grip inescapable.
Mu Xi cried out, not yet realizing what was happening, when Ye Lan had already lifted her arm high above her head.
“What are you doing?” Mu Xi struggled, but couldn’t break free.
Danger flashed in Ye Lan’s eyes as she leaned in close to Mu Xi’s armpit.
Mu Xi felt a warm, wet sensation—Ye Lan had actually stuck out her tongue, licking up the leftover banana pulp from her underarm, bit by bit.
“Mmm, truly sweet.” Ye Lan raised her head, a smear of fruit still at the corner of her mouth.
“Even sweeter than the one you clamped between your legs.”
Mu Xi’s entire body went stiff, the damp sensation under her arm sending tingles up her scalp.
Shame and fear twisted together inside her; all she could do was bite her lip and struggle not to make a sound.
Won’t let my homie know I’m reading this.