“I’m all done, Xue’er. Is there anything else you need help with?”
“Could you set up a table outside for me? Eating hot pot in our room isn’t very convenient, so it’s better to have it out here.”
“Got it!”
After some effort, Xia Mengxi cleared the table closest to the kitchen.
Following Lin Xue’er’s instructions, she set up the extension cord, placed the portable stove, and started boiling water.
Once the water boiled and the broth was added, the hot pot meal officially began when Lin Xue’er brought out the prepared ingredients.
“You’ve worked hard, Xiaoxi. Here, say ‘ah~””
“Ah~”
Seeing Lin Xue’er blow on a freshly cooked piece of food and hold it out to her, Xia Mengxi didn’t hesitate to part her cherry lips and accept the bite.
This level of familiarity came from the past few days, during which she’d gradually grown accustomed to Lin Xue’er’s various thoughtful gestures.
Now, she could respond instinctively to Lin Xue’er’s actions without needing to think.
Of course, this was only possible because Xia Mengxi didn’t resist much.
Otherwise, even after over a week, she wouldn’t have adapted to this extent.
“How does it taste?”
“Delicious!”
Xia Mengxi gave an approving look to the person across from her.
Then, as usual, she continued to be fed by Lin Xue’er.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to serve herself, but Lin Xue’er’s tableware didn’t include a second set.
Thus, the feeding arrangement from a week ago had naturally become part of their daily routine during their cohabitation.
“Burp! I’m full, Xue’er.”
A contented Xia Mengxi leaned back, already somewhat enjoying the comfort of being taken care of by Lin Xue’er.
If every day could be like this from now on, how wonderful that would be…
Huh? Huh?! HUH?!
Oh no! Why… why was she having thoughts like this?!
Just as Xia Mengxi realized something was amiss, Lin Xue’er, sitting beside her, suddenly said, “I see. Then, do you remember the way back?”
“???”
Wait… what did Lin Xue’er just say?
Did… did she hear that wrong?
Xia Mengxi turned her disbelieving gaze to Lin Xue’er’s profile, hoping the words she’d just heard were merely a hallucination.
However, the next sentence confirmed she hadn’t misheard.
“If you remember the way back, Xiaoxi, you can treat it as a post-meal stroll and head back first. There’s quite a bit to clean up here, and it’ll take some time, so you can go ahead and read a book or something.”
The impact of Lin Xue’er’s words was so immense that Xia Mengxi’s brain short-circuited, unable to process anything.
What was this? Just ‘normal life,’ huh? Was this some kind of joke? She was being held captive here!
Oh! I get it!
This must be another one of Lin Xue’er’s schemes-testing whether she’d try to escape!
Hmph, Lin Xue’er, I see right through you!
“In that case, I’ll stay and help, Xue’er. That way, you won’t have to work so hard.”
“Xiaoxi, I appreciate the thought, but you already helped before the hot pot. I can’t let you do more.”
“?!”
Lin Xue’er was extremely persistent when it came to taking care of her, something Xia Mengxi had long since realized.
After all, whether it was eating, bathing, changing clothes, or anything else, the other girl never allowed her to do anything alone.
And now, Lin Xue’er’s words instantly confirmed the worry she had just set aside that Lin Xue’er’s persistence was on the level of obsession.
If things continued like this, she wouldn’t be surprised if Lin Xue’er suggested “helping” her go to the bathroom.
Damn it! From a dog to a baby, huh?
That damn Lin Xue’er was treating her less and less like a human!
No, maybe that was still the better scenario.
If Lin Xue’er’s obsession reached a pathological level, she might not even be treated as a living being anymore, but as a “human-shaped doll.”
Damn it! She couldn’t just sit back and take this!
“In that case… I-I should head back first. I remember the way.”
“Mhm, don’t walk too fast right after eating, or you’ll get a stomachache.”
“Okay, got it!”
Right now, Xia Mengxi had no intention of pretending to be a good girl.
She just wanted to get as far away from Lin Xue’er as possible and calm down alone.
So, after responding, she quickly left the cafeteria.
Only when she reached the hallway outside the cafeteria doors did the mask on her face completely fall away.
“Lin Xue’er… Lin Xue’er, I underestimated you.”
Xia Mengxi clenched her fists, her brows furrowed tightly.
Her three-step plan to turn the tables had been a great success, but the fourth step after that had landed her right in Lin Xue’er’s open trap-a snare disguised as kindness.
She had to admit, Lin Xue’er’s move was truly brilliant.
By keeping her in the position of the one being cared for, showering her with all sorts of attentive treatment, it had taken only a week of living together for Xia Mengxi to unconsciously develop several habits.
If not for her strong willpower, she really would have fallen into Lin Xue’er’s trap.
What was worse, Lin Xue’er’s conditioning had shifted from psychological torment to satisfying both her mind and body, while gradually breaking through her psychological defenses step by step.
“It seems she realized long ago that I knew her methods. Otherwise, how could the situation have reversed without me even noticing?”
Since Lin Xue’er had already changed tactics, continuing to play the obedient girl would only play right into her hands.
Xia Mengxi racked her brain for a countermeasure, but most of the ideas she came up with were impossible to execute for one simple reason -she still had to win Lin Xue’er over.
“Damn it! I refuse to believe it. Last time, I found a way out of a dead end. There’s no way I can’t think of something this time!”
Just as Xia Mengxi clung to hope and struggled to come up with a solution, words she hadn’t seen in a long time finally appeared before her eyes.
But this time, the text floating in midair wasn’t offering her any choices.
Instead, it was like a declaration, shattering her hopes in an instant.
[Oh dear, little girl~ As much as I hate to break it to you, I’m afraid this life of yours has already come to an end!]
“No! Impossible! The situation might be bad, but it’s not that hopeless!”
Xia Mengxi shouted at the words floating in midair, but they continued to display mechanically as if programmed.
[If you don’t wish to change the current situation, then accept your fate, young maiden, and live forever in this cage with Lin Xue’er. But if you want to move on to the next chapter of your life… then you must provoke Lin Xue’er!]
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