Chapter 19: Truly Starving

Ye Lan paced the room once, her sharp gaze sweeping past the window before lingering on the bathroom door.

Satisfied that nothing was amiss, she slipped out, leaving the door softly clicking shut behind her.

Mu Xi exhaled a quiet breath of relief, kicking off her slippers and tucking her legs beneath her on the bed.

Her eyes drifted to her bare feet, curiosity sparking as she traced a finger along their delicate arches.

“Are they really that delicious?” she murmured to herself, Lin Ke’er’s strange behavior flickering through her mind.

Though she couldn’t fathom the allure, Mu Xi had to admit there was a certain fragrance to her skin, a lingering sweetness that seemed to radiate from within. 

Soaked daily in milk baths laced with exotic spices, her very essence had absorbed their heady perfume, as if the scent had woven itself into her bones.

On a whim, Mu Xi leaned forward, her body bending awkwardly as she tried to catch a whiff of her own toes. 

But her stiff waist betrayed her, refusing to yield.

She was mid-stretch, determination etched on her face, when the door swung open. 

Ye Lan stood there, one eyebrow arched, a teasing smirk curling her lips. 

“What exactly are you doing?”

Mu Xi froze, heat rushing to her cheeks as embarrassment flooded her. 

“I—I was just testing my flexibility,” she stammered, her voice betraying her. 

“Didn’t realize I was this stiff.”

Ye Lan’s soft chuckle filled the room. 

“No need to worry, you’re still young. Want me to teach you a few stretches?”

“No, thank you!” Mu Xi waved her hands frantically, desperate to change the subject. 

“I’m not that interested in flexibility.”

‘All I want is to get out of this wretched place,’ she added silently, her heart sinking.

Ye Lan nodded thoughtfully, letting the matter drop. 

She sauntered to the bedside, her presence looming as she gazed down at Mu Xi. 

Then, out of nowhere, she asked, “What color are your panties today?”

Mu Xi’s legs snapped together instinctively, her hands clutching the hem of her skirt. 

“You’ll… you’ll see tonight,” she mumbled, barely audible.

Ye Lan’s eyes gleamed with mischief. 

“Show me now,” she commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Mu Xi bit her lip, knowing resistance was futile. 

Slowly, she lifted her skirt, revealing a glimpse of soft pink fabric.

“Adorable,” Ye Lan purred, her fingers brushing Mu Xi’s cheek with a tenderness that felt almost mocking. 

“Just as delicate as you are.”

Mu Xi swallowed her discomfort, letting Ye Lan’s touch linger.

In her heart, she sighed, wondering when she’d ever escape this gilded cage.

A sudden spark of defiance flared within her. 

“Master,” she ventured, her voice laced with feigned innocence, “can I touch you too?”

Ye Lan blinked, caught off guard, before a sly smile spread across her face. 

“Well, well, my little minx is learning to play the game, isn’t she?”

Mu Xi pouted, playing the part. 

“I’m just curious! If I can’t touch anyone else, at least let me touch you.”

Ye Lan considered for a moment before nodding. 

“Alright. But only my hand.”

With deliberate care, Mu Xi reached out, her fingers grazing Ye Lan’s fingertips. 

She moved slowly, savoring the warmth of Ye Lan’s skin, the faint pulse beneath it.

“Your hands are beautiful, Master,” Mu Xi said softly, her eyes flicking up to gauge Ye Lan’s reaction.

Ye Lan smiled indulgently, letting Mu Xi toy with her fingers. 

Emboldened, Mu Xi shifted closer, her body brushing against Ye Lan’s leg in what seemed like an innocent accident.

But before she could press further, hurried footsteps echoed outside. 

“Boss, we need you out here!”

Ye Lan pulled her hand back and strode toward the door, leaving Mu Xi alone once more.

Mu Xi exhaled, a mix of relief and disappointment washing over her. 

She cracked the door open, peering out to see Ye Lan hurrying off with a group of female bodyguards, their voices hushed but urgent.

Her heart clenched. 

‘Has Tuesday been found out?’

She ducked back inside, easing the door shut with trembling hands.

Leaning against it, a stray thought struck her: ‘Why is Tuesday called Tuesday? Doesn’t he have a real name?’

She shook her head, chiding herself for getting lost in such trivial musings at a time like this.

Her only priority was escape.

Time seemed to crawl, each second stretching into an eternity as anxiety gnawed at her. 

She’d never longed for Ye Lan’s return so fiercely, if only to learn what was happening outside.

Was Tuesday safe? 

Or had he abandoned her, fleeing on his own?

The questions swirled, relentless, leaving her restless and pacing.

Late that night, the door creaked open.

Mu Xi had just emerged from the bath, her skin still damp, her clothes not yet on.

Ye Lan didn’t hesitate. 

She pulled Mu Xi into her arms, her lips claiming hers in a deep, hungry kiss. 

Her tongue roamed, tasting every inch of Mu Xi’s skin with deliberate slowness.

“Sweet as always,” Ye Lan murmured, her voice rich with satisfaction. 

“You’re like a little cake, begging to be devoured.”

Mu Xi swallowed her questions, sensing Ye Lan’s fervor. 

Now wasn’t the time to pry. 

Instead, she let herself melt into the moment, tumbling onto the bed with Ye Lan, surrendering to her whims.

When the storm of passion subsided, Mu Xi curled against Ye Lan’s chest like a docile kitten. 

She studied Ye Lan’s face, noting the sated glow in her eyes, before daring to speak. 

“What happened earlier? You left so suddenly with the guards. I was scared.”

Ye Lan’s fingers wove lazily through Mu Xi’s hair. 

“Just a minor issue. Had to handle it. Everything’s fine now.”

The vague response was a clear signal to drop it, and Mu Xi knew better than to push.

She sighed inwardly, resigning herself to silence.

Ye Lan gazed at Mu Xi’s vulnerable expression, a flicker of hunger reigniting in her eyes. 

She pulled Mu Xi close again, whispering, “Let’s go again.”

Mu Xi’s mind was elsewhere, drifting to Tuesday. 

Was he safe? 

Had he secured the garage keys?

Her thoughts scattered as Ye Lan’s touches grew more insistent, her lips and teeth teasing Mu Xi’s skin with alternating gentleness and ferocity. 

Mu Xi bit her lip, stifling any sound, clinging to the last shred of her dignity.

But Ye Lan was relentless, her skilled fingers igniting sparks across Mu Xi’s body, each touch calculated to unravel her. 

A wave of heat surged through Mu Xi, overwhelming her senses, until a soft moan escaped despite her efforts.

“There’s my little kitten,” Ye Lan teased, her voice low and triumphant. 

“Finally purring for me.”

Mu Xi’s face burned with shame, her body betraying her resolve. 

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the world, but Ye Lan’s every movement was impossible to ignore.

When it was over, Mu Xi lay limp, gasping for breath. 

Yet Ye Lan wasn’t done, leaning over her once more.

“No more…” Mu Xi pleaded weakly, her voice barely a whisper. 

“I can’t…”

“Just one more time, pet,” Ye Lan coaxed, her tone firm. 

“You’re mine, after all. You’ll please your master.”

Mu Xi closed her eyes, despair settling in as she surrendered to the endless night, caught between ecstasy and torment.

The next morning, Mu Xi woke aching, her body protesting with every movement. 

Her legs felt numb, her waist throbbing as if it had been crushed.

“Up already?” Ye Lan’s voice came from the doorway. 

She stepped in, carrying a tray.

Mu Xi blinked, surprised to see a bowl of porridge and a few simple side dishes instead of the usual decadent pastries.

“Thought we’d try something different today,” Ye Lan said lightly. 

“Millet porridge—light, good for the stomach.”

Mu Xi took the bowl, sipping the warm, comforting broth. 

Simple as it was, it tasted like heaven.

Only then did she realize how hungry she truly was.