“No!” Mu Xi spun her head away, dodging the cake that hovered near her lips.
Ye Lan’s brow furrowed.
“What’s wrong? Eat it like a good girl, or you’ll regret it.”
Mu Xi turned back, her mouth opening wide but refusing to close around the spoon.
Just as Ye Lan’s frown deepened into a lecture, Mu Xi lunged forward and bit down on her finger.
“Slap!”
A sharp crack echoed through the room.
“You little wretch, are you asking for trouble?” Ye Lan’s voice seethed with fury.
Mu Xi clutched her cheek, tears streaming down her face.
Her sobs came in waves, delicate and piteous, as if she’d suffered the gravest injustice.
Ye Lan’s anger faltered, her tone softening in a rush.
“Don’t cry, I… I didn’t mean it.”
Mu Xi’s cries only grew louder, her words lost in hiccupping gasps.
Flustered, Ye Lan fumbled to console her, her patience fraying with each attempt.
As Ye Lan’s composure teetered on the edge, Mu Xi sniffled, her voice trembling.
“I want a hug…”
Relief washed over Ye Lan’s face.
She opened her arms, pulling Mu Xi into a warm embrace.
Seizing the moment, Mu Xi’s hand slipped to Ye Lan’s waist, deftly unclipping the key and tucking it into her skirt.
The cold metal grazed her skin, sending a shiver through her.
Ye Lan, mistaking the tremble for fear, lifted Mu Xi onto the bed.
“Don’t be scared. I’d never hurt you.”
Nestled in Ye Lan’s arms, Mu Xi’s lips curled into a sly, triumphant smile.
She feigned more sobs, but her mind was already racing, plotting how to use the key to escape this gilded cage.
Ye Lan’s fingers traced soothing circles on Mu Xi’s back, a glint of cunning flickering in her eyes.
Did the girl think she hadn’t noticed her little scheme?
Well, if the little one wanted to play, Ye Lan would indulge her—for now.
Mu Xi’s sobs faded.
She lifted her tear-streaked face, her wide, glistening eyes locking onto Ye Lan’s.
Ye Lan’s heart melted at the sight, and she pressed a gentle kiss to Mu Xi’s forehead.
“Still hurt?” she asked softly.
Mu Xi shook her head, then nodded faintly.
“Just a little…”
Ye Lan sighed, “I was too rough. Let me see.”
She cupped Mu Xi’s face, inspecting the spot where her hand had landed.
Mu Xi squirmed under Ye Lan’s intense gaze, her cheeks flushing despite herself.
“Blushing, are we?” Ye Lan teased, her voice light.
“Falling for me already?”
Mu Xi’s embarrassment flared into indignation.
She raised a hand to push Ye Lan away.
But Ye Lan was quicker, seizing Mu Xi’s wrist and pinning her to the bed.
“Trying to run?” she murmured, looming closer.
“Someone’s asking for trouble.”
In her panic, Mu Xi felt a chill at her waist—the key had slipped free!
She reached for it instinctively, but Ye Lan’s grip tightened, trapping her hands.
“Looking for this?” Ye Lan dangled the key, her smile sharp and knowing.
“Did you really think I’d fall for that, little fool?”
Mu Xi’s eyes widened, her face burning with shame and frustration.
“You… you knew all along?”
Ye Lan arched a brow and replied, “If I couldn’t see through a trick this simple, how would I survive in this world?”
Mu Xi bit her lip, tears welling up again.
Ye Lan softened, sighing.
“Enough teasing. I know you want to escape, but have you considered whether the world out there is safe for you—or far more dangerous?”
Mu Xi froze, the question catching her off guard.
She hadn’t thought that far.
She stared at Ye Lan, lost for words.
Ye Lan brushed a hand through Mu Xi’s hair.
“Rest now. We’ll talk when you’re calmer, alright?”
Mu Xi nodded silently.
As Ye Lan left, she tossed back a playful jab.
“Next time you try to steal something, don’t wear your schemes on your face.”
The door clicked shut.
Mu Xi buried her face in the pillow, torn between shame and fury.
Next time, she’d escape.
She wouldn’t let this maddening woman toy with her again!
Lying on the bed, Mu Xi’s mind churned with plans.
She decided to play the “sleeping beauty” card, cocooning herself in blankets and feigning sleep.
From day to night, Ye Lan checked on her several times, each time tiptoeing out when she saw Mu Xi “asleep.”
When darkness cloaked the windows, signaling deep night, Mu Xi peeked out and slipped from the bed.
She tested the door—unlocked, as expected.
Ye Lan, checking in often, must have found locking it each time too bothersome.
“That woman’s awfully sure of herself,” Mu Xi muttered.
She propped pillows under the blankets to mimic a sleeping form, then hid behind the door, holding her breath.
Soon, familiar footsteps approached.
The door creaked open.
“Little one, you’re not suffocating in there, are you?” Ye Lan’s voice carried a hint of amusement.
Seizing her chance, Mu Xi darted out, racing barefoot down the stairs.
But the living room stopped her cold.
The grand hall gleamed with opulent decor, every detail screaming wealth and taste.
More shocking were the dozen women in black suits and sunglasses, their eyes fixed on her like hawks.
“Boss, your little pet’s scampering about!” one called out.
Mu Xi’s heart sank.
She spun to flee, only to find Ye Lan leaning against the stairwell, arms crossed, a sly smile playing on her lips.
“Having fun, little one?”
Mu Xi forced a sheepish grin and trudged back upstairs.
In the room, Ye Lan produced a pink collar and fastened it around Mu Xi’s neck before she could protest.
“Hey, what’s this?!” Mu Xi squirmed.
Ye Lan ignored her, securing the collar’s other end to the bedpost.
“Since you love running off, go ahead—run.”
Mu Xi tugged at it, realizing her range was barely two meters.
Defeated, she huffed, “You’re bullying me!”
Ye Lan chuckled.
“Bullying? Who was it sneaking off just now?”
Mu Xi pouted, putting on her best pitiful look.
“I wasn’t sneaking. I… I wanted to surprise you!”
Ye Lan’s brow lifted and she asked, “Oh? What kind of surprise?”
Mu Xi blinked her big eyes.
“I wanted to cook you dinner.”
Ye Lan burst out laughing and replied, “With those dainty hands that have never touched a chore? Spare me—I’d rather not have my kitchen in flames.”
Mu Xi’s cheeks burned, “Who says I can’t—”
She caught herself just in time, remembering her role as a delicate girl.
Ye Lan studied her, intrigued.
“You can’t what?”
Mu Xi scrambled to change the subject.
“Um… can I take this collar off? It’s really uncomfortable.”
Ye Lan shook her head, grinning.
“Nope. It’s punishment for naughty children.”
She leaned close, whispering in Mu Xi’s ear, “Behave, and I’ll take it off.”
A shiver ran through Mu Xi.
This woman was terrifying!
She couldn’t keep going like this.
She had to find a way out.
Ye Lan, reading her thoughts, tapped Mu Xi’s nose.
“Stop scheming. Stay put, and I’ll get you something to eat.”
As Ye Lan left, Mu Xi flopped onto the bed, pounding the pillow in frustration.
This plan had failed.
She’d need to rethink her next move carefully.
Her fingers grazed the collar, her mind racing.
What did this woman do?
Why all the bodyguards?
And why was she keeping Mu Xi locked up here?
Tftc!