“My Little Xi, you’re getting smarter by the day.”
Ye Lan reached out, her fingertips lightly brushing across Mu Xi’s fair cheek, “Since you say so, then let’s keep them. Whatever you say, I’ll listen.”
Mu Xi quietly stepped back an inch, avoiding that possessive touch.
Ye Lan either didn’t notice this subtle movement, or chose to ignore it.
The food was quickly finished, leaving only a few oily drops spinning in the crude wooden bowls.
Mu Xi put down her chopsticks and bowl, lifting her gaze to Ye Lan.
Moisture seeped from the Gold Mine’s cave walls, and the air was thick with the scent of rust and earth.
Mu Xi’s eyes fell on the roughly bandaged wounds scattered over Ye Lan’s body; the white bandages stained red with blood, like blooming flowers.
The Butler entered with small, shuffling steps to clear the dishes, bowing and not daring to meet Ye Lan’s gaze.
Mu Xi noticed their trembling fingers, waxy faces, and hollowed eyes.
“You may leave,” Ye Lan said coolly with a wave of her hand.
The Butlers fled as if granted amnesty, clutching the dishes as they retreated in haste.
As soon as the stone door shut, the muffled sounds of quarreling and desperate pleading rang out from outside.
The clash of bowls and plates was jarring and sorrowful.
“Looks like they’re all still hungry,” Mu Xi said softly.
Ye Lan narrowed her phoenix eyes and asked, “When did you start caring about those people all of a sudden?”
“People don’t have to be selfish all the time.” Mu Xi rose and approached Ye Lan, each step seeming carefully calculated.
Ye Lan’s body tensed, a mixture of vigilance and anticipation flickering in her eyes.
For countless nights, she had dreamed of Mu Xi coming to her on her own initiative, not shying away from her touch with trembling fear.
Mu Xi stopped in front of Ye Lan, her bright eyes blinking beneath long lashes.
Suddenly, she leaned down and slipped into Ye Lan’s embrace.
Ye Lan stiffened all over, her heart pounding wildly as if it might burst from her chest.
She could hardly believe her senses—Mu Xi was actually taking the initiative to enter her arms.
With utmost care, Ye Lan lifted her hands and gently wrapped them around the slender body, fearing that even a little force would cause the person in her embrace to vanish like an illusion.
“This is the first time…” Ye Lan’s voice trembled with disbelief, “You’re hugging me of your own accord.”
Mu Xi’s face rested against Ye Lan’s chest, her slender fingers wandering aimlessly before finally pausing at the edge of a particularly obvious wound.
“You got hurt so badly just to save me.”
“It’s nothing, as long as—”
Suddenly, Mu Xi pressed her finger down, jabbing the wound with precision.
“Hiss!” Ye Lan drew in a sharp breath, shock and pain flashing across her eyes.
Mu Xi lifted her head, those clear eyes staring straight at Ye Lan, the corners of her lips curling in a faint, elusive smile.
“I touched your wound on purpose. Are you angry?”
Ye Lan froze.
She gazed into Mu Xi’s eyes and saw a calm determination she had never seen before.
A dreadful realization took shape in her mind: Mu Xi stayed by her side not out of affection, but for revenge.
To get back for those days of captivity, drug baths, and being under her control.
It felt as if her heart was being soaked in boiling saltwater, the pain almost suffocating.
But Ye Lan forced herself to put on a slight smile.
“It doesn’t hurt.”
A trace of surprise flickered in Mu Xi’s eyes, swiftly replaced by an even colder resolve.
Her finger pressed down again, more forcefully this time, her nail scraping open the crusted blood.
Fresh blood gushed out, soaking through the bandage.
Cold sweat beaded on Ye Lan’s forehead, her facial muscles twitching, barely controlled fury surging in her eyes.
Her fingers almost crushed Mu Xi’s shoulder, but at the last moment she managed to stop herself.
“It doesn’t hurt,” Ye Lan repeated through clenched teeth, her voice trembling with barely contained pain.
Mu Xi let out a soft laugh, the sound slicing through Ye Lan’s heart like a knife.
Staring into Ye Lan’s eyes, Mu Xi’s fingers once more moved toward the wound, this time even slower, as if to make Ye Lan feel every approach of pain.
“I could do this forever,” Mu Xi’s voice was as light as a feather, “until all your blood runs dry.”
Ye Lan finally broke.
She grabbed Mu Xi’s wrist, “It hurts! It hurts, it hurts! My dear ancestor, I surrender!”
Her voice was shattered and hoarse, “I really can’t take it anymore, please don’t play with me…”
Mu Xi suddenly stood up, her slender figure casting a long shadow in the dim mine.
Dangerous light flickered in her eyes, a sharp contrast to her petite frame.
“You say you love me, propose to me, and claim you want to learn how to love.”
Mu Xi’s voice was honey laced with poison, sickly sweet and bone-chillingly cold, “Was it all a lie? I only agreed to stay by your side for a few minutes, and you’re already rejecting me?”
She idly played with her own silver hair, the seemingly careless gesture making Ye Lan’s throat tighten.
Every playful syllable Mu Xi uttered struck right at Ye Lan’s softest spot.
Ye Lan’s wound ached, but Mu Xi’s words hurt far more than any physical pain.
Looking at the girl she once imprisoned—who now held all her weaknesses—Ye Lan felt utterly powerless for the first time.
“I’m not rejecting you, I just…” Ye Lan’s words stopped abruptly, for Mu Xi’s gaze grew even colder.
Those bright eyes held no warmth at all.
Suddenly, Ye Lan realized that every move Mu Xi made, every word she spoke, was a meticulously set trap—and she had willingly jumped right in.
“Just what?” Mu Xi took a step forward, closing in on Ye Lan, “Just don’t want me touching your wounds? Or just don’t want me to see your weakness?”
Ye Lan took a deep breath and stood up.
She was much taller than Mu Xi, and should have held the advantage, but was utterly suppressed by Mu Xi’s aura.
Reaching out, Ye Lan carefully embraced Mu Xi’s shoulders, as if she were hugging a cat that could bite at any moment.
“Alright, alright, have your revenge however you want.” Ye Lan’s voice was resigned, but with a trace of hidden anticipation.
“Forget about poking my wounds, you could even drink my blood if you like.”
Mu Xi’s lips curled upward, the smile making Ye Lan’s heart skip a beat.
Not for its beauty, but for the danger it carried.
Without warning, Mu Xi’s fist slammed into Ye Lan’s abdomen.
“Ugh!” Ye Lan bent over, her face draining of color.
Her abdomen was already wounded, and this punch landed right on target, pain shooting through her like an electric shock.
Staggering back two steps, her knees buckled and she collapsed to the ground.
Mu Xi watched coldly, her silver hair gleaming in the faint mine light.
Seeing Ye Lan writhing in pain, a complex emotion surged within her.
There was the thrill of revenge, but also a faint, indescribable emptiness.
“So this is what you call love?” Mu Xi asked quietly, her tone full of mockery, “I can’t feel it at all.”
Ye Lan raised her head, phoenix eyes brimming with pain and regretful tears.
She wanted to speak, but could only open her mouth, no words coming out.
The pain in her abdomen left her almost breathless, cold sweat soaking her clothes.
Mu Xi watched it all, her anger undiminished—if anything, burning fiercer.
She lifted her foot and kicked Ye Lan hard in the ribs.
The force was far greater than expected; Ye Lan was sent tumbling to the side.
Her wounds split open, fresh blood seeping through the bandages and leaving a bright red stain on the ground.
The pain surpassed anything she could bear.
Mouth open, Ye Lan couldn’t even muster the strength to cry out.