Mu Xi’s heart jolted, and she waved her hands frantically.
“No, no, never! How could I even think of such a thing? Master, you’ve been so kind to me—how could I ever bear to leave you?”
“Is that so?” Ye Lan’s arms slipped around her waist, pulling her close with a teasing glint in her eyes.
“Then I’ll find you a teacher right here in the manor. Lin Ke’er can sing—let her teach you.”
“What?” Mu Xi’s face paled, her voice rising in protest.
“Not Lin Ke’er…”
“Why? Don’t you like her?” Ye Lan’s brow arched, her tone playful but probing.
“It’s not that…” Mu Xi bit her lip, searching for an excuse.
“I just think… her teaching wouldn’t be professional.”
“All the more reason for her to teach you, then.”
Ye Lan’s chuckle was soft but wicked.
“You said you wanted to repay me, didn’t you? Start by getting on Lin Ke’er’s good side.”
Mu Xi’s heart sank, her hopes crumbling.
Not only had she failed to secure an outside teacher, but now she was stuck with Lin Ke’er, of all people, for one-on-one lessons.
The thought of that brazen woman’s intentions sent a shiver down her spine.
“Master…” Mu Xi tried to protest, her voice small.
“It’s settled.” Ye Lan cut her off, her tone final.
“Starting tomorrow, you’ll meet Lin Ke’er every afternoon at two for your lessons.”
Mu Xi nodded, her shoulders slumping in defeat.
Her grand plan had backfired spectacularly, landing her in deeper trouble than she’d imagined.
The next morning, Ye Lan left early for the mines.
Mu Xi sat in her room, nibbling on a creamy slice of cake, her gaze fixed on the reflection in the mirror.
She barely registered her own face, lost in dread about the afternoon ahead.
The thought of Lin Ke’er’s leering, predatory eyes made her skin crawl.
“Maybe I could fake an illness?” she muttered to herself, but quickly shook her head.
“Ye Lan would just call a doctor, and if they saw through it, I’d be in even worse trouble.”
Her mind flashed back to that humiliating moment when Lin Ke’er had licked her foot.
A wave of revulsion hit her.
Sure, it had felt… oddly pleasant, but knowing it was that perverse woman made her stomach churn.
“Miss, it’s time for your lesson,” a maid’s voice called from the doorway.
Mu Xi sighed, smoothing her skirt before following the maid to the fifth floor.
The music room was on the manor’s top floor.
When Mu Xi pushed open the heavy oak door, her breath caught at the sight before her.
The room sprawled over at least two hundred square meters, its walls swathed in soundproofing panels and its floor cushioned with plush carpeting.
A Steinway grand piano gleamed by the window, sunlight filtering through stained glass to dance across its polished black surface.
On the far side, an array of instruments stood ready: a violin, a cello, a harp, even a full drum set.
But the centerpiece was the recording studio—a glass-walled sanctuary equipped with professional-grade microphones and speakers.
“You’re here,” Lin Ke’er said, stepping out of the studio.
She wore a sleek black bodysuit that hugged her curves, exuding a dangerous allure.
Mu Xi instinctively took a step back.
“Lin… Teacher Lin.”
“No need to be nervous,” Lin Ke’er said with a smile, reaching to touch Mu Xi’s face.
Mu Xi dodged, her heart racing.
“Let’s start by testing your vocal range.”
“Okay,” Mu Xi mumbled, following her into the studio.
If she focused on singing, maybe nothing would go wrong.
But then Lin Ke’er slipped behind her, arms wrapping around her waist.
“You smell like sweet cream, little darling,” she purred.
“Ah!” Mu Xi yelped, squirming to escape.
“Aren’t you supposed to teach me singing?”
“What’s the rush?” Lin Ke’er’s laugh was low and teasing, her breath warm against Mu Xi’s ear.
“We’ve got plenty of time.”
“This is the music room! Someone could walk in any moment!” Mu Xi shoved at Lin Ke’er’s hands, panic rising.
“Relax,” Lin Ke’er said, her fingers grazing Mu Xi’s neck.
“Ye Lan’s orders were clear—no one disturbs us during lessons. We’ve got two whole hours to ourselves.”
Mu Xi shuddered, ducking behind the piano for cover.
“Can we just start the lesson?”
“Fine,” Lin Ke’er said, settling at the piano with a grin.
“Let’s warm up with some scales.”
Her fingers danced across the keys, coaxing out a cascade of elegant notes.
“I didn’t know you were so good at music,” Mu Xi said, watching Lin Ke’er’s skilled hands with reluctant admiration.
“I thought you were just… good at fighting.”
“I studied music abroad,” Lin Ke’er said, her voice smug.
“But working for Boss Ye Lan is far more interesting—especially when I get to meet adorable little things like you.”
“Uh… thanks?” Mu Xi forced a smile, shifting uncomfortably.
“Come here, stand by me,” Lin Ke’er said, patting the bench beside her.
“Let me hear your range.”
Mu Xi hesitated but complied, edging closer.
Without warning, Lin Ke’er’s arm snaked around her waist.
“Keep your back straight—it stabilizes your breath for singing.”
“I can manage that myself,” Mu Xi said, trying to wriggle free, but Lin Ke’er’s grip tightened.
“Don’t squirm,” she said, her hand sliding upward.
“Your job is to be cute. Leave the rest to your teacher.”
“Is this even teaching?” Mu Xi gritted her teeth, her patience fraying.
“Of course it’s teaching,” Lin Ke’er said, blowing a teasing puff of air against her ear.
“But there’s no harm in a little… extra instruction.”
Mu Xi mentally cursed Lin Ke’er a thousand times but kept her expression neutral.
The lesson had barely begun, and already she knew the days ahead would be torture.
“Let’s sing together—’do re mi,'” Lin Ke’er said, her fingers gliding over the keys while her other hand roamed, brushing Mu Xi’s waist, making it impossible to hit a single note correctly.
“Focus,” Lin Ke’er said, feigning sternness.
“Or we’ll try a more… engaging exercise.”
Mu Xi shivered, forcing herself to sing with more effort.
She’d rather flirt and pout at Ye Lan than endure this.
“Follow me—’do re mi fa so,'” Lin Ke’er continued, her fingers nimble on the keys, her other hand resting provocatively on Mu Xi’s hip.
“Can you just teach?” Mu Xi snapped, scooting away.
“I’m teaching,” Lin Ke’er said, leaning closer with a smirk.
“I’m correcting your posture.”
Mu Xi rolled her eyes.
“And where exactly are your hands correcting?”
“So sensitive, little darling,” Lin Ke’er said, mock-pouting.
“I’m just checking your breathing. Singing comes from the diaphragm—you know that, right?”
“I don’t know anything with you acting like this!” Mu Xi said, dodging another wandering hand.
“You’re just taking advantage!”
Lin Ke’er struck a discordant note on the piano, the sound jarring.
“Shall we try a different exercise, then?”
“No, no, let’s keep singing!” Mu Xi said quickly, waving her hands.
“That’s more like it,” Lin Ke’er said, satisfied, her fingers returning to the keys.
“Now, follow me—’ahhh—'”
Mu Xi sang along, but Lin Ke’er’s hands were relentless—pinching her cheek, tugging at her hair—making focus impossible.
“Your pitch is off,” Lin Ke’er said, stopping abruptly.
“We need a special method.”
“What method?” Mu Xi asked, instantly wary.
Lin Ke’er stood, grabbing a violin from a stand.
“I’ll play, you sing. Every time you go off-key, I get to kiss you.”
“You’re insane!” Mu Xi backed away.
“No way!”
“Do you want Master to hear you’re slacking?” Lin Ke’er said, raising an eyebrow.
Mu Xi clenched her jaw.
“That’s blackmail.”
“Smart girl,” Lin Ke’er said, drawing a note from the violin.
“Let’s begin—’ahhh—'”
Mu Xi sang reluctantly, her voice faltering after a few notes.
Lin Ke’er swooped in, planting a quick kiss on her cheek.
“You!” Mu Xi stomped her foot, cheeks burning.
“Keep going,” Lin Ke’er said, her grin widening.
“But if you miss notes on purpose, I’ll kiss somewhere… else.”