“I’m sincere.” Mu Xi lowered her eyes, her tone still flat and emotionless.
Ye Lan’s movement paused.
Pale and fragile, her silver hair cascaded softly like moonlight凝固 into silk. She gazed at Mu Xi’s submissive appearance, that delicate face stirring an even stronger desire to conquer. If this was how she looked before, it might have sparked a greater urge to dominate. But now, a complex emotion flickered in Ye Lan’s heart.
Guilt? Perhaps. But more than that, a nearly obsessive love.
She knew Mu Xi was acting.
From the moment Luo Yuan’s chip failed and Mu Xi fully awakened, she knew that this seemingly docile little cat hid claws and fangs—and a bone-deep hatred for her.
The plan to capture Nan Qiao was successful, and Mu Xi’s cooperation was flawless. Using the milk induced by drugs, she tricked Nan Qiao’s last trust. That act, Mu Xi performed flawlessly.
Then she started this posture of giving up.
Did she think this would make me lose interest?
Ye Lan sneered inwardly.
Too naive, Little Xi.
The more you try to escape, the more I will firmly imprison you.
You think obedience will bring release?
No, it only makes me more certain that this is the only way to keep you by my side forever.
Hatred, false obedience—as long as this person was still in her arms, within reach, it was enough.
“Is that so?” Ye Lan released her hand from Mu Xi’s chin, then gently patted her cheek, the action affectionate and intimate. “It seems my training is working.”
She leaned down, her nose almost touching Mu Xi’s, warm breaths intertwining. “Nan Qiao is imprisoned, and Stone City will soon completely change hands.” Ye Lan’s voice dropped low, like a lover’s whisper, but the words were about a shift in power. “Next, we deal with the unruly old ones.” She was observing Mu Xi’s reaction.
Mu Xi’s eyelashes trembled slightly. She still didn’t look up or speak.
As if none of this concerned her.
“Your identity as a princess can’t go to waste.” Ye Lan continued, her tone brooking no argument. “Once Stone City is stable, we should consider Wu City. Take back Wu City.”
Those four words had once been the belief that kept Mu Xi alive.
But now, spoken by Ye Lan, they were filled with irony.
Use the strength of her enemy to take back the home destroyed by that enemy? How absurd.
Ye Lan straightened up and refocused her attention on Mu Xi’s feet.
“Mm.” Mu Xi responded softly, indicating she heard.
She picked up the other foot and began toying with it in the same manner. Casually, she asked, her fingertips pressing with moderate force on Mu Xi’s ankle bone, “You don’t seem… enthusiastic about retaking Wu City?”
Mu Xi was silent for a few seconds.
“Everything is as you arrange.” She replied, her voice devoid of joy or sorrow.
Ye Lan smiled.
She liked Mu Xi’s current obedience, even knowing it was fake. At least it proved that Mu Xi still cared, still played the game in her own way.
She lowered her head and placed a gentle kiss on Mu Xi’s pale instep. The warm lips touched the cool skin, and Mu Xi’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly again.
Ye Lan lifted her head, looking at Mu Xi’s tightly pressed lips and those eyes that tried to remain calm but still showed a ripple.
Good.
As long as there are ripples, it proves her heart isn’t completely dead.
Ye Lan placed both of Mu Xi’s feet on the bed, then leaned over and pressed her entire body down on top of her.
The soft mattress sank.
Ye Lan braced her hands on either side of Mu Xi’s body, looking down at her from above.
“Little Xi,” Ye Lan’s voice was sweet enough to drip honey, but her phoenix eyes churned with intense possessiveness. “Whatever game you want to play, I’ll see it through.”
She lowered her head and kissed Mu Xi’s lips. This time, it wasn’t a light touch but an aggressive plunder.
Mu Xi closed her eyes, enduring it all.
Hatred, like cold tides, washed over her rationality again and again.
But she couldn’t move.
Ye Lan’s kiss gradually softened, becoming lingering and affectionate.
She seemed to enjoy Mu Xi’s docility at this moment.
After a long while, Ye Lan pulled back slightly, her forehead resting against Mu Xi’s, her breathing uneven.
Mu Xi didn’t answer. She just opened her eyes and looked back calmly.
“Stay with me always,” Ye Lan whispered.
Ye Lan reached out and gently stroked her silver hair.
“Sleep,” she said.
Ye Lan didn’t get up. She just adjusted her position. Gently but irresistibly, she grasped Mu Xi’s slender ankle. Mu Xi didn’t resist, letting Ye Lan move her body. She was adjusted into that humiliating and strange posture—Ye Lan’s head pillowed between her thighs, while her own face faced Ye Lan’s feet.
Ye Lan gazed at Mu Xi’s expressionless face, then suddenly reached out and cupped Mu Xi’s jade-white feet in her hands, as if admiring a precious work of art. She buried her face in the sole of Mu Xi’s foot, taking a deep breath, filling her nostrils with the fresh scent of Mu Xi after her bath.
This gave her an immense sense of peace and satisfaction, as if only this could confirm that this person was truly and completely hers.
Ye Lan seemed satisfied with the position. She hugged Mu Xi’s feet, closed her eyes, as if to fall asleep like this.
In the darkness, Mu Xi’s eyelashes trembled. Humiliation, like fine needles, pierced her heart. The soft mattress couldn’t ease the stiffness inside her.
Ye Lan’s warm breath brushed against her inner thigh, causing an indescribable shiver mixed with nausea and numbness. She could feel Ye Lan’s breathing, even and warm, with a sickening intimacy.
A small, mischievous impulse suddenly rose.
Perhaps it was the pent-up压抑 needing an outlet, or perhaps she wanted to test Ye Lan’s limits.
Mu Xi slightly curled her toes, using the cold tips to lightly, with a hint of provocation, touch the tip of Ye Lan’s straight nose.
Ye Lan’s breath instantly stopped for a second.
She snapped open her eyes, a sharp glint flashing in her phoenix eyes before being replaced by thick amusement.
She didn’t lift her head. Instead, she opened her mouth and bit down firmly but not heavily on Mu Xi’s restless toe.
The force was just right—enough to cause a sting but not leave a mark.
“…!” A small muffled sound escaped Mu Xi’s throat. Her toes instinctively curled, and her body tensed instantly from the sudden pain.
Ye Lan released her teeth, but her tongue ambiguously licked the spot she had just bitten, leaving a warm, wet sensation.
She let out a low laugh, her voice muffled. “Move again, and it won’t be so simple, hmm?”
Mu Xi froze, not daring to make any more moves.
That little bit of试探 courage was instantly shattered by Ye Lan’s understated threat.
She closed her eyes, forcing herself to relax her tense body, becoming once again that obedient, soulless puppet.
Ye Lan felt the jade feet in her arms become still and obedient again. She rubbed against them contentedly, closed her eyes again, a smug smile on her lips.