Li Xin stood entranced, the soft, syrupy cadence of Mu Xi’s voice weaving through her senses, mingling with the faint fragrance that clung to the girl’s presence.
A flush crept over her, a warmth that threatened to betray her composure.
She fought to anchor herself, to keep her emotions from spilling over and revealing the turmoil within.
Mu Xi’s words might have been casual, tossed out without a second thought, but they stirred something deep in Li Xin’s heart, a flutter she couldn’t quell.
If only she could stay by Mu Xi’s side forever, even if just as a silent guardian, watching from the shadows.
The two walked in silence, their footsteps echoing faintly until they reached the door of the practice room.
Li Xin halted, standing tall and unyielding, like a pine tree rooted against the wind.
“Miss Mu Xi, we’re here,” she said, her voice a calm mask, betraying none of the storm beneath.
Mu Xi turned, her face blooming into a radiant smile, a pink rose unfurling in the morning light, banishing the hollow ache in Li Xin’s chest.
“Thank you, Sister Li Xin, for walking me here,” Mu Xi said, her tone sweet and laced with genuine gratitude.
Li Xin watched as Mu Xi stepped into the practice room, her figure vanishing behind the soundproof door.
Only then did she allow her gaze to linger, reluctant to let go.
The door closed with a soft thud, sealing away the sounds within and widening the distance between them.
Li Xin stood alone in the empty corridor, a quiet void settling in her heart.
Their time together had been fleeting, yet it felt like she’d stolen a sliver of sunlight.
Now, with the warmth gone, only shadows remained.
She took a deep breath, forcing down the inexplicable pang of loss, and turned to resume her routine patrol.
But her upright posture seemed to soften, carrying a trace of vulnerability that hadn’t been there before.
Inside the practice room, Ling Yue was already waiting.
She glanced at her diamond-encrusted watch, confirming the time, before lifting her gaze.
Her eyes, cold and clear as a winter lake, swept over Mu Xi with a subtle pressure.
“Miss Mu Xi, let’s not waste time. Begin today’s practice.”
The memory of their last session lingered—Mu Xi’s struggles, the hesitancy that had weighed her down.
But today, she was transformed, as if reborn.
Mu Xi steadied herself, pushing aside the tangle of thoughts in her mind.
She took a deep breath, adjusting her breathing and stance with deliberate care.
When the first note slipped from her lips, it flowed like a clear spring, vibrant and alive, filling the room with an effortless vitality.
Gone was the cautious restraint of yesterday.
Today, she surrendered to the music, pouring her heart into every note.
Each sound was precise, her high notes crystalline and piercing, her low notes rich and magnetic.
Her breath was steady, her rhythm flawless, weaving a tapestry of melody that pulsed with life.
She even wove her own interpretations into the song, breathing new light into the familiar tune, infusing it with a soulful resonance that captivated the air.
Ling Yue had begun listening with her usual detachment, her fingers idly scrolling on her tablet.
But as Mu Xi’s voice swelled, her attention shifted.
Her eyes lifted from the screen, settling on the girl before her.
A flicker of surprise stirred in those icy depths, barely perceptible but undeniable.
Ling Yue had taught countless students, many gifted with extraordinary talent, but none like Mu Xi.
The girl’s progress was nothing short of miraculous, her comprehension startlingly swift.
Yesterday, she had been raw, tentative.
Today, she moved with the grace of a master, her technique and emotion blending seamlessly, as if some hidden barrier within her had shattered overnight.
What astonished Ling Yue more was Mu Xi’s grasp of every detail from their last lesson.
Not only had she absorbed the instruction, but she’d built upon it, elevating the song to a new depth of meaning.
Points that typically required endless repetition were grasped instantly.
A single hint, and Mu Xi would not only understand but expand upon it, weaving it into her performance with effortless brilliance.
Ling Yue set her tablet aside, leaning forward slightly, her interest piqued.
She studied Mu Xi, searching for the secret behind this transformation.
Was this her true potential, unveiled at last?
Had she been holding back all along?
The song ended, leaving the room in a hush, the final notes lingering like a sigh in the air.
Mu Xi stood, catching her breath, her cheeks flushed from the effort, her silver-white hair slightly tousled, lending her an air of delicate allure.
Her wide, luminous eyes met Ling Yue’s, a mix of nervousness and hope shimmering within.
“Teacher Ling Yue, how did I do today?”
Ling Yue paused, her silence stretching for a moment before she spoke, her voice carrying a rare note of approval.
“Remarkable progress, Miss Mu Xi. It’s hard to believe you achieved this in a single night. You have extraordinary talent.”
Mu Xi’s heart lifted, a sweet smile breaking across her face, bright as cherry blossoms in spring.
Her hard work had paid off—at least in her singing, she’d earned the approval of this exacting teacher.
But she knew this was only the beginning.
There was still so much more to do.
As night fell, a faint itch lingered in her throat.
Mu Xi returned to her room.
Lace curtains draped the bed like sugary frosting, the plush carpet soft as a cloud underfoot.
Even the air seemed to shimmer with pink bubbles.
She moved mechanically to the vanity, picking up the throat lozenge Ye Lan left for her each day.
As she popped it into her mouth, the cool mint melted across her tongue, easing the dryness in her throat with a hint of sweetness.
The maids soon arrived, wheeling in a large wooden tub.
The room filled with the earthy scent of herbs, laced with a faint milky note—the fragrance of her perfume mingling oddly with the medicinal aroma.
Hot water poured into the tub, followed by a creamy herbal concoction that swirled and settled at the bottom.
The maids adjusted the temperature with practiced ease, then quietly retreated, closing the door behind them, leaving Mu Xi alone.
Steam rose in soft curls, blurring the room’s pink hues into a dreamlike haze.
Mu Xi shed her elaborate princess gown and stepped carefully into the tub.
The warm liquid enveloped her, coaxing her pores to open, drinking in the soothing essence.
A tingling sensation spread from her toes to her scalp, washing away the day’s fatigue as the steam rose around her.
It was bliss.
She sighed, leaning back against the tub’s edge, letting the herbal bath work its magic.
It wasn’t just relaxing—it smoothed her skin, made it glow, and, rumor had it, even enhanced her figure.
Her gaze drifted downward, noting the subtle fullness beneath the water’s surface.
It was true—she was changing.
Ye Lan had spared no effort, shaping her into the perfect “pet” with meticulous care.
As her body soaked in the warmth, her mind began to unwind.
The day’s practice had been grueling, Ling Yue’s stern gaze a constant pressure.
Yet, the success of today’s session had surprised even her.
Was she truly so gifted?
Her thoughts drifted, and a strange heat stirred within her, rising from deep inside.
The warmth of the bath seemed to ignite something, a restless craving that spread from her core, pulsing through her veins.
She shifted slightly, trying to ease the growing unease.
Her fingers grazed the water’s surface, brushing against her skin.
Desire coiled within her, like vines twisting through her heart, impossible to ignore.
She glanced around the empty, pink-hued room, the steam curling through the air, wrapping her in solitude.
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