Su Nian’s heart skipped a beat.
Why was she involved in this?
The thought of dancing with that bastard Horned Demon-her lifelong nemesis was utterly mortifying.
At such formal banquet dances, she’d inevitably have to endure being held around the waist, shoulders touched, and spun around in his arms.
Absolutely not!
But…
To complete her mission, she was currently posing as “Mr. Mo Yuan’s” cousin.
Though she couldn’t stand the idea of such intimate contact with this wretched demon, refusing her “cousin’s” dance invitation in front of everyone would seem suspicious.
Moreover, she was currently in the Horned Demon’s territory…
Under the influence of various magic arrays, even with S-class offensive and defensive spells, her chances against him in Shadowmoon Manor were slim.
In short, refusal wasn’t an option.
Damn it!
That bastard had her cornered again.
After a moment’s hesitation, she stepped forward and offered her hand to Mr. Mo Yuan, murmuring softly, “Then I must graciously accept.”
Mr. Mo Yuan took her hand-soft and warm to the touch, remarkably pleasant.
As the music began, they started dancing.
Su Nian wore a simple yet elegant white gown that floated like drifting clouds with her movements.
Her golden hair cascaded like a waterfall, shimmering under the crystal chandeliers, with a few playful strands brushing against her snow- white cheeks, accentuating her delicate complexion.
Her slender waist twisted gracefully under Mr. Mo Yuan’s guidance, showcasing her exquisite poise.
Her jade-white hands, with their long, elegant fingers, rested reluctantly on Mr. Mo Yuan’s shoulders.
The young woman’s eyes resembled deep lakes-azure pools reflecting both determination and intelligence, her long lashes casting faint shadows like butterfly wings.
Her rosy lips curved slightly upward in what appeared to be a perfect smile, yet concealed subtle traces of stubbornness and tension.
“What devilish scheme are you plotting now?” Su Nian seized the moment of closeness to whisper sharply in Mr. Mo Yuan’s ear, her pink lips barely moving.
“Just seeking some quality time with my dear little slave, Su Nian,” Mr. Mo Yuan replied equally quietly, his tone laced with amusement.
“You !” Su Nian tensed, ready to break free from the wretched demon immediately.
“I’d think carefully before acting,” Chu Tian said with an expression of utter confidence.
“Hmph!”
She couldn’t afford impulsiveness now.
She’d endure it—after all, it was just a dance.
It wouldn’t kill her.
She’d investigate the dungeon after the banquet ended.
In the audience.
Lise frowned slightly and whispered to Amy beside her, “Miss Su Nian doesn’t seem happy. Could it be… she dislikes dancing with her cousin, Mr. Mo Yuan?”
“Relax, sibling squabbles are normal. They might even come to blows my brother and I do all the time,” Amy said, recalling her own playful fights with her sibling.
“But honestly, I think they’re perfect for each other. What’s that trope called… ‘Bone Crack’? Love-hate relationship?” Amy’s thoughts drifted to the romance novels she’d read.
“Anyway, Mr. Mo Yuan is tall, handsome, rich, and invented magic phones. He’s a great match for Miss Su Nian, the magical instructor and idol,” Amy giggled as she assessed them.
At this moment…
If Su Nian had heard Amy’s words, she would have probably roared inwardly.
A perfect match?
What nonsense!
And Amy, whose side are you on anyway?
The first dance continued, with Su Nian enduring the demon’s touch and the occasional waft of his masculine scent brushing against her face.
They were… too close.
As the dance progressed, that distinctly male aroma filled her nostrils.
It should have been a smell she detested, yet Su Nian found herself savoring it like the crisp air of a morning after rain-strangely refreshing.
Moreover, the touches on her shoulders and waist made her body grow weak, pliant as she let the man lead her through the dance.
Ever since the “Masochists” state activated, her body had mostly returned to normal.
The hypersensitivity that once made even fabric brushing against her skin trigger tremors had faded.
Yet, in front of this demon, all her old vulnerabilities came rushing back.
Soon, her body grew warm and limp, while a delicate blush spread across her peerlessly beautiful face.
Meanwhile, in the audience seats…
“See? I told you there was something between them. Miss Su doesn’t look unhappy at all now,” Amy remarked, one hand propping her cheek while the other nibbled a cupcake, thoroughly enjoying the romantic scene.
Lise didn’t quite understand but could only nod along for now.
Su Nian, however, was acutely aware of her body’s alarming reactions…
Was this the so-called “Masochistic Constitution” described in the Ownership state?
[Masochistic Constitution]:
As the owner’s possession, sensitivity and pleasure are reduced by 80% in front of others (with masochistic tendencies eliminated, returning to normal levels).
However, sensitivity and pleasure increase by 20% when facing the owner.
(Even when alone, the host returns to normal levels.)
A single dance just the touch of his hands on her shoulders and waist, the brush of his thumb against her skin…
Had ignited a scorching heat within her, an involuntary urge to lean closer.
In dramas, she’d pinched her thigh or bitten her tongue to snap out of it.
But…
Under the “Masochistic Constitution,” such actions wouldn’t bring relief.
Instead, the pain would transform into pleasure, making everything worse.
Damn it!
Stupid system, stupid demon-you’re in cahoots, aren’t you?
To Su Nian, the dance felt like an eternity.
When the music finally stopped and applause filled the hall, she exhaled in relief—at least she hadn’t humiliated herself publicly.
Though her body had betrayed her, her will remained unbroken.
She would never submit to that wretched demon.
One day, she’d kill him!
She swiftly withdrew her hand, subtly stepping back to put distance between herself and “Mr. Mo Yuan.”
The blush still tinted her cheeks, but her eyes burned with defiance.
Noticing her reaction, Chu Tian arched a brow, his lips curling into an amused smirk, as if her discomfort entertained him.
He didn’t press further.
Instead, he gave an elegant bow before mingling back into the crowd.
Su Nian seized the opportunity to quickly move to Amy and Lise’s side.
She needed to calm her emotions amidst the crowd while ensuring no one noticed her unusual state.
What followed was the standard banquet routine guests enjoying food and drinks, with occasional couples dancing to the music in the hall.
Fortunately, perhaps because she had already danced the first dance with the master of Shadowmoon Manor, “Mr. Mo Yuan,” no one else invited her to dance.
She was content with the respite, quietly contemplating her next steps.
As the banquet progressed toward its conclusion, guests gradually began to disperse.
And now…
It was time for her to make her move!
Deep down, Su Nian knew that patience might be the wiser choice-waiting for a better opportunity.
But the strange sensations in her body filled her with fear and dread.
She was terrified that doing nothing would only leave her further at the mercy of that despicable horned demon, perhaps even leading to her complete submission and enslavement.
So, she had to break free from that wretched creature as soon as possible!
Even if it meant taking risks…
Once the crowd had thinned, Su Nian stealthily returned to the main hall, searching for the “mechanism” that led to the dungeon.
Three minutes later….
Ah, found it!
She remembered-it was this vase in front of her that needed to be turned.
As she rotated the vase, a hidden entrance to the underground appeared before her.
Hesitating briefly, she ultimately decided to descend.
Perhaps that recording crystal orb was somewhere in the dungeon.
A graceful figure vanished from the hall.
But what Su Nian didn’t see was that shortly after she disappeared, a wisp of dark mist flickered-Chu Tian also slipped into the underground space, a sly smile curling on his lips, as if his scheme had just fallen perfectly into place.