The two of them, one in front and one behind, quietly left the room.
The corridor was empty, with only the wall lamps casting a dim yellow glow.
Mu Xi glanced around nervously, terrified that someone would suddenly appear and see her like this.
Ye Lan led her all the way downstairs, through the silent hall, and stopped at the entrance to the Garden.
The Garden at night was completely different from the day.
The brilliant flowers that dazzled in daylight had lost their colors in the darkness, leaving only the rich fragrance lingering in the air, making the place seem even more mysterious and deep.
The Garden was pitch-black, with only the faint sound of the distant fountain reaching their ears.
A Guard on night patrol carried a Lantern, occasionally passing by on the path.
The Lantern’s light flickered between the shadows of the trees, casting mottled patterns that made the scene all the more eerie.
Mu Xi shrank into herself, the night breeze carrying a chill that made her shiver uncontrollably.
She looked uneasily at Ye Lan, wanting to ask what exactly she intended to do, but didn’t dare open her mouth for fear of angering her.
Ye Lan stopped, turned to face Mu Xi, pointed at the Garden entrance, then at the brightly lit Estate Gate in the distance and said, “Let’s play a Game.”
“A Game?” Mu Xi froze.
In this situation, Ye Lan actually wanted to play a Game?
“That’s right.” Ye Lan’s lips curled into an amused smile.
“You walk from here to the Estate Gate, and you can’t be discovered by anyone along the way.”
Mu Xi’s eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Ye Lan.
“From here to the Estate Gate? Naked?”
The distance from the Garden entrance to the estate’s main gate was no small matter, and she’d have to cross the entire Garden.
The patrolling Guards weren’t blind—how could she not be discovered?
Besides, she wasn’t wearing a single thing!
“If I succeed?” Mu Xi asked, clinging to a sliver of hope.
She wanted to know what Ye Lan’s purpose in this Game was.
“If you succeed, I’ll grant you one small wish.” Ye Lan replied lightly, her tone sounding casual, as if this was just a harmless little Game.
“And if I fail?” Mu Xi’s heart sank.
She felt certain Ye Lan wouldn’t be so kind—there had to be a trap waiting for her.
Ye Lan’s smile deepened, a hint of danger in her eyes.
“If you fail… you’ll have to accept punishment.”
She paused, then leaned close to Mu Xi’s ear and whispered, “A thorough training.”
Mu Xi’s body trembled violently.
The word “training” instantly conjured up all sorts of unpleasant memories.
She had no desire to be tormented by Ye Lan with those strange toys again.
“I…” Mu Xi wanted to refuse, but the words stuck in her throat.
Because she knew she had no right to refuse at all.
Ye Lan seemed to see through her thoughts and raised an eyebrow.
“What, are you scared?”
‘She’s trying to provoke me!’
Mu Xi cursed silently.
This woman, Ye Lan, really knew how to mess with people’s minds.
“Who’s scared!” Mu Xi straightened her neck and retorted.
Though she was terrified inside, she couldn’t admit defeat out loud.
If she acted too cowardly, Ye Lan would only get more pleased.
“Very good.” Ye Lan nodded in satisfaction.
“You have one minute to prepare, then you can start.”
With that, she turned and walked toward the Garden gate, leaving Mu Xi standing there, shivering.
Mu Xi hugged her arms, trying hard to calm herself.
One minute—what could she do?
She looked around.
The Garden was so dark and quiet it felt almost sinister, with only the occasional call of a nightingale in the distance.
So cold…
Mu Xi couldn’t help shrinking her neck.
The icy night wind stung her bare skin, covering her in goosebumps.
But more frightening than the chill was the unknown challenge ahead, and the punishment for failure.
Mu Xi bit her lip.
For the sake of that unknown wish, and to avoid that terrifying “training,” she had to give it her all!
Even if it was just for the sake of her pitiful pride, she couldn’t lose so easily!
Once she calmed herself, Mu Xi began to move carefully.
The Garden at night was like thick ink, dyeing everything a deep black.
Only the occasional sweep of a Lantern’s glow let her tell which way to go.
She stuck close to the edge of the flowerbeds, crouched low like a cat ready to pounce, every step feather-light for fear of making a sound.
The cold cobblestones hurt her feet, but compared to her nerves, the discomfort was nothing.
The wind rustled the leaves, and every sound made Mu Xi’s heart skip a beat.
She held her breath, ears pricked, listening carefully for any movement, terrified a Guard would suddenly leap out from the darkness.
Those Guards patrolling with Lanterns were like ghosts, appearing and disappearing on the Garden paths.
The sweep of their lights seemed to pierce right through her, leaving her nowhere to hide.
A few times, Mu Xi felt the light was right beside her, about to fall on her any second.
She quickly ducked behind a rockery, holding her breath, not daring to make a sound.
Only when the light moved away did she dare to peek out.
The cold wind showed no mercy, whipping her naked body and making her shiver so hard her skin broke out in fine goosebumps.
But the chill only made her more alert, forcing her not to relax for even a moment.
Her mind raced, planning the best escape route, doing her best to avoid the patrolling Guards, and using the trees, rockeries, and flowerbeds of the Garden as cover.
Just as she carefully slipped through a bed of roses, thinking she was safe for the moment, a sudden wave of tingling sensation swept through her body.
The Bluetooth Vibrator inside her started up without warning, the intense vibration freezed Mu Xi in place.
An indescribable pleasure surged through her body like electricity, and she nearly cried out.
She bit her lip hard, using all her strength to keep herself from screaming.
‘At a time like this, in a place like this—this damned thing!’
Mu Xi cursed Ye Lan in her heart.
This woman’s twisted tastes were just too much!
The pleasure crashed over her nerves in wave after wave.
Her body went limp, her legs almost giving out.
She had to cling to the rockery beside her just to barely stay upright.
Trying to cross the Garden in this state was hellish.
Mu Xi felt her mind growing fuzzy, her body hyper-sensitive.
Every step felt like walking on clouds—light and unsteady, as if she could fall at any moment.
But she knew she couldn’t stop—absolutely not!
To avoid Ye Lan’s so-called “training,” she had to keep going.
Mu Xi clenched her teeth, relying on sheer willpower to force herself to move through the Garden despite the Bluetooth Vibrator’s relentless buzzing.
She staggered forward like a drunken dancer her every step was a struggle.
At last, she saw the bright lights at the Garden gate, and Ye Lan standing there, arms crossed, a playful smile on her lips.