A huge wave of relief surged through her heart.
Mu Xi felt all the strength in her body drain away, unable to hold herself up any longer, and she collapsed straight into Ye Lan’s arms.
“Master…” Mu Xi lay limply in Ye Lan’s embrace, gasping for breath, her chest heaving violently.
Sweat soaked her silvery-white hair, which clung messily to her cheeks.
“I… I did it…”
Ye Lan’s lips curled up slightly, her eyes carrying a trace of appreciation, but even more so an unabashed teasing glint.
“Mm, well done.”
She reached out and gently stroked Mu Xi’s sweaty back, her fingertips brushing teasingly over sensitive skin.
“Go on, tell me, what wish do you want granted?”
Mu Xi struggled to steady her breathing, lifting her head, a sly gleam flickering in her eyes.
“I want… gold.”
“Gold?” Ye Lan raised her brows, apparently surprised by Mu Xi’s wish.
“What do you want gold for?”
“Of course… because I like it.” Mu Xi replied vaguely, her gaze darting.
“Anyway, I just want gold. The more, the better!”
Ye Lan looked at Mu Xi’s greedy little expression and couldn’t help but laugh, giving her nose a playful flick.
She doted, “Little money-grubber.”
No matter where you are, gold is always hard currency.
Especially since the person across from her was Ye Lan, a cunning soul.
Any other request might arouse suspicion of ulterior motives, but gold was the most practical and cost-effective.
It always comes in handy at crucial moments!
Ye Lan gazed at Mu Xi, who was panting, her cheeks flushed.
The teasing in her eyes faded, replaced by a hint of darkness that was hard to detect—a gaze like a dangerous predator locking onto its prey.
She suddenly scooped Mu Xi up.
Mu Xi let out a startled cry as her body was lifted into the air, instinctively wrapping her arms around Ye Lan’s neck, her soft body pressed tightly against Ye Lan’s chest.
They returned to the bedroom, pink gauze curtains falling, veiling the room in amorous shadows.
Ye Lan gently laid Mu Xi on the soft, large bed, her fingertips lingering on Mu Xi’s sweat-dampened cheeks, as if admiring a delicate work of art.
Mu Xi was forced to endure Ye Lan’s kisses and caresses.
Her body was weak and limp, unable to resist, only able to let out faint whimpers, like the low cries of a trapped beast.
A night of madness, as if Mu Xi was to be utterly drained.
Ye Lan was like a tireless wild beast, ravaging her wantonly, every assault laced with a sense of conquest, as if wanting to devour her whole.
Mu Xi was lost in the extreme mix of pain and pleasure, her consciousness flickering between clarity and haze, able only to clutch the sheets tightly as her body was manipulated at will.
The Bluetooth Vibrator sent jolts of tingling current from time to time, making things even worse for her, forcing her body to ride the crest of the waves helplessly.
***
Morning sunlight filtered through the pink curtains, casting a hazy glow in the bedroom.
Mu Xi woke up, her body feeling as if it had been torn apart and put back together.
Every inch of her skin screamed with soreness.
Beside her, the bed was already empty.
Only the messy sheets and the lingering scent of passion in the air silently spoke of last night’s wildness.
She struggled to sit up, her legs so weak she could barely stand.
The sound of running water came from the bathroom.
Mu Xi gave her body a quick rinse.Â
In the mirror, a haggard face stared back, her eyes ringed with red, lips swollen and bright as petals drenched in rain.
She sighed, ‘This was the fate of being a prisoner.’
Walking out of the bathroom, she saw Ye Lan already coming in with breakfast.
As always, the meal was served on a delicate tray, the food colorful and nutritionally balanced, but bland and tasteless.
Mu Xi looked at the food before her, utterly without appetite, but she knew she had no choice.
This was Ye Lan’s gift, and also her way of maintaining control.
“Eat.” Ye Lan placed the tray on the bedside table, her tone calm and brooking no refusal.
Mu Xi picked up her knife and fork, mechanically putting food into her mouth.
It tasted like wax.
She forced herself to swallow.
For the sake of survival, she had to maintain her strength.
Ye Lan sat by the bed, watching her eat with great interest, as if she were watching a show.
“Today, I’m taking you somewhere.” Ye Lan suddenly spoke, her tone laced with a subtle hint of pleasure.
Mu Xi looked up at her in confusion and asked, “Where?”
“You’ll know when we get there.” Ye Lan stood and walked to the wardrobe, picking out clothes for Mu Xi.
In the end, she chose a pure white dress with a simple design that highlighted Mu Xi’s innocent charm, making her look like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.
Mu Xi changed and followed Ye Lan out of the bedroom.
The two walked through lavishly decorated corridors and took the elevator down.
When the elevator doors opened, a cold, damp air rushed at them, completely different from the luxury upstairs.
“Dungeon?” Mu Xi’s face changed slightly, a hint of unease in her voice.
She had a vague idea of Ye Lan’s intentions.
Ye Lan’s lips curled into a cold smile.
She didn’t speak, only motioned for Mu Xi to follow.
The dungeon entrance was hidden deep in the woods behind the Manor, a winding, shadowy path leading down into the earth.
The air was thick with the stench of rot and blood, mixed with the dampness of earth—a nauseating combination.
Mu Xi stuck close behind Ye Lan, her heart pounding, an inexplicable fear welling up inside.
Inside, the dungeon was dark and damp.
On either side of the narrow passage, rough stone walls loomed, with a few dim oil lamps barely illuminating the surroundings.
Mu Xi covered her nose and mouth, fighting the urge to vomit, her terrified gaze sweeping over the prison cells.
The prisoners seemed to have not seen sunlight in ages, their skin so pale it was nearly translucent, eyes hollow and hopeless.
Hearing movement, they all looked up, gazing numbly at Mu Xi and Ye Lan, their eyes utterly devoid of light, as if their souls had already withered away.
A man in rags, hair matted and dirty, his face unrecognizable.
He reached a bony, stick-like hand through the iron bars, filthy nails extended, and let out a slurred plea toward Mu Xi: “Help… help…”
Mu Xi recoiled in fright, her face growing even paler.
Ye Lan looked on in satisfaction at Mu Xi’s terrified expression, her smile deepening.
She wanted Mu Xi to see—this was the fate of those who defied her.
Here, life was as cheap and fragile as grass.
She wanted Mu Xi to understand that only by obediently listening could she protect that beautiful skin of hers.
Mu Xi instantly shrank back like a startled rabbit, hiding behind Ye Lan, clutching tightly to the hem of Ye Lan’s clothes, her voice trembling and choked with tears: “Master, it’s so scary here, Mu Xi is scared…”
Her voice was soft and sweet, the end trembling, and with her porcelain-doll-like face, she looked all the more pitiable.
Ye Lan seemed to enjoy this, her lips curving up, eyes filled with amusement.
She gently patted Mu Xi’s hand in reassurance.
“Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”
In one of the prison cells, a woman was curled up in the corner.
Upon hearing the commotion, she slowly lifted her head.
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