They swung their tools with numb precision, each strike echoing dully through the air, like tireless machines caught in an endless cycle of repetition.
From their vacant expressions and mechanical movements, Mu Xi keenly sensed that these miners were little more than cheap labor—tools stripped of dignity, existing solely to feed Ye Lan’s insatiable greed.
Ye Lan left Mu Xi in the car, treating her like a prized pet.
She fastened a collar around Mu Xi’s neck, secured it to the vehicle, and pocketed the key before striding into the depths of the mine.
Through the car window, Mu Xi observed the world outside.
She saw the miners bow to Ye Lan with reverence, like subjects before their queen, their eyes brimming with awe and submission.
Clearly, Ye Lan was the master of this gold mine, the sovereign who held these worker’s fates in her hands.
‘With a gold mine this vast, no wonder she can afford that opulent estate,’ Mu Xi mused.
A spark of an idea flickered in her mind.
“This could be my chance.”
If she could pilfer enough wealth from Ye Lan, perhaps she could bribe the miners, harnessing their strength to aid her escape.
But such a plan would require a fortune—an unimaginable sum.
Her lips tightened as a wave of helplessness washed over her.
Why did everyone else’s rebirth journey seem to sail smoothly, blessed with cheats and triumphs, while hers was fraught with obstacles?
Was she truly cursed to play in hell mode?
The car window was half-open, and a breeze carried the gritty scent of the mine’s dust, brushing roughly against Mu Xi’s cheek.
She wasn’t some pampered heiress, but even she found this environment hard to digest.
As she reached to close the window, a young miner caught her eye.
His features were plain, yet there was a rugged masculinity about him.
Sweat and dust mingled on his face, etching lines of hardship into his weathered skin.
He approached slowly, pausing by the car, his gaze settling on Mu Xi.
She, in turn, studied him.
Could he be one of Ye Lan’s spies, sent to watch me?
Suspicion gnawed at her, but the man stepped closer, flashing a wide grin that revealed a row of white teeth.
“You’re really pretty.”
His voice was rough, almost boyish, carrying a hint of naive sincerity, as if his mind hadn’t fully caught up with his age.
But Mu Xi was no naive ingénue.
This man worked in Ye Lan’s mine—who’s to say he wasn’t sent to test her?
She turned her head, ignoring him entirely.
No words, no emotions.
That was the safest way to prove she harbored no rebellious thoughts.
Whether he was Ye Lan’s pawn or not, Mu Xi couldn’t afford to reveal her desire to escape.
The man, met with her silence, shuffled off with a sheepish look.
She thought he was gone for good, but moments later, he returned, clutching two steaming buns and a box of fragrant stir-fry.
Stir-fry!
Trapped in Ye Lan’s pink prison, Mu Xi hadn’t tasted hot food in ages.
Her diet of cloying cakes and pastries had dulled her senses, leaving her palate numb.
Now, the aroma of that dish—a vibrant medley of green peppers, golden scrambled eggs, and glistening chili oil—teased her senses like an invisible hand, stirring her hunger.
She swallowed hard.
The eggs were coated in rich sauce, the peppers crisp and tender, the spicy oil’s bold fragrance invading her nostrils, igniting her appetite.
Noticing her wide-eyed stare, the man grinned again, his expression guileless.
“Want some?”
Mu Xi snapped out of her trance, giving a slight nod.
He stood by the window, holding the boxed meal and offering her a pair of chopsticks.
Her fingers twitched, eager to dig in, but caution flared.
What if the food was drugged?
Or worse, what if this was another of Ye Lan’s tests?
Ye Lan had restricted her to sweets.
If she disobeyed and was caught eating this, punishment would surely follow.
With a quick shake of her head, she waved him away.
The man looked puzzled, scratching his head before turning to leave.
As he did, he glanced back with another goofy smile.
“Heh, you’re really pretty.”
***
Some time later.
Deep within the mine, the air was damp and cold, the rock walls flickering under the glow of mining lamps.
Ye Lan’s graceful silhouette emerged from the shadows.
She stepped out, her black leather outfit dusted with flecks of gold that shimmered faintly in the dim light, like stars scattered across her frame.
Unfazed, she walked toward the car parked nearby.
Inside, Mu Xi sat obediently in the passenger seat, docile as a tamed kitten.
When Ye Lan appeared, Mu Xi flashed a sweet, innocent smile, pure enough to melt even the hardest heart.
“Sister, you’re back.”
Ye Lan’s expression softened.
She reached out, her fingers gliding through Mu Xi’s silver hair, trailing down to her delicate cheek, where she gave a gentle pinch.
Mu Xi leaned into the touch, her cherry lips parting to place a soft kiss on Ye Lan’s cheek.
The unexpected gesture sparked a flicker of surprise in Ye Lan’s eyes.
Then, seizing the moment, she cupped Mu Xi’s face and claimed her lips in a fierce, consuming kiss.
The kiss was commanding, almost ravenous, as if Ye Lan sought to devour her entirely.
Mu Xi’s head spun, her breath stolen, nearly suffocating in the whirlwind of sweetness.
Just as she teetered on the edge of collapse, Ye Lan released her.
This was, after all, a desolate wilderness—not the place to indulge such desires.
She started the engine, and the car rumbled down the rugged mountain road.
Mu Xi gazed out at the scenery flashing by, then spoke suddenly.
“Sister, I want some gold.”
Ye Lan, hands on the wheel, glanced at her with a trace of curiosity.
“Gold? What for? You can’t spend it here. Be good, and I’ll ensure you’re draped in luxury, wanting for nothing.”
Mu Xi pouted, shaking her head.
“I don’t know why. I just like it—the way it sparkles. Even if it’s useless, I want it. Please?”
Ye Lan’s lips curved into an indulgent smile, her voice low and magnetic.
“Fine. If you want it, it’s yours.”
Mu Xi’s eyes lit up, a grin tugging at her lips.
She hadn’t expected her wish to be granted so easily.
Her heart leapt—coquetry worked on Ye Lan like a charm.
But Ye Lan’s next words doused her excitement like a bucket of ice water.
“However, you’ll need to pass a test first. One hundred strikes. No crying. Do that, and I’ll grant your wish.”
Mu Xi’s smile froze, her face stiffening.
One hundred strikes?
The mere thought sent a phantom ache through her, let alone the challenge of enduring without tears.
It felt harder than scaling the heavens.
Ye Lan caught the shifting emotions on her face, a playful smirk curling her lips.
“What’s that? Got a problem?”
Mu Xi shook her head frantically, her voice trembling.
“N-no, I… I’ll try not to cry!”
Ye Lan chuckled, reaching over to pat her head, soothing her like a startled fawn.
“You little thing. You’re getting cuter by the day. Losing your memories has made you delightfully naive.”
Memories?
Mu Xi’s heart stirred.
True, she carried the memories of her past life, but this body’s original owner—her past was a blank slate.
What was going on?
Had her rebirth come with amnesia as a side effect?
Her brows furrowed as she sank in thought.
Who was the original owner of this body?
And what history did she share with Ye Lan?
These questions shrouded her mind like a dense fog, urging her to uncover the truth.