After an unknown stretch of silent darkness, Xia Chuan finally woke up.

His vision blurred at first, then slowly cleared. Gradually, he realized his surroundings.

This was a pitch-black room. The darkness wasn’t from night; thick curtains blocked most outside light.

Though dim, the room’s outline was still visible.

Looking around, Xia Chuan felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

The room’s size nearly matched his own, yet the layout was completely different. Wait!

Suddenly, he knew where he was. Though not his room’s layout, it felt intensely familiar.

This was Mo Yao’s room!

Why was he here? He remembered falling asleep in his own room last night.

Confused, Xia Chuan tried to move but found himself bound. He was tied to a wooden chair, able to only rock slightly back and forth.

Instinctively, he gasped, but his mouth was stuffed with a wad of cloth. It carried a strange smell that filled his nose.

Muffled sounds were all he could make.

What’s going on? That was his only thought. He was utterly bewildered. Why here? Why tied up? What did Mo Yao have to do with this?

He had so many questions, but no one was there to answer.

Usually calm in crises, Xia Chuan now felt a flicker of panic. Helpless, he could only sit and wait.

Just as he felt lost, the door opened.

A beam of light cut through the darkness as a figure entered. Unaccustomed to light after the dark, Xia Chuan squinted slightly.

The door closed quickly, plunging the room back into darkness.

The sudden shift disoriented him. Before he could adjust, he heard a familiar, crisp voice:

"Xia Chuan, you’re awake?"

A girl’s voice, laced with delight, made him look up.

Even in the dark, he clearly saw the familiar black-haired figure.

It was Mo Yao.

Her face was flushed, a faint smile on her lips.

Seeing her unsurprised by his state, Xia Chuan guessed she was behind this.

He wanted to ask why, but the foul-tasting cloth silenced him. He could only rock the chair vigorously.

"Come on, Xia Chuan. I bought xiaolongbao for breakfast."

Ignoring his struggles, Mo Yao slowly approached.

Xiaolongbao? If she was feeding him, she’d have to remove the cloth. Then he could question her.

Xia Chuan waited as she drew near.

When she stood before him, he expected her to remove the cloth. Instead, she sat on his lap.

The soft pressure made his face flush crimson. At seventeen, he was still a virgin.

Mo Yao faced him, her exquisite features close. Xia Chuan couldn’t fathom her intentions.

Then, she showed him.

Mo Yao opened a bag, gently bit one end of a xiaolongbao, and leaned in.

As her face neared, Xia Chuan understood.

To confirm his suspicion, Mo Yao pressed her body against his chest.

She carefully removed the cloth, then thrust the xiaolongbao into his mouth—along with her tongue!

Her tongue swirled in his mouth, leaving him blank-minded.

He could feel her greedily sucking his saliva.

After what felt like forever, Mo Yao slowly withdrew. A silvery strand of saliva stretched from her tongue before snapping.

"Xia Chuan~ Was it delicious?"

Mo Yao panted lightly, her face red, eyes dazed as she gazed at him.

Staring at this familiar yet strange person, Xia Chuan found no words, even with the cloth gone.

------------------------------------------------------------

"Why? Mo Yao..."

As Mo Yao prepared to feed him another xiaolongbao, Xia Chuan whispered.

"What why, Xia Chuan~" Mo Yao smiled.

"You know what I mean. Why tie me here?"

Xia Chuan tried to sound calm, but his voice trembled slightly.

"......."

Mo Yao fell silent. Her blush faded, eyes downcast, avoiding his gaze.

"If you won’t talk, at least untie me. This is really uncomfortable."

Seeing her sadness, Xia Chuan softened, but she couldn’t just bind him without reason.

Plus, with her sitting on his lap, his lower body was reacting!

"No......"

"Huh?"

Xia Chuan grunted in confusion.

"No," Mo Yao whispered. Even in the dark, he saw her eyes glistening red.

"If I don’t tie you down, Xia Chuan, you’ll leave me forever. You will......"

Her words stunned him. He didn’t understand, but seeing her like this, his heart ached. Before he could speak, Mo Yao stuffed the cloth back in his mouth.

"If it’s like this now, you’ll stay by my side, right?"

Mo Yao smiled, gazing at the boy.

Finally, she stood up and hugged his head.

Xia Chuan’s face pressed against her chest, but no warmth came—only the cold drip of tears on his hair.

Mo Yao’s tears.