Mu Yue Ran kicked the bedroom door open and tossed Yuchuge onto the large bed. She watched the girl sit cross-legged on the quilt, looking utterly bewildered. Unable to hold back any longer, Mu Yue Ran reached out with her "sinful" hands, pinned Yuchuge down, and stripped off her everyday clothes—leaving only a tiny camisole and white stockings on her legs.

Don’t ask why she didn’t remove the socks—just call it a kink.

A wicked grin spread across Mu Yue Ran’s face. Primal desire radiated from her every pore. The impulse she could no longer suppress drove her to "strike ruthlessly" at this innocent beauty.

Poor Yuchuge was shoved under the covers. Her small body curled into a tight ball before the thick quilt pressed down on her.

Huh?

Yuchuge blinked up at Mu Yue Ran, who was tucking her in. Confusion flooded her heart. Mu Yue Ran merely patted her head, her voice laced with reluctant affection: "Stop fussing. Sleep."

"I won’t do anything to you. And I won’t sell you off for money either."

*[Tch. Boring.]*

Ignoring the System’s sigh in her mind, Mu Yue Ran simply wanted Yuchuge to rest. Besides, she was exhausted herself—too drained for any mischief.

After settling Yuchuge, Mu Yue Ran left the room. She’d planned to sleep in Ji Yueyi’s bed, but after living together so long, she knew Ji Yueyi had a slight cleanliness obsession. The couch it was.

Slumped on the sofa, Mu Yue Ran scrolled through her phone, sending off photos snapped at the banquet. Drowsiness crept over her. She yawned, pulled the sofa cover over herself, and curled into a corner, drifting into dreams.

Steady breaths filled the quiet living room. Then—a door clicked open. Yuchuge stepped out of the bedroom. Her hollow gaze swept the room, lingering briefly at the front door.

She took a step toward it—then pulled back, frozen in place.

Two paths now stretched before her. One led to the door. Step through, escape this kidnapper, and within hours, House of Yu would find her. Back to that gilded bedroom. Waiting. Until her wedding day. Until she "contributed" to the family.

The other path ended with a woman—the one who’d ripped her from House of Yu. She’d promised not to return her. Promised this could be her new home.

For some reason, Yuchuge didn’t doubt Mu Yue Ran’s words. Just like on that tree branch—she’d leapt willingly into her arms.

Helplessness washed over her like nightfall. Memories surged:

*"You’re not like other children. They have lives, families. What family do you have? You were born to serve House of Yu! Learn the rules! Don’t shame us when the time comes!"*

*"School? I hired the finest tutors, yet you crave squeezing into some shabby classroom with commoners? Yuchuge, when will you grow ambition? Act like the young mistress of House of Yu!"*

*"Yuchuge, you only need to obey me!"*

Yuchuge trembled slightly. The sting of the teaching rod, the bruises blooming on her skin—it all flared anew. Her hand instinctively reached for painkillers. Then she froze. She wasn’t at House of Yu anymore. Her mother wouldn’t "teach" her again.

But realizing this, Yuchuge crumpled like a puppet with severed strings. She sank to the floor, unable to move by her own will.

Moonlight suddenly spilled through the window, bathing Mu Yue Ran in silver. It draped her sleeping form like a luminous robe, gilding her peaceful features.

Yuchuge stared. Slowly, she dragged herself toward the sofa. She lifted the cover. Reached out. Slid her hand into Mu Yue Ran’s.

Finger by finger, she pried Mu Yue Ran’s hand open—just enough space for her own. Then she laced their fingers together, tight.

Yuchuge climbed onto the sofa, settling into the dip Mu Yue Ran’s body had made. The small hollow perfectly cradled her frame. She curled up, tucking herself against Mu Yue Ran’s chest.

Her limbs were stiff. Her thoughts, tangled. Trapped like a puppet. So Yuchuge placed the strings controlling her into Mu Yue Ran’s hand.

*This… is fine.*

At least—she didn’t hate it.

In her sleep, Mu Yue Ran felt a warm little furnace press against her. Instinctively, she pulled it closer. The sudden squeeze buried Yuchuge’s face between Mu Yue Ran’s breasts.

Yuchuge’s hot breath ghosted over soft skin. Mu Yue Ran’s breathing hitched—a low, unconscious whimper escaped her lips.

Yuchuge lifted her head. The air smelled faintly sweet. She rested her chin on the soft mounds, filling the valley between them.

Her white-stockinged legs clamped around Mu Yue Ran’s thigh, rubbing restlessly. A delicious comfort, laced with faint itchiness, flooded Yuchuge’s body—making her feel human again.

Only when the storm calmed, the dew settled, did Yuchuge wipe the tears from her eyes. Exhausted, she finally closed them.

...

Morning sunlight woke Mu Yue Ran. She blinked sleepily, trying to stretch—then froze. Her arm was numb. Utterly lifeless below the shoulder.

*Oh crap. I’m Yang Guo now.*

Panicked, she yanked the sofa cover aside with her good arm. Her limb was still there—but draped over it like a "Little Dragon Girl" was Yuchuge.

This alone wouldn’t faze Mu Yue Ran—people climbing into her bed was routine. But before she could wake Yuchuge, a voice echoed from the door—"*Guo Xiang*’s" voice.

"Yue Ran Jiejie? Are you home?"

"Strange… it’s almost noon. Still asleep?"

Ji Yueyi, locked out, knocked again. No answer. Sighing, she lifted the doormat—grabbing the spare key hidden beneath.

Inside, Mu Yue Ran heard the sharp *click* of the key turning. She looked down at Yuchuge clinging to her, clothes rumpled.

The death knell sounded in her ears.