A soft, warm presence suddenly pressed against his back—familiar, enveloping.

Yun Jiumo hugged him from behind. Her slender arms, delicate as lotus roots, clamped around him like iron vices, pinning him completely.

Mo Xuan: "…"

He never could figure out why Yun Jiumo moved without a sound, or why she loved ambushing him with hugs from behind. It always startled him—a mischievous prank.

He appreciated her care, sure, but the cost was zero privacy. What if she popped up while he was doing something shady, eyes gleaming with intense scrutiny? He’d be scared to death!

"Done?" Mo Xuan tried to shift his arms—only to freeze in embarrassment. He couldn’t move an inch.

Pathetic. Outmuscled by a woman.

Yun Jiumo rested her chin on his shoulder, gave a slight nod, and let her gaze drift to the tattered diary. A scornful smirk curved her crimson lips. "Still attached to her?"

Her voice remained honeyed, yet threaded with an unmistakable chill.

"She’s gone," Mo Xuan murmured, his eyes dimming a fraction, irritation flickering within. "No matter how many conflicts she had with you before—it’s over. Let it go."

Warm, even breaths tickled his neck. A soft, cold snort. Yun Jiumo fell silent.

Her arms tightened. Her ample chest pressed flush against his back. Her gaze swept to the bedside table—delicate brows furrowing uncontrollably.

The vibrant honey pomelo tea sat untouched, dewdrops glistening on its surface.

"You didn’t drink it?" Her voice carried a trace of irritation.

"Oh. Forgot."

In an instant, Yun Jiumo released him. Long legs carried her across the room. She snatched the glass, strode back, and thrust it toward him. "Drink." Her tone allowed no refusal.

Her intensity put him on edge. He eyed the familiar drink, then her solemn face. Unease prickled deep inside.

"I’ll drink it later." For the first time, he hesitated to touch his favorite beverage.

Yun Jiumo’s eyes narrowed. Rose-red irises glinted with faint crimson light. The moment his guard dropped, she jammed the rim to his lips, forcing it open.

Mo Xuan stumbled back, nearly falling.

But her bizarre behavior chilled him more than the stumble. *Something’s wrong with the drink.*

Lips sealed tight, he retreated desperately.

He wiped juice from his mouth, voice sharp. "What are you doing?"

"You’re so eager for me to drink it… Did you put something in it?"

Just a careless complaint—but in that split second, he caught a flicker of something strange in her eyes. He froze.

The stunning woman, draped loosely in a thin coat, said nothing. She gripped the glass tightly, eyes shadowed with quiet resentment.

"No… It can’t be…" Mo Xuan didn’t know whether to cry or scream.

Trembling, he pointed at her, gaze locked—terrified one blink would mean forced submission.

"What’s *in* it?"

"Nothing much. Just a bit of Chinese herbal medicine." Yun Jiumo’s face showed no guilt. Her voice stayed sweet. "Harmless to body and mind."

"I’m not sick! Why give me medicine?" Relief flickered—ancestral wisdom couldn’t betray its own blood, right?

Then her next words plunged him into ice.

"It only weakens stamina. Makes prolonged exertion impossible." She ignored his paling face, gaze dropping lower. A faint smirk touched her lips. "Though… it has a *benefit*. Makes *that* part… more ambitious."

A deafening buzz filled Mo Xuan’s skull. He swayed. *That’s why I can’t lift a chair… can’t run…* He’d blamed nightly exhaustion.

Yun Jiumo stepped closer, glass held like a witch offering a poisoned apple. Her lush lips whispered chilling words: "Long-term use creates dependence. Skip a dose? You’ll grow terribly weak. I planned to taper it… but you noticed."

"Why?!" Mo Xuan trembled backward until cold wall met his spine. Trapped.

"To keep you by my side… forever." She smiled—a rain-kissed lily, flawless body half-revealed, radiating mature allure. Her gait was elegant… yet predatory. A bloodthirsty beast baring fangs.

"You’ve always wanted to leave. No matter how I begged. Maybe you just need air… but if I’m not with you? I. Will. Not. Allow. It."

"I thought it through. If you won’t stay willingly… I’ll make sure you *can’t* leave. Make you depend on me."

"This medicine is perfect. Won’t harm you. Just saps strength. Even if you escape… you won’t make it past this villa’s gate. Hehe~"

Mo Xuan was chilled to the bone.

For the first time, raw terror seized him. Had every step, every thought since high school, been part of her design?

He’d chased her relentlessly—classmates whispering "pathetic lapdog" behind his back. After they got together, *she* became the devoted one. Always by his side. Fulfilling every wish. Uniforms, lingerie, weekends lost in hotel rooms… He’d rationalized it: *She’s moved by my sincerity.*

Now he saw the truth. The chase. The relationship. All scripted.

And these daily cups of honey pomelo tea… drugged since when?

He swallowed hard. Breath hitched. Limbs turned to jelly. He slid down the wall onto the floor.

Psychosomatic? Or the medicine kicking in?

Yun Jiumo crouched before him, brushing his bangs aside. She gazed into his terrified eyes, smiling calmly.

"Darling. Drink your tea."

She lifted the half-full glass. Rich pomelo fragrance rose between them.

"Drink. Sleep. Everything will be fine. Hold me if you’re scared. After work, we’ll travel anywhere you wish. I’ll be with you."

She leaned close, whispering like a lover, tongue tracing his earlobe.

He shuddered.

"Get it away!"

With a desperate swipe, he knocked the cup aside. Grabbed the cabinet. Bolted like fire chased him. Stumbled to the door. Fled without looking back.

He was truly terrified.

His devoted wife—so unfamiliar. So dangerous. Drugging his drink… just to keep him forever.

A lunatic. She’d lost her mind.

In the silent room, the candle flame stilled. Faint light glowed on Yun Jiumo, motionless as stone. Juice trickled down her cheek, amber-bright.

She rose slowly. Opened the cabinet. Pressed the remote.

All doors and windows from floor one to four sealed shut. Only the rooftop remained.

Her discarded coat lay trampled underfoot. She didn’t glance back. Ambling to the doorway, she listened as his footsteps faded.

She brushed her cheek, gathered the juice on her fingers, and slowly licked them clean—a blissful sigh escaping her lips.

"Darling… you’ve been naughty," she murmured. A hazy mist swirled in her eyes.

Then her crimson lips curved. Smile blooming like a flower. Eyes gleaming like a wolf’s.

"Well then…"

"Don’t blame me."