Xiao Qingqing had clearly seen every bit of my reaction. Her smile only grew brighter.

“You little pervy pup. You keep saying you don’t like it, but you’ve been deliberately going along with my movements this whole time, haven’t you?”

“N-No way!”

The moment she heard that, impatience showed on her face. She frowned.

“That’s enough, you filthy little dog, Xixi. I don’t like it when you struggle and resist me again and again. As my private pet, you should let me play with you. You should wag your tail like a proper pet and beg for my affection all the time. Why are you already in high school and still don’t understand something so simple?”

Hey, hey. If I did understand that, that’d be the real problem, okay?

But the overwhelming pressure coming from the girl made it impossible for me to fight back.

Just like I’d thought before, she was a perfect executioner, so perfect it felt cruel. To her, anyone else’s resistance or persistence was like a thin sheet of paper. She could pierce through it at any moment.

“And why don’t you understand this yet? I have limits to how patient I am with people. But with you alone, I’ve held back again and again. So stop making me angry. Just be good and listen to me, got it?”

“I... I don’t really get it...”

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime bargain, Xixi...-chan?”

“No! This is weird no matter how you look at it! I... I don’t want that!”

I didn’t care about any of that. This was the last shred of dignity I had left at school. There was no way I’d let her order me around however she pleased.

If I gave in again this time, she’d definitely push even further.

So I didn’t choose the spineless option of surrendering right away. I forced myself to struggle again, to resist her control one more time.

My strength was too weak, so I still couldn’t break free from her oppression. But at least I made my stance clear.

This was a man’s dignity.

But she immediately grabbed my wrist and locked down my movements with an iron grip.

Even though she was a girl, her physical strength was several times better than mine. It was honestly too miserable for words.

“I’m warning you for the last time, you little bitch dog. Stop testing the limits of my patience. Otherwise, it won’t be as simple as just exposing the photos in there.”

“Senpai... I... I didn’t...”

“Is it because my looks don’t attract you?”

“N-No!”

“Then why? Why are you so determined to resist me?”

Wasn’t that obvious? Why should a guy be bullied by a girl?

Women really were troublesome creatures. Always unreasonable, always making things difficult.

Ah, women are such a pain. Men are better...

I actually found myself missing Wang Bili’s bright, energetic smile.

I was trying to explain between my ragged breaths, when Xiao Qingqing calmly pulled out something from her waist that was enough to make me break down on the spot—

a thin, soft strap connected to a collar.

My eyes went wide. I recognized it almost instantly.

It was the dog leash she’d forced onto me yesterday in the company restroom.

The humiliating memory came rushing back, and the last line of defense around my dignity collapsed in an instant.

“Well? I’ll give you one more choice. Obey me, or let the entire school see your humiliating side.”

“Ugh—!”

A despairing whimper escaped me. I instantly went limp and looked at her with pleading eyes, even as my words still refused her.

“I... I don’t want to wear a collar, but... I don’t want to do this weird stuff either! I... Please, Master, stop making things hard for me!”

“Hmph. You really are a fussy little bitch dog.”

“No! I... I really don’t want to do it! Xixi is begging Master, please... please stop making things hard for Xixi!”

“You really don’t want to?”

I nodded hard, my face full of unwillingness and grievance.

“Why not, Xixi? Go on. Tell me.”

“I... I don’t want to be forced into doing all kinds of things I don’t want to do. I may be a million in debt and completely broke, but I still have my own dignity. What you’re doing makes me feel... really uncomfortable.”

I gathered up my courage and finally said what was in my heart.

Sure, her face and figure were flawless, but I wasn’t some masochist. There was no way I wanted to become some strange beautiful girl’s pet like this.

At the very least, I had to resist a little, right?

If I really couldn’t resist anymore... then maybe I could lie down and enjoy it...

I thought saying that would definitely make her angry.

But to my surprise, she actually looked happy, even relieved. She even started clapping.

“Congratulations, Xixi. You’ve passed my test.”

“Test? What test?” I was completely dumbfounded.

“If you had really thrown away your dignity and become livestock, I would’ve been utterly disappointed in you. I would’ve ruined your little mushroom, then sent you to Thailand for surgery, and had you make money for the company as a real girl.” Xiao Qingqing explained leisurely. “But this time, I’ll count you as a man. You still have a trace of human bottom line and stubbornness left. From now on, I’ll trust you more, and let you help me with more things.”

So that was it!

My balls ached with delayed fear. Thank god I held out just now.

“So all of this was part of your plan? You were setting me up from the moment I walked in?”

“Of course.”

Xiao Qingqing said it without the slightest guilt. She even looked delighted as she explained.

“Xixi, you don’t understand. The person I want to trust can’t be some low-level beast driven by desire. So, for now, you’ve earned my approval.”

...This devil girl...

“You passed my test, so I should give you a matching reward.”

“A reward? Mm—!”

Before I could react, she leaned in again. Her sweet scent slipped into my nose—

“This time, it’s bonus fanservice.”

Fanservice? What fanservice?

“Close your eyes.”

“Oh...”

I obediently closed my eyes, my heart full of confusion.

Then suddenly, I felt a cool, soft touch brush across my cheek, carrying the faintest trace of a heartbeat.

Could that be...?

My eyes flew open at once, panic written all over my face.

But Xiao Qingqing had already pulled a short distance away. She wore a teasing smile.

“Did it feel good?”

“Mm...”

Rather than feeling good, it was more like... I was completely caught off guard.