A sudden tension surged within him, a deep, soul-stirring dread of danger.

But Lu Huai didn’t scream.

A voice inside warned: showing any instinctive reaction before this girl was useless—it would only amuse her more.

His gaze still flickered away, unavoidably.

Yet his mind quickly stilled.

Xu Wenxi watched him calmly, the knife tip gently tracing his cheek, utterly indifferent to the risk of a slip.

The faint post-shower scent clinging to her skin, the warmth radiating from her body—Lu Huai felt a dizzying haze wash over him.

She was a top-tier beauty; her mere presence carried an intoxicating allure, like an aphrodisiac.

As if heaven crafted such perfection solely to showcase divine artistry… Hmm. Then why pair it with such a twisted heart?

“…Miss Xu, playing with the knife like that—you might cut your fingers.”

*What a humiliating thing to say. Lu Huai, have you really sunk this low?!*

“Call me Your Majesty.”

“Your Majesty.”

Lu Huai stopped questioning himself. Sometimes, survival mattered more than pride.

“How pragmatic of you, Classmate Lu Huai.”

Xu Wenxi withdrew the knife and settled into the computer chair behind her.

Lu Huai’s instinctive glance took in her outfit: an off-shoulder tee revealing smooth, fair shoulders. The delicate hollow of her collarbone begged attention—*swim three laps in it, at least*. The neckline accentuated curves far too tempting for her age.

He needed real willpower to steady his racing pulse.

Barefoot, one long leg casually propped up, her tiny toes painted rose-red.

*Innocent yet seductive.*

Student-aged, fresh-faced, no makeup—yet radiating that aura… *Must’ve been dumped by countless jerks*, Lu Huai thought bitterly. *(Though tricking her probably wasn’t easy.)*

“Here.”

Something flew at him.

Too slow to dodge, it thwacked his forehead—but his hands, held near his stomach, caught an apple.

“Hahahaha… Idiot.”

Xu Wenxi laughed, especially at Lu Huai clutching his head, staring blankly at the apple.

He glanced at her, then the fruit. Ignoring the sting, he bit.

*Couldn’t refuse.*

“It’s sweet.”

He even forced a compliment.

Her eyes instantly darkened, sharp with irritation.

“Who told you to eat it?”

“Uh…?”

Lu Huai froze mid-chew, helpless.

“I told you to *peel* it. You ate *my* apple?”

Annoyed, her bare foot tapped faster against the floor.

“I’ll give it back…”

*Thud!*

Her heel slammed his calf—a sharp, desk-leg-in-winter pain.

Xu Wenxi didn’t flinch. Lu Huai was the one clutching his leg, sucking in a breath.

“Do you think I’d eat after you?!”

“Then…”

“Li Yuanyuan! Ten more apples!”

Staring at the pile of apples and the knife now in his hand, Lu Huai’s spirit shattered.

He glanced at Xu Wenxi’s cold smirk.

“…Eating this many isn’t healthy… How about dinner instead…”

Xu Wenxi smiled—icy, yet mesmerizing.

“No dinner until they’re all peeled.”

Lu Huai gripped the knife. *I’d rather peel her.*

The thought jolted him.

*Even if I did… I wouldn’t live tomorrow. My parents—innocent—labeled a murderer’s family. A deeper injustice.*

So he peeled. Clumsily.

After twenty minutes, he offered a grotesquely skinned apple.

Xu Wenxi eyed it, then him reaching for the next, and waved dismissively.

“Never mind. I didn’t call you here to peel apples. Practice at home.”

Lu Huai dropped knife and apple instantly, nodding earnestly.

“I will, Miss Xu.”

“*Your Majesty.*”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

*Don’t get used to this, Lu Huai. Never forget the shame!!*

Relief washed over him—no inhuman treatment.

*And no Stockholm syndrome. I’d die of shame if I did.*

Xu Wenxi powered on her computer. Launched *Jian Dan Qin Xin*. Logged in. Joined voice chat.

“Oh? Our heroine’s here.”

“Yes~ Good evening, Guild Leader!”

Online Xu Wenxi and real-world Xu Wenxi were two different people.

*Poor Guild Leader… that sweet voice belongs to a demon!*

“By the way, haven’t seen Fei Hua lately. Know where he is?”

*Someone noticed me? SOS, Guild Leader… save me!*

“No idea~ Maybe busy with work?”

*Yeah. Working for a demon!*

“Sigh… Guild’s short a fighter. Join the guild battle?”

“Nope. Prepping for arena matches.”

“Alright, I’ll organize the battle. Bye~”

*Angel and demon, fused.*

Just listening sent chills down Lu Huai’s spine, a faint nausea rising.

Xu Wenxi swiveled around, eyes glacial.

“Standing there? Come work.”

“…”

Lu Huai obeyed silently. No spare chair. She barely shifted hers. He stood stiffly before the screen.

“Play arena matches for me.”

“Just… like this?”

A small attempt to reclaim dignity.

Xu Wenxi’s smile turned dangerously sweet.

“Prefer my chair? I’ll massage your legs too?”

“Standing’s fine. Good for the waist.”

Bent awkwardly, arms stretched, Lu Huai controlled her character.

Before the first match began, Xu Wenxi chirped:

“Do your best~ Lose a match, lose a piece of clothing. How you leave tonight? *Your* performance decides~”

“…I’ll try.”

“Such a good boy~”

“My duty, Miss Xu—"

“Hmm?”

“Your Majesty!”

Match after match.

Her PvP gear wasn’t endgame, but her Tier 5 account faced weak opponents. Lu Huai’s Tier 11 skill made it smurfing—effortless domination.

Except his legs trembled. Sweat streamed down his temples despite the AC. *I need to work out*, he vowed mid-game.

Her faint, warm scent drifted close.

Then—hot breath against his ear, voice dripping faux innocence:

“Hey… why use *that* skill?”

“He’s out of CC. All-in now. Time his cooldown, land your control for max burst… *hiss*—"

“Huu~ I see.”

*Again.* His ears burned crimson. His body shuddered.

But not one loss.

Clothes stayed on. *Professional pride intact.*

He saw through her: not learning. Just tormenting him. Smiling when he flustered.

*Childish. Joy built on my shame.*

After ten wins—her rank jumped Tier 5 to Tier 8—Lu Huai swayed, legs jelly, waist aching.

Then, angelic words:

“Enough.”

He stumbled back, collapsing onto the sofa, panting. *Gaming… is this exhausting?!*

“Ten wins. Impressive.”

“Your account… was smooth…” he gasped, missing the dangerous glint in her smile.

“But I’m annoyed you won’t leave stripped naked. What to do?”

“…”

*Can’t strip myself to prove loyalty?!*

*This is cruel!*

Seeing his stunned face, Xu Wenxi laughed.

“Kidding.”

“Phew…”

“But now I’m tempted.”

“…”

“Still kidding.”

“Hehe…”

“Louder.”

“Haha…”

“*Heartfelt* gratitude for my mercy.”

“HAHAHAHA!!”

Shame forgotten, Lu Huai threw his head back, hands on hips, laughing like a wind-swept fool.

“…What are you doing?”

He noticed her phone pointed at him.

*That angle… recording.*

Xu Wenxi lowered it, smile lingering.

“Filming.”

“…Don’t.”

Her eyes turned cold.

“Are you telling me what to do?”

Lu Huai straightened instantly, voice firm and earnest.

"No, it’s tiring for Your Majesty to hold the phone. I can totally take a selfie with the exact same expression!"

Fine, I’ll take it! But when revenge comes… I’ll pay you back in full!!

Xu Wenxi simply handed him her phone.

"Go ahead. Take it yourself."

"Uh-oh…" I’ll never shoot my mouth off again!!

"Hahahaha, how amusing."

After a scornful laugh, Xu Wenxi—having witnessed Lu Huai’s string of embarrassing moments in such a short time—felt as delighted as an audience member who’d just enjoyed a skit.

"I’m in a good mood. You may leave."

Lu Huai let out a sigh of relief. Though he hadn’t eaten a single bite this late, nothing felt better than walking out of here alive.

Thank God.

Thank the Lord.

Thank the protection from the danmaku.

Truth be told, Lu Huai felt a trace of unease as he left, half-expecting traps set outside for another ambush.

Luckily, none appeared. Until the very end, Xu Wenxi was just fiddling with her phone.

Stepping out of the villa, Lu Huai gazed up at the starry sky and let out a long, slow breath.

He turned slightly, glancing back at the villa looming behind him like a demon with jaws wide open.

He clenched his fists.

"What I lost here today… I, Lu Huai, will surely reclaim another day—"

*Ding dong~*

Lu Huai froze, pulled out his phone, and saw a notification.

[Your Majesty has transferred 10,000 yuan to you.]

"Oh…"

Money talks! But it won’t shake my resolve for revenge!!

*Ding dong~*

Your Majesty: [Why are you standing out there like a fool? Don’t wanna go home?]

Lu Huai: [Sorry. I just missed you the moment I left. Need a sec to reset my mood.]

Your Majesty: [Hehe. Then stay. Plenty of rooms here.]

Lu Huai: [Gotta go collect my laundry. See you next time. Good night, Your Majesty.]

Your Majesty: [Hehe. Good night, my servant (with a cold laugh).]

Today… I, Lu Huai, choose to let you off the hook!!