"May, if someone threatened you using what’s between us… what would you do?"

It was just a whim, but Chen Yaoyi asked anyway—a hint of mischief in his tone. May’s expression turned incredulous.

"Well, no matter what, I’d choose self-preservation. Don’t worry—I wouldn’t sell my body for you, even if it meant your social death or arrest. Don’t even think about it."

May answered without hesitation. As she spoke, she lifted the fruit knife she’d been using. A cold glint flashed. The girl licked her lips.

He’d asked this suddenly back in the hospital.

Logically, the last mission shouldn’t bleed into this one. Yet for some reason, Chen Yaoyi couldn’t shake the unease.

But pondering this at all proved he was tired—deep in post-coital clarity.

"Ha… ha…"

Lu Zixuan’s breaths came ragged and unceasing. Her chest rose and fell sharply. Tonight had been overwhelmingly intense. And Chen Yaoyi, true to his blond persona, was exceptionally skilled and enduring. Despite her youth, Lu Zixuan had already tasted multiple mind-blowing moments.

She clutched the thin blanket over her flushed skin, mouth parting with each shaky inhale, eyes locked on the ceiling.

She never saw this coming.

After getting home that afternoon, the first thing she did was lock herself in her room and wonder why she’d agreed.

She shouldn’t have. But she did. No matter—just text him she wasn’t coming. After wrestling with it awhile, she sent the message.

Chen Yaoyi replied instantly: "It’s fine. I’ll wait for you."

He seemed to have skimmed right past her hundred-word apology—and the three repeated "I’m not coming." Just: "I’ll wait for you."

Three words. Her thoughts shattered.

By 7 p.m., she was still stubbornly refusing. Chen Yaoyi sent no follow-ups. But around 8:30, flushed and flustered, she lifted her skirt—offering a fleeting glimpse beneath—and stood before the naked Chen Yaoyi.

Then… she nearly blacked out.

Chen Yaoyi gazed out the window, lost in thought about May. Lu Zixuan stared at the ceiling, slowly regaining strength.

He’d thoughtfully set out lemon water and functional drinks.

Gentle at first. Then, once she adjusted, he shifted completely. Her masochistic tendencies had, of course, been fully exposed.

Thanks to the blond’s signature traits—well-endowed, highly skilled, enduring—their battle lasted three hours before a victor emerged.

Naturally, Chen Yaoyi claimed total victory. Still, he admired her resilience and quick learning. Truly, as a doujinshi character, everything about her rated "A"—except, perhaps, her IQ and figure.

Honestly, the shift from initial resentment to quiet submission and satisfaction… was deeply compelling.

Unlike Chen Yaoyi’s straightforward pleasure, Lu Zixuan’s first post-bliss thought was how to explain this to her family… and Xia Tianle.

A wave of guilt crashed over her. Tears welled at the corners of her eyes. Her breathing steadied—but the tears wouldn’t stop.

Her sobs were soft, barely there. But in this quiet room with only two people, Chen Yaoyi heard every whimper.

*Is this cheating? Pre-marital cheating? If I marry Tianle someday and he finds out I’m not… What then? Just not marry him? No! Then I’d have no reason to exist! What do I do?! There’s no going back…*

Too many thoughts swirled inside her.

Guilt toward Xia Tianle. The incomparable pleasure from Chen Yaoyi. She no longer recognized herself.

"Do you like Xia Tianle?"

Chen Yaoyi watched the girl tasting this tangled pain for the first time. He reached out, gently tracing her cheek—from earlobe to lips, nose, finally resting on her neck.

Not to choke. Just caressing the marks he’d left.

"I don’t know… I think I do. But he doesn’t need me. I feel like a tool. Yet… I can’t say I don’t love him. I know it’s contradictory."

The last words sounded like a struggle.

Chen Yaoyi couldn’t claim to understand others’ hearts. So he offered no hollow "I get it." Just silent presence as she spoke.

"My heart’s racing. It aches. Like when I was little, stealing candy and almost getting caught. Strange… but also… freeing. Like all that pressure finally lifted."

"If I stop liking Tianle… I won’t know why I stay in school. Why I go home. Why I even live."

"If you really want to make me yours… just tell me what you’re thinking. Okay?"

She turned pleading eyes to him. Chen Yaoyi smiled and shook his head.

"No. You’re not my thing…"

He saw her confused frown but continued gently.

"You’re a whole person. You choose—hit me, curse me, accept me—but not because I say so. Understand?"

Her eyes stayed clouded with doubt.

"You decide what to do now. You judge what to do tomorrow. Don’t look to me. Don’t ask me. Don’t wait for me—"

She’d always moved only when commanded. Making her own choice now felt impossible.

"It’s alright. The night’s still long. Decide just one thing."

Chen Yaoyi smiled, shifting into a playful battle stance. His arms coiled around her frame. He licked his lower lip.

"Eh?! No! Again?! It’s 1:30 a.m.! Can’t we just… sleep? Sleep!"

"Is that your decision?"

"Uh…"

She stared at his face, glanced down quickly, then back up.

"O-one… more… time?"

Flushed, avoiding his gaze, her whisper trembled.