“So you’re waking up like this, huh? Fine, fine, fine…”

A hint of helplessness flickered across Zhou Jiuyu’s face. He wasn’t sure if snapping back to reality right now was a good thing.

This time, it really felt like *that kind* of dream—a beautiful girl stripping naked before you, just as you lean in… then drifting awake in a haze. Dreams like that are always incomplete.

Buzz—

Just then, the phone on Zhou Jiuyu’s nightstand vibrated.

No need to guess who it was from.

Definitely 【Xiao Lü】.

“Huh?”

But when he unlocked the screen, his expression shifted to surprise for a moment.

The message wasn’t from 【Xiao Lü】—it was from 【Akizuki Airi】.

【Akizuki Airi: Good morning, Jiuyu-kun】

“How unusual.”

Zhou Jiuyu raised an eyebrow slightly. He was about to reply “Good morning” when another notification popped up.

This time, truly from 【Xiao Lü】.

He tapped in immediately.

【Xiao Lü: Awake?】

【Zhou Jiuyu: Mm.】

【Xiao Lü: OK. Time to score this dream. Guess what you got?】

【Zhou Jiuyu: At least this time… I passed, right?】

Compared to last time, he’d unveiled the full truth of the “Fallen Despicable Fairy” scheme to Nan Mengling, even awakened her Ninth Tier ability. Next stop: City No. 1 for final training before the showdown.

Not everything was wrapped up yet—but Mengling’s state was undeniably better than when she first left Sword God Mountain.

She understood the modern world now. Grew stronger. Every deception around her was exposed. Things were moving forward.

【Xiao Lü: Sorry. Score: 59. Still a fail.】

【Zhou Jiuyu: ?】

Zhou Jiuyu’s face froze in disbelief.

He’d expected a low score… but *59*? Barely missing the mark?

Frowning, he typed fast:

【Zhou Jiuyu: Why? The score’s based on Mengling’s emotional knots, mood, state—right? Yeah, she had rough moments, but I *resolved* her knots!】

【Zhou Jiuyu: Her father’s death, mother’s death, the Sword God’s cuckold fetish and motives—I showed her *everything*. Nothing missed.】

【Xiao Lü: Nothing missed… for the *past* Nan Mengling. Not the present one.】

【Zhou Jiuyu: What do you mean?】

【Xiao Lü: Hint: Before, her heart held only three people—father, mother, master. Now? One more.】

【Xiao Lü: She’s not careless. She’s willing to sleep with you. What do you think she sees you as?】

Zhou Jiuyu gripped the phone, silent for a long while, then typed:

【You’re saying… I became her emotional knot?】

He sent it. Waited. No reply.

Sometimes silence *is* the answer.

As minutes passed, Nan Mengling’s strange behavior on the mountain today clicked into place in his mind…

He’d been arrogant. Thought guiding her to truth, mapping her revenge path, walking her out of shadows—that was salvation.

He missed one thing.

He healed *past* Mengling perfectly—from his god’s-eye view.

But *current* Mengling? She’d changed. While cutting ties with the past… she’d let someone new in. *Him*.

Nan Mengling never hid her feelings. She liked him. Wanted forever. To bite his fingers, kiss his lips, make love beneath storm and sky.

“Maidservant”? She’d long stopped seeing herself that way.

Not a personal maid.

Not a bed-warmer.

Not even a couple.

From the moment they descended the mountain. From the moment they made that vow…

Nan Mengling had already become his—

—doll.

Zhou Jiuyu’s breath hitched. He remembered Sword God Mountain. The moment Mengling drew her sword against the “Sword God.”

It wasn’t her *choosing* him.

She had *no choice* but to choose him. To trust him.

Even if he lied—she’d still follow.

That’s why her eyes were dim.

Only when the “Sword God” confessed did her gaze brighten: *He didn’t lie. He’s trustworthy.*

But the joy lasted seconds.

After killing him, she recalled her own hand…

She didn’t strike from pure trust. She struck because *“even if he lied, he’s all I have.”*

Nan Mengling wasn’t foolish. She knew right from wrong. Knew not to follow a liar—yet she did. Helplessly. Inevitably.

And in that instant, she realized:

She’d always been a doll.

Her father’s death made her her mother’s doll. Her mother’s death made her the Sword God’s doll. And now… *his* doll.

That’s why her spirit dimmed after. Realizing she was just a pitiful puppet, she seemed to surrender—future, thoughts, all meaningless…

“She thinks… leaving the future to me is enough. So she’s handing *herself* to me.”

Zhou Jiuyu sat on the bed’s edge, clutching his hair. *Now* he saw her knot.

Him.

…But not just him.

This foolish maidservant—why so sharp where it hurts most?

Still… utterly foolish!

“Nope. Gotta sleep again.”

He couldn’t wait till evening. This idiot maid would drive him mad first!

He conjured two sleeping pills with his ability and swallowed them.

But the pills were slow. Anxiety coiled tighter—the more he tried, the less he slept.

Creak…

The bedroom door opened. Akizuki Airi peeked in, pajama-clad, golden hair spilling over her shoulders. Their eyes met.

Seeing him awake, her lips tightened between pearly teeth: “You *were* awake! Why ignore Airi’s message? Liar!”

Zhou Jiuyu’s eyes lit up. “Step on me!”

“Huh?!” Airi blinked, hands on hips. “Answer Airi first! You said we’re friends—why no reply?!”

“Good morning good morning good morning… Honorable Lady Airi!” Zhou Jiuyu rushed. “There! Replied! Friends help friends—*step on me*. Hard.”

“Huh?!” Airi froze, face twisting. “Y-you… have a weird fetish?!”

“No! Can’t nap. Just step—*hard*—so I pass out.”

“You…!” Disgust flashed across her face. “Pervert!”

A smooth, fair foot shot toward his forehead—unrestrained force.

“Stepped… good…”

Dizziness swallowed him. He collapsed onto the bed, surrendering to the pills and darkness. Eyes closed.

“You… you okay?! *You* told me to step! Hey?! Don’t faint!!”

Airi leaned close, panic in her voice.

But Zhou Jiuyu heard nothing.

In his vision, the dream sharpened again.

The girl’s pale, naked form reflected once more in his pupils.