Xiao Wu's Scheme Succeeded

A moment later.

Dai Mubai's screams gradually subsided.

He was drenched in sweat, looking as though he had just been hauled out of water. His wet hair clung to his forehead, and his wrinkled clothes stuck to his body.

Dai Mubai stared at Zhao Linchuan in utter terror and asked frantically,

"Y-You... what exactly did you do to me?"

His voice was extremely weak, yet his hands still instinctively covered the space between his legs, not daring to let go.

"My treasure... my treasure... What did you do to it?! What did you do?!"

"I left you one," Zhao Linchuan said, raising the letter of commitment in his hand. "Sign this, now."

"Otherwise, I can't guarantee your other one will remain safely intact."

"I'll sign! I'll sign!"

Dai Mubai hurriedly reached for the letter, his gaze instinctively sweeping over the words written on it.

When he saw the words "fiancée" and "Zhu Zhuqing," he suddenly raised his head and looked at the girl in black standing beside Xiao Wu.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but Zhao Linchuan gave him no chance to speak.

"If you don't sign right now..."

"I'll sign! I'll sign!"

As though he had been burned, Dai Mubai hurriedly lowered his head, bit open his right thumb, and forcefully pressed the bloodied thumb onto the paper, leaving behind a dark red fingerprint.

"At least you know what's good for you."

Zhao Linchuan took back the letter of commitment and examined it in his hand. After confirming that the fingerprint was clear and complete, he folded it twice and tucked it into his sleeve.

He lowered his eyes and glanced at Dai Mubai before speaking slowly.

"Let's go."

With that, Zhao Linchuan turned around, took Xiao Wu's hand, and headed out of the forest. Zhu Zhuqing quickly followed.

The forest fell quiet.

Dai Mubai struggled to sit up. Supporting himself with his elbows against the ground, he gritted his teeth and inched himself upward bit by bit.

But the moment he moved, it felt as though a red-hot steel needle were stabbing and grinding back and forth between his legs.

The sharp pain made him freeze instantly, not even daring to breathe too deeply.

"That bastard... what exactly did he do to me?!"

He turned his head toward the seductive woman who was still standing dumbly beneath the tree.

"What are you standing around for?!" Dai Mubai roared, his voice hoarse and vicious. "Get back to Suotuo City and bring me a carriage and a stretcher!"

The seductive woman finally snapped out of it and stammered, "Th-Then... Young Master Dai, are we still going to go wi—"

"Go!"

Pain twisted every muscle in Dai Mubai's face, squeezing his features together as veins bulged on his forehead. Yet his hands still tightly covered the space between his legs.

"If you don't go now, I'll kill you!"

"O-Okay, I'm going! I'm going right now...!!"

By evening.

Inside the bathroom of Suite 520 at Peony Garden.

Mist filled the air, and steam billowed warmly.

Zhu Zhuqing stood beneath the shower, warm water pouring down from above and streaming along her hair, leaving winding trails of water across her porcelain-white skin.

She was very happy. Today, Xiao Wu had used a scheme in cooperation with Zhao Linchuan to win back her freedom.

Although that letter of commitment might not be recognized at all in the Star Luo Empire, at least it gave her peace of mind.

From now on, she would no longer have anything to do with that coward, Dai Mubai.

She closed her eyes and raised her head, letting the water wash over her face.

Water slid past her eyelashes and blurred her vision, but she did not wipe it away. She simply stood there quietly, feeling the faint tickle of droplets rolling down her skin.

"Zhuqing," Xiao Wu called from outside, "after you finish bathing tonight, remember to get some rest early. My brother is tired, so we won't be going out shopping tonight."

"Oh, okay," Zhu Zhuqing replied casually, reaching out to turn off the shower. The sound of running water stopped abruptly.

She picked up the towel hanging beside her and spoke as she dried her hair.

"Once I'm done bathing, I'll go straight back to my room and rest. I won't disturb your brother's sleep."

"Mm-hmm... take your time. There's no rush."

Xiao Wu replied, then opened the outer door and headed toward the living room.

About fifteen minutes later, Zhu Zhuqing emerged after washing up, dressed in pajamas.

They were a light blue silk set, with delicate white patterns embroidered around the collar and cuffs. She had picked them out herself on the street today.

The fabric was soft and smooth, cool against her skin. Only... the buttons over her chest were stretched a little tight, as though they might pop open at any moment.

The two met in the living room and nodded to each other in greeting.

Xiao Wu smiled at her, then quickly headed toward the bathroom.

Inside the bathroom.

Xiao Wu closed the door, turned around, and slowly removed her clothes one piece at a time. She folded them neatly and placed them on the rack beside her.

Stepping into the bath, she reached out and turned on the shower. Warm water streamed from the showerhead, falling over her body and splashing fine droplets across her pink "eyes."

She reached out and gently rubbed her "eyes," murmuring as she did so,

"Get nice and clean... I'm eating meat today..."

Half an hour later.

In the living room.

Xiao Wu sat in front of the coffee table, carefully dressing herself up.

She had changed into a new outfit: a white lace dress with a skirt that fell just past her knees. The neckline was cut just right—not overly revealing, yet enough to show a section of fair collarbone and shoulder.

She bent down and slowly pulled a pair of long white stockings up her thighs.

After finishing, Xiao Wu slowly straightened and looked herself over in the mirror from side to side. Then she spun around, her skirt blooming like a flower and revealing a small strip of fair skin at the edge of her stockings.

Xiao Wu nodded in great satisfaction, then took a porcelain bottle out of her Soul Tool.

Her lips pressed together slightly, her eyelashes trembled, and then she took a deep breath and pulled out the stopper.

Tilting the porcelain bottle, she poured the powder inside into the glass of orange juice on the coffee table.

The white powder fell into the golden-orange liquid like snowflakes drifting into dusk, melting away soundlessly without a trace.

She picked up a spoon and stirred gently. Only after making sure no powder remained floating on the surface did she set it down, a triumphant smile curling across her lips.

She let out a quiet giggle, picked up the orange juice, and quickly headed toward Zhao Linchuan's room.

Inside Zhao Linchuan's room.

Zhao Linchuan was reclining against the headboard with a book in his hand.

"Brother." The door was gently pushed open, and Xiao Wu entered carrying the drink. "Are you thirsty? I prepared some orange juice for you."

"I was just getting a little thirsty."

Zhao Linchuan sat up, set the book in his hand on the bedside table, and accepted the drink.

He raised the cup and took two large gulps. The sweet-and-sour orange juice spread through his mouth, and its icy coolness slid down his throat, carrying away the day's heat.

--

Listen up, everyone: I want five-star reviews. If you don't give me one, then I'll go give positive reviews to Three Kingdoms Kill instead (forum emoji, hehe)!