Pearls

The falling pain grew more intense, yet it intertwined with another tremor. Chi Li felt as though he had fallen into a place of water and fire, his soul pulled apart by two opposing forces.

Si Jinyan knew every part of him too well, learning without instruction.

Chi Li's voice was hoarse. As the waves receded, the pain gradually gained the upper hand, growing ever more intense.

Only Chi Li's reflection remained in Si Jinyan's golden eyes, along with desire.

Unconcealed.

Utterly irrational.

It hurt. Si Jinyan was still continuing, and Chi Li found it harder and harder to breathe. He vaguely sensed that something was wrong and stopped Si Jinyan. "Si Jinyan!"

"Stop."

"Let me go."

Chi Li's voice was hoarse, yet those few words seemed to trigger some switch in Si Jinyan. The next second, Si Jinyan coiled around him even more tightly, using not only his tail but also both arms to constrict Chi Li.

Although Si Jinyan had stopped those movements, Chi Li was squeezed until he ached. His breathing, which had yet to recover from the lingering effects, seemed to become difficult again.

Chi Li knew why it hurt. Before coming in, Lu Jiu had mentioned it to him. Chi Li had fallen silent for a moment before saying only, "It should never have existed."

> Lu Jiu said, "I know. We still need to resolve it through a safer method... Chi Li, contact me if anything happens. You can't just tough it out."

After waiting for a moment, Chi Li sensed Si Jinyan showing signs of starting again. He weighed it for a moment, sweat from the pain beginning to seep from his forehead, before finally pressing the metal connector on his wrist.

In the office, Lu Jiu sprang from his chair and ordered