Baby

A Bad Woman's Kink

At a busy intersection, a black sedan sped past. Instead of pulling into the hotel's underground garage like the other cars, it tucked itself beneath the hotel's outer wall, out of the cameras' view.

The woman in the passenger seat wore a black baseball cap and a mask. Her fitted white T-shirt and gray high-waisted jeans were plain and simple, but on her they radiated youthful energy.

Sitting in the car made her jeans pull tighter, tracing the rounded curve of her hips.

The man beside her stared until his mouth went dry. He couldn't help resting a hand on her knee. "Yueyue, I..."

He wanted to tell her it had been so long since they'd seen each other. He missed her.

Ever since Jiang Yue had married that woman and gotten their marriage certificate, she'd found endless excuses not to see him. Even whether she answered his calls or messages depended on her mood.

Marriage had never been part of their original plan, but that woman was conservative. She would never get pregnant without a marriage certificate.

They had finally made it this far. Once the four Snake Eggs had formed, they could finish their plan and be together openly.

But somewhere along the way, Jiang Yue's ambitions had grown. She wanted fame. She wanted to be a star, though she barely knew the basics of any talent she had. If she made it big, would she really still be with him?

When his hand landed on her knee, weariness and impatience rose in Jiang Yue's eyes behind her sunglasses. She swatted it away. "How many times have I told you? Stop touching me. He Zhiwen is nursing, and her sense of smell is sharp. If she smells another snake on me, how am I supposed to explain it?"

She wouldn't even look at the man beside her. Instead, she took a bottle of unidentified liquid from her bag and poured some onto a handkerchief.

His heart lurched at the sight. He immediately thought of the female star he'd lured to the hotel. "Yueyue, what are you..."

Jiang Yue cut him off. "Can you stop fussing? You're a grown man. It's not like I'm killing anyone. I told you, I'm just giving Mi Ning a scare. Nothing's going to happen to her. With that little nerve, how are you ever going to make something of yourself?"

The woman before him was only in her early twenties, and her face had hardly changed since she was seventeen or eighteen. Yet that familiar face now seemed strange to him.

Jiang Yue hadn't been like this before. She'd had a mischievous streak, but she'd never done anything cruel. Now she'd told him over the phone to smash the baby snake that lacked Spirit Snake genes to death, and she'd had him lure out a female star from her company to teach her a lesson—all because the woman had said a couple of things she didn't like.

Since starting university and getting involved with online influencers, Jiang Yue had grown vain and obsessed with keeping up with others. No amount of money was enough for her. She was nothing like the girl she'd been in high school.

Even so, he loved her beyond saving and willingly helped her do anything she wanted.

Jiang Yue put the chemical away in her bag, got out of the car, and headed toward the hotel, keeping her cap pulled low the whole way.

She had deliberately chosen a hotel in a building full of shops. If a staff member asked her for ID to register, she could pretend she was a customer visiting a shop on another floor and slip in without it.

After finding Mi Ning's room, Jiang Yue knocked. The instant the door opened, she shoved her way in and shut it behind her.

Caught off guard, Mi Ning fell to the floor. When she saw who had come in, humiliation and anger surged through her. Before she could let loose, a handkerchief clamped over her mouth and nose, terrifying her into a violent struggle.

Jiang Yue seized her hair, pinned the back of her head, and pressed the handkerchief down hard.

In less than thirty seconds, Mi Ning went limp. Her mind remained clear, though, and she lay sprawled on the floor in terror. "What... what do you want?"

Jiang Yue dragged her onto the bed and opened her phone's camera. "Not much. Just two things. First, I'm taking your song. Second, speak to me politely from now on. I don't like being shouted at."

She stripped off Mi Ning's clothes, bra included, and took photos while mocking her. "Why are you dressed so slutty, Mi Ning? Was it for President Luo? What a shame she didn't get to enjoy the view. I'll share these with her when I get the chance."

Mi Ning had mocked her in the practice room for getting in through connections. So she was just angry she didn't have any connections of her own.

Humiliated, Mi Ning lay helpless on the bed and could only let Jiang Yue do as she pleased. She'd never imagined a single remark would bring this on her.

"Oh, and if you want to expose me, go ahead. Then the whole world can see these gorgeous photos of you. Victim or not, you'll be a slut who tried to seduce a company executive. President Luo is married, you know. I don't need to explain what the internet can do to someone, do I? If you don't mind getting blacklisted, be my guest."

Jiang Yue would never have done this without being certain Mi Ning wouldn't give up the stardom she'd worked so hard to attain. Besides, the company was preparing to promote her heavily. At a time like this, she wouldn't dare let a scandal break.

Once she'd taken the photos, Jiang Yue held the phone in front of Mi Ning so she could admire her handiwork. "How's my photography? Did I capture that 'please enjoy me, Master' look?"

Mi Ning's face went white. She wanted to snatch the phone away, but she didn't even have the strength to move a finger.

Jiang Yue packed up and was about to leave when she noticed the dark hatred in Mi Ning's eyes, along with contempt and mockery. Mi Ning looked down on her as though she were some stray animal off the street.

That struck a nerve. Jiang Yue returned to the bed, yanked Mi Ning onto the floor, and planted a Black-and-White Plaid Velvet high heel on her face. She ground the sole against it in warning. "Look at me like that again, and I'll ruin your face. Got it?"

Mi Ning went pale with fright. Biting her lip, she trembled and didn't dare look at Jiang Yue again.

Jiang Yue gave a smug snort and finally left the hotel.

Back in the car, the man drove her home. Afraid someone might see them, he stopped by the roadside well before they reached her place.

As Jiang Yue began unfastening her seat belt, he asked with a shred of hope, "Yueyue, can I have a hug?"

His voice was almost pleading.

Jiang Yue got out without looking back. She never spared him a glance.

As the elevator climbed, Jiang Yue put her cap, mask, and Sunglasses into her bag one by one.

When she returned to their room, He Zhiwen was folding clothes. Seated on the sofa, she picked garments from a mound and folded them one at a time, carefully sorting them into outfits.

Clothes suitable for dancing went together, casual clothes in another pile, and outfits for promotional videos in a third. Sorting them alone was exhausting work.

He Zhiwen had more patience than most. Even while doing something so tedious, she wore a gentle smile.

When she saw Jiang Yue come in, her expression softened further. "Yueyue, I asked around about your coworkers. Lan Qianqian has been in the industry for years. She gets along with everyone, has a mild temper, and should be easy to work with. Mi Ning has quite a following overseas and is developing her career back home now. She may have a bit of a temper, so there could be friction. Try not to spend time with her outside of work."

She'd spent time and effort asking friends and former classmates in entertainment to find out what they could. But she didn't know anyone well established in the industry, so she had only scraps of information to go on. She'd pieced those together with gossip online to form a rough impression.

It might not be much use, but doing it made her feel involved in Jiang Yue's work.

Jiang Yue sat on the sofa and drained a glass of ice water. Normally, the two of them couldn't keep their hands off each other. Tonight was different. Jiang Yue had sat there for some time without saying a word.

Sensing something was wrong, He Zhiwen put down the clothes in her hands. "What is it? Did something happen at work?"

Jiang Yue had some dance training and could play Western musical instruments. She'd been popular at school, but her skills were nothing compared with Mi Ning's, who had come from a girl group.

Thinking Jiang Yue had suffered a setback, He Zhiwen encouraged her. "It's all right. This show is only a stepping stone in your career. You're still so young. You'll have plenty of chances, so don't put too much pressure on yourself."

He Zhiwen was gentle, cheerful, and warm. Being with her felt like basking in sunshine all day.

Unfortunately, none of that warmth could reach Jiang Yue, who was selfish and cold to the bone.

She stared at He Zhiwen and suddenly asked, "What about Xing Yue?"

He Zhiwen had found out which coworkers would be easy to get along with, yet had left out Xing Yue.

He Zhiwen's expression faltered. She turned back to the clothes and resumed folding. "Well... Xing Yue has a good temper and treats people kindly. She studied vocal music, too. She's nice, but she's quite a bit older than you, so you might not have much to talk about. Just get along with her as you normally would."

Jiang Yue watched her back, her gaze icy and edged with anger, as though He Zhiwen had already betrayed her somehow.

She didn't lash out. She merely said, almost lightly, "My wife."

Those two words made He Zhiwen's expression change at once. She had clearly remembered something. She clasped her hands nervously. "You... you know?"

It was no secret that she'd had a girlfriend for seven years, but she hadn't told Jiang Yue that she'd met with her ex. Nothing improper had happened, yet keeping it secret left her feeling guilty.

That left He Zhiwen feeling panicked. She wanted to say something but didn't know where to begin.

Jiang Yue wrapped her arms around He Zhiwen from behind and drew her close. "Honey, that's all in the past. You don't have to worry about me getting angry. I'm not that petty. Teacher Xing is just as you said—a good woman who works hard. I can learn a lot from her. Why would I be upset?"

She was being so magnanimous, even agreeing with He Zhiwen's praise of Xing Yue.

He Zhiwen's heart remained unsettled, and she felt even worse. Something felt off.

When she looked up at Jiang Yue's face, the young woman gave her the same tender smile as always. He Zhiwen had seen that expression for two years. No matter what happened, Jiang Yue always treated her the same way, with endless affection.

She used to find it sweet. Now she found it strange.

"Are you really not angry?" she asked, her limbs growing cold.

Jiang Yue didn't answer her question. She bent to kiss her, resting a hand over He Zhiwen's chest. Her voice came out husky and breathless. "Have your breasts started swelling today? The little ones won't be born for another two months. Want me to help? Mm... I want to spoil my wife."

The sensations soon swept away He Zhiwen's thoughts, and Jiang Yue carried her to the bed.

He Zhiwen hadn't wanted children so soon. Part of her had even resisted the idea. But Jiang Yue had told her she wanted to be a mother, that she loved baby snakes, that she wanted to marry her and spend the rest of her life with her...

As a professional, Tan Xiang'e had complete confidence in her skills. She applied anesthetic across both of Xing Yue's legs, then prepared to begin cutting.

A machine stood in the room. Its screen showed clear markings and patches of Snake Scales. Unfortunately, the image was black and white, so their color was impossible to make out.

With the gauze removed, Xing Yue's legs were covered in marked lines. Looking at them, she thought Tan Xiang'e might as well be carving flowers into her skin.

"I'm about to start. Have you arranged for Miss Bu to come? Without a Snake Tongue to lick the wounds, it'll hurt badly once the anesthetic wears off. You won't be able to walk." The pain relief afterward was crucial. Tan Xiang'e had to draw out the growing nerves cut by cut, and without the Snake Tongue's healing, the wounds wouldn't close.

Xing Yue wouldn't be able to walk normally.

"She'll come later. It won't hold us up," Xing Yue assured Tan Xiang'e.

But the company's rules allowed only one assistant, and Xing Yue had given that spot to Tan Xiang'e. Bu Yao could no longer get in. At first, Xing Yue had assumed the rules wouldn't apply to Bu Yao, forgetting that Bu Yao was at odds with her family. Unless Madam Bu relented, no one could bend the rules.

Just ten minutes earlier, Xing Yue had still been coaxing her over the phone.

"Stop crying, and don't go to your mom. I can manage on my own." Xing Yue had a Snake Tongue, too. She could heal herself.

It would just take a lot more effort.

Bu Yao was sulking, her voice thick with tears, like a delicate flower battered by rain. "No. I want to come see you! He Zhiwen lives next door to you. What if you two rekindle things?"

"She lives with her wife. How would I even get the chance?" Xing Yue couldn't help laughing.

Bu Yao cried harder. "Oh, so you mean if He Zhiwen weren't living with her wife, you would have a chance?"

"That's not what I meant... All right, all right, I was wrong. I shouldn't have said that. I was wrong about everything. Will you give me another chance, my lady?"

It took a great deal of coaxing to calm her. In the end, Bu Yao demanded a video call so she could watch Xing Yue lick her own wounds to heal them.

"You really want to watch?" Xing Yue asked. Imagining the sight, she teased, "You're so naughty, my lady. You actually want to watch me lick myself? What kind of bad woman has a kink like that? Not me. I only think about it. I'd never say it out loud."

That woman was picking up bad habits.

Only after Xing Yue teased her a little did Bu Yao's mood improve. Otherwise, who knew how long she would have cried?

Tan Xiang'e began cutting. Thanks to the generous amount of anesthetic, Xing Yue felt relatively little pain during the procedure. It hurt, but the pain wasn't as sharp as she'd imagined.

She'd expected blood to pour everywhere, but it didn't. Tan Xiang'e only opened the surface of the skin slightly, carving the curves of Snake Scales along the marked lines. Thin traces of blood seeped out, but it wasn't especially gory.

By the time Tan Xiang'e finished the minor procedure, her back was soaked with sweat. It wasn't particularly difficult, but it demanded patience, precision, and rigorous technique.

"Thank you for your hard work, Doctor Tan. Go get some rest." Xing Yue sent her away.

Her face was frighteningly pale, and her legs were covered with herbs to stop the bleeding. She had to leave them on for half an hour before she could lick the wounds with her Snake Tongue, but the anesthetic wouldn't last that long. Pain had already drained the color from her lips. She breathed shallowly, afraid to draw a deep breath. The slightest movement tugged at wounds all over her legs, sending cold sweat pouring down her skin.

Xing Yue didn't dare move at all, much less heal herself.

Sweat ran into her eyes. Trembling with pain, she called Bu Yao. "Baby, you'd better go home and beg Mom."