In a hidden room where no one could find them, Kiana's bright snow-like hair cascaded loosely down her back.
Though the girl was drenched in fragrant sweat, her strands sticking messily to her delicate body and cheeks, she wore a proud expression, looking down at Ye Feng with the demeanor of a victor.
"Hehe, Ye Feng, now you've tasted my power, haven't you?"
"Wow, Kiana is really amazing," Ye Feng replied flatly, as if reading from a script.
"Even if you refuse to admit defeat, the final winner will still be me. Look, the number's only gone down by 3."
Kiana smugly showed Ye Feng the winterberry crest.
At the center of the crimson-patterned engraving, the number "66" stood out starkly in the middle of a red heart.
The girl braced her hands against Ye Feng's chest, lifted her chin, and glanced at the clock hanging on the wall before taunting him:
"Only 30 minutes left, Mister~ Ye~ Feng~."
"So if Kiana wins, what's your wish?"
Seeing Ye Feng's apparent concession, Kiana, now confident of her victory, revealed her true ambitions.
"Hehe, my wish is for you to agree to three conditions."
"Where did you learn that from? Ji Lin?"
It really was from Ji Lin.
During dinner earlier, the two had chatted in the Valkyrie cafeteria, and Ji Lin had mentioned something about Ye Feng promising her three requests.
So far, Ye Feng hadn't asked for a single thing.
Honestly, Ji Lin was a little worried.
Kiana clenched her small pink fist and lightly punched Ye Feng's chest.
"Where I learned it isn't your business! Anyway, if I win, you'd better keep your promise to me!"
"Then tell me, what are the three conditions?"
"First, you're not allowed to lay a finger on Mei."
"Why? Are you trying to monopolize my [beep]? Kiana, you're too greedy."
The summer night was sweltering, and the room's air conditioning wasn't on.
Kiana stared down at Ye Feng, her legs slightly bent in a horse stance, glistening sweat trickling down her forehead.
The girl made a disgusted face.
"Ew, ew, ew! Who'd want to monopolize your... your stinky thing? You're so full of yourself!" Kiana turned her head away, her eyes glistening.
"Then why?"
"Just—just don't, okay? No means no!"
Kiana's tone was stern and serious.
"I refuse. I was going to let you win this once to make you happy, but your first condition is something I can't accept."
"What?"
Kiana froze. "You're going back on your word?"
"Going back on my word? Not exactly. After all, you haven't won yet."
"There's less than half an hour left, and 66 to go—how are you going to win?"
"There are plenty of ways. But squeezing 66 into half an hour... I'm a little worried about you, Kiana."
Half an hour. Reducing 66 to zero.
...That sounded terrifying.
Kiana scoffed. "Tch, still acting tough."
"Did I never tell you? The flow of time in this world can be adjusted. Before next Monday at midnight, if the number doesn't hit zero, you'll never reach the golden truth."
"Huhhh?!"
...
...
Not long after Kiana left, Ji Lin began to feel something was off with her body.
No—something was very off.
Multiple acupoints were being assaulted simultaneously.
Ji Lin was well-versed in the body's meridians and pressure points, thanks to teachings from Chi Yuan.
The brilliant Ji Lin had even compiled a Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon based on this knowledge for future generations to study.
Yet now, she was experiencing unprecedented attacks on her pressure points.
She could sense that her assailant had a deep understanding of the human body, striking precisely at vital spots every time.
But the question was—who was doing this?
...Master Ye Feng?
Ji Lin quickly thought of him.
In this place, the only one capable of such "supernatural" feats beyond comprehension was him.
"...Master, what kind of curse have you placed on me?"
Ji Lin clenched her thighs together. The thin, snow-white fabric clung tightly to her smooth, delicate skin, outlining her voluptuous curves with tantalizing tension.
Her skin burned as if radiating a seductive heat.
Ji Lin struggled to endure the sensations, forcing herself to walk step by step toward her residence.
Though inexperienced in such matters, Ji Lin instinctively felt ashamed.
She believed her current state shouldn't be exposed to others.
"You're... Lady Ji Lin?"
A familiar voice called from behind.
Ji Lin whipped her head around, her pupils contracting sharply, her face paling slightly.
...Mei?
It was indeed Mei.
Their eyes met.
Mei—the real Mei—was here! She lived on the same floor as Chi Yuan in the dormitory, sometimes even eating meals together. If Mei found out about her current state... would she tell Chi Yuan? Ji Lin panicked.
Why now, of all times?
Ji Lin's body trembled faintly, her clothes damp with sweat.
"Are you alright? You don't look well."
Mei stepped forward, concern in her eyes.
Ji Lin instinctively retreated half a step.
The motion reminded Mei of Kiana—back then, she had acted similarly.
Ji Lin didn't notice the odd look in Mei's eyes. All she knew was that if Mei realized her abnormal state, her life would be over.
Her breath came out in a heated whisper as she gritted her teeth and spoke softly: "...This one is fine. Please pay it no mind."
"You shouldn't push yourself at a time like this. Let me take you to the infirmary."
As Mei reached out, Ji Lin flinched back, her delicate shoulders quivering.
A sound nearly escaped her throat, but she desperately held it back, curling her toes until her body almost arched like a shrimp.
Ji Lin exhaled a scorching, honeyed breath, tilting her slender snow-white neck upward. Her almond eyes were dazed, her moist cherry lips biting down on a stray lock of hair. Sweat trickled down her silky skin, pooling into tiny puddles on the floor.
Her skin now glistened as if coated in liquid silver, exuding a luscious, peach-like allure.
"Lady Ji Lin?" Mei took another step forward.
"N-No, don't touch me—"
Ji Lin felt like her body was a water-filled balloon stretched to its limit—one gentle touch, and—
"...Lady Ji Lin? Are you really okay?"
Mei stood frozen, her outstretched hand hovering awkwardly in the air.
Seeing Mei's hesitation, Ji Lin felt a pang of guilt.
She wanted to explain the misunderstanding.
But right now, she couldn't even bear to let Mei near her...
Summoning the last of her strength, Ji Lin whispered:
"I... appreciate your concern. I-I'm sorry... This one merely needs... to rest at home... I'll be fine. Really... Please, don't worry about me..."
"Mm... alright."
Mei straightened her posture and stepped aside, clearing the path.
Ji Lin walked past her in silence.
Her gait was unsteady—she looked so frail, as if she might collapse at any moment...
Watching her retreating figure, Mei couldn't help but worry: Is she really going to be okay?
Still, something about Ji Lin's condition felt eerily familiar... Was it just her imagination?
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