A phone?
When did Ju Zhenli get it?
Could it have been when I placed her shirt next to the bathtub?
Did the phone just happen to slip out of the clothes’ pocket?
Damn it, how could I forget about that!
Qin Huan didn’t dare to look back now, afraid that if she turned around, that eerie purple heart would transfer directly into her eyes.
By that point, she’d probably just be left going ‘ohoho,’ right?
“Xiao Huan~ What’s wrong?”
The sound of splashing water came from behind.
It was probably those long, white, and straight legs of Ju Zhenli’s causing trouble.
[Qin Huan, I suggest you turn around, meow. It might not be what you think, meow.]
This damn Miao Heavenly Emperor, does he want me to lose so badly?
Qin Huan was furious for a moment, but upon careful thought, besides turning around, there really was no other way…
“Miao Heavenly Emperor, can I see this CG?”
Qin Huan wisely chose to watch the CG.
If she got into a spat with Miao Heavenly Emperor and he didn’t release her consciousness, what would she do if she couldn’t see the CG?
Wouldn’t that be a pointless defeat?
[Sorry, meow. Ju Zhenli’s Golden Finger is too overpowered, I can’t help you, meow. And this might not necessarily be the Brainwashing APP, meow. Qin Huan, you’re overthinking it, meow. Hesitation leads to defeat!]
Charge!
Qin Huan decisively turned her head.
What entered her vision was…
The eerie purple heart!
Damn it! Miao Heavenly Emperor misled me!
Accompanied by waves of convulsions in her body, Qin Huan’s consciousness gradually blurred as the purple heart spun.
Why does it feel like I can’t muster any strength at all?
What did Ju Zhenli do to me yesterday?
Qin Huan’s consciousness gradually returned.
She instinctively tried to sit up, only to find her hands cuffed behind her back with leather restraints.
What?!
Qin Huan twisted her body in panic.
“Ding ling.”
A bell sounded from somewhere.
Qin Huan then realized she was actually wearing a pink bell collar, with a silver-white chain connecting it to the handcuffs.
Does the restraint technique have to be this proficient?!
Footsteps seemed to be coming from outside the door.
Probably Ju Zhenli, hearing the bell, coming to check on the situation.
“Xiao Huan, how are you feeling? I’m really sorry, last night I…”
Ju Zhenli pushed the door open and walked in, wearing only a white shirt.
The hem of the shirt barely covered her thighs.
Her wet, long hair was draped over her shoulders, water droplets trickling from the ends onto the white shirt.
She was still holding a towel in her hand; she had clearly been bathing just moments ago.
“Master… last night… what happened?”
Qin Huan’s voice was a bit unnatural from just waking up.
Even though she could already imagine the tragic state of last night’s battle, she still asked the question.
“Last night, you suddenly turned around and looked at me, then fainted.”
Ju Zhenli draped the towel over her shoulder, turning slightly to look at her.
“I checked you over. There’s nothing wrong with your body, but you kept talking in your sleep, saying things like ‘Miao Heavenly Emperor, save me.'”
Ju Zhenli chose to hide the information about the Golden Finger.
That’s not good…
But the most crucial thing is, why was I calling for Miao Heavenly Emperor?
[Qin Huan, it’s because you love me so much, meow! Friendly reminder, Ju Zhenli’s favorability increased by 20 points last night, meow! We are the champions, meow!]
“So how much did the Golden Finger Development Progress increase?”
Qin Huan felt the increase in development progress wouldn’t be small.
After all, Ju Zhenli concealed this information, clearly having felt the convenience of the Golden Finger’s abilities.
[It increased to 15%, meow. The Obsession Degree also increased to 85, meow. But, Qin Huan, I believe you can definitely succeed in conquering Ju Zhenli, meow!]
Just shut up for now, Miao Heavenly Emperor!
I’m already in a precarious situation myself, how can I talk about conquering anyone?
Seeing Qin Huan silent, Ju Zhenli leaned in a little closer.
The collar of her shirt opened slightly with the movement.
Out of the corner of her eye, Qin Huan caught a glimpse of snowy white.
“Um… Master… could you untie me first?”
Qin Huan shook her cuffed hands behind her back.
“No.”
Ju Zhenli’s reply was crisp and decisive, even carrying a hint of it being taken for granted.
“Master, did I do something to upset you?”
Qin Huan could only choose to show weakness for now.
After all, the current Ju Zhenli was no longer that drunk little girl…
Ju Zhenli reached out, her cool fingertips gently tapping Qin Huan’s forehead.
“Xiao Huan, who is Miao Heavenly Emperor?”
“My ordinary big orange cat…”
Qin Huan muttered softly.
“Xiao Huan, look into my eyes and say it again…”
Qin Huan looked into Ju Zhenli’s eyes and repeated it expressionlessly.
After all, in others’ eyes, Miao Heavenly Emperor is just an ordinary big orange cat.
She wasn’t exactly deceiving Ju Zhenli.
She was still that kind and pure beautiful girl!
Ju Zhenli suddenly sighed, her whole body seeming to deflate as she leaned over, resting her forehead on Qin Huan’s shoulder.
“Xiao Huan, do you know, I’m actually… very scared.”
Qin Huan was stunned.
She could feel Ju Zhenli’s body trembling slightly.
This usually elegant, composed, and aloof young lady now seemed like a wounded kitten, curled up against her shoulder.
“Xiao Huan, I’m so scared. I’m scared you’ll disappear from my life again, like before…”
She lifted her head, her eyes slightly red.
Only then did Qin Huan notice that Ju Zhenli’s eyes, which were usually cold and distant, now looked fragile, as if they would shatter at a touch.
“Um… I won’t leave Master again.”
Qin Huan lied guiltily.
Her existence in Ju Zhenli’s memories was fabricated.
Everything she was showing now was also just to conquer Ju Zhenli.
Ju Zhenli nodded gently.
“Xiao Huan, I will protect you.”
Ju Zhenli said, word by word.
“Forever.”
But…
“Master… how about you take this collar off me first.”
Qin Huan ventured.
“No.”
“Why not?!”
“Because…”
Ju Zhenli turned her face away, the tips of her ears slightly red.
“It looks really good on you.”
Qin Huan: “?”
What kind of wild talk is that?
Ju Zhenli seemed to realize what she had said.
She cleared her throat lightly, regaining her usual aloof demeanor.
“I mean, I won’t take it off until I’m sure you won’t leave again.”
What kind of twisted logic is that?
Qin Huan opened her mouth to retort, but saw Ju Zhenli had already stood up and was walking towards the door.
“Master?”
Qin Huan called out to stop Ju Zhenli.
“Bathing.”
But Ju Zhenli didn’t look back, only tossing out two words.
“I hadn’t finished earlier when your bell sound drew me over.”
“Then at least untie me first!”
“No~pe~”
The door closed, leaving a bewildered Qin Huan behind.
[Qin Huan, being disciplined by a cold, aloof young lady must feel amazing, meow!]
Where the heck is your focus, you bad cat?!
Though…
It does feel pretty amazing…
[But did you notice, meow? There was a key point in what Ju Zhenli just said, meow.]
What key point?
Is Miao Heavenly Emperor finally going to exert some effort?
[She said, ‘until I’m sure you won’t leave again.’ The subtext of that sentence is that she won’t let you go home, meow.]
Qin Huan fell silent.
She looked down at the pink collar around her neck.
This thing was clearly meant to control her, yet a strange sense of security inexplicably welled up in her heart.
[Qin Huan, this is a sign of being influenced by the Golden Finger, meow. If you lose too many times around Ju Zhenli, you’ll become completely unable to leave her, meow.]
The door seemed to be pushed open again.
The sound of the door opening interrupted Qin Huan’s thoughts.
She looked up to see the door cracked open a sliver.
Ju Zhenli peeked half her head in, her wet hair clinging to her cheeks.
“Xiao Huan, do you want to… bathe with me?”
“Master… I’m handcuffed…”