Chapter 49: I’m here!

(Today five updates, asking for a few monthly votes isn’t too much, right brothers?)

“Uh… are you alright?”

He Qiu turned around, asking with a bit of confusion.

Why does this Meng’er girl seem so preoccupied?

She wasn’t even looking where she was walking.

“N-no, I’m fine…”

Zi Menghan lowered her head, not meeting He Qiu’s gaze, her voice tiny and delicate.

Because she had almost stumbled just now, and He Qiu had grabbed her arm to steady her.

Plus, He Qiu was observing her expression with great curiosity, so Zi Menghan was feeling extremely awkward.

Just a second ago, she had been fantasizing about holding hands, wrestling with her inner feelings…

Being scrutinized suspiciously by the person involved in such a situation made Zi Menghan feel like a dark secret had been exposed, her shame exploding.

Her small face slightly flushed, the girl was about to burst.

“Young Master He, Meng’er is really fine!”

As she spoke, Zi Menghan nudged He Qiu toward the pavilion door, changing the subject to divert attention: “Th-that, this must be the pavilion where Young Master He lives, right? Ah, it’s so elegant~”

“Oh, is that so…”

He Qiu pushed open the wooden door, gesturing for Zi Menghan to enter.

The latter cautiously followed him in, her hands clasped nervously behind her back, fingers twisting the hem of her clothes, her face showing inexperience and unease…

To be honest, this was also her first time staying overnight at a boy’s house.

In the past, her greatest extent of contact with men was limited to flattering smiles and light, teasing flirtation.

During her previous life of fleeing and infiltration, Zi Menghan had also seduced some Righteous Path cultivators with charming smiles, but most of it was just superficial disguise:

She would often disguise herself as an enchantingly beautiful courtesan, wearing a dark purple sheer lace gown, performing a small dance as an accompaniment, and finally, under the moonlight while toasting with wine, she would point to her crimson lips, lightly lift her skirt to reveal a few centimeters of skin above her knee, and cast a sidelong, shallow smile from behind her veil…

With these small, detailed actions, Zi Menghan was naturally gifted with expressive features; she could play any role convincingly.

She didn’t need much experience to truly act like those famous, glamorous women, seducing those Righteous Path cultivators until they couldn’t hold back, approaching like lustful dogs, craving the “Princess’s” reward.

At that point, Zi Menghan would silently reveal a flash of silver light from her thigh, a cold smile playing on her lips, provoking those Righteous Path cultivators to take one more step forward.

Then, the plot would be revealed, she would sound the signal, and lead countless Demon Sect assassins who had been lying in wait for a long time to surround and assassinate the Righteous Path cultivators.

In the end, they wouldn’t even get to touch a single strand of her hair, dying with their eyes wide open…

These underhanded tricks were something Zi Menghan was proficient in, tried and true.

But the premise was, she wanted to betray, she dared to betray.

Currently, her relationship with He Qiu was not that of hunter and prey, but rather the reverse—a little white rabbit and a trap.

Not to mention that Young Master He’s cultivation was unfathomably deep, and with Zi Menghan’s poisoned injury, could she even win a fight?

Furthermore, this place was deep within the Longyin Sect.

Even if Zi Menghan succeeded in an assassination, where could she run?

Even if she ran, it would still be a dead end.

Moreover, could she bring herself to do it?

She couldn’t. Although she wouldn’t admit it herself, deep down she regarded He Qiu as a “benefactor” and an “antidote.”

It was a contradictory feeling of both gratitude and resentment, and she herself couldn’t sort out the reason for these emotions.

Under these two preconditions, Zi Menghan had no motive to strike.

In summary:

She knew how to seduce men with charm.

She knew how to stir a man’s desire to conquer, capture a man’s heart, lure him into taking the bait and exposing a flaw, thereby achieving her own goals.

But all these past underhanded tricks were now completely ineffective against He Qiu.

So what should she do?

Besides lust and seduction, what other modes of interaction are there with men?

She grew up living in dark environments, only exposed to the two ways of dealing with men mentioned above.

She believed men were tools to be used; if not used, they lost their value as chess pieces.

So what should she do?

Like the romance novels describe, a maid and a young master, sharing tender moments, caring for each other with warmth?

No, no…

That kind of mode was something a little demoness like Zi Menghan couldn’t play at.

Just thinking about it made her blush and her heart race.

It was too shameful to even consider.

But from now on, she had to live with He Qiu for a while.

Not only that, she also had to play the role of a “maidservant,” serving Young Master He well without revealing any flaws…

Zi Menghan had no experience!

She simply didn’t understand!

And, with a man and woman living together, how would Young Master He arrange Zi Menghan’s accommodation?

Where should she sleep at night?

Wh-what if Young Master He asks her to share his bed at night?

How should she handle that!

Surely, she, a dignified Demon Sect Princess, wouldn’t really give her first time to this Righteous Path cultivator just to save her life, right?

If necessary, if it’s Young Master He…

It doesn’t seem that unwilling…

No, no, what am I even thinking!

I heard Young Master He is a scumbag; he just dumped the Primordial Saintess today.

In private, he’s probably two-timing who knows how many women.

As a member of the Orthodox Path, his thoughts are filthy, and his body probably isn’t as clean and pure as mine, a Demon Sect Princess.

His first time must have been gone long ago; he has no self-respect or self-love at all!

If Zi Menghan really gave her “first blood,” she would be the one suffering a huge loss.

If that scoundrel He Qiu later refused to take responsibility, pulled up his pants and ran away, what would she, a fallen Demon Princess with no one to rely on in the midst of Righteous Path sects, do then?

She wouldn’t be pure anymore!

She wouldn’t be able to marry!

She’d be held by He Qiu for the rest of her life!

The more she thought, the more frightened she became.

Zi Menghan hugged her chest, her body beginning to tremble slightly.

Beside her, He Qiu sat down and poured two cups of tea.

Seeing the young girl’s strange expression, he lightly tapped the table twice with his knuckle to get her attention.

“You’re called… Meng’er, right?”

“Ah, yes, yes!”

Zi Menghan snapped out of her chaotic thoughts and nodded repeatedly.

He Qiu continued:

“Alright, Meng’er, don’t be so reserved. I’m not going to do anything to you. Sit down and have some tea to warm up.”

“Th-thank you, Young Master.”

Zi Menghan tiptoed to sit opposite He Qiu, then held the teacup with both hands, falling into hesitation again.

This tea…

Could there be something wrong with it?

She had to admit, Zi Menghan was being overly suspicious, but it couldn’t be helped.

She was always like this, especially when facing the mysterious He Qiu with his scumbag rumors, and with her life literally in his hands.

In this situation, being cautious couldn’t hurt.

“Not thirsty?”

“Mhm…”

“Not hungry?”

“No…”

“Then do you want to rest?”

“It’s, it’s still early…”

After this round of questioning, He Qiu couldn’t help but narrow his eyes slightly, examining the overly reserved purple-haired girl before him with confusion.

Finally, he leaned back in his chair and spoke indifferently:

“Just what exactly are you hiding from me?”

“!”

Instantly, Zi Menghan sat up straight, her beautiful eyes flashing.

It’s over…

Her constant evasiveness has made Young Master He unhappy!

In just three seconds, Zi Menghan hastily concocted an excuse.

She was quite experienced in making excuses.

“Nothing, it’s just… Meng’er has had that time of the month recently, so I’m feeling a bit embarrassed…”

“That? Which that?”

“Ah! It’s, it’s the one that comes every month for women, the m-monthly, monthly…”

As she spoke, Zi Menghan’s cheeks flushed red.

She tugged at the hem of her skirt, putting on an act of being too embarrassed to speak.

After a moment of hesitant thought, the straightforward He Qiu finally understood.

“Oh, oh oh, sorry for asking such a private thing…”

“It’s fine! Meng’er’s life was saved by Young Master He. This is just a small matter.”

Zi Menghan let out a long sigh of relief, grateful that she had finally dispelled his suspicion.

But then, He Qiu spoke bluntly again—

“Well then, Meng’er, during that time of the month, you should drink more hot water.”

As he spoke, the young man in white smiled slightly and pushed that cup of hot tea in front of Zi Menghan again, indicating for her to drink it.

Instantly, the blush faded from the girl’s face.

Her expression stiffened, and cold sweat broke out all over her body.

I-it’s over…

This time, there’s really no escape…