episode_0055

What happened tonight felt just like a dream.

Xu Nian pressed a hand against her chest, over her heart.

Calm, steady, with no unusual fluctuations—yet she could feel the firm, powerful rhythm of her heartbeat.

It seemed she wouldn’t be able to enjoy a peaceful life in the future.

Then again, that was to be expected. Coming to this kind of world and choosing an extraordinary path meant she was destined for an extraordinary life.

This was the choice she had made.

And she had no choice but to make it.

But what secrets did her body hold?

Especially her heart.

To think it could attract a Three-Star Weaver to assassinate her.

Would even stronger Weavers appear in the future?

If the first attempt failed, an even more powerful one would surely come.

She had to grow stronger. Only then could she protect herself.

“Niannian, I have to become stronger.”

“Hmm?”

Xu Nian glanced at Su Qingya in surprise. She hadn’t expected the other girl to be thinking the exact same thing.

“I won’t let something like today happen again. I’ll protect you. The only way to keep Niannian safe is to become stronger.”

A blazing fire ignited in Su Qingya’s heart, her resolve taking root.

As a One-Star Weaver, facing a higher-ranked Weaver only meant being slaughtered.

If she didn’t grow stronger, those people might someday take Niannian away from her for good.

Just the thought of that possibility made her tremble with fear.

She would never allow it to happen.

Su Qingya didn’t ask Xu Nian why they had targeted her.

But Xu Nian trusted Su Qingya.

Or perhaps, at this moment, Su Qingya was the only person she truly trusted.

So, in a hushed voice, she told Su Qingya the secret of her heart.

Her explanation was vague and ambiguous—after all, Xu Nian herself didn’t know much, and the simulator hadn’t revealed enough secrets.

Su Qingya nodded in understanding.

She pulled Xu Nian into her arms.

“Don’t be afraid, Niannian. I’m here.”

“Mhm, thank you, Qingya.”

Admittedly, Su Qingya’s comfort was simple, but in her embrace, Xu Nian felt an overwhelming sense of security.

Just then, the sound of a car pulling to a stop reached their ears.

Su Qingya tensed instantly, leaping back with Xu Nian in her arms.

A spear of fear materialized in her hand, hidden in the shadows, ready to strike the moment she identified the threat.

But the car doors opened, and several black-suited bodyguards stepped out, moving with practiced ease as they held the door open.

A young man in an expensive suit emerged, straightening his collar with cool disdain—three parts arrogance, three parts indifference, and four parts carelessness.

“Sir, do you have an invitation?”

“Do you know who I am?”

Stopped by the guard, the man’s expression darkened with displeasure.

Not far away, Su Qingya’s gaze locked onto him, her grip on the spear tightening until it creaked.

It was someone she knew—someone she’d hoped never to see again.

“Niannian, step back. Stay behind me.”

Xu Nian had also noticed the man.

Lin Ye.

The domineering CEO.

The guy Xu Nian had stabbed twice before, whose scandal had briefly trended on Xiaohongshu before being swiftly deleted.

Why was he here?

“Sir, I don’t know who you are, but even the Chief of Public Security needs an invitation to enter.”

A stack of bills was tossed into the guard’s arms.

“Is this invitation enough?”

“More than enough, sir. Right this way.” The guard’s attitude shifted instantly.

“Hmph.”

Xu Nian understood the guard’s decision.

Earning just a few thousand a month wasn’t worth risking his life. They were all just trying to survive.

“We’re all fighting to live.”

Su Qingya was too naive.

Xu Nian didn’t even need her fox-tail instincts to know this guy was here for her.

And yet, Su Qingya had exposed herself, shielding Xu Nian instead.

What kind of logic was that?

“Qingya.”

“Mhm? What is it, Niannian?”

“Turn around.”

Confused, Su Qingya turned—only to be met with a fierce kiss.

Xu Nian’s gaze flicked briefly toward Lin Ye, monitoring his movements.

Cupping Su Qingya’s face, Xu Nian didn’t explain her sudden fervor, but Su Qingya responded instinctively, arms encircling Xu Nian’s waist.

Lin Ye was in high spirits.

Learning that Su Qingya’s homecoming banquet was being held here tonight, he’d rearranged his schedule, timing his arrival perfectly to surprise the foolish woman.

If any damsel-in-distress scenarios unfolded, he planned to swoop in with a commanding “Stop!”

Followed by “Who dares touch her?”

Then sweep her into his arms.

And finally, “Are you scared, precious?”

A flawless script to win her over.

Why would such a cliché scene conveniently happen the moment he arrived?

Simple—he was a Weaver of [Domination].

Suddenly, something caught his attention.

On the grass nearby, a black-haired human girl was locked in a heated embrace with a white fox-person.

Damn it!

Lesbians here too?

His misogyny flared—he couldn’t stand this sight.

Mood instantly dropped by 10%.

“You. Tell them to take their affection elsewhere. I won’t tolerate this eyesore.”

Lin Ye casually signaled a bodyguard, who strode toward the pair without hesitation.

Xu Nian startled at the man’s approach, unsure of his intent.

But Lin Ye had already moved on, his attention elsewhere.

Xu Nian tapped Su Qingya’s shoulder, signaling her to break the kiss—but Su Qingya, cheeks flushed with desire, only tightened her grip.

Lost in the moment, she refused to let go, pressing against Xu Nian insistently.

If Xu Nian still had her phantom limb, if she’d been as consumed as Su Qingya was now… she might’ve wanted to fill something.

And that was exactly Su Qingya’s state.

Her hand slid to the base of Xu Nian’s spine, holding her firmly in place.

“Qingya, let go—someone’s coming.”

“You started this fire. Don’t think you can escape so easily. Do you know how to untie my skirt, Niannian?”

Mischievous fingers trailed downward, dancing like fish through dark waters.

???????

“Ladies, would you mind taking this elsewhere? Our CEO finds it distasteful.”

Su Qingya shot him an icy glare.

For a fleeting moment, the bodyguard felt as though his throat had been pierced.

He touched his neck—nothing.

Yet the fear lingered.

Su Qingya finally pulled Xu Nian away.

Was the battle over?

No.

Just relocated.

This time, she grew even bolder, fingers working to undo Xu Nian’s clothes inch by inch.

“Wait—how can you do this here?”

Xu Nian’s weak protests fell on deaf ears as she thumped uselessly against Su Qingya’s shoulders.

Like a beast spurred by hunger, Su Qingya didn’t answer.

Left with no choice, Xu Nian activated the Prisoner’s Death Lantern, enveloping them both in endless darkness, vanishing from sight.

The bodyguard saw nothing further—after delivering his warning, they’d left.

But in that split-second glance, he’d recognized her face.

Wasn’t that the very woman his CEO had been searching for?

The CEO’s treasured “white moonlight”… was actually a lesbian!

Cold sweat trickled down his back.

He didn’t dare report this.

Underlings who delivered bad news rarely fared well.

Best to pretend amnesia.