Chapter 80: At Her Breaking Point Part 2

Finally, reaching through her lifted coat, she used all her strength to slap that hand away.

After so many encounters, Xu Yinian no longer held any hope for her own strength. She didn’t think she could actually knock the hand away; she just wanted it to stop climbing.

To her surprise, following the muffled sound of the slap, Ji Yan became incredibly obedient and withdrew immediately.

The most terrifying yet central pillar of her sensation suddenly vanished, leaving Xu Yinian’s entire body in a state of limbo—empty and lost.

In the boundless black, Xu Yinian couldn’t see the unnatural flush creeping up Ji Yan’s cheeks.

She had actually touched it. It wasn’t until she felt the uneven texture of the clasp that she belatedly realized what it was.

Other than Xu Yinian, when had she ever touched someone else? This was the first time she had ever felt that specific contour.

She was… also a little lost.

That was why, when Xu Yinian gave that resistant slap, Ji Yan pulled back instantly.

Ji Yan lowered her thick lashes, hiding the crimson in her eyes. She quietly raised her hand to her own straight spine, tracing it inch by inch, subconsciously practicing how to unfasten it.

Her fingers, which had been icy just moments ago, were now saturated with the other girl’s body heat and scent. It almost felt as if Xu Yinian was the one caressing her with clumsy tenderness.

Ji Yan’s thoughts spiraled out of control. She remembered those small hands—soft as if they had no bones, looking delicate and slender, but feeling plump and supple to the touch.

On the other side, without Ji Yan’s interference, Xu Yinian suddenly noticed the strangeness of the other hand that hadn’t withdrawn yet.

Is… is this really Ji Yan?

Xu Yinian was so scared her breath nearly stopped. She didn’t dare make a sound. She knew Lu Zhou was on that side.

It couldn’t be…?

Shen Ruoshuang’s warning about “dealing with three people at once” echoed in her mind again.

Previously, she had focused all her attention on the word “dealing,” which was dangerous enough. Only now did she realize the emphasis was on “three people”!

Doesn’t Lu Zhou like Shen Ruoshuang? How does she dare to mess around right under her nose?

But then she remembered the numerous times she had caught Lu Zhou staring at her. Xu Yinian’s brain felt like it was about to overheat.

Does she… does she really like Shen Ruoshuang?

At that moment, a flicker of light appeared, followed by the instant glare of incandescent bulbs illuminating the entire room.

The sudden brightness caused Xu Yinian, whose eyes had adjusted to the dark, to suffer a moment of temporary blindness. But she was sharp enough to feel that mysterious hand jerk back instantly.

Before she could look over, what entered Xu Yinian’s vision was Shen Ruoshuang, who had remained silent the entire time. No one knew when she had quietly walked over to the light switch.

Even now, Shen Ruoshuang remained perfectly poised and lofty. Under the harsh white light, her aura seemed even more desolate and proud.

This intense presence exacerbated Xu Yinian’s “condition.”

Her fingertips, which began to burn whenever Shen Ruoshuang drew near, were now shaking and shivering uncontrollably.

Xu Yinian suspected that if this continued, there would come a day when her legs would turn to jelly the moment she saw Shen Ruoshuang.

A cold gaze swept over the group, finally landing on Xu Yinian, who was struggling to maintain her composure.

Xu Yinian felt as though that gaze could see right through her. All her abnormalities were laid bare—both the ones caused by the others and the reaction triggered by Shen Ruoshuang herself.

Ji Yan glanced at Shen Ruoshuang with casual disdain.

Does she think that by doing nothing, Xu Yinian will just flock to her? Holding back for so long has only benefited me.

“Found out I was right?” Shen Ruoshuang ignored Ji Yan’s provocation, focusing entirely on Xu Yinian. “This is perfect. Whether it’s because of me or because of yourself, you have no choice but to choose me now.”

She knows everything… Xu Yinian thought of the absurdity and fear from moments ago and glanced at the two people in front of and behind her.

In this blindingly bright light, it felt as though she were being exposed in broad daylight. She was consumed by a shame so deep she wanted to die.

At… at least… there’s only one Shen Ruoshuang.

Shen Ruoshuang walked up to Xu Yinian again, yet she still didn’t reach out to touch her.

Xu Yinian finally looked up, her eyes full of confusion.

She was like a pet cat waiting obediently for its master’s affection, only to be met with another disappointment. She didn’t even dare to show her fear or disappointment.

“After everything that just happened, surely I’ve earned at least a bit of initiative from you?”

Shen Ruoshuang looked down at Xu Yinian, the darkness in her eyes becoming more apparent, as if she wanted to devour her whole.

Finally, Xu Yinian’s fingers—clenched tight to hide her reaction—moved. She slowly raised her hand, her pinky finger hooking onto Shen Ruoshuang’s sleeve.

It seemed this single gesture was her absolute limit.

No response.

Xu Yinian didn’t give up. She gave the sleeve a tentative, shaky tug.

It… looked like she was acting spoiled.

Still no response. There was only that pair of eyes, fixed on the pinky finger that had already flushed a delicate rose-white.

Xu Yinian felt herself burning hotter under that gaze. In her daze, following her instincts, her fingers climbed up one by one.

Each touch was an agonizing blend of ice and fire. Finally, she grabbed Shen Ruoshuang’s hand and, at the peak of her shame, gave it another shake.

“…I… I want you.”

She forced the words out one by one. Her entire body felt like it was being consumed by flames; the hand she held was the only lifeline that could cool her down.

Ji Yan frowned, wanting to intervene. Then she remembered Xu Yinian’s sudden shift in attitude. Did I go too far just now…?

That momentary hesitation caused her to miss her chance to grab Xu Yinian.

She felt irritable and uneasy, but she figured that since they were still under her watch, she didn’t need to rush in and fight for her just yet.

Shen Ruoshuang finally moved. She turned her hand over, interlacing her fingers with Xu Yinian’s in a death grip.

Xu Yinian felt a shift in the atmosphere—the emotions behind this grip were different from before. Suddenly, she felt a surge of panic.

She was led forward, out of her own control, toward a tightly locked door.

“You…”

Xu Yinian watched in a daze as Shen Ruoshuang produced a key from goodness knows where and effortlessly unlocked the door leading to the inner suite. Had she been… searching for that key this entire time?

The expressions on Ji Yan’s and Lu Zhou’s faces shifted instantly as they lunged forward. But they were too late. Shen Ruoshuang waited with calculated precision until they were a mere breath away before slamming the door shut in their faces.

The heavy wood sealed away the light, plunging Xu Yinian into darkness once more. Her heart hammered against her ribs, uncertain and trembling, as she sensed Shen Ruoshuang turning toward her with agonizing deliberation.

“Did they make you uncomfortable? You were in such a hurry to escape.”

Such brazen, flirtatious words should never have crossed the lips of the Unreachable Beauty. They clashed violently with her current aura, creating a jarring sense of cognitive dissonance.

Yet, it was this lack of inhibition that finally betrayed her. Behind that unnerving, abnormal display of restraint throughout the night, the mask was finally slipping to reveal a flash of obsessive possessiveness—a dark side that had been pushed beyond its breaking point.

“It won’t be like that now,” Shen Ruoshuang whispered into the shadows. “After all, after what happened last night, I think you’ve grown quite fond of it, haven’t you?”