Secretary Zhou originally wanted to boldly ask why Liu Ran hadn’t come. When Secretary Liu was around, their days were much easier. Ming Siyu rarely criticized them, and even if they made a careless mistake, she would just say a couple of words and let it go.
She had just opened her mouth when she remembered Secretary Wen’s warning: no one was allowed to mention a single word related to Liu Ran in front of President Ming these past few days. Secretary Zhou licked her lips, swallowed the words that had reached the tip of her tongue, finished tidying up, and hurried away.
Liu Ran lay silently in the little black room for an entire day.
She didn’t dare sleep, not even close her eyes. The moment she shut them, she saw Ming Siyu’s chilling smile with blood staining her lips, the ruthless sucking and biting during that forced kiss.
She had patiently drawn Ming Siyu, thinking she was focused on work at the computer, but in reality, Ming Siyu had probably been checking her browsing history at that time. How could one person pretend so well? For at least two hours, Ming Siyu hadn’t shown a single extra expression, acting completely righteous, as if invading her privacy was just like reviewing a subordinate’s work report.
The thought alone made Liu Ran retch with physiological disgust, her whole body turning cold.
She hated Ming Siyu, even loathed her, but yesterday’s behavior had made her feel chills for the first time. Liu Ran even suspected she had been fitted with a tracker and a bug; every move she made was being watched by this pervert. Perhaps even this little black room was under Ming Siyu’s surveillance.
Her phone was still with her—Ming Siyu hadn’t taken it, either forgetting or deeming it unnecessary. Liu Ran turned on the phone; the battery was almost dead, and a trending topic popped up:
#Miao Qinglan’s Red Carpet Look: The Most Seductive Kitty of the Year A
She tapped it open. It was photos from a movie festival red carpet event that day. Miao Qinglan’s outfit was extremely bold: a three-point bikini-style swimsuit, but made of fur fabric, with fluffy shoulder straps. The bottom had a slender silver cat tail, and she wore a pair of silver-white cat ear decorations on her head. A sheer gauze shawl draped over her shoulders, dotted with feathers, while fluffy circles matching the ears adorned her wrists and ankles. Her cheeks had pink-and-white cat paw prints painted on them, and her eyes were a clear, bright blue like a Ragdoll cat’s.
Scrolling down, there were several more related trending topics.
#Miao Qinglan Flaunts Her Figure on the Red Carpet
#Miao Qinglan Poses with Ming Entertainment President, Rumors of Reunion with Former Agency
Liu Ran froze for a moment. She remembered seeing it on Ming Siyu’s schedule: Ming Siyu had a movie festival event today. Had Ming Siyu and Miao Qinglan reconciled?
Just as Liu Ran was about to tap into the topic to look at the photos, a muffled door-closing sound echoed.
The house was extremely quiet; Qi Zhen hardly made any noise except when cleaning or cooking. Soon, footsteps approached from the hallway, accompanied by Ming Siyu’s voice asking, “Did you give her food?”
Qi Zhen replied, “No. She’s been in the room all day.”
The fingerprint lock on the door made a sound as someone unlocked it. Liu Ran stood up, staring at the door lock in the darkness, her blood surging, her body temperature evaporating from her pores.
Ming Siyu entered and turned on the light. Seeing Liu Ran squint and raise her hand to shield her face from the sudden glare, Ming Siyu’s mind flashed to that shattered painting—no matter how tightly pieced together, those ugly cracks in the middle couldn’t be erased. Suddenly, a trace of reluctance stirred in her.
“Liu Ran, explain clearly to me why you wanted to go to Huai Ci Sanatorium, then promise you won’t lie to me again or think about leaving me, and I’ll pretend yesterday never happened.”
Ming Siyu’s attitude only made Liu Ran more unwilling to reveal Bai Yu’s existence.
Liu Ran’s body grew cold as she slowly lowered her arm, squinted to adjust to the light, and looked toward Ming Siyu at the door. Ming Siyu hadn’t even changed out of her high heels, her body reeking of alcohol from the event.
Liu Ran spoke in a hoarse voice, “I heard it was a nice sanatorium, so I searched it on a whim. I didn’t know Chen Liaoqing was a lawyer, and I never sought any legal help from her. You’re right—you have a whole legal team; one Chen lawyer can’t make waves against you. I’m not well-educated, but I’m not a complete idiot. I’m not dumb enough to think I could challenge Ming Group with some lawyer like an egg against a rock. Chen probably just dialed the wrong number.”
Liu Ran was usually impulsive, blustering like her name—a match that ignited at the slightest spark. Hearing her suddenly so calm and flat in refutation made Ming Siyu’s heart sink. Suddenly, she didn’t want to pursue any Chen or Li lawyers anymore, didn’t care if that call was a wrong number. As long as Liu Ran was honest with her and stayed obediently by her side, she could let it go.
“Fine, I accept that explanation. What about the promise?”
Liu Ran lowered her gaze and shook her head. “Ming Siyu, I can’t take it. I can’t stop myself from thinking about leaving. If I promised you, that would be lying to you.”
Ming Siyu’s chest heaved up and down. She felt like a knife had stabbed her heart, air hissing out with each breath. The little wolf who would tear up pitifully at the corners of her eyes after a tail pinch in the fitting room, biting her lip and begging for mercy, was gone. The timid one who peeled shrimp for her, knelt to change her bandages, obediently tilted her head for collar pets despite her fear, stubbornly suffering through ghost movies to save face—all gone.
Replaced by this prickly, hardened, ice-cold little wolf before her.
“Liu Ran, search your conscience. Haven’t I been good to you? Have I ever shorted you on food, clothes, or anything? Did I ever burn cigarette butts into you like Miao Qinglan? My demands on you are so low they’re laughable—what more could you want?
“You know how many people exhaust themselves just for a chance to see me, to leave a good impression. Your former owner, Miao Qinglan, somehow learned I like fluffy things and dressed like a shedding clown in public, all to get a nod from me to come back. I don’t ask you to fawn like them. Just be obedient and listen, and you’ll get things others could never dream of in a lifetime.”
Ming Siyu tried to keep her voice steady.
Liu Ran clenched her fists, avoiding Ming Siyu’s gaze. She had so much to say—like how those expensive clothes were all picked by Ming Siyu to her own taste; not one suited Liu Ran, none were what she needed.
She knew Ming Siyu’s temper well, so she’d never expected respect from her. Their relationship was unequal from the start; she’d retreated again and again, leaving herself only a tiny corner. Ming Siyu’s snooping through her browsing history was erasing even that last bit. Liu Ran knew she couldn’t retreat anymore.
But she had no strength left to argue with Ming Siyu now. She knew Ming Siyu wouldn’t listen. Ming Siyu was that lofty type who justified all her actions—like she’d said herself, checking Liu Ran’s history was her right.
Liu Ran clenched her fist.
“You’re surveilling me. I can’t take it.”
Ming Siyu countered firmly, “Only those with guilty consciences fear surveillance. If you’re honest, with nothing to hide or lie about, why fear me watching?”
Liu Ran: …
She was so exhausted. Ming Siyu always talked past her.
“Do whatever you want.” Now she just wanted to end the conversation.
But Ming Siyu pressed on. “No, Liu Ran.” Her high heels clicked steadily as she stepped forward, firmly grasping Liu Ran’s chin. “You have to promise me today.”
Liu Ran was utterly drained, body and soul. Seeing her silent, Ming Siyu leaned in for another kiss.
In her eight-centimeter heels, Ming Siyu matched her height—no need to yank her collar down. She easily captured Liu Ran’s lips.
Unlike yesterday’s frantic, venting bites, this kiss was incredibly gentle. Liu Ran clearly felt Ming Siyu’s tongue tip lick her lips, carefully gliding over the unhealed wound. Never treated so tenderly before, Liu Ran tensed up, her breathing quickened, the oxygen through her nose insufficient to keep her clear-headed. Forced to part her lips for air, she gave Ming Siyu the opening—the tongue slipped past her teeth, teasing the one hiding behind.
One hand fixed her chin, then slid down to cradle her neck; the other wrapped around her waist.
Liu Ran stood rigid, trembling amid baseless fear. The terror washed over her like tides.
The kiss seemed to last forever.
When they parted, Ming Siyu panted lightly, licked her lips, and pressed forehead to forehead, asking the exact same question as yesterday: “So, Liu Ran, what were you thinking just now? Leaving me, or me?”
In that moment, Liu Ran finally realized the source of her fear.
She had been thinking of Ming Siyu. Even in this extreme despair and powerlessness, during the kiss, her mind filled only with Ming Siyu.
Her body’s instincts made her unable to resist.
But she absolutely wouldn’t admit it.
“How to leave you,” Liu Ran said.
With that, she felt Ming Siyu’s breath hitch. Moments later, they pulled apart, and a slap landed on her neck.
Liu Ran sensed the slap had aimed for her face but veered midway to her neck for some reason.
“Think it over properly. Otherwise, locking you here until you die and rot—don’t think I won’t do it.”
Ming Siyu left those words and walked out.
The room fell silent again, leaving Liu Ran alone.
She pulled out her phone to check the time, but it had shut down from low battery. Her eyes burned; a full day without food had left her stomach past hunger.
Unsure how much time passed—maybe an hour, two, or longer—the door opened. Qi Zhen entered, one hand holding a bowl of porridge, the other a blanket.
Qi Zhen set them beside Liu Ran and said warmly, “Miss Liu, I don’t know what happened between you and the eldest miss this time, but no matter the reason, just apologize to her, and it’ll blow over. Otherwise, it’s hard on everyone.”
A surge of irrational anger flared in Liu Ran. She snapped viciously, “Why should I apologize?”
Qi Zhen froze, blinking helplessly.
The anger came fast and faded fast. Liu Ran deflated. “Sorry, Qi Zhen Jie. It wasn’t at you.”
Qi Zhen nudged the bowl. “Eat.”
Liu Ran picked it up and ate. It was fragrant fish fillet porridge, steaming hot, the rice grains soft and glutinous—clearly freshly made. As she ate, the steam brought tears to her eyes, which rolled down and plopped into the bowl.
Liu Ran ate silently, tears salting the porridge.
