Chapter 10: Ninth Fortress 10

An He knew she had gambled correctly once again.

Gu Xianqing pinched the note between her fingers, frowning at it for a long moment before finally compromising with a smile. “I really can’t help it with you, little lamb. I can’t stand seeing you so pitiful. I’ll make an exception today and let you speak once.”

Her tone sounded softened with sympathy, and her face even showed a hint of heartache.

An He wasn’t sure how Gu Xianqing did it, but suddenly, she felt control return to her vocal cords and lips.

She stared into Gu Xianqing’s eyes, unable to tell if this woman was friend or foe. But no matter what, she had play-acted her way into this opportunity, and now she would seize it firmly.

An He weighed her words carefully, about to speak, when Gu Xianqing pressed a finger to her lips. “First things first—no asking unnecessary questions. I won’t answer them.”

Unnecessary questions? Like Who are you? Where did you come from?

An He was obedient. Since Gu Xianqing had laid it out, she wouldn’t waste her precious chance on pointless queries.

“Can we cooperate?” An He cut straight to the point.

“Cooperate?” Gu Xianqing raised an eyebrow. “What kind? Petty theft or murder and arson?” She flashed a gentle smile, sliding closer to sit beside her, her hand hovering in the air as if tracing An He’s features.

An He couldn’t read the intent behind Gu Xianqing’s words. When facing off against someone, she liked to lock eyes, observing their expressions while applying pressure.

But Gu Xianqing avoided her gaze, her own eyes half-lidded, fixed on An He’s lips.

An He was about to negotiate the details of their cooperation when Gu Xianqing abruptly changed the subject. “Huh, I didn’t notice before—your lips are so full. They must feel amazing to kiss.”

Huh? What the hell?!

An He felt heat rising to her skin. She realized this woman’s actions were completely outside her predictions. She had seemed to soften and grant her speech, but it felt like she was deliberately teasing her.

This behavior made An He uneasy—she had no idea what Gu Xianqing would do next.

That familiar sense of crisis washed over her again. An He snapped into high alert, her eyes on Gu Xianqing’s fingers lingering by her lips, dreading some outrageous move.

And Gu Xianqing really did make a move. Her fingers, originally at An He’s lips, slid downward, pressing on her upper lip with some force, even rubbing upward to check her exposed canine teeth.

The gesture was far too invasive.

Fuming, An He opened her mouth and bit down on Gu Xianqing’s hand.

Gu Xianqing frowned. “See? I told you you’d bite. And look, you really did.”

Twisting words like a sophist!

An He cursed inwardly. Gu Xianqing provoked me on purpose, and now she’s got the nerve to blame me when I fight back—like she knew I was that kind of person.

The more An He thought about it, the more she couldn’t swallow her anger. Since she’d already bitten down, she went all in with her jaw.

Gu Xianqing had no choice but to use her other hand to pry open An He’s jaw, rescuing her finger. Upon closer inspection, it bore two neat tooth marks. Surprisingly, Gu Xianqing didn’t get angry. She just taunted lightly, “Don’t want to talk anymore?”

An He: …

Of course I do.

She pursed her lips, softening her voice. “Sorry, I thought you were going to hurt me.”

Damn it, I haven’t even gotten to the main topic. I still need to keep my speech.

“Whatever.” Gu Xianqing wiped the saliva from her hand on An He’s patient gown. Turning her head, she spotted the bandages on An He’s hand. “Finger broken?” Like she’d found something amusing, she pressed against the bandaged knuckle to test for sensation.

An He suddenly understood. Gu Xianqing was dodging the cooperation talk, changing the subject evasively—this woman was doing it on purpose.

An He admitted that when Gu Xianqing had agreed to let her speak, she’d felt a flicker of triumph, like she’d gotten the upper hand.

Now, Gu Xianqing’s actions were telling her otherwise. No, she’s the one holding all the cards.

In this dream, control still rested firmly in Gu Xianqing’s hands.

She reeled in the ball of yarn only to toss it far again, making An He chase it back and forth in vain.

Gu Xianqing must have found it hilarious.

Fine then. An He decisively abandoned the cooperation angle and switched tactics.

Why couldn’t she pull off something unpredictable too?

Feeling Gu Xianqing’s hand on her broken finger, An He softened her tone and asked softly, “Do you care about me?”

For the first time in her life, she tried fawning pitifully like a dog wagging its tail—awkward and clumsy, but that rawness was just right.

Gu Xianqing watched her curiously and affirmed, “Mm, I care about you a lot.”

The short reply had no heavy emphasis, rising slightly at the end with a flirtatious lilt that left An He momentarily stunned.

She almost believed it.

But An He could sense Gu Xianqing didn’t truly care.

If she did, she’d be urgent upon seeing the injury, checking it immediately. Instead, Gu Xianqing treated her like a wounded little animal under her thumb—feigning pity from on high while heartlessly prodding the wound.

This wasn’t care. It was pity wrapped in a candy coating from someone who completely controlled her movements.

An He held her ground and asked again, “So, besides me, do you enter other people’s dreams too?”

Her tone was as cautious as possible.

Gu Xianqing hadn’t expected the question and didn’t answer.

That’s as good as admitting it!

An He averted her gaze, her voice shrinking. “So I’m not the only one.”

Of course! I’m not the only one!

Insight struck An He like lightning. Her earlier guess about Gu Xianqing was spot on—this woman could manipulate others’ dreams, explaining the source of her intel.

What an astonishing Innate Talent. If Gu Xianqing wanted, human minds were wide open to her, controllable and nearly unstoppable.

An He didn’t know if Gu Xianqing could plumb her subconscious. Amid the fear, excitement surged—she needed Gu Xianqing’s abilities. This was her only lifeline to break free.

An He decided to keep playing pitiful. She figured Gu Xianqing would likely agree to her requests in this state.

Who could refuse a droopy-eared, teary-eyed “little lamb”?

An He fell silent, looking away from Gu Xianqing.

“Why the long face now?” Gu Xianqing cupped An He’s face, forcing her to meet her eyes. “Spit it out. What do you want to cooperate on?”

The ploy worked—they were finally on track.

An He saw the blatant amusement in Gu Xianqing’s eyes, but it didn’t matter. As long as she achieved her goal, who cared about sincerity?

An He curved her lips, her eyes lighting up unmasked. “I want to know Lola’s weakness. You’ll help me, right?”

“You want my help?” Gu Xianqing’s eyes crinkled. “What’s in it for me?”

An He thought carefully. “Anything within my power. I owe you a favor—two requests, whatever you want.”

“Really?” Gu Xianqing smiled genuinely this time, pinching An He’s cheek. “You worded those limits so carefully. Fine, as you said—two requests from me later.”

“You can ask now.”

Gu Xianqing eyed her. “Of course not. An He, what you can do right now is too limited. I’ll save them until you can pay back double.”

Their gazes locked at last. For a split second, An He thought maybe they both saw through each other’s pretenses.

Or maybe not.

The thrill of this game lay in every step being unknown. An He’s heart pounded—she finally understood why Gu Xianqing enjoyed toying with her.

Because it was fun.