Chapter 243
Chapter 243
Zhong Ning stood on the rooftop of the main city, bored out of her mind, watching a crowd of players taking screenshots of her phoenix.
Two minutes later, a newcomer who had just joined the guild was somewhat nervously invited into the party. Zhong Ning had her latch onto her character, then plunged into the dungeon and began slaughtering everything in sight.
Inside the game, the boss wore a white robe, seated upon the moon, a flute held in his hand. The drifting melody of the flute transformed into streaks of icy blades. Zhong Ning dodged with practiced ease, yet her thoughts suddenly wandered far away.
Just now, Xie Shiqing had also been dressed in a white dress, her calves exposed. When she fell into the bushes, the skirt had likewise been torn open by the branches. A patch on her lower leg had already turned blue from the impact, making her appear especially fragile, like a crystal that had fallen to the ground and cracked.
She lost focus for a moment. Her character was killed, a mechanic misplayed, causing a full party wipe. After everyone revived, Zhong Ning pressed her lips together and, in a few swift moves, brought the boss down.
She said to the newcomer, ‘Pick a white hairstyle you like. I’ll gift it to you.’
After saying that, she logged off and sent a large red packet in the group chat.
Xie Shiqing was moving out.
With the villa mortgaged, she had gone completely bankrupt. After settling all the remaining payments, the money across all her bank cards did not even amount to twenty thousand yuan.
Zhong Ning bought the residence.
Both families had lived on the mountaintop. She had quite liked this neighbor who rarely went out, as it made the place feel as though she were the only one there.
Since it was now vacant, there was no need to let anyone else move in.
She did not think Xie Shiqing would agree to her ‘proposal’. It had been spoken on a whim. When she woke the next day, she realized it was indeed rather insulting, though she did not feel any particular regret or guilt.
She had always done as she pleased, never caring about others’ opinions.
But that evening, the doorbell rang.
Rain poured outside, thunder rumbling. She happened to be rummaging through the fridge for something to eat, a mango in hand. Leaning over for a glance, the screen showed a drenched figure, eyes faintly red, lips pale.
Zhong Ning pulled open the door and raised a brow. ‘Miss Xie.’
Xie Shiqing was still wearing that white dress. The fabric was soaked through, clinging to her calves, water dripping steadily from the hem.
Her face was also sheened with moisture. When she spoke, her voice was as light as a slowly falling feather. ‘Does Head of the Zhong family’s choice still stand?’
Zhong Ning’s lips curved. ‘The time hasn’t passed. Of course it still stands. Please, come in.’
She took a few steps, then paused. ‘Ah, I forgot. You can’t see.’
Without hesitation, Zhong Ning grasped Xie Shiqing’s wrist and led her straight into her room.
‘Sit.’
Once Xie Shiqing sat on the sofa, Zhong Ning released her hand. Yet that same hand traced an arc through the air before coming to rest beneath Xie Shiqing’s chin, her fingertip lifting slightly, forcing her head up.
‘To be my lover…’ She deliberately paused. ‘Or my plaything, there is only one requirement: obedience.’
Xie Shiqing’s gaze was unfocused. The corners of her lips lifted faintly into an exceptionally docile, compliant smile. ‘I will.’
‘Very good.’
Zhong Ning let go, straightened, and stepped back two paces. ‘Take off your clothes first.’
Obediently, Xie Shiqing rose. She swept her damp hair forward over her chest and reached for the zipper at her back.
The cold, wet fabric slid away, revealing a pale, chilled body still slick with moisture. Damp strands of hair clung to the gentle rise and fall of her chest like spreading seaweed.
Zhong Ning’s brows shifted slightly. She stepped forward of her own accord, both hands circling beneath Xie Shiqing’s arms, reaching for the clasp of her bra.
‘Were you outside for a long time? You’re very cold.’
‘I’m not sure about the time. My phone broke.’
She lowered her gaze, her fingertip brushing lightly against the faint redness beneath Xie Shiqing’s eyes, passing over the two small moles. ‘Go take a bath.’
Zhong Ning spoke calmly. ‘I’ll wash you.’
‘All right.’ Xie Shiqing agreed.
Interacting with intelligent people was always more comfortable. Knowing how to assess the situation was a basic skill; there would never be any scenes of wanting everything at once.
Since Xie Shiqing had come, it meant she had made all the necessary preparations and decided to sell herself.
Zhong Ning turned on the valve, watching the water spiral into the bathtub. Rolling up her sleeves, she beckoned to the slender figure standing nearby. ‘Come here.’
Only after speaking did she remember again that Xie Shiqing was blind and could not see her gesture.
Just as she was about to stand and lead her over, Xie Shiqing slowly walked forward on her own. Zhong Ning sat back down, observing with leisurely interest as she carefully shifted her steps, finally stopping not far from the tub.
Close enough to reach with a single stretch of the hand.
Zhong Ning lifted her hand and touched her calf, her fingertip pressing lightly against the inside of her knee. ‘Can you get into the tub by yourself?’
‘Yes.’
Xie Shiqing bent down to feel for the bathtub. Her pale, slender fingers rested on the edge. Turning around, she first sat on it, then drew both legs into the water.
Ripples spread across the surface, reflecting the light. Beneath the water, her legs gleamed with a pearly luster. Zhong Ning reached in, gathering one delicate ankle. ‘You should wear an anklet with a red string. It would look very nice.’
‘I’ll listen to Miss Zhong in everything,’ Xie Shiqing replied smoothly.
‘That form of address isn’t good.’ Zhong Ning rubbed her wrist, her palm gliding slowly along the curve of her calf.
‘What would you find appropriate, then?’
Zhong Ning pushed at the inside of her knee, guiding it toward her chest. Watching her utterly compliant posture, a trace of mischief suddenly stirred within her. ‘If you call me Master, I’ll call you Little Good Girl. How does that sound?’
She deliberately pressed at the boundaries, tossing out one provocative remark after another, half expecting some form of resistance.
Yet Xie Shiqing merely smiled gently and said softly, ‘Master.’
Too obedient.
Zhong Ning stared intently at her face, trying to detect even a hint of reluctance, but failed.
She knew Xie Shiqing must be pretending. Xie Shiqing herself surely knew this act could not deceive her.
But the composure she displayed was flawless.
Zhong Ning narrowed her eyes slightly. Her hand shifted to the left, coming to rest upon warm softness, pressing and kneading with varying force.
The leg that had been lifted gradually lowered back into the water, yielding space on the other side.