Do You Like Me That Much? Miss Villainess

[Mechanist's Unity (Gold): You are alone, we live in groups]

[Effect (Unity): Mechanist profession exclusive, contract slots increased, you can now contract more mechanists, all bonuses and enhancements are 33% of your natal puppet beast]

[Effect (Group Living): Mechanist profession gains one subordinate contract slot per rank advancement, gaining the first at eighth rank, maximum of eight]

—Is this... appropriate?

It's just a Human Gate ceremony, giving her such an overpowered destiny trait, is this really appropriate?

Weren't you supposed to be coldly indifferent with 0%?

Mu Qinglan recognized this trait.

Mechanist's Unity, an essential destiny trait for mechanist profession's late-game dungeon core role, the daddy of fixed teams. But this was something that only had a chance to drop from Heaven Gate dungeons! And only with a 5% probability!

To farm one of these things, players often had to spend dozens of runs in Heaven Gate dungeons before having a chance.

And they had to win.

In other words, any mechanist who could have this destiny trait would absolutely be the most sought-after member of any team, the kind everyone fought to recruit.

Because it could enhance the entire team's attributes, albeit slightly.

But combined with the mechanist profession's various enhancements and control abilities, it was already quite a terrifying capability.

It belonged to that core battlefield control character type.

However, this destiny trait also had certain limitations—its strength increased with level advancement.

In the game, this destiny trait was obtained from the Heaven Gate when advancing from fourth to third rank. When players obtained it, they had already developed most of the trait's potential and could directly gain six subordinate contract slots.

But Mu Qinglan was obtaining it now in the Human Gate at eighth rank, so in the short term, she only had one contract slot.

The improvement was small.

But even so, Mu Qinglan was quite satisfied. She wasn't afraid of becoming a late-game core, she was afraid of not being able to become a late-game core.

She already had early-game strength firmly in her grasp.

Moreover, this subordinate contract slot could be perfectly used for those lovely and charming villain ladies, right?

Sign a contract, and it would be good for everyone.

'Let me see how the subordinate contract slots in reality differ from those in the game.'

Mu Qinglan thought while opening the destiny trait's detailed description to study it carefully.

'Hmm... the contract requires both parties to be willing, same as in the game, but dissolution also requires both parties' agreement, which is different from the game…'

'Can share certain bonuses, ability values slightly enhanced when near me.'

Mu Qinglan organized her thoughts:

'The side effect is... subconsciously more obedient to me, more likely to develop favorable feelings. Tsk... what a good thing.'

A satisfied smile appeared on her face, thinking this was truly made for her.

It really was a good thing.

Mu Qinglan's face bloomed with a mischievous smile, feeling this new destiny trait was like a collar that could firmly secure around necks—invisible yet eliminating concerns about betrayal.

And she just happened to have one contract slot available.

She could try it out as soon as she left.

With this thought, Mu Qinglan reached out and grabbed the golden jade tablet, then closed her eyes and fell into deep sleep.

The world returned to darkness.

○

The fifteenth, full moon.

When Mu Qinglan awoke in her room, the distant sky was already showing traces of white, like a lazy, chubby orange cat that had rolled over, exposing its tender white belly above.

"Haa..."

Rubbing her eyes and yawning, after simply changing clothes, Mu Qinglan sat back in her wheelchair.

Having rested enough in the Human Gate, she naturally wasn't sleepy now.

Moreover, she should at least test the quality of her newly obtained destiny trait. Getting a collar meant she should first check the material, tightness, style, size, and whether the pets liked it.

After all, she wasn't the one wearing it, so consulting opinions was necessary.

Mm, not sleepy, but a bit drowsy.

Mu Qinglan was pushing her wheelchair to go outside when she suddenly heard the familiar sound of a door opening.

The gray-haired assassin lady glanced left and right, and seeing that Mu Qinglan was already awake, quickly concealed the disappointment in her eyes before slipping inside.

Mu Qinglan's lips curved into a smile: "Miss Zhu Yan is here. How do you feel?"

"What... how do I feel?" Zhu Yan was confused by her question and responded, then quickly realized: "It's a purple destiny trait that improves stealth abilities and reduces presence."

"No need to be so detailed. As long as you understand, I was watching you clear the trial anyway, so don't worry."

Mu Qinglan actually wasn't asking about that. She beckoned with her hand, spreading her legs slightly apart, and the gray-haired girl obediently curled up and sat between them.

With a creak, the wheelchair could bear the weight.

Mu Qinglan smiled: "Weren't you curious about how I could defeat a seventh-rank? Why aren't you asking?"

"Sister Mu said she would tell me, so I trust you." Zhu Yan shook her head: "Besides, this kind of thing is definitely a secret. I did bad things to Sister Mu before, so I'm half an outsider. It's normal that I'm not qualified to know."

"Oh, is that so?"

Mu Qinglan's expression was half-smile, half-serious.

"..."

Zhu Yan carefully turned her head to glance back at her.

That young, slightly pale face carried an alluring smile.

Like honey coated with poison.

Seeing that bad woman's expression, Zhu Yan's heart pounded rapidly, and her cheeks were tinged with a blush.

"Why aren't you talking anymore?"

"...I don't know." Zhu Yan lowered her head, her feet arched straight, her voice tiny.

Originally, when Zhu Yan had awakened from the Human Gate, her face carried an expression of bitter resentment. After all, even with some preparation, that kind of experience was still too cruel for a girl who had just turned sixteen this year.

She was cold when leaving. Follow current novels on novel_fіre.net

She was chilly when entering.

But somehow, being teased by Mu Qinglan like this, her previous sadness was gradually buried in her heart.

Instead, an indescribable, mysterious feeling sprouted in her heart.

Both sweet and warm.

She now felt like freshly made cotton candy, fluffy and light, making people want to take a bite.

Chomp—

Mu Qinglan took a bite of her neck.

!!!

Like a kitten being picked up by an old cat, the petite gray-haired girl shuddered all over, a wave of tingling numbness instantly spreading from the back of her neck throughout her entire body, electrifying her until her starry eyes grew unfocused and her feet arched like bows.

"Children who don't speak need to be punished."

Mu Qinglan licked her tongue, the corner of her mouth curving into a wicked smile.

The cool voice carrying a hint of milky sweetness floated ethereally like snow, echoing in her ears and crashing into her brain like an egg beater whirring to life, instantly turning her mind into mush.

The wonderful feeling grew into a towering tree, lush and leafy, piercing straight to her heart.

Her breathing gradually became rapid, her gaze began to blur. Miss Zhu Yan curled herself into a ball, defenseless and foolishly aggrieved:

"You're bullying me."

Mu Qinglan ignored her, her expression becoming increasingly pleased as she leaned close to her ear and whispered:

"Don't you want me to bully you?"

"I... don't want that."

"Really don't want it?"

"...Mm."

"Miss Zhu Yan isn't good at lying. Still making excuses. Look at your own expression before talking." Mu Qinglan put on a stern face, beckoning with her small hand. The bronze mirror from the dressing table flew into her hand with a whoosh, and she held it in front of Zhu Yan.

Zhu Yan squeezed out a bit of stubbornness through gritted teeth.

"I don't."

Then she instinctively glanced up at the mirror. Those were pools of touching autumn water, rippling with small waves but filled with dreamlike haziness.

"Hmm?"

Zhu Yan lowered her head in silence.

○

The big orange cat in the sky had changed from lying down to lying on its side.

Zhu Yan also looked up at Mu Qinglan with some resentment, seeing her smile, thinking that Sister Mu was indeed very good at acting.

"I... didn't lose face." Zhu Yan forced herself to sound cold and hard.

"Hmm?"

Zhu Yan didn't dare say another word. She wanted to get up and run away, but was quickly pulled back by the quick-handed Mu Qinglan.

The gray-haired girl's body pressed against her curves, their scents mingling together.

"Don't rush," Mu Qinglan looked down at her, her tone carrying a hint of command: "Didn't you want to know why I'm so strong?"

"I'm not curious."

Zhu Yan quickly shook her head. She was afraid that if she didn't run now, she would be eaten up.

Compared to that, she was only somewhat curious about Mu Qinglan's secret. After all, she was just a captive and had no right to know so much.

"Because I have two professions."

Zhu Yan was stunned, looking up at her foolishly and repeating: "Two professions?"

"That's right, two."

Zhu Yan stared blankly for a moment, then said softly: "How is this..."

"Don't ask how it's possible. Otherwise, how do you think I got to where I am today?" Mu Qinglan concealed most of her cheating advantages, only revealing partial information.

This was the little secret she was prepared to share with Miss Zhu Yan.

At the right time, sharing the right little secrets could not only bring both parties closer, but those absolutely-cannot-be-known-by-others secrets could also give people the illusion that she trusted them.

Moreover, the secret Mu Qinglan shared was about herself, which made it even more thrilling.

Dual professions—this was definitely a secret that could shake the world.

She even told me something like this!

She trusts me!

"...I shouldn't know these things." Zhu Yan stared seriously at the floor, speaking softly.

Mu Qinglan stroked her head without speaking.

"I previously..." Before Zhu Yan could finish her sentence, a slender jade hand covered her lips from behind, and then she heard Mu Qinglan's voice:

"I trust you."

Trust... me...

Zhu Yan repeated this word in her heart in confusion, finding it truly difficult to associate this word with someone like herself, an assassin who lived in shadows.

"In the Human Gate, didn't you prove yourself?" Mu Qinglan smiled: "You didn't do anything to betray me. Moreover, you personally killed Jiang Ge once already. What is there left to fear?"

Jiang Ge was the Crown Prince's real name, and this name successfully aroused Zhu Yan's killing intent.

"I want to kill him. Can Miss Zhu Yan help me?" Mu Qinglan asked.

"Mm."

"Then does Miss Zhu Yan trust me?"

"I trust you."

After the questions, the room fell quiet.

Zhu Yan sat between Mu Qinglan's legs, looking at the floor, then at the two hands resting on her chest, suppressing her impulse to hug them.

Sister Mu's hands are very beautiful and give people a sense of security.

Both were sitting in the wheelchair, each with their own peace of mind, each with their own calculations.

The morning breeze passed through the bedroom, making the windows creak.

The white-haired girl held Zhu Yan, also swaying in the wheelchair with creaking sounds.

Zhu Yan's two small hands were knotted together, clenching and pulling, then tightening, separating, fidgeting here and there.

The belly of the big orange cat in the sky grew bigger and brighter.

"Would Miss Zhu Yan be willing to become my personal maid?" After a long while, Mu Qinglan suddenly asked, resting her chin on the gray-haired girl's shoulder: "The kind who can always stay by my side?"

Zhu Yan trembled slightly, speaking softly:

"May I?"

"Of course," Mu Qinglan smiled, nuzzling her with the side of her face, pretending to be displeased: "Miss Zhu Yan mustn't underestimate yourself too much. You're very capable."

"Then I'm will..." Zhu Yan said urgently.

"Miss Zhu Yan should think it through clearly before speaking, okay?" Mu Qinglan interrupted.

"I've thought it through." Zhu Yan's voice was firm, thinking that this time she must properly repay Sister Mu and not let her down.

Mu Qinglan: Plan successful.

"Then please take care of me from now on." Mu Qinglan laughed softly, her laughter sounding sweet as honey to Zhu Yan's ears, sickeningly sweet.

"Mm... I will protect Miss Mu well."

Zhu Yan curled up her body even more, leaning back and obediently rubbing Mu Qinglan's chin with the side of her face.

She also carefully grasped Mu Qinglan's hands that were resting on her chest.

Holding them tightly.

"By the way, I have an ability to form contracts that requires Miss Zhu Yan's consent. It can make you a bit stronger when you're by my side, okay?"

"I'll listen to Miss Mu."

"Then be good..." Mu Qinglan smiled like she was coaxing a child, freeing her hands and placing both palms on the gray-haired girl's temples, gently covering them.

Zhu Yan remained motionless, only feeling coolness on her forehead and growing drowsiness.

But she showed no resistance whatsoever.

"Be obedient. You'll be fine after sleeping."

The cool, milky voice with a hint of bewitchment rang in her ears. Zhu Yan drowsily nodded and leaned into the embrace of the girl who was only slightly older than her, falling peacefully asleep.

○

The big orange cat in the sky rolled over, its warm yellow fur constantly falling down.

The winter sunlight was particularly warm, falling on the body and making people extremely comfortable, almost wanting to be sealed in blankets and battle the laziness demon for another three hundred rounds.

Zhu Yan drowsily rubbed her eyes and saw Mu Qinglan looking at her with a half-smile.

She stared with wide, dazed eyes.

"Miss Mu..." Zhu Yan reacted and wanted to get up.

"Don't rush. You got the form of address wrong." Mu Qinglan pulled her back, making her lean against herself again.

"Form of address?"

Zhu Yan blinked her eyes. She could clearly feel herself continuously developing an ambiguous sense of dependence toward the girl holding her, but although she was aware of it, she didn't want to change it.

She felt this was good.

This kind of relationship was already much, much better than what she had imagined before.

She almost wanted to sink into it forever.

However, she thought for a long time but couldn't figure out what the address issue was about. Fortunately, Mu Qinglan reminded her with a mischievous smile.

"Ahem," Mu Qinglan cleared her throat and said seriously: "Miss Zhu Yan has already become my personal maid. Shouldn't you change how you address me?"

"Miss?" Zhu Yan asked dazedly.

Mu Qinglan shook her head, her expression mysterious.

Zhu Yan's face turned red, her toes drawing circles on the ground as she said weakly:

"Master."

○

Afternoon.

Mu Qinglan lazily leaned back in her wheelchair basking in the sun, pondering the effects of the contract in her mind.

It was mostly successful. Zhu Yan had also honestly reported the changes after the contract. Most importantly, after the contract, she could vaguely sense emotions transmitted from the other side of the contract.

She could roughly guess that this was an emotion called dependence.

Then she didn't need to worry about betrayal.

Mu Qinglan was thinking when she suddenly heard tap-tap-tap footsteps from behind. Turning around, she saw Jiang He walking over like an iceberg, wordlessly sitting across from her.

Tilting her head, she slapped a scroll in her hands onto the table and said:

"I found the person you're looking for."