Enzo dared not provoke Chu Yuan, but when it came to his own interests, he wouldn’t let Chu Yuan have his way so easily.
“I merely wish to congratulate Mr. Chu on gaining a beauty. I look forward to seeing you and your little maid shine at Meiren Gong a month from now. If her performance fails to meet the standards, I’ll take her away. Mr. Chu, don’t try to use your authority as the master of Renjian Hao to pressure me.”
Since she was Chu Yuan’s contracted nüyong, according to the rules of Renjian Hao, every nüyong must pass the performance assessment at Meiren Gong.
Even the God of Gamblers could not refuse.
Enzo himself was also one of the judges.
At that time, if there was even the slightest flaw on Chu Yuan’s side, he could find an excuse to deem the maid’s training unsatisfactory.
Ye Jiuting would still be his, and he could thoroughly deflate the God of Gamblers’ arrogance.
Let the whole world see that even a god is not invincible.
Chu Yuan merely smiled and walked past Enzo without a word.
Ye Jiuting hurried to follow. As she passed by Enzo, she heard him say through gritted teeth, “You can’t escape my grasp.”
His gaze was like a venomous snake that had sunk its fangs into its prey, refusing to let go until death.
Ye Jiuting felt every hair on her body stand on end. She quickened her pace to catch up with Chu Yuan, fleeing that terrifying place.
Back in the God of Gamblers’ suite.
Chu Yuan sat on the single sofa where they had parted earlier.
The blackout curtains were now fully drawn, and the spotlight overhead fell on Ye Jiuting.
Dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, she stood before him like a painted dan performer stepping onto the stage.
“Mr. Chu, thank you for saving me again.”
Chu Yuan crossed his legs, took out a cigarette, and lit it. “Do you know the rules for protecting someone on Renjian Hao?”
“Not really.” Before boarding Renjian Hao, everything Ye Jiuting knew about it came from hearsay.
Those people had never actually been on Renjian Hao themselves. It was all word of mouth, and no one knew the specifics.
Chu Yuan said, “Renjian Hao is divided into three categories: guests, staff, and nüyong. I won’t explain the other two. As the name suggests, nüyong can be understood as submissives. A nüyong belongs to her master in body, mind, and soul. No one but her master can lay a finger on her.”
Ye Jiuting had long heard that Renjian Hao had powerful backing and was not bound by any country’s laws.
Even H Country’s investigation team had to abide by Renjian Hao’s rules.
The God of Gamblers’ influence was evident.
“Mr. God of Gamblers, you’ve saved me twice. I am willing to become your nüyong and repay your kindness for the rest of my life.”
Chu Yuan stood up, looking down at Ye Jiuting.
“I’m stepping out for a moment. If you’re unwilling, you can leave directly.”
The door opened and closed.
The woody scent from Chu Yuan’s body brushed past Ye Jiuting’s nose.
It was the scent of hormones, an absolute temptation to the opposite sex.
Ye Jiuting remained where she stood. Apart from the single lamp overhead, everything within sight was black, white, or gray.
If she walked out that door, Enzo would capture her and take her to H Country, where her fate would be uncertain.
From the moment Mr. Zhou died.
Ye Jiuting had no choice left.
Her only option was to stay and become the God of Gamblers’ nüyong.
A few minutes later, the door clicked open.
The God of Gamblers returned, holding a silver-white jewelry box.
He placed the box on the table, sat on the sofa, and looked at Ye Jiuting. “Have you made up your mind?”
“Mr. God of Gamblers, my answer has always been unwavering.”
Ye Jiuting’s attitude was sincere, and she knew right from wrong.
If it weren’t for the man before her, her situation would be unimaginable.
Ye Jiuting had already realized that this was a trap specifically designed for her—someone wanted her dead abroad.
In her lifetime, she had saved countless lives and only wished to develop her medical career properly.
She had never made enemies in her daily life.
Who exactly was trying to harm her?
Chu Yuan said, “Whether you are qualified to be my nüyong still requires passing my assessment. If you pass, we will sign a lifelong master-servant agreement.”
“I will perform well and strive to meet your requirements.”
Ye Jiuting remembered that Enzo had mentioned the performance at Meiren Gong a month later, which might be related to this.
If she couldn’t even pass Chu Yuan’s initial probation period, how could she even think about the performance at Meiren Gong?
“What is your name?”
“Ye Jiuting.”
“Tell me your identity.”
“Your nüyong.”
“Come to me.” Chu Yuan patted his knee.
Ye Jiuting moved closer, crouched at his feet, and pressed her face against his thigh, as docile as a house cat.
Chu Yuan reached out to stroke her delicate cheek, his fingertips brushing past her eyelashes.
The tears he touched were like morning dew.
Clean, with a cool scent.
The fragrance of orchids filled the air.
“Why are you crying?”
“I don’t know.”
In the next moment, Chu Yuan’s hand, which had been caressing her cheek, suddenly withdrew. His eyes, capable of discerning everything, turned sharp as knives.
“You feel insulted.” Chu Yuan hit the nail on the head.
He was like a god of slaughter, seated high upon a divine altar, looking down upon all things.
Ye Jiuting realized that any concealment or lies would be impossible to hide from this man.
She lowered her head in shame. “I’m sorry, I didn’t want to be like this. I couldn’t control my heart.”
Chu Yuan said, “Miss Ye, please remember, we are on the same side. Our efforts are aligned. I am not your enemy.”
“I remember, Master.” Ye Jiuting tried hard to adapt to her new identity.
She told herself inwardly, what did shame and dignity matter in the face of life and death?
She could meet Chu Yuan’s requirements and become a qualified nüyong.
Chu Yuan’s slender fingers hooked an orchid ribbon from the jewelry box.
Soft lace embroidery, noble black, adorned with a fresh orchid.
The style was unique, the design fashionable.
Chu Yuan bent down and tied the silk around her neck.
The silk trailed long behind her, like a decorative pendant hanging down her back, its weight clearly felt.
This was not an ornament but a substitute for a collar.
A collar was originally something a master bestowed upon a pet.
It symbolized the relationship of conqueror and conquered, along with the gradual loss of dignity and human rights.
“Your neck is very beautiful—slender and long, like a swan. It suits silk and ornaments well.”
Chu Yuan’s fingers moved away from her neck as he picked up a black lace-patterned mask nearby.
“Put this on. I’ll take you to Meiren Gong to watch the performance.”
Ye Jiuting looked at the mask presented to her, her heart filled with fear and unease.
Still, she extended both hands, palms facing upward, and respectfully accepted the mask.
She placed it over her face. The cool metal was not hard, fitting her perfectly as if custom-made.
Throughout the entire process of putting on the mask, she dared not lower her head, maintaining eye contact with him the entire time.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Chu Yuan’s mouth, his gaze gentle. “You see, it’s not so difficult to do.”
Ye Jiuting knew this was a preliminary obedience test.