“I won’t betray you.” Ye Jiuting raised her hand in assurance.
Only then did Li Yueqian pull her little friend and run out.
From outside, their hushed conversation could still be heard. “Sister Yueqian, why did you agree to her request so easily? What if this stranger sells us out?”
“If we don’t agree, she’ll tell others about our business, and we won’t be able to escape either way.”
Ye Jiuting couldn’t help but smile wryly. One must always guard against others’ ill intentions—these people understood the dangers of human nature all too clearly.
She believed there should be a little trust between people.
She could report them, and they could give her a fake departure time.
By the time she went, they would have long since left.
So, all of this was merely a psychological game and a high-stakes gamble built on zero trust.
Ye Jiuting returned to the booth, where Chu Yuan had just finished a cup of tea.
She stepped forward to pour tea for Chu Yuan, bending down when she felt the oppressive aura emanating from him.
Maintaining her tea-pouring posture, Ye Jiuting looked up and saw Chu Yuan staring at her neck.
“Where is the ribbon I tied for you?”
Ye Jiuting’s hand trembled, and scalding water spilled onto the back of her hand, turning a large patch red.
“It got dirty in the restroom earlier, so I threw it away.”
This was the second time she had lied in front of Chu Yuan, and her heart was in utter turmoil.
She didn’t know the consequences of being caught lying by Chu Yuan this time. Lowering her head, she pulled out a tissue and wiped the crystal round table clean.
The mirror-like surface reflected her downcast eyes, filled with unconcealable tension.
“If it’s gone, it’s gone. I’ll design a better one for you when we return.”
Chu Yuan looked at her beautiful neck, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. “Custom-made just for you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Chu.”
Ye Jiuting secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Only when she returned to stand behind Chu Yuan did she realize her entire back was soaked in sweat.
For the rest of the performance, Ye Jiuting’s mind couldn’t focus on anything. All she could think about was that fleeting smile from Chu Yuan.
Had he discovered her lie but chose not to expose it, or had he not noticed at all?
When the performance ended and they returned to the room’s entrance, they saw a server standing at the door with a tray, bowing respectfully.
“Mr. Chu, the burn ointment you requested.”
Chu Yuan took an exquisite medicine box from the tray and led Ye Jiuting inside.
He sat on the sofa, his gaze fixed on Ye Jiuting’s hand hanging by her side.
It hadn’t been this red earlier, but now the entire back of her hand was flushed.
“Give me your hand,” Chu Yuan commanded.
Only then did Ye Jiuting belatedly feel the searing pain on the back of her hand.
She raised her hand and obediently offered it to Chu Yuan.
Her fingers were long and slender, the tips like pink orchids, exuding a rich fragrance.
Their cool touch flowed through Chu Yuan’s veins like a clear spring.
Ever since meeting her, his life-threatening headaches had completely vanished.
This orchid was a potent remedy.
Chu Yuan scooped out some ointment with his fingertip and gently spread it over her burned skin, slowly massaging it in to allow full absorption.
The ointment was excellent, its cooling sensation soothing the pain almost immediately.
Chu Yuan massaged her hand for a long while before releasing it. “Are you afraid of me?”
Ye Jiuting answered honestly, “Yes, Mr. Chu.”
On this ship, who wasn’t afraid of the God of Gamblers?
“What are you afraid of? I’m not going to eat you.” Chu Yuan leaned back on the sofa, looking at her with a relaxed posture.
As if preparing for an equal conversation.
“I’m afraid I won’t pass your assessment. Those earlier performances were very difficult for me.”
She could not bring herself to do such a thing in public, kneeling between his legs.
“I have no violent tendencies, nor do I enjoy abuse. I respect human rights, and I will not make you perform those acts. Remember, you are my maid, and your only duty is absolute obedience to me.”
She took a step forward, kneeling on one knee beside Chu Yuan’s feet, looking up at him like a devout believer.
“Mr. Chu, I willingly become your nüyong, belonging to you for life, to repay your kindness.”
Imitating the actions of the girls she had seen in performances to please their masters, she lowered her head and kissed the back of his hand resting on his thigh. “I will perform well, Master.”
Chu Yuan lifted her chin with his fingertips, staring into her eyes.
“Ye Jiuting, once a promise is made, it must be kept for a lifetime. I do not allow anyone to back out halfway.”
“I will not regret it,” Ye Jiuting replied resolutely.
Chu Yuan made a phone call, and soon someone brought in a document.
It was already signed and stamped by Chu Yuan. He handed the document to Ye Jiuting.
Ye Jiuting carefully read the contents—hundreds of clauses, all stipulating her absolute obedience to her master.
The final clause outlined her benefits and compensation: an annual salary of one million!
The master could end this relationship at any time, and all jewelry and other items used during the period would belong to her.
If she did not want them, they could be converted into cash.
This level of compensation was something even many who married into wealthy families did not receive.
After reading it, she picked up a pen and signed, leaving her fingerprint.
Chu Yuan was pleased with her actions, leaning in to stroke her cheek.
His fingers slid to her slender neck, his thumb lingering and caressing it.
“The lost ribbon is not important, but mistakes must be punished. Take off your clothes.”
Ye Jiuting froze for two seconds before, under his sharp gaze, she removed her clothes and stood naked before him.
Her beautiful, flawless female body could have served as a human specimen.
She was overwhelmed with shame, wanting to hide but having nowhere to go.
“From now on, you must learn to handle the household chores of this house and be responsible for my daily life. If you don’t know how, I can find someone to teach you.”
“I will,” Ye Jiuting lied.
Not only had she never attended to someone’s personal needs, she had never even stepped into a kitchen.
But her pride would never allow a stranger to see her in such a state!
“Good. Now, let’s design a replacement for the lost ribbon. This time, we’ll use a collar.”
Chu Yuan turned and went to the study.
Ye Jiuting followed him.
The study was designed in black, white, and gray.
He sat in a pearwood chair from the Qianlong era and gently patted his thigh.
Ye Jiuting immediately moved closer, unsure whether to sit on his lap or do something else.
“Lie down.”
Ye Jiuting lay across his lap, her skin fully exposed, leaving her with no sense of security.
Her body trembled with shyness.
Chu Yuan’s palm rested on her back, stroking from her shoulders downward.
The touch was ambiguous, his fingertips carrying a burning warmth.
The tip of a brush swept over her skin like a feather.
It felt like an electric shock, making her entire body tense.
“Relax, I won’t hurt you. Trust me,” Chu Yuan’s voice was gentle and reassuring.
Ye Jiuting slowly relaxed.
She bit her lower lip to keep from jumping up and resisting.
The process was long and torturous. By the time it finally ended, a fine layer of sweat had formed on her skin.
Chu Yuan admired the pattern on her back, took a photo with his phone, and handed it to her.
“Take a look. Does it need any improvements?”
Ye Jiuting took it and saw an ancient pattern—not overly intricate, yet highly complex in execution.
In the center was a massive gemstone, with the back cloud crafted from various jewels.
A fusion of fashion and classicism, the finished piece would undoubtedly be of immense value.
“It’s beautiful. No improvements are needed.”
Even if improvements were necessary, Ye Jiuting wouldn’t request them.
“Is that so?” Chu Yuan’s tone seemed tinged with disappointment as his hand slowly trailed down from Ye Jiuting’s slender waist…