Ji Yu’s mind went completely blank from the sudden shock. A feeling of suffocation overwhelmed her entire body. She couldn’t understand how the man in front of her could change so drastically in an instant.
Not only was he choking her, but his eyes were also terrifying, like those of a demon crawling out of hell. It was unimaginable that the elegant, gentle nobleman from just a moment ago could suddenly turn into a raving maniac.
“Are… you… crazy?” she managed to gasp out the words with great difficulty.
She looked up in terror at Nan Xing. His eyes were bloodshot, his gaze ferocious, and his movements violent. As the grip tightened, her feet suddenly lifted off the ground; he was holding her up entirely by her neck.
Ji Yu kicked wildly and pounded her fists against his chest, desperately trying to bring him back to his senses. But her strength was failing, and her blows felt as soft as cotton, causing no real damage at all.
Outside the window, thunder roared and lightning flashed. A violent storm battered the house, shaking the windows violently. A streak of lightning cut through the sky, illuminating his face in the darkness.
Ji Yu’s pupils shrank in disbelief. She saw red veins spreading across his handsome face, appearing as if blood vessels were bursting through his skin.
It was hideous and terrifying, truly demonic.
Tears and snot streamed down her face. Her mind was in chaos, leaving only one thought: *I’m going to die!*
Just as she was about to lose consciousness, a loud “Quack!” pulled her fading awareness back.
*Quack!*
She saw a white blur leap up, and suddenly felt weight on her head. The “stupid goose” had landed firmly on top of her.
Then, casting a shadow over her, she watched as the goose bent its neck and began pecking fiercely at the hand gripping her throat.
Peck! Peck! Peck!
To her relief, the pressure around her neck loosened slightly. As the air returned to her lungs, she gasped deeply.
Looking up, she saw a flicker of confusion cross Nan Xing’s face, as if wondering why the bird was pecking him—it didn’t hurt much, feeling more like an annoying itch.
Seizing that split second of distraction, Ji Yu held her breath, gathered all her remaining strength, and delivered a hard kick upwards. His expression twisted in pain, his brows furrowing deeply as he glared at her.
The hold on her neck released. Deprived of support, Ji Yu fell heavily to the floor. The impact also sent the goose tumbling off her head. It flapped its wings, scrambled back to her side, and let out a couple of complaining squawks.
Ji Yu looked at the bird she had previously called stupid with immense gratitude. If not for it, she would surely have suffocated to death.
The goose lifted its head proudly and called out happily. Ji Yu stroked its white wings and promised, “Because you saved my life today, I decided not to slaughter you.”
Lying on the floor, gasping for air, she touched her neck. The slightest contact sent sharp pains through her, making her hiss and pull her hand back quickly.
She hadn’t rested for long when a large shadow loomed over her, darkening her view. Looking up, she saw him approaching again, step by step.
“Again?!” Ji Yu cried out in despair.
Helplessly, she tried to scramble up and find a place to hide, but her feet slipped. She stumbled forward directly toward him. Seeing that terrifying, bloodshot face getting closer, she closed her eyes and resigned herself to fate.
With a tremendous splash, water flew everywhere as they both tumbled into the wooden bathtub. Caught off guard, Ji Yu swallowed a mouthful of water and immediately started coughing and sputtering.
After a long moment, she heard a voice.
“Miss Ji? Why… are you in the tub?”
“Why?” Ji Yu stared at him in confusion. He looked completely normal again, genuinely puzzled.
She frowned and studied him carefully for a while before asking hesitantly, “Do you… not remember anything that just happened?”
Nan Xing slowly shook his head. Ji Yu looked at him strangely. The red veins on his face had faded but were still visible. She picked up a bronze mirror from a nearby stool and held it up to him. “Look for yourself.”
Seeing his own reflection, he raised a trembling hand to touch his face. His long lashes fluttered, and his lips parted slightly. His voice turned cold. “You saw it?”
Ji Yu gave him another odd look. Why ask that? The changes were so obvious; anyone could see them unless they were blind.
“Mm,” she grunted in acknowledgement and tried to stand up. Suddenly, her wrist was grabbed. Her heart skipped a beat. Fearfully, she looked at him, instinctively raising her other hand to protect her neck, terrified he might lose control again.
Nan Xing noticed her defensive gesture. His eyes flickered with confusion, then realization, but he quickly schooled his expression into calmness. However, his grip on her wrist did not loosen.
Ji Yu looked down at his hand holding her firmly. She tried to pull away, but the difference in strength was too great. Calming her racing thoughts, she looked him in the eye and asked, “Young Master Qi, what is the meaning of this?”
His gaze shifted to her neck. Despite her hand covering it, he could see the exposed skin marked by a vivid red bruise, stark against her pale flesh. It was a shocking sight.
“Did I… hurt you just now?”
His voice carried deep remorse and guilt. Ji Yu was slightly taken aback. She unconsciously rubbed her neck; the pain was still there.
Recalling how ferociously he had attacked her, she instinctively tried to retreat, but being inside the tub filled with water, there was nowhere to go. She finally wrenched her wrist free, climbed out of the water, and put some distance between them, watching him warily.
Under the water, Nan Xing’s hands clenched into fists. The red tint was returning to his eyes, his chest heaving and his breathing ragged.
He had lost control again. He had scared Miss Ji. If she was afraid of him now, if she told him to leave, how could he stay? How could he complete his mission for the Princess?
No, he couldn’t leave. Not until he obtained what he came for.
He forced himself to calm down. The redness in his eyes gradually faded, and his breathing steadied. Slowly, he stood up and stepped out of the tub.
Water dripped steadily onto the floor, forming puddles. his soaked clothes clung tightly to his well-built physique, outlining every muscle and curve of his body.
Watching this, Ji Yu’s eyes lit up. She couldn’t help but stare, her mind racing: *This body… this figure… these muscles… absolute perfect material for drawing!*
She was so distracted that she only snapped back to reality when she smelled a strong metallic scent. Looking at his towering figure so close, she panicked, scrambled backward, and quickly hid behind the screen.
Nan Xing’s gaze darkened. He stopped abruptly, standing about five paces away from the screen, staring at the silhouette behind it.
She was afraid of him. That was not good at all.
“Miss Ji,” he called out.