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Xia Zhiyao slowly walked to the bench and sat down, her fingertips still tightly gripping the hem of her dress, her breathing extremely shallow.
For the next ten seconds or so, there was complete silence behind her, not a sound.
The silence amplified the fear in her heart, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.
Xia Zhiyao could clearly hear her own heartbeat, heavy and rapid, each pounding against her chest, as if it would leap out of her throat at any moment.
Just as she was about to faint from fear, footsteps finally sounded.
Steady, slow, the soles of his military boots landing softly on the soundproof carpet.
Shen Yu stopped beside the bench, his tall shadow enveloping Xia Zhiyao's slender frame.
Xia Zhiyao buried her face in her arms, her whole body trembling uncontrollably.
She could sense that Shen Yu's entire aura had completely changed.
If just moments ago on the sofa, Shen Yu had exuded a languid and playful warmth, now he was like a ferocious beast baring its fangs.
It was an overwhelming pressure directed at her, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.
A warm, large hand descended.
Callus-covered fingertips gently traced the curve of her waist, the movement neither too light nor too heavy, the fingertips brushing past her lower back before finally stopping above her waist.
She was slender, with no excess fat around her waist and abdomen. With her rapid, anxious breathing, the lines of her waist rose and fell slightly, clearly visible.
"Aunt Mei said you haven't been eating properly these past few days?"
The man's unhurried voice drifted down from above, startling Xia Zhiyao.
"Is it because Aunt Mei's cooking isn't to your liking?"
His fingers slid down, a hint of punishment in them, pressing heavily on the side of her slender abdomen.
Xia Zhiyao trembled violently, shaking her head frantically, tears streaming down her face, quickly soaking her arms. Her sobs trembled.
How could she eat?
Every second was agonizing in fear, awaiting the unknown judgment. Her stomach was filled with a bitter, despairing ache; even drinking water felt suffocating.
But she still sobbed, answering haltingly, "...I ate..."
"Lying."
Shen Yu slowly walked to her, his long fingers gently pinching her chin, forcing her to lift her head slightly, his tone cold and hard.
"Little liar, you can't be let off easily."
"I...I didn't lie..."
Xia Zhiyao choked, tears still clinging to her cheeks, her voice trembling.
Shen Yu narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed intently on her face, scrutinizing her for a moment.
Her lips were small and soft, now slightly red from crying, delicate and fragile.
"So you're homesick...to the point of not being able to eat?"
Shen Yu's voice suddenly turned several degrees colder.
The word "homesick" sent a shiver down Xia Zhiyao's spine.
She wasn't stupid; of course she knew why Shen Yu was angry that day.
Her eyes widened abruptly, tears streaming down her face.
"Mr. Shen, I know I was wrong...I'll never do it again, I really won't..."
Xia Zhiyao choked back sobs, her voice broken and humble, desperately pleading.
"Whether you dare or not isn't something that can be done with words."
Shen Yu's voice was devoid of warmth.
He slowly released his grip on her cheek, turned, and walked slowly away.
"A memory like this has to be etched into your bones to last." His voice came, slow and deliberate, yet extremely intimidating.
As Shen Yu walked, he slowly unbuttoned his shirt cuffs, rolling up the sleeves to above his forearms, revealing a muscular arm with a black wolf's head tattooed on it.
"Martha is a beast. It obeys because it knows I can control it."
"And you, you have a brain. You should know what you can and cannot do."
Xia Zhiyao instantly tensed all her muscles, tightly closing her eyes. She bit her lower lip until it ached, breathing cautiously, fear almost consuming her.
This unknown wait was more agonizing than any definite punishment, long and hopeless.
Xia Zhiyao was so frightened she couldn't speak coherently.
"I...I really can't take it anymore...Mr. Shen...please...spare me this time..."
She choked back sobs, her plea broken and filled with despair.
Shen Yu slowly walked to her, his tone cold and indifferent, and slowly spoke:
"This warning is a lesson I'm giving you."
"Remember this feeling. When I teach you a lesson, what you should do is obediently remember it and never forget it again."
"Because only the dead can't feel pain."