Chapter 28: Ai Xinglan’s Fury

A Playful Deception

“What do you mean…?”

Ai Xinglan turned back, bewildered.
Yu Li grinned at her, showing no trace of the pain she had feigned moments ago.

…

Realizing she’d been tricked again, Ai Xinglan’s expression darkened instantly.
After a brief silence, she clenched her fists, glaring at Yu Li with frustration.

“Xiao Ai? Xiao Ai…?”

Noticing Ai Xinglan’s flushed face and the threatening aura radiating from her, Yu Li panicked.
Consequently, she backed away, her voice tinged with nervousness.

However, confined to the bed, Yu Li had little space to retreat.
Pressing herself against the headboard, she could only watch helplessly as the furious Ai Xinglan approached.

“Um… Xiao Ai, let me explain… I just thought the mood was a bit heavy…”

Yu Li hurriedly tried to justify her actions, but to Ai Xinglan, her words sounded like flimsy excuses.

“Yu! Li! You dare make jokes like this? Looks like you really need a lesson.”

Clearly enraged, Ai Xinglan moved as if to teach Yu Li a lesson.
She reached out, intending to grab her.

Suddenly, Yu Li sat up on her knees, seized Ai Xinglan’s hands, and pulled gently.
Unprepared, Ai Xinglan lost her balance and fell onto Yu Li.

An Unexpected Tumble

“Stupid Yu Li, what are you doing!”

Ai Xinglan exclaimed, caught completely off guard by Yu Li’s bold move.

“Xiao Ai… I know I was wrong. I won’t do it again… Can you forgive me this time?”

Pinned beneath Ai Xinglan, Yu Li leaned forward slightly, their bodies pressed together.
She whispered teasingly in Ai Xinglan’s ear, her breath warm and suggestive.

“You think you can just brush this off…?”

Gritting her teeth, Ai Xinglan’s face flushed red.
Nevertheless, she wasn’t about to let Yu Li off so easily.

As Yu Li knew how to placate her, Ai Xinglan was equally aware of Yu Li’s tactics.

“Don’t think this works every time!”

Despite her embarrassment, Ai Xinglan resolved to stand her ground, even under Feng’s watchful gaze.

“Then… how does Xiao Ai want to… punish me?”

Contrary to Ai Xinglan’s determination, Yu Li’s voice remained soft and enticing, carrying a hint of anticipation.
It seemed as though Ai Xinglan’s punishment was no different from a reward to her.

A Struggle for Control

Instinctively, Ai Xinglan tried to pull away.
Remaining in this position would only lead to another defeat.

Yet, Yu Li, as if anticipating her move, held her hands tightly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

“Stupid Yu Li… let go!”

While Ai Xinglan grappled with her embarrassment, Yu Li showed no signs of shame, leaving her flustered.

Crack—

Just as the situation grew tense, the fiery cocoon nearby emitted a cracking sound.
Moments later, a small black fox broke free, darting toward Yu Li.

“Pfft!”

The fox slammed into Yu Li’s stomach, causing her to curl up in pain, clutching her abdomen.
Seizing the opportunity, Ai Xinglan stood up.

Liuli’s Unintended Chaos

“Yip yip!”

Unaware of the chaos she’d caused, Liuli stood proudly, hands on her hips.
She let out a few triumphant cries and wagged her tail, showing off a new one that had grown.

Only after her display did Liuli sense something was amiss.
Feng, standing by the door, stifled a laugh.
Turning around, Liuli saw Yu Li curled up on the bed.

[W-wah! Yu Li, what’s wrong?! Are you dying?!]

Still oblivious to her role, Liuli sent a panicked mental message to Yu Li.

Hearing Liuli’s voice, Yu Li gritted her teeth, glaring at the fox with a resentful look.

[Why are you looking at me like that?!]

Confused, Liuli didn’t grasp what had happened.
However, the next moment, Ai Xinglan scooped her up.

“Hmph, well done, Little Liuli! That’s how you deal with someone who loves to trick people!”

Although her face was still flushed, Ai Xinglan gave Yu Li a smug huff before praising Liuli.

“Let’s go, Little Liuli. Let that one reflect on her actions here… And your punishment hasn’t even started yet, so you better be ready!”

With that, Ai Xinglan picked up Liuli and prepared to leave.
Yet, Liuli squirmed, realizing from Ai Xinglan’s words what she’d done.

[Yu Li… Yu Li, wait, I didn’t mean it!]

Yu Li ignored Liuli’s mental pleas, her resentful gaze fixed on the struggling fox in Ai Xinglan’s arms.

[This time doesn’t count! It was an accident! You’re not going to get back at me, right? Are you listening, Yu Li?!]

As Ai Xinglan carried her farther away, Liuli struggled harder, desperate not to be taken out of the room.

Unlike Yu Li, Ai Xinglan couldn’t hear Liuli’s mental voice.
Thus, no matter how much Liuli struggled, she could only watch helplessly as she was carried farther from Yu Li.

A Quiet Exchange with Feng

Click—

As the door shut, Yu Li chuckled and turned to Feng, who remained in the room.
With a hint of complaint, she said:

“That was harsh, Feng. You really just stood there and did nothing.”

Feng maintained her calm demeanor, betraying no emotion.

“It would be amusing if the ever-composed Miss Yu Li finally messed up.”

“…What?”

“Besides, it’s fitting for the young miss, who’s always been toyed with, to strike back.”

Although Feng’s tone was flat, her words were anything but.

“Uh… Miss Feng?”

Caught off guard by Feng’s bluntness, Yu Li instinctively used polite speech.

“Please rest well, Miss Yu Li. I’ll go prepare dinner.”

Feng’s voice remained steady as she smoothly shifted the topic and left the room.

Reflecting on New Power

Watching Feng’s retreating figure, Yu Li felt a bit at a loss.
Normally the perfect maid, Feng always said the most unexpected things.

“Ha…”

Now alone, Yu Li let out a soft sigh and lay back down.
She raised one hand, examining it closely.

Suddenly, black flames ignited on her hand.
Unlike before, something seemed to float within the flames.

They were the emotions she had once consumed, now burning within the flames.
Yu Li could control them freely, no longer needing to store or add them—the flames themselves now held those emotions.

“So… what does she want me to do with this power?”

Yu Li recalled the chained girl, who might be a god, and her cryptic final words.

“Her other half… the Child of God… More things I don’t understand.”

Feeling a headache coming on, Yu Li extinguished the flames and pushed the thoughts aside.