As days flew by, Meili Jiang and Xiao Yu became inseparable, their bond strengthening over shared textbooks and whispered secrets. Meanwhile, Long Shen remained entangled in the ruthless underworld, negotiating blood-soaked deals with men who only respected violence.
This afternoon, Xiao Yu and Mei Li were tucked in the university library, heads bent over a thick finance textbook. A looming presence stood two feet away—Xiao Yu's ever-watchful bodyguard, dressed in sleek black, his eyes scanning the quiet room.
Meili stole glances at him, her brow arched in curiosity. "Is he going to follow us everywhere?" she whispered, her voice barely above a hush.
Xiao Yu shrugged slightly, her tone dry. "Yes."
Meili's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Is your dad some paranoid billionaire? Or are you being hunted by secret enemies?"
Xiao Yu's eyes flicked away, her voice low and flat. "Yes... too many enemies. He's just trying to protect me."
Meili leaned in, curiosity glowing in her eyes. "Ohhh. That makes sense. Still... he's kind of cute."
Xiao Yu chuckled, her voice softening. "Do you like him?"
Meili turned bright red. "No! I'm just saying he looks... dedicated. What's his name?"
"I don't know."
Meili blinked in disbelief. "You've been guarded by him for weeks and don't even know his name?"
"He doesn't talk much," Xiao Yu defended. "How would I even ask?"
Meili giggled. "Try next time. Ask nicely. Who knows? Maybe he has a soft side."
Changing the subject, Meili brightened. "Hey, are you free this weekend?"
Xiao Yu looked intrigued. "I think so. Why?"
"My stepbrother's throwing a huge birthday party. I want you to come."
Xiao Yu's eyes widened. "Really? I've never been to a party before."
"What? Seriously? Not even as a kid?"
Xiao Yu lowered her gaze. "No. My... dad never let me attend."
Meili's smile softened. "Well, this Saturday will be your first. You'll love it."
She scribbled the address onto a slip of paper and pressed it into Xiao Yu's hand.
---
★LONG SHEN'S MANSION★
Later that night, Xiao Yu sat at the dining table with Long Shen. The food in front of her barely touched as she hesitated before speaking.
"There's a birthday party this weekend... Meili invited me. I'd like to go."
Long Shen didn't look up from his plate. "You're not going."
Xiao Yu blinked. "Why not?"
His voice was flat, final. "Because I said so."
She clenched her fork. "You don't control everything I do. I already told Meili I'd be there."
His eyes lifted to hers, cold and unblinking. "You're still mine. You live under my roof, and my rules. That's final."
"Can we just have a normal conversation without you throwing the word 'slave' around like it's my name?!" she snapped.
Long Shen leaned back in his chair, his tone mocking. "If the title fits, wear it."
"I won't even be alone. Your guard follows me around like a shadow, remember?"
"Still no."
Xiao Yu grumbled under her breath. "Heartless brute."
"I heard that," he said, not missing a beat.
---
The next morning, Xiao Yu doubled her efforts. She followed Long Shen around like a persistent kitten—pleading in the garden, trailing him on the balcony, even appearing at the poolside with her most innocent expression.
No change.
Later, she found him lounging on the veranda, sipping wine and reading the news. His guards loomed nearby.
Xiao Yu sat down on the floor near his feet and gently began to massage them.
He peeked over the edge of the paper. "What are you doing?"
"Massaging your tired feet. Does it feel good?" she said with a playful pout.
He scoffed. "This won't change my answer."
"You're so impossible," she muttered. "You old man."
He lowered the newspaper slightly. "Did you just call me old?"
Xiao Yu grinned. "You heard me. Old men don't know what fun feels like."
"Fun doesn't pay debts," he replied coolly.
She threw her hands up. "I just want to feel normal for once!"
Long Shen stood up, brushing past her. "Normal doesn't exist in this life, Little Slave. Get used to it."
But Xiao Yu, watching him walk away, made a silent vow: one way or another, she would go to that party.