"If Huo Yuhao knew what you were like in my arms, I wonder what kind of face he'd make," Qian Ran said with a smirk. His right hand grasped Huo Yun'er's delicate chin, tilting her face upward so he could admire her beauty.
Her alluring features still carried a faint trace of the elegant and virtuous woman she had once been.
She must have been a truly dutiful and kind-hearted woman before, Qian Ran thought. Well, she still is—just devoted to me now.
"Should Yun'er serve Master?" Huo Yun'er asked softly, her cheeks flushed.
"Which room is yours?" Qian Ran asked.
"That one," Huo Yun'er replied, excitement flickering in her eyes.
Qian Ran reclined lazily on her bed as Huo Yun'er, blushing, slipped out of her white dress, leaving only her sheer white stockings and a matching blue lingerie set to cover her perfect figure. Kneeling beside him, she began massaging his shoulders with skilled, gentle hands.
Her touch was practiced and precise, as if she had been meticulously trained for this moment.
Qian Ran let out a contented sigh, closing his eyes to savor her expert care. Her soft hands worked their way over his muscles, soothing away any tension. Then, without hesitation, she perched lightly on his legs, leaning her body against his as her soft lips grazed his skin.
The intimate attention was intoxicating, a massage that felt as much like worship as care.
"Master… Yun'er loves you so much," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
This was the first time she had ever been so physically close to Qian Ran, beyond their previous kisses. For months, she had longed for this moment, and now, finally, she was near him. The sheer thrill of proximity made her lose herself.
"You little vixen," Qian Ran chuckled, lightly patting her cheek.
Her eagerness surprised even him. He hadn't expected her to be so utterly devoted, so eager to please.
She really is infatuated with me, he thought.
"Yun'er is Master's dog," she murmured, her doe-like eyes gazing up at him. "Yun'er belongs entirely to Master."
Hearing this, Qian Ran could no longer hold back.
Several hours later, Qian Ran sat on the bed, his arm wrapped around a panting Huo Yun'er. Her once-neat appearance was disheveled, but her devotion hadn't wavered for a second.
"Go make lunch; I'm getting hungry," Qian Ran said, gently pushing her away.
Huo Yun'er's culinary skills had already impressed him several times, and now he was craving another taste of her cooking.
"Right away." Huo Yun'er quickly gathered herself, slipping into her white high heels and heading toward the kitchen.
At home, without any outsiders, there was no need for modesty. Why bother dressing fully when it was just Qian Ran?
"Oh, and from now on, don't leave any of your belongings lying around," Qian Ran added, noticing the shoes scattered near the door. "Keep everything in a storage soul tool."
"Understood," Huo Yun'er replied, hurrying to pack her shoes and other items. She even cleared the bedroom of any personal effects, carefully placing them all into her storage soul tool.
"Relax. I was just making a suggestion. No need to panic," Qian Ran said, noticing her sudden paleness.
Though Huo Yuhao wasn't likely to touch her things, Qian Ran didn't want to take any chances. His concern wasn't limited to her—it extended to others like Zhou Yi, Xian Lin'er, and Cai Mei'er. He detested the idea of anyone sullying their belongings.
After all, with men like Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo around, who could say how their frustrations might manifest? Better safe than sorry.
Meanwhile, in Zhou Yi's class, Huo Yuhao found it impossible to focus. His thoughts were consumed by the image of Qian Ran and the possibility of something happening to Huo Yun'er at home.
The unease gnawed at him until, as soon as class ended, he bolted straight for home.
Upon opening the door, Huo Yuhao breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Huo Yun'er safe and sound.
"It was just my imagination," he muttered, though his relief was short-lived.
"That damned Qian Ran! He's left me so paranoid. If he ever tries anything again, I'll fight him to the death, no matter what it takes."
His eyes reddened as he looked at his mother, sitting there as if nothing had happened.
"You're back! Come eat, I've made a big meal for you," Huo Yun'er said warmly, ushering him inside.
Seeing the table full of dishes, Huo Yuhao felt tears welling up.
It had been so long since he'd tasted her cooking.
That familiar flavor brought back memories of a time he thought was gone forever.
Choking back his tears, he ate quietly.
"Eat up, Yuhao. I added some special seasonings this time. Don't you think it tastes different?" Huo Yun'er said with a peculiar smile.
She had followed Qian Ran's instructions to the letter. Huo Yuhao wasn't just eating lunch—he was savoring something else entirely.
"Huh?"
Huo Yuhao hadn't noticed anything unusual.
"It does taste saltier than before. Is this soul beast meat? It's a bit gamey," he remarked. But no matter what it tasted like, anything made by Huo Yun'er was, in his mind, the best food in the world.
"If you like it, make sure to finish it all. I'll be upset if you don't," Huo Yun'er said before excusing herself to another room.
Oblivious to her true intentions, Huo Yuhao cleaned his plate.
As he washed the dishes, a nagging feeling crept in—something about the house felt… off. It wasn't quite as he'd left it that morning.
Looking around, he finally spotted the inconsistency: a set of dishes in the cabinet that seemed freshly washed, still slightly damp compared to the others. Four chopsticks were mismatched, as though someone had used them recently.
Huo Yuhao stumbled backward, his vision going black for a moment.
Someone had been here while he was gone. Someone had eaten with Huo Yun'er.
Who was it?!
He trembled with fury as his mind raced through the possibilities.
When he confronted Huo Yun'er, her calm demeanor faltered slightly. She wasn't afraid of Huo Yuhao himself but worried about Qian Ran's reaction. If she messed this up, would her beloved Master stop paying attention to her?
"Yuhao, don't be upset. I just… invited an uncle for you," she said, her voice soft but steady.
(End of Chapter)