Chapter 353: The Heavenly Queen's Secret Under the Table!
'Hmph, if Fifth Sister can do bad things, so can Luo Luo.'
Yang Luoluo thought sourly as she looked at Fifth Sister Zhong Lingyin's rosy, radiant, and beautiful face.
The simple-minded Yang Luoluo couldn't hide her unusual expression, let alone her frequent glances that darted back and forth between Shen Anyu and Zhong Lingyin like a suspicious radar. Her cheeks were puffed out slightly, resembling a small, angry hamster hoarding seeds of jealousy.
Not only Shen Anyu, but even Zhong Lingyin noticed that something was amiss.
Thump.
Zhong Lingyin's heart immediately skipped a beat, hammering against her ribs. A cold chill of panic momentarily suppressed the unnatural heat rising in her body.
'Had Seventh Sister Yang Luoluo discovered her and Shen Anyu's secret?'
Although Zhong Lingyin had now decided that she would continue with Shen Anyu even if it meant facing a mountain of daggers and a sea of fire—abandoning her reserve as the aloof Heavenly Queen to become his woman—she would still be mortified if it were exposed right here, right now.
To the outside world, she was the untouchable Goddess of Music, a symbol of elegance and purity. If her Junior Sisters found out she was secretly indulging in such shameful pleasure with the very man they all wary of... she wouldn't know where to hide her face.
Immediately, Zhong Lingyin's eyes flickered, masking her panic with the practiced poise of an award-winning actress. She suddenly asked, her voice steady but carrying a hint of feigned curiosity:
"Luo Luo, where did you go this afternoon? Why didn't I see you when I went to your room?"
As a double queen in the film and music industries, her acting skills were truly excellent; no trace of abnormality could be seen on the surface. She appeared calm, composed, and graceful, picking up her silver spoon as if she were just asking casually to fill the silence.
But Zhong Lingyin's beautiful eyes were fixed intently on Yang Luoluo, observing every twitch of the younger girl's facial muscles.
When Yang Luoluo heard Zhong Lingyin's question, she was first a little flustered, her eyes widening. Then she pouted, her internal monologue screaming in protest.
'Fifth Sister, you're so shameless! You spent the whole afternoon doing that with Master Brother—making those strange noises—and now you're turning around and asking me?'
However, Yang Luoluo also didn't want to expose the matter. Her reasons were purely selfish and rooted in fear; lest Master Brother Shen Anyu find out she had spied on him and get angry with her. She wanted to be the obedient favorite, not the snooping annoyance.
"Ah, me? I... I went to the training ground to practice martial arts this afternoon, so I wasn't in my room."
Yang Luoluo's face turned red, and she stammered as she lied, her gaze drifting to the side guiltily.
When Zhong Lingyin saw Yang Luoluo's reaction, she immediately knew that Yang Luoluo had indeed discovered something. The girl was a terrible liar.
'She knows! She definitely heard something!'
Embarrassment and shame flooded Zhong Lingyin's mind. Her beautiful eyes glared fiercely at Shen Anyu across the table, silently accusing him of being too loud, too rough, too unrestrained.
Not only that, but she also sought a petty revenge. Under the protection of the long, drooping tablecloth, she extended her leg and lightly kicked Shen Anyu opposite her.
Take that, you scoundrel!
Even when angry, Zhong Lingyin was very gentle, and her movements were elegant. The kick had no force behind it; it felt more like a flirtatious tap.
But then, in the next second, Zhong Lingyin was no longer elegant.
Instead, she widened her eyes, looking at Shen Anyu opposite her in disbelief. Her pupils dilated, and her breath hitched in her throat.
She was anxious!
She was truly anxious!
At this moment, under the table, the situation had completely reversed.
Shen Anyu, with a calm smile on his face as he sliced his steak, had effortlessly intercepted her attacking leg. His large, warm hand clamped around her ankle like an iron shackle.
With practiced ease, he slid her high heel off, letting it drop silently onto the thick carpet.
Zhong Lingyin's extremely perfect, beautiful foot was now held firmly in Shen Anyu's palm.
He was playing with it at will.
His thumb pressed into the sensitive arch of her foot, kneading the soft flesh with a rhythmic, possessive pressure. The roughness of his calloused fingertips against her smooth skin sent electric shocks shooting straight up her leg, pooling in her lower abdomen.
"Mmh..." Zhong Lingyin bit her lip, suppressing a moan that nearly escaped.
Feeling Shen Anyu's audacious actions, Zhong Lingyin's pretty face flushed a deep, alluring crimson. The heat under the table was contrasting sharply with the cool air of the dining room.
When she also felt the surprised gazes of Yang Luoluo and the maid Ruan Lingshan on both sides, her heart became even more flustered. The thrill of taboo mixed with the terror of discovery was intoxicating.
'He's crazy! Everyone is right here! If Ruan Lingshan drops a fork and looks down... or if Luoluo checks...'
Fortunately, Zhong Lingyin was a professional. She channeled every ounce of her stage experience into maintaining her facade. She could still force herself to remain calm, sitting upright with perfect posture.
But her beautiful eyes, usually gentle and clear like autumn water, had secretly rolled at Shen Anyu countless times, pleading with him to stop, yet simultaneously unable to pull away.
Shen Anyu ignored her silent pleas. He enjoyed this. He enjoyed seeing the high-and-mighty Heavenly Queen, who was worshipped by millions of fans, trying desperately to maintain her dignity while he toyed with her body in secret.
His fingers traced the delicate lines of her toes, sliding between them, exploring every curve. It was a domineering invasion of her personal space, asserting his ownership over her.
"Today's dinner is truly excellent, extremely delicious, and it whets the appetite."
Shen Anyu smiled charmingly as he took a bite of the phoenix-tail shrimp. He chewed slowly, his gaze locking onto Zhong Lingyin's watery eyes, giving her a deeply meaningful look.
It was clear he wasn't talking about the shrimp.
Zhong Lingyin's pretty face immediately turned crimson, burning as if she had a fever. She guiltily glanced at Yang Luoluo and Ruan Lingshan, afraid they would decipher the double entendre in his words.
The little maid Ruan Lingshan on the left, completely oblivious to the undercurrents of lust and tension, beamed with happiness. She bowed slightly and said, flattered:
"It's good as long as Master is satisfied. This phoenix-tail shrimp was made by Lingshan personally. I simmered the sauce for three hours!"
Shen Anyu was also a little surprised. He looked at Ruan Lingshan.
'Oh? This girl has talent.'
Had this cute little maid's cooking skills improved? Although he had [Nanometer Monitoring Robots] constantly collecting data, he didn't check the logs twenty-four hours a day; only important matters—like threats or betrayal—would automatically alert him. Trivial things like cooking improvements were filtered out to preserve his mental bandwidth.
Feeling Shen Anyu's surprised and approving gaze, Ruan Lingshan's heart was sweet, like she had eaten honey. Getting praise from the Master was her greatest joy.
When Zhong Lingyin saw this scene, a strange feeling bubbled up in her chest. Even in her current compromised position, she felt a twinge of competitive spirit.
'Should I also learn how to cook?'
She had never cooked before in her life. She was the eldest miss of a sect and a global superstar; her hands, which played the piano and signed autographs, were insured for millions. They were hands meant for art, not chopping onions.
But at this moment, looking at Shen Anyu's satisfied expression, Zhong Lingyin suddenly wanted to cook. She wanted to be the one satisfying his appetite.
'Perhaps I can try. It's... it's definitely not for that annoying man. It's just... to broaden my skills.'
Zhong Lingyin blushed at her own thoughts, trying to justify her submission.
Under the table, Shen Anyu's hand moved higher, his fingers tracing circles around her ankle bone, teasing the hem of her dress.
Zhong Lingyin gasped softly, her leg trembling. She tried to pull her foot back, exerting force, but his grip was unyielding.
She even accidentally caused the table to bump with a loud thump.
The silverware rattled. The water in the glasses rippled.
Yang Luoluo, on the side, gradually became suspicious. Her instincts were screaming. The atmosphere was too weird. Fifth Sister's face was too red. And that noise...
She suddenly lowered her head like lightning, looking under the table.
"Huh?"
But Shen Anyu was faster.
With the reaction speed of a peak Innate Realm martial artist, he had already released Zhong Lingyin's foot and returned his hand to his lap the instant Luoluo moved.
Zhong Lingyin quickly retracted her leg, her heart pounding so hard she thought it might explode. She frantically searched for her high heel with her toes, slipping it back on with trembling movements.
Yang Luoluo blinked, seeing nothing but legs and the carpet. She frowned, confused.
Zhong Lingyin let out a long, shaky sigh of relief. The adrenaline crash left her weak. She couldn't stay here anymore. One more minute, and she would melt into a puddle right on her chair.
She elegantly stood up, smoothing down her skirt to hide any wrinkles, and said, her voice slightly breathless:
"I came from Sakura Country at noon, so perhaps I'm a bit jet-lagged. I'm a little tired and will go to bed first."
She turned to her junior sister, trying to act authoritative.
"Luo Luo, if there's anything, come find me tomorrow."
As she said this, Zhong Lingyin's gaze, however, was directed entirely at Shen Anyu. Her eyes were wet, filled with a mix of grievance, submission, and a lingering desire that she couldn't hide.
'You bad egg... you almost killed me...' her eyes seemed to say.
Shen Anyu immediately understood her meaning; she was probably overwhelmed by the stimulation and the fear, and she needed to retreat to compose herself.
He immediately smiled, raising his wine glass slightly in a toast.
"Rest well, Miss Zhong."
He nodded.
Watching Shen Anyu and Zhong Lingyin exchange these tacit, loving glances—an entire conversation happening without words—Yang Luoluo on the side puffed out her cheeks again.
She looked like a fugu fish, so angry she wanted to blow bubbles. She felt like she was soaking in a vinegar jar, emitting a sour smell that filled the room.
'I was first! I met him first! Why did Fifth Sister get ahead of me? No, I also want to ask Master Brother for tutoring. I want to know what they were doing!'
Yang Luoluo watched Fifth Sister Zhong Lingyin leave, her mind racing with a "brilliant" plan. She prepared to wait until the little maid Ruan Lingshan left to clean the kitchen and no one else was around. Then, she would privately corner Shen Anyu and demand her own "tutoring session."
But Shen Anyu, the calculating villain, never played by the rules.
He suddenly wiped his mouth with a napkin, stood up, and spoke calmly:
"I have some things to do. I'll be back later, or possibly not until tomorrow. Don't wait up."
As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Anyu turned and left the dining room directly, his movements decisive and brisk.
He had gathered enough "interest" from the Heavenly Queen for now. It was time to tend to his other crops.
"May Master have smooth sailing and all his wishes come true." Ruan Lingshan watched Shen Anyu's retreating back with adoring eyes, softly blessing him.
And Yang Luoluo was left sitting there, stunned. Her plan crumbled before it even began.
She puffed out her cheeks, slamming her small fist onto the table, angrily whispering to herself:
"Yang Luoluo, you big idiot, you're a step too slow again!"
...
[Location: Gunma Prefecture, Sakura Country]
Night had fallen over the winding roads near Mount Akina. The air was crisp and cool, typical of the countryside, but the atmosphere surrounding a certain girl was anything but rural.
Suzuki Natsuki stood under the soft glow of a streetlamp. Her makeup was exquisite, highlighting her youthful features while adding a layer of mature allure that hadn't been there a week ago.
She was wearing a light blue Chanel suit dress—a limited edition from the latest season. The fabric hugged her developing curves perfectly, screaming wealth and status. It was fashionable, beautiful, and completely out of place in this modest neighborhood.
She felt confident. She felt radiant.
She sweetly smiled as she left her house, her fingers caressing the texture of the white Chanel bag Shen Anyu had bought for her earlier. The leather was soft, buttery, and smelled of money.
'So this is what it feels like,' she thought, admiring her reflection in a shop window. 'People look at me differently now. Even the neighbors...'
Although she was naturally pretty and cute, Suzuki Natsuki had a fatal flaw: her background. Because her family was poor, she had always been deeply insecure. She spent her days envying the girls from good families in Tokyo, the ones who didn't have to worry about the price of a coffee.
This envy had twisted into a pathological desire for material things. It was a hunger that could never be satisfied by a normal high school romance.
Now, with her material needs satisfied by that handsome, mysterious, and incredibly wealthy man from Yanxia, Suzuki Natsuki felt like she had been reborn. The insecurity was gone, replaced by a dazzling, albeit fragile, vanity.
She walked with a bounce in her step, the click-clack of her expensive heels echoing on the pavement. She was heading to the meeting place, her heart fluttering not with love, but with the anticipation of more gifts.
Shortly after Suzuki Natsuki left, a shadow emerged from behind a telephone pole.
It was Echizen Takumi.
The young man, supposedly the protagonist of this local story, wore a faded tracksuit. His expression was a complicated mixture of determination, fear, and heartbreak.
He quietly followed her, keeping his distance.
'Natsuki-chan is indeed a bit off. It's impossible. It definitely isn't what I'm thinking.'
Echizen Takumi's mood was extremely complicated. His heart felt like it was being squeezed by a cold hand.
After all, he wasn't a fool. He had grown up with her. He knew her habits, her walk, her wardrobe.
After coming to his senses earlier that day, the doubts he had suppressed began to surface. He increasingly felt that something was terribly wrong.
'The injury on Suzuki Natsuki's knee... that didn't look like a fall at all. It looked like... friction burns? Or bruising from kneeling?'
The thought made him nauseous. He shook his head violently to clear the image.
Furthermore, the clothes.
How could his childhood friend Suzuki Natsuki, from a poor family that struggled to pay utility bills, afford so many obviously expensive things?
That blue dress. That white bag. Even the earrings she was wearing glittered with a brilliance that didn't look like cheap plastic.
Echizen Takumi had frantically searched online earlier, his trembling fingers typing descriptions into his phone.
The results had shattered his world.
Chanel.
Hermès.
Prices that amounted to his father's annual salary.
As he kept searching, checking the prices of the shoes, the accessories, Echizen Takumi's mindset exploded even further. The disparity between her sudden wealth and her reality was too vast to bridge with innocent explanations.
A dark, corrosive thought took root in his mind, fueled by the rumors he heard at school about girls who wanted easy money.
'Could Natsuki-chan also be doing 'aid' like those Sakura Country girls in the city? Enjo-kousai?'
'Or... did she find a 'daddy'? A rich old man?'
He looked at her back—so beautiful, so distant. She looked like a princess now, and he was just a peasant following in her wake.
'No, no, my Natsuki-chan is so pure and cute! She's the girl who shared her bento with me! She wouldn't do such shameless things for money...'
Echizen Takumi was conflicted. Tears pricked the corners of his eyes.
On one hand, he felt guilty and self-reproachful for stalking his beloved childhood friend. It was a violation of trust.
On the other hand, the suspicion was a cancer eating him alive. If he couldn't figure out the answer, if he couldn't prove to himself that she was still innocent, he wouldn't be able to rest easy. He would go mad.
He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.
'Natsuki-chan, forgive me. If it's not what I think, I will kneel down and apologize...'
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