Chapter 12: Praying

Tears uncontrollably fell down.

Shen Ruoxi looked at Ye Mubei, her emotions somewhat out of control.

It might have been the pain from the wound or perhaps it was everything Ye Mubei had done.

In any case, Shen Ruoxi's emotions were now on the verge of collapse, ready to erupt at any moment.

"Shen Ruoxi, look at how wronged you appear right now. Do you still think you are the same Shen Ruoxi as before?"

When they were together, Ye Mubei would be tender towards her and never let her get hurt.

Now, however, he could cruelly press on her wound.

They had both changed; the current Ye Mubei wouldn't have such pure feelings for her anymore.

And Shen Ruoxi wouldn't foolishly believe that Ye Mubei would have a change of heart.

"I really just want to see my mom. It's fine if you send someone to follow me, or if you accompany me there."

She just needed one look to make sure her mom was okay.

But Ye Mubei simply sneered and refused.

"Shen Ruoxi, you really don't learn."

He was like a wild wolf whose prey had been stolen, relentlessly tearing at Shen Ruoxi's red lips.

Shen Ruoxi tasted blood but didn't dare to pull away, passively enduring the other's plundering.

"Shen Ruoxi, don't think that just because I'm indulging you now, you can act recklessly."

He was indulging her?

Shen Ruoxi didn't know if she was out of her mind, or if Ye Mubei had split personalities.

Their relationship was always like this.

She needed to bear Ye Mubei's endless taking.

"Ye Mubei, aren't you tired?"

Ye Mubei held her in his arms, his eyes a mix of lust and hatred.

"I'm not tired. Shen Ruoxi, I'm not tired, and you're not allowed to be tired either."

He wouldn't allow Shen Ruoxi to betray him first.

Hearing this, Shen Ruoxi, somewhat exhausted, covered her eyes with her hand.

The two embraced each other in silence.

"Mr. Ye, Miss Bai is looking for you."

Ye Mubei got up and took the call.

His large hand restlessly roamed over Shen Ruoxi's body.

"Mubei, where are you now?"

Bai Feifei's voice came from the other end of the phone.

"I just got two tickets for a musical. Would you accompany me to see it, please?"

"I'm not free right now."

He unscrupulously sniffed something by Shen Ruoxi's ear.

"Alright then, let me know when you are free."

Shen Ruoxi wanted to scream, wanted to directly burst the bubble of their relationship.

Then neither of them would have it easy, would they?

It seemed Ye Mubei had perceived Shen Ruoxi's intention as he covered her red lips with his hand.

"Mubei, are you still listening to me?"

"Hmm."

Ye Mubei hummed a muffled response.

Bai Feifei seemed to have realized something, her teeth clenched tight.

She tried to keep a gentle tone as she ended the call.

It was this late, and Ye Mubei was still with Shen Ruoxi?

She didn't know how long Shen Ruoxi and Ye Mubei had been together.

Only that if things continued this way, her marriage arrangement with Ye Mubei was bound to fall through.

Bai Feifei had seen all the coldness Ye Mubei showed her, and now his attitude of complete disregard.

When had she ever suffered like this?

"Ye Mubei, do you enjoy doing this while on a call?"

Shen Ruoxi's voice carried a sob.

Ye Mubei seemed to be charmed by her vulnerability, leaving a strawberry mark on her neck.

"It's just because I'm lying with you on the same bed."

He admitted that the last call from Zhao Yiru was on purpose.

But this time, it was against his will.

All night, Shen Ruoxi felt hazy, not understanding what her situation really meant.

Occasionally, she could sense the love from Ye Mubei, but it was so scarce that it was quickly devoured by hate.

The wedding between Ye Mubei and Bai Feifei was drawing near.

If she kept being imprisoned here, what did she count as?

His secret mistress?

She did not want to bear such a humiliating title when she had already decided to leave.

"Shen Ruoxi, our relationship will never end unless I say so. You would never leave on your own," he said.

After Ye Mubei left, the bodyguards noticed that Shen Ruoxi was unusually compliant that day.

She cooperated with whatever they wanted to do.

She even flashed them a smile.

It was as though she had become a different person, no longer melancholic, just sitting by the bed reading a book every day.

"Miss Shen, are you alright?"

"I'm just reading a book. What could possibly be wrong?"

Her words made sense.

And Ye Mubei had also given instructions before, allowing Shen Ruoxi to do anything she wanted as long as it did not involve leaving the house.

So, the bodyguards did not continue to monitor her closely, enjoying the ease of the day.

That evening, Ye Mubei arrived with the cold wind.

"It got colder tonight, Xixi."

He appeared to have had some drinks, his breath carrying a hint of alcohol.

Shen Ruoxi didn't push him away, letting him hold her.

"I heard Xixi spent the day reading. Would you share with me what you read?"

Ye Mubei at that moment seemed to revert to his old self.

Shen Ruoxi couldn't help but look somewhat lost in thought.

"Don't feel like talking about it?"

"It's just a boring science book."

Hearing this, Ye Mubei did not push her to tell the story.

After he placed her on the bed, he seemed to realize something.

"I'll go take a shower first."

So he remembered she didn't like the smell of alcohol...

But it was only a drunken Ye Mubei who would remember this detail, how ironic.

Ye Mubei returned quickly.

Shen Ruoxi tentatively asked if Ye Mubei could let her go.

"No, Xixi, you can't leave my side now. There are too many bad people outside, and I can't let you go out alone," he said.

For a moment, Shen Ruoxi didn't know what to say.

His imprisonment of her was merely to satisfy his own desires, but now he made it sound noble.

She turned her face away, not looking at Ye Mubei, waiting for him to end the nightly torment.

But this time, Ye Mubei let go. He wrapped Shen Ruoxi in his arms, holding her tight.

"If Xixi doesn't want it, then we won't do it. Let's sleep," he said.

A drunken Ye Mubei exuded a youthful vibe. No matter what Shen Ruoxi said, as long as she didn't leave him, he would agree.

Shen Ruoxi felt tired and fell asleep in his arms.

"Xixi..."

The next morning, Shen Ruoxi touched the cold spot beside her, knowing Ye Mubei must have left long ago.

She wondered if he would remember what happened last night or if he would find it embarrassing.

She continued reading the storybook, the one titled "Lettuce Girl."

"Miss Shen, it's time to eat."

"Thank you."

Seeing her mood improved, the bodyguards did not watch her as vigilantly as before.

They thought about how difficult it must be, being a mistress to a wealthy family, being reduced to such a state.

Every time they entered the room, they dared not look around too much, afraid of seeing something they shouldn't.

"Could you help me change to a new bedsheet?" she asked.