Chapter 381: Cai Mei’er’s Punishment for Yan Shaozhe

"Mei'er, you're stronger than me now. This position belongs to you—it's what you deserve. Why would I regret it? Aren't we on the same team?" Yan Shaozhe said earnestly.

Cai Mei'er, clad in a black uniform with sheer black stockings outlining her long legs, exuded an aura of mature confidence. Yan Shaozhe couldn't help but swallow hard as he admired her beauty.

Her recent power surge had only made her more captivating.

Though the anti-aging pills they had previously consumed had kept their appearances youthful, those effects were limited to preserving their current looks. The dragon souls, however, had nourished their bodies in a way that surpassed mere maintenance. Cai Mei'er's body radiated vitality, her skin glowing with the freshness of a woman in her prime.

Her overwhelming strength, combined with the faint yet commanding aura she exuded, was utterly mesmerizing.

"Hmph. Don't group me with you. I'm me; you're you," Cai Mei'er replied coolly, casting him a glance. She knew exactly what he was thinking—he was trying to reconcile.

They had been in a cold war for a long time, and while his gesture was notable, it wasn't enough to sway her.

If Yan Shaozhe thought surrendering the Martial Soul Department Dean position would win back her favor, he was gravely mistaken.

Not in this lifetime.

Nor the next, for that matter—especially with Qian Ran in the picture.

Cai Mei'er was now wholly devoted to Qian Ran, body and soul. Even the places no one else had touched had been claimed by him in the most intimate ways.

All Yan Shaozhe's sacrifice did was indirectly benefit Qian Ran.

While Xian Lin'er might still have a soft spot for Qian Duoduo, Cai Mei'er's heart was unyielding. She was far colder in matters of affection than Xian Lin'er could ever be.

That said, Yan Shaozhe's perceptiveness pleased her. His willingness to step aside made her life easier.

After the meeting, Yan Shaozhe immediately approached Cai Mei'er.

"Mei'er, I know I was wrong before. Please forgive me. I swear I'll have nothing more to do with Xian Lin'er. I wouldn't dare anymore," Yan Shaozhe said, his voice filled with regret.

Gone was his once-proud demeanor. In front of Cai Mei'er, he had no authority to stand on.

"Do you really think admitting you were wrong changes anything? It's far too late for that. I gave you plenty of chances before, and you've let me down too many times," Cai Mei'er replied icily.

She wanted nothing more than for Yan Shaozhe to disappear from her sight.

Could Yan Shaozhe give her the same sense of fulfillment that Qian Ran could?

Absolutely not.

She was now entirely convinced that Qian Ran's unique talents were unmatched. He brought her a level of happiness no one else could.

Where Yan Shaozhe fell short in every way, Qian Ran excelled effortlessly.

Her tolerance for Yan Shaozhe had once been high, but not anymore.

Once someone experiences the brilliance of light, how can they willingly return to darkness?

After absorbing the Ice Dragon King's soul, her body had been completely revitalized. While her chronological age far exceeded Qian Ran's, her physical condition was now akin to that of a woman in her twenties or thirties.

"Mei'er, give me another chance. I'll kneel on durian shells if I have to! Punish me however you like, just please forgive me," Yan Shaozhe begged, his desperation palpable.

He had expected Cai Mei'er to be moved, to forgive him and allow them to reconcile. But her cold rejection made his heart sink.

Could she truly be determined to leave him?

Panicking, Yan Shaozhe decided to throw aside his pride, willing to do anything to save their relationship.

The mention of kneeling on durian shells piqued Cai Mei'er's interest.

Her mind turned to Qian Ran—her little troublemaker had done so much for her lately. She had been thinking of ways to reward him, but it was hard to come up with something new.

After all, Qian Ran had already explored every aspect of her.

Yet, Yan Shaozhe's desperate offer gave her a novel idea.

Cai Mei'er was well aware of Qian Ran's penchant for certain… games. As a senior member of the Martial Soul Department, she had learned plenty about his escapades, including the time he had toyed with Zhou Yi.

Clearly, Qian Ran enjoyed such dynamics, particularly with women of her caliber.

If that's what he liked, why not take it up a notch?

"Mei'er, my heart has always belonged to you. Punish me however you see fit. I'll prove to you that my feelings haven't wavered after all these years," Yan Shaozhe vowed passionately.

"Who knows if you're telling the truth? You'll have to show me," Cai Mei'er replied, a sly smile curling her lips.

She wasn't forgiving him—far from it. Instead, she had just decided how to reward Qian Ran.

"Qian Ran has done so much for me lately. I want to invite him to our house for dinner. And after we get home, you'll kneel on those durian shells. I also have other punishments planned for you. No complaints, no anger—this is your penance for all the times you've upset me," Cai Mei'er said, shooting him a coquettish glance.

The mix of her seductive aura and newfound strength sent Yan Shaozhe's heart racing.

She was now more enchanting than ever, her allure irresistible. Yet the icy aura she exuded hinted at her untouchable nature, making her the ultimate challenge.

For any man, Cai Mei'er was the kind of woman they would dream of conquering—unyielding, elegant, and dangerously enticing.

Of course, the private side of Cai Mei'er belonged entirely to Qian Ran.

The contrast between her public persona and her intimate vulnerability was precisely what made Qian Ran's position so enviable.

Now you understand why Qian Ran was enjoying himself so much, don't you?

"I'll handle the arrangements," Yan Shaozhe said, overjoyed. This was his chance to make amends.

If Cai Mei'er was willing to invite Qian Ran to their home, it meant she was softening.

As for her punishments? He didn't mind if it meant regaining her favor.

In a marriage, what's the point of stubborn pride?

A man should know when to yield!

(End of Chapter)