Outside the window, there were no stars or moon, only the pitter-patter of rain falling from the dark sky.
The summer rain always carried a refreshing coolness, and insects chirped excitedly in the drizzle.
Raindrops clung to the transparent glass at night, reflecting faint glimmers of light.
Inside the room, the warm glow of the lamp cast a hazy atmosphere as the battle within continued unabated.
"Why did you bite me?"
A row of teeth marks appeared on Ye Feng's arm.
Kiana's hair was disheveled, her glistening teeth shining brightly.
Seeing Ye Feng in pain, Kiana felt extremely pleased.
"Hmph, thought I really couldn't fight back, huh?"
Kiana was triumphant.
How dare he ignore me like this!
She couldn't swallow her anger.
Seeing the "worm" in high spirits, Ye Feng played along with a low growl—it was all part of the fun.
"Ow, let go!"
"I'm biting you on purpose. Rawr!"
"Again? If you don't let go, I'll fight back!"
The light flickered, clothes rustled.
The two exchanged moves repeatedly—grappling and counter-grappling, fingers clashing, elbows and knees locking, the sounds of impact echoing.
Kiana's eyes were misty, her skin as lustrous as carved warm jade, her snow-white body with its undulating curves gleaming seductively, like a beautiful serpent.
Her slender, jade-like waist twisted like a willow in the wind.
Ye Feng countered her moves—theirs was a peculiar relationship, always clashing even at their closest.
Yet, Kiana could never gain the upper hand.
Pinned down, her face pressed against the floor, Kiana gritted her teeth in frustration.
Beep beep beep—
Amid their fierce struggle, the communicator—half-covered by a damp stocking that had fallen by the bedside—rang.
It was Kiana's communicator.
The caller ID read: "MEI Juice."
"MEI"—the romanized name for Raiden Mei.
The identity of the caller was obvious.
The room instantly fell silent.
Kiana and Ye Feng exchanged a glance.
With just that look, Kiana immediately understood what this scoundrel intended to do. She desperately reached forward, straining to grab the communicator.
Just as her fingertips were about to touch it, a large hand pressed down, crushing her hopes.
Ye Feng picked up the communicator, swaying it teasingly in his hand, a smirk on his lips.
"You actually saved her as 'MEI Juice'? Did you do the same in the outside world?"
Kiana's face flushed with embarrassment, as if caught red-handed.
"N-None of your business..."
"Of course it's not my business."
Ye Feng chuckled. "In my world, little worm can do anything—anything, got it~~?"
"Hmph."
The "worm" let out a stubborn, cool scoff.
Ye Feng's finger hovered over the answer button. A simple swipe would connect the call.
"Don't—!"
Kiana reached out again, but Ye Feng held her firmly against the floor.
The slender, soft-waisted girl writhed like a snake pinned at its vital point, struggling wildly but unable to break free.
Her trembling fingers brushed the screen—only to slide off helplessly.
"...Please don't."
Kiana's voice carried a plea.
Perhaps it was guilt, but she truly felt like Mei was about to discover everything.
"Don't? I refuse!"
Under Kiana's wide-eyed, horrified gaze, Ye Feng slowly dragged his finger across the green answer button.
"What I, Ye Feng, love most is saying 'NO' to those who think they're in control."
Beep.
The call connected. Ye Feng held the communicator to Kiana's ear.
"Moshi moshi, Kiana? Moshi moshi?"
("If you don't answer, I'll have to speed up, you know.")
Ye Feng's voice echoed in Kiana's mind.
Kiana turned her head, shooting him a fierce glare.
But under his oppressive dominance, she had no choice but to respond.
"Y-Yeah, it's me..."
"Ah, so it really works! Even the communication cipher is the same."
On the other end, Mei sounded delighted.
This time, she had entered alone again.
And every time she came here, she couldn't help but recall "Kiana taking half a step back."
But surrounded by NPCs, Mei felt somewhat uneasy, desperately wanting to find a familiar face.
After the previous experiences, she was much calmer this time.
With a clear mind, she finally remembered the communicator.
It might not work, but it was worth a try.
"Kiana~~"
Mei's voice suddenly grew softer.
Some things were hard to say face-to-face, but over the phone or via text, words flowed more easily.
Mei was that kind of delicate girl.
"What's up, Mei?"
"A lot has happened recently, huh?"
"Ahaha, yeah..."
"...Hey, Kiana, has anything... unusual happened to you?"
"Huh?"
Kiana's heart skipped a beat.
"Why do you ask?"
"I just feel like you've been... a little different lately."
"Different? How?"
"Well... um... I can't quite put it into words... Kiana, is there something... I mean, no matter what it is, I'd love to listen, okay? And I'll always be on your side."
"Mei~~"
Kiana was so moved she could cry.
Her voice even took on a coquettish tone.
Witnessing their heartfelt exchange, Old Man Ye smirked mischievously and carried Kiana to the adjacent home gym.
Jostled up and down, Kiana endured it all.
Ye Feng sat on a black leather chair.
Kiana, in a horse-stance squat, planted her feet on the ground, a barbell somehow now resting on her shoulders.
Her legs ached, begging to drop the weight, but it clung to her like glue.
Not just the barbell—the communicator's microphone was also fixed near her lips.
("You don't want Mei to find out, do you? I'll give you a chance today. If you can hold this barbell for ten seconds, I won't disturb you and Mei.")
Kiana's heart leapt with hope.
("Promise?")
("Of course. Who told me you're my favorite little worm?")
("Deal!")
The Kaslana family genes—their freakish strength was legendary.
If nothing else, weightlifting was Kiana's forte.
She widened her stance, steadied her center, and tightened her horse-stance posture.
Then, pushing through her feet, her bent knees slowly straightened, her hips and the barbell rising together.
Hmph, piece of cake.
Victory seemed within reach.
Today, she wouldn't have to worry about being exposed in front of Mei.
But just as she lifted it 18 centimeters, Ye Feng's voice echoed in her mind again.
("Do you believe in gravity, Kiana?")
("...?")
("I will make you awaken. Everyone reaches heaven in the end. One last time—accelerating. Down you go.")
"!!!"
Suddenly, the weight on Kiana's shoulders felt like a mountain.
Just... two more centimeters...
Her legs trembled violently, but she couldn't lift it even a millimeter further.
Finally, her strength gave out, and she collapsed onto the seat.
"Mmmph~~~~~~!!!"
Kiana bit down on her hair, stifling a loud moan.
"Kiana? Are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine... I'm just... running..."
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