Outside the window, there was no moon or stars, only a drizzling rain falling from the black curtain of the sky.
Summer rain always brought with it a cool and refreshing comfort, and the insects chirped excitedly in the downpour.
Raindrops clung to the transparent glass, reflecting the faint light.
Inside the room, under the enchanting glow of the lamps, the battle raged on.
"Why did you bite me?"
A row of teeth marks appeared on Ye Feng's arm.
Kiana's hair was a mess, her crystalline teeth gleaming brightly.
Seeing Ye Feng wince in pain, Kiana felt a great sense of satisfaction.
"Hmph hmph, and here I thought I really couldn't attack you."
Kiana was triumphant.
How dare he leave this young lady to the side!
She couldn't swallow that insult.
Seeing the little bug cheer up, Ye Feng played along with a low growl. This, too, was a kind of spice to their dynamic.
"Hiss, let go!"
"I'm biting you. Awoo!"
"Again? If you don't let go, I'm going to counterattack!"
The lights flickered, and clothes flew.
The two sparred continuously, a flurry of grapples and counter-grapples. Long fingers collided, elbows and knees knocked against each other with dull thuds.
Kiana's watery eyes were hazy, her body gleaming like it was carved from warm jade. Her snow-white skin and undulating curves shone with a captivating luster, making her look just like a beautiful serpent.
Her long, slender waist, like that of a jade snake, twisted and writhed like a willow in the wind.
Ye Feng met her attacks with his own. Their relationship was a strange one; they were fighting even at their most intimate moments.
However, Kiana could never gain the upper hand.
She was suppressed, her face pressed against the floor.
Kiana gritted her teeth, defiant and somewhat annoyed.
"Beep beep beep"
Just as the two were locked in a stalemate, the communicator—which had fallen by the bed and was half-covered by a damp stocking—began to ring.
It was Kiana's communicator.
The caller ID read "MEI Juice."
MEI was the romanization of Mei's name.
It was obvious who was calling.
The room instantly fell silent.
Kiana and Ye Feng exchanged a look.
With just a single glance, Kiana instantly understood what this dog thief was planning to do. She shot her arm out, desperately reaching for the device.
Just as her fingers were about to touch it, a large hand pressed down, crushing Kiana's hope.
Ye Feng picked up Kiana's communicator and dangled it in his hand, a smile playing on his lips. "You even saved her as [MEI Juice]. Are you like this in the outside world, too?"
Kiana's face flushed with shame, as embarrassed as if she'd been caught red-handed. "It's… it's none of your business…"
"Of course, I won't meddle."
Ye Feng smiled. "In my world, Bug-bug can do anything she wants. Anything~"
"Hmph."
The little bug let out a stubborn and cool snort.
Ye Feng's finger hovered over the "accept call" button on the touchscreen. A single swipe to the middle would connect the call.
"Don't—"
Kiana reached out again, but she was pinned firmly to the floor by Ye Feng.
The girl, with her slender, soft, and long waist, was like a snake pinned at its vital spot, writhing frantically but unable to break free in the slightest.
Her struggling hand brushed against the screen for a moment before sliding off in despair.
"…Don't."
A hint of pleading entered Kiana's voice.
Perhaps it was her guilty conscience, but Kiana really felt like Mei was about to find out.
"Don't? I refuse!"
As Kiana's eyes widened in terror, Ye Feng pressed the green answer button and slowly swiped it to the middle.
"The thing I, Ye Feng, love to do most is to say NO to people who think they're in control."
Beep. The call connected. Ye Feng placed the communicator next to Kiana's ear.
"Moshi moshi? Is that Kiana? Moshi moshi?"
"If you don't answer, I'm going to have to accelerate, you know."
Ye Feng's voice rang inside Kiana's mind.
Kiana turned her head and shot Ye Feng a vicious glare.
But under his tyrannical pressure, she had no choice but to answer. "Yes… it's me…"
"Ah, it works! See, the communicator works in here, and the encryption key is exactly the same," Mei said happily from the other end.
This time, she had entered the world alone again.
And whenever she came here, Mei couldn't help but remember "the way Kiana took half a step back."
But being surrounded by NPCs made Mei feel a little uneasy, and she was desperate to find someone she knew.
After the previous few times, Mei was much calmer now.
With a calm mind came clarity, and she had finally remembered that the communicator existed.
It might not work, but there was no harm in trying.
"Kiana~~"
Mei's voice on the other end suddenly became a little deeper.
Some things were difficult to say face-to-face, but over the phone or through text, they could be expressed more easily.
Mei was just that kind of sensitive girl.
"What is it, Mei?"
"A lot has happened recently, hasn't it?"
"Ahaha, yeah."
"…Um, Kiana, has anything… special… happened to you?"
"Eh?"
The little bug's heart skipped a beat.
"Why do you ask, Mei?"
"I just feel like… Kiana has changed a little recently."
"Changed? How have I changed?"
"Well… umm… I can't really put my finger on it… Kiana, is there something… Er, what I mean is, no matter what happens, I'm happy to listen, and I'll definitely be on your side."
"Mei~~"
Hearing this, Kiana was so moved she was about to cry.
Her tone became sweet and coquettish.
Seeing their relationship was so genuine, Old Ye let out a wicked smile and carried Kiana to the adjacent gym.
Kiana was jostled up and down but endured it all.
At that moment, Ye Feng sat down on a black leather chair.
Kiana was forced into a horse stance, her feet planted on the ground, and a barbell had appeared on her shoulders from out of nowhere.
Kiana's legs were already aching, and she wanted to throw off the barbell pressing down on her.
However, it felt like it was glued to her body; she couldn't get rid of it.
Not only the barbell, but the communicator's microphone was now fixed right next to Kiana's lips.
"Bug-bug wouldn't want Mei to find out, right? I'll give you a chance today. If you can lift this barbell for ten seconds, I won't bother you and Mei for the rest of the day."
A flicker of joy appeared in Kiana's heart.
"You promise?"
"Of course. Who told you you're my most beloved Bug-bug?"
"Alright!"
The Kaslana genes; their "super strength" was in a league of its own.
She couldn't be sure about other things, but Kiana was full of confidence when it came to weightlifting.
She spread her legs, stabilized her center of gravity, and tightened her horse stance.
Then, pushing off from the soles of her feet, her bent knees slowly straightened, her hips, waist, and the barbell rising as one.
Hmph, easy.
Kiana felt victory was within her grasp.
She wouldn't have to worry about being exposed in front of Mei today.
However, just as she had risen 18 centimeters, Ye Feng's voice echoed in her mind.
"Do you believe in gravity, Kiana?"
"?"
"I will ensure you awaken. Man is destined to reach Heaven. I'll say it one last time. It's time to accelerate. Get down."
"!!!"
The barbell on Kiana's shoulders suddenly felt as heavy as a mountain.
Just… two more centimeters…
Kiana's legs trembled, but she couldn't rise even a single millimeter higher.
Finally, her strength gave out, and she sat down hard.
"Mmmph~~~~~~!!!"
Kiana bit down hard on her own hair, letting out a powerful, muffled grunt.
"Kiana? What's wrong?"
"N-nothing… I'm just… running…"