Kiana's palm rested on the doorknob as she hesitated at the entrance.
She was truly at a loss.
What was supposed to be a secret between two people was suddenly being intruded upon by an outsider.
It was like trying to forcefully stuff a finger-sized french fry into a beef roll that was already the perfect size for one bite.
It was just too much.
"You can also leave."
Ye Feng sat on the bed with his legs wide apart, looking at Kiana with a gentle expression.
He smiled and said, "It's just that if we happen to meet again outside, well then, hehehe."
"Guu~~"
Kiana's arms dropped to her sides.
She knew Ye Feng was a man of his word.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have so helplessly made a special trip to this secret room that Mei couldn't find.
Ji Lin, on the other hand, was in an even greater state of inner turmoil.
Begin? What are they going to begin?
Is it the kind of thing I'm thinking of?
Ji Lin clasped her hands together nervously in front of her skirt, squeezing them so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
The secret room instantly became charged with an amorous atmosphere, as if a pink mist was swirling around them. The air fell silent.
Kiana, staring down at the tips of her toes, felt her mind turn to mush. Her face was stiff, and it felt as if her vision had narrowed.
No way, is he really going to make her… watch?
Does this guy Ye Feng know no shame?
"Of course I know shame."
Ye Feng smiled. "Therefore, Ji Lin, go to the doorway."
Kiana's heart relaxed.
Ji Lin felt as if she had been granted a pardon.
But soon, both of them would realize they had underestimated Ye Feng's definition of "shame."
"Wrong way. Not that doorway. Over there."
Ye Feng stopped Ji Lin, who was about to exit, and pointed toward the floor-to-ceiling window.
The entire wall had been replaced with one-way glass; you couldn't see in from the outside. In this area, there was a setup resembling a classical-style pavilion.
The doorway Ye Feng was pointing to was the entrance to the pavilion. Inside, there was an agarwood table, upon which sat a 21-string guzheng.
A 21-string guzheng has a relatively large volume and a bright, magnificent, and pleasant tone, suitable for playing intense and passionate pieces.
"Just play a tune, something to liven things up."
Ji Lin instantly stiffened. A look of disbelief appeared in her eyes, as if this went beyond her realm of comprehension.
The young woman in the pure white palace dress stood there blankly, the hem of her skirt trailing on the floor.
"…"
"What, you don't even know how to play the zither?"
"…I am untalented and my learning is shallow. This kind of strangely shaped… zither? I have truly never seen one before."
A true guqin has five strings, corresponding to the five elements and the five internal organs of the human body, and has the effect of regulating, and even healing, the body.
The invention of the guqin was by no means solely for appreciation and enjoyment.
"Ah, I forgot. There's a xiao next to it. You know how to play the flute, don't you?"
The tone of a xiao is mellow and gentle, serene and elegant, suitable for being played under the moonlight.
"I…"
"If you say you don't know how again, I'm going to get angry. Red Kite taught you, didn't she?"
Ji Lin's entire body trembled.
Red Kite… Red Kite had indeed taught her.
It had been a quiet and peaceful night, the moonlight so clear it was like day.
The bright moon shone between the pine trees, and a clear spring flowed over the stones.
The handsome Red Kite had turned around, her hair fluttering in the night wind, and smiled at the still-young Ji Lin. "Want to learn? I'll teach you."
That was one of Ji Lin's most precious memories.
It was a beautiful moment that she had buried deep in her heart forever after learning Fu Hua's true identity.
Ever since her wedding to Red Kite, Ji Lin had never picked up a xiao again.
That long-sealed memory was now being ruthlessly torn open by Ye Feng.
A buzzing sound filled Ji Lin's head, sharp and piercing, like the sound of ripping silk.
"Play."
Ye Feng's voice left no room for argument.
Ji Lin's upbringing would not allow her to go back on her promise.
Moreover, the stakes had been clearly defined beforehand.
She had lost.
There was no point in blaming anyone.
And Ye Feng truly hadn't made her do anything related to "serving him in bed."
A jade xiao, so green it seemed to be dripping with color, had appeared on the stone table at some point.
Ji Lin stared at the jade xiao, her fair, slender hand trembling as she reached for it.
The exquisite jade xiao and her flawless, soft hand complemented each other perfectly. When Ji Lin held it, there was a sense of natural, harmonious beauty.
"Don't be so nervous. Relax. What happens tonight is a secret between the three of us. No one will say a word. At the very least, I won't."
Ye Feng's voice was gentle, seeming to possess a magical power to soothe the heart. He whispered to Ji Lin, "Play. Get used to the feeling first."
Ji Lin slowly brought the jade xiao to her cherry lips.
Her body trembled as she closed her eyes in resignation.
Ji Lin had never thought that the next time she picked up a xiao, it would be in a scene like this.
A long, drawn-out melody floated out, sounding like both a sob and a lament.
Seeing Kiana still standing there in a daze, Ye Feng strode over, scooped her up by the waist, and carried her toward the bed.
Witnessing this, Ji Lin's breathing became chaotic, and the notes she played faltered.
In her youth, she had fantasized about similar scenes.
But she had never imagined that she would witness one with her own eyes… in this manner.
The little bug was even more stunned, frozen like a wooden chicken. She had completely stopped thinking, her body rigid, only able to let Ye Feng do as he pleased.
Kiana never knew she could be so… "innocent."
With someone else nearby, her brain simply went blank.
The song ended. Ji Lin's face was flushed, her alluring body feverish.
She didn't dare to look at the bed, but the lewd sounds coming from it were like a black hole, pulling her gaze in…
"Hmm? Why did you stop? Keep playing. Play the one Red Kite taught you."
Ye Feng said, lifting his head.
---o---
"Why is Kiana asleep so early?"
At 9 PM, Theresa came to the dorm to look for her grandniece.
Mei put down her book and took a drink from the refrigerator. "Kiana has been going to bed quite early these past few days. There's still a bottle of bitter melon juice. Would you like some, Principal?"
"Ah? Yes, yes, yes!"
Theresa's face lit up. She twisted off the cap, put a hand on her hip, and chugged half the bottle before letting out a satisfied breath.
"Waah~ Iced bitter melon juice is the best in the summer. By the way, Mei, you can also enter that space now… From your perspective, is there anything special about it?"
Mei looked up, a thoughtful expression in her eyes.
"I don't really understand it myself. But if I had to say what's special, it would have to be Mr. Ye Feng."
"Mhm." Theresa crossed her arms. "Controlling information similar to 'prophecy' is indeed an incredible feat. Does he have any other abilities? I asked Kiana before, but she was very evasive."
"Other abilities? It seems not."
Mei thought seriously before replying.
Theresa nodded slightly. "Is that so? Alright, we'll leave it for now. By the way, Himeko should have told you, right? You absolutely must not reveal the existence of this space. And you must also keep Yae Sakura, Higokumaru, and Ji Lin a secret."
"I understand. Although Yae Sakura and Higokumaru are related to Herrschers, they don't seem like bad people. And Miss Ji Lin is a sage of Shenzhou from ancient times…"
"Mhm, mhm, that's right. If HQ were to find out, it would be very troublesome to explain. And also… well, anyway, just remember not to reveal their identities."