When the system bonded with me, I had just finished whipping Xavier Xie.
It let out a sharp, alarmed beep. "Host, stop! He's the male lead who will kick you out of the family and leave you to die on the streets!"
I looked down at Xavier.
He knelt at my feet, hands bound behind his back, bare-chested, his body covered in marks.
Sensing my gaze, he lifted his eyes to meet mine.
Expressionless. Ice-cold eyes, devoid of any emotion.
The system said fearfully, "Host, it's not too late to stop now. Quick, untie the male lead, apply medicine, show him care..."
I let out a cold laugh and slapped him across the face.
Dogs that bite need a few more lashes to learn obedience.
1
Xavier's head snapped to the side from my slap, his breathing ragged.
His chest rose and fell heavily, his kneeling form taut with tension—he looked like he was losing his mind with restraint.
I lifted his chin, forcing him to meet my gaze directly.
Xavier's eyes were dark as midnight, always carrying an oppressive weight when he looked at someone.
Even bound, forced to kneel, his body marked from the lashing, he still didn't seem defeated. Instead, there was something dangerous about him—as if the moment his restraints were loosened, he'd lunge forward and tear out your throat.
"Do you know why I punished you?" I asked.
Xavier remained silent, staring at me with deadly intensity.
I patted his cheek. "If you don't know, then keep kneeling."
"Kneel until I wake from my nap, then we'll go to class together. Understood?"
I rose and walked past him toward the bedroom.
The thin fabric of my skirt brushed against Xavier's face as I passed. His dark eyes grew deeper, and after a long moment, he slowly closed them.
2
Xavier Xie was a toy I acquired by chance.
He had perfect looks and strong abilities—it didn't take long after starting university for him to become a prominent figure on campus.
After seeing him a few times, I began pursuing him, but he remained completely indifferent to me.
It was my first time chasing someone, and facing repeated rejections, I felt my pride couldn't take it. So I had him investigated.
That's when I learned about his impoverished background—his mother was seriously ill, and despite working multiple jobs desperately, he couldn't scrape together enough for her medical expenses.
Conveniently, I had more money than I could ever spend.
The relationship between us was actually quite simple: I paid his bills, and he became my dog.
I'm someone who holds grudges and seeks revenge.
Whatever little fondness I had for him wasn't enough to offset the humiliation I'd suffered while pursuing him.
Especially with that face of Xavier's—every time I saw him look at me with those emotionless eyes, I desperately wanted to see different expressions cross his features.
I wanted to tear open his pristine white shirts, wanted to leave marks on his flesh.
But Xavier rarely showed other expressions. Even when I whipped him harshly, he would only breathe heavily and glare at me, stubbornly refusing to make a sound.
He seemed to know exactly what I wanted to see, what I wanted to hear.
So he endured it all the more, expressionless and silent.
3
Now I had received some new information from the system.
According to it, the world I lived in was a male demographic novel.
Xavier was the male lead who would eventually rise to become a business mogul.
And I was the vicious female supporting character in the novel—the lunatic who humiliated him in the early chapters.
After Xavier climbed his way to the top, I would be the first person he'd eliminate.
The system also told me that Xavier and I had actually switched identities.
My birth mother had swapped Xavier and me when I was born.
So the wealthy identity I possessed was fake.
Xavier was the real heir, and I was just an imposter heiress.
This was also one of the novel's major plot payoff moments.
But when it came to my reality, it certainly wasn't satisfying.
I had no intention of living Xavier's impoverished life—the hardships he could endure, I couldn't bear even one of them.
The system cried, "Then why are you still beating the male lead, Host? You're only making him hate you more. When the truth is exposed, your fate will be even worse than what was written in the novel."
"You need to untie the male lead right now, apologize properly, and let him go..."
I interrupted, "No."
Then I asked, "What exactly did you bond with me to do?"
The system said sullenly, "To increase the male lead's favorability toward you, and then change your original tragic ending."
"It's all my fault for arriving too late. You've already maintained this kind of relationship with the male lead for a month. Forget about maxing out his favorability—it would be a miracle if his feelings toward you weren't in the negatives."
I said, "Why don't you check what Xavier's actual favorability rating for me is?"
The system checked while muttering, "If it's not negative, I'll eat shit... Ninety-five percent favorability??"
"How is that possible!"
"There must be a bug!"
"Something's definitely wrong—either with me or with the male lead... How could anyone love someone who whips them daily? Unless he's completely insane?!"
I yawned. "He is."
Emotions could be suppressed, expressions could be controlled, but physiological reactions couldn't be repressed.
Every time I laid hands on him, Xavier's expression remained cold, but his body would burn with heat that rose to his neck and reddened his ears. His eyes would mist over, becoming wet and glossy.
He thought he had restrained himself, but every pore of his being was screaming for me to come closer, to touch him, to let me whip him as I pleased.
But I had never truly given him what he wanted.
4
On the day of the homecoming festival, I got into a confrontation.
It was with Grace Wang, my roommate from military training. Before my family background was exposed, she had spread malicious rumors about me on the campus confession board, claiming I was being kept by someone off-campus.
I confronted her directly, threw money in her face, and humiliated her publicly.
I also had someone collect evidence of her defamatory posts and made sure she received a legal notice just weeks into her freshman year.
In the end, she tearfully recorded an apology video and posted it on the confession board. Both of us became notorious on campus after that incident, and she'd been avoiding me ever since.
Now, somehow, she'd found the courage to approach me again.
All because I had Xavier go off-campus to buy me bubble tea?
Grace said indignantly, "Sophia Song, just because you have some dirty money doesn't mean you can bully people on campus. What gives you the right to order Xavier around to buy you tea? Don't you have legs of your own?"
"How many times have you bossed him around this month? Do you think he's your servant? If your princess syndrome is acting up, go home—what are you doing at university?"
My friend sneered, "Grace Wang, who exactly are you to Xavier? You're getting so worked up, acting like Sophia is ordering around your boyfriend."
"Don't be so possessive over someone else's boyfriend. Sophia just finished her performance and she's exhausted. What's wrong with having Xavier buy her some tea?"
"Yeah, unless you have feelings for Xavier and can't stand seeing him treat Sophia so well."
Grace raised her voice: "Xavier has never publicly acknowledged they're dating!"
"I just think what you're doing is excessive. We're all equals in university, but you, Sophia Song, think you're special, treating classmates like servants..."
Her voice drew a crowd of onlookers.
Where there's drama, there are college students.
Just then, Xavier returned, carrying a cup of bubble tea.
He seemed oblivious to the argument raging around him because of his presence. He walked through the crowd and silently delivered the tea to my side.
I was still in my performance gown, seated in a chair.
"Insert the straw for me."
I ignored Grace's ranting and looked at Xavier.
Xavier said nothing, his expression unchanged. He obediently inserted the straw and handed the tea to me.
I took the bubble tea and suddenly said, "Oh no, I don't have a free hand to change shoes. These heels are so uncomfortable."
"Xavier, help me change my shoes."
5
Everyone around us stared wide-eyed, their expressions thrilled with excitement.
Grace was stunned for a moment, then snapped back to reality. "Xavier, don't listen to her, she—"
Before she could finish, Xavier had already crouched down. He knelt on one knee, his palm grasping my ankle.
I shivered involuntarily—the air conditioning had made the room cold, and my feet were chilled, but Xavier's palm was warm.
His grip was neither too light nor too firm, yet it still left finger marks on my ankle.
He slowly slipped off my high heels.
I could only see the top of his head, unable to make out the expression on his face.
I took a sip of bubble tea and turned to look at Grace's pale face.
With a wicked smile, I said, "You're right, I do treat him like a servant. Why don't you ask him if he wants to leave with you?"
I said casually, "As long as he agrees, I'm willing to let him go."
"Of course Xavier will agree." Grace's face lit up with inexplicable confidence.
She said with certainty, "Xavier, I know you're being forced into this. You never smile when you're with her—you must be so tired of Sophia Song constantly harassing you."
I lifted my toe slightly, and just before it could touch Xavier's chin, he grabbed it and held it in his palm.
My pupils contracted, and I trembled.
After a long moment, I said, "She's talking to you. Do you find my harassment annoying?"
Xavier was fastening my shoe, his voice low. "No."
I smiled. "Do you want to leave with her?"
Then I said softly, "This is your only chance to walk away."
Xavier froze.
The system spoke in my mind: "Host, are you really going to let the male lead go? Even though his favorability is high, but..."
Any normal person couldn't endure being tormented like this every day—if they could run, they definitely would.
I said nothing, watching Xavier.
He shook his head, his voice slightly hoarse. "I'm not leaving."
6
After starting university, my family bought me a house near campus.
Perfect for keeping my little secret.
As soon as we got home, I stripped off Xavier's shirt, my fingertips pressing against the whip marks that hadn't yet faded.
My fingers traced slowly along his slender welts, feeling his breathing grow heavy above me as he gradually leaned closer.
I shoved him away.
Whips and ropes were within easy reach—I could grab them with a simple stretch and use them skillfully on Xavier's body.
A month had been long enough. My interest in him had actually diminished considerably, but the system's appearance had rekindled my fascination with him.
Xavier closed his eyes, probably thinking I was going to beat him again.
But this time I didn't. I stepped forward, and under his surprised gaze, I caressed his cheek, his body.
"Xavier, you made me very happy today."
Xavier stared at me in bewilderment.
I met his gaze, my palm sliding downward, my index finger hooking the edge of his jeans, leading him to follow me.
I brought him into the bedroom—the first time I'd ever brought him into my bedroom. Previously, he'd only been allowed to sleep on the living room sofa or on the floor.
I sat on the bed, looking up at him. "Kneel."
Xavier's eyes darkened slightly, probably thinking I'd come up with some new way to torment him.
He knelt expressionlessly.
I'd bought a new toy—a collar with a leash attached.
I leaned down to put it on him. His gaze swept across my neck before he lowered his head, letting me do as I pleased.
After fastening it, I gave a sharp tug, and Xavier lurched toward me. He instinctively grabbed the chain.
His bare chest heaved with rapid breathing, his eyes glaring at me fiercely. "Sophia Song, don't push it too far."
The system wailed: "We're doomed! The male lead is angry! What if he loses control and beats you up? Host, run!"
Not only did I not run, I slapped him across the face.
Adding fuel to the fire.
The system figured that any male lead with even a shred of dignity couldn't endure such humiliation.
No matter how much he liked someone, he couldn't withstand this kind of treatment.
The host was about to completely ruin a winning hand.
7
As the system predicted, Xavier's eyes turned bloodshot red, and for once, he lost his temper.
He grabbed the other end of the chain and yanked hard, pulling me toward him.
I simply straddled him, bracing my hands on his shoulders, grinning as I met his gaze.
"Angry now?" I asked.
"I thought you were a dog without a temper. I've been beating you for a month and you're only now getting mad at me?"
I patted his face, but he suddenly grabbed my wrist, holding it so tight I couldn't break free.
His neck bore red marks from the collar, and his eyes stared at me with deadly intensity.
As if he was contemplating how to deal with me.
"Sophia Song..."
I couldn't help myself—I kissed him. First on his left cheek, then the corner of his mouth, and finally on his lips.
At first, I was doing all the kissing. When I got tired and tried to pull away, Xavier pressed my head back down and began ravaging my lips.
His hand that had been gripping my wrist slowly moved downward, finally settling protectively on my waist.
Xavier eagerly pressed me down onto the bed, not caring that I'd grabbed the chain again. He seemed determined to take back something from me—payback for a month of physical torment?
Or had he endured for a month just waiting for this day?
But he was terrible at kissing. My lips ached from his rough treatment.
I wanted to say "wait," but before I could get the word out, he swallowed it whole.
Xavier was terrifying.
Just one kiss and I was already overwhelmed.
He looked like he wanted to devour me.
I had to yank on the chain to make his mouth stop.
But he still watched me with predatory eyes, no longer bothering to maintain his usual cold, disdainful facade.
That kiss seemed to have broken some kind of seal on him.
Or maybe he'd been holding back all along, wanting to... punish me.
I covered my mouth and slapped him—punishment for not following orders.
Though he probably didn't consider a slap much of a punishment.
8
After that, I could often feel Xavier's burning gaze on me, as if he wanted to melt me with his eyes.
But whenever I looked back at him, he would withdraw his emotions.
As if he didn't care about anything related to me.
Once at a party, I got a bit drunk and called him to pick me up.
The private room was filled with flashing neon lights, clinking glasses, and noisy chatter.
Men kept approaching me, wanting to drink with me, but the noise was getting on my nerves, so I rejected them all.
When Xavier appeared in front of me, his expression was dark—probably disgusted by this kind of environment, yet forced to come pick me up anyway.
"Oh Sophia, is this your boyfriend?"
One of the men I'd rejected earlier held up his wine glass, looking Xavier up and down with disdain.
They'd all heard about him.
I smiled. "No, he's not worthy of that title."
Xavier's expression was hidden in the shadows. I couldn't make out his face clearly, but I could see his inner turmoil from his clenched fists at his sides.
The man's laughter became even more unrestrained. "So he's just a lapdog then. Well, that shows how charming our Sophia is—even the untouchable ice prince of the academy follows you around like a puppy."
"Or maybe he's eyeing our rich princess here, hoping to become a kept man and live the easy life."
Mocking laughter erupted around us.
But Xavier gave them no reaction whatsoever, which seemed to bore them.
The man appeared irritated by Xavier's indifference and slammed his glass down on the table.
"You're Xavier, right? Since you're here, sit down and drink with us. According to our rules here, you came late, so you need to down a whole bottle."
Xavier ignored him. I rubbed my dry eyes and pulled my slipping dress strap back onto my shoulder.
Seeing that Xavier wouldn't respond, the man grew even more furious and stood up. But he was half a head shorter than Xavier, creating no intimidating effect whatsoever.
"I'm talking to you! Are you deaf or mute?"
I frowned. "I don't recall giving you permission to order him around."
The man seemed surprised that I'd spoken up, then laughed. "Sophia, everyone's watching. Give me some face here..."
I replied, "Who are you exactly?"
His face darkened, but he didn't dare confront me directly. He sat back down reluctantly.
He wasn't afraid of me—he was afraid of the Song family.
The Song family—such immense power and influence.
I had to admit, my birth mother had excellent judgment. With one switch, she'd given me twenty years of wealth and privilege.
How could I bear to hand it all back?
I turned to look at Xavier. His expression remained unchanged, unaffected by anyone present.
Then I smiled and said, "But you're right about one thing—Xavier should drink something. That bottle will do."
I pointed at a bottle of liquor on the table, looked at Xavier, and smiled. "Finish it."
The system screamed in my mind: "Host, what are you doing?! You're walking right back into the vicious female supporting character's path!"
No amount of favorability could withstand this kind of treatment.
Even a white moonlight would turn into a grain of rice with this kind of behavior.
9
Xavier's Adam's apple bobbed as he looked down at me.
I tilted my head back slightly. I hated this position—it made me want to reach out and grab the hem of his shirt, yank him down hard, make him fall to his knees in front of me so I could look down at him instead.
"Still not drinking? There'll be punishment if you don't finish it."
"Xavier, I like obedient dogs."
"Don't waste my time."
I don't know which words triggered him.
Xavier bent down to pick up the bottle of liquor from the table, poured it into a glass, and downed it in one gulp, then poured again.
Everyone around us stopped what they were doing, watching with fascination as he drank.
Seeing him down an entire bottle of liquor in one go, they erupted in loud cheers and jeers.
Someone even commented on how skilled I was at training my dog.
Xavier wiped the alcohol that had spilled from his lips, his dark eyes looking at me with terrifying intensity.
He didn't look drunk at all.
I was already feeling tipsy from just a few sips.
Could it be that the Song family genes came with superhuman alcohol tolerance?
Somewhat displeased, I stood up and said, "Why don't you drink another bottle?"
Xavier grabbed my wrist in a vice-like grip, his eyes boring into mine.
As if the moment I said anything else that displeased him, he'd pounce and tear out my throat.
I slapped him hard across the face.
The sharp sound of the slap echoed through the private room, and everyone fell silent, staring at us.
I shook my stinging hand. "Try glaring at me like that again."
I shook off Xavier's grip and left the room first.
10
I arrived home first, with Xavier following close behind.
I grabbed a throw pillow from the sofa and hurled it at him. He didn't dodge, letting it hit his head before bending down to pick it up and place it back on the shelf.
"Come kneel."
I still had my high heels on.
Xavier silently knelt before me, and I pressed my stiletto against his chest.
Caught off guard by my action, he instinctively reached up to grab my ankle.
"Let go," I commanded.
Xavier looked up at me, and I noticed his eyes were bloodshot, the veins in his neck bulging as if he was suppressing something.
"Do you know what you did wrong tonight?" I asked.
Xavier remained silent.
I knew he wouldn't speak. He was stubborn—even if it meant taking a beating, he wouldn't open his mouth.
I'd always wondered which was harder: the whip in my hand or his resolve.
As it turned out, I could break every whip I owned and still never hear what I wanted from his lips.
Xavier had a talent for making me go from angry to absolutely furious.
I threw down the whip.
Perhaps I should try a different approach.
I withdrew my foot, sensing a hint of regret in Xavier's gaze.
I raised an eyebrow and reached for a leather belt, expertly binding his hands behind his back.
Then I positioned myself in front of him.
I gently lifted his chin, meeting his eyes. "But you were very obedient tonight. You made me look good."
"I think you deserve a reward."
Xavier's pupils dilated suddenly.
I pressed my lips to his, and his body leaned into mine. He clearly wanted to break free from the belt's restraint but couldn't.
All he could do was press closer, trapping me between the sofa and his body, claiming dominion over my lips and tongue.
I drew up my legs, cupping his face, closing my eyes as I felt his aggressive kisses, my toes curling against the sofa from the stimulation.
Between gasps, I whispered, "Should I untie you?"
Xavier finally pulled back, but his eyes never left me, tracking my every movement.
I wiped the moisture from the corner of my mouth, pulled up my slipping strap, and smoothed my wrinkled skirt.
A thin sheen of sweat had formed on my skin.
Xavier's body was burning hot—probably from the alcohol taking effect, and the desire I'd stirred in him. When he looked at me now, the emotion in his eyes was completely unguarded.
He made no attempt to hide it.
Once I removed his restraints, anything could happen.
I crouched down and undid the belt binding him.
The next second, the world spun around me. I found myself on the carpet with Xavier's right hand cushioning my head.
Before I could react, he was kissing me.
I grabbed his shirt, and while he kissed me deeply, I undid his buttons, slipping my hands beneath the fabric to caress his taut abs, embracing him, my fingertips lightly tracing his back and spine, feeling his body tremble...
Xavier caught my wandering hands, pinning them beneath his palms. He left my lips and looked down at me.
I bent my knees, lifting my calves to hook around his waist.
Xavier pressed down closer, our bodies flush against each other. I could feel his burning heat and his overwhelming desire.
His eyes were bloodshot from restraint, yet he still didn't dare take the next step.
11
I moved closer to him, my fingertips exploring along his neck before settling gently on his bobbing Adam's apple.
I had him by the throat, yet he only frowned slightly without stopping me, letting me maintain complete control.
I whispered, "Xavier, yes."
It was as if I'd suddenly flipped a switch. Xavier grabbed my hand, pressing it into his palm and kneading it as his lips crashed down on mine again.
The pressure left me no choice but to part my lips and surrender to him.
His kisses didn't stop at my lips—they traveled downward to my neck as his hands began their improper descent.
My short dress concealed nothing, and my slipping straps only opened convenient doors for his misconduct.
His right palm gripped my thigh, pulling it apart.
I didn't hear the sounds I wanted from Xavier's lips.
But he easily drew from me the breathless gasps he wanted to hear.
In my daze, I thought I caught a flash of amusement in his dark eyes.
But he would soon learn what it meant to celebrate too early.
I said I didn't want to do this on the floor—let's go to the bed.
Xavier lifted my water-soft form and placed me on the plush mattress, bending down to shower me with tender, dense kisses. I hooked my arms around his neck, responding to him with fervor.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Xavier didn't want to be bothered—he only wanted to do one thing.
I pushed against his chest, breathing heavily. "It's the delivery I ordered. For that thing."
Xavier looked blank for a moment, clearly not understanding my riddle.
I placed my palm over his lower abdomen. "You know, for this."
Xavier froze, then gave me a long, penetrating look before getting up and walking out of the room.
His shirt had long been discarded on the sofa, and now he walked bare-chested. I admired his retreating figure.
Then I got up and closed the bedroom door.
Before the door shut completely, I caught sight of Xavier's face turning instantly black.
I smiled sweetly. "Xavier, figure out what you did wrong tonight, and remember to tell me tomorrow morning."
"Good night, sweet dreams~"
Xavier's face was dark as death—like hell he'd be able to sleep.
I got exactly what I wanted—seeing the expression I craved cross Xavier's face.
After a relaxing bath, I slept exceptionally well all night.
The next morning at breakfast, I noticed the dark circles under Xavier's eyes and asked with feigned surprise, "Darling, didn't you sleep well last night?"
Xavier glanced at me with that same unpleasant deadpan expression.
I really should have photographed his face last night as a keepsake.
Xavier always ate quickly, while I was slow with everything.
Without my permission, he could only wait at the table until I finished eating, then clear the dishes and leftovers.
I asked, "After thinking all night, did you figure out what you did wrong?"
Xavier remained expressionless for a long moment before finally speaking. "I shouldn't have been fierce with you."
I curved my lips—after training him for a month, this was the first time he'd opened his mouth to admit fault in front of me.
"What else?"
Xavier's expression went blank.
He probably couldn't think of any other mistakes if his life depended on it.
I was in a good mood today, so I decided not to press him further.
"Not admitting your mistakes immediately can also become a mistake, you know."
"Remember that?"
Watching Xavier nod with his face dark as thunder, I smiled with satisfaction.
12
It wasn't long before the plot reached the moment when my true identity would be exposed.
My parents, whom I rarely saw, had returned to the old mansion, saying they would announce something important that afternoon and wanted my brother and me to come home early.
When I arrived at the Song family estate, my brother was sitting on the living room sofa, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and typing on his keyboard, looking like a corporate slave beaten down by society.
I plopped down beside him.
Allen Song rubbed his temples and said, "Do you know what big announcement Mom and Dad want to make?"
I lied without batting an eye. "How would I know?"
The Song parents' marriage was purely a business arrangement—they only handled the producing, not the raising.
Therefore, I had no emotional connection with them. I was closer to the estate's butler and housekeepers than to them.
I'd been raised by Allen Song since childhood.
Allen knew my temperament well. During school years, he worried that my already unkind nature would become even worse through outside influences, so he was very strict with me.
After I graduated high school, he inherited the Song family business and became so busy he barely touched the ground, with no time to manage me.
And the first thing I did after breaking free from his control was to keep Xavier.
If he knew what I'd been doing behind his back, he'd probably go insane with rage.
After finishing his work, Allen began probing into what I'd been up to lately.
I lied seamlessly.
Allen was quite pleased, feeling his years of discipline had paid off.
While we were chatting, the sound of the front door opening came from the entrance.
"We haven't had a chance to tell anyone else about this yet, so don't be nervous..."
I watched with interest as my parents entered with Xavier.
Allen frowned at this scene.
Xavier looked up and our eyes met. He was clearly stunned.
I smiled at him slightly.
Allen adjusted his glasses. "Mom, Dad, who is this?"
My parents exchanged glances, looking somewhat embarrassed as they looked at me, but still methodically explained the entire situation.
I listened absently, like an outsider, showing no awareness of being the story's protagonist.
I felt a burning gaze fall on me.
I didn't need to guess whose it was.
I looked back.
Xavier sat beside my parents, his eyes staring at me without any attempt to hide it, as if he was contemplating something.
The person who had the hardest time accepting this was probably Allen beside me.
He looked at the paternity test, then at Xavier and me, saying with difficulty, "Mom, Dad, let's not send Sophia away. Our family isn't short of money to support one more person..."
Send his sister away to suffer? What kind of joke was that!
Mrs. Song smiled. "We're not sending her away. The mix-up was an accident to begin with, and it's also a kind of fate. Sophia's birth mother is still ill and can't take care of you both, so we'll just keep you both. You're all Song family children."
At this time, my parents still didn't know that this mix-up had been deliberately orchestrated by my birth mother.
And their decision to keep me wasn't because they had any real feelings for me, but because I was of age, reasonably attractive, and could be married off for business alliances in a few years.
If they knew I'd gotten involved with Xavier, they'd definitely rush to kick me out immediately.
13
Just like that, I gained a brother in name.
After the family recognition, I never went looking for Xavier again.
School was on break, and our parents wanted us both to move back to the old mansion—probably hoping Xavier would quickly integrate into the Song family and deepen our emotional bonds.
It was clear they valued Xavier quite highly. I wasn't sure if it was because he was exceptionally talented or if his protagonist's aura was just too dazzling.
Coming out of my room, Xavier walked straight toward me—there was no avoiding him.
He cornered me against the wall, staring at me without saying a word.
Just as I was growing impatient and about to speak, he said, "You knew all along."
I raised an eyebrow, smiling sweetly. "How could you tell?"
No wonder his gaze had been so cold when we'd run into each other before—he probably thought I was deliberately approaching him because I knew the truth.
That accusation was truly unfair to me.
But if I really had known in advance, I definitely would have used it to deliberately get close to him and toy with him.
I suddenly stepped forward. Xavier instinctively wanted to retreat but held himself back, just watching me approach as his Adam's apple rolled slowly.
I said, "So you've finally turned your life around and become human again. Happy?"
Xavier frowned.
I met his eyes and spoke slowly, "I think we should end that kind of relationship. I don't want to lose the wealth and privilege the Song family has given me because of you."
"From now on, let's just be good siblings."
"Alright, big brother?"
14
Xavier should have been furious. Every word that fell from Sophia Song's lips only fueled the fire burning in his heart.
But that sweet, honeyed "big brother" at the end was like a bucket of water falling from the sky, extinguishing his blazing anger completely.
Leaving only wisps of smoke.
And smoldering embers.
15
"What brother?"
"A lover, perhaps?"
Hearing these words come from Xavier's expressionless lips still caught me off guard.
Xavier suddenly moved closer, and before I could react, he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me against him.
Our noses touched, our breaths mingling.
Xavier stared at me intently, speaking each word deliberately: "Would your brother do this to you? Would Allen do this to you?"
He wanted to kiss me, but I quickly raised my hand to block the space between our lips.
He kissed my palm instead, but didn't pull away immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes and pressed his lips there.
I felt a wet, tickling sensation spread across my palm.
Xavier opened his eyes at some point, staring at me as he parted his lips to gently bite my pinky finger, his tongue flicking against my fingertip.
I don't know what gave him the wrong idea, but he tried to kiss me again, only to be blocked once more.
Being rejected repeatedly made him agitated, and he looked at me with something dangerous in his eyes.
"What's this supposed to mean?"
"Sophia Song, you think you can just play with me and toss me aside? What do you take me for?"
"You think I'm someone you can mess with?"
"Don't even think about cutting ties with me."
I slapped him across the face, and he fell silent.
I looked at him and asked, "Do you want to keep being my dog?"
"Only good dogs get rewards."
Xavier's eyes reddened slightly as he grabbed my wrist and kissed my palm.
"Yes."
I wrapped my arms around his neck and said, "Come to my room."
The moment the door closed, his lips crashed down on mine.
Perhaps because we were in the old mansion, with my parents home and my brother nearby.
We were tangled together on my bed, right under their noses.
I responded with particular fervor.
The system's announcements of one hundred percent favorability kept echoing in my ears.
Each notification was like Xavier's silent confession of love.
We left marks on each other's bodies until dusk fell and we were completely exhausted.
Xavier got out of bed to gather the clothes scattered across the floor. His back was covered with scratches from my fingernails.
Only when he put his shirt back on did the chaotic marks disappear from my view.
16
In public, Xavier and I barely spoke—everyone assumed we weren't close.
At the dinner table, the Song parents kept serving him food and trying to make conversation.
Xavier either didn't respond or gave one-word answers.
All the food they'd placed on his plate remained untouched.
The awkwardness was painful to watch.
I couldn't help but laugh.
Instantly, everyone at the table turned to look at me.
Mrs. Song frowned. "What's so funny while you're eating?"
"No manners at all. Xavier's been back and you haven't shown him any consideration. If it weren't for that mix-up years ago, would he have had to suffer outside for so long?"
Xavier frowned and said, "It has nothing to do with her."
Allen said disapprovingly, "Mom, how is the mix-up Sophia's fault? Did she grow legs and run to your side as a baby?"
He rolled his eyes and continued, "I raised Sophia myself. When you say she has no manners, you're basically saying I didn't teach her properly."
As long as his sister wasn't murdering people or kidnapping men, she was doing fine.
Before Mrs. Song could respond, I quickly picked up a piece of fatty meat and dropped it into Xavier's bowl.
"Big brother, eat up."
Xavier froze for a moment, his ears reddening as he lowered his head and put the meat in his mouth.
I smiled and asked, "Does it taste good?"
Xavier nodded.
In public, we exchanged fewer than five sentences. In private, our words were lost between lips and teeth, between tangled sheets.
Sometimes, I could see my parents talking downstairs through the floor-to-ceiling windows on the balcony.
They had no idea that behind the swaying curtains, their adopted daughter was finding pleasure with their biological son who had suffered outside for years.
17
But secrets have a way of surfacing, and some things only need a little attention to be discovered.
My sordid affair with Xavier was eventually found out by my parents.
Not only did they know about it, they also learned about my keeping Xavier as a plaything.
And the truth that my birth mother had deliberately switched us as babies years ago.
Several scandals combined together—it was practically a death sentence for me.
Mrs. Song's hands trembled as she pointed at me, calling me a vixen and asking when the Song family had ever wronged me.
Allen looked at those photos in disbelief—the sister he'd raised for so many years had somehow gone astray.
After Mrs. Song finished her tirade, Allen weakly interjected, "Maybe Xavier was enjoying it."
Mr. Song's eyes blazed with fury as he moved to strike him.
Allen dodged quickly, stubbornly retorting, "It takes two to tango, right? How is this automatically my sister's fault? If Xavier didn't want it, with his build, could my sister really overpower him?"
The front door burst open, and Xavier stood there breathless—clearly having rushed back in haste.
I sat on the sofa as if none of this had anything to do with me.
Xavier caught his breath and walked to my side.
"I was willing."
"I love her."
Allen pointed at Xavier triumphantly. "See? See what I mean? How is this my sister's fault? Don't I know what kind of child I raised?"
"Have either of you ever raised a kid? Stop making such a fuss."
His sister hadn't committed murder or arson—that was good enough for him!
18
Mr. and Mrs. Song's faces twitched with fury.
They would never allow their biological son and adopted daughter to be involved with each other.
Originally, they'd kept me around to prepare for future business marriages.
But instead of serving their intended purpose, I had seduced their biological son into opposing his own parents.
Not to mention my birth mother's criminal record, which stuck in their throats like a fishbone.
Mr. Song placed a check in front of me.
"We won't force you. You can stay with the Song family, but you'll have no claim to anything that belongs to us, and we'll publicly announce the truth."
"As long as we're alive, you'll never marry into the Song family. Xavier will have a wife from an appropriate background. What does this youthful infatuation amount to anyway?"
Mr. Song continued, "But you have another choice. Take this three hundred million and disappear. Never appear in front of Xavier again."
"Publicly, your status remains unchanged—you just can't return to the Song family."
He knew that directly kicking me out of the Song family would displease Allen, and Xavier might leave with me as well.
So he offered these terms.
He wanted Xavier to see what kind of person I really was.
Someone who would abandon him without hesitation for money and power.
Someone not worth loving.
Xavier tried to speak, but Mr. Song cut him off. "Xavier, if you love her, you must respect her choice, mustn't you?"
His eyes dimmed instantly.
I took the check and said cheerfully, "Thanks, I'll pack my things and leave right away."
I walked past Xavier without a sideways glance.
Xavier was quite valuable indeed.
19
That evening, Mr. Song booked me a flight abroad.
I didn't go. Instead, I took a car to the neighboring province for sightseeing.
Allen kept transferring money to my account, crying tears of heartbreak.
He said he'd kick Dad off the board of directors by next year at the latest, and once he dominated the family assets, he'd bring me back home.
AAAAA Brother: [Sis, don't make yourself suffer. There are plenty of men out there. If you like them, just snatch a few back to keep as pets. I'll send you money.]
AAAAA Brother: [Xavier is nothing. My sister tying him up is giving him face—who else would want him otherwise?]
AAAAA Brother: [What the hell, how dare they say you have no manners when my sister was just playing with their son. I think their son is the one with no manners, pretending to play hard to get when it was all voluntary.]
AAAAA Brother: [Whatever, I need to work harder and kick Dad out of the house by the second half of the year, then bring you home in style.]
I couldn't help but laugh.
I bought a villa with a courtyard in the neighboring province.
On a rainy night, the doorbell rang.
I opened the door to find Xavier standing there, soaked through.
His white dress shirt clung tightly to his heaving chest, abs visible through the fabric, water droplets sliding down his neck and disappearing into the forbidden territory concealed by his shirt.
He advanced toward me step by step.
I pressed my fingertip against his chest, and he stopped as if frozen in place.
His eyes locked onto me like a predator, staring without letting go.
Xavier spoke: "Why did you block me?"
I replied without hesitation, "Your father made me delete your contact. He also said I shouldn't appear in front of you."
"Your being here puts me in a difficult position."
"What if he takes back my money and status? I don't want to live a hard life."
Xavier's Adam's apple bobbed. "He won't."
"I'm the one who came looking for you."
I had sold my dog.
But the dog recognized its master and ran back on its own.
I wondered if I could sell him again if I returned him.
20
Xavier went to take a shower.
I lay on the bed, checking the changes in my company accounts.
I'd started this company when I first entered university—an entertainment company that had signed a few minor artists.
Initially it was just for fun, but I quickly lost interest and abandoned it.
After the system told me about the plot, I dug up this forgotten company and revived it.
In the entertainment industry's world of fame and fortune, status sometimes worked better than money. With the Song family identity, I could secure more resources than others.
Plus with three hundred million in funding at hand, it was like having divine assistance.
Xavier was truly valuable. Maybe I should call the Song family again and negotiate a better price for another sale.
Hmm, whenever I run out of money in the future, I'll just send Xavier back.
Let that couple retrieve their son who had suffered outside for years but returned still lovesick.
"What are you looking at?"
Xavier snatched away my tablet. When he saw the wallpaper was a shirtless man with abs, his face darkened like spilled ink.
He had come out wearing only a bath towel around his waist, his upper body bare.
Xavier grabbed my hand and pressed it against his abs. "Isn't seeing me usually enough?"
I pondered for a moment. "You all give different feelings. Of course I need variety when looking at men."
Xavier's face grew even darker.
He pressed his body down against mine, intertwining our fingers.
"I helped you earn three hundred million. Don't I get a reward?"
I traced his deep-set features with my fingertip. "I told you, only good dogs get rewards. Are you my good dog?"
* * *
"Bark twice."
Xavier gritted his teeth. "Don't push it too far."
I stretched out my arm to reach for my phone. "I'll call Mr. Song and tell him his son is in my hands. Three hundred million ransom, or I'll tear up the ticket..."
"Woof, woof."
Xavier intercepted my outstretched hand. "Does the good dog get a reward now?"
I smiled at him, watching his ears, cheeks, and neck turn completely red, yet he still tried to maintain that aloof, indifferent facade.
"Yes."
I flipped over and straddled him, pinning him beneath me.
"Enjoy yourself."
21
When the doorbell rang again, it was already the afternoon of the next day.
Yesterday's wild antics had been too much—I was exhausted.
Perhaps my taking the initiative had been too stimulating for Xavier. Last night he'd been as excited as if he'd taken an aphrodisiac.
I got up to wash and freshen up, with Xavier following me step by step.
Only after finishing my morning routine did I go to answer the door.
My brother stood outside.
Allen's face had just broken into a smile when he saw me, but the moment he spotted Xavier behind me with his arms wrapped around me, his expression instantly crumpled.
Xavier had just been abandoned once and was feeling particularly insecure.
He held me in an extremely possessive manner, resting his head on my shoulder and looking at my brother through half-lidded eyes.
I said, "Bro, this has nothing to do with me. He followed me here on his own."
Xavier also called out "Brother."
My brother clenched his fists, his mouth twitching, looking like someone who couldn't bear to witness a beautiful flower stuck in cow dung.
When he looked at me, the corner of his eye started twitching too.
One biological younger brother, one sister he'd raised with his own hands.
The two of them tangled up together.
He couldn't even define which one was the pig and which was the cabbage.
Should he be happy that the person his devil sister had forcibly claimed actually liked her back?
But his biological brother seemed to be quite the unhinged lunatic too.
Whatever. These two were a perfect match.
22
Allen stuffed the things he'd brought into my hands. "You two are locked in together."
Then he closed the door with an expressionless face.
Xavier's warm lips pressed against my neck the next second.
My phone chimed with a message notification.
Allen had sent me a text: [When you're done playing, send him back. Mom and Dad are particularly concerned about him right now. If they find out later, there'll be trouble.]
Xavier's voice sounded in my ear, "What are you thinking about?"
I said, "I'm wondering whether I should extort your parents. What do you think would be an acceptable price for selling you a second time?"
Xavier replied naturally, "Three hundred million again."
I said fine.
Then I sent a message to Mr. and Mrs. Song: [Your son is in my hands. Transfer three hundred million ransom to my account or I'll tear up the ticket.]
Mr. Song called, cursing furiously. I hung up on him.
He sent me several angry text messages, threatening to expose the truth to the world.
I replied: [Oh, I'm so scared. If you don't pay up quickly, your son's going to be completely ruined by me.]
Mr. Song compromised. They appeared at my villa door with dark faces, handing me a check for three hundred million.
I handed Xavier over to them.
Mr. Song said, "Get lost and go abroad. Don't let me see you in this country again."
I said, "Abroad? That's a different price."
I slammed the door shut, blocking out his furious shouting.
The next day I moved to another city and bought another villa there.
Xavier ran back to me the day after I arrived.
He held me and demanded his reward.
After we were exhausted, I took a photo of his sleeping face and sent it to Mr. and Mrs. Song.
[Pay up.]
Two words. Simple, domineering, with a hint of impatience.
This time they gave me enough money and told me to get lost abroad.
I rushed overseas and bought a house there.
Xavier showed up at my door the next evening.
This time he even brought luggage.
They shouldn't have thought about banishing me—they should have broken their son's legs.
When I sent them photos again, they gave up and accepted their fate.
They sent back one sentence: [He's yours now. Get lost.]
I was somewhat disappointed that I could no longer make money off Xavier.
But looking at the figure in the kitchen wearing an apron and bustling about.
Never mind. At least the dog was obedient.
—The End—