She was still young—she wasn’t ready to become frigid yet!
The door creaked open, letting in a sliver of light.
The sound of silver ornaments jingling softly accompanied the young man’s approach. Hearing those crisp, melodious chimes, Chu'he nervously tucked her legs back under the blanket. The tiny bell on her red-string anklet swayed lightly, amplifying the fluttering unease in her chest.
"Chu'he, I found food."
Like a gust of wind, he swept onto the bed, pulling her into his arms and pressing a steaming bun to her lips.
The aroma of the bun made Chu'he’s mouth water. She eagerly took a bite, only to choke slightly—until a cup of water was promptly held to her lips. After two days of being at his mercy, two days of crying out, she was parched and starving. In no time, she had devoured the entire bun, washing it down with gulps of water.
As she nibbled on the second bun, she mumbled, "Don’t we have anything else to eat? Just buns?"
Ninth wiped the moisture from the corner of her lips with his fingertip, then fixed his gaze on her plump, rosy mouth. His breath grew warm as he murmured, "Buns are simple and filling. With water, they’re enough to keep you full."
Chu'he prickled with discomfort. Her chewing slowed involuntarily. She scooted back until her spine met the wall—only to be yanked forward again.
He leaned down, hovering close to her lips. "You’re full now, aren’t you?"
Chu'he shivered.
The young man’s crimson eyes narrowed, drinking in her flustered expression. His voice was a whisper, "Chu'he, it’s time for us to work on bringing Little Treasure into the world again."
System: [Who’s Little Treasure?]
Curling into a ball under the blanket, Chu'he listened to the clinking of chains and cursed her past self a thousand times for spouting such nonsense back then.
The system’s voice suddenly flickered with static. [You two are at it again? Are human bodies really this resilient?]
Chu'he: "Stop with the sarcasm! Don’t you have any way to knock Ninth out?"
System: [Dear user, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable.]
Chu'he: "..."
She should’ve known this useless system couldn’t be relied on!
Watching the young man nuzzle against her, a sudden surge of defiance rose in Chu'he. She flipped their positions, pinning him beneath her.
Ninth lifted his face from her chest, licking his lips as he stared up at her in dazed confusion.
Chu'he declared, "Ninth, I’m going to teach you a new game."
Blinking owlishly, he asked, "A game not in the books?"
Chu'he nodded solemnly, radiating determination. "That’s right. I’ll make sure you’re overwhelmed with pleasure!"
Then, she ducked under the covers.
Ninth stared blankly at the shifting silhouette beneath the blanket—until his expression twisted. Gripping the sheets, he let out a breathy moan.
Night fell once more, the world hushed in silence.
Moonlight slipped through the open window, casting a silvery glow over the bed, illuminating the young man sprawled face-down, his cheeks and ears flushed a deep red.
Ninth clutched the blanket, hiding beneath it with only his damp, crimson eyes visible—shining with humiliation, as if he’d endured unspeakable torment.
In stark contrast, the girl propped against the headboard sipped water leisurely, exhaled, then set the cup aside. She reached out to pinch his cheek. "Ninth, can you still go?"
The boy bit his lip, stubbornly keeping his back to her. His muffled voice was petulant. "I can."
Chu'he draped herself over him, forcibly turning his face toward her. "Then shall we continue?"
Ninth’s eyes wavered, the rims reddening further, as if golden tears might spill any moment. She knew he’d reached his limit—yet she refused to give him an out. The injustice stung.
Patting his back, Chu'he relented. "Alright, alright, we’ll stop."
Ninth turned his face away, silent.
A triumphant thrill surged through Chu'he. Teasingly, she climbed atop him fully, nuzzling his cheek with a giggle.
"Chains are such wonderful things. Next time you’re mad, let’s play like this again!"
The discarded chains lay forgotten in the dark corner, inconspicuous. Ninth grasped her wrist, where faint marks from the restraints lingered.
The vermilion mark between his brows had long vanished—and it seemed it would never return.
As frenzy faded and reason resurfaced, the sight of the "bruises" left on the girl’s skin weighed heavily on him. His breath turned ragged.
Burying his face in the crook of her neck, he muttered, "I’m not stupid. That would only excite you more."
So no, he wouldn’t be using chains anymore.
Chu'he sighed dramatically, running her fingers through his soft white hair. "Ninth, can you even move?"
He lifted his gaze, eyes glinting darkly. "Of course I can move."
He wasn’t some feeble man who’d collapse after a round or two. Her repeated doubts wounded his pride.
Resting her head atop his, Chu'he drawled lazily into his ear, "I’m hungry."
Ninth: "I’m not."
Almost spitefully, he pretended not to grasp her implication, his tone icy.
Chu'he pursed her lips, writhing against him like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum.
"I’m hungry, I’m hungry, I’m starving! If I starve, Ninth won’t have a wife anymore, and Little Treasure won’t have a mother!"
"Ninth is so cruel, denying me food, abusing me!"
"My heart is broken, my spirit crushed—I’ll wither away any second now!"
Her whining didn’t cease until Ninth clamped a hand over her mouth, gritting out, "When did I abuse you?"
Chu'he thrust out her wrist, displaying the chain marks. Her voice was muffled. "You abused me."
Ninth’s confidence faltered. His gaze darted guiltily as he laced their fingers together under the blanket. "Chu'he, I’m sorr—"
Before he could finish, she cupped his face, beaming.
"Go find me food, and you’ll still be the Ninth who loves me most in the world!"
As long as he remained that Ninth, nothing else mattered.
Her radiant smile melted the last resistance in his heart, leaving it tender and pliant—yearning to be closer, to drown in her presence.
Ninth kissed the corner of her mouth. "I’ll get food."
He shrugged on his robes and slid off the bed, swaying slightly.
Chu'he called after him, "Ninth, are you sure you’re okay?"
"I’m perfectly fine!"
A man could never admit weakness.
Watching Ninth leap out the window, his crimson figure cutting through the night like a specter, Chu'he marveled, "Ah, youth—such boundless stamina."
Then—
A meteor-like crash. A loud thud.
Chu'he froze before scrambling to the window, peering down. "Ninth! Ninth! Are you alright?!"
A dust-covered hand rose shakily from below, slamming the shutters shut—blocking her view.
Undeterred, Chu'he cracked the window open just a sliver.
In the dim light of night, a young man clutched his waist, staggering forward with stubborn determination. His foot caught on a stone, sending him crashing headfirst into a tree. He grimaced in pain.
Chu'he watched with a hint of sympathy.
The long-silent system suddenly reappeared, [So, this 'dark room' scenario you two are playing—who’s really forcing whom here?]
Chu'he stroked his chin and grinned.
"Who knows?"
