The Second Fall - Chapter 46

Chapter 46: Crying for Mercy

Pain and itching surged through Lan Cixing’s mind like an electric current, then through her body.

With a start, she practically jumped away, shrinking behind Rong Yushu to put distance between herself and Yu Mingsong. Instinctively, she grabbed the hem of Rong Yushu’s clothes, accidentally bunching up a few strands of her hair in the process.

Catching the unfriendly side-eye from Rong Yushu, Lan Cixing hurriedly let go, raising both hands to signal her innocence. A trace of white tea fragrance lingered on her fingertips, wafting past her nose.

“It’s not a tryst, and there’s no affair. I don’t like Alphas,” Lan Cixing blurted out, her mind unable to keep up with her need to explain.

She wondered how much Rong Yushu had actually heard of her conversation with Yu Mingsong. Had she heard that “like,” or the word “bed partner”? But she wasn’t wrong, was she? After all these years with Rong Yushu, there should be some unspoken understanding.

With all the recent kissing and… other things, Lan Cixing couldn’t think of a more fitting term than “bed partner” to describe their relationship. To say they were Master and servant felt too distant—what Master and servant spend all day kissing and hugging? To say “lovers” felt too intimate. She didn’t dare believe Rong Yushu still held true affection for her.

No one could see through this woman. Perhaps Rong Yushu treated everyone with a heartlessness that felt like love. Therefore, being a bed partner was best—just a normal need between adults. Rong Yushu needed her comfort, and she would obediently provide it. She shouldn’t crave more.

Lan Cixing suppressed her urge to probe further. So what if Rong Yushu heard? She wouldn’t contradict her anyway.

Rong Yushu indeed didn’t ask. She simply turned slightly, using the weak, starlight-like red glow of the dying campfire to look into Lan Cixing’s eyes. Even without direct light, Lan Cixing could feel the weight of her gaze. She stood a bit straighter, her head lowering instinctively like a scolded primary school student.

“Not an affair, yet you’re standing so far away with the cameras turned off.” Rong Yushu’s gaze swept over her for only a second before shifting to the restless Yu Mingsong.

She understood Lan Cixing, of course. her “dumb dog” would never proactively strike up a conversation with a “love rival.” It could only be that Yu Mingsong had initiated some mischief. Receiving Rong Yushu’s cold shoulder, Yu Mingsong felt a genuine chill run down her spine. Whether it was an act or real, that crushing pressure made her shiver.

Just as Yu Mingsong was about to explain, she saw the little “bed partner” hurriedly grab Rong Yushu’s sleeve, leaning in close with a voice thick with tears. “It really wasn’t. She… she just identified me and said she was your sister’s lover.” It looked as if Lan Cixing might cry on the spot if Rong Yushu didn’t believe her.

Four years ago, the intersection between Yu Mingsong and Lan Cixing had been minimal, and they rarely interacted with Rong Yushu in public. Thus, Yu Mingsong hadn’t known that the Alpha Rong Yushu took a fancy to had such a temperament—truly soft as a puppy, made of water; one tap and she’d be a mess of tears, wailing for mercy.

Yu Mingsong froze for a moment before quickly backing up Lan Cixing’s explanation, fearing that Rong Yushu would complain to her sister and cause her to be cold-shouldered by Rong Jinhuai. “It was just a confession session. I really didn’t do anything to her. I wouldn’t dare; your sister would skin me.”

A lover’s duty was to maintain one-sided loyalty and act as a dog. Yu Mingsong was very clear about her status; she wouldn’t dare have designs on anyone else. Besides, everyone knew Rong Yushu liked Lan Cixing intensely—only Rong Jinhuai refused to believe it.

“Besides, if I didn’t say it, did you want her to be jealous for the next two months?” Yu Mingsong didn’t believe Rong Yushu couldn’t see it. Even if Rong Yushu didn’t know about the confrontation during the handshake, she should have felt Lan Cixing’s hostility. And yet they still claimed it wasn’t love, just being bed partners… Yu Mingsong was tired of meddling in their business.

“Heh.” A puff of air escaped Rong Yushu’s nose.

Yu Mingsong’s scalp tingled. Years ago, when she went to the Rong house to see Rong Jinhuai’s sister, she liked to tease her before she knew her true nature. Every time she heard Rong Yushu make that sound, she knew she was in trouble.

“Jeal-ous, huh.” Fortunately, the target of the ridicule today wasn’t Yu Mingsong. Rong Yushu had stopped looking at her and turned to Lan Cixing, her gaze hooking onto her chin. She spoke one syllable at a time.

Yu Mingsong’s goosebumps were practically flying. Lan Cixing kept her head down, refusing to look up even while being stared at. If the light were better, one could see the red at the corners of her eyes and her ears. Though the light was dim, Rong Yushu was familiar with her reactions. She took a step forward, forcing Lan Cixing to tremble and try to back away, only for her shoulders to be pinned.

“Just a suitor of mine… and you’re jealous?” Rong Yushu was clearly asking what she already knew. The reason was unclear, but she had truly cowed Lan Cixing.

“I wouldn’t dare…” Lan Cixing’s head was nearly buried in the ground. Her hair fell over her chest, drooping alongside her voice. In the darkness, she could see the cracks in the earth, her feet instinctively turning as if she wanted to widen them and crawl inside.

“If you’re not jealous, why were you staring at her? Could it be you like her?” Rong Yushu pinched Lan Cixing’s shoulder, leaning in. Her voice was nearly a whisper. The “third wheel” nearby couldn’t hear a thing, standing two meters away like a wooden background prop.

Lan Cixing’s ear was scalded by the hot breath. Hearing the familiarity in Rong Yushu’s tone, her heart shuddered, and she looked up in surprise. Rong Yushu didn’t seem to be scolding her for being jealous. One sentence, one breath, and they were so close. Even without seeing Rong Yushu’s eyes, Lan Cixing understood.

Rong Yushu wanted her to be jealous.

“I am jealous.” Lan Cixing tilted her head, trying to meet Rong Yushu’s eyes. She failed; Rong Yushu held her steady, preventing her from turning. She could only raise her voice to compensate for the lack of eye contact. “I thought you really wanted her to replace me, and she’s your suitor… you said this morning…”

But when it came to explaining the jealousy in detail, Lan Cixing stopped halfway, the rest of her words dissolving into the heat of her shame. Her hand rested gently on Rong Yushu’s wrist, a silent plea.

In the shadows where no one could see, Rong Yushu’s face was grim—no fake kindness, not even mockery. She just looked bored to the point of bitterness. She didn’t let Lan Cixing turn to face her like this; she just gripped her shoulders and leaned her head against Lan Cixing’s. This way, only their hair mingled. Lan Cixing wouldn’t see her expression.

Rong Yushu closed her eyes and remained silent, as if waiting for Lan Cixing to continue.

Lan Cixing spoke intermittently, unable to form complete sentences, only stray words popping out. “It’s just… the previous trending searches, and she’s so impressive…”

The suppressed jealousy flared up again. Lan Cixing hadn’t realized she had harbored so much of it; she could overthink a single sentence for ages. She really wasn’t a qualified “bed partner.” This kind of jealousy shouldn’t even exist between lovers. Lan Cixing stopped talking, her mood sinking.

Then, a weight pressed onto her shoulder. A heavy head leaned against her. Rong Yushu draped herself over Lan Cixing. Since there were no cameras at this moment, she quietly reached out and circled Lan Cixing’s waist. It seemed she was soothing the days of jealousy. No words were needed. Only the scent of white tea drifted into Lan Cixing’s nose. Slowly, it smoothed over the ripples in her heart.

Lan Cixing relaxed slightly, wanting to hug her back. Ultimately not daring to reach out, she could only press her head near Rong Yushu’s ear, mimicking her without burdening her. Her spine was stroked. Lan Cixing heard a very faint whisper. It was so ethereal it didn’t seem like real words, but rather someone’s wishful thinking. Yet Lan Cixing knew Rong Yushu was truly comforting her.

“She isn’t my suitor.” Rong Yushu’s words were a comfort in themselves, let alone such a direct statement.

Lan Cixing’s knitted brows finally unraveled, and an invisible smile touched her eyes. She lowered her knees to let Rong Yushu hold her better, leaning in with total reliance. Rong Yushu tightened her grip slightly, thinking: How could I possibly let another suitor near me? How could I give anyone else a chance? Lan Cixing had always lacked security, was timid, and had a low sense of worthiness. So, she would never let Lan Cixing truly be jealous.

A pity, though. Her dog was too dumb to see it. Rong Yushu pinched Lan Cixing’s waist with force.

“Being jealous and still clinging to my arms, you’re truly thick-skinned.” She had been the one to initiate the embrace, yet she blamed Lan Cixing for being shameless, insisting that Lan Cixing was the one desperately clinging to her.

Lan Cixing enjoyed it immensely, letting out a silly laugh and finally reaching out to hug Rong Yushu. “Is it not allowed?” Most of the time she was smart enough to understand Rong Yushu’s “reverse-speak”—the sarcasm hiding soft honey.

Rong Yushu’s pinching became harsher. The more she pinched, the tighter Lan Cixing held her, almost like an act of devotion. She even rubbed her face against Rong Yushu’s, whimpering like a puppy acting spoiled. It took Rong Yushu biting her cheek for her to let go.

Lan Cixing rubbed her face, a few tears of joy in her eyes.

Rong Yushu huffed again. “You promised to stay with me, yet you were gone the moment I opened my eyes, out here meeting people randomly.” She yanked Lan Cixing’s ear downward and bit her again. “Are you truly begging for a lesson, or are you doing this on purpose?” Rong Yushu didn’t care if it hurt, bullying her as much as she liked—pinching her nose, biting her cheeks.

Lan Cixing retreated repeatedly, wanting to beg for mercy. Her 182cm height was being bullied down to 128cm by Rong Yushu.

“I was wrong…” Lan Cixing apologized first. She had lost count of how many times she had said it today. She was certainly practiced at it.

Rong Yushu didn’t accept it.

“I only wanted to come out and hand over the watch shift. I didn’t intend to talk to her.” Lan Cixing shamelessly threw the blame onto Yu Mingsong.

Yu Mingsong, suddenly pointed at, looked bewildered. Being forced to be a third wheel and eat the “dog food” of a young couple was one thing. Now she had to take the fall? Hadn’t she explained everything for the sake of these two? She should have known Rong Yushu was a little devil, and Lan Cixing had been corrupted by her. She had truly wasted her breath clearing up the misunderstanding.

“She was the one who insisted on driving the cameras away and covering them.” Lan Cixing didn’t care what Yu Mingsong thought of her. As long as Yu Mingsong wasn’t Rong Yushu’s suitor, it was fine.

“If you want to apologize, be my body pillow properly. No running away.” Rong Yushu felt better after her pinching spree. Seeing Lan Cixing’s teary face, she finally showed a satisfied smile. Taking her by the bowtie, she straightened her mask and hat, leading her back like a dog on a leash.

“I know I was wrong… Sister, Sister Shushu, don’t be mad at me anymore.” Lan Cixing kept her head low as she was dragged back into the single tent.

Only then did Yu Mingsong hurry over, catching the door flap before Rong Yushu could zip it shut. “Wait, if you two are going back to sleep, who’s standing guard?” She was exhausted—so tired she couldn’t be bothered with them, nor did she want to ponder why she got a “heh” and bad luck while Lan Cixing got a “heh” and hugs.

“If you don’t want to do it, go tell the crew. With all these drones and the staff nearby, do you think they’d let anything happen to us?” Rong Yushu glanced at Yu Mingsong, finding her question bizarre. Then she yanked the curtain shut, refusing further communication.

Yu Mingsong stood outside with clenched fists, but she could do nothing against Rong Yushu. Rong Yushu must have known all along that the crew could watch over them, yet she didn’t stop her. It was definitely intentional. All because she made her precious little Alpha a bit jealous? It wasn’t even her fault. Yu Mingsong huffed, extinguished the fire, and went into her own tent, deciding she was done with Rong Yushu for the night.

Entering Rong Yushu’s tent was no different from being devoured by her. Lan Cixing was pressed onto the mat, kneeling, forced to look up at her. Her hands had to hold her. Lan Cixing didn’t dare, but Rong Yushu forced her forward. Lan Cixing’s face finally pressed against Rong Yushu’s lower abdomen, a deep flush rising to her head.

So soft…

Places she didn’t dare touch usually were now being pressed against her by Rong Yushu.

“S-Sister…” Lan Cixing wanted to flee. But the tent was only so big; she couldn’t even stand straight. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t escape Rong Yushu’s palm. She could only plead with tears, hoping Rong Yushu would let her go. She forgot that her pleading only invited Rong Yushu to go even further.

“Wrong.” Rong Yushu didn’t mind the pain; she was kneeling upright, her knees already turning red. She insisted on being above Lan Cixing, looking down at her. She raised her hand to cup her face and pat it gently. “You didn’t use to call me that.” Rong Yushu didn’t use force. Rather than a slap, this light patting felt more like flirting. “What? Didn’t you call me that last time?”

She didn’t use force or threats. Just two sentences. They were enough to make Lan Cixing drop her armor, her body going soft, bowing lower and lower. She truly spoke in a soft voice: “Mommy.”

“Good girl.” Satisfied, Rong Yushu stroked Lan Cixing’s head. Lan Cixing slowly closed her eyes, for a moment forgetting she was still pressed against Rong Yushu. She couldn’t help lowering her head, wanting the back of her head to be stroked too. Her nose and lips were instantly buried in…

Lan Cixing’s ears turned red as she scrambled backward.

“Want to kiss?” Rong Yushu didn’t mind. She looked thoughtful as she took two steps forward, hooking Lan Cixing’s collar to prevent her from retreating. “It’s not impossible.” No one knew that her hips had just gone numb. She nearly fell over. She insisted on staying on high ground even when her body was weak. That was just the kind of person Rong Yushu was.

“But.” Rong Yushu leaned down, pulling Lan Cixing up by the collar. “You did so many things wrong today; you must apologize properly.”

Lan Cixing met Rong Yushu’s emerald eyes, her throat moving slightly—it was unclear if it was joy, shyness, or nerves. But as Rong Yushu let go, Lan Cixing knelt down again. She tried to protect Rong Yushu’s knees, wanting her to kneel on her hands instead.

“Is this how you apologize?” Rong Yushu didn’t cooperate.

“Your knees are turning red; it will hurt and cause injury. Can you please get up first?” Lan Cixing looked up, only wanting what was best for Rong Yushu. “Mommy,” she whispered, a form of coaxing.

Rong Yushu gazed at her. She saw nothing but sincerity. Rong Yushu actually changed her posture, sitting beside Lan Cixing. She wanted to see how Lan Cixing would apologize. But her waist was circled. Lan Cixing hugged her, pressing her entire body against Rong Yushu, holding her incredibly tight. It was no different from throwing herself into her arms. Rong Yushu was a bit dazed when she caught her.

“This is your apology?” When she realized, she actually laughed. A laugh without mockery, clear and pleasant to the ear.

Lan Cixing’s ears were red, but she didn’t deny it. “Is it not allowed? Mommy. I will definitely correct myself in the future. I won’t do it again. Can Mommy forgive me?” She was still in a low position, looking up at Rong Yushu with starlight in her eyes.

Rong Yushu could do nothing with her. Hearing her call her “Mommy,” all other thoughts vanished. She only wanted to hold her and hear her call her that over and over in those moments.

“So stupid.” Rong Yushu spoke harshly, but her hands instinctively hugged back, adjusting to a comfortable position as she lay in Lan Cixing’s arms. Lan Cixing curved her eyes and held her a bit tighter.

“Then can I kiss you now?” She was still thinking about that softness.

“You really are thick-skinned.” Rong Yushu had already closed her eyes; she simply swatted at her. Lan Cixing took the hit squarely and then leaned in, “wagging her tail.” Rong Yushu didn’t say no. This gave her an opening. Lan Cixing tentatively leaned forward and kissed the corner of Rong Yushu’s mouth. She didn’t dare touch anywhere else; she didn’t even dare make the kiss substantial. Just the corner of the mouth.

Rong Yushu suppressed a smile, swatted her again, and pulled her into sleep. What a timid dog. She wanted to kiss her navel but didn’t dare. But she liked Lan Cixing’s timidity.

Around 10:00 AM.

The production crew couldn’t take it anymore. A drone carrying a megaphone finally woke up the late-sleeping Rong Yushu. Lan Cixing had been awake for a long time, but since Rong Yushu was holding her, she couldn’t leave. Now that Rong Yushu had finally let her go, Lan Cixing stepped out of the tent first.

Yu Mingsong had also just been woken up and was preparing to go to the single shower to wash up. Lan Cixing, knowing Rong Yushu would definitely be grumpy, let her go first. She went to make breakfast using the fruit collected yesterday and the noodles and eggs she had exchanged for. By the time a drowsy Rong Yushu leaned on Lan Cixing’s shoulder, intending to go back to sleep on her, breakfast was ready.

The crew was already numb. They watched as the other groups scrambled to pack tents and actively complete tasks in a chaotic mess, which gave them some small comfort. At least the other groups provided “variety show effects.”

Yu Mingsong watched the two enter the bathroom together again, unphased. She sat down to eat the breakfast Lan Cixing had kindly prepared for her and began her “business” performance.

“What’s the plan for today? It’s impossible for there to be nothing; everyone knows the crew is full of tricks. There must be a task waiting for us.” After greeting the drone, Yu Mingsong feigned surprise. “They wouldn’t want us to find clues ourselves and play the same exchange-for-food game as yesterday, would they?”

The drone flew away silently. A while later, it returned with a map. Rong Yushu had finished washing up and was sitting in her lounge chair eating breakfast, having no intention of performing. Lan Cixing, likewise, wasn’t a guest; she was focused on serving her Master and didn’t spare the map a glance. Yu Mingsong had to read the task from the map once more.

“Treasure hunt. Follow the route, overcome obstacles, witness love, and receive the blessing of the Island God…” Her voice grew quieter as she read.

“What kind of script is this? So ‘chuunibyou’ (cheesy)”, Rong Yushu finally paid a bit of attention and chimed in.

“…Cough. I guess this task is related to tonight’s cohabitation. Maybe it’s points for room types again. Let’s head out after breakfast?”

The show’s schedule was three days and two nights—one night at a designated spot (like the desert island) and one night at the crew’s fixed location for summaries, interactions, and building relationships. If anyone wanted to request a change in pairing, that challenge would start tonight. It wasn’t surprising Yu Mingsong thought so; the crew indeed planned it that way. There would be various challenges prepared by the crew on the “treasure hunt” route; completing them earned points, which would determine the order for picking room types tonight.

The director was moved; at least Yu Mingsong was cooperating. The photographer controlled the drone to point at the words on the back of the map. Yu Mingsong instinctively read them aloud: “Protecting the island’s ecology is every group’s responsibility.”

Lan Cixing, having overheard: …

Basically, they just want us to clean up the campsite.

Luckily she was prepared; she had collected all the trash yesterday and had already handled the firewood after cooking. Only the tent remained. Lan Cixing looked at Yu Mingsong’s barely functional tent and decided she wouldn’t help her dismantle it.

Sure enough, twenty minutes later, Lan Cixing had packed everything, leaving only the folding chair for Rong Yushu to sit on. Yu Mingsong was still battling her tent.

“I think we can head out first,” Lan Cixing whispered, forgetting she was still wearing her mic.

“It’s not impossible,” Rong Yushu played along, completely unconcerned with the crew’s survival. “The map is marked clearly anyway. When she catches up later, maybe she can complete the challenges we missed.”

With one sentence, Rong Yushu sealed Yu Mingsong’s fate, leaving her alone at the campsite. They had effectively turned the dating duo into a young couple plus a third wheel—a very bright third wheel.

The late-morning sun was fierce, beating down on Yu Mingsong’s head and reflecting off her hair. Lan Cixing carried the bags of gear, wanting to carry Rong Yushu too, but was swatted away. Rong Yushu walked behind her, holding onto a corner of her clothes. It wasn’t that she couldn’t walk on mud; she had faced all sorts of environments during filming. The same went for food; Rong Yushu actually wasn’t picky. But because Lan Cixing was there, she could be lazy.

Since Lan Cixing was burdened, Rong Yushu helped her by carrying one small bag. It was very light. A drone flying overhead caught that it contained Rong Yushu’s toiletries. The fan was still attached to Lan Cixing’s shoulder, blowing toward Rong Yushu.

The post-production crew thought this scene had great variety effects. When the time came, they would definitely edit in a caption about a “considerate Omega.”

The two focused on finding the path, ignoring the riddles and leaving them for the trailing Yu Mingsong, claiming it was to give her a “sense of participation.” Thus, they were the second group to arrive at the treasure hunt cave. Lan Cixing saw the lockers and put their things inside. Rong Yushu narrowed her eyes at the first group who had arrived, stepping slightly to hide behind Lan Cixing’s body.

Yet she didn’t escape the other person’s notice.

“Shushu? You arrived so early.” A woman with brown curly hair walked straight toward Rong Yushu. Rong Yushu didn’t look at her, but Lan Cixing’s attention was drawn as she scanned the newcomer.

The person was a Beta, exceptionally good-looking and as elegant as jade. Lan Cixing had no memory of her face, but she figured this must be the Feng Shi Yu Mingsong had mentioned. Lan Cixing’s brow furrowed tightly.

“Is this your partner? Is it Senior Yu Mingsong? Why are you wearing a mask?” Feng Shi could see Rong Yushu’s avoidant attitude. She pursed her lips but didn’t back down, taking a step forward instead. “Shushu, in front of the cameras, at least…”

Seeing Feng Shi about to get close, the veins on Lan Cixing’s temple throbbed. She stepped forward to block her, refusing to let her near.

“I am Yu Mingsong. Don’t you have a partner?”

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