The Second Fall - Chapter 58

Chapter 58: The Little Lover is Angry

Her breath stagnated.

In a moment of distraction, a drop of pheromone fell onto the tip of Rong Yushu’s tongue. It was so spicy it felt scalding, the pain stimulating her delicate tongue, overwhelming her taste buds. Rong Yushu hurriedly raised her hand to return the pheromones to the collector. Her mouth was still filled with Lan Cixing’s sweet and spicy scent. This person’s pheromones were just like her—they loved to torture people.

Rong Yushu’s body was still trembling uncontrollably. She looked back; fortunately, her secret actions hadn’t been discovered by Lan Cixing. Lan Cixing had only called out to her in a daze while sleeping. Perhaps she was dreaming of being intimate with her. It was better if she were dreaming of that.

Rong Yushu curled her tongue, trying to make the flavor of the pheromones last a little longer. Actually, this flavor wasn’t “good.” If it were made into a sauce for ten people to taste, nine would have their eyes turn red from the sting, and the last one would go coughing in search of water. Only Rong Yushu would be addicted to such a flavor. She had even commissioned custom lollipops flavored like these pheromones. She consumed a set amount every week, as if those candies were her life-sustaining medicine. Aside from her, even her close friends would start choking just smelling the candy.

How powerful Lan Cixing’s pheromones were.

Rong Yushu slowly calmed her breathing. Occasionally, she felt there was something wrong with Lan Cixing’s rating. To be able to make a top-tier like herself so obsessed and addicted, Lan Cixing should surely be another top-tier. However, in the end, she didn’t care much about her lover’s rank. She just liked this person.

“Sister…” Lan Cixing murmured again. It was unclear what she was dreaming about. With just “Mommy,” Rong Yushu couldn’t be sure, but with “Sister” added, Lan Cixing could only be calling for her.

A secret joy bubbled up. Rong Yushu quietly grasped Lan Cixing’s hand, her movements extremely gentle. Slowly, she lifted Lan Cixing’s fingers and placed them on the back of her own neck, separated by a layer of hair. Rong Yushu guided Lan Cixing’s hand to touch her most sensitive spot—her gland.

Rong Yushu’s breathing grew heavy. She was leading Lan Cixing to do such a thing while the other was asleep. How transgressive. But Rong Yushu couldn’t stop. The pheromones she had swallowed earlier had reached her throat, sliding toward her internal organs, turning her into a creature that craved Lan Cixing.

The hand on her neck suddenly moved.

“Ugh…” Rong Yushu shuddered, enduring Lan Cixing’s unconscious torture. Her gland was repeatedly pressed and rolled; Lan Cixing’s fingertips kept sliding over it, pinching the small protrusion on the back of her neck. It was like pinching a piece of gummy candy—hot and melted.

Rong Yushu tensed her nerves, exhaling in broken gasps. Her breath carried the clear sweetness of fir, rapidly mixing and merging with her own white tea scent. The hand holding the collector wobbled; she almost shook Lan Cixing’s pheromones out. She couldn’t waste them…

Rong Yushu arched her back and curled down, opening the collector again. Regardless of how Lan Cixing’s hand acted, she downed half of the pheromones in one gulp. She could only drink half. No matter how much she liked them, the stimulation of the pheromones was real. Amidst the pain was the pleasure of a long-awaited fulfillment. After Rong Yushu recovered her strength, she couldn’t help but lick again.

Lan Cixing’s finger suddenly pinched Rong Yushu’s gland. Shivering, Rong Yushu drank the last of the pheromones. It felt as if, tonight, she had received the marking she had long craved—and it was Rong Yushu herself who had begged for it so bitterly.

The cooled pheromones brought a low sob. Rong Yushu reheated her favorite scent until it was scalding, yet it could only flow into her throat. Rong Yushu set the collector aside, her eyes full of tear tracks. She was so weak she almost couldn’t stand. She wanted to clean up, but eventually gave up.

Rong Yushu collapsed beside Lan Cixing, watching her sleeping lover while blinking, almost breaking down into tears again. Was there any way to make Lan Cixing think she was using a tool when she was actually marking her? To beg someone for a marking and not get it—when had Rong Yushu ever done such a shameless thing? Ten years ago, she never would have imagined being so pathetic and humble in matters of intimacy.

Lan Cixing had truly shattered all her bottom lines and dreams.

Rong Yushu slowly adjusted her breathing, her emotions cooling down bit by bit. She remembered her plans for the future when she was twenty. She was going to find ten Alphas to revolve around her every day and serve her. They had to be beautiful, obedient, sensible, without tempers, as well-behaved as dogs, and easy to manipulate with no money or power. They wouldn’t get jealous randomly, but they had to know how to be jealous; when she favored one, the others had to compete for her attention. She wouldn’t lose her heart, but their eyes and minds had to be filled only with her.

How beautiful Rong Yushu’s dreams were in her youth. She didn’t reject suitors and had once thought she could develop one relationship after another. When she reached the age where the Rong family needed an heir, she would pick the best genes, skip the partner, and just take the child. Rong Yushu was naturally dissolute, loved freedom, and loved control. She never thought of being tied to anyone for a lifetime.

Even less did she think she would trip and fall over the very first “harem member” she personally selected. From then on, she broke her rules again and again for her, restraining her temper. All the way through their separation and reunion. Over these years, Rong Yushu hadn’t loved anyone—only this Alpha who seemed ordinary and boring to outsiders.

Rong Yushu’s eyelashes trembled, and she suddenly realized she was crying again. How unsightly. She covered her face, unable to hide the shaking. Eventually, she gave up, breathing openly and sobbing softly. She didn’t dare say it, but she actually harbored resentment toward Lan Cixing.

Resentment that Lan Cixing had cut off all her other possibilities. Resentment that Lan Cixing insisted on appearing, making it so she had no time to experience anything else before drowning in this block of wood. If someone like Rong Yushu fell in love, they were destined for a hard time. Love meant she had to bow her head, she would be obsessed, she would stop being herself, and her smooth sailing would become full of obstacles.

But who told her to like her?

Rong Yushu leaned back into Lan Cixing’s arms, looking at her face under the moonlight. She really wanted to give her two slaps—out of long-standing resentment and out of frustration that this person was so unromantic tonight. She fell unconscious after “sleeping” with her, refused to mark her, and preferred to use tools, making her “steal a snack” in the middle of the night. How shameful.

Ultimately, hearing those muddled sleep-talkings, she couldn’t bear to do it. She only pushed herself into Lan Cixing’s arms, insisting on getting a hug. Then she quietly kissed the corner of her mouth, which still carried the scent of their mixed pheromones.

Rong Yushu soon fell asleep. In her dream, there was also the pungent spice of flint. It was as if she were being showered in the ash of a volcanic eruption, her skin and flesh being scalded away by lava. Everyone was telling her to run, everyone said she was stupid. But Rong Yushu accepted it gladly.

Lan Cixing opened her eyes. The state of being half-awake just now was too startling. For a moment, she couldn’t distinguish whether she was being too delusional, dreaming too excessively, or if Rong Yushu really used her hand while she was asleep…

Lan Cixing swallowed. She had been startled awake because she caught another glimpse of those cold eyes that appeared in her nightmares every night. But looking down now, Rong Yushu was clearly in her arms. She was holding her tight, pinching her wrist and hugging her waist. It looked like dependency. There were no cold eyes full of hate.

Lan Cixing pursed her lips; she could still feel an unspeakable softness. Had she… really seen it wrong four years ago? What about tonight? What exactly did Rong Yushu do? Lan Cixing was helplessly sleepy. Eventually, she fell asleep again in Rong Yushu’s embrace. This time, she didn’t dream of those icy green eyes anymore. There were only the cunning fox eyes, looking like a demon or an immortal, now near and now far, making her heart itch.

When Lan Cixing opened her eyes, the light outside was already bright. She felt dazed for a while and tried to sit up, only to find herself on the other side of the big bed.

“…?” Lan Cixing remembered that when she fell asleep last night and woke up in the middle of the night, she was right in the center, still holding Rong Yushu. How had she almost rolled off the bed now?

“You’re awake, puppy.” Rong Yushu sat beside her, watching her leisurely. No tear tracks, no swollen eyes. No cold eyes, and no transgressive ambiguity. It was just the fox playing. She had prepared a trap for Lan Cixing and was waiting for her to jump in. Perhaps what would greet her would be her four-year nightmare.

The eyes that had deeply stung her four years ago surfaced in Lan Cixing’s mind. She stared at Rong Yushu for a few seconds, then suddenly bent her waist, wagging her “tail” and leaning in to ask for a hug.

“Your own sleeping posture is so bad, yet you still want a reward. Quite the nerve.” Rong Yushu pushed her away with a palm. She actually pinned the dazed puppy in place, whose eyes were still full of confusion.

“Tsk.” Seeing Lan Cixing’s blank look made Rong Yushu angry. She pinched Lan Cixing’s face and rubbed it vigorously several times until she was a submissive puppy, then let go. She got up and left, not giving Lan Cixing another second.

“Sister.” Lan Cixing scrambled out of bed, rushed to Rong Yushu’s side in two steps, and grabbed her hand. It felt like she had forgotten something. Lan Cixing thought gloomily while washing up, recalling the dream that startled her awake. It didn’t seem like much, right? Even if Rong Yushu played with her hand in the middle of the night and wanted her touch, what could she do?

Lan Cixing discarded the extra thoughts. After washing up, she received another look from Rong Yushu. Her footsteps paused. Had she made Rong Yushu unhappy again? Rong Yushu had a large and frequent temper; Lan Cixing knew this well. She had once fantasized that since she had a good temper and wouldn’t get angry easily, she could coax Rong Yushu for a lifetime. Now… she didn’t want to think about a lifetime anymore. She didn’t dare think too far.

Lan Cixing slipped to Rong Yushu’s side, leaning down to look up at her. “What, you really think of yourself as a dog, sticking to me with such thick skin?” Rong Yushu pushed her away.

“I’ll make breakfast for Sister.” Lan Cixing’s face was still against Rong Yushu’s hand. “What does Sister want to eat?” Lan Cixing wagged her tail and went into the kitchen.

“That depends on how mean the crew is,” Rong Yushu said, uncovering the camera that had been covered all night. One could see the “resentment” of the camera. Such a fine 24-hour dating show, yet every night Rong Yushu covered the camera and refused to let it film. They only had two in the living room and none elsewhere—what was the harm in filming a bit? Ignoring the crew’s feelings, Rong Yushu rarely “worked” and greeted the camera.

“There are ingredients. I can make morning tea. Wait thirty minutes for me, Sister.” Lan Cixing didn’t treat herself as a guest. After putting on her mask, she thought she should find someone to help her with a disguise. It was so uncomfortable staying by Rong Yushu’s side always wearing a mask. She wanted to appear by her side openly, but her reputation… Lan Cixing’s heart sank. Those cold eyes in her mind became more vivid. Being unable to stop thinking about whether it was real or fake meant she had to repeatedly watch the most painful moment from four years ago. Lan Cixing fell silent, her cooking movements slowing down slightly. Perhaps she shouldn’t keep thinking about it.

Forty minutes later, Lan Cixing brought out the morning tea. The crew had somehow prepared ingredients so comprehensively that Lan Cixing could make a table of Cantonese morning tea. Looking at this scene, the director couldn’t even be bothered to criticize the logistics team. The logistics team had accidentally put all the ingredients they brought into the treehouse fridge, forgetting that people were staying there. It turned out to be a bargain for Rong Yushu and her partner.

However, seeing Rong Yushu turn off the camera again, the director finally couldn’t take it and fainted from anger. Rong Yushu picked and chose, eating most of it. Lan Cixing finished what she left behind. As they were finishing the meal, there was a knock at the door.

Lan Cixing’s hand collecting the dishes paused; she hadn’t forgotten that last time this happened, the person was Feng Shi. She didn’t really want to open it and looked at Rong Yushu. “Sister, open it.” Seeing no reaction from Rong Yushu, Lan Cixing urged again.

“Why don’t you go?” Rong Yushu stood up lazily. She glanced at Lan Cixing and scoffed again. “Afraid it’s your little lover looking for you?”

The softness on Lan Cixing’s face faded. She looked at Rong Yushu, her gaze trembling slightly. She didn’t know why Rong Yushu kept making this joke, nor did she know if Rong Yushu meant something by it. She just didn’t want to be misunderstood by her. “I don’t have a little lover.” Lan Cixing steadied her breathing, her face becoming serious and her tone straightening. “I only have you, my…” Master.

Lan Cixing didn’t say the last word in front of the camera, but how could Rong Yushu not understand? She had been called that repeatedly last night—called until her tears fell.

“If you always misunderstand that I have something with others, I’ll be angry.” Actually, she was more afraid Rong Yushu would believe it. But right now, fear had turned into a spark of temper. Once yesterday, and once now. Lan Cixing didn’t want to hear the words “little lover” again. She really had no one else. She never had. Please don’t misunderstand her like that…

Rong Yushu sat at the table and casually hooked Lan Cixing’s arm. The puppy throwing a tantrum was quite cute. And it was a necessary step. Being angry proved that she cared. Rong Yushu lowered her head slightly. She saw Lan Cixing’s eyes grow dazed again; seeing her made her forget her anger from just now, wanting to be intimate.

Rong Yushu just curled her finger. A hook, a flick. She flicked Lan Cixing’s lip until it trembled. The feeling of being kissed in the middle of the night unexpectedly intensified. Lan Cixing’s pupils involuntarily constricted.

“Didn’t you say you’d listen to me?” Rong Yushu smiled charmingly, her green eyes looking so deep as if she had no bad intentions at all. Yet her mouth was full of “bad” words, teasing the poor domestic dog. Unfortunately, the dog was focused on her temper and didn’t realize it.

“Even the words I say can make you angry.” Rong Yushu patted Lan Cixing’s face. She was as flirtatious as if she really were Lan Cixing’s master. Whatever she said, Lan Cixing had to do. She couldn’t have an ounce of self.

Lan Cixing bit her lip hard, trying to push away the faint feeling of a kiss. Her eyes were so anxious tears appeared. “But, but. I really have no one else. Can you please not… push me away like this because you’re angry?” The second half was too quiet. Through the mask and the tears, no one heard it clearly.

Rong Yushu could only see Lan Cixing turn her face away. She wouldn’t even let her touch her anymore. Lan Cixing bit herself until her whole body ached. Everything from the middle of the night surfaced; she was ashamed and afraid, fear and resistance flooding her together. Along with those lethal cold eyes.

Lan Cixing finally managed to steady her breathing and looked up again. Rong Yushu had already left, no longer even teasing her. She went to open the treehouse door. Fortunately, the person who came was Yu Mingsong.

Yu Mingsong had spent last night with Bai Wanyan. She hadn’t brought Bai Wanyan along this time, which was lucky. She glanced at the table that hadn’t been cleared yet and marveled. “Your conditions are this good? The crew has been merciful.” There was even red rice noodle rolls. Was this the breakfast quality a survival show should have?

“Maybe their conscience was found,” Rong Yushu replied casually, letting her and the following drone into the house.

“I made it.” Lan Cixing stopped looking at Rong Yushu and stared straight at Yu Mingsong as if she were a criminal. Yu Mingsong moved a bit to the side, creating distance from Rong Yushu. This shouldn’t be right—Lan Cixing knew she was Rong Jinhuai’s person, so why was she looking at her like that? Yu Mingsong glanced at Rong Yushu again but saw no clues.

“I knew the crew wasn’t this kind,” she had to continue “working.” “How does it feel to partner up with Bai Wanyan?” Rong Yushu sat down beside Yu Mingsong, not choosing the empty seat next to Lan Cixing.

Yu Mingsong swallowed; she seemed to know why Lan Cixing was looking at her like that. She wanted to run. She regretted coming to Rong Yushu to coordinate tasks. “Don’t worry,” Yu Mingsong could remember to pretend to be Rong Yushu’s suitor in front of the camera, coaxing a Rong Yushu who seemed jealous but was actually watching a joke. “That girl isn’t interested in Alphas.” Yu Mingsong saw that Bai Wanyan was interested in Bian Zhi next door.

“I came because I found a task card with my name on it.” Yu Mingsong didn’t want to answer dangerous topics anymore and hurriedly started the main business. “It says I have to cross a broken bridge with the guest I trust the most, and it even gave a map with a circle.” Yu Mingsong marveled when she saw this task. The crew finally realized they were a dating show.

“The guest you trust the most…” Rong Yushu caught the meaning, her fox eyes flickering as she scanned Yu Mingsong. It was meaningful.

“Uh…” Receiving Lan Cixing’s death stare, Yu Mingsong choked. “I just came to share the situation with you. Did you find any task cards?” As someone who already belonged to someone, she didn’t want to cross a broken bridge with anyone else!

Rong Yushu scoffed. She actually pulled out a task card she had found at some point. Yu Mingsong took it and read it aloud. “Hand in hand with the guest you have the most affection for, find the Celebrity Grass.”

Most affection… Yu Mingsong paused and looked at Lan Cixing. Rong Yushu couldn’t possibly find someone else, right? Yet Rong Yushu gave no reaction.

And Lan Cixing, lukewarm and slow, finally spoke. “Aren’t you going to find your little lover?” She said this to Rong Yushu.

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