Chapter 34: Not That Kind of Thing, Please!
In Shi Qingyan’s cell.
Shi Qingyan hadn’t been sleeping well these past few days.
Maybe that shadow behind the curtain left her with an intense psychological scar.
Lately, strange images kept popping up in her mind for no reason.
Whenever she let her guard down, her brain seemed to generate all sorts of scenes on its own.
For example, Zhang Xiaoying half-dressed, looking flirty and a bit steamy as she leaned against Young Master Sang, her cherry lips softly kissing his skin.
Or, Zhang Xiaoying all bruised and humiliated, being forcefully pinned down by Young Master Sang on the bed, only able to sob and whimper.
And then…
Almost every time these images flashed through her mind, Shi Qingyan would desperately shake her head, even slapping herself to avoid thinking about them.
But the more she tried to push those thoughts away, the more they invaded her mind.
Even at night, she’d find them creeping into her dreams.
Sometimes, exhausted during the day, she’d fall into a deep sleep only to suddenly feel a warm breath near her ear.
When she opened her eyes, she found Zhang Xiaoying, completely unclothed, sharing a bed with Young Master Sang.
And with a playful, sultry look, she whispered in her ear:
“Master’s body… is amazing… it’s already in Master’s shape.”
“Sorry, Senior Sister, I can’t… live without Master anymore…”
Then she’d wake up with a start.
After waking, she’d find herself in despair, crying helplessly.
“小莺… my Little Ying…”
But that wasn’t the impression she had of Zhang Xiaoying.
The Zhang Xiaoying she knew was a shy, awkward girl, not particularly pretty and even a bit rustic.
Among the new female disciples, she was so plain and inconspicuous that no one would even notice her.
Yet Shi Qingyan noticed.
To be honest, she didn’t even know when she started paying attention to this unnoticed girl.
In her team of disciples, Zhang Xiaoying really had no presence.
Other female disciples would group together, calling each other sisters, going everywhere in big friendly cliques.
Only Zhang Xiaoying lived a solitary life, rigidly sticking to her routine.
She’d finish her assignments on time, diligently clean without complaint, never late or breaking any rules.
While the other girls sometimes tried to befriend Shi Qingyan, hoping to get a good word from her during evaluations, only Zhang Xiaoying never bothered to talk to her.
Shi Qingyan understood that girls like her wouldn’t be popular.
Neither among boys nor even other girls.
A clean and pure girl like her was practically a spotless white lotus.
In contrast to those spoiled, temperamental, and petty female disciples.
She felt so out of place, seemingly disconnected from the world.
But the more she felt this way, the more she pitied and cared for this girl.
Pitying her purity and kindness.
Pitying her earnestness and simplicity.
Over time, her gaze seemed to be glued to her.
Every morning in class, Shi Qingyan would instinctively look for her among the students.
Whenever passing by the sect, if Zhang Xiaoying’s figure appeared in her sight, it stood out like it was under a magnifying glass.
So, when she learned that Zhang Xiaoying hadn’t returned after a battle with the Demon Cultivators, her world dimmed a little.
What would Zhang Xiaoying’s fate be, captured by the demonic forces, with her life in unknown peril?
She didn’t dare to imagine yet couldn’t help but think about it.
Would she be lucky enough to survive?
Would her unassuming nature protect her from the Demon Cultivators’ wrath?
Would she be waiting there, hoping for rescue?
So, when Sect Leader Yu Xia gathered the dark guards to launch an offensive against the demonic forces, Shi Qingyan was the first to volunteer.
Even if hope seemed slim.
She wanted to be the white knight who saved Zhang Xiaoying.
But at that moment, Shi Qingyan could never have imagined how things would turn out.
Zhang Xiaoying had not only become a plaything for men.
She herself was imprisoned, unable to escape.
She could only helplessly watch the girl who was once her cherished white moonlight layer under a cloud of dust.
Now reduced to an obedient maid following Young Master Sang around.
“桑折…”
Every time she thought of this, a deep-rooted resentment surged within her.
No, she had to make this man pay for what he did to Zhang Xiaoying!
Even if it meant sullying her own name and plunging into darkness!
Even if it meant turning against the world!
I will definitely save you, Little Ying!
Just then, the cell door creaked open.
Shi Qingyan froze for a moment.
It was nearly night; Young Master Sang should have been off work long ago.
What was he doing in the cell at this hour?
Feeling something was off, she quickly pressed her ear to the bars, straining to listen to the movements behind the pink curtain.
——
——
Young Master Sang, of course, had no idea about the girl behind the curtain with her delusional fantasies.
He hadn’t intended to come here.
But he had nowhere to go and no place to sleep at the company.
With a maid and two cats in tow, he needed to find somewhere to crash.
And of the few prisons under his jurisdiction, it’s not like any was elegant.
He figured, at least Shi Qingyan’s cell had a curtain to shield some privacy.
He’d just pretend she didn’t exist for the night.
“小莺, let’s just spread out some bedding here tonight. Sorry to put you in a bind.”
“Not at all, my ladyship is not that fragile. But if it’s uncomfortable on the floor, shall I get some straw and soft cloth to cushion it for you?”
“It’s fine, I like it hard.”
Hearing the sweet-nothings outside, Shi Qingyan felt a pang of sorrow.
Who would have thought that this jerk Young Master Sang was enjoying Zhang Xiaoying’s company right in front of her!
Little Ying, don’t you get seduced by this bad man! she thought through gritted teeth.
Outside the curtain, Zhang Xiaoying had already arranged the bedding and pillows.
“What a shame we don’t have many spare blankets left at the company; I guess we’ll have to make do,” Young Master Sang sighed.
“It’s fine.”
Zhang Xiaoying’s voice sounded particularly delicate, like a girl fluttering with fresh innocence: “I… should be serving my master in bed anyway.”
Serving in bed?!
Shi Qingyan’s pupils nearly popped out.
What does that mean?
Are they really going to sleep here tonight?
Serving in bed?
In front of me!?
At that moment, Shi Qingyan felt she could hardly breathe.
All the images she had conjured in the past days flashed before her eyes.
Until now, they had just been her imagination.
But now, was she about to witness it firsthand?
Not that kind of thing, please!
Zhang Xiaoying and a man’s night of passion should at least wait until I’m dead for ten years!
