"Brother, what's wrong?" Lin Wanning asked softly. "Nothing." Long Aotian twisted his back slightly and then smiled. "The weather's getting colder. I'll contact the factory this weekend to see if this year's new collection is out. I’ll grab some new clothes for you all." "Thank you, brother." Lin Wanning spoke from the heart. "Ever since you first helped me, I’ve been bothering you constantly. You’re so kind." "Ah, no need for that. Can’t I just let you call me 'brother' for free?" Long Aotian joked. "It’s different. I really do want to thank you properly." "Just saying thanks with words?" Lin Wanning chuckled lightly. "Of course not." Her tone then turned serious. "I’ve prepared a little surprise for you." Her voice, usually carrying a hint of coolness, now sounded unusually earnest and formal. Sitting behind him, a faint blush rose to Lin Wanning’s cheeks, accentuating the cold beauty of the teardrop mole at the corner of her eye. "Brother might refuse with words, but his body might not." Her words were playful, yet brimming with confidence. Long Aotian hadn’t taken it seriously at first, but hearing Wanning’s words, he couldn’t help feeling a flicker of curiosity. "Oh? That sounds intriguing." "We’ll see if brother reacts just as I predicted." Lin Wanning shrugged, tilting her body slightly to glance at Long Aotian before covering her mouth with a light laugh. Her cheerful demeanor made Long Aotian laugh too. "Alright, now you’ve got me curious." As they spoke, they arrived at the entrance of the music academy. Lin Wanning got off the back of the bike and handed the helmet back to Long Aotian. She stood obediently in front of him, the cold wind tousling her hair like a scene from a painting. Watching her brother ride away on his scooter, Lin Wanning turned and walked briskly back to her dorm. Once inside, she drew the curtains around her bed. Beneath her pillow lay a pair of silver handcuffs. The words of the little black-clad devil in her mind echoed in her ears. She agreed—once the deed was done, given her brother’s strong sense of morality, he wouldn’t deny responsibility. As long as she wasn’t greedy, Ying would never find out, and her brother would never tell her. She could remain Ying’s best friend, and with something to hold onto, she’d never fear abandonment again. It might be wrong, but she desperately wanted to keep something beautiful to remember... With that thought, she pushed aside the little white-clad angel still pleading in her heart, and her inner world fell silent. The seed buried deep within her had quietly grown into a towering tree. Time flew to Thursday. After finishing his specialized course at University T, Long Aotian didn’t have any cultural classes to attend. Post-training, he showered in his dorm, then rode his scooter back to the courtyard house. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝗂𝗋𝖾⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥 Stretching out on the recliner, he basked in the sun while texting Xiaoya. They agreed on a time for him to pick her up and try a new, highly-rated restaurant. After ending the call, Long Aotian lay back, relaxed and content. The gentle warmth of the sun, the cool breeze, and a thin blanket wrapped around him in the quiet atmosphere lulled him into a light doze as the recliner swayed. After he drifted off, the courtyard gate creaked open slightly. Ever since the incident where Xiaoya had walked in on him showering because he hadn’t locked the door, Long Aotian had made it a habit to double-lock the gate when alone. It prevented awkward situations—but for someone with a key, it was as simple as turning the lock. Seeing Long Aotian asleep in the recliner, the resolve in her eyes hardened. Lin Wanning wasn’t impulsive; every move she made was calculated. Ying’s period had ended five days ago, and the two of them were often together. From what she’d learned, prolonged physical contact could easily ignite desire. After holding back for so long, just a spark could set everything ablaze. With that in mind, Lin Wanning approached Long Aotian, the silver handcuffs now silently in her grasp. The cold metal touched his wrists, followed by a soft click. Long Aotian, still in a light sleep, instinctively opened his eyes to see Lin Wanning standing before him. Her usual warmth was gone—her cool, composed demeanor made her gaze unsettlingly calm. But when he noticed the restraints on his wrists, he realized something was very wrong. "You’re awake." Her voice, usually so pleasant, now sent a chill down his spine. "W-Wanning?" Long Aotian tried to move, but the sturdy recliner he’d deliberately chosen made it impossible to break free. "What are you doing?" Lin Wanning’s lips curled slightly. "Remember the little surprise I promised you?" "This is it. Do you like it?" Her demeanor unsettled him. Using the recliner’s motion, he planted his feet on the ground—only to find his ankles cuffed as well. He forced a laugh. "Surprise, surprise. You really know how to joke around. Now, uh, let me go?" Lin Wanning stepped closer, looking down at him. "I told you—this is a surprise you might refuse with words, but your body won’t." "And the real surprise hasn’t even started yet. This isn’t a joke." "Wait just a moment. I’ll be right back." With that, she picked up her bag and walked into the house. The moment she left, Long Aotian struggled frantically. But soon, the sound of footsteps made him freeze. He turned his head to see what Lin Wanning was up to. Black stockings hugged her long, slender legs, stopping just above the knees. A tight, seductive uniform accentuated her tall, flawless figure—narrow waist, curved hips—every inch of her frame on full display. The deep V-neck revealed pale, smooth skin, impossible to look away from. A slightly loose cap sat atop her head. The click of her high heels echoed like a siren’s call to desire. The sight alone was enough to drive anyone wild... [Please, just give in...]