"I won't betray you." Ye Jiuting raised her hand in promise.
Only then did Li Yueqian pull her friend and run out.
Their whispers still drifted in from outside:
"Sister Yueqian, why did you agree to her so easily? What if this stranger betrays us?"
"If we don't agree and she reports us, we can't leave anyway."
Ye Jiuting couldn't help a faint smile.
Caution was essential, and these girls understood the cruelty of people all too well.
She believed there should be some trust between people.
She could have turned them in, and they could have given her a fake meeting time.
By the time she arrived, they would already be gone.
So this whole thing was nothing but a psychological game, a reckless gamble with no trust at all.
Ye Jiuting returned to the booth. Chu Yuan had finished his tea.
She stepped forward to pour him more. As she bent over, she felt the oppressive aura coming from him.
Holding the pouring position, she looked up and saw Chu Yuan staring at her neck.
"Where is the ribbon I tied for you?"
Ye Jiuting's hand trembled. Scalding water splashed onto her hand, turning a large area red.
"I… I accidentally dirtied it in the restroom. I threw it away."
It was the second time she had lied to Chu Yuan, and her heart was in total panic.
She had no idea what would happen if he found out. She lowered her head, grabbed a tissue, and wiped the crystal table clean.
The mirror-like surface reflected her downcast eyes, full of unhidden tension.
"Throw it away then. When we get back, I'll design you a better one."
Chu Yuan looked at her elegant neck, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
"Made just for you."
"Thank you, Mr. Chu."
Ye Jiuting let out a quiet breath of relief.
Only when she stood back behind Chu Yuan did she realize her entire back was soaked with sweat.
Her mind registered nothing of the performances that followed.
All she could think about was that small smile of his.
Had he seen through her lie and chosen not to expose her… or not noticed at all?
When the performance ended, they returned to the suite door.
A waiter stood there with a tray, bowing respectfully.
"Mr. Chu, the burn ointment you requested."
Chu Yuan took an elegant medicine box from the tray and led Ye Jiuting inside.
He sat on the sofa and looked at her hand hanging at her side.
It hadn't been this red earlier, but now the entire back of her hand was flushed.
"Hold out your hand." Chu Yuan ordered.
Only then did Ye Jiuting feel the burning pain on her hand.
She lifted it and obediently held it out to him.
Her fingers were long and slender, her fingertips like pink orchids, carrying a rich fragrance.
They were cool to the touch, like clear spring water flowing through every vein in Chu Yuan's body.
Ever since he met her, his deadly headaches had completely vanished.
This orchid was his perfect medicine.
Chu Yuan scooped some ointment with his fingertip and gently spread it over her burn, rubbing it slowly so her skin could fully absorb it.
The ointment was excellent; the cool, soothing sensation took away most of the pain at once.
Chu Yuan massaged it for a long while before letting go of her hand.
"Are you that afraid of me?"
Ye Jiuting answered honestly: "Yes, Mr. Chu."
On this ship, who was not afraid of the God of Gamblers?
"Afraid of what? I'm not going to eat you." Chu Yuan leaned back on the sofa, watching her with a relaxed posture, as if ready for an equal conversation.
"I'm afraid I'll fail your assessment. Those performances earlier… they're too difficult for me."
She could never kneel between his legs and do such things in public.
"I have no violent tendencies. I don't enjoy abuse. I respect human dignity.
And I will never make you perform those things. Remember this: you are my maid.
You have only one duty: absolute obedience to me."
She stepped forward and knelt on one knee at his feet, looking up at him like a devout believer.
"Mr. Chu, I am willing to be your maid, to belong to you for life, and repay your kindness."
Imitating the girls she had seen performing earlier, she lowered her head and kissed the back of his hand resting on his thigh.
"I will behave well, Master."
Chu Yuan lifted her chin with his fingertip and stared into her eyes.
"Ye Jiuting, once you make a promise, you must keep it for life.
I do not allow anyone to back out halfway."
"I will never regret it." Ye Jiuting answered firmly.
Chu Yuan made a phone call. Soon someone delivered a document.
It already had his signature and seal. He handed it to Ye Jiuting.
She read it carefully. Hundreds of clauses, all demanding her absolute obedience to her master.
The last item was her benefits: an annual salary of one million!
Her master could end the arrangement at any time, and all jewelry given to her would belong to her permanently.
If she didn't want them, they could be exchanged for cash.
These benefits were better than what many wealthy wives received.
She finished reading and signed her name.
Chu Yuan was satisfied with her obedience. He leaned over and touched her cheek.
His fingers slid down to her slender neck, his fingertips caressing it lingeringly.
"Losing the ribbon is not important.
But when you make a mistake, you must accept punishment.
Take off your clothes."
Ye Jiuting froze for two seconds. Under his sharp gaze, she stripped naked and stood before him.
A flawless, beautiful female body, perfect enough to be a human specimen.
She was overcome with shame, at a loss, wanting to hide but with nowhere to go.
"From now on, you will learn to do the housework in this suite and take care of my daily needs.
If you don't know how, I can have someone teach you."
"I can do it." Ye Jiuting lied.
Not only had she never taken care of anyone, she had never even entered a kitchen.
But her pride would never let a stranger see her in such a humiliating state.
"Good. Now let's design a replacement for the ribbon you lost.
This time… we'll use a collar."
Chu Yuan turned and walked into the study.
Ye Jiuting followed him.
The study was still decorated in black, white, and gray.
He sat in a pearwood chair from the Qianlong era and patted his thigh lightly.
Ye Jiuting immediately approached, unsure whether to sit on his lap or something else.
"Lie down."
Ye Jiuting lay over his lap, her entire body exposed, with no sense of security at all.
Her body trembled shyly.
Chu Yuan's palm rested on her back, stroking downward from her shoulders.
The touch was ambiguous, his fingertips burning hot.
The tip of a brush brushed over her skin like a feather.
It felt like an electric shock, making her entire body tense.
"Relax. I won't hurt you. Trust me."
Chu Yuan's voice was soft and reassuring.
Ye Jiuting slowly relaxed.
She bit her lower lip the entire time to keep from jumping up and resisting.
The process was long and torturous. When it finally ended, a thin layer of sweat had formed on her skin.
Chu Yuan admired the pattern on her back, took a photo with his phone, and handed it to her.
"Take a look. Do you want any changes?"
Ye Jiuting looked. It was an ancient pattern, not complicated but highly skilled.
A huge gem was inlaid in the center, and the pendant was made of various jewels.
A mix of modern and classical styles. The finished piece would be priceless.
"It's beautiful. No changes needed."
Even if changes were needed, Ye Jiuting would never ask for them.
"Is that so?" Chu Yuan's tone sounded faintly disappointed.
His hand slowly slid down from her slender waist…