The Unveiling of a Welcome Gift

“Choose an outfit you like and change into it. Come find me once you’re ready.”

Frost drove with such speed that it wasn’t long before Mu Yaochen returned to the villa with Luo Yao.

It was Mu Yaochen herself who now carried the shopping bag; as for Frost, she hadn’t been seen since Luo Yao got out of the car.

“Mhm, alright.”

Luo Yao took the shopping bag and nodded.

Clutching the heavy bag, Luo Yao jogged back to his room, though he was certainly not so frail as to be unable to carry such an item.

Watching Luo Yao scurry back, Mu Yaochen didn’t feel much, yet her delicate brows still furrowed slightly.

Her energy these past few days had been entirely consumed by Luo Yao, leaving the company in what she presumed was utter chaos.

To make matters worse, unscrupulous reporters had captured photos of her and Luo Yao together last night, a revelation that would undoubtedly trigger another wave of trouble.

Though somewhat vexed, these issues were hardly insurmountable.

With that thought, Mu Yaochen pulled out her phone, opened WeChat, and began contacting the heads of various company departments.

She paid particular attention to PR and HR, knowing she needed to quell the uproar about her appearance in the headlines.

“Miss, I’ve brought what you requested.”

Soon after, Mu Yaochen finished giving her instructions and settled onto the sofa to await Luo Yao.

While Luo Yao was still waiting, Frost walked through the main door, a delicate black box held in her hand.

“Mhm, alright.”

Upon seeing the small box, Mu Yaochen nodded, gesturing for Frost to place it before her.

“Go prepare in a bit, then take him to buy some daily necessities.”

Mu Yaochen slumped onto the sofa as she spoke.

Taking Luo Yao shopping herself today was simply out of the question; if they were caught together intimately again, it would undoubtedly cause even more trouble.

Even with a disguise, they would likely be recognized, so for safety’s sake, she decided to send Frost with Luo Yao.

As for Luo Yao… she truly wanted to keep this little darling hidden away.

And the contents of that black box…

Luo Yao would surely adore them.

****

Back in his room, Luo Yao had already changed.

Donning casual sneakers, a beige hoodie, and knee-length shorts, he exuded an air of youthful vitality.

At least, that was how Luo Yao perceived himself in the mirror.

‘Today, I don’t have that sickly feeling I used to.’

Luo Yao was currently quite conflicted about his situation; having become a dependant, he worried that feigning illness might earn him Mu Yaochen’s disdain, especially since she didn’t seem to harbor any intentions of ‘devouring’ him just yet.

Lost in thought, Luo Yao paused, momentarily dazed after tying his shoelaces.

‘Her emotions, he truly couldn’t fathom.’

Having tied his laces, Luo Yao glanced at his reflection in the mirror before pushing open the door.

“Are you changed? You look quite spirited!”

As Luo Yao’s guest room was quite close to the living room, he immediately spotted Mu Yaochen standing in the distance with Frost by her side the moment he opened the door.

‘Gazing at Mu Yaochen, whose eyes gleamed with an inner light, Luo Yao once again played the part of someone too timid to meet her gaze directly.’

Perhaps Luo Yao genuinely feared looking into Mu Yaochen’s eyes.

For her eyes seemed to possess an uncanny ability to see right through him; they were so transparent, it felt as though he were being thoroughly exposed by Mu Yaochen’s scrutiny.

“Mhm, excellent. Little Yaoyao, come here, I have something wonderful for you.”

Spotting Luo Yao still some distance away, Mu Yaochen extended a hand, beckoning him closer.

“Wh-what?”

Luo Yao felt a surge of panic, and as he drew nearer, he vaguely discerned a small black box resting on the mahogany coffee table.

“It’s… your… welcome… gift,” Mu Yaochen enunciated slowly, her fair hand then picking up the box from the coffee table and offering it to Luo Yao.

“Wh-what is this?”

Luo Yao didn’t rush to open the box after receiving it; its appearance alone made him suspect that its contents were far from pleasant.

“O-open… it… and… see.”

Mu Yaochen’s voice, a devil’s whisper, seemed to guide Luo Yao ever closer to the precipice of hell.

“A-alright.”

Luo Yao swallowed hard, then used his free hand to open the box.

“Ta-da! Do you like it?”

Inside the box lay a double-layered black collar, its exterior boasting a metallic sheen and a short, barely visible chain, while its interior was lined with soft, supple leather.

“Wh-what is this?”

Luo Yao was utterly astonished, but before he could even react, he felt his feet suddenly lift from the ground, his back pressing against something soft, and then he was hoisted into the air.

“W-what’s wrong? Master…?”

Luo Yao knew that Mu Yaochen *should*—or rather, *shouldn’t*—harm him, yet her unusually strange demeanor today, coupled with the collar in her hand, filled him with an overwhelming sense of dread.

As his body was suspended, the box in his hand slipped and fell.

Fortunately, Mu Yaochen was quick-witted, catching the box with her fingers.

“A little puppy… should have a puppy’s traits, shouldn’t it?”

Holding the box, Mu Yaochen slowly approached Luo Yao, gently retrieving the black collar from within and holding it before him, observing it intently.

This collar’s origin lay in a new type of toy that had gained popularity among the wealthy in recent years.

With the dwindling male population and the prevalent trend of most men hoping to marry into money, these “s*ave collars” had come into being.

More precisely, they were high-tech devices specifically designed for certain types of slaves.

For the rich, they were mere playthings to amuse themselves with slaves, but for someone like Luo Yao, wearing such an item was tantamount to plunging into an endless nightmare.

If properly trained, a person wearing such a collar would undoubtedly transform into an obedient s*ave, a docile puppy.

What was most egregious was the miniature explosive embedded within the collar.

While it wouldn’t cause a massive detonation, if it did explode, the wearer would certainly die on the spot.

“Be a good boy, this truly suits you.”

Just as Luo Yao was about to struggle, Mu Yaochen had already opened the collar and was moving to fasten it around his neck.

Every action of Mu Yaochen’s was undeniably devilish, step by step trampling upon his dignity.

“Ta-da, it fits perfectly. Is it comfortable?”

Luo Yao watched as Mu Yaochen fastened the collar, gently patting her own hands, a benevolent smile gracing her face.

“Wh-what is this? T-take it off me…”

Luo Yao struggled, attempting to pry open the black collar.

He was now sitting on the ground, desperate to break free, but he found the collar was as if it had grown onto his neck, utterly unyielding.

“Luo Yao doesn’t like it? You’ll get used to it. You’d best stop now before I lose my temper.”

Mu Yaochen maintained her smile, slowly crouching down.

One hand gently pinched Luo Yao’s soft, plump cheek, while the other repeatedly caressed the engraved words on the collar.

Though quite conspicuous, the words were naturally integrated into the collar’s design.

‘[Mu Yaochen’s Private Property, Do Not Touch]’