A Master’s Grip

Had he rented a shop?

Frost dutifully reported Luo Yao’s previous actions to Mu Yaochen, who merely patted her head upon hearing the full account.

‘Does he truly despise me so much?’

That was Mu Yaochen’s immediate reaction to Frost’s report. Judging by Luo Yao’s various actions over the past few days, he seemed desperate to escape her presence at once.

‘But where could he possibly go?’

In this world, he no longer had a sanctuary. His parents had been bought off by Mu Yaochen, and he had been forcibly expelled from school.

He could only remain by her side; stepping out of the cage she had constructed for him would condemn him to perish in the bitter wind and snow.

****

‘No, that’s wrong!’

Mu Yaochen had almost forgotten about Su Mengqi’s existence, ever since Luo Yao had encountered her after being allowed out that day.

‘Are you truly so fond of that woman named Su Mengqi?’

While somewhat indignant, Mu Yaochen also felt a degree of helplessness.

“Miss, do you have any instructions?” Frost asked, observing the pensive Mu Yaochen, her thoughts drifting to Luo Yao, who was likely waiting for them downstairs.

“No, let’s go,” Mu Yaochen replied, her expression somewhat grim. She stood and drew open the curtains before the window, allowing the piercing midday sun to flood the room.

‘I had originally intended to nurture him slowly, but due to some of my own mistakes, our relationship has already begun to sour.’

“I apologize for the wait. Let’s eat.” Returning to the dining room, Mu Yaochen had already composed herself, approaching the dining table.

She was still contemplating whether to resort to violence and coercion to make Luo Yao submit to her. In Mu Yaochen’s upbringing, only the absolute strongest could survive until the end and claim what they desired.

She had used these very same methods to send the other heirs of the Bluebird Conglomerate—her siblings—one by one into graves or prisons.

‘But for someone I like… No,’ Mu Yaochen still refused to admit that she liked Luo Yao.

Ever since their first meeting at the auction, she had been deceiving herself when she purchased Luo Yao. What earning capabilities could an underage boy possess?

‘To call him an S-rank s*ave, that was merely a commentary on his appearance.’

All of this was Mu Yaochen’s self-deception.

‘How could I possibly like him!’

Luo Yao gazed at the somewhat sullen Mu Yaochen before him, hesitant to meet her eyes. She had been perfectly fine before going upstairs to the second floor; yet, after only a short while, she had descended with a stern expression.

Thus, after Luo Yao and Mu Yaochen finished their awkward lunch, they found themselves simply staring at each other.

No, to be precise, it was Mu Yaochen who was solely staring at Luo Yao. Her gaze grew increasingly fierce, fixating on him like a predator stalking its prey.

Though today’s lunch was quite delicious, even its exquisite taste couldn’t prevent Luo Yao from feeling as though he were chewing wax, each bite a torment.

“What do you intend to do this afternoon?” Mu Yaochen was the first to speak, just as Luo Yao was lowering his gaze to the floor.

She wanted to know what Luo Yao planned for the afternoon, hoping he would simply stay home and quietly watch television.

She had briefly scanned the TV channels earlier; though somewhat dull, they were perfectly suitable for a boy like Luo Yao.

Luo Yao wanted to say he would go out, but seeing Mu Yaochen’s intense stare, he couldn’t help but hesitate.

He sensed that if he uttered ‘go out,’ Mu Yaochen would undoubtedly invent all sorts of peculiar reasons to restrict him.

“At home,” Luo Yao finally responded meekly, opting for the safer answer.

His original plan was to consult with some interior design companies about the shop’s renovation. He already possessed the keys to the premises, and if all went well, renovations could begin as early as tomorrow.

For the shop’s interior, Luo Yao intended to draw inspiration from a certain ‘Snow City’ (TL Note: A popular ice cream and tea shop chain in China) from his original world. While he lacked precise blueprints, that was no obstacle; Luo Yao had frequented ‘Snow City’ often, and its decor was quite simple. A basic description would surely suffice for the contractors.

However, with this change, Luo Yao was now confined to staying home.

‘Fine, if that’s the case, I might as well look up some renovation styles and companies from home then.’

Luo Yao had no intention of continuing to watch those tedious television programs.

‘Watching TV only makes one dumber,’ Luo Yao thought, a sentiment he deeply understood.

“That’s good. Is there anything you want?” Mu Yaochen’s heart suddenly fluttered with delight upon hearing Luo Yao say he would stay home that afternoon. She didn’t want him running around, especially since she had only just managed to suppress the trending news from last night; his wandering would undoubtedly stir up more trouble.

It wasn’t so much that Mu Yaochen feared trouble, but rather that she didn’t want other women to see Luo Yao.

‘His appearance, his scent—Mu Yaochen wanted them all for herself, exclusively.’

“Nothing,” Luo Yao responded to Mu Yaochen, speaking as sparingly as gold. He remained extremely cautious of any kindness from her. After all, her goal was to make him her dog, and a person as intelligent as Mu Yaochen imbued every action with meaning.

“Very well then.” Having been met with Luo Yao’s indifference, Mu Yaochen felt a surge of anger.

“Consider this a small lesson for today. From now on, when you speak to me, you will add ‘Master’!” Before Luo Yao could even react, the familiar tingling sensation returned to his neck.

Luo Yao felt as though something had bitten his neck; it was both painful and numb.

“I hope you learn your lesson for the future,” Mu Yaochen stated, rising with an air of aloofness. Her eyes were devoid of any emotion, her graphite-black hair cascading to her waist.

“Understood… Master,” Luo Yao replied, glaring at Mu Yaochen with resentment. He had no idea what he had done wrong. Was she simply tormenting him because she was in a bad mood?

‘This woman is truly despicable.’

For a moment, Luo Yao actually felt a pang of injustice.

‘Still, I’m a man, even if I am small and easily pushed over.’

‘But none of that matters.’

Mu Yaochen paid no mind to Luo Yao’s resentful glance, merely pocketing her phone before ascending the stairs alone.

‘What in the world am I doing?!’

The moment Luo Yao’s gaze turned venomous, Mu Yaochen knew she had made a mistake. Yet, what could she do now?

The deed was done; there was no undoing it.

It was just like her choices back then. Initially, she had meticulously planned the perfect persona for herself. However, her inability to control her emotions had led her to overturn all her carefully constructed plans.

‘Instead of a gentle nurturing, I had to take the path of ‘taming’.’

Mu Yaochen was greedy. She wanted Luo Yao to love her forever, to adore her, yet she didn’t wish for him to lose his current sanity. Simultaneously, she desired Luo Yao to gradually fall, to descend into such a state that he could only find sleep in her embrace.

But…

Mu Yaochen felt as though the edifice she had so carefully constructed was slowly beginning to crumble. Amidst its collapse, her first thought, surprisingly, was of Su Mengqi, for Su Mengqi was the sole anomaly in Mu Yaochen’s eyes.

‘Su Mengqi, it’s all that woman’s fault!’