Shi Liu, just stop. Even if it was a well-intentioned mistake, it's still my debt to repay Ruyi. If she wants to kill me, it's her right. Wen Xinyu's eyes glistened with tears (mostly due to the pain). Her sorrowful, delicate expression evoked even more pity from the two men present, who glared at Ruyi w
Ruyi sneered, "Kill you? You think I'd dirty my hands for that?" Internally, though, she muttered to herself, If I could, I'd have done it already! This damn plotline is a nightmare.
"Ruyi, do you really hate me so much? Can't you remember even a shred of our sisterly bond?" Wen Xinyu sobbed, as though her heart was breaking.
Ruyi rolled her eyes. Of course, I hate you! You nearly got me killed! Stop acting like the victim. She begrudgingly admitted that Wen Xinyu's ability to feign innocence and helplessness far surpassed her own. Deciding it wasn't worth engaging further, Ruyi ignored her altogether.
Wen Xinyu cried for what felt like an eternity, only to be met with silence. Parched and aching from her injuries, she quietly fumed, trying to discern Ruyi's intentions. She didn't actually believe Ruyi would kill her, so what was the point of holding her hostage like this?
Lost in thought, she suddenly noticed Gao Rui barging in with a group of people. Her tear-filled, pitiful gaze immediately latched onto him.
Ruyi also spotted Gao Rui and his entourage, but her eyes darted away almost instantly. She couldn't stop her mind from conjuring up scenes straight out of Tong Yinyin's over-the-top novel:
"Ji Ruyi slowly slipped off her already scanty clothing, revealing her snow-white, curvaceous figure. She gazed smugly at Gao Rui, whose breathing grew heavier. Seductively, she pressed herself against him, her mischievous hands sliding under his T-shirt, tracing circles on his firm chest.
"Gao Rui's eyes darkened dangerously as he grabbed her wandering hand, his voice husky. 'You're playing with fire.'
"He lifted her effortlessly, tossing her onto the bed behind them. As he undid his belt, releasing his overwhelming heat, his hands roamed over her soft skin without restraint, drawing out moans that echoed through the room.
"When Gao Rui pressed his heat against Ruyi's trembling body, she clamped her thighs together suddenly, her eyes brimming with mock resistance. 'No, it's too big… I can't handle it. Besides, I'm Yu Shao's woman! Aren't you afraid—'
"Gao Rui smirked wickedly, prying her legs apart and thrusting forward with force, eliciting a scream from her. 'Even if you belonged to the emperor, I'd still claim you.'
"'Ah! You're terrible… Be gentle, please… Ahhh…'"
Ruyi shook her head furiously, trying to dispel the explicit imagery that had firmly planted itself in her mind. But before she could stop herself, her gaze instinctively drifted downward to Gao Rui's lower half. The novel had described him as "hiding a lethal weapon," after all.
If she weren't holding Wen Xinyu hostage at that very moment, Ruyi would have covered her face and bolted out the door. Ji Ruyi, how did you become such a pervert?
Desperately redirecting her thoughts, her eyes landed on the pale and delicate Yu Shao.
"Ahh… No… Yu, Yu… please let me go! I can't take it anymore, ahhh…"
Ruyi wanted to cry but couldn't. Was this her life now? According to Tong Yinyin's novel, her character had been romantically entangled with nearly every man in the story. Was she doomed to envision these scenes every time she met one of them?
"Sister! You're here too! That's wonderful!"
A cheerful voice jolted her back to reality, pulling her out of her mortifying reverie. Her eyes lit up as she spotted Jiang Xiaodou, radiating pure joy.
"What will it take for you to let Xinyu go?" Shi Liu's voice interrupted, emboldened by Jiang Xiaodou's arrival.
"Fifteen hundred crystal cores, and I'll release her."
"Fifteen hundred? Why don't you just rob someone?" Shi Liu yelled indignantly.
"That line's outdated," Ruyi said with mock seriousness. Forcing her gaze to stay on Gao Rui's face, she addressed him directly. "Captain Gao, you witnessed what happened that day. Based on Wen Xinyu's actions, I'd be well within my rights to kill her. All I'm asking for is fifteen hundred crystal cores. Is that unreasonable?"
Gao Rui's eyes gleamed as he stared at Ruyi. Her delicate figure and charming face contrasted starkly with her brash, almost tomboyish demeanor. The sight of her, a dainty woman committing a bold act like kidnapping, was endearing in a way he hadn't expected. She was right to demand justice, and even if she hadn't been, he would have made it so.
"Fifteen hundred? That's too little. At least make it two thousand."
Wen Xinyu nearly choked on her rage, swallowing her seething hatred as she donned a pitiful expression. Her tearful gaze darted toward an older man standing behind Gao Rui.
The man stepped forward as expected. "Miss, I'm Zhang Qiaoran, one of the base's primary leaders. I understand there may have been some misunderstandings between you and Xinyu. Since Captain Gao has spoken, I won't intervene further. However, I'd suggest resolving this peacefully. Why not release Xinyu so we can sit down and talk this out?"
Ruyi glanced at Zhang Qiaoran, then casually withdrew her dagger, shoving Wen Xinyu toward him with her foot. The sudden motion sent Wen Xinyu stumbling, only to be caught mid-fall by Zhang Qiaoran, saving her from an undignified collapse.
"Zhang Qiaoran, right? I've read the base's rules. Fighting is prohibited, but seeking revenge isn't. This woman nearly got me killed. Giving her a beating seems fair enough, don't you think? Initially, I wanted enough crystal cores before letting her go, but I'll give you face. Wen Xinyu, you have three days to deliver twelve hundred crystal cores. After that, we're even. From then on, we're strangers."
Wen Xinyu's eyes flared with fury, but her face remained woeful. "Ruyi, everything I have is yours—"
"Oh, shut up!" Ruyi cut her off impatiently. "Are you stupid? Or did you fail Chinese comprehension? Do you not understand the phrase 'we're strangers'? It means you and I have nothing to do with each other, not even a thread of connection. If we meet on the road, I'll treat you like a corpse, and I expect you to do the same. I don't want to risk being bitten by a venomous snake like you."
"Ruyi, must you go this far?" Wen Xinyu pleaded sorrowfully.
"Ugh, I can't take it anymore. Can someone with experience dealing with idiots explain this to her? I'll pay fifty crystal cores."
Naturally, no one volunteered, though Jiang Xiaodou hesitated briefly before raising his hand slowly. "Sister, I've never dealt with an idiot before, but I understood what you meant. I can explain it to her, and I don't need your crystal cores."
At his earnest declaration, several people collectively froze, exasperation evident on their faces. Even Ruyi was stunned momentarily before bursting into laughter. This gourd-headed little brother was truly a gem.
Just as she was about to play along, she reconsidered. Knowing Wen Xinyu's vindictive nature, she decided it was safer not to involve Jiang Xiaodou further. Grabbing his hand, she nodded curtly at Zhang Qiaoran and walked out, ignoring the varied reactions from the crowd.