Su Jin felt like she was being spoiled to excess. Luo Xian seemed incapable of letting her go, as if she were a fragile child who needed to be cocooned in his embrace at all times.
If Su Jin were still a naïve teenager, she might have adapted to his overprotective care. But she wasn't. At 25 years old, with a solid education and a clear set of values, she could not simply accept this suffocating indulgence as normal.
When Luo Xian worked in his office, he would review documents with his right hand while his left arm encircled her waist, keeping her perched on his lap. To pass the time, she would try to read a book, but before long, he'd take it from her hands, murmuring, "It's bad for your eyes," before slipping a piece of dried fruit into her mouth. He'd then return to his work, though he never failed to periodically stroke her hair as if soothing a cherished pet.
The most embarrassing moments came during meetings. Although Luo Xian didn't hold her on his lap in front of others, he insisted that she sit beside him. Occasionally, he'd lean over to ask if she needed anything, even though a spread of milk, pastries, magazines, and books had already been laid out in front of her. This setup ensured she was the constant focus of every employee's gaze. She swore she could feel their curiosity piercing through her like lasers.
One time, Su Jin happened to admire a magazine photo of a diamond necklace. She hadn't wanted it; she was merely appreciating the craftsmanship. But the next day, the same necklace, along with an entire matching set, appeared in front of her. Luo Xian seemed determined to grant her every unspoken whim.
If he wasn't taking her out, she'd spend her time quietly in her room. Once, she lay on her bed watching videos. A travel vlog featuring a crowded amusement park caught her attention, and she offhandedly remarked, "So many people there."
The next day, Luo Xian announced he had a surprise for her. When the blindfold he'd placed over her eyes was removed, she found herself standing in the very amusement park from the video. But this time, it was empty—save for the two of them.
Holding her close, Luo Xian kissed her lips and asked in the gentlest tone, "Are you happy, my love?" It was as if he had laid the entire world at her feet, determined to fulfill every dream a woman could have.
But instead of feeling joy, Su Jin's face turned pale. She wasn't like a starstruck teenager, easily swept off her feet. Her thoughts ran deeper. Why did Luo Xian know she had watched that video? And why did he know she mentioned 'so many people'?
The realization hit her like a bucket of cold water. Even when she appeared to be alone, she was never out of his sight. He must have installed cameras—not just in her room but possibly in every corner of the house.
Her heart sank. This man controlled every aspect of her life, leaving her with no room to breathe. But she said nothing. Su Jin wasn't the type to lash out or throw tantrums. Instead, she buried her feelings deep, pretending not to notice anything amiss.
At home, things had deviated far from their initial agreement. She was supposed to take care of him, but now the roles were completely reversed. Her "tasks" had evolved into cooking breakfast, brewing coffee, making the bed, and running baths. She had also unwittingly become his personal pillow. Whether he was working at his computer or sleeping, she was always in his arms. If she woke up alone, it was only because he'd moved her to the bed while still holding her tightly. There was no escape until he woke up and kissed her deeply, signaling her release.
What made matters worse was the intimate way Luo Xian cared for her. Each morning, he'd insist on dressing her from her lingerie to her shoes. Her wardrobe—from bras to panties—was entirely chosen by him. And every day, he'd tease her as he deliberated aloud about which set she should wear.
Meals were no better. He would feed her himself, savoring every moment as if it were a ritual. After running his bathwater, she'd inevitably find herself dragged into the tub, where he'd "clean" her—and then some.
One day, Su Jin casually mentioned how cool it looked when a rider galloped on horseback in a TV drama. Before she could blink, Luo Xian crouched down on all fours and said, "Practice on me first."
When he eventually took her to an actual stable, she instantly regretted her words. The horses were enormous and far more intimidating than she'd imagined. Sharing a saddle with Luo Xian, she trembled with fear. But his firm embrace made her feel oddly secure, and she slowly calmed down. Of course, Luo Xian took full advantage of the situation, his hands wandering as they rode.
After several rounds, her body ached, and Luo Xian carried her home. As she lay exhausted on the bed, he whispered into her ear, "Admit it—riding me is much more comfortable than any horse."
Her face flushed crimson at his shamelessness.
Chapter 22: Only You in My World
Su Jin felt like she was being suffocated by excessive affection. The man treated her like she was something delicate, constantly surrounding her with his protective embrace as if she were a fragile child.
If Su Jin were just an innocent teenager, she might have "adapted" to this kind of treatment. But as a 25-year-old woman, educated, with her own sense of identity and values, she couldn't accept this suffocating affection that made her feel more like a pet than a partner.
She noticed it the most when they were in the office. While he would sign documents with one hand, the other would be casually wrapped around her waist, pulling her to sit on his lap. It was impossible to get any real work done when he was so focused on her, like she was a part of him he couldn't bear to be apart from.
She would try to distract herself with books, but at regular intervals, he would gently take them from her hands, as if to "protect" her eyes from strain, and then he'd slip a piece of dried fruit into her mouth. All the while, his hand would softly stroke her hair, as if she were his little treasure, his most precious possession.
Even during meetings, where it was expected of her to remain quiet and reserved, he would insist that she sit beside him. His presence was so overwhelming, she could hardly focus. Every now and then, he'd lean over, asking if she needed anything, as though she were his sole concern in the entire room. There were always snacks and drinks in front of her, a magazine or a book to keep her occupied. It was impossible to avoid the eyes of his staff, who were constantly watching the way he doted on her.
Sometimes, when she casually admired a piece of jewelry in a magazine, the next day, there it was—sitting in front of her, a full set of diamonds, just for her.
If he wasn't taking her out, she would lie quietly in their bedroom. One time, she was alone, watching a video of a local amusement park. She sighed softly, commenting to herself, "So many people."
The next day, he surprised her. He blindfolded her and led her to a familiar sight: the amusement park from when she was eighteen. But this time, there was no crowd. Only the two of them were there.
He held her in his arms, his lips brushing hers, and whispered softly, "Baby, are you happy?" The world seemed to be at her feet. Anything she wanted, he could give her.
But instead of feeling overwhelmed with excitement like a young girl might, Su Jin felt her heart twist in a different way. How did he know she had been watching that video? And why had he made sure to bring her here, where it was so empty, just for her? The more she thought about it, the more she realized the truth. This man was always watching her. He had cameras installed—no doubt not just in her room, but throughout the entire house.
That thought made her heart sink. She had become a prisoner in her own world, and she had nowhere to hide.
But she said nothing. She wasn't the type to shout or act impulsively. Instead, she swallowed her discomfort and pretended not to know what was happening.
At home, things had gradually shifted. She had agreed at first to take care of him, but it had spiraled into something else entirely. Now, her daily tasks seemed to revolve entirely around him. She would make breakfast, prepare coffee, and arrange the bed. When he was working, she would be pulled into his lap or held in his arms until she drifted to sleep. She woke up the next morning in his embrace, unable to leave his hold unless he allowed it.
What bothered her most was his treatment of her in the mornings. He would ignore her protests and personally undress her, changing her into new clothes, even selecting her underwear. Every day, he would pick out a new set for her, sometimes teasing her with a playful question about which one she wanted to wear.
During meals, he would feed her by hand, and after she prepared his bath, he would drag her into the tub with him, washing her and taking care of her as if she were a child. He was relentless in his attention, constantly making sure she was comfortable.
One day, she mentioned seeing a jockey on TV and thinking horseback riding looked fun. She had never tried it, but the next thing she knew, he was lifting her into his lap, telling her to practice on him first. When they finally went to a riding course, she regretted it instantly. The horses were far higher than she had imagined, and she was terrified. But he held her tightly, soothing her fear, until her body relaxed, and she felt strangely protected in his arms.
It wasn't just the horses that made her uncomfortable; it was the way he handled her—always treating her as though she belonged to him. He was everywhere, controlling everything, shaping her world around his desires.
Even when she left the house, he kept a watchful eye on her. There were always people trailing her, just close enough that she would never feel truly alone. Once, when a man tried to approach her in a mall, they swooped in, removing him before she could even react.
And when he gave her a card to use for shopping, it came with a joking comment: "If you want to buy the entire A shopping mall, you can. It's all yours."
He gave her everything, but in return, he expected total submission, and he had constructed a world where it was impossible for her to leave. His love, his obsession, his control—it all wrapped around her until she could no longer tell where her own thoughts ended and his began.
One day, while browsing books in the study, she pulled out a photography book. The picture inside depicted a massive tree with a vine wrapped around it. The vine clung to the tree, relying on its shelter, its world existing solely within the tree's protection. Beneath the image were words: "I will pamper you, love you, but most of all, I will possess you—make you rely only on me, so that you will never be able to live without me. Our fates are bound together."
It was romantic, poetic even. But Su Jin felt a deep, suffocating sense of dread. The man had succeeded. She had grown dependent on him. Her life had become intertwined with his, to the point where she could no longer imagine being without him. She had started to crave his presence, his touch, his voice. He had made her addicted to him.
The realization hit her like a slap, and she grew cold. She stopped responding to his affection with the same warmth, no longer showing excitement or joy when he kissed her, held her, or even touched her.
Her sudden indifference didn't go unnoticed. In fact, it had a profound effect on him. The normally calm and controlled Lo Xian grew irritable, his temper slipping. His staff noticed the tension, and even his assistant, Annie, could tell something was wrong.
She hesitated, asking, "Boss, has Su Jin been feeling unwell lately?"
Lo Xian's gaze turned dark as he thought about her behavior. The change had happened suddenly, and he knew it was because of him. He was used to having control, to getting what he wanted. But now, Su Jin was slipping through his fingers.
He turned to his assistant, his voice cold as he said, "What does it mean when a woman suddenly grows indifferent, doesn't care about anything, and acts like she's detached from everything around her?"
Annie took a deep breath, carefully choosing her words. "If it's sudden, without any clear reason... it's often because she's angry with you, or maybe even with herself."
Lo Xian's expression hardened. His little princess was rebelling, and he was determined to figure out why. His patience had limits, and he would not allow her to slip away from him, no matter what.