Category: My Cthulhu Girlfriend (gl)

Chapter 33: Moving In

The warmth of the coffee shop returned, the chatter of the other patrons fading into background noise as they turned their attention away from the unusual pair, focusing on their own affairs.

The waitress, finally seizing the opportunity, brought their two large cups of coffee, one of which was pure milk, cream, and sugary syrup, its aroma enticing.

The waitress didn’t dare say much, just gave Xiang Er a worried look, silently offering assistance. But Xiang Er smiled and nodded, saying:

“It’s fine, I’m okay.”

Only she knew that when Shen Yuhe had gripped her chin, although it seemed forceful, it had actually been very gentle, not causing any pain. Even after Shen Yuhe released her, there wasn’t a single red mark on her skin.

Xiang Er understood Shen Yuhe’s behavior perfectly. She had been cruelly rejected just yesterday, and now, receiving an olive branch from Xiang Er, a little playful retaliation was perfectly normal.

Xiang Er knew that her actions must have seemed hurtful to others. Rejecting someone one day, then saying the obstacle was gone the next, as if it were all a game… She had her reasons, of course, but those reasons couldn’t be revealed, making her seem fickle and disrespectful.

But Shen Yuhe didn’t seem to mind, just wanting to hear her plea, even throwing a small tantrum… yet without actually hurting her.

Xiang Er was somewhat surprised by Shen Yuhe’s simplicity. It was completely different from the image of a shrewd and calculating CEO she had imagined.

She wondered how Shen Yuhe managed to be a CEO. Was she this simple in business matters as well, agreeing to requests just because someone asked nicely?

Xiang Er slowly sipped her coffee, imagining Shen Yuhe’s decisive and efficient demeanor at work, then looked up and saw that Shen Yuhe had already finished her cup of sugary milk.

Her black lipstick, probably from drinking the milk, had completely faded, and her beautifully shaped lips were now a bright red, like the skin of a lychee, plump and luscious. A white milk mustache adorned her upper lip.

Shen Yuhe, looking utterly satisfied, extended the tip of her tongue, slightly darker than her lips, and licked away the milk. Her tongue, like a playful cat’s tail, flicked gracefully.

Xiang Er looked down and took a large gulp of her coffee, almost burning herself. She suddenly wondered, if they lived together… wouldn’t she be able to see Shen Yuhe drinking milk like this often?

To see that adorable, cat-like tongue… Xiang Er’s gaze drifted, and she quickly raised her cup, hiding her face behind it.

Then she heard Shen Yuhe chuckle softly:

“This isn’t bitter. Drink this from now on.”

Xiang Er nodded, still hiding behind her coffee cup:

“Mm.”

A slender hand reached out and moved her coffee cup aside.

Xiang Er had nowhere to hide, Shen Yuhe’s beautiful, smiling face now directly in front of her:

“Let’s go. Time to go home.”

---

Xiang Er hadn’t expected Shen Yuhe to be so eager, wanting to move in tonight.

As they left the coffee shop, they each held another pair of heart-shaped cards. Xiang Er found them a bit childish, but Shen Yuhe carefully put them together, tucked them into her bag, and treasured them.

Night had already fallen, the city lights twinkling, the stars and moon barely visible, but still an essential part of the night sky.

As long as one could still look up and see the stars and moon, there was hope, the sky was vast, the world was wide, and there were countless similar nights ahead.

Walking beside Shen Yuhe, Xiang Er still felt like she was dreaming. Just last night, she had been on the verge of a breakdown, making a wish she didn’t even believe could come true, and today, her wish had been granted, everything falling into place so smoothly. Was this real? Or just another illusion?

The autumn wind brushed against her clothes, swirling leaves dancing around her, the moonlight soft and poetic.

She couldn’t help but glance at Shen Yuhe, who, in her all-black outfit, walked with a light, elegant gait, leading her towards her home.

The home that was now clean and empty, free of strangers and strange presences.

The stone-paved path of the residential compound, under Shen Yuhe’s feet, transformed into a vintage movie set. Her black blazer billowed in the night wind, and Xiang Er couldn’t help but smile and ask:

“What are you going to sleep in tonight? You came straight here, you didn’t bring any pajamas, did you?”

Shen Yuhe, still walking, turned slightly, her long hair swirling in the night wind, tilting her head, a playful smile on her face:

“I’ll wear yours.”

Just then, they reached a large camphor tree. Under the warm, golden glow of the streetlight, the shadows of the tree and Shen Yuhe stretched out, intertwined.

The moment felt eternal.

Like an etching in her memory, Xiang Er knew she would never forget this moment, this sweet, blissful moment.

She thought, if happiness in life had a quota, then the happiness she had missed in the past decades was now being repaid in double. And this double repayment would continue in the days to come… There were many days ahead.

For the first time, she truly appreciated the meaning of those words.

She smiled, her hair shimmering with a golden halo under the streetlight, smiling at Shen Yuhe.

Shen Yuhe looked at her, paused for a moment, then suddenly turned back, walked towards her, and took her hand.

Shen Yuhe looked down, and Xiang Er, unable to contain her smile, looked up at her with a puzzled “Huh?”

Shen Yuhe, holding her hand, suddenly said:

“Run!”

Xiang Er was startled, then Shen Yuhe pulled her along, running, occasionally glancing back at her.

Her arm stretched out, and she involuntarily started running!

The world spun around her. Shen Yuhe, holding her hand, ran through the dark night, between the silent, old buildings, under the streetlights!

A wave of romance crashed over Xiang Er, her heart pounding with each step, her breath coming in ragged gasps; many of the streetlights were broken, stretches of darkness following stretches of light, but Xiang Er wasn’t afraid, her gaze fixed on Shen Yuhe’s back, as long as she followed that back, she wouldn’t be afraid, no matter what!

She ran across the uneven stone-paved path, through the alternating darkness and light, following the figure ahead, the firm hand guiding her… Her world seemed to consist only of Shen Yuhe, the slightly cool yet soft hand holding hers, the faint moonlight, and the bright streetlights.

She was running! Running towards a beautiful future! Even though her chest ached from the exertion, she laughed with joy!

“Hahaha! Hahaha!”

She laughed with pure joy! The stone path, the residential buildings, blurred past like fleeting phantoms, nothing more important than the person in front of her. She ran, she laughed, her fingers tightly gripping Shen Yuhe’s hand, her feet light as if she were flying!

Shen Yuhe glanced back occasionally, also smiling, a wide, unrestrained smile Xiang Er had rarely seen before, her usual elegance gone, her lips parted, revealing her pearly white teeth. She called out to Xiang Er:

“Are you happy?”

Xiang Er didn’t quite hear her, but she nodded vigorously! Of course she was happy, incredibly happy!

Shen Yuhe turned back and continued running. There was a small pothole in the path, and as she stepped over it, it vanished, then reappeared after Xiang Er had passed. A genuine aura of joy radiated from her, a thick blackness invisible to human eyes, spreading endlessly along with her black clothes and raven hair…

Something stirred deep within the garbage bin, breathing faintly, unnoticed.

Shen Yuhe led Xiang Er all the way back to her apartment building. Standing at the bottom of the stairs, Xiang Er leaned against her knees, catching her breath, her body slowly recovering. Finally, she could speak:

“Are… are you… okay… I… I can’t… breathe…”

Shen Yuhe stood beside her, her posture still perfect, not even slightly out of breath, a smile playing on her lips, as she gently patted Xiang Er’s back:

“Rest for a bit.”

Xiang Er, feeling much better under her touch, inhaled the cold air, then, remembering the scene of them running, she couldn’t help but laugh, saying self-deprecatingly:

“This is probably the craziest thing I’ve ever done, running wildly in the street at night, laughing… If anyone saw us, they would think I’m insane.”

Shen Yuhe continued calmly:

“But is being insane necessarily wrong? We were both very happy, weren’t we?”

Xiang Er paused, her oxygen-deprived brain struggling to process such a profound question, and laughed again:

“I didn’t know… you were also interested in philosophy…”

Shen Yuhe said softly:

“I just like observing the human psyche.”

Xiang Er nodded:

“That’s a very interesting hobby. I also like observing humans.”

She caught her breath and started walking upstairs. Shen Yuhe followed, her high heels clicking against the old cement steps.

Each floor of the stairwell had only a single lightbulb, the environment dim and dreary, some of the bulbs flickering erratically, making it seem even more eerie.

Xiang Er said softly, slightly embarrassed:

“It’s not very nice here, you’ll have to bear with it.”

Shen Yuhe nodded:

“I know.”

They reached the top floor and stood in front of Xiang Er’s door. Xiang Er took out her key, about to unlock the door. The window in the stairwell was directly opposite her door, the moonlight streaming in, illuminating the door.

In the darkness beneath the door, something was hidden, slowly rising and falling, as if breathing.

Shen Yuhe glanced down at it, her lips curving into a smile, an increasingly eerie smile.

Xiang Er turned to Shen Yuhe:

“Can you… let go of my hand?”

Shen Yuhe’s smile softened, her eyes widening slightly, transforming into an innocent, guileless expression.

She had been holding Xiang Er’s hand tightly since they started running, with no intention of letting go. Just now, when Xiang Er had tried to open the door, she had pulled her hand away, but couldn’t, showing how tight Shen Yuhe’s grip was.

Shen Yuhe smiled and slowly released Xiang Er’s right hand, then quickly reached out and grasped her left hand.

Xiang Er’s heart skipped a beat. As she used her right hand to unlock the door, her left hand, awkwardly held captive, fumbled with the key, unable to insert it into the old lock. Her whole body felt stiff.

Shen Yuhe’s fingers, cold and smooth, slid between Xiang Er’s fingers as she was distracted with the lock.

With a “click,” the key turned, and the door creaked open.

Xiang Er turned to Shen Yuhe and said with a smile:

“Please come in, my roommate. Welcome to your new home.”

Shen Yuhe raised Xiang Er’s left hand. Their fingers were intertwined, pale and jade-white, seemingly glowing in the unlit room.

Shen Yuhe smiled, her voice languid and playful:

“Not mine… ours. Our new home.”

A black shadow quickly slithered through the gap beneath the door, but Xiang Er, stunned by Shen Yuhe’s words, her heart pounding, saw nothing but Shen Yuhe’s teasing smile.

Chapter 32: Entering the Inner Sanctum

The sun gradually dipped westward. Xiang Er picked at her lunch, restless, then grabbed her phone. The photo in her album showed Shen Yuhe gazing at her intently, a gaze that had been interpreted as affectionate. She stared at the pixelated image of Shen Yuhe, while the real Xiang Er looked back at the pixelated Shen Yuhe.

Her heart pounded, constantly checking for new messages, both relieved and disappointed that none had arrived all day.

The sunlight weakened, giving way to twilight, time slipping away slowly. Outside the window, the autumn wind rustled the branches, scattering fragments of golden light, like pieces of the sun breaking off, the sunlight softening, fading.

Xiang Er looked out the window and suddenly wondered, where was Akhe now?

Was there someone, somewhere, who had received that strange sculpture, and discovered all sorts of strange occurrences in their home… Had Akhe gone to someone else’s house?

Xiang Er remembered the small tentacle, visible only to her, curling up in the sunlight on her computer at work. That tiny tentacle had once saved her life, and she was grateful for that.

Grateful, but still, it was better that they were apart.

The end-of-workday bell finally rang. Her colleagues still pretended to stretch languidly at their computers, but Xiang Er had already grabbed her bag and hurried out.

As she passed by Zhu Minmin, Zhu Minmin quickly stood up:

“Let’s go, let’s go together!”

Xiang Er, unable to refuse, continued walking, her mind focused on finding Shen Yuhe, who was probably in the company downstairs. She headed towards the stairwell, her steps unusually hurried.

However, as soon as she turned the corner, she saw her.

Her hurried steps faltered, her body leaning forward, but her feet rooted to the spot. She shyly lowered her head.

Shen Yuhe was dressed in black today. Black stilettos, elegant and fashionable. Black suit trousers and a sharp black blazer, even her makeup was in shades of black, her lips a gradient from deep red to black, her eyeshadow dark and smoky.

Xiang Er’s gaze fell on Shen Yuhe’s black high heels, the black accentuating the smooth, white skin of her feet, like the finest jade, the blue veins tracing delicate lines along her beautifully shaped ankles, disappearing into the dark fabric of her trousers.

Xiang Er suddenly felt nervous, nervous about the decision she was about to make. She took a deep breath, lifted her head, and looked at Shen Yuhe’s face.

She felt that Shen Yuhe’s expression, for some reason, wasn’t one of happiness, but rather… a mixture of annoyance and resignation.

Shen Yuhe met Xiang Er’s gaze, sighed, and raised a hand:

“Come here.”

Xiang Er heard a suppressed gasp behind her and turned to see Zhu Minmin’s excited face.

Zhu Minmin was practically jumping for joy, screaming internally: This is what a true CEO is like! Those two words, “Come here,” pure CEO vibes! She had finally found her OTP(One True Pairing), this was it, this was the real deal!

Seeing Zhu Minmin’s expression, Xiang Er blushed crimson, flustered. Zhu Minmin winked frantically, gesturing for her to hurry up, and Xiang Er, finally understanding, turned back, about to take a step…

When Shen Yuhe moved.

Shen Yuhe strode towards her, her stilettos clicking sharply against the tiles, her face cold and annoyed, an aura of coldness around her, reaching Xiang Er in a blink of an eye.

Before Xiang Er could react, Shen Yuhe’s beautiful face was only inches away, her breath, carrying that familiar sweet fragrance, brushing against Xiang Er’s cheek.

She leaned closer and sniffed Xiang Er’s cheek lightly.

Like a predator, confirming the scent of its prey.

Darkness descended, pressing close, sniffing, her breath coming in ragged gasps, her hair swaying, the sensation of her skin against Xiang Er’s incredibly vivid.

Xiang Er’s back stiffened, unable to move, silently praying that no more colleagues would see them, her body tensing, her cheeks burning, almost sweating despite the cold weather.

Shen Yuhe said with a faint smile:

“Good, the scent hasn’t changed.”

Xiang Er let out a puzzled “Huh?” but before she could process the words, Shen Yuhe suddenly grabbed her collar, pulling her closer.

Shen Yuhe leaned against the wall, Xiang Er’s body pressed tightly against hers.

“Someone’s coming.”

Shen Yuhe whispered, her arms naturally wrapping around Xiang Er’s back, pulling her into a tight embrace.

Xiang Er let out an involuntary gasp:

“Who…”

The sound of rolling wheels approached. Xiang Er glanced back and saw the cleaning lady’s cart, which would indeed take up most of the hallway, but… did they need to be this close…

Xiang Er was almost a head shorter than Shen Yuhe, and being held like this, she didn’t dare look up, her vision would be completely filled with Shen Yuhe’s perfect face.

She struggled slightly, trying to pull away:

“I’ll move over here…”

A strong hand pressed against her back, not forcefully, but Xiang Er, already struggling, lost her balance and fell forward.

She fell completely into Shen Yuhe’s arms.

Looking up, all she could see were Shen Yuhe’s long, thick eyelashes, trembling like butterfly wings, lowered as she looked at Xiang Er with intense emotion.

Xiang Er couldn’t decipher the emotion, her mind completely blank.

The rolling wheels seemed to come from a distant place, fading in and out, everything distorting and trembling. She could no longer tell if this was reality or a hallucination, nor could she tell if what she was holding in her hands was a soft waist, or something else…

She even wondered if this was another one of Akhe’s illusions?

It felt too unreal… Her heart was pounding so hard, could Shen Yuhe feel it? Shen Yuhe’s heartbeat was completely drowned out by hers, this was so embarrassing, so mortifying…

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the cleaning cart passed, and Xiang Er was finally allowed to stand up straight, the embrace loosening.

Shen Yuhe’s voice, like a cello, filled with amusement, echoed in her ear:

“You’re so cute.”

What… what was that about? What was she referring to?

Xiang Er felt like she was burning up. She quickly took two steps back and, to hide her blush, turned her head away… and saw Zhu Minmin standing nearby, her mouth agape, her jaw practically on the floor, looking like a statue of astonishment.

Xiang Er:

“…”

She wanted to explain, but she knew any explanation would only make things worse… She just wanted to run.

She turned to Shen Yuhe and asked:

“Let’s go to that coffee shop, shall we? I have something to talk to you about.”

Shen Yuhe’s eyes lit up, and she smiled:

“Okay.”

They walked towards the elevators together. The cleaning cart was also waiting there.

Xiang Er had deliberately chosen her outfit today, hoping to impress Shen Yuhe. A beige sweater, a white knit top, a long skirt, and beige boots, a soft and gentle ensemble.

Standing next to Shen Yuhe, in her cool, all-black outfit, the contrast was striking.

Zhu Minmin followed them, standing within Xiang Er’s line of sight, winking and grinning excitedly. Xiang Er could only look away awkwardly.

Shen Yuhe glanced at Zhu Minmin and asked Xiang Er, her voice low and slightly condescending:

“Do you dislike her?”

Xiang Er quickly shook her head:

“No, no, she’s my colleague, she’s nice, just a bit gossipy…”

Shen Yuhe’s gaze shifted away from Zhu Minmin. The elevator arrived, and they stepped inside. As Zhu Minmin was about to follow, she suddenly twisted her ankle. It didn’t hurt, but by the time she looked up, the elevator doors had already closed.

“Ouch! I can’t follow them now… But I never would have guessed, Xiang Er, this girl… she’s hiding something…”

Zhu Minmin muttered to herself, rubbing her ankle, her fingers flying across her phone screen as she posted on social media: OMG, you guys, I think I’ve found my OTP! My sweet, introverted colleague and the cool, domineering CEO aaaaaaah…

---

Xiang Er and Shen Yuhe rode the elevator down, walked out of the industrial park, and arrived at the coffee shop, alone together the entire time.

Shen Yuhe had seemed slightly annoyed when she first saw Xiang Er, but now her mood seemed to have improved, a smile playing on her lips as they entered the coffee shop.

The shop was crowded today, with a line at the counter, but as soon as Shen Yuhe entered, the people in line seemed to scatter, some leaving without ordering, some turning to find seats. The two of them walked straight to the counter without pausing.

This time, Xiang Er ordered a latte for Shen Yuhe, with no coffee, extra sugar, and extra cream. The barista was the same one from yesterday, and she smiled brightly, leading them to a secluded corner booth.

Finally alone together, Xiang Er prepared herself for a moment, then carefully said:

“Um… are you… still looking for a place to stay?”

Shen Yuhe smiled faintly, her jade-white fingers tapping lightly on the table, as if thinking, or perhaps observing Xiang Er’s every move.

She didn’t answer, like a cat that had already caught its prey, looking at Xiang Er smugly, watching the trapped hamster with amusement.

Xiang Er looked at her face. The black makeup today was very stylish, but… it made her seem less approachable, slightly intimidating.

She mustered her courage and whispered:

“My apartment… I’ve sorted out some issues, and… and improved the security. If you… if you still need a place to stay…”

She fidgeted with the hem of her sweater, her fingers damp with sweat, the last few words difficult to utter.

She looked up at Shen Yuhe with pleading eyes. Surely Shen Yuhe would understand, right?

Shen Yuhe was also looking at her, savoring her expression, not missing a single detail.

Xiang Er’s pupils were dark, the whites of her eyes bright, almost bluish, giving her a naturally melancholic look. Now, with her anxiety, her eyes were even brighter, glistening with unshed tears, the blue even more pronounced, a faint sheen of sweat on her thin, delicate face, shimmering like moonlight on her forehead.

Shen Yuhe couldn’t help but smile, a genuine smile, and she asked:

“And?”

Xiang Er froze, surprised by the response.

Hadn’t Shen Yuhe said she wanted to live with her? So now… had she been mistaken after all? But hadn’t she said that just yesterday, in this very coffee shop…

The more Xiang Er thought about it, the more anxious she became. She leaned forward, her gaze fixed on Shen Yuhe’s eyes, and said urgently:

“Didn’t you want to live with me? You can now, my apartment is available for a new tenant.”

Shen Yuhe lifted a finger and, reaching across the table, gently touched Xiang Er’s chin, tracing its outline, the delicate touch of skin against skin, soft as a melting cake.

Her voice was filled with amusement:

“But what if… I don’t want to live there anymore?”

Xiang Er didn’t know how to respond. Her chin felt like it was on fire, held by Shen Yuhe’s cold finger, her head trembling, unsure whether to lean forward or back, her mind a jumble.

After a long moment, she finally managed to speak, her voice flat and mechanical:

“Oh… then never mind…”

As soon as she said the words, Shen Yuhe’s brow furrowed deeply. She suddenly stood up, her hand gripping Xiang Er’s chin, her face, with its intimidating black makeup, suddenly close!

Their noses were only an inch apart. Xiang Er’s chin was held captive, her body immobile, her vision blurring, only the overwhelming pressure of a sweet-smelling darkness, making her heart… pound wildly!

Gasps and exclamations echoed around them. Many people were looking at them, even the waiter, carrying their coffee, stopped, looking at them with concern, hesitant to intervene.

But an invisible barrier seemed to surround the two of them, separating them from everyone else. Even with the tension, the imminent threat of violence, it was a private matter, and no one dared approach.

Shen Yuhe tightened her grip on Xiang Er’s chin, her black lips parting, each word laced with anger:

“Can’t you just beg me?”

Xiang Er, unable to speak clearly, only managed a muffled:

“Huh?”

Shen Yuhe closed her eyes, her fingers pressing hard against Xiang Er’s skin, then finally lowered her voice, a coaxing tone in her voice as she leaned closer to Xiang Er’s ear:

“Beg me, try begging me.”

Xiang Er’s chin was still held captive, but her mind suddenly cleared, and she remembered a time long ago… Not that long ago, actually.

Akhe had also asked her to beg, but she hadn’t wanted to. She had never wanted to make a deal with the Evil God, she didn’t believe It would truly be kind to her, there would always be a price to pay.

But now, it was Shen Yuhe, a human, a friend she trusted, who had protected her many times.

Xiang Er knew what she wanted, and she understood the price. She knew that to make friends, or even something more… she had to take a brave step forward.

She looked up at Shen Yuhe, her eyes shining brightly, a trusting smile in them, and despite the pressure on her chin, she managed to say:

“Please.”

Shen Yuhe’s grip tightened, making Xiang Er cry out in pain, then she released her hand.

Xiang Er stared at her, but Shen Yuhe’s dark eyes, unusually, refused to meet hers, her gaze fixed on the table, her face tense, her expression unreadable.

Her cello-like voice, low and slow, reached Xiang Er’s ears:

“Okay. I agree. You asked me to.”

Chapter 31: The Test

A suffocating silence rushed in from all directions, accompanied by the tranquil moonlight. The silence, like thick snowflakes, piled up in the corners of the room, forming a desolate mountain, then slowly creeping along the bed, finally settling on Xiang Er’s slender back, making her hunch over.

Xiang Er leaned forward, her hands on her knees, her body feeling strangely weak and disjointed, every joint aching.

She breathed heavily, her gaze fixed on the floor.

Xiang Er could barely move. She could feel that something had permanently left this room, and yet, within her body, something continued to resonate with that absent presence.

She involuntarily touched her arm. After the bathroom incident, her arm had been healed by the Evil God’s slime, and now, that patch of skin was throbbing, as if trying to leave with the Evil God.

A part of her body still resonated with the Evil God, a strange and unsettling feeling.

Xiang Er should have been afraid, but she wasn’t. Instead, she pinched the patch of skin curiously, examining it closely, then shook her arm.

She looked around the room, then slowly stood up, like an elderly person, her movements slow and careful, and walked to her desk.

The desk, beneath the window, hadn’t been cleaned in a while and was covered in a thin layer of dust.

Except for a circular area, where the dust was thinner, as if something had been placed there.

That was the only evidence of the Evil God’s presence, the only trace Akhe had left behind.

She raised her hand, as if to wipe away the circular mark, but hesitated, then stopped.

The silver-blue moonlight, filtering through the blue window, fell upon the circular mark, like a spotlight on a stage, drawing her gaze, making her think, remember, and imagine.

Xiang Er was remembering. She remembered taking the sculpture out of her suitcase and placing it casually on the desk, back when it still looked like an ordinary ornament, simple and innocent.

She remembered the first time she discovered that the sculpture could move, how she had spoken to it, whispering her wish. Back then, she had been so naive, unaware that every wish made to a Evil God came with a price.

She remembered escaping the harassment of her roommate’s boyfriend, the Evil God’s tentacle sliding into her sweater… That was when she realized what the Evil God wanted, her desire, or rather… her.

After that, she had begged the Evil God to save her life when she was in mortal danger. And she had been tied up and punished in the bathroom after being intimate with someone…

Thinking back, Xiang Er realized how much time had passed.

She and the Evil God had actually created so many memories together.

Although some of those memories were even somewhat comforting, although the Evil God had indeed saved her life, she had also been driven to the brink of a mental and physical breakdown.

Xiang Er didn’t regret asking the Evil God to leave. She was clear-headed, and happy, that the Evil God had actually listened to her, had actually left. For the first time in a long time, she laughed out loud, a genuine laugh, under the silver-blue moonlight:

“Hehe… hahaha… hahahahaha!”

She felt light, her mood as soft and fluffy as a cloud, a pure, unadulterated relief. She laughed loudly, her joy carried by the night wind, dancing through the treetops.

She opened the window and looked at the night sky, wide awake.

Her mind was racing, her thoughts jumping from Li Wan to the Evil God, from the monsters to Akhe… She now hoped that Akhe would find a better way of life.

After all, Akhe didn’t seem like a truly evil god. It hadn’t casually killed Li Wan, even though, to It, Li Wan was no more significant than a slightly unusual ant.

Yet It had carefully crafted a new life for this unremarkable ant.

Was it because of her? Was she, in Akhe’s eyes, perhaps a somewhat special ant? Xiang Er was grateful, but she would rather not be a special ant. She just wanted to be an ordinary human.

She sat down at her desk, opened her phone, and, with a smile, opened Shen Yuhe’s chat.

It was already one-thirty in the morning, not a suitable time to message a friend, and besides, she didn’t have anything specific to say. Just looking at Shen Yuhe’s chat made her happy.

She had some good news, and she would formally ask Shen Yuhe out later, to discuss it properly. But not now, she wasn’t in a hurry, she had plenty of ordinary days ahead of her.

Suddenly, the red profile picture flickered.

Xiang Er thought her eyes were playing tricks on her, but then she saw the “typing…” indicator appear beneath Shen Yuhe’s name.

“Not sleeping yet?”

The words appeared on the screen.

Xiang Er’s breath hitched. How did she know she wasn’t asleep? Or… was it just a casual question, a coincidence?

Xiang Er clutched her phone, hesitated for a moment, then pursed her lips and started typing:

“Couldn’t sleep, something on my mind. You too?”

Shen Yuhe’s “typing…” indicator appeared for a long time before her reply finally popped up:

“I don’t have a home. It’s uncomfortable. Inside my body, uncomfortable.”

Xiang Er:

“Huh? What happened? Are you sick? Where does it hurt?”

Shen Yuhe:

“Body, inside my chest, uncomfortable, not sick, no home, uncomfortable.”

Xiang Er thought for a moment, and understanding her meaning, immediately empathized. Wasn’t this the feeling she, an orphan, had always felt, whenever she saw other people’s happy families?

A pang of pain in her chest, a dull ache, not sharp, but lingering and persistent, a long-lasting discomfort, until the scene faded from her mind.

After experiencing it so many times, she still hadn’t become numb to it, her chest always tightening at the sight of other people’s happy families.

So Shen Yuhe felt the same way?

Xiang Er carefully considered her reply:

“If you’re feeling unwell, you should go to the hospital. I can go with you.”

But Shen Yuhe’s reply was non sequitur:

“I want a home.”

Xiang Er hesitated, unsure how to respond.

She imagined various scenarios, like Shen Yuhe being sick and alone in a hotel room, or simply feeling down in the middle of the night.

Although Shen Yuhe appeared to be the stereotypical, aloof, and successful businesswoman, only Xiang Er knew that she was actually quite simple and direct, her heart pure and transparent.

Only Xiang Er could see this childlike side of Shen Yuhe.

Xiang Er felt honored, and she wanted to protect Shen Yuhe’s innocence, to do something for her.

So she… bit her lip, typed a message, then deleted it, feeling it wasn’t formal enough.

Finally, she typed:

“Can we meet after work tomorrow? I have something to tell you.”

Shen Yuhe replied quickly this time:

“Okay.”

Xiang Er smiled, imagining Shen Yuhe’s eyebrows lifting in anticipation as she typed her reply, and she felt a surge of anticipation herself.

Shen Yuhe sent another message:

“Wait for me, I’ll come find you. I want to see you.”

“Go to sleep.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow. I like tomorrow.”

The messages popped up rapidly, as if she had countless fingers typing.

Xiang Er couldn’t even find a chance to reply, finally just sending:

“Okay, you should sleep early too.”

But of course, she couldn’t sleep. She lay in bed, tossing and turning with her phone in her hand, reading and rereading the messages, surprised by the width of her own smile.

So… she could also smile like a fool!

---

Early the next morning, Xiang Er arrived at work on time.

Although she hadn’t slept well, she looked good, her cheeks flushed, her palms warm, her eyes bright.

As soon as General Manager Cheng arrived, his eyes fell on her, and his face lit up as he walked over to greet her:

“Morning! You look beautiful today!”

Xiang Er, her good mood unwavering, replied with a smile:

“Good morning, General Manager Cheng.”

General Manager Cheng smiled, patted her shoulder, and whispered:

“Have you made a decision? Come to my office.”

Xiang Er’s smile instantly vanished. She had almost forgotten what kind of person he was. Her expression hardened, and she deliberately raised her voice:

“I don’t think there’s any business we need to discuss privately, General Manager Cheng. If you have anything to say, you can speak to my supervisor.”

Her words made General Manager Cheng slightly embarrassed. He gave an awkward smile and turned away. Just then, Xiang Er’s supervisor walked over, and hearing her words, she glanced at Xiang Er in surprise, her expression as if saying: What’s this girl up to now?

But the supervisor didn’t dare approach Xiang Er, nor speak to her privately. She just glanced at her and walked away.

As soon as lunch break arrived, Zhu Minmin, the office gossip, came over with her takeout and nudged Xiang Er with her elbow:

“Hey, hey, hey! Xiang Er, no wonder you didn’t want to go see the beautiful CEO with me yesterday. It turns out you already know her! Tell me, what’s going on!”

Xiang Er:

“Huh? What…”

Zhu Minmin winked:

“Don’t pretend! I have a picture, you can’t deny it!”

She showed Xiang Er a picture. Xiang Er’s cheeks instantly flushed, her voice softening:

“Oh… someone actually took a picture…”

The picture showed her and Shen Yuhe from behind. She was walking intently forward, while Shen Yuhe, beside her, had turned her head slightly, her gaze fixed on Xiang Er’s profile.

Xiang Er had never realized that, from an outsider’s perspective, the way Shen Yuhe looked at her was so beautiful, so… affectionate.

Beautiful people were often affectionate. Shen Yuhe did have beautiful, expressive eyes, she probably looked at everyone like that… Xiang Er thought silently.

Zhu Minmin waved the picture and said:

“Don’t tell me you don’t know each other! That expression, tsk tsk tsk, the beautiful CEO’s eyes are practically glued to you, so affectionate! I heard she barely looks at anyone in the company, she only has that look for you. Tell me, what’s your relationship?”

The excuses Xiang Er had prepared instantly crumbled. She couldn’t believe it, Shen Yuhe really only looked at her like that?

Why? What was so special about her that she deserved such intense, focused attention from someone like Shen Yuhe, a goddess-like figure?

She pursed her lips, thinking that this wasn’t good. Someone had taken a picture, and it would be difficult to explain. They were just ordinary friends… she had to make Zhu Minmin delete the picture! It couldn’t be spread around!

She said:

“This picture, can you…”

Zhu Minmin:

“What?”

Xiang Er’s cheeks burning, she blurted out:

“Can you send me a copy? The original!”

Chapter 30: The Wish

Xiang Er put on the rabbit slippers the Evil God had offered. Thankfully, there was no slime inside.

Having “cohabitated” for a while now, Xiang Er had figured out that the Evil God wouldn’t leave any traces unless It wanted to. In other words, all the previous traces in the apartment had been deliberately left by the Evil God.

Those traces had once terrified her, but now, Xiang Er was numb to them. She no longer feared the Evil God’s tentacles, nor the slime trails all over the apartment. She didn’t even want to think about the Evil God anymore.

She just hadn’t expected such a drastic change in the Evil God’s attitude these past two days, almost as if It was paying attention to her mood, the tentacles often doing things that surprised her.

Like offering her slippers, carrying her to bed, and covering her with the quilt.

But she really didn’t want to care about the Evil God’s thoughts anymore, whatever.

Xiang Er’s expression remained cold and indifferent as she walked to the kitchen, opened the long-neglected refrigerator, and began to sort through its contents.

As she opened the refrigerator door, a thick tentacle suddenly sprang out with a “bang”!

The tentacle, as if caught off guard, unfolded from its half-folded state, springing out with surprising force.

Xiang Er quickly dodged, the tentacle whizzing past her head, the sound of rushing air accompanying it… before crashing into the wall with a “thud.”

Then, as if stunned, the tentacle slid down the wall and lay motionless on the floor.

A thick, dark grey slime trail remained on the wall, looking rather unhealthy.

The tentacle lay on the floor, like a giant squid tentacle from the supermarket, supersized.

Xiang Er glanced at the tentacle, ignored it, and continued cleaning the refrigerator. The few remaining fresh vegetables had long since spoiled, the tomatoes even moldy. She grabbed a plastic bag, threw the spoiled vegetables inside, then grabbed a cloth and wiped the inside of the refrigerator.

As she was cleaning, a faint rustling sound came from beside her. She turned around and saw the tentacle on the floor twitch, then move closer to her, settling a short distance away from her feet.

It seemed… as if it was trying to get closer to her, within her line of sight.

Was it waiting for her to take pity on it and pick it up?

Xiang Er glanced at it coldly, thinking that the tentacle looked thick and old, perhaps it would be good sliced and pan-fried with some salt and pepper.

As she thought this, the tentacle on the floor twitched violently, as if startled, then quickly jumped up and crawled away along the wall, its movements jerky and uneven.

Xiang Er:

“…”

It could read minds, as expected. Good. She would memorize one hundred and eight squid recipes and recite them constantly in her mind. Even if it didn’t scare the Evil God away, it would at least disgust It!

She continued cleaning the refrigerator, and as she pulled out a shelf, she discovered a fist-sized, red object inside.

She put on gloves, reached in, and pulled out the object. It was soft and cold to the touch, like jelly, its texture strange.

In her hand, the object resembled a bloody, pulpy mass covered in tiny blood vessels, round and slimy.

Xiang Er stared at it, and suddenly, a chill ran down the back of her neck, like a needle, spreading down her spine, her entire body tensing.

The thing… was breathing!

The inside of the blood vessel-covered sphere was filled with something that was slowly rising and falling, and liquid seemed to be flowing through the tiny red vessels… It was alive!

A cold sweat broke out on Xiang Er’s back, her body trembling, her hand shaking. She slowly turned the sphere over with her other hand, but the other side looked the same, a membrane covered in blood vessels, obscuring whatever was inside…

What exactly was inside that membrane?

Xiang Er almost screamed. Without hesitation, she threw the thing into the garbage bag, then ran out of the apartment, braving the cold, and threw the bag into the communal garbage bin, pushing it deep inside!

This thing… this thing… what was It trying to do! What had It left in her refrigerator?!

Xiang Er hurried back to her apartment without looking back, the wind howling in the cold night, the uneven path beside the garbage bins difficult to navigate, her heart pounding with each uneven step. She didn’t know what that thing was, or if throwing it away would actually get rid of it, she just felt like she was going to break down!

Tears streamed down her face. She wrapped her coat tightly around her, her face pale and grim. Passersby, startled by her appearance, moved away from her, but she didn’t care. She walked back to her apartment like this, opened the door, and stepped inside.

There were no tentacles in the living room. She went straight to her room, her body still cold, and looked at the large-eyed sculpture on her desk, her gaze fixed on its single eye.

A fire, unnoticed by her, burned in her eyes, a fire of anger, a tightly wound spring about to snap. Clutching the hem of her clothes, she spoke to the sculpture, her voice low and filled with resentment:

“Can you just give me a break? What was that thing you put in my refrigerator?”

The sculpture’s single eye remained dull and lifeless, as if devoid of a soul, or perhaps avoiding her gaze.

The room was quiet and normal, no tentacles, no traces, as if the days and nights of torment by the Evil God had been just a hallucination.

Xiang Er couldn’t bear it any longer. Her anger surged, and she reached out and grabbed the sculpture!

The wooden tentacles beside the eye pricked her palm, the pain keeping her grounded, adrenaline replacing fear with rage. She shouted:

“What are you trying to do! Can you just tell me what you want, why did you erase my roommate, why are you living in my apartment, why did you tie me up in the bathroom and do those things… why did you leave that thing in my refrigerator! You just want to see me break down, don’t you? Fine, I’ll break down for you, are you satisfied now? Are you done watching? Can you just leave me alone?!”

By the end, she was sobbing uncontrollably.

She had been so happy today… but the happier she was outside, the more despair she felt when she returned home!

If a person lived in eternal darkness, it wouldn’t matter, even being entangled with a Evil God would just be an end to that dark life… But if a person had seen the light, they couldn’t go back to the darkness!

If she hadn’t met Shen Yuhe, she might have been able to tolerate the Evil God, but she had met such a wonderful person, she had tasted true friendship… for the first time, she had hope for the future! Such a powerful yearning!

But it would all disappear because of the Evil God. Her hopes, her emotions, Shen Yuhe’s smiles, her gentle memories, they would all vanish when she was destroyed by the Evil God!

She couldn’t bear to lose them!

Xiang Er’s tears flowed freely, like a small animal trapped and unable to escape, her cries filled with despair and confusion, her voice cracking, the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth. The wooden tentacles had pierced her hand, and bright red blood dripped onto the floor.

Tentacles finally appeared, several at once. One absorbed the blood on the floor, another applied slime to her injured hand, and two others gently sucked the tears from her face.

But her tears seemed endless, as if she wanted to cry out all the water in her body, to wring herself dry. The more they wiped, the more tears flowed, the tentacles hovering helplessly around her face.

Xiang Er threw the sculpture hard onto the floor.

A few of the wooden tentacles broke off, the large eye landing on the floor, upside down, looking at the sobbing Xiang Er.

A heavy sigh echoed in the air, but Xiang Er didn’t hear it. As she sobbed, she suddenly realized that a… message had appeared in her mind.

Just like the previous times the Evil God had communicated with her, the message appeared directly in her mind, as naturally as one plus one equals two.

The message said: Go to the living room. I will give you all the answers. Then, I will grant your wish.

Xiang Er stopped crying, still sniffling, but she wiped her eyes, stood up, her body swaying slightly.

The tentacles on either side of her tried to support her, but Xiang Er dodged them. The tentacles didn’t insist, just silently followed her out of the room.

In the living room, the old television, which only her roommate used to watch, was on.

Xiang Er walked towards it numbly, sat down on the sofa, and looked at the screen.

She hadn’t expected anything, assuming it was another one of the Evil God’s tricks, but as she watched, her eyes widened, her body leaning forward, completely absorbed.

The television was showing… Li Wan!

Her former roommate, Li Wan, who had vanished from everyone’s memories!

The image was clear, like an ordinary documentary, showing Li Wan’s daily life from an observer’s perspective. It was a small town, and Li Wan was running a small shop on the street, chatting and bickering with the neighboring shopkeepers, looking completely like a local.

Xiang Er remembered Li Wan telling her that her family owned a small shop, and if she hadn’t come to the big city to work, she would probably be helping her family run the shop back home.

The owner of the rice noodle shop next door asked Li Wan:

“Young people these days all want to work in the big cities. Why don’t you go?”

Li Wan snorted and said:

“Who wants to go to the big city? I don’t know anyone there. It’s just another form of labor, not like now, I’m my own boss, I don’t have to answer to anyone!”

The rice noodle shop owner asked with a smile:

“Eh? Have you never worked outside before? Have you ever been to Lǜ’è City? I heard it’s a great place for opportunities, it’s a shame not to try your luck there while you’re young.”

Xiang Er, watching this scene, stood up from the sofa in excitement.

Lǜ’è City was right here! Li Wan had been working in Lǜ’è City for two years! She had come here right after graduation!

However, Li Wan on the screen, her expression clear and certain, shook her head:

“I’ve never been there. I started working at the shop right after graduation.”

Xiang Er’s eyes widened. So… Li Wan’s memories of Lǜ’è City had also been erased?

There was an old calendar in the corner of the screen, and Xiang Er clearly saw that the date and time displayed were today, right now.

Li Wan, at this moment, was peacefully running her shop, with no memory of Lǜ’è City, no memory of the old apartment, no memory of her boyfriend who had turned into a monster…

Xiang Er turned, her gaze falling on a tentacle. Its black and red body swayed slowly, its suckers opening and closing like eyes.

A new message appeared in her mind:

This is my answer. I didn’t kill her. I helped her. I helped her forget what she wanted to forget, so she could live the peaceful life she desired.

Now, what is your wish?

Xiang Er trembled, looking at the tentacle, her teeth clenched. She was trying to process the information, but it was too much, too confusing!

She slumped back onto the sofa, covered her face with her hands, and whispered:

“Thank you… so you didn’t kill her, that’s great, that’s wonderful…”

The tentacle watched her silently, making no other movements, not even wiping away her tears.

Xiang Er rubbed her face and looked up. Li Wan’s life continued to play out on the screen. She watched as Li Wan fetched items from the back of the shop, gossiped about customers, spoke impatiently to her family on the phone, played on her phone… such an ordinary, peaceful life! Was this what Li Wan truly wanted?

It was wonderful… truly wonderful!

Wasn’t this also her wish? She also wanted a home, a family, a peaceful and happy life, but she couldn’t have it!

After thinking for a long time, Xiang Er opened her hands and stood up.

She bowed deeply to the almost completely black tentacle beside her.

A solemn, resolute bow.

The tentacle seemed startled, recoiling several feet, then slowly extending its tip towards her, gently supporting her from her shoulder.

Xiang Er straightened up, looked at the tentacle, and said sincerely:

“My wish is, oh great god, that you leave me alone, so I can also live a normal, peaceful life. Thank you! What price do I have to pay for this wish?”

The tentacle hovered in mid-air, the flickering light from the television making it seem even darker, the faint red within its suckers almost invisible.

Xiang Er exhaled, waiting for the Evil God’s answer. This was her wish now, she wanted to return to a normal life, to have an ordinary life like Li Wan’s, instead of living in constant fear of the Evil God, walking on eggshells every day.

She hadn’t expected the Evil God to be so merciful, but since It was, perhaps her wish could truly be granted?

Silence filled the room, the moon hidden behind clouds, the wind rustling through the trees, the night quiet and heavy. Xiang Er breathed slowly, watching the silent tentacle.

The wait was agonizing.

Finally, a message appeared in her mind:

Since this is your wish… I will grant it.

Since it is you, there is no price to pay.

Xiang Er’s body trembled, the temperature in the room seeming to drop for an instant, then returning to normal.

Looking up, she found that the tentacle, which had just been in front of her… was gone.

She looked around, and the numerous tentacles, near and far, had all vanished!

Her breathing grew rapid, and she ran into her room—they were gone!

The sculpture, the tentacles, the mushrooms in the corner, the slime trails on the ceiling… all gone!

Xiang Er sat on her bed, looking around in disbelief, and called out:

“Akhe?”

The dust settled, and the world was silent.

There was no response.

Chapter 29: The Heart

In the night rain, the lights of the city, streetlights and car headlights, transformed into a soft, watery, and ambiguous affection, swirling endlessly in the darkness.

The soft music faded, the figures of the other patrons blurred, the entire coffee shop seemed to disappear, the whole world vanished. Xiang Er, looking at the person on her shoulder, held her breath in astonishment. Her world, in this moment, shrunk and shrunk, until only the beautiful head on her shoulder remained, and the…

Soft, comfortable, sweet-smelling, beautiful female body pressed against her arm.

Sweeter than all the cakes in the world combined.

Xiang Er’s body stiffened. She pursed her lips, completely unsure how to react, her heart pounding like it was about to explode, almost loud enough to be heard miles away.

She couldn’t think, but her hand seemed to have a mind of its own. Her left arm, held by Shen Yuhe, was rigid, but her right arm lifted, and to her own surprise, slowly and hesitantly reached out, towards Shen Yuhe’s head… and rested on her soft, black hair.

Her right hand gently stroked and patted the hair.

The hair felt softer than the finest silk, cooler than the snow on Tianshan Mountain, and more delicate than the newly sprouted willow branches in early spring. Just touching it was an exquisite pleasure.

Xiang Er was stunned by the sensation, and by her own actions, but… she continued stroking the hair, unable to pull her hand away.

Shen Yuhe nestled comfortably against her shoulder, her breath warm against Xiang Er’s neck. She could feel it, and she could imagine the angle of Shen Yuhe’s nose against her shoulder, the way her long, cool hair cascaded onto her shoulder and arm, the perfect shape of her lips, only inches away from her skin… She could barely contain the heat spreading through her body, her reason slipping away.

She knew she should push Shen Yuhe away, but… she thought, wasn’t it nice to just sit like this?

“Miss, is your friend alright?”

The question pulled Xiang Er back to reality.

It was the waitress, looking at them with concern, her eyes fixed on the coffee cups.

“Ah…”

Xiang Er’s voice was hoarse, her mind still hazy.

“Miss, some people are caffeine intolerant and can have allergic reactions. You shouldn’t take it lightly. Do you need me to call a doctor?”

The waitress continued, her voice filled with worry.

“Probably not?”

She had to push Shen Yuhe away now. Xiang Er placed her hand on Shen Yuhe’s shoulder and gently pushed, but Shen Yuhe didn’t budge, just let out a small whimper and nuzzled closer.

Like a fluffy, affectionate large dog, making it… impossible to push her away.

Could it be a caffeine allergy, causing her to faint? Xiang Er thought worriedly, pushing a little harder.

Shen Yuhe was finally pushed away, her head lolling to the side, her hands still clinging to Xiang Er’s arm, her eyes slightly red, the skin beneath them also flushed, her white teeth, like pearls, gently biting her lower lip, her eyes watery as she stared at Xiang Er.

Still looking utterly aggrieved.

If Xiang Er’s heart were a lake, its waters would be churning like a stormy sea.

She lowered her voice, involuntarily speaking to Shen Yuhe as if to a child, her tone gentle and coaxing:

“Are you okay now? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

Shen Yuhe’s full, red lips parted, and she said:

“Little liar.”

The tide in Xiang Er’s heart was rising to her throat. She looked helplessly at the waitress, then turned back to Shen Yuhe:

“Are you allergic to caffeine? Do you need to go to the hospital? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

Shen Yuhe pointed at her chest, her gaze fixed on Xiang Er, not even sparing a glance for the waitress.

She spoke slowly and clearly, her words as if pre-planned:

“Here. It hurts.”

Xiang Er was bewildered:

“Huh?”

The waitress became even more concerned:

“Caffeine allergies can be dangerous for the heart! I’ll call an ambulance…”

Shen Yuhe continued:

“Because you didn’t agree to my request, and you tricked me into drinking something bitter. My heart hurts.”

Her eyes were still red-rimmed, but her voice was calm and steady, her words clear and deliberate, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Xiang Er froze, her face flushing crimson from her forehead to her chin, under Shen Yuhe’s intense gaze.

The waitress fell silent:

“Oh…”

She looked at Xiang Er, red as a lobster, then at Shen Yuhe, her lips slightly pouting, and, with a raised eyebrow, said quickly:

“I’m glad you’re okay. Please continue your conversation. Let me know if you need anything!”

Then she hurried away, but not too far, standing behind the counter, observing them closely, whispering to her colleagues.

Xiang Er saw everything, she wanted to explain, but she didn’t know how to explain. She just felt… that the waitress must have misunderstood something.

She lowered her voice and asked Shen Yuhe:

“Coffee is naturally bitter. I didn’t realize you disliked bitter things so much. Next time, we’ll have milk tea instead, okay? It’s very sweet.”

Shen Yuhe’s dark eyes reflected Xiang Er’s image clearly. Her gaze slowly moved from Xiang Er’s eyes to her lips, then back to her eyes, and she licked her lips, her gaze languid and seductive.

As if… savoring the taste through her eyes. Xiang Er was startled by this thought and quickly composed herself.

Shen Yuhe finally nodded slowly:

“Don’t trick me again.”

Xiang Er breathed a sigh of relief:

“I won’t, I’ll order it extra sweet. But… what didn’t I agree to?”

Shen Yuhe:

“You didn’t let me move in with you.”

Xiang Er:

“…”

She was speechless.

She turned away and took a sip of her coffee to hide her embarrassment. Just as she put down her cup, Shen Yuhe reached out and picked it up.

The latte art on the hazelnut latte had dissolved, and warm steam swirled upwards. Shen Yuhe frowned, carefully extended the tip of her tongue, and took a small lick, savoring the taste.

Then… her face crumpled again, and she placed the cup on the table, her expression sullen:

“It’s bitter too! You can’t drink it!”

Xiang Er:

“…”

She said cautiously:

“But I think it’s good.”

Shen Yuhe turned to look at her, still pouting, and said:

“Then you drink it. Don’t let me see it, it’ll make me feel bitter too.”

Xiang Er… found this incredibly endearing.

She picked up the coffee cup and quickly drank most of it, then picked up Shen Yuhe’s cup and finished that as well.

With two cups of hot coffee in her stomach, she finally figured out how to respond. Clearing her throat, she said:

“Actually, I already explained to you last time, that room isn’t mine. The person who lived there… might come back, you can’t rent it. And… it’s also not very convenient for me to have a roommate, I… I have some bad habits.”

Shen Yuhe looked at her for a long time, then suddenly said:

“Let’s go, I’ll take you home.”

Xiang Er:

“You don’t have to take me home, just to the subway station is fine. You should go home early too.”

Shen Yuhe shook her head matter-of-factly:

“I don’t have a home.”

Xiang Er almost choked on her coffee:

“Huh? Really?”

Shen Yuhe nodded sincerely.

Xiang Er was troubled:

“But aren’t you a CEO… then where do you usually live?”

Shen Yuhe sighed, tilting her head back and looking out the window, like a movie heroine, her face filled with unspoken stories, her gaze distant and melancholic… Outside the window was a luxurious hotel.

Xiang Er saw the five-star hotel and suddenly understood:

“Ah, you live in a hotel? Are you new to this city?”

The more she thought about it, the more sense it made. Shen Yuhe always seemed to be around the industrial park. Perhaps she had recently been hired by the company, previously living in another city, and being alone and friendless here, she had taken a liking to someone insignificant like herself.

Living in a hotel, although comfortable, wasn’t… a “home.”

Xiang Er looked at her sympathetically. Shen Yuhe turned her head, her long hair cascading down, covering half of her face, revealing her furrowed brows, a single melancholic eye, and half of her blood-red lips.

She looked even more pitiful.

Xiang Er sighed, then smiled:

“I know it can be lonely when you’re new to a city, but now you have me, don’t you? If you need anything, I’ll help you.”

Shen Yuhe immediately said:

“Live at your place.”

Xiang Er smiled wryly:

“Really, I can’t.”

Shen Yuhe fell silent and stood up, looking at her.

Xiang Er also stood up and went to the counter to pay. Shen Yuhe followed closely behind her, her gaze fixed on the back of Xiang Er’s neck.

The waitress behind the counter beamed, handing them a small gift, a pair of heart-shaped cards:

“Winter is almost here. This is a special gift from our shop. Put them together, and they form a complete heart! We hope to see you again!”

Xiang Er looked at the gift, feeling like something was off. Shen Yuhe took the cards from her and opened them. Inside, as expected, were two halves of a heart.

Shen Yuhe opened the other card, revealing the other half of the heart. She put the two cards together, and a complete red heart appeared.

Xiang Er said:

“This… seems like something for couples?”

But the waitress said:

“This is a small gift for the two of you.”

Shen Yuhe held the red heart and murmured:

“Beautiful.”

She then put the two cards together, tucked them into her coat pocket, smiled faintly, and said with dignified grace:

“Your shop is very nice.”

Xiang Er also smiled and thanked her, and they left together.

The waitress and her colleagues huddled together excitedly, gossiping about the two as they watched them leave. They didn’t know that, starting today, this shop, having received the Evil God’s approval, would see a surge in customers. Although they would be incredibly busy, their commissions would also multiply.

And the rain had almost stopped.

---

Xiang Er insisted on taking Shen Yuhe only to the subway station, then quickly descended the stairs, not giving Shen Yuhe a chance to follow her home. She was a little afraid, not of Shen Yuhe… but of the Evil God in her apartment causing trouble.

Last time Shen Yuhe had appeared, the Evil God had done that. If Shen Yuhe came over again, the Evil God might take it out on her, and that was something Xiang Er couldn’t tolerate.

Shen Yuhe, a faint smile playing on her lips, stood at the top of the subway stairs, holding the white umbrella, and gracefully turned to leave, not insisting on following, much to Xiang Er’s relief.

She returned home and opened the door.

Dark red tentacles were swaying all over the apartment, and for some reason, there were more of them this time, and thicker.

A quick glance revealed at least thirty or forty tentacles, as thick as her thighs, writhing and swaying aimlessly. The moment she opened the door, all the tentacles surged towards her.

The tips of the tentacles surrounded her, their suckers quickly attaching themselves to her body, several tentacles pressing her against the wall by the entrance, clinging to her randomly, crawling and sucking.

Xiang Er said coldly:

“Let go of me.”

Her voice, like a sharp blade coated in ice, instantly extinguished the tentacles’ enthusiasm. They dejectedly retreated, clearing the entranceway.

Xiang Er went to the shoe cabinet to change her shoes. Just as she took off her shoes, a dark red tentacle, holding a pair of slippers, extended towards her.

It was her favorite pair of pink rabbit slippers.

The tentacle carefully placed the slippers beside her feet and quickly retreated.

Xiang Er looked up and saw dozens of rounded, red tips peeking out from the corner of the wall, then quickly retracting as she looked at them.

Like a group of curious red-eyed rabbits, except without eyes, and without fur.

Chapter 28: Coffee

Today, she wore white. An intricate, elaborate white blouse, not quite business attire, but it accentuated her delicate features. A pristine white trench coat and matching trousers outlined her long, slender legs, works of art, culminating in elegant white high heels.

Beneath the white umbrella, she was as pure and radiant as a silver moon descending to earth.

Xiang Er stood frozen at the entrance, the murmurs of the crowd behind her filled with awe and astonishment. Many eyes, filled with various emotions, were fixed on her, everyone realizing that this silver moon had undoubtedly come for this slender girl.

But Xiang Er could no longer hear their words, she was too stunned.

Time and again, every time her world was struck by a downpour, it was her who came to the rescue!

It was always Shen Yuhe!

Something must be wrong with this world… Xiang Er thought, a wave of unexpected joy and happiness washing over her, making her dizzy and lightheaded, her lips curving upwards involuntarily.

Shen Yuhe stopped half a meter away, a formal distance that puzzled Xiang Er.

Shen Yuhe looked at Xiang Er’s face, her dark eyes filled with concern and curiosity, and perhaps other emotions Xiang Er couldn’t decipher.

Xiang Er composed her expression, trying not to appear too excited, and said softly:

“Aren’t you off work yet?”

Shen Yuhe said:

“I’ve been off work for a while. I was waiting for you.”

Xiang Er took a deep breath, the next polite remark caught in her throat, replaced by a shy, grateful smile.

Shen Yuhe tilted the white umbrella slightly forward, droplets of water sliding down the ribs, forming shimmering strings of pearls, making her eyes seem darker, her skin fairer, her neck even more elegant, like a swan’s.

She said:

“Come, I’ll take you home.”

Her captivating voice sent ripples through the crowd, gasps of envy and astonishment echoing behind them, their burning gazes making Xiang Er’s back tingle.

Xiang Er blushed, but she stepped forward resolutely, into the shimmering puddles, stepping beneath the white umbrella without hesitation, standing shoulder to shoulder, face to face with Shen Yuhe.

Coincidentally, she was wearing a black dress today, a stark contrast to Shen Yuhe’s all-white ensemble.

The girl in black, slender and pale, her shoulders slightly hunched, looked up, her eyes shining with excitement; the woman in white, elegant and noble, her dignified face lowered, her gaze focused on the other person, the white umbrella tilted slightly, shielding her from the rain.

Two beauties, black and white, in the rain.

The scene was too perfect. The onlookers at the entrance were momentarily stunned, someone even raising a camera, the click of the shutter capturing the image, preserving it like a precious work of art.

Shen Yuhe waited for them to finish taking pictures before looking up, glancing at them casually, smiling faintly, then turning to Xiang Er and saying:

“Let’s go.”

Xiang Er moved to walk beside her, suppressing her smile, and nodded:

“Mm, let’s go.”

The two figures, one black, one white, one tall, one short, gradually disappeared into the rain, leaving the onlookers at the entrance buzzing with excitement.

“Oh my god! Did you see that? CEO Shen and that girl… do they know each other?”

“I have to say, they look so good together! This scene, this walk in the rain, it’s like something out of a movie!”

“CEO Shen worked overtime on her first day, I thought it was strange, but it turns out it was for this girl!”

“What’s their relationship? I’m so envious of that girl…”

The rain washed over the world, and the sky quickly darkened as they walked.

It was difficult to see in the darkness and rain. As they walked, Xiang Er’s arm bumped against Shen Yuhe’s elbow as she held the umbrella, and she froze in alarm:

“Sorry, I couldn’t see clearly…”

She was still apologizing when Shen Yuhe gently grasped her arm, placing something cold into her hand and closing her fingers around it.

Xiang Er couldn’t see clearly, but it felt like the handle of the umbrella. As she was wondering, another cool, soft touch covered the back of her hand, slowly enveloping her entire hand…

Goosebumps rose on Xiang Er’s arm, a complex wave of sensations washing over her. She looked up, seeing a white figure in the darkness, but the details were blurred, the woman’s face veiled in mist, a hazy, beautiful image that both puzzled and captivated her.

She looked down again and saw a long, jade-white hand covering hers, extending from the cuff of a white shirt.

Shen Yuhe had enclosed her hand in hers, placing the umbrella handle in her grip, the two of them now holding the umbrella together.

Shen Yuhe whispered in her ear:

“There.”

Xiang Er’s cheeks flushed. Enclosed in Shen Yuhe’s hand, her own hand grew warm, quickly warming Shen Yuhe’s palm.

To avoid the awkward silence, Xiang Er started a conversation:

“Um, when did you leave that day?”

Shen Yuhe’s voice was calm:

“After you fell asleep.”

Xiang Er continued:

“I looked for you when I woke up, but I didn’t have your contact information… Oh, right, could you give me your contact information?”

Shen Yuhe paused, then suddenly turned and walked towards a shop by the roadside.

Xiang Er, her hand still held by Shen Yuhe, was led along:

“Oh?”

Shen Yuhe:

“Let’s find a place.”

She led Xiang Er into a coffee shop. It was quite crowded, with many young couples buying coffee. At the entrance, under the warm yellow light, Xiang Er pulled her hand away from Shen Yuhe’s, closed the umbrella, and hung it on the umbrella stand outside.

Turning around, she saw Shen Yuhe watching her intently, her large eyes sparkling with curiosity. Seeing Xiang Er look at her, she immediately straightened up, smiling and nodding politely.

Xiang Er, finding her adorable, entered the coffee shop first, stood in front of the counter, looked up at the menu, then turned to ask Shen Yuhe:

“What would you like to drink? My treat, as a thank you for taking care of me that time.”

The coffee shop was quiet and cozy, soft music drifting through the candy-colored decor, pictures of coffee beans hanging on the walls. Many white-collar workers were sitting inside, taking shelter from the rain, some still working, their laptops clicking busily.

Shen Yuhe looked up slightly towards the music player, seemingly captivated by the female vocals. It was a popular coffee shop song, “Moon River,” the singer’s languid voice echoing, evoking a sense of gentle melancholy.

Xiang Er asked her again, and she finally looked down at the menu, then asked Xiang Er:

“What do you like?”

Xiang Er considered her options:

“Hazelnut latte is good for this kind of weather, and I also usually drink cappuccino, they’re both quite sweet…”

Shen Yuhe spoke to the barista first, her voice firm and composed:

“One hazelnut latte, one cappuccino.”

The barista cheerfully took their order and asked about the sugar level and other details, but Shen Yuhe fell silent.

She turned to Xiang Er, her expression like a lost puppy, looking utterly helpless and pitiful.

She even reached out and tugged at Xiang Er’s sleeve.

Although she didn’t speak, her expression, her eyes, were… an adorable display of vulnerability.

Xiang Er smiled, stepped forward, and specified her preferred sugar level, ice level, and whether she wanted milk, rattling off a series of options. The barista printed the receipt and went to prepare their drinks.

Shen Yuhe was still holding onto Xiang Er’s sleeve, gently shaking it. Xiang Er turned to look at her.

Shen Yuhe looked at Xiang Er’s face and said sincerely:

“You’re so amazing.”

Xiang Er:

“Huh? Pfft… it’s just ordering coffee, what’s so amazing about that?”

Xiang Er thought, no way, wasn’t Shen Yuhe CEO Shen, the newly appointed CEO, couldn’t she order coffee? Oh, right, CEOs usually had personal assistants, so she probably always had her assistant buy her coffee, it was normal for her to be unfamiliar with the process.

They went to find a seat. Shen Yuhe held onto Xiang Er’s sleeve, following closely behind her, even though she was much taller.

Xiang Er chose a booth with a sofa and sat down. Shen Yuhe, instead of sitting opposite her, sat down beside her on the sofa.

The hem of Shen Yuhe’s trench coat rested on Xiang Er’s leg. Xiang Er suddenly remembered:

“Oh, you haven’t taken your red dress back, and I didn’t bring it today… Let’s exchange contact information, and I’ll bring it to you.”

Shen Yuhe said:

“The dress isn’t urgent. Contact information… what do you want?”

Xiang Er:

“Your phone number, your WeChat, anything is fine.”

Shen Yuhe pondered for a moment, then took out her phone and handed it to Xiang Er:

“You can do it yourself.”

Xiang Er was surprised:

“Huh? You’re just giving it to me…”

Xiang Er was a little taken aback. This was her phone! Even close friends rarely shared their phones, right? Now Shen Yuhe was just handing her phone over… wasn’t she afraid of her snooping around, discovering her secrets? Did she trust her that much?

Xiang Er’s ears felt warm. She took the phone and found that it had no passcode. She opened WeChat and was surprised to find that, aside from the official welcome message, there were no contacts at all!

She didn’t snoop, just opened her own contact information, scanned the QR code with her own phone, added Shen Yuhe as a friend, and returned the phone.

“There.”

Xiang Er was satisfied. She finally had her contact information! She was no longer afraid of losing touch! This was great!

Shen Yuhe watched her, and seeing her joy, handed her the phone again:

“If you like it, you can play with it.”

Xiang Er blushed:

“No, thank you, I’m just happy that we’re finally connected on WeChat, so we can contact each other anytime.”

Shen Yuhe took back her phone and looked at the only contact listed.

Nickname: Little Ears. Profile picture: a bouquet of golden daisies, supposedly a good luck charm.

Xiang Er looked at her own phone. Shen Yuhe’s nickname: Shen Yuhe. Profile picture: a solid red, no pattern.

Xiang Er asked:

“Do you like red?”

Shen Yuhe shook her head:

“I like black.”

Xiang Er was puzzled:

“Then… why is your profile picture red?”

Shen Yuhe looked at her without speaking, her gaze so intense that it made Xiang Er slightly uneasy.

Xiang Er chuckled nervously:

“It’s almost New Year’s, it’s good to use red, it’s considered lucky, right?”

But Shen Yuhe didn’t take the hint, her eyes fixed on Xiang Er’s as she said:

“It’s for you.”

Xiang Er:

“…”

What?

Just then, the waiter brought their coffee. The fragrant coffee, with its delicate latte art, was served in beautiful glass cups, and Xiang Er gasped in admiration.

She took a sip of her hazelnut latte, the warmth spreading from her throat to her chest, warming her entire body.

“This place always has good coffee… huh?”

Suddenly, a head rested on her shoulder. Xiang Er flinched and turned to see… a seemingly drunk Shen Yuhe?

Her beautiful, jade-like face was flushed, her cheeks, the tip of her nose, and the area beneath her eyes all a rosy red, her eyes slightly closed, glistening with unshed tears, her full lips stained with coffee foam, her head resting heavily on Xiang Er’s shoulder.

Shen Yuhe raised her arms and wrapped them around Xiang Er’s arm, unconsciously licking her lips, her fragrance, mingled with the scent of coffee, enveloping Xiang Er completely.

Shen Yuhe tilted her head back, her neck arching gracefully like ivory, her eyes hazy as she looked at Xiang Er, her voice filled with grievance, almost on the verge of tears:

“So bitter… you tricked me, you tricked me…”

She complained, her voice slurred and full of grievance, then buried her face in the crook of Xiang Er’s neck, nuzzling against her, her soft hair tickling Xiang Er’s chin.

Xiang Er’s heart exploded.

Chapter 27: The Company

When Xiang Er woke up again, the fiery glow of sunset had painted the entire wall, the world melting in the fiery clouds, the sharp edges of the buildings seemingly collapsing, like a bizarre scene from a hallucination or a cartoon.

Xiang Er opened her eyes, lying still in bed, gazing at the fiery orange wall, the painted buildings on it melting and collapsing, the shadows of trees and buildings intertwining, forming shifting dark red patches.

The dark red was tinged with blood red, the normally green branches and buildings now all blood-colored.

Xiang Er, suspecting her eyes were playing tricks on her, rubbed them and looked again. The sunset was fleeting, already fading, the blood red and red hues gone.

Only a vast emptiness remained, on the wall and in her heart.

Xiang Er dressed, grabbed her phone, and left the apartment with a cold expression. The air inside was suffocating, and she didn’t even glance at the sculpture as she left.

After buying some food and getting milk tea, Xiang Er played on her phone until ten o’clock, when the milk tea shop closed, and she was asked to leave.

She hesitated, wondering if she should spend the night at a fast-food restaurant, but decided it wasn’t convenient, and returned home.

Entering the apartment, she ignored the five tentacles that flew towards her, as if welcoming her. No matter how they swirled around her, she pretended not to see them, going about her business.

Tidying up, showering, changing clothes. She was methodical and calm, and as she entered the bathroom, she slammed the door shut, almost severing a tentacle that was trying to sneak in. Fortunately, the tentacle reacted quickly and retreated.

The tentacles crowded outside the bathroom door, jostling and confused.

The sound of running water came from inside, continuing for a long time, almost twice as long as Xiang Er’s usual shower time.

The tentacles waited outside the bathroom door, growing increasingly restless. Several tentacles reached for the doorknob, as if trying to turn it, while the others blocked them, preventing them from opening the door!

Both Xiang Er and the Evil God knew that the doorknob couldn’t actually stop anyone. But they also knew that the doorknob represented something more, a fragile trust that was already teetering on the edge.

The tentacles struggled with the doorknob for a long time. Finally, Xiang Er opened the door and stepped out, wrapped in a towel, not even bothering to cover herself properly, as she went to her room to change into her pajamas.

Before, she always hid from the sculpture when changing clothes. But what was the point? It must have seen her countless times already.

This time, she changed right in front of the desk. It wanted to watch, right? Let it watch!

Her long, wet hair hung over her shoulders and back. Amidst the steam, she dropped the towel to the floor.

A graceful figure, pale, unhealthy skin, soft, boneless limbs, long, raven-black hair… paired with a beautiful, icy face.

She stared at the sculpture, her eyes filled with unconcealed hatred and pain, standing motionless for a moment.

The tentacles that had followed her into the room froze in mid-air, completely still, not even swaying.

Although the scene was alluring, Xiang Er’s expression transformed it into a kind of offering, a sacrifice of hatred, impossible to ignore.

The tentacles finally stirred, each going about its own task.

One tentacle picked up the towel and draped it over Xiang Er’s hair; another tentacle grabbed her pajamas from the bed and tried to dress her; a third tentacle pulled the quilt up, trying to cover her, as if afraid she would catch a cold.

Xiang Er snorted, turned around, snatched her pajamas from the tentacle, and started dressing herself.

After getting dressed, she went to the bathroom to dry her hair, returned to her room without looking at the anxious tentacles or the sculpture, and crawled into bed, turning her back to the sculpture and falling asleep.

---

The next day, Xiang Er woke up and went to work as usual.

Although the supervisor continued to find fault with her, Xiang Er had followed proper procedures and hadn’t caused any direct losses, and there was a backlog of work that needed her attention, so aside from a small pay cut, there were no serious consequences.

However, as soon as she arrived at work, Zhu Minmin came over and asked her furtively:

“Where have you been these past few days?”

Xiang Er said:

“I was sick, resting at home. What’s wrong?”

Zhu Minmin looked around conspiratorially and whispered:

“I heard, just heard, that a new CEO has arrived downstairs, a super beautiful woman! Are you interested? Do you want to go downstairs with me during lunch and take a look? They’re saying she’s incredibly beautiful, even more beautiful than celebrities, and she’s a CEO! I don’t believe it, how can anyone in real life be more beautiful than a celebrity, and a CEO too, it’s not like we’re in a novel. I have to see it with my own eyes. Want to come with me?”

Xiang Er shook her head, smiling politely:

“No, thank you. I’m still recovering, so I shouldn’t go out, in case I’m contagious.”

Zhu Minmin said regretfully:

“That’s true. I heard that the beautiful CEO is really amazing. She fired several mid-level managers as soon as she arrived. Maybe we could apply for a job there! But we also have a handsome general manager here. Oh, a handsome man or a beautiful woman, how to choose? It’s so hard! Xiang Er, do you prefer handsome men or beautiful women?”

Xiang Er froze. She had never considered this question before.

Throughout her life, the pressures of survival and her own insecurities had never allowed her to think about romantic relationships. She appreciated handsome men, she thought they were attractive, but she had never felt any real attraction, let alone towards beautiful women. Seeing beautiful women only made her feel self-conscious… except…

The image of a breathtakingly beautiful face surfaced in her mind, and she suddenly felt a pang of anxiety, her voice slightly hoarse:

“Me… me? I like both, haha…”

A low, male voice suddenly spoke beside her, startling Xiang Er:

“There’s no girl who doesn’t like handsome men.”

Zhu Minmin let out a small scream:

“Ah! General Manager Cheng! Good morning, General Manager Cheng…”

General Manager Cheng greeted Zhu Minmin with a smile:

“Morning. Work hard. I need to talk to Xiang Er.”

He winked at Xiang Er.

Xiang Er felt a wave of discomfort and quickly looked away, standing up and following General Manager Cheng into his office.

General Manager Cheng:

“Sit.”

Xiang Er sat down stiffly, still thinking about the previous conversation. Handsome men or beautiful women? Men or women?

“Xiang Er, you’ve taken too many days off recently, causing a lot of inconvenience. Your supervisor has spoken to me about it, but don’t worry, I’ve explained everything for you. Your supervisor won’t give you too much trouble now, as long as you come back to work. I don’t have any special requirements for you.”

General Manager Cheng’s voice interrupted her thoughts. She looked up at him blankly, seeing a knowing smile on his face. She didn’t understand.

“Do you know why I’m being so nice to you? Because I think you’re the most beautiful girl in our company…”

General Manager Cheng reached out across the desk, his hand extended towards hers, his words laden with meaning.

Xiang Er jumped up from her chair, her reflexes honed by days of dodging tentacles. In a matter of seconds, she had retreated to the corner of the room.

Her face pale, she asked:

“What… what are you trying to do?”

General Manager Cheng’s hand froze on the desk, then he picked up the coffee pot and poured himself a cup of coffee. Despite his careful movements, some coffee spilled onto the desk, and he frowned.

He placed the coffee cup in front of Xiang Er, looked up, and said with a chiding smile:

“Why such a big reaction? It’s as if I’ve done something to you. If the other employees see this, my reputation will be ruined. Are you going to compensate me? Come back here! Have some coffee, I made it myself.”

Xiang Er sensed something was off about his words, but she didn’t want to respond, just said slowly:

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back to work. I have a lot to catch up on…”

General Manager Cheng stared at her for a moment, his face darkening. Xiang Er looked down at her feet, the atmosphere tense. Dark clouds were gathering outside the window, like a brewing storm, fallen leaves swirling in the wind, an air of desolation settling over the scene.

After a while, General Manager Cheng smiled again:

“You probably don’t know this, but I’m actually the chairman’s nephew. I’m here at the company mainly to gain some experience and make friends with my colleagues. If you have any problems, remember to come to me, I’ll do my best to help you. By the way, I’m single.”

Xiang Er continued to stare at her feet, her face a mask of helplessness and anxiety, giving no reaction.

General Manager Cheng, pleased with her reaction, pressed on:

“Actually… you can think about what I said earlier. If you have any thoughts, don’t be shy, just tell me directly, okay? I’m very patient with you, waiting for the day you finally understand! Now, go back to work.”

Xiang Er didn’t say a word, nor did she look at him. She turned and left.

The workday quickly passed. With the backlog of work, Xiang Er was quite busy, just ordering a simple bowl of porridge for lunch, the same seafood porridge she had shared with Shen Yuhe.

It wasn’t until the end of the workday, after finishing most of her tasks, that she had time to think about General Manager Cheng.

How to put it? Replaying the conversation in her mind, she chuckled self-deprecatingly: Who would have thought that someone as ordinary as her, fresh out of college, would experience so much? But then again, in a world with Evil God, what was so unbelievable about workplace sexual harassment?

Yes, it was sexual harassment. She knew what General Manager Cheng was implying, a woman’s intuition was never wrong about these things. She just hadn’t expected that, out of so many people, he would choose her.

Just like the Evil God. She didn’t know if that was a sign of good taste or bad.

Xiang Er decided to look for a new job, but things took time, and her housing situation hadn’t been resolved yet. She needed to find a new room, otherwise, she would have to pay the entire rent for the two-bedroom apartment, which she couldn’t afford. Finding a new room, finding a new job, everything was piling up… It was exhausting.

Under pressure from her supervisor, Xiang Er worked overtime for two hours. As she left the building, it started pouring rain.

The weather had been strange all year. It was almost winter, yet it was raining so heavily. The rain poured down, like countless falling stars, splashing on the ground, creating shimmering puddles that resembled transparent skirts, adorning the reflections of the sky, the trees, and the birds, nature itself seemingly reveling in the downpour.

Xiang Er stood at the entrance, unable to leave. Why did she always forget her umbrella?

Several strangers beside her were waiting for ride-hailing services. If they spoke to the security guard, the cars would be allowed to enter. But Xiang Er didn’t want to take a taxi. She didn’t know why, but she… remembered the last time.

When Shen Yuhe had appeared in the rain, like a beautiful angel descending from the heavens, shielding her from the downpour.

It was their second encounter, yet so romantic, the memory incredibly beautiful. It had been a rainy day then, and it was a rainy day now…

So, would she appear?

Xiang Er, filled with a strange mixture of joy and anticipation, stood at the front of the entrance, looking up at the falling rain. But then she chided herself for being unreasonable, how could the same thing happen twi…

“CEO Shen! Is that CEO Shen?”

“Ahhh, it’s really CEO Shen, she’s so beautiful and tall!”

“CEO Shen… so eye-catching…”

The whispers of strangers beside her made Xiang Er’s eyes snap open, and she looked towards the direction of their gazes.

In the misty rain, a white umbrella shielded a tall, mysterious figure as she walked slowly towards them, like a lone boat offering salvation in a vast ocean.

The edge of the umbrella tilted upwards as she approached, revealing her beautiful, dignified face, emerging from the mist-like rain.

Her dark eyes were fixed on Xiang Er.

Amidst a crowd of enthusiastic acquaintances, she only saw the stunned, slender figure of Xiang Er.

Only her.

Coming only for her.

Chapter 26: Healing

When Xiang Er woke up again, it was almost noon. She lay in bed, struggling to open her sore eyes, a clicking sound accompanying each movement.

The ceiling, like her memories, was a faded yellow.

Her memories were hazy, as if veiled, impossible to grasp. A cold, indescribable feeling emanated from deep within her.

What had happened last night? And how had she… ended up naked, without a stitch of clothing, in her bed?

The quilt was neatly tucked around her, covering her completely from the neck down, keeping her warm.

But Xiang Er knew she didn’t sleep naked, not even in the hottest summer, let alone now, as winter approached.

She moved her fingers slightly, and a sharp pain made her cry out:

“Ah… cough!”

The so-called scream was only in her mind. In reality, the sound, as it passed through her throat, was a raw, grating noise, like sandpaper on a chalkboard, so unpleasant that it startled her.

A coughing fit followed, violent and relentless, the quilt slipping from her shoulder, revealing her snow-white skin… covered in layers of red marks.

Xiang Er finally stopped coughing and looked at her shoulder, her breath catching in her throat.

Looking at the round and oval-shaped marks, she finally remembered what had happened last night… She had been tied up by the tentacles, suspended like a corpse, or a sacrificial animal, the tentacles crawling over her, sucking, engulfing…

Xiang Er’s face flushed crimson, her breath catching in her throat, another coughing fit seizing her until the raw pain in her throat subsided, but the marks on her body throbbed with a dull ache.

Xiang Er pulled back the covers and looked at her body. It was covered in marks, not a single patch of unblemished skin. Her muscles and joints ached terribly, as if she had run a marathon.

Were these… all from the tentacles last night?

Xiang Er couldn’t believe it. She knew the Evil God had been angry, but… why this form of punishment?

She hadn’t lost any limbs, nor any memories or abilities.

But being suspended like that had certainly been humiliating.

She didn’t know what had happened afterwards. She must have lost consciousness. Her last memory was of being tied up and hanging in the bathroom.

She remembered looking up, meeting the gazes of the eyes on the ceiling, opening her mouth to plead with them to stop, but her voice couldn’t escape, a profound despair engulfing her as she lost consciousness.

And now… Xiang Er looked up.

It was there, as expected, on the desk, quietly watching her with its large eye.

It was another sunny day, a rare, beautiful autumn day in the south. The bright sunlight, a warm orange, illuminated the old, red-brick desk, making the sculpture gleam, its lacquered surface looking fresh and new, its eerie, terrifying aura diminished, replaced by…

A sense of satiation.

Xiang Er, staring at the large eye, somehow felt that lingering sense of fulfillment.

She frowned, clutching her bruised arm, and went to the side of the bed to look for her pajamas, but she couldn’t find them.

Only a piece of white, fluffy fabric lay on her pillow, like… her pajamas?

Xiang Er turned, pulled the quilt over her shoulders, and glared at the sculpture, her voice hoarse:

“You even destroyed my pajamas?”

The sculpture didn’t react, its large eye shimmering, giving no answer.

Xiang Er sat up, letting the quilt fall away, stood up naked, put on her slippers, and opened her closet to look for another set of pajamas. Fortunately, she had bought several sets of cheap pajamas at once, and she found a pink and white set and put it on.

The marks on her body ached, making it difficult to dress, she put on one sleeve, then couldn’t find the other. But the next second, the other sleeve was offered to her. Xiang Er looked down and saw a thin, dark red tentacle holding the sleeve.

She didn’t say anything, just took the sleeve and put it on, then started putting on the pajama pants.

The tentacle acted like her assistant, holding the pant leg, and when she put one leg in, it held the other, making the process much easier.

After getting dressed, Xiang Er turned and glared at the sculpture, grabbed her phone from the bedside table, and went to the living room to turn it on.

She didn’t like the room with the sculpture anymore. She preferred the sofa where Shen Yuhe had sat.

She turned on her phone, and as expected, it was filled with angry messages from her supervisor. Xiang Er didn’t bother reading them, just scrolled past them and saw several messages from General Manager Cheng, his tone gentle and eager, asking about her health, saying that work couldn’t function without her, and urging her to come back as soon as she was feeling better.

Xiang Er thought for a moment, then replied to General Manager Cheng:

“Good morning, General Manager Cheng. I’m feeling a bit better today. I can come to work this afternoon.”

It was better to be at work, where she wouldn’t be tied up. Xiang Er glared at the sculpture in her room again. Across the living room, the sculpture’s large eye turned towards her, half-hidden in the shadows, its form almost indiscernible.

But her glance was enough to make a tentacle emerge from the room and slowly approach her, its tip almost touching her arm.

Xiang Er glared at the tentacle, but the tentacle, as if oblivious to her annoyance, suddenly wrapped around her left wrist.

Xiang Er hissed in pain and quickly pulled her hand back. She pulled up her sleeve, revealing the overlapping purplish bruises on her wrist, a shocking sight.

The tentacle froze.

Xiang Er said coldly to the tentacle:

“You did this last night. Don’t touch me again. You might as well kill me than humiliate me like this.”

She looked away, back at her phone, replying to various messages. As expected, there were no messages from Shen Yuhe. Perhaps she didn’t have her phone number.

She missed Shen Yuhe, her gentleness, her adorable clumsiness, the way she looked at her with such undivided attention. Shen Yuhe was so wonderful!

The tentacle tentatively reached out again, its tip touching her wrist. Xiang Er quickly pulled her hand away, swatting the tentacle, sending it recoiling several feet, no longer daring to approach.

Xiang Er’s phone buzzed. General Manager Cheng had sent another message:

“Good, I’m so glad you can come this afternoon. I really want to see you.”

Xiang Er frowned, remembering Shen Yuhe’s strong reaction to General Manager Cheng’s messages. She felt something was off about him and, without replying, switched to the news app.

A local news report described a chemical leak at a factory, resulting in the deaths of over ten residents in the surrounding area. The cause of the accident was under investigation, and residents were advised to avoid the area. The factory was only two miles away from where Xiang Er lived.

It felt like the world was becoming increasingly chaotic. Xiang Er switched to the entertainment section, glancing at the celebrity news. The celebrities all looked so superficial, even the most popular actresses couldn’t compare to Shen Yuhe, not even a little bit!

Xiang Er suddenly wondered, what did Shen Yuhe do for a living? She was so beautiful, could she be an actress? But their first encounter was at the industrial park, and she wasn’t accompanied by any assistants, so she was probably not an actress, more likely an executive at the industrial park. Or perhaps a wealthy heiress?

Lost in thought, she didn’t notice a tentacle stealthily crawling along the sofa, reaching her wrist and gently tapping it.

“Ouch!”

Xiang Er quickly lifted her hand and saw that her wrist was now covered in a layer of shimmering, transparent slime. The slime seemed to be alive, spreading rapidly across her skin!

“What is this?!”

She frantically tried to wipe the slime off with her other hand, but it was useless, only spreading it further. She jumped up and went to the coffee table to grab a tissue, but a tentacle interfered, preventing her from reaching the tissue box…

“Go away!”

Xiang Er flailed her aching arms, finally managing to grab a tissue from the tentacle’s grasp. But when she turned around… the slime was gone.

Not only was the slime gone, but all the marks and bruises on her wrist, arm, and shoulder had also vanished. Her arm was pale and smooth, as if the marks had never been there.

Xiang Er froze. While she was stunned, several tentacles stealthily extended, touching her other arm, depositing blobs of cold slime onto her skin, spreading over the marks.

Her ankles and waist were also treated with the slime by the tentacles. The slime, cold and soft, like jelly, moved across her body, covering all the injured areas.

Standing by the coffee table, after the initial surprise, Xiang Er realized: The slime was Akhe’s way of healing her!

Understanding this, Xiang Er felt a mixture of amusement and exasperation. It was Akhe who had tied her up and bruised her, and now It was the one diligently applying slime to heal her. This god was truly capricious!

And if last night had been punishment and humiliation, then why heal her now? Was it because she was weak and easy to control, and the Evil God, afraid of killing her and not finding a suitable replacement, decided it was better to keep her alive, to endure more torment? Was that it?

Xiang Er felt both angry and amused. She grabbed a tentacle and demanded:

“What are you trying to do?!”

The rounded tip of the tentacle recoiled, its suckers slowly opening and closing, as if… blinking?

The injuries all over Xiang Er’s body completely healed as the slime moved across her skin, the dull aches disappearing, her body clean and whole again.

But her mood worsened. She realized even more deeply that as long as the Evil God existed, she couldn’t have a normal life, and she couldn’t… live with Shen Yuhe.

Had she rejected Shen Yuhe because she didn’t want to live with her? No, she was afraid that Shen Yuhe would be discovered by the Evil God, her life ruined! Just like hers was now, ruined!

She could be tied up and bruised by the Evil God at any moment, yet unable to die, because the Evil God would heal her. She no longer had control over her own life and body, and that was a burden she would bear alone! She couldn’t drag her only friend into this!

The slime gradually disappeared, the tentacles swaying around Xiang Er’s now-pale skin, seemingly pleased.

But Xiang Er suddenly collapsed onto the sofa, closing her eyes, tears silently rolling down her cheeks, one after another.

The stress, fear, and confusion that had been building up since her roommate’s disappearance finally erupted, pouring out with her tears. Her soft sobs turned into wails of anguish as she grabbed the sofa cushions and threw them, one after another, at the tentacles!

The tentacles panicked, crowding around her, secreting more slime, but unsure where to put it, letting the healing slime fall onto the sofa.

Gradually, the tentacles found a solution. They lined up in front of Xiang Er, allowing her to throw the cushions at them. This seemed to slightly alleviate her pain.

The tentacles hovered in mid-air, like a hastily constructed raft, silently enduring Xiang Er’s anger and distress.

After throwing all the cushions, a tentacle dutifully picked them up, one by one, and placed them beside her, allowing her to continue throwing.

“Wuwuwu… you’re so annoying, why are you clinging to me…”

But Xiang Er stopped throwing. She covered her head, cried for a while longer, then collapsed onto the sofa and fell asleep.

The raft of tentacles immediately dispersed. They seemed uncertain, some moving towards the bedroom, some towards Xiang Er’s body.

Soon, they reached a consensus, gently sliding beneath Xiang Er, lifting her carefully, carrying her into the bedroom, and placing her gently on the bed.

Then, they carefully covered her with the quilt, a few thin tentacles even tucking the edges in with their suckers.

They had performed this task countless times, and were now quite proficient.

Xiang Er stirred slightly in her sleep, her voice muffled and hoarse:

“Shen Yuhe! Don’t go…”

Several tentacles immediately surged forward, merging together, forming a pair of beautifully shaped lips, painted with blood-red lipstick, in mid-air.

The lips opened and closed softly, a dreamlike voice echoing:

“I’m here, Xiang Er. I’ll always be here.”

From now on, instead of the term “Cthulhu,” I will use “Evil God” in the translation, which is what the Chinese literally says(Evil or Devil God literally). I’ve already edited the previous chapters (unless I happened to miss a word here or there).

Chapter 25: Reward

The frosted glass of the bathroom door was double-layered, obscuring the view from the outside, but the growing darkness behind it was clearly visible, engulfing the entire pane.

The living room lights were bright, but the light couldn’t penetrate the narrow bathroom. The world seemed to have forgotten this small room, even the shadows of the trees were no longer visible.

The cramped bathroom was divided into a wet and dry area by a glass shower stall, the floor tiled with old, yellowed tiles, the walls with pale blue tiles. As she was dragged inside, Xiang Er’s mind instinctively pictured the familiar space.

But… the moment she entered the bathroom, the forceful slam of the door behind her made her eyes widen in shock.

This wasn’t the bathroom she knew!

The entire bathroom had somehow become the Evil God’s lair. Thick, foul-smelling black liquid coated the floor, the toilet, the sink, the faucets, the blue walls, and the glass of the shower stall, obscuring all color, turning the world black.

Countless thick and thin, black and red tentacles coiled and writhed along the walls and glass, like grotesque, fleshy flowers blooming and coming alive. The ceiling was covered in eyeballs, blood-red spheres with black pupils, rolling and shifting…

And the instant Xiang Er was dragged inside, all the eyeballs froze, then turned towards her, their gazes fixated on her.

Xiang Er, ignoring the pain in her waist, stared at the scene before her, completely stunned.

What was wrong with the Evil God? Why this sudden outburst? Was it because she had left It alone in the bathroom?

But It had only been in the bathroom for a day… Thinking back, it had been a long day, and the image of Shen Yuhe’s smile flashed through Xiang Er’s mind.

She realized that throughout this long day, she hadn’t thought about… Akhe, not even once.

While she had been talking and laughing with Shen Yuhe, feeding each other, Akhe, a god, had been left alone in the bathroom, unable to even extend its tentacles to scare anyone, completely devoid of any divine dignity or presence!

No wonder Akhe was so angry… Anyone would be…

Xiang Er’s struggling hands froze, and she even felt a pang of shame. She looked down at the thick tentacle around her waist, sighed, and stopped struggling.

Perhaps if she apologized quickly, she could appease the Evil God’s wrath, otherwise, who knew what would happen…

“Akhe, I…”

Suddenly, she was yanked upwards, her feet leaving the ground, a cry escaping her lips before she could finish her sentence.

The tentacles didn’t care if she struggled. They simply continued with their task, the thick tentacle holding her small body suspended in mid-air. The tentacles on the ceiling and floor twisted together, forming two thick ropes, quickly extending and wrapping around her wrists and ankles.

Xiang Er raised her hands, trying to grab something, but her fingers only opened and closed weakly, black, foul-smelling liquid oozing from between them, flowing down her wrists, then along her arms and elbows, but instead of dripping down, it continued upwards, seeping into her sleeves, climbing onto her shoulders…

And this was just her arms.

Xiang Er began to feel afraid. This looked like… she was being tied up.

She couldn’t help but speak, her gaze falling on an unremarkable eyeball in the black liquid on the floor:

“Akhe… I know I was wrong, please be gentle, okay?”

The eyeball blinked and drifted away with the current, giving her no answer.

Xiang Er didn’t receive any mental message from the Evil God either. It seemed Akhe was truly angry, maintaining its silence.

Before Xiang Er could react, the intense, eerie aura made her head spin, her vision distorting, and she felt herself rising, rising… The sound of flowing water surrounded her, her hands filled with the black liquid, the tips of tentacles wriggling in her palms, a painful itching that reached deep into her core.

Her reason began to fade, her senses taking over. She could smell the air, a foul stench, not the sweet fragrance she had smelled before, but a putrid odor with a hint of intoxicating alcohol, making her stomach churn, but she didn’t dare vomit.

She could clearly see everything that was happening.

On her slender, white wrists, blue veins pulsed beneath the thin skin. Dozens of tentacles, coiled together, forming sentient ropes, wrapped greedily around those veins, every tentacle, every red-black, viscous sucker, clinging tightly to her skin, every inch covered.

Red and black, blue and white, a grotesque yet beautiful tableau.

The thick tentacle around her waist began to loosen, thinning, lifting her white, fluffy pajama top and sliding beneath it, its cold, slimy, rough surface sending shivers down her spine. Xiang Er couldn’t help but shudder:

“Ah… so cold…”

But her voice only made the tentacle’s movements more forceful.

The dark red, rough back of the tentacle, ridged like snakeskin, like a bloody branch, trailed along the hem of her white coral fleece pajamas, its blood-red suckers clinging tightly, gripping her skin, paler than the fleece, then releasing as it moved, like… like…

A series of endless, relentless… kisses.

Xiang Er was suspended in mid-air.

The tentacle ropes from the floor, attached to her ankles, were doing the same. They were tightly wrapped around her ankles, but that wasn’t enough. They moved upwards, along the blue vein on the top of her foot, the ropes separating into several tentacles, their tiny suckers clinging to her skin, leaving what looked like bloody trails on her pale foot, the tentacles like flowing blood, delicately sucking at her skin, flowing downwards, enveloping each of her tiny toes, then climbing upwards, carrying an endless passion and stench, along her shins, her calves, upwards, upwards…

From all directions, and from her waist, the tentacles attacked relentlessly, crawling and flowing, covering her from her neck, shoulders, arms, chest, waist, thighs, knees, calves, ankles… until her entire body was engulfed!

Countless suckers, large and small, opened and closed on every inch of her skin, her senses heightened, the needle-like pain intensifying, the itching and numbness merging, the stickiness and coldness combining, the pain and discomfort escalating…

Xiang Er was losing her mind, the onslaught of sensations overwhelming her, every inch of her skin like a bomb, exploding against her defenses, but she hadn’t even built any walls, she had chosen from the very beginning not to defend herself…

A wail escaped her, a sound like smoke, faint and indistinct, disappearing without a trace into the black river.

Everything around her shattered and crumbled, and she, like a madwoman, arched her neck back, her mouth open, her eyes wide, bloodshot, like a fish gasping for water, or a small, broken-winged bird.

She was at the mercy of the god.

Her pajamas had been ripped apart by the tentacles.

Shredded pieces of white fleece clung to her shoulders, and she, forced to spread her limbs, completely exposed, her tears flowing, faced the countless eyes surrounding her.

The ceiling was covered in eyes.

Countless blood-red eyeballs with black pupils clustered together, looking down, fixated on Xiang Er suspended in mid-air.

They looked down from above, their view unobstructed.

Those eyes were dark, calm, devoid of emotion. They observed, they experienced, as the Evil God often did.

Xiang Er, completely exposed, hanging in the air, looked up, her gaze meeting some of the eyes. Her eyes were bloodshot, filled with terror, confusion, and madness, but those other eyes, in contrast, were emotionless, simply watching.

Like countless… surveillance cameras.

Simply watching, faithfully recording everything, experiencing everything.

Xiang Er hung in the air, like a human body growing from a tree, covered in dark red, blood red, and bright red tentacles, thick and thin, long and short, a dense, sprawling network, like the endless branches of a tree, or the ever-extending blood vessels of a human body, constantly shifting and flowing.

Her pale skin was now covered in countless bruises, sometimes visible, sometimes hidden beneath the moving tentacles… Only her face, for some reason, was untouched by the tentacles.

Xiang Er’s face was exposed to the countless eyes, exposed in the narrow bathroom enveloped by the black river, exposed in this most private of spaces, exposed in a situation she had never imagined.

A whimper escaped her broken throat:

“Wuwuwu… huh… mm…”

And every breath, every frown, every strained exhale, every blush on her skin, every tear that rolled down her cheek, every cry and whimper…

Became data recorded by the countless cold eyes.

They wouldn’t miss a single detail.

They wanted to see more, more, to explore the limits of the human body, to chase the source of desire.

They were… good friends.

This wasn’t punishment from the Evil God.

This was a reward, for its “good friend.”

Chapter 24: Rest

The room, like an old music box, stopped playing at Shen Yuhe’s words. Time seemed to freeze in a crack, the dust motes ceasing their dance, the old wardrobe standing wide open, revealing its motionless shelves.

Xiang Er thought she must be hallucinating. She had actually heard Shen Yuhe whisper in her ear, saying she wanted to move in, to stay with her.

How could that be possible?

Although Shen Yuhe had never mentioned her background, Xiang Er instinctively felt that her elegant demeanor and refined manners weren’t something an ordinary person possessed. How could such a mysterious beauty be willing to live in this old, rundown apartment complex?

It must be a hallucination. Xiang Er stood silently, not saying a word, her heartbeat like the ancient drums of a sacrificial ritual, gradually growing louder in her ears.

But the hallucination returned, even… intensified.

Shen Yuhe’s fingers lifted, gently brushing the fine hairs by Xiang Er’s ear, carefully tucking them behind her ear, one by one, as if deliberately using her fingers to caress her ear repeatedly.

The delicate, pale ear quickly turned a translucent red, the fine hairs on the tip trembling with the touch of Shen Yuhe’s fingers, sending a tingling itch through Xiang Er.

Amidst this subtle itching, Shen Yuhe repeated her words:

“Let me move in, okay?”

She couldn’t dismiss it as a hallucination any longer. Xiang Er’s ear itched almost painfully, her neck stiff. She turned her head slightly, unable to look directly at Shen Yuhe, her neck at an awkward angle, only able to see half of Shen Yuhe’s face.

That exquisitely sculpted face rested against her shoulder, its entire weight pressing down, her expression and gaze like a painted rose, looking at Xiang Er with romantic intensity.

Xiang Er’s neck stiffened, the vein in her temple throbbing. She finally spoke, carefully controlling her breathing, trying to sound calm:

“No.”

The moment she uttered the word, Shen Yuhe’s brow furrowed.

She turned her head, her beautiful eyes filled with genuine surprise:

“Why not?”

Xiang Er steadied herself, lifted a hand, and placed it on Shen Yuhe’s chin, gently but firmly pushing her away.

Shen Yuhe allowed herself to be pushed, still seemingly stunned by the rejection, and stepped back.

With Shen Yuhe’s warmth and scent gone, Xiang Er’s mind finally cleared, her thoughts flowing more smoothly.

She started to explain:

“Well, it’s like this. My roommate used to live here, and now she’s… missing. She might come back, and this room is hers, I can’t just rent it out to someone else. Also, I don’t think this neighborhood is very good, you shouldn’t live here, it’s not very nice. If you’re looking for an apartment, I can help you find a better place nearby…”

As she was speaking, Shen Yuhe suddenly stepped forward, her presence overwhelming, the scent of roses and something sharp and bitterly cold filling the air.

With a thud, Xiang Er was pressed against the wall by Shen Yuhe, forced to look into her eyes.

Shen Yuhe’s eyes were dark and deep, like a gathering storm. Her expression was cold, an expression Xiang Er had never seen before, her voice low and intense:

“But you’re not anywhere else!”

The words echoed in the room, reverberating like a dropped object clanging against the floor.

Xiang Er was completely stunned, her mouth slightly open, struggling to comprehend the meaning of those words.

What? Not anywhere else? Why would she care about her?

A bold guess began to form in her mind: Did she rent this apartment… for her? To be with her?

As Xiang Er pondered this, her cheeks flushed. She was enveloped in Shen Yuhe’s intense fragrance and warmth, Shen Yuhe’s arms pressed against her sides, anger burning in her eyes, clearly on the verge of exploding.

But Xiang Er’s mind wandered.

She was thinking, she’s here for me… She really came for me! She stayed with me all night, and she wants to live with me, to protect me, to take care of me, she… she wants to be friends with me!

Xiang Er felt a surge of gratitude and disbelief. How could she, of all people, have such a beautiful, intelligent, and kind person actively seeking her friendship?

And it was all real, not a hallucination!

Looking at that beautiful, angry face, she suddenly smiled.

A bright, sunny, utterly contented smile bloomed on her pale, thin face, like a vibrant flower blossoming in an icy wasteland, unexpectedly captivating.

“Thank you,” Xiang Er said.

Shen Yuhe froze, the anger in her eyes quickly fading, replaced by… a strange helplessness.

She slowly withdrew her hands, stepped back, and leaned against the doorframe, frowning, a residue of anger in her eyes, as she stared at Xiang Er’s face, as if searching for answers.

And Xiang Er’s smile was radiant. Looking at the beautiful woman who had come for her, she couldn’t contain her joy. Her lips curved upwards, her voice filled with sweet laughter:

“So, it’s all about me, isn’t it?”

Shen Yuhe nodded without hesitation.

Even more adorable… Xiang Er asked again:

“You really want to be friends with me, don’t you?”

This time, a look of confusion appeared on Shen Yuhe’s face. She thought for a moment, nodded, then shook her head. A few seconds later, she nodded again.

Xiang Er laughed:

“Hahaha… Okay, okay, I understand what you mean. We don’t have to live together to be good friends.”

Shen Yuhe looked bewildered, then said:

“We have to live together!”

Xiang Er shook her head, her smile gentle, her gaze open and warm:

“You don’t have to force yourself to live in a place like this. Don’t worry, being friends is enough. We can visit each other, we can go out together, living together or not won’t affect our friendship. You really can’t live here, this room is occupied, I can’t give it to you.”

She finished, then added apologetically and shyly:

“I just want to say… I’m very grateful that you came to take care of me, and that you want to be my friend. I will… cherish your friendship, very much.”

As she spoke, her eyes glistened with tears, the corners reddening like a soft bunny’s. She looked up at Shen Yuhe timidly, her eyes sparkling.

She extended a pale, slender hand, gently tugging at the hem of Shen Yuhe’s sweater, and whispered:

“So, please don’t be angry, okay?”

Shen Yuhe:

“…”

Shen Yuhe stared at Xiang Er intently for a long moment, then finally nodded. Although her expression didn’t change much, the tension seemed to dissipate, her mood calming.

Xiang Er felt a little uneasy. She wasn’t good at acting cute… but at least it seemed to have worked. This was her only friend; she couldn’t let a room come between them.

Relieved, she couldn’t help but yawn widely, a wave of drowsiness washing over her, her eyes even more watery.

Shen Yuhe watched her, her lips pursed, then suddenly reached out and gently caressed Xiang Er’s cheek, her fingertips tracing the flushed skin, cold as ice, making Xiang Er tense up.

Shen Yuhe, as if studying something, touched her face with her fingers, then rubbed them together, and murmured:

“So warm.”

Was she talking about her face… Xiang Er’s face burned even hotter, the blush spreading from the base of her neck.

Shen Yuhe looked at her closely:

“Are you like last night again?”

Last night? Was she talking about the fever? Xiang Er quickly shook her head:

“No, no, I don’t have a fever today.”

Shen Yuhe frowned:

“You need to rest.”

Xiang Er nodded, then shook her head:

“I’m okay…”

Shen Yuhe, without another word, grabbed her arm, pulled her into the guest room, pushed her onto the bed, and said coldly:

“Rest.”

Xiang Er:

“…”

She had no choice but to lie down and cover herself with the quilt. She was still thinking about saying something, but the moment her head touched the pillow, she drifted off to sleep.

Having just recovered from a fever, her body was weak. She had been forcing herself to stay awake for Shen Yuhe, and now, unable to hold on any longer, she quickly fell into a deep sleep.

Although it was daytime, the light in the room was unusually dim, the shadows deep.

The tall, beautiful woman stood quietly by the bed, her shadow stretching across the bed, her head lowered, her gaze fixed on Xiang Er’s face.

In her sleep, Xiang Er looked thin and pale, her expression troubled, her sleep restless. She frowned, she moaned softly, lost in her dreams, unable to find her way home, or tossing and turning amidst countless dangers.

Shen Yuhe was intimately familiar with Xiang Er’s sleep, every single night.

Now, Shen Yuhe stepped closer, her face lowering, closer and closer.

She stopped when the tip of her nose was only an inch away from Xiang Er’s.

Her long hair cascaded onto Xiang Er’s pillow, creating a black curtain around their faces, enclosing them in a private space.

The tip of Xiang Er’s nose twitched slightly with each breath, but Shen Yuhe’s didn’t. She remained perfectly still, and Xiang Er’s nose would involuntarily lift, touching hers, then falling back down.

Shen Yuhe observed, and experienced.

Her pupils dilated, the blackness quickly filling her eyes. The strands of her hair transformed into thin, tiny tentacles, like countless small snakes, or the arms of an octopus.

They carried her desire, “Its” desire, crawling softly and quickly onto Xiang Er’s face, choosing a patch of skin to claim as their own, touching, caressing, as long as they didn’t wake her, anything was permissible.

This was the extension of “Its” desire, a desire that could extend infinitely, but this was a new sensation, and even It didn’t know where it would lead.

Would It devour her? Would It melt her, turning her into a puddle of black slime to absorb? Would It consume her soul and every part of her body? Would It turn her into an obedient, pliable servant?

But It felt it wasn’t enough.

Nothing was enough.

Its confusion seemed to lessen slightly when she said “good friends.” It liked that definition.

The thin, pale red tentacles crawled across Xiang Er’s face, like tiny red earthworms wriggling on white snow, but Xiang Er remained asleep, her dreams peaceful and calm, a faint smile even playing on her lips.

A tentacle reached her lips, which were moving slightly, forming a sound. The tentacle conveyed the meaning of the sound:

“Shen… Yuhe…”

The tentacle extended downwards, sliding along her skin, into her collar, performing a strange, writhing dance.

The god felt a surge of pleasure.

Perhaps because she had resolved the issue with Shen Yuhe and gained a good friend, Xiang Er slept deeply and soundly.

In her dreams, she felt as if someone was gently touching her, from her cheek to her ear, then to her neck, then to her limbs, even her body… A cold, soft touch, transforming in her dreams into a series of icicles in a cave, randomly falling onto her burning face and body, a sensation she didn’t mind.

When she finally woke up, it was already evening.

Dark clouds covered the sky, the city lights twinkling, their colorful glow painting the night clouds a bright red. Cars, like glittering fish in a black river, flowed and struggled along the city’s congested roads.

The room was dark, the lights off, the sounds of traffic and car horns from outside amplifying the unnerving silence within.

Xiang Er’s eyes snapped open, and she sat up abruptly, a thought overwhelming her: No! She’s gone, without leaving any contact information!

She looked around the room, but as expected, no one was there. She grabbed her phone, hoping for a miracle, but after searching frantically, she threw it down in defeat.

Then she remembered something, jumping out of bed and turning on the lights, the bright living room lights!

She searched the entire apartment, even the master bedroom next door, but there was no sign of her, none at all!

Standing in the middle of the living room, Xiang Er looked at the coffee table and shrugged in despair.

Shen Yuhe had taken away the takeout containers and dishes, but that wasn’t important!

Xiang Er was speechless, looking at the sofa where Shen Yuhe had sat, the indentation in the unyielding cushion still visible, even the sofa knew how to leave a trace, but Shen Yuhe hadn’t!

Xiang Er ran her fingers through her hair in frustration and shouted:

“Shen Yuhe! You could have left some contact information! A note would have been fine! You could have typed it into my phone! Your phone number, your WeChat, your QQ, your address, your company, your business card… anything! You could have left at least something! Didn’t we agree to be good friends…”

Her shouts were useless. Looking at the indentation on the sofa, the faint, sweet fragrance still lingered. Well, at least Shen Yuhe knew her address, maybe she would come back and look for her. Next time, she would definitely ask for her contact information!

Xiang Er turned around dejectedly, and suddenly, a gust of wind brushed against her face, something cold, slimy, and heavy coiling around her waist, making her scream. Looking down…

It was a thick, python-like, dark red tentacle, covered in countless suckers, a horrifying and disgusting sight, tightening around her waist, as if trying to constrict her!

“Akhe!”

Xiang Er cried out, her body trembling, her hands slapping at the tentacle, but the tentacle simply lifted her and dragged her into the bathroom.

Her slippers fell off, a few strands of hair drifting down, her scream seemingly muffled.

With a “bang,” the bathroom door closed automatically, only the shadows of the trees swaying on the frosted glass.