Vic propped his head up with one hand, half-lying on the bed. His posture was as lazy as a cat that had just soaked up enough sun.
But in those peach-blossom eyes, which slanted upwards slightly, an unhidden light of provocation flickered as he stared fixedly at the frozen Wednesday.
"What's wrong?"
He dragged out the final syllable, his tone laced with a wicked, all-knowing playfulness.
"Not starting yet? Do you want to go wash your feet first?"
He paused, the corner of his mouth hooking into a smile that was bad to the bone. He added slowly, every word like a tiny hook:
"Actually... I don't mind the natural flavor either~"
These brazen words acted like a sharp arrow, precisely piercing through Wednesday's shell of forced composure.
"Yes. Correct."
Wednesday answered almost immediately. Her voice maintained its usual chill, but upon closer listening, it held a trace of imperceptible tightness.
"I require a wash."
She stood up expressionlessly and walked toward the bathroom, her movements slightly stiff. Her perfectly straight back somehow gave off the vibe of someone fleeing the scene.
"Pfft—"
Watching Wednesday's "calm" retreat, Enid finally couldn't help but burst out laughing, her blue eyes curving into crescents.
The tense atmosphere from earlier was shattered by Vic's curveball, replaced by the joy of seeing her best friend flustered.
However, before her laughter could fade, she felt a burning gaze land on her.
"Enid~ darling~"
Vic had no intention of letting this "accomplice" off the hook.
Like a cheetah discovering a new toy, he agilely crawled over from the other side of the bed on all fours, instantly closing the distance between him and Enid.
He stopped in front of her, elbows propped on the mattress, chin resting in his hands, looking up at her.
Those eyes, usually jumping with mania or innocence, were now as deep as the night sky holding a sea of stars. A look swirled within them that made Enid's heart speed up inexplicably—something indescribable.
"Wh... what?"
Enid felt goosebumps under his stare. She subconsciously shrank her neck back, leaning her body away slightly, trying to create a safe distance.
Her cheeks began to heat up uncontrollably again.
Vic tilted his head. His smile deepened, carrying a hint of bewitchment as he asked softly:
"Guess... if I win, what will I do to you?"
His voice was pressed very low, like a lover's whisper, yet filled with unquestionable dominance.
"I'm not guessing!"
Enid's face turned completely red in an instant, like a ripe apple. She glared at Vic with shame and indignation, her heart pounding like a drum.
"You... you bad-hearted guy!"
Although her mouth resisted, her mind began to run wild uncontrollably. What would Vic do if he won?
That "Tyler and Siren-style" stake...
Oh my god! She felt like steam was about to shoot out of her head!
Vic watched Enid looking so embarrassed she might spontaneously combust. He let out a low, satisfied chuckle and stopped pressing her.
But his eyes still locked onto her firmly, as if saying: You can't run.
Just then, the bathroom door clicked open softly. Wednesday walked out.
She had obviously splashed cold water on her face. A few strands of wet black hair stuck to her pale forehead, adding a rare touch of fragility to her usual demeanor.
But her eyes had returned to the calmness of an ancient well—perhaps even deeper than before, as if she had made a certain resolution.
She walked straight back to the bed. Her gaze calmly swept over Vic's ambiguous posture and Enid's blood-red face before finally settling on Vic.
"Vic." Wednesday's voice was clear and calm, carrying an unquestionable decisiveness. "Game on."
Vic raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by Wednesday's swift return and composure, but he quickly flashed that easy smile again.
"Oh? Washed up? So we can start?"
Vic lay flat on his back on the bed, eyes closed, looking open-minded and ready for "whatever the lady pleases." Only his slightly trembling eyelashes betrayed the unrest in his heart.
Wednesday stood by the bed. She took a deep breath, steeling herself.
Her slender, pale foot lifted slowly. With an almost imperceptible tremble, it hovered a few centimeters above Vic's cheek.
She could clearly feel Vic's warm breath brushing against her sole, bringing an itch that scratched at her heart like a feather.
This overly intimate contact made her cold blood seem to flow faster.
"So slow. I'm gonna fall asleep here."
Vic kept his eyes closed, deliberately urging her with a lazy tone, trying to break this suffocating, ambiguous standoff.
However, before his voice even faded—
"Hehe, my brother can't wait? Let me give you a hand."
Zip!
A black, viscous tentacle shot out from Vic's shoulder! Like a sentient snake, it wrapped around Wednesday's slender ankle with lightning speed!
!!?
Wednesday had no time to react. She only felt her ankle tighten, followed by an irresistible downward pull!
Smack.
Wednesday's cool, pale right foot landed solidly and seamlessly right onto Vic's warm cheek.
Time seemed to freeze in this moment.
Wednesday went rigid. Her eyes widened instantly, filled with disbelief and blank shock.
The warm sensation from her sole was so clear; she could even feel the texture of Vic's skin.
A powerful electric current seemed to shoot from the contact point through her entire body, causing her brain to crash completely.
Vic froze too.
The soft, cool sensation on his face, along with the faint, crisp scent lingering at the tip of his nose, sent all the blood in his body rushing to his head. His heart pounded like a war drum.
"Whoa..."
Next to them, Enid covered her mouth with both hands. Her blue eyes were round as saucers, shining with a mix of shock, curiosity, and a tiny bit of excitement. She stared unblinkingly at this historic moment.
The dead silence lasted for about three seconds.
Just as Wednesday's blank brain attempted to reboot, she suddenly felt... a wet, soft, sliding sensation against the sole of her foot pressed to Vic's cheek.
Like something warm had quickly and lightly... licked it.
"Ah!"
Wednesday gasped as if hit by high-voltage electricity. She yanked her foot back violently. Because the movement was too fast and urgent, she even stumbled half a step backward.
Her pale cheeks turned explosive red at a speed visible to the naked eye, spreading all the way down her neck!
She stared at the "culprit" on the bed with a mix of shame and rage. Her chest heaved violently as she squeezed the name out through her teeth:
"Vic——!"
Vic finally snapped out of the massive shock as well. He shot up from the bed like a spring. His face still held a lingering blush, but it was mostly filled with "innocence" and "panic."
His voice pitched up an octave as he hurriedly defended himself:
"It wasn't me! It was Venom! He controlled me to do it! I knew nothing about it!"
Then, Venom's raspy voice, filled with grievance and indignation, exploded in Vic's mind—and also clearly reached everyone's ears:
"Bullsht! Victor Black! Did I tell you to lick it? That was clearly your own hormones exploding and the yellow sludge in your brain overflowing! Now you want to dump the blame on me? No way! I am not carrying this black pot!"
"I... I didn't!"
Vic's face instantly turned as red as a ripe tomato. He stiffened his neck, trying to argue, but his shifting eyes showed a distinct lack of confidence.
"You didn't?"
Venom wouldn't let it go. A giant white eye formed on Vic's shoulder, glaring at his host.
"What were you thinking just now? 'Wednesday's foot is so soft and cool,' 'Smells kind of nice,' 'Really want to lick it'... Do you need me to continue quoting? You lust-blinded bastard!"
"Shut up!"
Vic panicked completely, reaching out to cover Venom's mouth. The scene descended into total chaos.