The heavy oak door of the waiting room creaked open slowly. Inside, the atmosphere was one of serene indulgence. Fu Ye remained sprawled across the plush sofa, his eyes closed as he basked in the rhythmic, diligent massage provided by the little princess, Xue Ke.
"My dear husband... it's been over ten years. Did you really expect me to come looking for you personally?"
A cool, melodic female voice drifted into Fu Ye's ears. He didn't even need to open his eyes to know who it was. Dugu Yan. The "little snake" had finally caught up to him. He felt a slight pang of guilt—he'd been so occupied with the Tianshui girls and "reforming" the imperial treasury that he'd actually forgotten to fetch her. If he hadn't bumped into her while shopping yesterday, she might still be brooding at the academy.
"Eh? Isn't this little sister Xue Ke? I haven't seen you for months; I never imagined you'd been whisked away by this man."
Dugu Yan stepped into the room, her boots clicking sharply on the stone floor. She looked around the luxurious suite with a critical eye before her gaze settled on the petite girl behind the sofa.
"Sister Yan!" Xue Ke's brown eyes lit up with recognition. Back in the palace, she and Dugu Yan had been acquaintances, often strolling through the imperial gardens together. But the joy was fleeting; Xue Ke remembered she was no longer a princess, but a servant sold for five billion coins.
"Mhm. Long time no see, Xue Ke," Dugu Yan said. She'd heard from her grandfather that the "Dog Emperor" had sold his daughter, but seeing her here, diligently serving Fu Ye, she realized the girl was likely safer here than in that viper's nest of a palace.
"Still pretending to be asleep? I've waited for you for so many years, and you return without even saying hello? Do you have any idea how much my heart ached?"
Dugu Yan walked straight up to Fu Ye. Seeing his motionless form, she decided to abandon all ladylike pretense. If he wanted to play the "sleeping prince," she would play the rogue.
She climbed onto the sofa, straddling him with a bold, predatory grace. Her mature, refined face was inches from his, a mix of three parts anticipation and seven parts mischief.
"Ignoring me?"
She let her fingers, cool and smooth as a snake's scales, wander across his abdomen. Fu Ye felt the slight chill of her touch through his clothes, but he remained a fortress of stillness. I won't open my eyes. Even if the heavens fall, I'm staying asleep.
[Due to unknown reasons, Dugu Yan's current affection is 100%, and the affection level is locked.]
Xue Ke, watching from behind, was absolutely stunned. Sister Yan... you're being more of a rogue than a rogue! She quickly covered her eyes with her small, white hands, but curiosity won out, and she peeked through the gaps in her fingers.
She watched as Dugu Yan tested Fu Ye's patience, moving closer and closer until...
In an instant, a deep crimson flush spread across Xue Ke's cheeks. Fu Ye finally snapped his eyes open, the golden glint in his pupils meeting Dugu Yan's emerald gaze. Dugu Yan's face also sported a faint, unnatural blush, but she forced herself to remain steady, looking him dead in the eye.
"Tell me... are you my husband or not?"
She pressed her cheek against his, their breaths mingling in the small space between them. The air in the room seemed to hum with a sudden, electric tension.
Thump-thump.Thump-thump.
Their hearts beat in a rapid, synchronized rhythm. Fu Ye swallowed hard, his hand reaching up to cup her beautiful face.
"Naturally. I, Fu Ye, have never gone back on my word."
Before Dugu Yan could even process the words, Fu Ye leaned in and captured her soft, supple lips in a deep, firm kiss.
Dugu Yan froze for a heartbeat, her mind spinning as she finally received the acknowledgment she had craved for a decade. Her small hands, which had been clutching his shirt, didn't loosen their grip even for a second.
Poor Xue Ke stood frozen to the spot, her brain unable to compute the scene before her. A long moment passed before a knock sounded at the door. Dugu Yan reluctantly pulled back, her white hand trembling slightly as she smoothed her hair, casting a "shush" gesture toward the wide-eyed Xue Ke.
"Brother Fu Ye! We're back!"
The voices of Shui Bing'er and the other Tianshui girls echoed from the hall.
"Mhm. Everyone, come in."
After a round of introductions, the "outgoing" Dugu Yan quickly integrated into the group. The Huangdou Team was effectively disbanded without her; they couldn't even form a full roster anymore.
"Sister Yan, so you've known Brother Fu Ye for twelve years? Was he as handsome back then as he is now?"
As the girls chattered away, another knock interrupted them. A man dressed in the fine but somewhat gaudy silks of a minor noble entered.
"Hello. I've come to propose a business deal to your team."
Fu Ye listened as the man explained the offer. "So, you'll give us ten million in 'benefits,' but in exchange, the Tianshui Team has to go to Soto City to fight?"
Fu Ye leaned back, his eyes narrowing. This sounded like a plot meant for the original Shrek or Huangdou teams. Why is it coming to me?
"Exactly. You only need to take your team to Soto City for half a month and fight one match a day."
Fu Ye pondered for a moment, then looked at the noble representative with eyes that screamed "corrupt businessman."
"Eight times the commission. Otherwise, we refuse."
Fu Ye knew exactly what these nobles were up to. They wanted to use the Tianshui Team as "enforcers" to rake in gambling profits in Soto City. They were planning to feast on the blood and sweat of the commoners using his girls as the bait. Tsk, their abacus beads are practically hitting me in the face.
"Ah... that's..."
the leader of this small group of investors fell silent. Fu Ye didn't care. Demanding 80 million would cut into their profits significantly, but they certainly wouldn't lose money.
"It seems you lack sincerity. Please leave; our Tianshui Team doesn't welcome you."
Fu Ye could tell by the man's clothes that they were just local "wealthy trash."
"Eighty million... isn't that too much? We..."
"Pay up or get out. It's not like I'm the one desperate to go to Soto City."
Fu Ye had their psychology pinned down perfectly. With Dugu Yan on his side and no other team showing much promise, Tianshui was the only "premium" product on the market.
"Fine. Eighty million it is. I'll have the card delivered tonight. I hope you can take your team to Soto City as soon as possible."
Hearing him agree so readily, Fu Ye understood the man's scheme. There are no idiots among those who lead negotiations. They want to grab the cream of the crop early—this guy is definitely planning to scam his own partners to cover the extra cost.
One must seize the profit while the opportunity is ripe; the man was clearly looking to fleece his own associates for every cent.