Forced to Love (GL) - Chapter 57

The flickering candlelight cast a glow on her features, her lips slightly curved, as if softened by a gentle radiance.

Lingxi looked at her, able to see a clear reflection of herself in the still waters of her eyes.

The surroundings suddenly fell silent. Xie Xisui did not speak, and neither did Lingxi. She simply looked at her.

Until Xie Xisui’s fingertip reached out, touching her brow, forcibly smoothing out her slight frown as she asked, “Do you understand what I mean?”

Lingxi finally snapped out of the deep trance, but her mind was blank.

Countless questions surged forward, yet her lips parted and closed for a long time, unable to utter a single word.

At that moment, she realized she didn’t have the strength to voice them.

Her heart pounded like a drum, each beat echoing loudly in her ears, even making it hard to breathe.

But Xie Xisui was so close that she didn’t dare to take a deep breath. She could only suppress it as much as possible, her chest trembling slightly, using the blanket to conceal her emotions.

After waiting for a while without receiving an answer, Xie Xisui, eyes half-lidded, leaned in slightly and asked again, “You don’t understand?”

Lingxi felt the fingertip pressing against her brow slowly tracing over her brow bone, moving toward her ear, a delicate tickling sensation spreading through her.

There was an air of persistence, as if the master would not relent without a response.

The faint scent of Agama buds lingered at the tip of her nose. The already limited air in the space was completely filled at that moment.

Lingxi unconsciously avoided her gaze, lowering her head slightly.

“Master, I…”

Xie Xisui suddenly chuckled, “Why didn’t I notice before?”

As her words fell, her warm fingertips gently lifted Lingxi’s chin, tilting it slightly upward. The dark pupils met hers at a close distance, reflecting her clear image.

Just like how she had seen herself reflected in the still waters of Xie Xisui’s eyes before—so vivid, occupying the entire surface.

“Why do you not dare to look at me?”

Her voice was soft, but within her usually calm tone, there was a hint of amusement, like a rare silver osmanthus blooming in the midst of withering autumn leaves—subtle yet fragrant, reaching deep into the heart.

Lingxi’s last shred of reason was stripped away. She was forced to maintain this posture, locking eyes with her. The words she had gathered all her strength to say just moments ago instantly dissipated.

The only thing left was the blanket slipping down, her collar slightly askew, revealing the rise and fall of her chest.

“Is my question that difficult to answer?” she asked again.

Lingxi hesitated, then shook her head lightly.

“So, do you understand or not?”

Lingxi remained motionless, unsure how to respond.

She felt as though she both understood and didn’t understand, afraid that her assumption wasn’t what Xie Xisui truly meant.

The closer one gets to what they desire, the more cautious and hesitant they become.

Xie Xisui was very patient, quietly watching her, as if she would hold this posture until Lingxi gave an answer.

Every passing second felt incredibly slow to Lingxi.

She gripped the blanket tightly, her fingertips turning pale. After a long pause, she finally whispered, “It’s not Master’s fault.”

“And then?”

Xie Xisui didn’t seem surprised by her vague response. The smile in her eyes hadn’t faded, and she didn’t rush to refute her either.

“The little wolf, the demonic aura… it feels familiar.”

Lingxi spoke word by word, her pace slow, as if each syllable required immense effort to form.

Xie Xisui nodded slightly but seemed unsatisfied. “Just a little familiar?”

Lingxi couldn’t respond and only blinked at her.

After a moment, Xie Xisui caressed her chin and sighed softly. “It seems my little wolf still needs me to teach her.”

It was a light statement, but when it reached Lingxi’s ears, it was as heavy as a boulder plunging into a valley, stirring great waves.

“Since you can’t recall or distinguish it, I’ll help you relive that night.”

As the words drifted into her ears, her light brown eyes deepened as Xie Xisui’s figure imprinted itself more vividly in her gaze.

She leaned in and kissed her.

There was no hesitation. It landed directly on Lingxi’s lips.

The soft lips sealed away the words Lingxi had yet to utter, carefully dissolving them, breaking them down piece by piece, leaving nothing behind.

Her tongue, warm and moist, brushed over Lingxi’s lips, then teasingly traced along her clenched teeth, nimble and skillful.

Beneath her, Lingxi’s fingers clutched the blanket so tightly that they lost color, turning faintly pale.

The lingering taste of Agama bud tea, fed to her earlier, was further amplified under this gentle consumption.

Her light brown eyes slowly misted over, even the corners of her eyes tinged with the same blush that colored her lips.

Xie Xisui lightly licked her full lips, her teeth grazing her slightly protruding lip bead. Almost instinctively, Lingxi’s lips parted, letting out a faint sound.

A warm palm slid up, covering Lingxi’s eyes. Her delicate eyelashes trembled against the touch, tickling the palm slightly.

“Close your eyes,” Xie Xisui murmured, her voice lower than usual, but to Lingxi, it was a deadly temptation.

She couldn’t help but respond—whether with her lips or her gaze.

Lingxi could no longer see the light. As she fell into darkness, something resurfaced before her eyes.

Vivid yet unfamiliar, paradoxically familiar.

Mist surrounded her. Lingxi recognized this place—it was the hot spring where Xie Xisui had treated her wounds that night.

She walked forward without hesitation, but stopped abruptly when she saw the two figures before her.

Steam rose around them, and though shrouded, her vision in this memory was clear.

In the memory, she had pinned Xie Xisui’s wrists against the stone edge, the same edge that had left dark red marks she saw upon waking.

**”Why don’t you speak?”**

**”Master.”**

**”Do you like me?”**

**”But I like you.”**

Scarlet eyes, unwavering and determined, filled with an unyielding conviction, pressed forward to kiss her.

She kissed her.

She had kissed Xie Xisui, taking the initiative.

A buzzing sound erupted in her mind, forcefully pulling her back. Lingxi’s eyes snapped open. The sensation of lips against hers had disappeared, but the palm covering her eyes remained.

The moist lips, the faint scent of Agama buds in her breath, reminded her that this moment was real.

Xie Xisui’s voice, gentle yet unwavering, carried only warmth and indulgence. “You don’t need to endure it alone. Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

Her eyes were bright, as if beyond the darkness, stars still shone for her.

“Lastly,” Xie Xisui paused slightly, “the final lesson in honesty.”

“My little wolf should be free, always smiling, with no worries—her eyes filled with me, but also making room for herself.”

Lingxi lowered her head, kissing the hand that had touched her chin.

“Master, what is the lesson?”

“What do you think?”

Lingxi pressed soft kisses onto Xie Xisui’s hand, whispering against it, “I like you.”

“Good girl.”