Queen O's Timid Fugitive A - Chapter 55

55

Kill!

The long-absent clamor swept in, the air thick with the scent of bl00d. From the glass window, one could see the roaring beasts in the pit below, alongside humans with frenzied expressions.

Draped in a black robe, Jiang Ciqing restrained her gaze, no longer looking away. She followed the attendant ahead, winding through several corridors before stopping in front of a tightly shut door.

The servant, slightly turning, bowed and lightly knocked on the iron door.

Only when a voice of approval came from within did he dare to push the door open. Without so much as a glance inside, he stepped back, retreating behind the door, and gestured for Jiang Ciqing to enter.

After leaving the mountains, Jiang Ciqing had gone straight to the Princess’s Manor to find someone, only to be told they were here instead. She had initially planned to wait in the manor, but then received word that Xu Fusheng had asked her to come to this place.

The entire room was carpeted with expensive furs, and a crystal chandelier cast a hazy glow. Out-of-season fruits, rare and hard to come by, were casually placed on the table. Deep red wine swirled in a tall glass, and gold-inlaid ornaments were the most ordinary objects in the room. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, the base nature of humanity was laid bare.

Though Jiang Ciqing had been to this place many times, she had never set foot in the so-called exclusive suites reserved for the elite. Usually, she would retrieve a magic core and leave. Now, taking it all in, she realized how easily such a place could make one lose themselves.

But her gaze swept over the room only once before settling on the person nestled into a soft sofa.

Silver hair cascaded loosely, and perhaps to avoid aggravating a shoulder wound, she wore a backless gown. Thin straps wrapped around her neck, struggling to keep the flimsy fabric from slipping. The low neckline teased, faintly revealing the curves beneath. The skirt was scandalously short, barely covering half her thighs, with a slit on the side to boot.

An inexperienced Alpha like Jiang Ciqing flushed red, stiffly averting her eyes, daring only to focus on the dangling earring by her ear.

“What are you standing there for, looking so dumb?” The voice was languid, carrying that familiar, mesmerizing cadence that beckoned Jiang Ciqing closer.

“What, not hiding in your bamboo mountain like a good little girl anymore?” Her peach-blossom eyes glimmered with teasing amusement, her lips, glistening with wine, radiating an intoxicating allure. Her already stunning features were laced with a captivating charm.

“Xu Fusheng,” Jiang Ciqing murmured, her tone rising as if in reprimand, but the trailing end was soft and powerless, like a warning without weight.

“What, I can’t even talk now?” The words, laced with mock grievance, sounded flirty in her mouth. She held a glass in one hand while her toes crept up Jiang Ciqing’s calf, inching upward.

“Xu Fusheng, stop it,” she said again, her voice lacking conviction. Not only did it fail to deter, but it allowed the other to press a foot against her knee. The arched foot, like a jade hook, revealed faint veins beneath pale skin. Even through fabric, the cool temperature was palpable.

“Still hurt?” Xu Fusheng ignored the Alpha’s warning—she never listened anyway—treating her like a paper tiger, easily torn with a poke.

Jiang Ciqing’s sluggish mind clicked into gear, belatedly registering the question. “It’s fine now,” she replied.

Her physique was unique—her fair skin showed every mark vividly, but her recovery was remarkable. Bruises or scratches would vanish almost as soon as they appeared, often before she could even apply ointment.

Besides, she hadn’t knelt for long—an hour at most, including breaks. A dab of ointment to disperse the bruising, and she was nearly healed.

Xu Fusheng raised an eyebrow, chuckling as she claimed credit. “So my ointment’s pretty good, huh?”

“It is. Just a few days ago, Miss Xu was bedridden, unable to move. Now here she is, full of life.” Jiang Ciqing replied evenly, not daring to accuse outright but slipping in a subtle jab.

Xu Fusheng caught the hint but didn’t take the bait. Her upturned eyes sparkled with amusement as her toes playfully prodded, half-apology, half-careless provocation.

Jiang Ciqing sighed, helpless as always. She grabbed the restless ankle. Xu Fusheng’s frame was delicate, her ankle even more so—her fingers could encircle it with room to spare. The rounded bone felt sharp to the touch.

Lowering her eyes, she avoided looking at the hiked-up skirt, focusing only on the ankle, her fingers tightening and loosening, leaving vine-like red marks.

Xu Fusheng squirmed, uncomfortable in the position, her leg growing numb within minutes. But Jiang Ciqing held firm, refusing to let go. Xu Fusheng wasn’t one to indulge anyone—she kicked at Jiang Ciqing’s stomach without mercy.

“Hiss…”

The kick was ruthless, targeting a vulnerable spot. Jiang Ciqing sucked in a breath, but her grip didn’t waver, holding on like an unyielding shackle.

“Jiang Ciqing,” Xu Fusheng snapped, now the one annoyed. She glared, irritated by the rigid posture of this overly proper Alpha, tempted to kick again.

And so she did.

But Jiang Ciqing wasn’t foolish. Caught off guard the first time, she wasn’t about to let it happen again. She held the ankle firmly, unmoved by Xu Fusheng’s struggles.

The red marks deepened, spreading from the ankle to the taut calf.

Outside, wild, excited roars echoed. An Alpha had snapped a beast’s neck, ripped out its magic core, and held it aloft to the cheering crowd. Whether they won or lost their bets, the spectators reveled in the human victory, as if they themselves had triumphed.

“Jiang Ciqing…” Xu Fusheng’s voice carried a threatening edge. She was quick to anger—fine with her own teasing but furious when others crossed her.

Jiang Ciqing knew her limits. Seeing genuine anger, she loosened her grip slightly, then swiftly slid her hand up, hooking behind Xu Fusheng’s knee. In one fluid motion, she pulled her close, lifting her by the waist.

Xu Fusheng’s vision blurred momentarily before she found herself seated sideways in Jiang Ciqing’s lap. The silver earring swayed wildly, the skirt riding up further, faintly revealing black lace. Her long, slender legs folded together, glowing white under the dim light.

Before she could scold, Jiang Ciqing spoke first: “This will be more comfortable.”

From the moment she entered, she’d noticed Xu Fusheng’s discomfort. Even on the plush, fur-lined sofa, she couldn’t lean back due to her shoulder injury, forced to sit upright—a strain for someone so naturally languid.

Now, holding her close, Jiang Ciqing ensured no pressure on the wound while letting her rest comfortably against her. Her hand on Xu Fusheng’s waist tightened slightly, adjusting to make her more at ease.

Xu Fusheng opened her mouth but only let out a reluctant huff.

Comfortable? Hardly. This clueless Alpha had no soft spots—her bony frame was anything but cozy.

Rolling her eyes, she nonetheless leaned into Jiang Ciqing’s shoulder, tilting her chin to let her warm breath graze the other’s neck, deliberately or not.

Petty as ever, she sought revenge for the earlier slight. Even if Jiang Ciqing meant well, it didn’t matter.

The young Alpha, no longer entirely inexperienced, had grown somewhat accustomed to this. She didn’t blush instantly or stiffen like a bamboo stalk. Her jaw remained set, her gaze fixed outside the window, projecting the image of an unshakable gentleman.

Xu Fusheng glanced up. If Jiang Ciqing’s hand weren’t rubbing her waist, she might’ve believed the act.

“Jiang Ciqing.”

“Hm?” Jiang Ciqing looked down, only to fall into the Omega’s trap. Her sensitive earlobe was caught in a bite.

A flush spread instantly. No amount of experience could prepare an Alpha for such teasing. The wet warmth sent tingles through her, intensified by the graze of sharp canines.

“Keep pretending,” Xu Fusheng taunted, her threatening tone laced with triumphant laughter. Her vibrant eyes sparkled with childish mischief, her fiery tequila-like aura softened to a harmless warmth.

Jiang Ciqing surrendered immediately, her face red, her voice hoarse. “Be good.”

A refined noblewoman was no match for a rogue from the wilds. She’d barely gained the upper hand before being thoroughly outplayed.

The hand on her waist found the sensitive dip, pressing just enough to fill it.

Satisfied, Xu Fusheng released her earlobe, nuzzling into her neck lazily. “So, what’s got you looking for me in the middle of the night?”

“The youngest Liu…” Jiang Ciqing began, only to stop abruptly.

The Alpha froze, looking down to see Xu Fusheng’s mischievous grin. Her red eyes, shimmering with water, seemed innocent but were full of cunning, like a sly fox watching its prey fall into a trap.

“Go on,” Xu Fusheng blinked, feigning confusion, her hand slipping under Jiang Ciqing’s clothes, climbing rib by rib.

Jiang Ciqing pursed her lips, continuing dutifully. “The youngest Liu…”

This time, she was cut off even sooner.

“Xu Fusheng!” Her voice rose, exasperated, but mindful of the injury, she didn’t dare push back, resorting to a feeble warning.

“I’ve got serious business to discuss.”

“Then ask. I’m not stopping you.” Xu Fusheng replied, brazen as ever.

Jiang Ciqing opened her mouth but found no retort, only managing a flustered, “Stop it, I’m serious.”

Xu Fusheng, ever the rogue, didn’t stop. Her fingers danced like a lute player’s, all while maintaining an air of righteousness. “Then speak. The soundproofing here is excellent—no one outside will hear. Don’t worry.”

Choked by frustration, Jiang Ciqing, with her thin skin, had no counter for such brazenness. She could only grip Xu Fusheng’s wrist tightly, her earlier confidence crumbling.

“Xu Fusheng!”

“Yes?” The single word dripped with teasing, her breath curling around Jiang Ciqing’s ear. “Why’s the Jiang family head so fierce? Can’t we discuss serious matters calmly?”

As if to vent, Xu Fusheng emphasized “fierce,” her fingers tightening in a deliberate grab.

A wave of sensation shot from Jiang Ciqing’s spine to her limbs. She collapsed back into the soft fur, instinctively pulling Xu Fusheng closer.

“Xu Fusheng!” Her voice was weaker now, almost tearful. The ever-courteous Jiang family head couldn’t handle such provocation, especially with the floor-to-ceiling window revealing the chaotic crowd below.

The previous match had ended. A lion-like beast was released from its cage, facing a warrior wielding dual blades with cold indifference. The impatient crowd jeered, their curses filtering into the room.

“Hey, Jiang family head, get to your serious business. I’ve been waiting forever,” Xu Fusheng teased, her eyes glinting like freshly polished rubies, misty yet radiant.

“Stop it…” The pitiful Alpha tried to plead, her fair skin flushed a soft pink, transforming her usual cool demeanor into something enticingly vulnerable.

“I’m not messing around.” Xu Fusheng said, yet she pressed closer, her lips brushing the pulsing artery on Jiang Ciqing’s neck.

The beast below finally lunged at the taunting human, eliciting a frenzied roar from the crowd. The iron bars rattled under their pounding.

Jiang Ciqing shuddered.

With her short hair leaving her neck exposed, Xu Fusheng’s sharp canines tore through the double-layered inhibitor patch, biting directly into her gland.

Jiang Ciqing realized too late—Xu Fusheng’s heat had arrived.

The scene below grew heated. The seemingly strong warrior was chased around the arena by the beast, one of his blades discarded and snapped under the creature’s foot. The crowd booed loudly.

Xu Fusheng, momentarily distracted, glanced down and muttered, “Useless.”

Jiang Ciqing frowned slightly, only to hiss as a sharp pain shot through her gland.

The culprit Omega chuckled. “I wasn’t talking about you, A’Ci. Why’re you getting mad?”

Her slender hand gripped the white fur beneath. The beast on stage seized the reckless human, and the boos echoed through the arena. No one pitied a foolhardy failure—only curses for lost bets rang out.

Amid the cheers, Xu Fusheng smirked, commenting, “A touch of charcoal on fresh bamboo—quite a unique flavor.”