Twenty-two whales

"Shut up!" Jing Chengyun snapped at the room, unwilling to let Su Zile make any more noise.

She weighed the handbag Wen Fan had brought, knowing it contained many fine things—especially the sapphire-encrusted nipple clamps, their gems brilliant, clear, and of pure color.

If used on Su Zile, those two spots of deep blue against his snow-white skin…

Such a perfect opportunity, she could not let Wen Fan ruin it.

Jing Chengyun spread her arms, firmly blocking the doorway. "Do not question my taste. Any man fortunate enough to be slept with by me has his merits; your inspection is not required."

She—she praised me for having merits? Curled up under the quilt, Su Zile nearly laughed aloud. By what right or virtue was he worthy of hearing a compliment from Jing Chengyun’s lips?

Seeing this path blocked, Wen Fan decided to try another. "Fine, I won't inspect him. But let me come in and sit for a moment, just to have a glass of water before I leave. It’s midsummer, and I’m exhausted from rushing over here. Can't I?"

He had expected to hear Jing Chengyun’s refusal immediately, but to his surprise, the entryway fell unexpectedly silent. Su Zile was filled with trepidation. What was Jing Chengyun hesitating about? Hurry up and drive Wen Fan away! Must he force him to uncover his lie?

As for Wen Fan, her ex-boyfriend, Jing Chengyun actually didn't dislike him; most of their time together had been pleasant.

Consequently, her conclusion was: "Forget it, don't come in. I’ll get you a bottle of mineral water."

"I smell chocolate milk. Can I have some?" A dog’s nose was always sharp; with just a slight sniff, Wen Fan knew what had been in the room.

"Ah, that—" Jing Chengyun’s eyes widened in embarrassment. She couldn't exactly say the chocolate milk was actually produced by Su Zile. "I drank it all. Just have the mineral water. What kind of puppy loves drinking chocolate beverages? Be careful, it’ll shorten your life."

Having walked only a few steps back into the room, Jing Chengyun suddenly spun around, pointed at Wen Fan, and commanded, "Stay right there and don't move. The place is a mess."

Damn it, he really couldn't move. This accursed habit! How Wen Fan wanted to seize the chance to rush in and see if the man on the bed was his dearest cousin.

Yet, he was far too obedient to Jing Chengyun. If she told him to go east, he wouldn't dare go west. He hated himself for it!

When Jing Chengyun returned, Wen Fan still tried to find an opening. He tugged at his shirt collar, revealing a bit more, and said in a low voice, "Yunyun, I can play with you too. Just let me in..."

"Three people? No, that’s too depraved." Jing Chengyun made a large 'X' with her hands, her face showing disgust. "You can make an appointment. When I feel like finding an 'M' again, I’ll summon you to serve in the bedchamber. Leave the hotel now—that is an order."

Wen Fan was shoved firmly out the door by Jing Chengyun. With a loud *bang*, the door slammed shut, locking him out.

He wanted to knock again, but Jing Chengyun’s "That is an order" echoed in his mind. Fine, an order was an order. After all, who else was as obedient a dog as he?

*

"Did he leave?" Su Zile felt a lingering fear, but also a hint of secret satisfaction.

He hadn't expected his cousin, a man of such high social standing, to be so obedient in front of Jing Chengyun. It was truly delightful.

"He’s gone. Come, try these nipple clamps. They’re super pretty!" Jing Chengyun excitedly threw herself onto the bed, tossing aside the quilt, eager to put the little toy on Su Zile.

Su Zile held her hand back and shrank away. "Will it hurt? Yunyun, I’m afraid of pain."

Enduring the shame of producing fox-milk was already pushing his limits—a result he had achieved by casting aside his dignity and pride. Now, she wanted to use these torture-like devices on him?

"You'll get used to it," Jing Chengyun said, though she couldn't guarantee it. Wen Fan had never complained of pain even when covered in such toys; perhaps one really did just get used to it.

She straddled the fox-spirit's waist and, brooking no refusal, attached the device to Su Zile's left breast.

"Hiss—" Su Zile gasped in pain, but as he gazed at Jing Chengyun’s face, he forgot to resist.

Taking advantage of his distraction, Jing Chengyun attached the chest chain and both nipple clamps, nodding in satisfaction. "Twist a little."

"Twist?"

"Chest chains and nipple clamps are naturally better when you twist! Otherwise, wouldn't it be a waste of such beautiful diamonds?"

Su Zile’s small face turned beet red, and he turned his head away. "I don't know how."

Jing Chengyun straightened his head, full of anticipation. "Just like dancing, just twist however you want."

"Your ex-boyfriend—did he twist, too?"

"Mind your own business regarding others' private matters."

She didn't deny it, which meant it was true. Su Zile pondered: the clamps were brought by his cousin, so why would his cousin have such things?

Could it be that this was how Wen Fan had once pleased Jing Chengyun?

Hmph, if he wanted to twist, he would twist. He couldn't be outdone by that stinking Border Collie!

The competitive spirit of a male fox was truly startling. Once he began to twist, he cast aside all face and dignity, the chest chain swinging and clinking with a delicate sound.

His clansmen would surely be relieved that they had expelled him; otherwise, the infamous reputation of fox demons being lustful and seductive would be even harder to wash away.

Jing Chengyun watched with bated breath for a moment, then suddenly pressed down on Su Zile's shoulders, forbidding him to move further. "Forget it. You look like the people doing square dancing downstairs. Go home and practice."

Su Zile: "..."

Thank you, I have been insulted.

Today, Jing Chengyun had satisfied both her appetite and her eyes, feeling quite content.

She roughly unclipped the nipple clamps and chest chain, shoved them haphazardly into her handbag, and headed for the door, leaving only her back to Su Zile. "Bye-bye, I’m going home to study. I had a great time today. You were very good, thank you."

She praised me for being very good... oh my, how embarrassing for a fox... wait, is she leaving already?!

Su Zile hopped off the bed and hurriedly chased after her. "Jing Chengyun, what do you mean? You’re just leaving like that?"

"I still have important things to do." Jing Chengyun waved her programming primer, grinned, and said, "Let's meet again when there's a chance. Bye-bye. If you dare to chase me, I’ll beat you up."

Watching her dash away in a flash, Su Zile stood frozen in place. Sleep with him and then run? That was too ruthless and cold-hearted. He sighed; in the end, it was because his own charm wasn't enough to lock Jing Chengyun’s heart.

After reflecting on this for half an hour, his phone suddenly beeped.

In his despondent state, Su Zile forgot to check who was calling and was startled by the voice on the other end: "Cousin?!"

Wen Fan was very calm. "Lele, you're working overtime at the Time-Travel Bureau, right?"

"Yes, Cousin—" Su Zile was wallowing in his sorrows and blurted out the lie instinctively.

Wen Fan: "Good. I'm downstairs at the Time-Travel Bureau. Come out and meet me; I have something to discuss with you in person."

Su Zile panicked instantly and began throwing on his clothes haphazardly. His only mode of transport was a motorcycle, and there was no way he could make it to the Bureau in time.

With no other choice, a faint, deep-blue light appeared in the palm of Su Zile’s hand. The light grew larger and brighter until it was blinding. It was a teleportation array.

As the array activated and faded, the space Su Zile occupied shifted. He was no longer at the Peninsula Couples Hotel; through the portal, he returned to his office at the Time-Travel Bureau.

He poked his head out the window, and sure enough, a familiar black sedan was parked below. Su Zile sighed in relief and spoke into the phone: "I’m by the window. Do you see me, Cousin?"

"I see you. From the moment the array appeared until you rushed to the window, every single movement was clear." Wen Fan took a sip of hot tea, coldly watching his cousin’s suddenly tensed back.

Wen Fan’s smile was filled with chill. He met Su Zile’s trembling gaze and said, "Lele, why did you lie to me? Where exactly have you been?"