Nan Zhiyun didn't know how long she had been crying. She just wanted to vent. Why were they so cruel to her? She was merely born into the Nan family and had fallen for Yu Jingchen. Did she deserve to be tormented like this?
Nan Zhiyun's cries continued unabated, while Yu Jingchen made no further moves. Nan Zhiyun leaned against his shoulder. The bite she had inflicted earlier was quite severe, perhaps an act of catharsis, but she released her grip soon after. Perhaps reason had triumphed over her heart, preventing her from going further.
But her current cries were truly from the depths of her soul, heart-wrenching and uncontrollable. She simply couldn't hold on any longer. By the end of her weeping, she was hoarse, yet her emotions remained unrestrained.
"Had enough crying?" Yu Jingchen's cold voice cut through the silence.
Nan Zhiyun didn't know what awaited her. The bite had been impulsive, a moment of indulgence. While her tears had offered some release, she was still filled with dread.
Yu Jingchen pushed Nan Zhiyun away. He had to admit, she could cry profusely. The tears had soaked his shoulder, and the bite was still stinging, likely having broken the skin.
"Can't even kneel properly? Do you need to be taught how to kneel again?" Yu Jingchen said coldly.
Due to her previous actions, Nan Zhiyun's hair was disheveled, and she looked utterly dishevelled. She slowly resumed her kneeling posture, awaiting the final punishment. Yu Jingchen watched her in silence. Nan Zhiyun knew her fate this time would be grim.
Finally, Yu Jingchen made a move. Nan Zhiyun watched as he began to manipulate the ropes in his hands. She thought, I truly cannot escape.
"Nan Zhiyun, you have indeed been too presumptuous. You need to learn your lesson," Yu Jingchen continued. Nan Zhiyun had completely surrendered any hope of resistance. She only wished that this punishment would not be too long...
Yu Jingchen reached out and touched the ropes binding Nan Zhiyun's hands. Nan Zhiyun closed her eyes.
Then... Yu Jingchen untied his own bonds. Nan Zhiyun felt this movement and reopened her eyes. As expected, Yu Jingchen had loosened her restraints. Why? Had he thought of another method? The mere thought sent a chill through her entire body.
"You still dare to bite me? This punishment is too light." Yu Jingchen spoke. As expected... all of Nan Zhiyun's hopes were dashed.
"Stand up," Yu Jingchen said after untying the ropes.
Nan Zhiyun had been kneeling for too long, and her legs were numb, unable to move. But since Yu Jingchen had spoken, she dared not create more trouble for herself. She endured the discomfort and stood up, her legs stiff. Yu Jingchen frowned slightly at her movement but said nothing in the end.
"Go over," Yu Jingchen uttered two more words. Nan Zhiyun didn't know what he intended or where he wanted her to go.
"To the bed. Go over, don't make me say it a third time." Yu Jingchen's patience was wearing thin. The moment she heard the words "to the bed," Nan Zhiyun's face changed. Was he going to resort to those methods again?
But what choice did she have? Nan Zhiyun walked over with a heart as cold as ashes. Looking at the bed, she felt lost.
"Lie down," Yu Jingchen continued to utter words in pairs.
Nan Zhiyun's clothes were already torn significantly. Hearing Yu Jingchen's command, she could only lie down and await his next move.
Nan Zhiyun's heart pounded like a drum. She thought, if Yu Jingchen were to use that method again, could he avoid the candle holder from before? She clenched the quilt in her hands. Yu Jingchen stood beside her, observing her every movement, but he remained silent.
Just as Nan Zhiyun braced herself for the impending punishment, she heard Yu Jingchen say, "I am too lazy to waste time with you today. However, your actions today cannot go unpunished, so I shall punish you by making you lie here for three hours."
What? Nan Zhiyun thought she must have misheard. Lie here for three hours? He wouldn't let her off so easily; there must be more to it...
Just as Nan Zhiyun was thinking this, she heard Yu Jingchen's twist: "But during these three hours, you are not allowed to sleep, not allowed to close your eyes, and not allowed to move. You must maintain your current position. If you cannot, I will tie you up with ropes, just like last time, and let everyone watch you be punished." Yu Jingchen continued.
Nan Zhiyun: ... She didn't understand why Yu Jingchen had devised such a punishment, but compared to the options she had mentally prepared for, it seemed much lighter. She dared not say another word.
Yu Jingchen paid her no mind and left after speaking. However... just as Nan Zhiyun was wondering why he hadn't stayed to watch her, Yu Jingchen returned.
Nan Zhiyun didn't know where Yu Jingchen had gone. She remained in her current position, not daring to move. Initially, she hadn't considered this a punishment, but now she was truly exhausted. Maintaining the same posture for an extended period, without being allowed to close her eyes or sleep, was becoming unbearable. She was so tired.
Three hours. Nan Zhiyun might have lasted half an hour at most. By the end, consciousness had left her, and she had fallen fast asleep.
Yu Jingchen picked up a cup of tea from the table and walked over. Seeing Nan Zhiyun in her current state, he raised his hand and placed the cup directly above her face, preparing to douse her awake.
However... Yu Jingchen ultimately did not tilt the cup. He withdrew his hand. Nan Zhiyun seemed to be sleeping deeply, yet her demeanor appeared restless. It was obvious why. She had only lasted half an hour. Hmph, she was quite something, truly not heeding his words.
Yu Jingchen let out a cold laugh, but he didn't do anything further, leaving her to her slumber. Let her sleep, he thought. When she woke up, he would deal with her properly, and then he would no longer be lenient...