In the final second before her consciousness cut out, Su Ruanruan felt as though she were falling into a mass of warm yet sticky cotton.
As the girl in her arms began to breathe slowly and evenly, the gentle smile on Gu Qingleng’s face finally receded like an ebbing tide.
“Asleep already? What a defenseless little kitten.”
Gu Qingleng let out a soft chuckle and gently laid Su Ruanruan flat on the large, leather sofa.
Her slender fingers slid slowly down the girl’s elegant neckline, feeling the delicate, warm touch beneath her fingertips as if she were appraising a piece of freshly acquired mutton-fat jade.
Her gaze swept over the girl’s closed eyes, her long eyelashes as still as butterfly wings. Further down was the collar, slightly messy from their previous encounter, revealing a delicate and fragile collarbone.
Gu Qingleng’s gaze finally landed on Su Ruanruan’s fair, flawless legs.
They were a snow-white purity, devoid of any marks.
Gu Qingleng narrowed her eyes in satisfaction, her fingertips tracing the air above that smooth skin as if she were conceptualizing a pattern.
She stood up and walked toward the lounge inside the office. A moment later, she emerged pushing a mobile clothes rack filled with garments.
The clothes hanging there included maid outfits and JK sailor uniforms, but the strange thing was that they were all small sizes—perfectly suited for Su Ruanruan’s petite frame.
Gu Qingleng walked to the sofa and, with a flick of her finger, unfastened the first button of Su Ruanruan’s school uniform.
“Today, let’s play a game of ‘Playing House’ first.”
The rustle of fabric was exceptionally clear in the silent room.
Gu Qingleng’s movements were elegant and composed, as if she were performing a sacred ritual.
She was in no hurry to change her into those clothes. Instead, she took a Black Leather Collar from the rack.
The inside of the collar was lined with soft fur, and a delicate Gold Bell hung from the center.
Click.
The sound of the metal clasping was crisp and pleasant.
The streak of pitch-black leather tightly constricted Su Ruanruan’s slender, fragile neck. The intense contrast of black and white brought a profound visual impact. It felt as if a single forceful tug could snap this beautiful life within her hands.
Ding-ling —
Gu Qingleng flicked the bell, a satisfied smile blooming at the corners of her mouth.
“It fits perfectly. From now on, you are a Puppy with a master.”
For the next hour, the solemn Student Council office transformed into a private exhibition hall belonging solely to Gu Qingleng.
She was like a child who never grew tired, playing with her favorite Barbie doll.
White lace nightgowns, black strapped lingerie, and accessories with fluffy tails…
Piece after piece of clothing was swapped onto Su Ruanruan’s body.
The sound of the camera shutter clicked again and again, capturing Su Ruanruan’s pitiful appearance in the collar, freezing her into negatives that would be enough to destroy all her dignity.
“Mmm…”
As if feeling a chill, the unconscious Su Ruanruan curled her body uncomfortably, letting out a soft, sweet whimper from her throat.
The bell on her neck followed with a series of sharp, rapid rings.
Ding-ling-ling…
Gu Qingleng’s hand paused, the darkness in her eyes nearly overflowing.
She leaned down and planted a kiss as light as a feather on those trembling eyelashes.
“Shh… good girl. This is a dream. A dream that only the two of us know about.”
When the clock pointed to the time for the next class to begin, Gu Qingleng stopped her work with lingering reluctance.
“Time really flies…”
She glanced at the dozens of new photos in her phone’s album, her eyes reflecting a morbid satisfaction.
“Alright, Cinderella’s magic time is over.”
Gu Qingleng reluctantly removed the collar and began to dress Su Ruanruan back into her original clothes.
Her movements were even more meticulous than when she had undressed her; it could even be described as an obsessive restoration.
Which notch the bra was hooked on, what angle the shirt collar was adjusted to, whether the pleats of the skirt were flat… every detail was restored seamlessly.
She even painstakingly combed Su Ruanruan’s bangs, which had been slightly mussed from crying earlier, until they were meticulous.
Once everything was done, Gu Qingleng laid Su Ruanruan flat on the sofa again and covered her with a blanket that smelled of sunshine.
Then, she sat back at her desk and took out a book, her expression returning to its usual cold and elegant state.
—
An unknown amount of time passed.
Su Ruanruan felt her consciousness bobbing in the deep sea, finally reaching the surface.
“Mmm…”
She struggled to open her eyes. Her sight met a strange, luxurious ceiling, and a faint, lingering sweet scent seemed to remain in the air.
“You’re awake?”
A faint voice came, carrying a reassuring familiarity.
Su Ruanruan bolted upright, the blanket slipping off her. She looked around in confusion as her memories slowly returned — Lin Lie, the Old School Building, Gu Qingleng, the apology, and the black tea…
“I… how did I fall asleep?”
She looked toward Gu Qingleng, who was sitting by the window, in a bit of a panic.
At this moment, Gu Qingleng was wearing Gold-rimmed Glasses and holding a book in its original language. The sunlight spilled over her, coating her in a sacred golden aura. The scene was as beautiful as a classic, holy painting.
“You were too tired.”
Gu Qingleng closed the book, took off her glasses, and rubbed the bridge of her nose, revealing a stiff smile.
“You collapsed right after finishing your tea. I think the mental pressure has been too high lately, so your body activated a self-defense mechanism. You looked like you were sleeping so soundly that I didn’t have the heart to wake you.”
“Is… is that so?”
Su Ruanruan scratched her head, her mind still feeling groggy.
But…
‘My body… feels a little strange.’
Though there was no pain, there was a subtle sensation all over her skin.
‘Especially my neck.’
She vaguely felt as if something heavy had been constricting it, tightening with every breath.
She subconsciously touched her neck.
It was empty. There was nothing there.
She looked down to check her clothes.
Her school uniform was worn neatly; even her ribbon was tied meticulously—more organized than when she had dressed herself.
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
Gu Qingleng walked over and naturally pressed the back of her hand against Su Ruanruan’s forehead.
“Your temperature is normal. If you’re uncomfortable, I can take you to the infirmary.”
“No, no need!” Su Ruanruan shook her head hurriedly, her cheeks flushing slightly from the other’s intimate gesture. “I’m fine… I might really just be too tired and had an illusion.”
‘Since my clothes aren’t messed up and nothing hurts, I really must have just fallen asleep, right?’
‘President Gu is the benefactor who helped me so much. How could I think of her as someone bad?’
“It’s good that you’re fine.” Gu Qingleng glanced at the wall clock. “Hurry to class. Your next elective is starting soon; you’ll be late if you don’t leave now. As for the debt, since we’ve agreed on it, don’t worry anymore. You can pay it back slowly.”
“Yes! Thank you, Sister Gu!”
Su Ruanruan nodded gratefully, grabbed her bag, and rushed toward the door.
Just as her hand gripped the doorknob, Gu Qingleng’s voice suddenly rang out from behind her, carrying a trace of imperceptible huskiness.
“By the way, Miss Su.”
Su Ruanruan turned back. “Yes?”
Gu Qingleng stood against the light, a meaningful smile on her face. Her gaze swept inconspicuously over Su Ruanruan’s fair neck.
“If you feel unwell in the future, you’re welcome to ‘rest’ here at any time. You are always welcome.”
“Huh? Oh… okay…”
Su Ruanruan responded without fully understanding, her face flushing as she pushed the door open and ran out.
It wasn’t until Su Ruanruan’s figure completely disappeared at the end of the hallway that Gu Qingleng slowly retracted her gaze.
She raised her hand and placed her fingertips to her nose, sniffing gently.
A unique milky fragrance from the girl’s skin still lingered there.
Gu Qingleng pulled the black leather Gold Bell collar, which still held the warmth of a body, from her pocket and shook it gently.
Ding-ling —
The crisp sound echoed in the empty room like the prelude to a curse.
“One day, you will beg me to let you wear this.”
“My… Puppy.”