Brushing past her cheek, tiny fragments of flesh splattered, then turned to powder and vanished.
The slender wound left behind didn’t bleed a drop, slowly mending itself.
Shirley’s expression turned cold.
She raised her hand, grabbed the tentacle, and crushed it with a squeeze.
Sticky juice splattered!
It soaked half her body!
The octopus stench grew stronger, making Shirley’s gaze even darker.
She turned her head and finally noticed the purple-haired, mature woman leaning against the wall, arms crossed, staring coldly at her.
A fitted purple dress accentuated her figure perfectly.
Amethyst eyes glared at Shirley with a sour expression.
Countless tentacles writhed behind her, crawling across the floor, walls, and ceiling, leaving damp, sticky trails.
They advanced toward Shirley.
Shirley’s appearance had changed as well—a gem-black dress, white hair, azure eyes, exuding an invisible malice.
Tentacles that drew near dropped lifelessly to the ground, rotting into foul meat and swiftly turning to powder.
The two clashed fiercely.
Yet with caution and care.
Unspoken agreement—they didn’t wake Ye Kui.
Zina withdrew her tentacles and stepped before Shirley, looking down at the figure half a head shorter than herself.
She scoffed, bent at the waist, and leaned close to Shirley’s ear, lips parting in a whisper.
“Doll, I think we can coexist.”
Shirley’s gaze flickered.
“You can’t do anything to me, and I can’t do anything to you…”
Shirley lowered her eyelids.
Shirley realized… she had no reason to refuse.
The room was as cold as the deep sea.
Yet in every corner, thanks to the doll’s power, bright and beautiful flowers bloomed.
“Doll, the flowers you made aren’t bad… Wait… Why do I feel like I’m losing strength?”
“Doll, your schemes run deep!”
……
The next day.
Ye Kui lay on the bed, opening tired eyes.
A whole night’s rest hadn’t restored his spirit.
If anything, he felt even more exhausted.
Last night, he’d dreamed of two giant beasts biting and licking him.
At some point, he realized it was a nightmare.
He tried to wake up.
But his body wouldn’t move.
Now, Ye Kui felt weakness in every inch of his body—a terrifying sleep paralysis!
Even now, something heavy seemed to be pressing on him… Wait!
Ye Kui looked down.
His chest bulged under the blanket, and a few strands of black hair peeked out.
Ye Kui instinctively held his breath, staring as a small head emerged from beneath.
The girl propped herself up, the thin blanket slipping to reveal porcelain-white skin.
Fine cracks lined her waist, giving a strange sense of broken beauty.
The girl was bathed in holy light, looking down at him.
A small wooden sign appeared in her hand, half-covering her face, leaving only a pair of beautiful crimson eyes exposed.
[Master, good morning.]
Ye Kui: “…Good morning. But may I ask why you crawled out of my blanket?”
[Well, I saw that Master was sleeping for a long time today, so I came in to wake you. But the bed was so warm I thought Master had every reason to sleep a little longer, so I decided to let you have five more minutes…]
[To sleep perfectly, a body pillow is necessary.]
[So, I crawled in. But I didn’t expect to fall asleep myself.]
[Master woke before me and saw my shameful state.]
[I’m sorry, Master. I won’t do it again…]
With those words, and a downcast, sorrowful look, Ye Kui felt his mouth slipping out of control.
“…You can sleep on my bed.”
The girl’s eyes lit up!
Ye Kui hurried to add, “But wear clothes. Understood?”
The moment he finished speaking, something felt off.
But the girl pounced, hugging him happily, leaving Ye Kui unable to think.
Was this doll… always this soft?
At that moment, the door creaked open.
Zina slipped in, carrying a bowl of porridge.
She was sure Ye Kui would be hungry when he woke up.
So, with foresight, she’d prepared a bowl.
How thoughtful she was.
Before Ye Kui awoke, they had agreed—don’t let him see, and leave.
The foolish doll obediently departed.
Unlike her.
What could Shirley do against her?
Zina shook her head, picturing Ye Kui’s favor rising for her, and cackled internally.
Such a pitiful doll could only watch from the sidelines.
She even imagined Shirley biting a handkerchief in jealousy at seeing the master love her more.
Then, Zina saw the scene before her.
Her smile froze.
Her tentacles went limp.
The bowl of porridge slipped from her grasp, but by pure luck, not a drop spilled.
Zina stared blankly at the bed, her skin color darkening—directly reaching red heat!
Aaaaaaahhhh!!!
No, the opponent pulled a reversal, and she’d become the clown!
Damn doll, it’s war!!!
Shirley pinned the lunging octopus, the corner of her mouth twisting into a mocking grin.
As a vessel of human malice, whatever Zina felt was practically written on her face.
She stretched out a hand and slapped down in “panic.”
Direct hit!
Smack!
Zina collapsed on the floor, limp as mud.
Zina wept silently inside.
Her master… had been sullied by a doll!
The next second, a pair of hands lifted her up.
Zina watched Ye Kui pick up the bowl of porridge and taste a spoonful.
“Mm, Zina, it’s very good.”
Zina’s mood soared again.
She grinned foolishly.
Master, master~
Such a silly little octopus—so easy to please.
Ye Kui discovered the joy of raising octopuses.
Zina was jealous, but her emotions rose and fell quickly.
Honestly, a pet that makes you food is really cool.
Ye Kui was about to continue eating.
But a hand reached out from beside him, tracing along his arm and taking the bowl away.
It was gently placed on the table.
Another hand clamped his wrist, pulling him toward the bathroom.
[Master, you must wash up before eating.]
[Come, I’ll help you brush your teeth.]
Ye Kui’s head ached, his eyes dazzled by the light.
Shirley dragged him forward.
Behind, the revived Zina gave chase.
Damn doll, release my master!
Its tentacles are better than toothbrushes!
……
“Professor Ye isn’t here today, is he?”
“I heard Professor Ye fell out of bed while sleeping, got hurt, and couldn’t come.”
When Laudelle heard the news, he brought a bundle of medicine and rushed over in concern.
“Mas… Professor Ye, are you all right?”
He’d barely stepped in the door when he froze.
At that moment, Shirley, dressed as a maid, was stepping on Ye Kui’s back.
Shirley had noticed Ye Kui’s back was sore and offered to give him a massage.
Ye Kui gladly agreed.
But he found Shirley’s strength a bit lacking.
She was apologetic, her wooden sign repeatedly displaying apologies, and then she suggested stepping on his back.
Her hands were weak, but her legs would surely be strong enough.