Mysterious girl trapped in a raincoat

"Alright, let's go then." The girl put down the coffee cup in her hand. "Mhm." Ruo Li responded. "By the way, you're off work too, no need to call me Master anymore. My name is Xi Ran, and yours?" the girl asked. "Ruo Li." The two exchanged names with tacit understanding. "Help me put on the mask first." Xi Ran handed the rubber mask to Ruo Li, gesturing for Ruo Li to put it on for her. When Ruo Li had helped Xi Ran take off the mask before, she had already seen a spherical object behind the mask. At this moment, she carefully examined the structure behind the mask and confirmed that once this mask was put on, Xi Ran's small mouth would be completely filled, rendering her utterly incapable of speaking. Ruo Li aligned the sphere with Xi Ran's small mouth, and Xi Ran cooperatively bit down on the rubber ball. Then Ruo Li tied the straps of the rubber mask behind Xi Ran's head, completely sealing Xi Ran's beautiful face. Ruo Li looked at Xi Ran before her, and for some reason, a strange feeling welled up in her heart. Then, with her hands clad in tight, smooth, mitten-like gloves, Xi Ran struggled to retrieve a red raincoat from her bag and handed it to Ruo Li. Ruo Li noticed that the style of this red raincoat was the same as the blue raincoat Xi Ran had worn before, like a matching couple's outfit. Ruo Li happily put on the raincoat, feeling her entire body warm up considerably. Meanwhile, Xi Ran put on a pair of sunglasses; These were definitely not ordinary sunglasses, because after putting them on, Ruo Li noticed that Xi Ran seemed unable to see her surroundings. Xi Ran's posture was a bit unsteady, and she could only grope her surroundings with both hands, barely managing to stand. Ruo Li guessed that these glasses were completely opaque. Then Ruo Li carefully slipped a white latex jacket onto Xi Ran. It was then that Ruo Li noticed that this white latex jacket had sleeves, albeit on the inside of the latex garment. Xi Ran cooperatively slid her arms into the sleeves, and the sleeves, confined within the latex garment, rendered Xi Ran's arms useless. Xi Ran, trapped in a helpless state of inability to resist, ignited Ruo Li's protective instincts, even her possessiveness. Next, Ruo Li put a blue bathrobe on Xi Ran. Then, wearing the matching couple's raincoats, Ruo Li and Xi Ran left the coffee shop. Ruo Li's hand involuntarily rested on Xi Ran's waist, her palm feeling the softness and elasticity of Xi Ran's body. Xi Ran's body trembled slightly, but she showed no signs of resistance. Supported by Ruo Li, Xi Ran walked forward with difficulty, like a blind person, as if every step was a struggle. Ruo Li carefully protected Xi Ran, afraid she might fall. Seeing Ruoli's reaction, Xiran felt very satisfied. "Come, open your mouth," Xiran urged. Ruoli obediently complied, slightly parting her small mouth. Xiran used her slender fingers to further pry open Ruoli's mouth, revealing her crimson tongue and oral cavity. Then she inserted the gag into Ruoli's mouth, forcing her to keep her mouth open and unable to utter any more protests. Ruoli's eyes widened as she looked at the cool gag, unsure how to describe her feelings. Seeing Ruoli obediently swallow the gag, a flicker of excitement crossed Xiran's eyes. "Very good," Xiran praised, as if commending a pet, "Such a good girl." Ruoli's face flushed crimson at the compliment. "Come, continue," Xiran's voice was seductive, making Ruoli's heart pound. Xiran pressed the entire rubber mask onto Ruoli's face. "Mmmph!" Ruoli couldn't help but moan, her body involuntarily wriggling. Half of Ruoli's face was covered, leaving only her bright, large eyes visible, making her look incredibly cute and particularly alluring. Xiran hooked Ruoli's chin with her finger, forcing her to meet her gaze. "That's right, I told you, you'll feel comfortable wearing this mask," Xiran said, her eyes full of playful amusement. Ruoli felt herself swallowing the gag, but she couldn't control her tongue, as if someone else was in control. Then Xiran walked behind Ruoli to tie the mask. Xiran happened to stand on the fabric between Ruoli's legs, immediately immobilizing Ruoli. The mask's clasps were fastened one by one, quickly encasing half of Ruoli's face. Xiran tied the mask very tightly, covering Ruoli's chin and even her nose. The rubber mask completely sealed Ruoli's mouth and nose. For a moment, Ruoli thought she was going to suffocate. Ruoli struggled desperately to break free from the mask, her throat constantly rolling, emitting muffled sounds. But the more she struggled, the tighter the mask became, making it almost impossible for Ruoli to breathe. Ruoli writhed and struggled incessantly, but the mask tightened further, making it difficult for Ruoli to even breathe. Xiran simply stood firm on the fabric between Ruoli's kneeling legs until Ruoli completely stopped struggling. Ruoli found small holes under the mask's nose area that allowed her to breathe, and she felt a slight sense of relief. However, she still found it difficult to breathe and looked at Xiran helplessly. Xiran then tied the hood onto Ruoli's head, marking the completion, or near completion, of the outfit change. Before Ruoli could get up, Xiran put the blue raincoat on her, buttoned it up, and then pulled the hood of the raincoat over her head. This severely restricted Ruoli's vision. All she could see was a small, funnel-shaped area, narrowing from bottom to top. Ruoli couldn't see the outside world clearly, nor could she even judge her surroundings. Ruoli's heart pounded like a drum, as if she were trapped in a nightmare. She felt like a caged bird, completely devoid of freedom. Xiran clapped her hands and said to Ruoli, "Alright, you can get up now!" Hearing Xiran's voice, Ruoli felt as if she had been granted a pardon and quickly struggled to her feet from the floor. Her movements were somewhat hasty, and she almost fell back to the ground. "I don't need you to teach me how to be a lady, you have no right to boss me around!" Xi Ran's tone remained defiant. "The fact is, I let you out of your rubber suit, and you want to lock me in here. Who's playing games with whom?" Ruo Li said, pinching Xi Ran's chin with one hand. "That's your own fault, you can't blame anyone else. Stay away from me!" Xi Ran glared stubbornly at Ruo Li, unyielding, refusing to back down. "Is it okay to be trapped in a rubber suit forever? Or do you actually enjoy this kind of game, being tied to a pillar and waiting to be played with?" Ruo Li smiled, continuing to challenge Xi Ran's dignity. "This is my sportswear, it's part of my daily workout. You have no right to unzip me." Xi Ran answered crisply, without hesitation. "Daily workout? Your workout is being locked in a bag, zipped up, tied to a pillar, and then locked in a room?" Ruo Li's tone rose slightly, as if questioning. "It has nothing to do with you! You shouldn't be here!" Xi Ran didn't want to deal with Ruo Li anymore, but she wouldn't back down verbally. "Your mother brought me here." Ruo Li's reason left Xi Ran speechless, and she finally quieted down for a moment. "But at least you should unfasten my sleeves." Xi Ran found a reason to continue protesting. "If I don't, you'll run away, and I won't get the key." Ruo Li shrugged, stating it as if it were perfectly reasonable. "You tying me up like this makes me very uncomfortable. You shouldn't tie me up when I'm wearing nothing but nylon stockings." Xi Ran struggled to break free from the restraints. "I've never seen such unusual nylon stockings. But I admit I've grown a bit fond of them. Even though they've caused me so much trouble, at least they keep you in line." Ruo Li pressed down on Xi Ran's body. "I've never met anyone like you, you're simply unreasonable!" Xi Ran roared in anger. "I think it's time for me to retrieve the key from inside." Ruo Li ignored Xi Ran's curses, grabbed Xi Ran's foot, lifted her upside down, and shook her vigorously, making the key fall near her buttocks. "Let me go! What do you think you're doing?" Xi Ran couldn't bear the humiliating posture and kicked her legs forcefully, trying to stop Ruo Li's actions, but to no avail. Then Ruo Li lifted Xi Ran's knees. This was not easy, as the stockings on Xi Ran were slippery, and she struggled like a madwoman. "Let me go!" Xi Ran almost clamped the key with her buttocks, but her own struggles prevented her from holding it tightly, and the key began to slide down her back. "I advise you to cooperate and stop playing tricks, lest you get hurt!" Ruo Li's tone was chillingly threatening. Then Ruo Li hoisted Xi Ran up, placing Xi Ran's perky buttocks in front of her. Xi Ran's legs flailed, but she couldn't break free from Ruo Li's grip. "Nice ass, very bouncy!" Ruo Li patted Xi Ran's perky buttocks and said. "Ah!" Xi Ran roared furiously at Ruo Li, twisting even more violently. For a moment, Xi Ran almost slipped down, but luckily Ruo Li held onto Xi Ran's slender waist tightly. Ruo Li patiently swayed Xi Ran's body, allowing the key to pass through Xi Ran's arms from inside the bodysuit and fall to a position where Ruo Li could reach it through the opening at Xi Ran's neck. Finally, Ruo Li's fingers lightly traced Xi Ran's neck, reaching into Xi Ran's soft chest, and retrieved the key hidden on Xi Ran, pocketing it. Ruo Li placed Xi Ran on the ground, face up, her alluring body still encased in nylon. Xi Ran futilely pulled at her sleeves, but the tight fabric left no room for her arms to move. However, Ruo Li had no idea what Xi Ran was thinking at that moment. Xi Ran's gaze was seductive and captivating. For a moment, Ruo Li felt as if Xi Ran also wished to be taken away like this. But this gaze also held an air of mystery and unpredictability, tinged with pride and disdain. Ruo Li reached out and unfastened Xi Ran's sleeves, moving behind her to re-tie her arms in front of her. Then, Ruo Li walked over and retrieved the rubber suit still hanging on the pillar. Xi Ran watched Ruo Li warily, trying to guess what she would do next. "You wouldn't dare! Don't even think about putting it back on me!" Xi Ran glared, her voice sharp and commanding. "What wouldn't I dare? You're my prey now. And you just objected to me taking it off earlier," Ruo Li said, approaching Xi Ran with the latex suit. "I don't want to wear it anymore, I want to change," Xi Ran stated with firm resistance. "Oh? Change into what? There are still plenty in the locker, ones without sleeves, or perhaps ones where the sleeves are joined together at the back?" Ruo Li now understood why other outfits were prepared in the changing room. As Ruo Li took step after step closer, Xi Ran kept wriggling backward. Xi Ran's eyes widened, her pupils dilating, filled with fear, resentment, and a hint of helplessness. "No! No, I don't want to go back inside. I've been in there all day!" Xi Ran's voice cracked with tears. "Really? You've been exercising for so long?" Ruo Li chuckled, recalling Xi Ran's earlier fabricated excuse. "I was just forgotten." Even in this situation, Xi Ran stubbornly tried to justify herself. Ruo Li put down the latex suit. She felt it was necessary to stop Xi Ran's sophistry first, so she reached out to pull up Xi Ran's mask. "The key to these oversized pantyhose is in the locker. Let me out first, and then you can do whatever you want to me... Mmph!" Xi Ran's words were cut short as Ruo Li covered her mouth, rendering her speechless. "Now I know why you wear this mask. Something must prevent the lies from escaping," Ruo Li whispered into Xi Ran's ear, her lips brushing against her skin. "Mmmph! Mmph..." Xi Ran's mouth was blocked by the gag behind the mask, and she could only emit muffled whimpers. Xi Ran thrashed and struggled furiously, but the bodysuit restricted her movements. Ruo Li pulled the latex suit over Xi Ran's head, tucked her arms into the small pouches in front, and gave her a squeeze on the backside. Then, she zipped it all the way up, from her feet to her head, sealing her completely inside. After that, Xi Ran stopped struggling. It was too hot inside, and certainly not conducive to much movement. "It would be great if you could stay quiet like this," Ruo Li said, lifting Xi Ran up. As she was suddenly lifted into the air, Xi Ran had a bad feeling, but now all she could do was glare at Ruo Li. Xi Ran was so light. Holding her, Ruo Li felt she barely weighed anything, like carrying a small kitten. Xi Ran was manhandled by Ruo Li, which felt incredibly humiliating and infuriating, yet she was utterly helpless. Looking at Xi Ran's angry yet adorable expression, Ruo Li found it immensely amusing. Ruo Li lifted Xi Ran and re-hung her on the pillar, tightening the two sturdy leather straps. Xi Ran's body was encased in the nylon stockings and the bag-like latex suit, rendering her immobile. Constrained by the two straps, she could neither stand nor kneel, forced into an uncomfortable semi-suspended position. This posture was both exhausting and gave Xi Ran a feeling of complete loss of control over her own body. Xi Ran struggled to escape, but the confinement of the latex suit and the restraint of the straps made her movements appear pathetically weak. She could only repeatedly kick at the ground, but this only made it harder for her to maintain balance, causing her to swing back and forth in mid-air. Ruoli grabbed one of Xi Ran's hands, finding that it was exactly what she had prepared for this situation: in fact, it even came with clasps. Then Ruoli noticed that Xi Ran's corset was also equipped with small rings. The combination of the two offered endless possibilities: Xi Ran's mittens could be hooked onto the rings on her back, thus preventing Xi Ran from thrashing around and making it impossible for her to break free; Or her arms could be crossed in a straitjacket style around her waist, which would restrain both of Xi Ran's hands, making Xi Ran obedient; Or the clasps could be attached to sensitive areas like the sides of her buttocks, her thighs, behind her buttocks, her breasts, or between her legs, leaving her unable to retaliate; Or one clasp on each hand, positioning Xi Ran in an awkward posture that would throw her off balance, making it difficult for her to exert force or escape. Xi Ran knew what Ruoli was thinking, wriggling and struggling, but no matter how she resisted, Ruoli held her firmly. The clasps were designed for quick and easy fastening, so Ruoli soon hooked Xi Ran's hands onto her pert buttocks. "Ugh!!" Xi Ran cried out in humiliation after being restrained. This position made Xi Ran feel extremely uncomfortable, as if her entire body were twisted and bound, causing her immense distress. She was now like a lamb to the slaughter, at Ruoli's mercy. Next, Ruoli turned her attention to the chain on Xi Ran's ankles, feeling that it was a bit too long. It would be safer, Ruoli thought, to prevent Xi Ran from running off again. Indeed, the chain was designed not only to be unclasped and reattached to the other foot but also to cross the legs and hook onto the outside of the ankle joint of her boots. Once fastened, the chain would still allow Xi Ran a stride of 15 centimeters, or at most 20 centimeters. This was more than enough, Ruoli felt, to control Xi Ran more effectively. Finally, Ruoli helped Xi Ran to her feet, leading her onto the dance floor by the leash around her neck. Xi Ran resisted at first, but the constant pulling and difficulty breathing made her uncomfortable, so she eventually submitted. Xi Ran held her chin high, trying to see the floor through the slits of her eyes, but she soon gave up. She must have felt that such a posture was unattractive, lacking elegance and composure, and beneath the dignity of a lady. Despite the lively music, for a minute Xi Ran stood stubbornly, motionless like a wooden doll. Ruoli, however, held tightly to the leash of Xi Ran's collar and began to dance. Then, Xi Ran looked around, clearly realizing that standing still by herself was also unattractive. So Xi Ran decided once more, with a surge of anger and resentment, to begin moving slightly with Ruoli's steps. When the song ended, Xi Ran tried to turn away from the dance floor, but Ruoli still held tightly to the leash of Xi Ran's collar and did not let her leave. Xi Ran tugged at her hand, but her hands were still firmly secured to her pert buttocks, making it impossible to pull away. Then the music started again, pounding rhythmically through the dance floor. Ruoli heard Xi Ran sigh, and then she lowered her head, standing completely still for a moment. Then Xi Ran's body began to move, starting with her hips, swaying from side to side, then a twist of her torso, followed by a shimmy of her shoulders; Finally, she truly let go, swaying and twirling to the rhythm, even arching her back and thrusting her buttocks backward; Her hands remained fixed on her buttocks as she vibrated them and twisted her waist, feeling a sense of shame. And Ruoli, as she danced, kept a tight grip on the leash of Xi Ran's collar, ensuring that Xi Ran's body stayed close to hers. "So, this switch is useless then?" Ruo Li murmured to herself, puzzled. "You can try it yourself to see if it's useful, but be mindful of the time and don't overdo it," Aunt Ping smiled and reminded her again. "Alright then." Ruo Li picked up the switch with a half-believing expression. Xi Ran immediately stopped struggling, closed her eyes, and her body began to tremble. "Are you that scared? Just how powerful is this thing?" Xi Ran's reaction further piqued Ruo Li's interest. "Okay, let's begin!" Ruo Li said, and pressed the switch. "Ugh!" A strong stimulation surged from within, causing Xi Ran to cry out immediately—"Ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh!!! Mmm, mmm!" As Xi Ran screamed, her body began to convulse violently, her legs kicking wildly on the ground. Then her body involuntarily arched upwards, writhing like a wave, while emitting extremely high-pitched moans. Soon, even her tears and saliva burst forth, her entire being trembling uncontrollably. Ruo Li could no longer hold her down, almost letting Xi Ran roll off her lap. Xi Ran seemed to reach her peak instantly, her body snapping upwards like a drawn bow; A hot stream began to spray from her nether regions, flowing down her legs. However, her face showed no signs of pleasure, but was instead filled with terror and despair, ashen like death. Xi Ran's violent reaction caught Ruo Li completely off guard; Ruo Li was utterly stunned. "That's enough, release her quickly!" Aunt Ping's shout jolted Ruo Li back to reality. "The pain from this can reach the level of childbirth, something a woman absolutely cannot endure." Upon hearing this, Ruo Li quickly released her grip. Xi Ran slowly calmed down, her body going limp as she slumped onto Ruo Li's lap. At this moment, Ruo Li noticed that Xi Ran's slightly reddened eyes were now misty, tears glistening at the corners, and she was glaring at Ruo Li with resentment. Ruo Li removed Xi Ran's mask, wanting to hear what Xi Ran had to say. As she removed the gag, a long strand of saliva stretched out. Ruo Li gently wiped away the moisture from Xi Ran's cheeks. But strangely, although Xi Ran had desperately tried to cry out while gagged, she remained completely silent once the mouth restraint was removed. "You're more beautiful when you're silent, but it's such a waste to keep your lips tightly shut when you're finally relaxed." Ruo Li leaned down and took Xi Ran's cherry lips into her own, using her tongue to pry open Xi Ran's small mouth. Ruo Li expected Xi Ran to resist fiercely, but to her surprise, Xi Ran showed no reaction at all, remaining motionless like a puddle of mud. Ruo Li sensed something was amiss and stopped kissing. She used her hand to wipe away the sweat and tears from Xi Ran's face. An awkward silence descended, and Ruo Li felt as though she had done something wrong, unsure how to rectify it. After a long while, Xi Ran finally spoke softly, "Is it that fun for you to bully a woman who can't fight back?" "What's going on? Was that punishment that intense?" Ruo Li still didn't understand what had happened. Aunt Ping sighed and said, "The device that affects her body is implanted directly into her uterus. When the switch is activated, excruciating pain emanates from within, the intensity of which can even surpass that of childbirth." Ruo Li was also dumbfounded upon hearing Aunt Ping's explanation, "Does it have to be this extreme?" "It's like this for the women in their family; perhaps it's been passed down for centuries," Aunt Ping added. "Then you too..." Ruo Li thought of Aunt Ping's familial connection,

"Just now, while you were reveling in your triumph, I activated the 'life-and-death bond' sub-orbital system. The magnetic card lock is now in a deadlock. Unless you push the master unit on the bedsheet over here, or... issue a voice command to release all the torment I'm experiencing, we'll be stuck here together until dawn!" Faced with this near-insane threat, Ruo Li, after a brief moment of panic, felt her chest heave violently a few times. The dull ache from her wrists, clamped tightly by the metal restraints, was undeniable, but she quickly let out a cold laugh, her moist eyes igniting with an unyielding stubbornness. "Stuck until dawn? Xi Ran, you're truly too naive." Ruo Li gritted her teeth. Though her limbs were immobilized, the tip of her right index finger, after desperately stretching to one side, could just barely touch the black terminal lying flat on the bedsheet, mere centimeters away. She rubbed her wrist until it was red, finally managing to graze the edge of the screen with her fingertip. Relying on memory, she blindly tapped the voice-activated wake-up area. "Voice control activated... Operator locked: Ruo Li," Ruo Li panted out the command. "Beep. Voiceprint comparison successful. Miss Ruo Li, the master control system has locked onto your operational authority," came a cold, mechanical prompt from the terminal. Hearing this chilling notification, Xi Ran's previously pale, triumphant face froze instantly. "Young lady, you forgot... this terminal is the master control unit with the highest authority." Though pinned to the bed in a humiliating posture, Ruo Li's lips curved into a dangerously provocative smile. "Since you want to play the waiting game, I'll play it with you until the end. System, activate 'Severe Discipline Mode,' target: Xi Ran. Increase the charge frequency of the internal matrix to 45%, double the micro-needle massage frequency of the latex suit's inner lining, and set the chest metal negative pressure suction to maximum – no time limit, until I am satisfied!" "No... don't! Ruo Li, you're insane... Ahhh!" The instant the command was issued, Xi Ran, lying on the carpet, convulsed violently. Beneath the luxurious gown, pressed against every inch of her tender skin, the thousands of micro-spikes on the inner lining of the latex suit began to vibrate frantically and wildly under the sudden surge of electrical current. This was no gentle caress, but a cruel torment with a sharp, penetrating force, like being gnawed by ten thousand marching ants. Even more terrifying, the silicone pads tightly clamped to her breasts suddenly contracted, the powerful negative pressure sucking and squeezing the most sensitive and vulnerable tips to the point of agony. The swelling and pain surged over her like a tidal wave. And deep between her legs, the specially designed internal device erupted with a low, domineering rumble that threatened to shatter her very soul. "Ah... Haa! Don't... stop... please... Mmmph!" Xi Ran's body was like a lone boat tossed about helplessly in a storm. Her hands, bound behind her, rattled the figure-eight handcuffs with a "clang," but the more she struggled, the tighter the leather straps and chains around her neck pulled, forcing her to arch her delicate body in despair, like a soulless, exquisite, yet broken sacrificial doll, trembling uncontrollably with tears. However, in this abyss where ecstasy and pain intertwined, the pride and stubbornness of an heir to an ancient family erupted completely at this moment. "Ru... Ruo Li... you won't... make me beg...!" Xi Ran's voice was already completely hoarse and distorted, laced with broken sobs. She bit her tongue hard, and with her palms, which were already aching and split, tightly encased in patent leather, she, under the control of her numb, spasming finger joints, pressed the red reset command she had intended to never touch. "Sub-orbital lock... electrode activation... target: bed restraint position."

Finally, there was the transparent dental retainer. Aunt Ping’s fingers slipped into her mouth, found the hidden catch on the front edge of the retainer, and with a gentle press downwards, slid it out. The protrusion that had been pressing against the root of her tongue, forcing her jaw open and shut, was gone. Xi Ran let out a barely perceptible, long sigh of relief. Her tongue, stiff from the day, instinctively flicked twice, ever so lightly. For the first time all day, she could finally speak a full sentence, clearly and distinctly, like any ordinary person. But what truly released her from the depths of her bones was the neck brace. Aunt Ping moved behind her, retrieving a dark controller from a case. This was issued by the family, granting her authority even above Ruo Li’s terminal. Her fingertip tapped the screen, issuing the command to power down. With a soft click, the electromagnets at the back of the neck brace, which had been electrified and clamped shut, disengaged. Aunt Ping then grasped the two sliders beneath the brace, which were embedded in the main spine of the waist cincher, and pulled them upwards along their tracks. With a snap, the sliders detached. The rigid brace, which had supported her head from chin to collarbone all day, was removed entirely. Freed from the support that had held her jaw so firmly, Xi Ran’s neck finally found a moment of liberty. Slowly, preciously, she first lowered her head slightly, then turned it left, then right, inch by painstaking inch, rotating her stiffened neck. A few faint, aching clicks echoed from her cervical vertebrae. To be able to lower her head, to look back, to turn her face in any direction she pleased – these ordinary, unremarkable actions were, to her, like a sliver of clemency stolen after enduring a day-long torture. Yet, what Aunt Ping had just removed were merely the daytime disguises, meant to deceive the eyes. The true restraints that bound her remained, only to be tightened again in a different position. After freeing her face, it was time for the hands, “placed” in front of her. Aunt Ping first folded back the lapel of the sailor uniform’s shoulders, revealing the lightweight frame connecting the prosthetic hands within the sleeves. She disengaged the catches at the top of the frame from the pre-made slots at the shoulders. The pair of lifelike, slender, pale “jade hands,” along with their frame, were withdrawn entirely from the sleeves and gently placed back into the indentations on the soft cloth. The prosthetic hands, now ownerless, still held a gentle curve in their joints, lying still. They were, in fact, more chilling than when they had been “alive” and crossed on the table moments before. Xi Ran’s real arms, however, were still bound behind her back, hidden from view within the waist cincher. Aunt Ping moved behind her, first unfastening the hidden clasps that joined the arm restraints to the waist cincher. Then, she began to unwrap the leather arm restraints, layer by layer, which had bound her forearms into a single bundle from wrist to elbow. Finally, she removed the rigid fingerless gloves that had locked her ten fingers. The instant the gloves were off, Xi Ran’s ten fingers, confined all day and now numb and aching, could finally twitch minutely. As her arms, bound behind her for the entire day, were released, the stagnant blood rushed back into her limbs, causing her to let out a low hiss through her teeth. A dull ache spread through her shoulders. But this fleeting sense of regained freedom was short-lived. Just as Ruo Li’s heart began to relax, she saw Aunt Ping allow her arms to stretch slightly in front of her for a moment before, following a different set of “nighttime protocols,” bringing her wrists together in front of her abdomen. They were clasped, crossed, and secured within a pair of wide wrist cuffs lined with soft leather. The cuffs closed with a soft click. Though the soft leather against her skin was not abrasive, the grip around her wrists was unyielding. Her arms, bound behind her during the day, were merely changed in position for the night, still locked. With the upper body freed, Aunt Ping knelt and took hold of Xi Ran’s ankles, removing the simple-looking leather shoes, one by one. The tabs inside the shoe uppers, which had locked her ankles, sprang open with a click. The curved, rigid support within the shoe, which had held her entire foot high, forcing her toes into an almost vertical position, also detached. The tops of her feet, forced into tension all day by the shoes, finally began to flatten, aching and weak. Xi Ran’s toes curled and uncurled unconsciously, as if still feeling the phantom sensation of being suspended on tiptoe all day. Next came the twenty-five-centimeter chain between her legs. Aunt Ping, following the numbers Xi Ran whispered very softly, turned the dials of the double-locked combination lock one by one. With a click, the lock mechanism reset, and the chain was detached from the iron rings of the left and right leg straps. She then loosened and removed the double-layered leg straps, which had been wrapped around her thighs, lined with anti-slip embossed latex and covered with hard cowhide, along with the ratchet strap at the end. As the latex peeled away from her skin, a series of faint, sticky sounds could be heard. Her thighs, red from being constricted all day and bearing two deep indentations, finally seemed to breathe. However, this slight release in her legs was also brief. Before Xi Ran could even slightly separate her legs, which had been pressed together all day, Aunt Ping took a wide, soft leather ankle strap and brought her feet together, wrapping and securing them tightly. The twenty-five-centimeter stride, dictated by the steel chain during the day, was reduced to zero by this ankle strap at night. Her legs were firmly bound into a single bundle. Then, Aunt Ping took out her small wrench. In this family, the key to opening and closing this cage was never limited to just Ruo Li’s. She inserted the wrench into the inconspicuous winch hole at the small of Xi Ran’s back and, with a flick of her wrist, disengaged the locked pawl. One by one, she began to loosen the twelve titanium spine plates on the winch, turning them outwards. With a series of clicks, her torso, constricted all day, gradually began to breathe. But Aunt Ping’s hand was precise. She stopped as soon as the plates reached the mark designated for “night” in the family records, refusing to loosen them any further. Thus, even at night, the twelve spine plates kept Xi Ran’s waist and back conforming to a rigid, taut curve, neat and orderly. Even lying on her back, this steel frame allowed no true relaxation in her abdomen. Finally, Aunt Ping placed her hands on Xi Ran’s shoulders and back, guiding her to lie flat on her back on the wide European-style bed. She reached under the headboard, drawing out two gleaming black alloy buckles from the inside of the carved posts. Aligning them with the clasps on the wrist cuffs, she snapped them shut with a click, locking her crossed wrists above her head. From a hidden groove at the foot of the bed, she drew out another buckle, securing her bound feet together at the foot of the bed with another click, locking them firmly. Once the buckles at both ends were engaged, they were tightly clamped by electromagnets hidden within the posts, leaving no room for movement. Without a command from the controller, no one could possibly pry them open from the outside. Thus, the young lady, who was so aloof and ethereally beautiful during the day, was meticulously and perfectly spread and secured on this bed by these locked hands. Her wrists locked above her head, her feet bound to the foot of the bed, her waist held by the steel frame, she could not even turn to the side or curl her legs. She could only lie there, straight on her back, gazing at the dim, yellowish ceiling above, enduring the long night from dusk until dawn.

Initially, Ruo Li assumed her mother's instructions were merely the usual, rote procedures: the precise angle for the neck brace, the specific notch for the waist cincher, the exact curve of a "willing" arc for her chin. These were clearly written on the plain paper, requiring no further instruction. However, as Ruo Li picked up the wrench to turn the first neck brace bolt, her hands trembled uncontrollably. Watching the cold, hard steel gradually press against Xi Ran's tender throat skin, she instinctively slowed her movements, deliberately leaving half a turn of slack before the bolt's tightening limit. "Your hands are shaking, your movements are weak," her mother's voice, icy and sharp as shattered glass, struck her. "In the Lin family, a key-holding maid who errs during the master's acceptance ceremony is beaten to death." "Madam, she just recovered from her fever. If it's too tight..." "Aunt Ping," her mother interrupted, her gaze glacial, "fetch the 'Service Standing Armor,' the 'Wrist Restraint Iron Finger Cuffs,' and the 'Kneeling Standing Rails.' Since Miss Ruo Li finds this frame so delicate, we shall first teach her the Lin family's rules." Before Ruo Li could react, Aunt Ping, her face devoid of expression, dragged a heavy set of silver-gray service armor from the bottom of a black lacquered wooden chest. First came a form-fitting standing armor forged from cold-hardened titanium steel, which clamped firmly onto Ruo Li's spine and ribs. As Aunt Ping roughly tightened and locked the clasps at the back, Ruo Li had no time to cry out before a powerful force straightened her body with brutal efficiency. Her waist and abdomen were squeezed two inches narrower by the steel plates, her chest felt as if crushed by a massive stone, and her ribs were mercilessly pressed inward by the cold armor, making even a single breath of fresh air a luxurious impossibility. Next, Aunt Ping bent down and fastened the two heavy, semi-circular titanium alloy "Kneeling Standing Rails" to the backs of Ruo Li's knees. With a cold, decisive *click*, Ruo Li's knees were locked together, her lower legs forcibly welded backward by the steel rails. She lost her balance and fell heavily onto the floor before Xi Ran's bed, kneeling rigidly. Her leg joints were immobilized by the steel rails' vice-like grip. The slightest slump of her spine would cause the edges of the standing armor at her lower back to dig fiercely into the gaps between her ribs, causing her to break out in a cold sweat from the pain. Finally, the icy "Wrist Restraint Iron Finger Cuffs" locked onto her wrist joints. Fine metal strips wedged themselves into the gaps between her fingers, securing each knuckle. Though her fingertips were exposed, any attempt to bend them was met with a heavy, sluggish resistance from the miniature dampers within the joints, rendering her sense of touch thick and dull. "Your hands are unsteady because you haven't felt the weight of this steel frame. A key-holder must first be a scale herself," her mother stated indifferently. "Wearing these, kneel like this and tighten the remaining locks to their proper positions. If you tighten too much, you are crushing her life; if you loosen too much, the master's whip will flay your skin." Ruo Li bit her lip fiercely, tasting blood, and forced back the tears welling in her eyes. Her stubborn nature was fully ignited. Under the extreme restraint of her immobilized joints and the heavy insulation of the metal strips on her fingertips, she finally understood, with profound empathy, the despair Xi Ran endured daily. Even the slightest lean to tighten a crucial point on Xi Ran's neck brace required her to exert all her strength to overcome the sluggishness of the miniature dampers in her fingertips. The locked steel rails at her knees ground fiercely against her joints, and the steel armor behind her spine dug relentlessly into the gaps between her ribs, causing her to break out in a cold sweat. Yet, she held her spine straight, refusing to utter a single cry of pain, and with an almost obstinate precision, steadily placed the wrench onto the bolts. Only after she had painstakingly tightened the neck brace with sweat beading on her forehead did her mother speak again: "The waist cincher, to the 'return to the bride's home' setting."