Found a fellow vibrator enthusiast at the milk tea shop: she begged me to go easy.

"Hello, what can I get for you~" It was Shu Yao's turn. The young girl smiled, revealing two adorable dimples. But Shu Yao noticed her breathing was a beat faster than others, and her stance was subtly unnatural. "Taro bubble, less ice, 70% sugar," Shu Yao said in a cool tone. "Okay, please wait a moment~" Shu Yao walked to the pickup area with her receipt. Leaning against the wall, her fingers slid to the APP's vibration adjustment bar and gently pushed it up one notch—"Ripples" turned into "Tidal Wave," the frequency suddenly accelerating. The stimulation immediately intensified. She shifted her body slightly, leaning forward, and the restraint of the rope suit on her body deepened, tightening her lower abdomen. But in the next second, something strange happened. The vibrator inside her body... suddenly stopped vibrating? That continuous tingling sensation vanished into thin air, replaced by a peculiar emptiness. Shu Yao frowned, about to turn up the intensity again— "Ah—!" A suppressed shriek suddenly came from behind the counter. Shu Yao's head snapped up. She saw the young girl, Xi Xi, frozen in place, the sealing machine in her hand clattering onto the counter. Her face instantly turned bright red. One hand clutched tightly at her lower abdomen, while the other braced against the edge of the counter. Her legs trembled slightly, as if she could barely stand. "Xi Xi? What's wrong?" the male cashier next to her asked. "N-nothing..." Xi Xi's voice trembled. "My leg cramped..." She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself, but her eyes darted around, her face flushed, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. As she bent down to pick up the sealing machine, Shu Yao clearly saw her body trembling slightly, as if she were desperately enduring something. Shu Yao stood there, an absurd yet incredibly plausible guess flashing through her mind. She looked down at her phone APP. The screen clearly displayed: [Signal Strength: Excellent | Distance: 1.2 meters | Current User: Xi Xi's Milk Tea Time]. Shu Yao's lips slowly curved into a smile. Interesting. She seemed to have stumbled upon something extraordinary—this milk tea girl was hiding something similar beneath her clothes, just like her. "Here is your milk tea, please enjoy~" Xi Xi's hand was still trembling slightly as she handed the milk tea over. Shu Yao took the cup, her fingertip accidentally brushing against the back of Xi Xi's hand—her skin was astonishingly hot. "Thank you," Shu Yao said faintly, but she didn't leave. Instead, she stood by the counter, leisurely inserting the straw. As she sipped her milk tea, her peripheral vision remained fixed on Xi Xi. The young girl was taking an order for the next customer, but her posture was strange. Her legs were held tightly together, and she kept subtly shifting her weight, as if enduring something. The tips of her ears were red as if they would bleed, and even her neck had a pinkish hue. What Shu Yao found most amusing was that she would occasionally subconsciously reach for her apron pocket, as if to confirm her phone was still there. Shu Yao's fingers gently slid across the phone screen. She knew it was risky, but some instinct told her the answer was right in front of her. She tapped the "Turn to Maximum" option. [Warning: This mode will activate maximum vibration frequency + microcurrent pulse. Confirm to continue?] Shu Yao tapped [Confirm]. "Ah—!!!" A heart-wrenching scream exploded in the milk tea shop. "Stop pretending, I know what's going on. Your vibrator is linked to mine." Xi Xi's body stiffened abruptly. She shot her head up, her wet eyes a mixture of panic, shame, and bewilderment, like a little rabbit caught by its tail. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out, only able to stare into Shu Yao's eyes, which held a knowing smile. "N-no..." Xi Xi's voice was as faint as a mosquito's, tinged with a sob, "P-please don't say anymore..." Seeing her like this, a corner of Shu Yao's heart was touched. She helped Xi Xi towards the door, lowering her voice, "Let's go, there are too many people here." The two walked out of the milk tea shop, the afternoon sun a little blinding. Xi Xi's steps were unsteady, and with every stride, she could feel the lingering sensation within her body – that jolt of electrical pulse had left her nerves highly sensitive, and even the breeze blowing under her skirt sent shivers through her. "D-don't... don't turn it on again..." Xi Xi suddenly grabbed Shu Yao's wrist, her voice trembling, "Please... please don't turn it on again... I really... I really couldn't take it just now..." Shu Yao paused for a moment, then smiled, "Don't worry, I've already turned it off." Upon hearing this, Xi Xi's entire body relaxed, and her legs went weak, almost causing her to collapse onto the ground again. Shu Yao quickly supported her, half-dragging, half-carrying her to her car. Shu Yao's car was in the parking lot opposite. She put Xi Xi into the passenger seat, closed the door, then walked around to the driver's side and sat down. In the confined space of the car, the two women with slightly rapid breaths faced each other in silence. "That..." Xi Xi finally found her voice again, a faint whisper, "You were controlling it just now..." "I was," Shu Yao admitted frankly. "I was controlling my device, and the app connected to yours. It seems we're using the same model, and both had the nearby pairing mode enabled." She turned her head, her gaze sweeping over Xi Xi with a meaningful look. "Wearing something like this to work? You're quite bold." Xi Xi's face turned bright red, her hands twisting together. "I-I just... wanted to try that new feature... I didn't know it would actually connect to someone... let alone you..." "If you're timid, don't play with these features," Shu Yao said calmly. "What if it connected to a pervert who cranked it up to the highest setting? Could you endure it in front of everyone without screaming?" Xi Xi lowered her head, her voice even softer. "I didn't expect... it would be so intense... that jolt just now, I, I've never..." She couldn't finish, only biting her lower lip tightly, her whole body still trembling slightly. That shy and fragile appearance, coupled with her cute, baby-faced cheeks, made one want to tease her. "And..." Xi Xi's voice was choked with sobs, "You turned it up so strong... I, I really..." She didn't finish, but Shu Yao understood her meaning. That highest setting electrical pulse was indeed not something an ordinary person could withstand, let alone a beginner like Xi Xi who was secretly playing with it. "Sorry," Shu Yao said, uncharacteristically soft, "I wasn't sure it was you, I wanted to verify." Xi Xi looked up, her eyes already red. "Then, then you know now... can you... can you let me go... I, I, I, I just wanted to play secretly..." Shu Yao looked at her, on the verge of tears, and suddenly smiled. "Let you go? We're not doing anything wrong." She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Besides... don't you think it's quite a coincidence that we found each other like this?" "I'll undo your original ties first," Shu Yao's voice came from the darkness. "It might hurt a little, bear with it." Before Xi Xi could respond, the restraints around her waist suddenly vanished – Shu Yao had directly cut through the loose cotton ropes with scissors. "Ah..." Xi Xi let out a soft gasp, her skin suddenly exposed to the air, sending a chill through her. "Your ropes were of poor quality," Shu Yao said, tossing the severed cotton rope to her feet. "You used ordinary binding rope, didn't you? The edges of this kind of rope are sharp, and it easily causes allergic reactions when it rubs against the skin. For bondage, you should use specialized hemp or nylon ropes. They have smooth surfaces and distribute tension evenly." As she spoke, she began to re-tie Xi Xi. The nylon rope was the kind Shu Yao usually used, smooth to the touch and slightly cool. When Shu Yao's fingers, guiding the rope, brushed against Xi Xi's skin, Xi Xi couldn't help but tremble – the sensation was incredibly vivid, a hundred times more sensitive than when she had tied herself. "Arch your back forward a bit," Shu Yao's palm pressed against her lower back, warm and firm. "Yes, just like that." The first knot was tied at the center of her waist. Shu Yao's fingers moved nimbly, quickly forming a neat "belt knot" around Xi Xi's waist. But unlike Xi Xi's previous loose tying, Shu Yao pulled each loop tight as she wrapped it, making the rope embed into her skin, forming a slightly indented mark. "Tight?" Shu Yao asked. "It's... it's okay..." Xi Xi's voice was airy. Shu Yao chuckled and applied a little more force. "Mmm!" Xi Xi gasped sharply. "Wait, wait... it's suddenly so tight..." "This is called 'safe tension'," Shu Yao's voice came from behind, with a calm, explanatory tone. "The knot should be snug against the skin, but it shouldn't impede blood circulation. Try taking a deep breath now." Xi Xi tried to inhale deeply, and the resistance was significantly greater than before. Shu Yao had tied it very tightly; with each breath, she could feel the constriction around her waist expanding slightly, only to be pulled back by the knot. This feeling of being confined made her heart begin to race. "Your breathing is fine, so it's okay," Shu Yao's fingers began to move upwards. "Now for the upper body. Since you like 'Kagomori-ba' (turtle shell binding), I'll teach you a proper variation." The nylon rope moved up from her waist, crossing on Xi Xi's back, then looping around to the front, passing beneath her chest, and finally wrapping around from under her armpits back to her rear. Shu Yao's movements were practiced and skilled; each knot was tied cleanly and efficiently, and each time she used her fingers to test the tightness – her fingertips would inadvertently brush against Xi Xi's skin, sending waves of shivers through her. "Why are you trembling?" Shu Yao's voice held a hint of playfulness. "N-nothing..." Xi Xi bit her lip. "It's just... a little cold..." She was lying. She wasn't trembling from the cold, but because Shu Yao's fingers felt so hot, each touch like an electric current. And as the ropes tightened further, she found herself entering a strange state – her heart pounding, her breathing quickening, something within her seemed to be slowly awakening. This was completely different from when she tied herself at home. When she tied herself, it was merely for the ritualistic sense of "being bound." But this woman – this woman she had known for less than half an hour – was making her feel a genuine, controlled tremor. "There," Shu Yao finally tied the last knot. "Feel it." Xi Xi let down the hem of her T-shirt and stood in front of the full-length mirror. From the outside, she looked like any ordinary girl, wearing a loose T-shirt, with no visible abnormalities. But as she moved, a secret thrill would spread from between her legs, causing the tips of her ears to flush slightly. "Perfect," Shu Yao nodded with satisfaction. "Now, add this." She took out a Bluetooth earphone and put it into Xi Xi's ear. "Put this on, and I'll be on the call with you the whole time. Tomorrow, when you're on shift, I'll guide you through this." Xi Xi's eyes widened. "To-tomorrow? At the shop?" "That's right," Shu Yao's smile held a dangerous edge. "Practical training. I'll teach you how to secretly tighten the rope when customer traffic is at its peak, how to adjust your breathing while taking orders, and... how to hold back from making a sound... in front of me." Xi Xi's heart began to pound wildly. The next afternoon at two o'clock, the milk tea shop was in its lunch rush. Xi Xi stood behind the counter, wearing the familiar uniform, the apron strings neatly tied around her waist. From the outside, she looked no different from usual. Only she knew what was hidden beneath the apron. The off-white cotton rope lay against her lower abdomen, extending downwards, forming a secret restraint between her legs. And as per Shu Yao's instructions, she had added an "upgrade device" today – a miniature vibrator, secured in place by the rope, but not yet turned on. Shu Yao's cool voice came through the earphone. "Testing communication. Reply if you hear me." Xi Xi, pretending to adjust her hair, softly hummed in response. "Good," Shu Yao said. "Now, turn on the vibrator, lowest setting." Xi Xi's hand slipped into her apron pocket, found the small remote, and pressed the power button. A faint vibration emanated from between her legs. She bit down hard on her lip, almost letting out a sound. "Don't make a sound," Shu Yao's voice echoed in her ear. "The customer can see you." Xi Xi looked up, meeting the eyes of a male customer who was currently ordering. She forced herself to smile. "Hello, what can I get for you?" "One pearl milk tea, less ice." "Okay... please wait a moment..." Xi Xi turned to make the milk tea. With every step, she could feel the friction of the rope against her thighs, mixed with the subtle vibrations of the vibrator, like an invisible hand caressing her repeatedly. Her breathing grew shallow, her fingers trembled on the counter, and she almost spilled the milk tea. "Breathe," Shu Yao's voice guided in her ear. "Use diaphragmatic breathing, slow inhale, slow exhale... Yes, find the rhythm..." Xi Xi adjusted her breathing according to her instructions, and indeed, the trembling sensation became somewhat more controllable. But just then, Shu Yao said, "Now, turn the vibrator up one notch." "No..." Xi Xi instinctively wanted to refuse, but her hand moved on its own to the remote. The vibration suddenly intensified. "Mmm...!" Xi Xi clamped a hand over her mouth, stifling the moan that was about to escape. She leaned against the edge of the counter, her legs feeling weak, her entire lower body numb. "The customer is watching you," Shu Yao's voice held a hint of amusement. "Smile." Xi Xi looked up. The male customer was watching her with a puzzled expression. She forced a stiff smile. "It's, it's nothing... I'll be right with you..." With trembling hands, she finished making the milk tea and almost dropped the cup as she handed it over. The male customer gave her a suspicious glance and turned to leave. "Good," Shu Yao said. "Your expression management just now was excellent. Now, go to the back rest area and sit down. Turn off the vibrator." Xi Xi felt as if she had been granted a great pardon. She stumbled to the staff rest area and turned off the vibrator. She collapsed onto a chair, gasping for air, her back drenched in sweat. Qianxi took a deep breath and took her first step. With each step, the rope would rub against her skin, sending a subtle stimulation upwards. She had to maintain a normal expression, not letting anyone see anything unusual, but she knew her gait must be strange – her legs held too stiffly, her steps too small, as if she were clenching something. The corridor from the cinema to the restroom wasn't long, but it felt like an eternity. She encountered a couple on the way, and the man gave her a strange look. Qianxi pretended to be on the phone, lowered her head, and hurried past. In the restroom stall, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her face was flushed, her eyes hazy, her lips slightly parted – she didn't look like she was there to use the restroom, but rather... She dared not think further, quickly finished, and then embarked on that "journey" again. When she returned to her seat, Shuyao handed her a cola. "Good job, but your expression management needs more practice. That guy just now looked at you like he suspected you were desperate to pee." Qianxi's face turned as red as a tomato, and she lightly hit Shuyao. "It's all your fault... you tied it too tight..." "Tight is more fun," Shuyao smiled and held her hand. "And this is just the beginning." The movie started, a slow-paced art film with few lines and dim visuals. Shuyao's hand never left Qianxi's leg, her fingers occasionally playing with the hidden knot, making Qianxi squirm in her seat. "Don't move around," Shuyao whispered a warning. "The people in front will see." Qianxi bit her lip, desperately suppressing the moans that were about to escape. The rope seemed to tighten as the movie progressed, or perhaps it was because she was too wet, her skin becoming increasingly sensitive to the friction. During the intermission, someone passed by in the aisle in front of them. Shuyao suddenly gave the hidden rope end a sharp tug— "Mmm...!" Qianxi clamped a hand over her mouth, arching forward violently, her body trembling intensely. The passing moviegoer glanced back in confusion, only to see two girls sitting close together, seemingly whispering. "You almost made a sound," Shuyao whispered in her ear, her tone dangerous. "If you do that again, I'll have to punish you." "S-sorry..." Qianxi's voice was choked with tears. "But... it's too..." She didn't finish, but Shuyao understood. The placement of the rope was designed to precisely stimulate the most sensitive point with every friction. Two and a half hours of accumulation was enough to break an experienced person, let alone a novice like Qianxi. "Hold on a little longer," Shuyao's voice softened. "There's still an hour left of the movie. I'll take you somewhere nice afterward." "Somewhere... nice...?" "A secret." The last hour was an ordeal. Qianxi counted every minute of the movie, feeling the constant, subtle torment of the rope. She dared not move much, only adjusting her posture slightly, but each adjustment created new friction. When the end credits rolled, she almost cried out – not from sadness, but from relief. Shuyao held her hand as they left the cinema, her fingers lightly scratching Qianxi's palm. "Still alive?" "Barely..." Qianxi's voice was faint. "Next," Shuyao led her towards the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor, "the real challenge." They were alone in the elevator. Shuyao suddenly pressed Qianxi against the wall, reaching under her skirt and grasping the rope end. "Now, I'm going to tighten it," her eyes were dangerous and burning, "and then... we'll go to the rooftop for some fresh air." "Sister Shuyyao... please... at least leave my skirt..." Shuyyao thought for a moment and withdrew her hand. "Fine, but empty out what's inside." She reached under the skirt, pulled out the soaked drawstring, and then her panties. She balled them up and stuffed them into her pocket. "Now," she stepped back to admire her work, "you have nothing on below. The wind is blowing straight in, can you feel it?" Xi Xi certainly could. The night breeze gusted under her skirt, the chill making her press her legs together. But Shuyyao parted her knees, tying them to the two posts of the railing. The spread-eagle restraint prevented her from closing her legs, exposing her most private parts to the night wind. "Sister Shuyyao... don't do this... it's too humiliating..." "We're just getting started," Shuyyao took a pink gag from her bag, attached to a strap. "You'll be screaming very loudly later, and we don't want to disturb the neighbors." She pinched Xi Xi's chin, forcing her mouth open, and shoved the gag inside. The strap was buckled tightly behind her head, her mouth stretched open. Saliva immediately began to pool, trickling down the corners of her mouth. "Mmph... nngh..." Only muffled whimpers escaped. Shuyyao wiped the drool from her mouth and rubbed it on her clothes. "Such a good girl. Last item." She produced a wireless vibrator and dangled it before Xi Xi's eyes. "This time, I'm controlling it manually. No app." She crouched down, lifted Xi Xi's skirt, and slowly pushed the vibrator inside. Xi Xi's body instantly tensed. Her bound wrists struggled against the railing, making a metallic clinking sound. "Don't rush," Shuyyao stood up and pressed the remote. "Enjoy it slowly." "Mmmph—!!!" The lowest setting activated. Xi Xi's body arched violently, tears welling up. Tied to the railing, her legs spread wide, the gag preventing screams, only broken whimpers escaped. Drool dripped uncontrollably from her chin onto her chest. Shuyyao stepped back to admire her. In the moonlight, Xi Xi was stunningly beautiful—her bound body formed lines of humiliation, her pleated skirt blown by the wind, revealing the empty secrets beneath. Her eyes were bright with tears, a silver thread of drool hung from her lips, and her chest heaved. "You know," Shuyyao walked closer and caressed her cheek, "you look really good like this." She turned the dial up a notch. "Mmmph nngh...!!" Xi Xi's body trembled violently. Her bound legs tried to close, but the ropes restricted her movement. The vibrator pulsed inside her, stimulating her most sensitive nerves. The pleasure was so intense she almost fainted. "Scream if you want to," Shuyyao whispered in her ear. "Even with the gag, I can feel it. Scream for me, scream for the wind, scream for the city." Another notch higher. "Mmmph mmmph mmmph—!!!" Xi Xi broke. Her consciousness was drowned in pleasure, her body spasming within its restraints. Drool flowed ceaselessly from the gag, soaking the front of her clothes. Her eyes unfocused, gazing at the distant lights, feeling like a work of art displayed above the city—shameful, humiliating, yet strangely cherished. Shuyyao's hands roamed her body, kneading her breasts through her clothes, then sliding down to gently press her lower abdomen. "Are you close?" she asked, though she knew there would be no answer. Xi Xi nodded frantically, tears and snot mixing together. She was a mess, yet stunningly beautiful. Xi Xi tightened her grip, cinching the knot until her wrists were slightly indented. Shu Yao let out a soft sigh, not of pain, but of pleasure. Then came the chest binding. This was the hardest part. A suspended chest bind needed to support the entire body's weight, and the position, angle, and tightness of the knots directly affected comfort during suspension. Xi Xi's fingers lingered below Shu Yao's breasts, feeling the structure of her ribs, searching for the perfect hollow to provide support. "Here?" Her fingertips pressed gently. "A little to the left," Shu Yao guided her, "Yes, right there… you're learning fast." Pink silk rope wound around Shu Yao, forming the same supportive structure as the one Xi Xi had worn earlier, but in a softer color that contrasted with her fair skin, like a gentle painting. "Legs," Xi Xi took a deep breath, "Kneel." Shu Yao complied, kneeling obediently, her ponytail swaying slightly with the movement. This posture made her look years younger than usual, no longer the aloof goddess, but a model waiting to be sculpted. Xi Xi bound her ankles, not with simple restraints, but in the specific "suspended kneeling" position – calves and thighs folded, ankles tied to the back of the thighs, forming a compact kneeling posture. When suspended in this position, the entire center of gravity would fall on the chest bind and wrist suspension points, demanding extreme skill from the rope master. "I'm done," Xi Xi stepped back, looking at her creation, her voice trembling with disbelief, "Shu Yao-jie… I'm done…" Shu Yao tried to move, then smiled, "It's beautiful. Even better than I imagined." She tilted her head back, looking at the suspension ring above, "Now, let's go up." The moment of lift-off, Xi Xi's heart nearly stopped. She personally operated the hoist, watching Shu Yao's body slowly leave the ground. The pink ropes bore the entire weight, digging into her skin, forming gentle grooves. Shu Yao's body rotated slightly in the air, her kneeling posture making her appear smaller, more fragile, and more… beautiful. "How does it feel?" Xi Xi's voice shook. Shu Yao didn't answer immediately. She closed her eyes, feeling the sensation of weightlessness, the dialogue between the ropes and her body. The feeling of being supported, restrained, and controlled was completely different from when she bound herself – there was an added passive security, and a diminished active control. "Very good," she finally spoke, her voice carrying a floating quality, "Lighter than when I bind myself…" Xi Xi walked around her, observing her creation from every angle. Shu Yao hung in the air, unable to move, her eyes following Xi Xi's steps. The feeling of being watched made her earlobes flush – even after three years in the rope room, no one had dared to scrutinize her like this. "Shu Yao-jie…" Xi Xi suddenly spoke, her voice laced with a dangerous excitement, "Can I… do anything I want to you now?" Shu Yao's eyes snapped open. She looked at the young girl below, the one who, three months ago, had been so terrified of her at the milk tea shop that her legs had gone weak. Now, this girl stood beneath her, holding the remote for the hoist, her eyes burning with the same all-consuming flame that had once been hers. "Yes," Shu Yao heard herself say, her voice hoarse, "Anything." Xi Xi's fingers slid across her phone screen – the vibrator she had placed inside Shu Yao that morning was now awakening. "Mmm…!" Shu Yao's body tensed in the air, the pink ropes tightening further. She wanted to curl up, but the suspended kneeling position left her completely immobile; she wanted to protest, but now she was the model, the one bound, she could only endure. "Scream," Xi Xi mimicked Shu Yao's tone from before, "Let everyone hear that Shu Yao-jie is tied up by me, played with by me…" "Mmm… Xi Xi…" Shu Yao's voice was broken, "You've become bad…" "You taught me," Xi Xi smiled, tears welling in her eyes, "Master." Friday night, 8 PM. Shu Yao put the spare key back into the drawer. "This weekend," she said, "no keys. I'll lock the door from the outside, and you can't get out. Your phone is confiscated, your alarm clock is confiscated, your watch is confiscated. Your time is mine to decide, when it starts and when it ends, all according to my judgment." Qian Xi stood in the center of the living room, already undressed. She knew this weekend would be different; Shu Yao had been warning her for a week to prepare for a weekend of eating, drinking, and relieving herself while restrained. "Let's start with the basics," Shu Yao said, taking out a length of cotton rope. "Weekend bind. Wrists behind your back, ankles in front, connected by a short rope to form a kneeling position. You can maintain this posture for a long time, and I can adjust the tightness whenever I want." She began to tie. Qian Xi's wrists were crossed behind her back, the cotton rope wrapped and secured. It wasn't tightened to the point of immobility, but left a small gap, just enough for circulation to barely be maintained. Then her ankles were brought together and tied, the ends of the rope leading to her wrists, forming a connection. When this rope was pulled taut, Qian Xi's body was forced to fold, her hips pressing against her calves, her chest against her thighs, her entire form curled into a ball. "In this position," Shu Yao said, "you can sleep, you can crawl, you can use the toilet, but you cannot stand, you cannot run, you cannot open the door. You are my pet, my possession, my prisoner, until Sunday night." She really did confiscate everything that could tell time, then left, locking the door from the outside. Qian Xi knelt alone in the living room, listening to the sound of the lock engaging. The room was quiet, save for her own breathing and the occasional rustle of the rope. She tried to move, but the connection between her wrists and ankles meant she could only crawl like an animal, her knees sliding across the floor with a faint scraping sound. She crawled towards the sofa, wanting to lean against its side to rest, but the position tightened the rope on her wrists, forcing her to give up and return to her original spot, maintaining the folded posture. Time became endless. After an unknown duration, Shu Yao returned. She opened the door, bringing in the cool night air and the aroma of food. She didn't untie Qian Xi immediately, but first inspected her – checking if the ropes had shifted, if her skin had turned purple, assessing her mental state. "Thirsty?" she asked, lifting Qian Xi's chin with her finger. Qian Xi nodded. Her lips were already cracked, her throat as dry as sandpaper. Shu Yao brought a straw cup and placed the straw in Qian Xi's mouth. Qian Xi sucked greedily; the water was cool, and it made her tremble as it went down her throat. Shu Yao controlled the angle of the straw, allowing her only small sips, preventing her from gulping or choking. "Hungry?" Another nod. Shu Yao produced a lunchbox filled with small, bite-sized pieces of food that could be eaten directly with a spoon. She fed Qian Xi, spoonful by spoonful, slowly, waiting for each mouthful to be completely swallowed before offering the next. Qian Xi ate messily, soup dribbling down her chin, but Shu Yao didn't wipe it, merely watching, as if observing the feeding habits of some animal. "Toilet," Shu Yao said. "I'll accompany you. The position remains unchanged; I'll carry you." She truly picked up the curled-up Qian Xi, like a giant infant, and carried her to the bathroom. Beside the toilet, she untied the connecting rope between Qian Xi's ankles and wrists, but the individual restraints on her wrists and ankles remained. This allowed Qian Xi to barely squat to relieve herself. Afterward, Shu Yao wiped her with wet wipes, re-tied the connecting rope, and carried her back to the living room. "Continue," Shu Yao said. "I'm going out for four hours. You will stay here, in this position, and wait for me to return." The door closed again, the lock clicking into place. Qian Xi remained curled on the floor, her knees aching, her wrists sore, her back muscles stiff from the prolonged folded position. She began counting her heartbeats, trying to measure time, but her pulse, weakened by dehydration and fatigue, became irregular. She lost count, her rhythm faltering. She drifted off to sleep, intermittently, in a state between waking and dreaming. The ropes became a part of her body, no longer an external restraint but a form of companionship, a way of confirming her safety. When Shu Yao returned, she brought the night with her. She didn't turn on the main lights, only a small desk lamp. She squatted in front of Qian Xi, observing her sleeping face.