Chapter 149: Josephine Sylver!
Anran sat there, her expression a mix of confusion and mock anger, processing Wang Xiao's words. The air between them was charged with a strange, playful tension.
Suddenly, with a burst of feigned fury, she declared, "I am fighting you, Wang Xiao!" Dropping the blanket, she lunged forward in a dramatic display of rebellion. But Wang Xiao, unfazed, calmly stopped her advance with a simple hand placed on her forehead, effectively halting her in mid-motion.
Thud
"If you are done playing, can we move on to more concerning issues?" Wang Xiao asked, his tone serious yet tinged with a hint of amusement at her theatrics.
Anran, momentarily paused by his effortless block, let out a huff of resignation mixed with amusement. She recognized the futility of her assault against him.
"Fine, fine," she conceded, sitting back down, her demeanor shifting from playful to attentive. "What's so important that you had to crash my one-woman fashion show?"
Wang Xiao's explanation was clear and grave. "You are being watched. That's why I said you can't go outside without me. If they launch an attack again, it appears they are wary of me and withholding any direct confrontation as long as I am nearby."
Anran nodded in understanding, a spark of mischief in her eyes. "Problem solved, then!" she declared with a hint of cheer.
Wang Xiao's brows furrowed, puzzled by her seemingly carefree response. "What do you mean?" he asked.
Anran shrugged nonchalantly. "Didn't you just say it yourself? Just don't go out! Stay inside all day! Eat, sleep, and repeat! Now that's what I call a vacation..." Her voice trailed off as she suddenly flopped backwards onto the bed, sprawling out with her arms and legs spread wide.
She let out a long, exaggerated sigh of relief.
The silence in the room stretched, amplifying Anran's confusion and surprise. Wang Xiao's lack of response was unusual, leaving her to wonder what was going through his mind. 'Hm? He's not going to scold me for my carefree attitude?' she thought. 'Did I misjudge him, or has he suddenly become more tolerant?'
As these questions swirled in her head, she cautiously lifted her head from the mattress to glance at Wang Xiao. That's when the realization hit her. 'Not good...' she whispered under her breath, her cheeks reddening.
In her impulsive sprawl on the bed, she had inadvertently placed herself in a compromising position. Wang Xiao was seated right between her legs, which were spread wide apart in her relaxed pose.
Embarrassment washed over her as she hurriedly tried to adjust her posture, her face burning with a deep blush. Words failed her, the teasing words from moments ago now trapped in her throat.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to..." Anran stammered, her voice trailing off. The atmosphere in the room shifted from casual and playful to awkward and tense.
The intensity of Wang Xiao's gaze remained fixed near her legs, his eyes unwavering. While they were not as thick as he preferred, there was a youthful allure to them. As his gaze shifted upward to her face, a tangle of thoughts stirred within him.
!!
"Hey, back off!" Anran's voice pierced the air, laced with a mix of fear and defiance, as Wang Xiao abruptly lunged towards her, pinning her down.
Wang Xiao's lips curved into a wicked smile as he gazed down at her. "Why are you screaming? It isn't even your first time," he taunted, his voice dripping with amusement. He leaned in, his lips brushing against the sensitive skin above her neck.
Anran's eyes widened, her body shaking with a mix of anxiety and defiance. "You? Didn't you say I had malnourished legs?" she spat, her voice laced with anger and annoyance. "Get away from me, just because you do it to once doesn't mea—"
Before she could finish her sentence, Wang Xiao grew tired of her words. He crushed his lips against hers, silencing her protests.
The force of the kiss stole her breath away, leaving her stunned and full of disbelief.
Their clothes were torn away by his eager hands, the fabric flying across the room.
In the midst of the tangled sheets, Wang Xiao reveled in the power he held over her.
He preferred his partners muted and silent, his dominance unquestioned.
Though Anran lacked the allure he normally sought, there was an undeniable freshness to her body that enticed him.
It was a fleeting satisfaction, but it would suffice for the night.
________
As the days slipped by, the calendar marked the transition from April 23rd to May 7th, 2026.
The Boreal Cafe, a popular spot in the heart of the town, buzzed with its usual blend of patrons.
Amidst the usual crowd, a group of women sat at a table, their chatter distinct enough to draw attention from others around them.
Josephine, with her silver-white hair elegantly framing her face and a modest white blouse buttoned to the neck, exuded a quiet confidence as she sat in the Boreal Cafe.
Her friends' voices buzzed around her, a harmonious blend of concern and excitement.
"Hey hey, Josephine, would you really be alright running away from home like this?" The woman with shoulder-length auburn hair leaned in, her emerald eyes reflecting the cafe's soft lighting as she smiled with a mix of charm and concern.
The high-waisted skirt Josephine wore complemented her tasteful blouse, and the delicate lace choker around her neck seemed to embody the strength and vulnerability she felt at that moment. The three friends sitting around her, each with their own style and demeanor, awaited her response with bated breath.
Josephine's thoughtful eyes met those of her inquirer, and she let out a soft, assured breath. "I've thought about it a lot," she said, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest. "I need this change. It's now or never."
Aisha, the woman with the auburn hair reached across the table, her hand offering support. "Just remember, we're here for you. If you need anything, you know you can always count on us," she reassured, her smile unwavering.
The group's chatter and laughter filled the cafe, a stark contrast to Josephine's inner contemplation.
Unbeknownst to them, at a nearby table, Wang Xiao sat with a cup of coffee, his attention subtly divided between his book and the group of women.
His presence was unobtrusive, yet his senses were alert, always aware of his surroundings.
The conversation at the next table had piqued his interest, not due to its content, but because one of the women on the table interested him!