Chapter 83
A soft, delicate moan escaped from beneath Xia'er, startling her so much that she immediately let go and scrambled back several steps, nearly tumbling off the bed.
A chilling sound emanated from the spot where Xia'er had just touched, and with a soft "click," a small bedside lamp flickered to life, illuminating the scene before her.
This is...
In a state of shock, Xia'er found Aivina sitting beside the pillow.
Aivina was clad in a pale yellow silk nightgown adorned with white lace, her left hand propped against the soft mattress while her right hand clutched the blanket, covering her chest.
At that moment, Aivina could no longer maintain her impassive expression; a faint blush crept across her cheeks as she bit her lip, her gaze fixed intently on Xia'er.
"Why... are you in my bed?"
As soon as Xia'er spoke, she realized something was off.
Though the light was dim and soft, she could still make out the decor at the head of the bed, which was far more exquisite than her own guest room.
It wasn't Aivina who had come to her bed; it was she who was lying in Aivina's bed.
In an instant, Xia'er began to piece together what had happened.
She had definitely been set up by the simulated version of herself.
So what exactly was going on?
Xia'er glanced around, but she couldn't find her notebook—she hadn't brought it with her at all.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
Xia'er apologized at lightning speed, without a moment's hesitation. After a brief silence, she asked, "Why am I here?"
At this point, Aivina's anger seemed to have subsided somewhat. A hint of crimson still lingered on her cheeks as she took a shallow breath and replied, "Did you forget?"
Aivina felt... that the Xia'er before her was a bit strange.
Not just her hair and clothes; although her face was still Xia'er's, the overall impression was vastly different.
The Xia'er from before had seemed more reserved, speaking slowly and deliberately.
But now, this Xia'er appeared more assertive, even her movements were much rougher, and her words carried an air of impatience.
If it weren't for the fact that her face was still so beautiful, Aivina would have thought she was looking at a different person.
And most importantly, Xia'er... had she really forgotten what she had done?
Was this the kind of mistake a meticulous person like Xia'er would make? They had only been lying together for less than five hours.
As if to confirm something, Aivina pulled the blanket up to cover most of her body, curling her legs and hugging her knees.
According to the notes of other "psychologists," this was a defensive posture.
At that moment, Xia'er felt a wave of confusion wash over her as she noticed Aivina suddenly silent and drawing inward, not answering her question.
While the simulated version of herself could indeed be a bit rebellious...
Surely it wouldn't go this far...
It seemed she had really done something to her...
A surge of guilt welled up in Xia'er’s heart. She crawled a few steps toward Aivina, reaching out to place her hand on her shoulder, and said, "I... I didn't mean to."
What exactly did I do?
At that moment, Aivina slowly lifted her head, her dark purple eyes glimmering faintly as she looked at Xia'er and asked flatly, "Who are you?"
"I..."
In Xia'er's eyes, the bed, the light, and even Aivina herself began to blur, the only thing coming into focus and growing larger was Aivina's dark purple gaze.
Suddenly, a cool sensation surged through Xia'er’s mind, like a mild electric shock, causing her previously unfocused eyes to snap into clarity.
It was the ability of the "Listener"!
A shadow darted out from behind Xia'er, lunging directly at Aivina, seizing her from behind and covering her mouth tightly.
Xia'er reached out with her bandaged hand, rubbing her temples, feeling a wave of intense dizziness wash over her.
The "Listener" was the opposite of the "Instigator." Just moments ago, Xia'er had been completely unprepared and had already been hypnotized by Aivina.
The thought sent a shiver down Xia'er’s spine.
If Aivina were to use this hypnotic ability on the ordinary Xia'er in reality, as long as Aivina didn't intend to harm her, she could easily bypass the constraints of the Eye of Order contract and secretly hypnotize Xia'er to do anything.
Even if "Calm Reflection" could help Xia'er regain her senses, as long as she couldn't control Aivina, Aivina could keep trying to hypnotize her until Xia'er no longer had the energy to invoke "Calm Reflection."
"Listen, Aivina."
Xia'er spoke soothingly, "I am Xia'er, but the situation is a bit complicated to explain. I mean no harm."
"Mmm..."
Aivina mumbled against the shadow's hand, as if trying to say something.
Xia'er loosened her grip slightly, allowing Aivina some space to speak.
"Then why don't you remember how you ended up here?"
Aivina looked at Xia'er and asked, "And you're an extraordinary being... I've checked many times, Xia'er can't possibly be an extraordinary being."
This question left Xia'er speechless.
What should I say? That I traveled from the future to help Xia'er?
There were tasks waiting for Xia'er to complete, and a sense of urgency brewed in her mind, making her feel the flames of anxiety rising in her chest.
Xia'er knew this was the potion affecting her, but the more she tried to suppress it and calm down, the more she heard vague whispers echoing in her mind.
Xia'er crawled a step closer to Aivina, and almost simultaneously, the shadow restraining Aivina pressed down on her back, forcefully making her lie down.
"First, answer my question."
Xia'er took a deep breath, striving to control her emotions.
At that moment, even though Aivina was restrained, she felt little panic.
She knew Nia was nearby; if she were to be harmed, Nia would arrive in an instant.
Lying on the bed, unable to move, Aivina stared at Xia'er for a while before slowly saying, "I think our rooms are too far apart. If something happens to you, Nia might not be able to get to you in time."
"So I asked you to sleep in my room, and you agreed..."
Xia'er looked around and called out, "Nia!"
After a moment, the servant's room on the other side opened, and Nia, clad in silver armor, stepped out, taking in the scene before her.
"Keep an eye on Aivina; don't let her wander off."
After instructing Nia, Xia'er released her hold on Aivina and rolled off the bed, heading toward the door.
It was only after Xia'er closed the door behind her that Aivina propped herself up, leaning against the bed, exchanging glances with Nia, who stood nearby.
"Why did it take you so long to come out?"
Aivina asked Nia.
"I... didn't sense any danger,"
Nia hesitated for a moment before the metallic hum of her armor continued, "so I didn't plan to interrupt your... good time?"
"It's fine now; you can go back."
Aivina shook her head, glancing in the direction Xia'er had left.
I answered first, yet Xia'er just walked away without answering my question...
Aivina noticed a significant change in Xia'er, especially in her assertiveness; she had even touched her...
Aivina glanced down at her chest, a hint of confusion creeping into her mind.
If it were the usual her, she would definitely be angry if someone touched her inappropriately.
But for some reason, she felt no aversion to Xia'er's touch.
Could it be that she actually liked it?
Aivina sat there, lost in self-doubt.
It seemed she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.
Meanwhile, Xia'er had returned to her own room, grabbing her "Judgment" potion.
She exited Aivina's estate and hurried toward the "Good Night Inn."
Once she entered the central district, she leaped onto the rooftops, weaving between buildings.
With her agility at Level 2, her body felt lighter and more reliable than she had imagined, allowing her to traverse the rooftops without a pause. With the help of the shadow, she could leap across even distant buildings.
It was as if she had become a top-tier parkour expert overnight.
Xia'er estimated that if she could level up to Level 3, her agility and strength would surpass the limits of an ordinary person.
Before long, Xia'er reached her destination. She flipped down from the rooftop, descending step by step along the window frame, finally clinging to the outside of Room 202.
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