As darkness fell, her lower body grew numb. Niu Shurui could no longer feel any pleasure. But perhaps there was a silver lining; her mind began to clear. Staring out at the night, she began to think.

As time wore on, Ye Li's thrusts became shorter and less frequent. Yet, he seemed tireless, showering her back with kisses.

Finally, after an unknown amount of time, he seemed to come back to himself, glancing up at her. His body stiffened, as if his soul had been seized, rendering him immobile.

Niu Shurui's eyes were clear. Since when had she stopped feeling him inside her? Why, even after imprisoning her and taking her so fiercely, did she still seem so distant? Her calmness felt like a mockery, a silent taunt. See? No matter how hard you try, she remains unmoved. What's the point? Give up.

He didn't want to see this look on her face. He wanted to see her consumed by him, body, mind, and soul.

Heat rose around his eyes, his breath hitched. He wanted to cry again. Every time this happened, a blurry yet forceful voice echoed in his mind: Don't cry, Ye Li. If you cry, we'll be lesser. If you cry… we lose…

Ye Li shook his head, fighting back the tears, and held her tighter, his c0ck slamming into her. The angle made deep penetration difficult, but with gritted teeth, he forced himself fully inside.

Niu Shurui frowned. Her chest was numb, and his entry no longer caused her pain. What felt wrong was the sudden increase in heat from the body behind her. She sensed something and, with effort, reached back and patted him. "Ye Li, lift up a little."

"No," came the strained reply.

"Let me see you," Niu Shurui said.

His body stiffened, then stilled. After a moment, Ye Li pushed himself up, helping her turn over while staying pressed close.

As soon as she faced him, Niu Shurui knew she was right. She reached out and touched his boyish face, now incredibly vulnerable with reddened eyes.

His lips were pressed tightly together, as if even the simple act of meeting her gaze required all his strength. He looked like a child just learning about emotions, still at the age where crying is natural, yet stubbornly refusing to shed tears, wanting to prove to the adults that he was grown up. Or perhaps, under their subtle guidance, he was desperately suppressing his feelings.

Niu Shurui sighed, looping her arms around his neck and pulling him down. She had little strength left, but he collapsed onto her as if pulled by an immense force.

He buried his face in the crook of her neck, seemingly unconcerned about suffocating, pressing against her, motionless.

Niu Shurui gently stroked his back. "Cry if you want to. You don't have to hold back."

Her words were like a switch, unlocking something within him. He arched his back and began to tremble, tears flowing freely.

Hot tears drenched her left shoulder and neck, trailing down to soak the sheets. He sobbed silently, his ragged breaths filling the air. She could almost picture him, teeth clenched tight, as he wept.

She silently bore the weight of his tears, continuing to soothe him with her hand. Even though the position was uncomfortable, she patiently waited for him to finish.

She knew this was the only way she might escape this captivity, the only way he might finally reveal his true feelings instead of hiding behind a wall of prickly armor.

After a long while, his voice, hoarse with emotion, broke the silence. "Niuniu, I'm sorry… I won't do this again. Please don't leave me. Don't go. Don't give me to someone else. Don't abandon me like this again… I'll die. I really will…"

"Okay," Niu Shurui soothed softly. "I'm sorry. I won't give you to anyone else. I'll tell my advisor I'm not transferring, okay?"

"Okay." He sniffled, then added, "I'll send the message for you."

Niu Shurui thought, Fine. After all that had happened, it was one thing that Ye Li couldn't leave her, but it was unlikely anyone else would dare take him on now.

Whether by meticulous planning or sheer accident, Ye Li's actions had effectively trapped her, both professionally and personally.

Seeing his mood lighten slightly, Niu Shurui patted him again. "Lift up a little. I can't breathe."

This time, he obeyed. As Niu Shurui took a deep breath, he gripped her waist and lifted her, settling her back against the fluffy pillows.

Under her questioning gaze, Ye Li gave her a small smile. His eyes were still wet, his long, thick lashes clumped together with tears, fluttering like delicate butterflies with each blink.

Bracing himself on all fours, he knelt over her, slowly leaning in to cup her face and kiss her left eye. The kiss was gentle, reverent, as if she were a precious treasure.

Just as Niu Shurui thought he was returning to his usual self, he extended his tongue, licking the red mole beneath her eye.

He licked it until it glistened, but his tongue didn't retreat. Instead, it trailed down her cheek to her lips.

Niu Shurui opened her eyes, seeing the near-obsessive fascination in his gaze as he brushed his tongue against her mouth. The feeling was difficult to describe. Even though she had always known about his mental illness, she had never treated him as abnormal. In her eyes, he was simply sick.