A jolt shot through Tao Yu. Suddenly, her aching back and legs, even the throbbing in her ribs, vanished. Her right knee jerked upwards, aiming straight for Yue Linze’s most vulnerable point.

Yue Linze, anticipating her move, rolled off her and landed awkwardly on the ground. By the time he sat up, Tao Yu was already pulling herself up, gripping the edge of the pit.

Their hands were still cuffed together. As she rose, Yue Linze’s hand was yanked into the air, but he remained languidly on the ground, showing no intention of getting up.

“Little warden, you can’t kick there,” Yue Linze drawled, then paused, adding with a chuckle, “You don’t have one, so you probably wouldn’t understand.”

Tao Yu’s face was expressionless. “Get up.”

“I won’t,” Yue Linze retorted instantly.

Tao Yu’s face darkened. Remembering his earlier offense, she longed to grind his infuriating face into the dirt.

Yue Linze seemed oblivious to her displeasure, still lounging lazily. Their linked hands hung suspended between them, their shadows on the ground resembling a pair of lovers holding hands.

The sky was cloudless, the sun blazing. Though there was no wind, the faint sound of waves carried on the air.

Tao Yu stood backlit, the sun outlining her figure in a golden halo. Yue Linze, lounging in the pit, squinted up at her, unable to discern her expression.

After a long moment, he spoke, a hint of malice in his voice. “Little warden, you haven’t answered my question.”

‘Answer what? Answer why I don’t have a dick?’ Tao Yu sneered inwardly. “My business is none of yours.”

Yue Linze shrugged indifferently and pushed himself up. He looked her over, a flicker of interest in his eyes.

They were so close Tao Yu could feel his breath on her face. She frowned, subtly taking a step back.

Seemingly unaware of her distaste, Yue Linze leaned closer, his long fingers tilting her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Maybe it’s not my business, but I wonder if Old Chang would think so.”

Tao Yu choked, her bravado faltering. The island prison housed only male inmates, and the guards were naturally all men as well. That was the rule of this world, a rule she had to abide by even after entering through hypnosis. If this jerk really told Old Chang, she’d definitely be kicked out.

And if she were kicked out, things would become much more complicated.

She stepped back, avoiding his touch.

Yue Linze casually slipped one hand into his pocket. He’d clearly noticed her sudden shift in demeanor after his last comment.

He found it amusing. This little warden had put on such a show of authority in front of Fatty and the others. He’d thought she was some untouchable force, but it turned out she was easily intimidated.

A cute, female little warden, at that.

“Well, little warden?” Yue Linze pressed, his gaze fixed on her.

He hadn’t noticed before, but now he saw her pert nose, her large, bright eyes, her red lips, and the straight, white teeth she revealed when she spoke. Even he felt the urge to pinch her cheeks, let alone Fatty.

With a face like that, being a woman on this island would be dangerous, let alone a man. Yue Linze recalled the clueless inmates he’d encountered when he first arrived, his eyes darkening.

Tao Yu cursed inwardly. After a moment of thought, she sighed. “I wasn’t going to say anything, but since you’ve noticed, I’ll tell you to avoid any misunderstandings.”

Yue Linze raised an eyebrow, waiting for the story.

Tao Yu, however, wasn’t about to give it up easily. She narrowed her eyes. “But you have to swear you won’t tell anyone. Otherwise, I won’t let you off the hook.”

“I swear. Tell me, little warden. No one else will hear this from me.” Yue Linze watched her with amusement, curious to hear her excuse.

He hadn’t believed she’d tell the truth from the start.

As expected, Tao Yu stared at him intently, then said, “When I was seven… there was an accident…”

As soon as she began, Yue Linze’s eyebrows shot up, a sense of absurdity washing over him.

Tao Yu’s face was grave. “That accident… it didn’t take my life, but it took away my hope. From that day on, I haven’t been the same as other men.”

She finished and stared blankly at Yue Linze. He stared back, then after a moment, with Tao Yu watching anxiously, he let out a soft “Pfft” directly at her face.

It wasn’t an involuntary sound from laughing, but a deliberate, slow puff of air, directed right at her. The gesture was so brazen, it might as well have been a neon sign flashing ‘I don’t believe you.’ Tao Yu suppressed her anger and forced a smile. “You just promised you wouldn’t tell anyone. I hope you’ll keep your word.”