THIP Chapter 71

Qi Yan slowly buried her head in Mu Liuyin’s embrace, but Mu Liuyin suddenly snapped awake and gently pushed her away.

This was just a mission world, and she would be leaving soon. How could she give Qi Yan hope now?

Even if she could stay, which she couldn’t, this fleeting moment of affection wasn’t enough to sway her resolve to return to the real world.

Qi Yan froze when she was pushed aside. Her pale cheeks were still stained with drying tears. She stared at the youth whose face had returned to its usual calm and distant expression. The warmth that had just bloomed in her heart gradually faded.

“Ah Yan, you’re drunk.” Mu Liuyin’s voice was composed, betraying none of her inner hesitation. “You should rest. I’m heading home.”

She set the house key down on the coffee table and brushed past the motionless girl.

Qi Yan’s face turned pale in an instant.

Tears streamed down her cheeks uncontrollably, but she didn’t turn around. Mu Liuyin, forcing herself to stay firm, didn’t look back either. She knew that if she did, she might falter—and that would truly be unfair to Qi Yan.

Once the mission was complete, she couldn’t stay. And she wouldn’t stay.

The door clicked shut behind her, completely cutting off her presence from the apartment.

Qi Yan heard the sound of her departure. Though her tears continued to fall, something darker seemed to take root in her pale eyes.

Outside, Mu Liuyin leaned against the closed door, a rare look of confusion clouding her normally clear eyes.

She must be hurting right now, she thought.

But she had made herself clear about her preferences—so why did her heart still flutter?

She placed a hand over her chest. What was more confusing was that she hadn’t felt anything.

[System,] she asked suddenly, [why do all the mission targets in these worlds end up liking me?]

[I—I don’t know either,] Xiao Jiu stammered.

Mu Liuyin lowered her gaze. [Forget it.]

She leaned against the door in silence for a long time before finally straightening and preparing to leave.

Outside the building, the night was quiet and heavy, echoing the heaviness in Mu Liuyin’s heart.

Sensing her host’s sudden change in mood, Xiao Jiu didn’t dare make a sound.

She had barely taken a single step when the door behind her suddenly opened with a click. Mu Liuyin’s steps faltered. Behind her, Qi Yan’s voice, tight with emotion, called out: “Ye Zhuoran.”

In the next instant, everything went black. Mu Liuyin lost consciousness, only dimly hearing Xiao Jiu cry out: [Host, look out—]

When she woke again, her head was throbbing from a heavy blow. Her hands and feet were bound. She tried to move but, as expected, couldn’t break free.

Mu Liuyin: “…”

She couldn’t quite understand how things had escalated to this point.

The bedroom door opened, and Qi Yan stepped inside.

“You’re awake?” Her tone was light, but Mu Liuyin’s guarded look didn’t change. Qi Yan added softly, “Your aunt called last night. I told her you’d be staying with me for a couple of days.”

Mu Liuyin’s eyes widened.

Qi Yan smiled gently, but that smile made Mu Liuyin’s heart tremble.

“Ah Yan, you know I like men,” Mu Liuyin said, her cool voice slightly dry. She forced herself to stay calm. “I don’t like you in that way.”

But Qi Yan seemed not to hear. She stepped closer, then leaned down and gently pressed a kiss to Mu Liuyin’s brow. “I know. But even so, you don’t push me away completely.”

Mu Liuyin was speechless. Just as she was about to respond, Qi Yan began fiddling with her shirt buttons.

“Qi Yan!” Mu Liuyin struggled against the restraints, her voice low but firm. “Stop!”

Qi Yan didn’t respond with words. She leaned in and lightly brushed her lips against Mu Liuyin’s. At that moment, Mu Liuyin froze. A flush spread over her pale cheeks, and her eyes filled with uncertainty and fear.

The vulnerability in Mu Liuyin’s reaction made Qi Yan pause. For a brief moment, her expression softened.

But what followed was no longer detailed here. Instead, the scene faded, focusing instead on Mu Liuyin’s internal experience—her confusion, her fear, and the overwhelming helplessness she felt in a situation spiraling out of control.