Dorothy's charming smile froze for a moment, her body stiffening slightly as though she had been struck at a vulnerable spot.
But she quickly regained her composure, her delicate face curving into an even brighter smile.
"How could that be?"
Rapi stared at Dorothy.
"Please stop saying things meant to sow discord. Since you're a friend of the Commander, I won't hold it against you. Otherwise…"
Her expression was taut, her already sharp features now appearing even more defined. The once-deep and bright eyes were now covered by a thin layer of ice, radiating a cold, piercing glare that seemed to see through all deceptions.
The underlying threat in her words was crystal clear.
Dorothy kept her sweet smile, as if entirely oblivious to Rapi's hostility, playing dumb.
"Otherwise?"
Rapi responded with three words.
"I'll beat you."
She wasn't joking.
It was evident from the frost-like expression on her face.
Dorothy had provoked her over and over, clearly harboring ulterior motives. Rapi wasn't blind—she could see right through her. And for people like Dorothy, who came with hidden agendas, she had no reason to be polite.
The freezing aura around her was so intense that it felt as if the temperature had dropped several degrees, as if a cold mist was forming around them.
Seeing Rapi's near-blackened expression, Dorothy knew it was time to stop. She didn't push any further. Instead, she gave a slight smile, gracefully turned around, and walked away with an elegant stride.
She left behind one last sentence.
"Don't put too much faith in him. If you do, you might end up abandoned. That's how you get hurt."
Her purpose here was not just to probe but also to drive a wedge between them.
Dorothy found Mo Chen's debauchery and indulgence utterly disgusting.
To her, it was clear that he was merely toying with the Nikkes' emotions. What disgusted her even more was how these Nikkes remained so devoted to him despite it all.
But that suited her just fine.
A cold gleam flashed through Dorothy's eyes, and her lips curled into a faint sneer.
This was exactly what would make those fools realize the depravity of humans and the corruption of the Ark.
After Dorothy left, Rapi didn't immediately relax. Her tense nerves remained tight as she turned toward the tightly shut door.
From the moment she had been standing there, the strange moaning from within hadn't stopped. Now, the sounds had even grown more… synchronized.
Expressionless, Rapi walked up to the door, grasped the handle, turned it, and pushed the door open, stepping inside without hesitation.
But what met her eyes made her freeze in place.
The scene she had expected—of complete debauchery and sinful indulgence—was nowhere to be found.
The Nikkes were sprawled out on the bed, the sofa, even on the floor, their bodies covered in sweat, their skin flushed as if they had just fought an intense battle. They looked exhausted, their limbs weak and limp…
But their clothes were still on.
Somewhat disheveled, yes, but not removed.
Meanwhile, Mo Chen wasn't engaging in anything inappropriate. Instead, he seemed to be treating the Nikkes.
"Didn't I say that no matter what happens, you shouldn't barge in?"
Seeing Rapi's dumbfounded expression, Mo Chen knew exactly what she had been thinking. He let out a sigh, setting down the completely drained 'loli' Nikke in his arms, and teased her with a helpless smile.
"You didn't seriously think I was hosting a party in here, did you?"
Rapi snapped out of her daze, realizing that Mo Chen had seen right through her thoughts. For the first time, a hint of panic flashed across her face. She hurriedly turned around and left, slamming the door shut behind her with a bang.
Mo Chen let out a deep breath, wiping the sweat off his forehead before collapsing onto the bed. He couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
He picked up a pair of underwear that had somehow ended up on the floor and casually shoved it under the bed.
For some reason, he had the distinct feeling of being caught in an inspection. Thankfully, nothing was discovered—otherwise, judging by Rapi's cold expression when she walked in, he would have ended up on the receiving end of her blade.
Just as Mo Chen finally began to relax, Rapi suddenly stormed back into the room. She stood right in front of him, her head lowered, making it impossible to see her expression.
"Something else?"
Mo Chen couldn't help but ask.
Unexpectedly, Rapi abruptly lifted her head as if she had made some kind of important decision. Then, she spoke.
"Commander, I want to confirm our relationship."
"Huh?"
Mo Chen froze.
Her words completely baffled him.
Before he could fully grasp what Rapi meant, she had already begun moving toward him. Step by step, she advanced, unfastening her clothes as she walked. One by one, pieces of clothing fell to the floor. By the time she reached Mo Chen, only a black lingerie remained.
What… was she doing?
Mo Chen's brain short-circuited for a moment.
Under his stunned gaze, Rapi leaned forward, her graceful figure bending down as her delicate hands gently cupped his face. Then, she tilted her head up and moved in closer…
The silver moonlight streamed through the half-open window, breaking through the transparent glass. It poured in like liquid mercury, illuminating the velvet-draped room. A gentle breeze stirred the curtains, sending ripples through the fabric, while the wind outside hummed a soft, melancholic tune—like the quiet murmuring of a flowing stream, mingling with the creaking of the bed in the stillness of the night.
It felt like a dream.
An intoxicatingly beautiful dream.
Mo Chen couldn't help but let himself sink into it.
He wasn't sure whether it was because the dream was simply too good to wake from or if the virus concentration in the room was just too high, but a light-headed sensation washed over him—like the pleasant buzz of being slightly drunk.
It felt as though he were floating on clouds, every sensation in his hands soft and delicate, molding into various shapes at his touch—like the fluffy cotton candy of childhood, pure white and tender.
And in his mouth, there was a taste of sweetness.
Like a candied hawthorn, coated in sugar, ruby-red and enticing, something that he couldn't help but savor.
In the midst of this dreamlike trance, somewhere between waking and sleeping, he vaguely heard a voice.
A voice deep, magnetic—like the warm sun on a winter's day. Not scorching, but comforting. It carried a softness, yet it wasn't weak. Like a silk ribbon brushing past his ear, gentle yet firm, making it impossible not to be drawn in.
"You've got some impressive stamina, kid."
"Really know how to enjoy yourself."
"Well then… I won't hold back."
"I can't believe it, it's my first time, and I ran into such a handsome guy. Lucky me."
"Ahh…"
"Tsk tsk, who would've thought? Good-looking and surprisingly tough. In that case, I'll have to go all out…"
Meanwhile, just outside the room.
A lone figure stood silently in the hallway.
She was a stunning girl, her expression cool and detached, tinged with a hint of icy indifference. The thin dress shirt she wore barely concealed her figure, and her bare feet rested against the cold floor, making the chill of the season all the more evident.
Yet she didn't seem to care.
She simply stood there, unmoving. She made no reaction to the noises coming from inside.
It was Marian.
But unlike the innocent, pure-hearted girl she had appeared to be in front of Mo Chen before, this version of her was like an unyielding block of ice.
Those ruby-red eyes of hers… held not a single trace of emotion.
She stood there… like a weapon, one without feelings or hesitation.