I'm in Mota, and they all want me to confess my feelings!

She instinctively gripped her cane tighter, turned her flushed cheeks to the side, and murmured in a voice barely audible, "If... if Mr. Duanmu really has nowhere else to go... it's... not impossible..."

The voice was as soft as morning mist; even she herself could not hear it clearly, let alone reach Duanmu Yan's ears.

Duanmu Yan gazed at the girl's face, which was flushed even at the tips of her ears, and couldn't help but smile: "Alright, I was just joking with you. I understand the rules of the guild, so naturally I won't make things difficult for you. Besides... sigh, running away isn't the solution."

Escape is shameful, but useful.

even though……

This useful effect doesn't last long.

"I...I didn't..." The girl hurriedly looked up, wanting to explain, but the words got stuck in her throat, and in the end, they only turned into a barely audible sigh.

She lowered her head and stared at her chest, twisting her fingers in frustration—why hadn't she mustered the courage to speak her mind earlier?

"Duanmu, your meal is ready!" Margaret peeked out from behind the counter at just the right moment and gently pushed the beautifully packaged paper bag forward.

"Coming." Duanmu Yan stood up in response, and gave Phoebe a weary smile as he took out his wallet. "Anyway... Phoebe, I hope we'll both be safe and sound when we meet again. Goodbye."

Phoebe watched his retreating figure disappear under the streetlights, blinking in confusion. "What's wrong with Mr. Duanmu today? It's really puzzling..."

"Phoebe, your pizza is ready too."

"Well, I'm here."

"Phoebe, your pizza is done too, chu!"

"Well, here we go."

As she approached the counter, she noticed a dark-colored wallet lying quietly next to her fragrant pizza: "What's this?"

Margaret wiped the glass helplessly: "It must have been left by Duanmu. Could you please deliver it to him on your way? You two should be quite familiar with each other, right?"

"Shall I deliver it?" Phoebe lightly touched the wallet with her fingertips, still warm from her body, and a knowing smile bloomed in her iris-purple eyes. "Sure, I'd love to."

Volume 1: Chapter 153 The Harem Catches Fire

It's approaching midnight.

Duanmu Yan stood in front of his house, pressing his ear against the cold door like a thief, holding his breath and listening intently to the sounds coming from inside.

The room was eerily quiet.

—A deathly silence.

It was as if no one was inside, and even the air seemed to have frozen.

But he knew perfectly well what was going on.

Coleta and Floro must be behind the door.

They waited for themselves, waited for their return.

There is no way out now.

The truth will eventually come out; you can escape it for a while, but not forever.

Rather than lingering on like a coward, stand tall and face this inevitable judgment!

He took a deep breath and inserted the key into the lock.

The soft clanging of metal turning was particularly clear in the silent corridor, like a death knell tolling for him.

The room was pitch black, with even the moonlight blocked out by the heavy curtains.

Duanmu Yan stood in the entryway, surrounded by thick darkness, almost doubting that the house was empty.

But the two distinct breaths left no room for doubt—one light and shallow, the other steady and deep, like the ebb and flow of the tide in the dark night.

"came back?"

A cool, clear voice rang out from the room.

That's the second young lady's voice.

Duanmu Yan replied, "I'm back."

"You still know about coming back?"

The voice was chilling, like a musket gently pressed against your forehead.

"I thought you had forgotten I was there while you were in the jellyfish spirit's arms."

The living room lights suddenly turned on, but they couldn't illuminate the gloom in Koleta's eyes.

Duanmu Yan did not respond immediately, but simply placed the lunchbox in his hand gently on the coffee table.

The lunchbox made a dull thud as it hit the table, sounding particularly jarring in the tense atmosphere.

“Actually, Miss, I also have my reasons. At the time, I was in an out-of-body state and had no way to stop Cantrella’s actions. In a way, I am also a victim.”

"You're acting all aggrieved?" Koleta's lips twitched with anger. "Do you know what that jellyfish spirit did? She sent countless... disgusting photos to provoke me, and I could only watch helplessly! I couldn't do anything about it! Like a circus clown!"

"..."

he knows.

Of course he knew.

After all, when he was with Kathisia, Duanmu Yan could already sense that Cantrell was touching him inappropriately.

Floro remained quietly seated at the other end of the sofa, her crossed legs motionless.

She placed her hands lightly on her knees, seemingly indifferent—but a fleeting hint of resentment in her eyes betrayed her true feelings.

Although she was used to this kind of thing, it didn't mean that she had no feelings about it at all.

"After talking so much, you must all be hungry, right?" Duanmu Yan tried to change the subject, pushing the still-steaming lunchbox towards the center of the coffee table. "I just bought pizza and braised noodles. Let's eat something first."

Koleta gritted her teeth, her eyes burning with a ghostly fire: "That jellyfish spirit humiliated me for an entire day. Do you understand what that means? It wouldn't matter if it were anyone else—no, even if it were anyone else, it wouldn't be acceptable! As the second young lady of the Motari family, I was mocked like this by the head of the Fesari family—my dignity was trampled on like this by my nemesis!"

"...So, would you like to try this seafood stew noodles first?"

"Keep it for your jellyfish spirit to eat!"

"But Cantrela doesn't like pizza; she prefers lighter meals."

"you--!"

"But Miss, I am yours now."

"You still remember you're one of my people?" Koleta suddenly turned her head, her sharp gaze sweeping over the ever-silent Floro. "And what about her? And how do you explain this one?"

When questioned, Floro remained unfazed.

They spent the entire day in the same room, yet rarely spoke to each other—perhaps because most of their attention was drawn to the patriarch, who was far away in Fesari.

"I--"

Just as Duanmu Yan was about to speak, his words were calmly cut off by Floro.

The girl in scarlet responded gracefully, lightly tapping her knee with her fingertips.

“It’s simple, he owes me a favor.” A smile played on her lips. “And my request is to stay here. Is that too much to ask?”

Koleta's eyes trembled as she struggled to suppress her anger and maintain her composure: "Didn't you hear what Duanmu said? I think I don't need to repeat it a second time, do I? So, I won't agree!"

"What's the use of you not agreeing?" Floro laughed it off. "Duanmu has already agreed to let me live with him. Besides, I've already said that you're not the first one."

"That's just sophistry!" Koleta suddenly stood up, her skirt tracing a sharp arc, and she slightly stood on tiptoe. "If I can't handle Cantrella, surely I can handle you?"

Faced with this threat, Floro simply turned his head lazily and responded with a faint smile: "What? Is the Motari family planning to use those shady methods to sink me to the bottom of the sea? How terrifying."

“I’ve never done anything like this before, but I don’t mind setting a precedent for you.”

The air seemed to solidify into a tangible blade, hanging between the two.

Duanmu Yan stood in the eye of the storm, watching the flames he had ignited grow ever stronger, but he was helpless to stop them.

Just as tensions were about to escalate, the clear sound of the doorbell suddenly rang, breaking the tense atmosphere.

The three of them looked towards the entrance hall without prior arrangement.

"Who?" Duanmu Yan asked cautiously.

“It’s me, Phoebe.” A girl’s clear, spring-like voice came from outside the door.

Phoebe?

Why is she here?

While Duanmu Yan was still confused, Koleta's face had visibly darkened.

She slowly approached, her fingertips subtly touching his waist, a cold smile playing on her lips: "Oh? It seems that after his tender moment with the jellyfish spirit, someone still has the leisure to have a tryst with the priests of the order."

"Mr. Duanmu, you are truly a master of time management. No wonder your ability to resonate is related to time."

"Hiss—" Duanmu Yan gasped, dodging the mischievous hand. "Second Miss, you've really misunderstood this time! Phoebe and I are completely innocent!"

Floro rested his chin lazily on his hand, his tone meaningful: "Oh? Then why did you two sleep together last time?"

"How did you know?!" Duanmu Yan turned his head in shock, only to meet Koleta's icy gaze.

“It’s truly amazing to the people of Emu Jiuqi Liujiu (1) 38 Lu, cat’s eye stone.”

Koleta gently stroked her cheek, her voice as sweet as poisoned honey.

"Why don't you just tell me how many sisters there are? That way I can visit them one day and get to know them in person."

Volume 1: Chapter 154 Three Women Make a Show

Phoebe stood outside the door, feeling a little nervous.

There is nothing we can do about this.

It was the middle of the night, and he was a priest of the religious order, yet he was standing in front of a man's room.

It would be fine if it were anyone else, but this person just happens to be Si Ling (7) Er Er (4) Ba Si Duanmu Yan.

How could a girl who has always harbored feelings for him—and more than just feelings—not have wild fantasies?

"It's so late now, I don't know if I can make it back in time for curfew."

"If I can't go back, could Mr. Duanmu let me stay for the night?"

The night breeze swept through the silent world, carrying a cool fragrance that gently caressed her cheeks, making the blush even more vibrant.

When she realized how daring her thoughts were, the girl hurriedly covered her burning cheeks with her cool hands and gently shook her head as if trying to shake those romantic ideas out of her mind.

What's wrong with me?

"Why have I been overthinking things lately!"

"Mr. Duanmu is Mr. Duanmu! How could I possibly have strange thoughts about him?"

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart, only to find that the flutter had already taken root in the softest corner of her heart.

At that moment, the door in front of them opened.

Phoebe, what brings you here?

Phoebe looked up in response, only to find that Duanmu Yan's smile was somewhat unnaturally stiff.

“This.” She handed him the wallet, her fingertips brushing against his palm. “It’s Mr. Duanmu left at the restaurant. Miss Margaret found it and specifically asked me to bring it here.”

"Wallet?" Duanmu Yan subconsciously touched his empty pockets and couldn't help but smile wryly.

It really is.

They didn't even realize their wallet was missing.

This has never happened before.

Alas, there is no way.

The events of today were so terrible that he had no time to care about anything else.

"Thank you for your trouble, Phoebe." He took the wallet, his voice tinged with apology. "You've gone to all this trouble."

“It’s alright.” Phoebe lowered her head, her smile very reserved. “Mr. Duanmu takes such good care of me, it’s only right.”

"If there's nothing else, I'll go ahead..."

Duanmu Yan tried his best to maintain a kind expression and tone in front of the girl, but the two gazes directed at him from the living room made him feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.

"Wait, wait a minute!" Phoebe suddenly called out urgently, her slender fingers clutching the hem of her clothes, her cheeks flushing. "Actually, I..."

The words stammered and lingered on his lips, unable to form a coherent sentence.