After Transmigrating Into a Book, I Was Played by the Black Lotus – Chapter 52

The Underground World

When the call ended, the air suddenly became silent.

A light, slow breath was exhaled beside her ear, floating over delicate, sensitive skin and stirring up ripples.

Lin Xingzhu lowered her gaze. “I need to go out for a bit.”

Time waited for no one. She had used her past attitude to convince Shang Cengrou to take her out to “have some fun,” so naturally, she wanted to go and take a look tonight. Even if it wasn’t the place she was looking for, Lin Xingzhu could take the opportunity to probe for more information that couldn’t be found just by investigating what was on white paper with black words¹.

Bai Xiying lifted her eyes to look at her, her body slowly pulling away from its clinging state. “I know. This is, after all, a very good way to investigate.”

Lin Xingzhu relaxed a little, only to suddenly hear the person before her change the subject. “I’m going too.”

Without even thinking, Lin Xingzhu subconsciously refused, “No.”

After a pause, to reassure Bai Xiying, she added, “I know you’re worried about Senior Xie. Don’t worry, I won’t forget.”

Bai Xiying shook her head, her voice calm. “You know that’s not what I mean. I’m worried about you.”

Worried about her?

Lin Xingzhu’s eyes flickered, and she then feigned a natural tone, “What is there to worry about with me?”

After a pause, she added, “You know as well as I do, I’ve been to places like this many times before, it’s like I am on a light carriage on a familiar road². Besides, I’m going as a God of Wealth³ to spend money. They’ll have no choice but to welcome me, so what’s there to worry about?”

Bai Xiying was not fooled at all by the words she had deliberately spoken.

Her voice was composed as she reasoned logically, “No matter what, I will indeed worry about you. Besides, you said it yourself, you’re going to be a God of Wealth. If I go with you, we’re naturally bringing them business. What are you afraid of?”

What was she afraid of?

Lin Xingzhu remained silent. The presence of Bai Xiying, in any scene involving bars or parties, made her quite afraid of triggering something bad.

Bai Xiying watched her and said, “Lin Xingzhu, I want to go with you.”

Looking at her determined expression, Lin Xingzhu’s heart was suddenly touched. Her brain, which had been so eager to shelter her, suddenly cleared.

She had no right to refuse Bai Xiying from reaching any destination. Even if, in the future, she was truly fortunate enough to be with Bai Xiying, she still wouldn’t have that right.

No matter when or where, when facing Bai Xiying, Lin Xingzhu could not act like a ruler and make decisions on her own.

If she was worried about Bai Xiying, she should be facing things together with her, protecting her when danger arose, not stopping her from taking the first step from the very beginning.

Moreover, the current Bai Xiying also had her own reasons for wanting to go.

Just as Bai Xiying thought she would need to spend more effort to persuade Lin Xingzhu, the person in front of her suddenly softened her tone and uttered, “Okay.”

A slight ripple stirred in the bottom of her heart.

Bai Xiying’s gaze was uncontrollably drawn to the woman standing silently by the window at this moment.

She had actually been prepared to be rejected again, but she hadn’t expected Lin Xingzhu to give her such a surprising answer.

Noticing the hint of confusion rising in Bai Xiying’s eyes, Lin Xingzhu gave a wry smile. The suppression swirling in her eyes dissipated somewhat. Though her voice was hoarse, it carried a clarity and tolerance like a gentle breeze. “You want to go, don’t you?”

Yes, she wanted to go.

Bai Xiying suddenly smiled.

Suppressing the desire to kiss Lin Xingzhu right then and there, Bai Xiying restrainedly averted her gaze and made a suggestion. “To prevent Shang Cengrou from getting suspicious, I can go as your female companion, looking for a thrill.”

“Bringing your companion to a place like that to play with newer things together, wouldn’t that be even more thrilling?”

Lin Xingzhu subconsciously frowned.

Bai Xiying gently smoothed the crease between her brows, smiling as if it didn’t matter at all. “I don’t mind. For our ultimate goal, so what if we’re just putting on a show for them?”

She withdrew her hand and raised her lips into a smile. “Besides, when the time comes to play, I believe the only ones who will be the most intimate are the two of us.”

Hearing Bai Xiying’s suggestive words, Lin Xingzhu instantly understood.

She was still a little bothered by how Bai Xiying had just spoken of herself in a lowly manner, but seeing that Bai Xiying didn’t seem to mind at all, she was silent for a moment before agreeing to her arrangement.

The two went back to their respective rooms to change into clothes suitable for a bar. When they drove out of the residential complex, Shang Cengrou happened to have just arrived.

Watching Shang Cengrou approach in her high heels, Lin Xingzhu rolled down the car window and tilted her head to ask, “Where to?”

Only then did Shang Cengrou see that there was another person in Lin Xingzhu’s car.

She was startled. “Xingzhu, what is this?”

Lin Xingzhu glanced at her, as if to say, what’s the big deal, and said nonchalantly, “What? I can’t bring someone?”

Shang Cengrou’s cheek twitched. She hadn’t expected Lin Xingzhu to be so open in front of Bai Xiying.

After all, Bai Xiying wasn’t like the people they called over at bars and clubs; she was a genuinely respectable person.

Bai Xiying had already fully immersed herself in her designated role. She shot Shang Cengrou a glare, then coiled around Lin Xingzhu’s shoulder like a water snake, exuding an aura of dependence, obedience, and fascination.

Shang Cengrou: “……”

Damn, you really are something else, Lin Xingzhu.

Half of her body tingled, but Lin Xingzhu’s expression remained unchanged. When she looked up at Shang Cengrou, her face was full of impatience. “Isn’t it more fun this way? Are you still going or not?”

Putting away her shocked expression, Shang Cengrou chuckled. “Of course, we’re going. I just didn’t expect you to be so wild.”

Since she had already decided to take Lin Xingzhu, what difference did it make to bring along one more playmate that Lin Xingzhu had tamed?

Thinking this, as Shang Cengrou’s gaze swept over Bai Xiying, who was clinging to Lin Xingzhu, an imperceptible trace of contempt flashed in her eyes.

Bai Xiying was extremely sensitive to gazes and naturally noticed the disdain Shang Cengrou was trying to hide. She lowered her eyes and ignored her, but sneered inwardly.

The engine started again. Lin Xingzhu drove behind Shang Cengrou. When they arrived at their destination and got out of the car, she looked at the sign hanging high above and was suddenly taken aback.

She had been here before.

Back when Shang Cengrou was being troubled by Zhao Manxiang, Lin Xingzhu had received her call for help and rushed over. The bar she had entered was this very one.

Thinking of this, she looked at Shang Cengrou and raised an eyebrow slightly. “The fun you were talking about is here?”

Shang Cengrou clearly knew what Lin Xingzhu was suspecting. She didn’t explain, but the smile on her face was particularly meaningful. “I guarantee, what we’re playing today will definitely open your eyes.”

Feeling underestimated and provoked, Lin Xingzhu let out a soft scoff. “I will wipe my eyes and wait⁴.”

Tossing the car keys to the valet, Lin Xingzhu wrapped her arm around Bai Xiying’s waist, her palm pressing tightly against the warm flesh. Bai Xiying immediately felt half her body go soft. She pressed against Lin Xingzhu, letting her lead her into a dazzling, crazy, and bewildering world.

The inside of the bar was the same as last time. People were dancing wildly on the central dance floor, and the air was filled with the decadent scent of smoke and alcohol.

Lin Xingzhu had thought Shang Cengrou would lead her to take the elevator up, but she found that she was leading the way through the crowd, gradually arriving at a door that was nearly the same color as its surroundings.

There was almost no one here. The path they took had naturally left everyone else behind. Lin Xingzhu glanced back the way they came; only a faint echo of the thrumming music remained.

Rows of masks hung on the walls on either side of the door, like decorations.

But Lin Xingzhu saw Shang Cengrou take three of them down, handing two of the masks to them.

“There’s an unwritten rule here. Everyone who enters has to wear a mask,” Shang Cengrou explained as she put hers on.

Lin Xingzhu and Bai Xiying exchanged a look and both took one.

Lin Xingzhu noticed Shang Cengrou press a few keys on a keypad, and then the door in front of them was opened by someone.

“This place is members-only. You have to reach a certain level to be qualified to get the password,” Shang Cengrou introduced.

Lin Xingzhu said with a half-smile, “Looks like you’ve been playing for quite a while.”

Admitting it without any evasion, Shang Cengrou led the two through a dim corridor, and the view before them suddenly opened up.

Dazzling lights, extravagant and ambiguous decor. As far as the eye could see, it was as if one had entered a brand-new underground kingdom.

Like a replica of the bar’s decor above ground, two valets also stood before this door that signified the opening of a new world. However, witnessing the undulating muscles beneath their suits, Lin Xingzhu was certain that the fighting strength of the two men upstairs could not compare to the ones before her.

Shang Cengrou raised an eyebrow and walked over first, letting the two men scan her body. She didn’t forget to turn back and remind Lin Xingzhu and Bai Xiying, “To protect everyone’s privacy, no electronic devices are allowed inside. You have to be scanned before entering. You can lock your phones in the safes on the side beforehand.”

She lifted her chin, signaling for Lin Xingzhu to look at the other wall.

Lin Xingzhu glanced over it, noncommittal. “Were you inside just now? How did you get the call?”

At the mention of this, Shang Cengrou smiled ambiguously. “Because I was already in another private place.”

Lin Xingzhu: “……”

OK, she probably already knew what that was.

“Then I’ve really disturbed you,” Lin Xingzhu said without a hint of sincerity.

Lin Xingzhu and Bai Xiying locked their phones in a safe together. After being checked by the valets, they followed Shang Cengrou into this place that was another cave heaven⁵.

Upon entering, the first thing that caught one’s eye was the high, circular platform in front, which looked like a large stage. With the round platform as the center, tiers of seats extended outwards along its curve in a stepped fashion.

The audience was already seated above, all wearing various masks, like judges in ancient Rome watching a gladiatorial performance.

Lin Xingzhu’s hand on Bai Xiying’s waist subconsciously tightened.

Excitement filled Shang Cengrou’s eyes. Lin Xingzhu noticed her mood was completely different from before and frowned inwardly.

“How about it? Have you guessed anything?” Shang Cengrou asked with great interest. Upon entering this place that masked all social morals and character, her entire being radiated an extreme pleasure of releasing her true nature.

“I’ve guessed.”

Lin Xingzhu said with interest, “It seems you really didn’t disappoint me.”

Shang Cengrou led the two of them up the steps and found a place to sit.

“In a moment, if there’s someone you like after the performance, you can choose to bid for them. For the next twenty-four hours, he will belong to you.”

“If you’re not interested in the performance, you can ask a waiter for a menu,” Shang Cengrou hinted. “Then you can order the delicacy you wish to taste tonight and enjoy it.”

Bai Xiying took the opportunity to shrink into Lin Xingzhu’s embrace.

Gently stroking the slender back of the person in her arms, her fingers tapping ambiguously, Lin Xingzhu sneered, “That’s it?”

Shang Cengrou just smiled without a word. “With anything, you only know where the greatest pleasure lies after you’ve seen it and done it.”

The meaning was, of course, that it wasn’t as simple as what was said on the surface.

Lin Xingzhu raised an eyebrow. Just then, there was sudden movement on the round stage below. She relaxed her body slightly, deciding to watch first before saying anything more.

All the signs seemed to indicate that the place she was in now was a relatively famous underground world within a specific circle.

The urge to leave couldn’t help but soar.

She didn’t discriminate against people with any special kinks, as long as both parties were willing.

But it was very clear that in this underground world, the lambs trembling and performing on the glorious, shining stage did not seem to be there voluntarily.

The sound of whipping, filled with special meaning, echoed endlessly. The air burned with an out-of-control, crazy, and intoxicating aura.

Lin Xingzhu’s eyes were fixed tightly on the nearly naked young girl’s feet. A pair of cold, oppressive iron shackles were fastened on them, which, combined with the bloody wounds, was particularly jarring.

Another person’s breath slowly drew near, a cool mask brushing against her cheek. Bai Xiying narrowed her eyes, her expression under the mask strange and peculiar. The voice that came out was like a hissing snake’s tongue, symbolizing misfortune and danger. “Tell me, what are you looking at?”

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