Deviant: No Longer Human

Qian Ruixin sat at her vanity, her back to Wang Xiao, the silk of her Hanfu slipping lazily down her smooth shoulders. She raised her arms, revealing her delicate wrists, the fabric draping even further, exposing the soft curve of her back.

Her long hair cascaded down, framing her bare skin, her reflection almost ethereal.

"You scared her away," she murmured, her voice teasing but soft. She had only wanted him to suffer a little for teasing Lingling earlier.

She glanced at him through the mirror, lips curling into a subtle smile. "Now how am I supposed to fix this?" Her gaze flicked toward him again. "Maybe you should go downstairs and call my mother," she added, enjoying the thought of him suffering through that awkwardness.

Wang Xiao's eyes darkened, lingering on her exposed skin as the fabric slipped even further.

"Go downstairs? No need," he murmured, stepping closer. "I can fix that..." His voice dropped, sending a ripple of uncertainty through her.

"??"

Her heart skipped. "You?" she asked, turning her head slightly, confusion in her voice. But before she could react, Wang Xiao was behind her, his hands moving to the delicate fabric of her Hanfu.

Swoosh!

His fingers brushed the silk, adjusting it with surprising skill. Qian Ruixin's breath caught, expecting him to be clumsy, but instead, his touch was controlled—too perfect.

She barely had time to protest before his fingers grazed her bare shoulder, sending a wave of heat down her spine.

"!"

Her pulse quickened. His hands slid lower, brushing along the soft curve of her waist, then down toward her thighs through the silk.

She shifted in her seat, unsure, but unable to voice her hesitation. Her breathing grew shallow as more of her skin was revealed—her collarbone, the top of her breasts barely covered by the fabric.

"Xiao Wang," she whispered, trying to maintain control. "That's enough, I can—"

But he didn't stop.

His fingers slid higher, grazing the side of her ribs, just beneath her breasts. Her heart raced as she glanced at him through the mirror. His eyes were focused, absorbed in what he was doing, with no hint of hesitation or lust—just seriousness, which looked very attractive for a second, hitting her with a wave of shyness.

The fabric slipped further, her chest almost fully exposed, her body reacting with heat as his fingers brushed the edge of the silk. Her breath came in soft gasps, her lips parting. She felt her body stiffen as his hand grazed just beneath her breast, his thumb barely brushing the sensitive skin.

Her heart pound, her cheeks flushed.

She could feel the tension building, the heat pooling in her core. It was too much—she needed it to stop, but the words wouldn't come.

"I-I can do it myself," she finally stammered, her voice barely audible. She swatted his hands away, pulling the Hanfu up, covering her chest and collarbone.

Wang Xiao stepped back, his expression unreadable, though a faint smirk tugged at his lips. "Sure," he replied, his tone calm, as if nothing had happened.

Her heart was pounding, her body trembling as she quickly fixed her Hanfu, standing abruptly.

She rushed toward the door, needing to escape the uncomfortable atmosphere that had built up here.

As she left, her mind swirled with confusion, guilt—and something else she couldn't name.

She could still feel the warmth of his hands lingering on her skin.

In the hallway, she paused, catching her breath. It wasn't just what had happened with Wang Xiao—it was everything.

Her marriage had been cold, untouched. A month in, and they hadn't even consummated it. That dryness, that lack of intimacy...

'Is that why my body reacted like this?'

She couldn't let her thoughts spiral. She hurriedly called Lingling back into another room, not daring to be alone with another man again.

But one thing was certain: being in the same room with Wang Xiao was dangerous in ways she hadn't imagined.

Qian Ruixin realized with a subtle shock that the kid she had known had grown up.

She had intended to test him, but now, it was clear that she was the one being tested.

Wang Xiao, whom she had always overlooked, was actually quite handsome—a detail she had ignored until today.

The intensity in his eyes unsettled her, made her panic slightly.

He was confident in himself, but lust had a way of spiraling things out of control, especially at his age.

It was a dangerous time when a young man could easily lose himself.

The rest of the event passed smoothly, with no further accidents. Wang Xiao, relaxed, tried some of the food, but when he reached for the drinks, both Xin Meifang and Qian Ruixin exchanged uneasy glances.

They hadn't seen him drink before. If his mother finds out he is dead... both thought simultaneously, sighing as they wondered what had changed.

Meanwhile, Wang Xiao caught the eye of Liu Yanmei, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and asked her to join him for a drink.

She hesitated, clearly nervous, but approached him regardless.

"Um... Prince... Can I accompany you another time?" she pleaded, her voice tense.

Wang Xiao, already feeling the effects of the alcohol, narrowed his eyes. "Why? What's the problem now?" he asked, his tone edging toward irritation.

Liu Yanmei flinched under his sharp gaze. Her eyes darted toward Murong Shan, who was watching them with a dark expression, his face growing more sour by the second.

Her anxious gaze also searched for Murong Tianze, knowing that being seen with Wang Xiao could be a nightmare.

If Murong Tianze saw her with another man, especially Wang Xiao, it could end very badly for her.

"Are they more frightening than me?" Wang Xiao asked, his voice low and dangerous, though there was a hint of amusement.

His mood was unpredictable tonight—one wrong word, and no one would walk away alive.

Feeling the warning, Liu Yanmei acted quickly. She grabbed Wang Xiao's wrist, surprising him, and tugged him away from the crowd. She led him to a secluded corner, her actions hidden from most of the guests. But one person noticed—Qian Ruixin.

Her eyes followed them, stunned, knowing more about the situation than she wanted to.

Murong Shan, who had also seen Liu Yanmei grab Wang Xiao's hand, looked like he had swallowed something bitter, his expression darkening with each passing second.

Outside, in an abandoned parking lot, Liu Yanmei shoved Wang Xiao against a wall, her hands trembling as she kissed him fiercely.

"Mmmmgh..."

She groaned, slamming her lips against his, the burning taste of alcohol in her mouth. He grabbed her waist tightly in response, slightly stunned by her boldness. She really had guts.

Unknown to them, a pair of prying eyes watched from a nearby car.

Lingling had come out to retrieve something she had forgotten and was now frozen, hiding in the shadows as she witnessed the steamy scene.

She clamped her hand over her mouth, not daring to make a sound as she locked herself inside the car, her heart pounding.

'It's him!' she realized, recognizing Wang Xiao immediately.

However, the woman's face was obscured, only her back visible in the dark.

She couldn't tell who she was, but the intense scene left her feeling flustered and confused.