The Fourth Brother's embrace was like a boa constrictor killing its prey, cold and tight.
Yuan Luoyi struggled for a long time, but her strength was too small to break free. It wasn't until Yuan Si's desire for control was satisfied that Yuan Luoyi regained her freedom. She quickly backed away, putting distance between herself and Yuan Si.
She had to maintain a safe social distance from this dangerous person, Yuan Si. Who knows how long she would be coiled up next time if caught.
Yuan Si said, "Big Brother said you're not so afraid of people anymore. Why are you still avoiding me?"
Yuan Luoyi glared at him, "You almost strangled me with your coils."
Yuan Si chuckled, "I just missed you too much. It's been almost a year since we last saw each other."
He lazily stretched his limbs. Having just woken up gave him a sense of haziness. His hair was messy, his clothes half open, and the stretching movements pulled at his collar, unintentionally exposing his toned collarbone.
"You haven't had breakfast yet, have you? I brought some pastries from Paris for you to try."
He sauntered over to the table, took out a carved glass cup, poured in some red tea, and took out the small pastries from the gift box. His long fingers adjusted the position of the plates with practiced, graceful movements, quickly setting out a table of delicacies.
Yuan Si had an artistic flair. Even with just a few pastries, he arranged them with the quality of an oil painting, looking utterly tempting. He extended his hand in invitation, but Yuan Luoyi did not move.
In the past, Yuan Si would often hold "Princess Tea Parties" for Yuan Luoyi, preparing a similar table of fragrant, sweet, and beautiful pastries.
Little Yuan Luoyi lacked judgment back then and was easily lured in, like Alice falling down the rabbit hole, attracted by the magnificent and mysterious scene before her, stepping into the wonderland one step at a time.
The price was that Yuan Si would lock the door.
At first, Yuan Luoyi happily enjoyed the pastries, the smooth, sweet cream melting on her tongue, everything in line with her heart's desire.
Then she realized she couldn't get out. Terrified, she hugged her little teddy bear tightly, searching everywhere for an exit. Finally, she found there was no escape and sat on the floor, trembling and crying in despair.
Meanwhile, Yuan Si quietly stood in the shadows, fascinated as he observed his sister's reactions, firmly committing every tiny change to memory.
To him, a person of muted emotions, his sister was a wondrous creature, able to display so many emotions in just a few minutes. It was like peering through a kaleidoscope, with colors alternating and patterns shifting, never boring him no matter how long he watched.
Now, Yuan Si had set out another table of pastries, but Yuan Luoyi no longer dared to trust him.
As if sensing his sister's doubts, Yuan Si gestured in invitation again, "Come here, they're delicious."
Yuan Luoyi said, "I'm not hungry."
Yuan Si smiled, a hint of deviance in his expression. Of course, he knew Yuan Luoyi was lying.
He walked towards Yuan Luoyi. As a male, his figure exuded power, but his waist was slender and slim. When he moved, he was like a flexible giant python, quiet and slow, with the predatory sense of aggression unique to hunters.
As he approached Yuan Luoyi, he suddenly became exceptionally agile, swiftly extending his large hand to grab her. He pulled Yuan Luoyi to the table and, before she could react, pressed her into the soft armchair.
Yuan Si said in a soft voice, "You've grown up and become more cautious than before. That's a good thing, as there are too many people out there trying to deceive you. But don't be tense. Your Fourth Brother won't hurt you. These are simply sweets, not poisoned apples meant to ensnare you."
He picked one up, opened his mouth to reveal his sharp fangs, and bit into the soft cake, swallowing it. "See, no poison. I'm not dead."
He took another and offered it to Yuan Luoyi, "Try it."
Yuan Luoyi had no choice but to accept it and took a small bite.
Hmm, it had a unique flavor and was quite delicious.
Yuan Luoyi looked at Yuan Si, "Fourth Brother, what are you doing at our Star Galaxy Middle School?"
Yuan Si sat across from her, "Tomorrow, Star Galaxy Middle School will be holding a new event, and I'm a special guest. I'll be signing contracts with promising students to help them enter the entertainment industry."
He took out a contract and placed it on the table, "Your previous performance was excellent. You easily attracted everyone's attention, as expected of my sister. You were born to be a star. Sign this contract, and I can help make you even more famous."
Yuan Luoyi understood now. The pastries weren't the bait; this contract was.
From what she knew of Yuan Si, if she signed it, she would surely become famous, but she would also lose her freedom.
It would be like a nightingale trapped in a gilded cage. The whole world would be entranced by its song, but it could never fly towards the sky again.
This was not the life she wanted. She would not sign this contract.
Yuan Luoyi said, "Being famous isn't as great as it seems. There are many fans, but they don't love the real me. I don't know how to face them most of the time."
Yuan Si leaned back in the armchair, his movements languid, but his gaze was focused intently on Yuan Luoyi. "My dear sister, you don't need to worry about that. No one is truly real. Everyone is pretending, telling lies and suppressing themselves, all to craft a pleasant persona."
He suddenly moved in front of Yuan Luoyi, leaning down, his cold fingers lightly touching her cheek.
"Look at your eyes, so pure and moving. Sometimes filled with laughter like a warm spring breeze, sometimes sorrowful with tears like a frigid winter. The four seasons alternate in your eyes, so beautiful..."
"So please, be more confident. You have a gift that makes people fall for you. You've never needed any pretense. This is a gift from heaven. As your brother, how could I bear to see you wasting it?"
"One day, the whole world will be enthralled by you. Let me help you. In the future, you'll enjoy the pleasures of fame."
Yuan Luoyi said, "The pleasures of fame..."
Yuan Si's voice was spellbinding, "Yes, imagine it. No matter man or woman, they'll all be entranced by you. They'll submit to you, treating you as their one and only deity!"
"They'll devoutly offer you everything, while you hold complete power over them. With just a word from you, you could make them fall from heaven to hell."
"Even your enemies would lay down their weapons and kneel before you, allowing you to slaughter them as you please."
Yuan Si spread his arms, his eyes holding a chilling madness, like an ambitious man under the spotlight using his charm to fervently incite people to die for him.
From somewhere, he produced a crown, silver vines entwined with shimmering diamonds, magnificent and noble.
The crown gently settled upon Yuan Luoyi's head. Yuan Si gripped the armrests, suddenly exerting force to effortlessly rotate the chair 90 degrees, turning it towards the mirror.
Yuan Luoyi saw herself, wearing the crown. She really did look like a noble princess now, while Yuan Si stood at her side, like an evil regent king, secretly guiding the future queen to become a bloodthirsty tyrant trampling over all life.
Yuan Si was very satisfied, "Just as I imagined, it suits you perfectly. This is a little gift I had made especially for you. I hope you like it."
"I also hope you'll wear it when we go out together. I've already called the reporters. I want to announce in front of them that you've signed with me."
"Afterwards, I'll arrange a stylist for you to develop a suitable path. Then we'll hold a banquet to introduce you to my connections."
"Is that alright?"
Yuan Luoyi didn't think it was a question since Yuan Si's overpowering desire for control never allowed anyone to refuse him.
