Bewitched and Beloved

She had an unusual constitution from childhood: her wounds healed on their own, her blood could cure illness, and she could even transmigrate through time and space!

To escape her sworn enemy’s pursuit, she resolutely used the forbidden power that made everyone avoid her like the plague, tearing a rift in time and space.

Once she used it, she would lose her powers for a time.

The tattoo that appeared on her body was a sign that her powers were gone.

Until the tattoo faded, she could not leave.

There were only two short years…

◆, Do you like me…?

I do! I’d do anything for you!

Such a confident promise was hard not to like.

Then… do you want me to keep you by my side?

As long as you don’t throw me out, I’ll stay until I die!

In that case, don’t talk to me about true love, or… you’ll spoil all the fun. Don’t give me a reason to leave you, okay, sweetheart?

It was nice that she liked him. It meant she cared about him. But romance… that was far too dull.

◆ Chimei, a name as fitting as it was: a creature of mystery and allure.

A breathtakingly beautiful face, as if she did not belong to this world;

Bewitching eyes that always revealed a hint of demonish charm, yet concealed a coldness beneath;

A bizarre, flamboyant tattoo, grotesque as a monster;

How could a woman this strange and captivating exist? And how could she toy with all the men under heaven as if they were in the palm of her hand, then laugh it off?

◆ A scarlet fox, its face twisted into a vicious snarl, sprang at her, jaws wide open.

“Ah!” Gasps rose all around.

“…”

She cuddled the little thing in her arms and stroked its fur, smiling with a mixture of smugness and helplessness.

You little beast, your master hates me so much he grinds his teeth over it. Be careful getting so close to me, or he’ll have you neutered.

She did not need to look up to feel the hateful glare fixed on her.

◆ She laughed proudly at the world and left hearts broken wherever she went, yet never gave anyone her own. She would not let anyone make promises to her.

Only the cold, stern man who hated her to the bone left her powerless.

◇ Looking at the man on the bed, unable to move and glaring at her with hatred, she smiled recklessly and without a hint of regret.

There is no man I want that I cannot have, and you are no exception.

Do you hate me? Then hate me all you like. At least… you’ll keep me in your thoughts forever. Even if it’s hatred, I won’t let go.

[One-to-one ending. Strong heroine, some angst.]

◆ Qianye, what is it you want?

Once, someone offered me the whole world and promised me their true heart. I’ll give them both to you. Will you accept?

You don’t care about the world?

Then how about I destroy it for you?

You don’t want my true heart?

Then how about I learn from Bigan and cut out my heart to feed the dogs?

If you want revenge for your younger brother, you can stab me through the heart with your sword. Do whatever you like.

◇ The long sword pointed at the man’s chest. Her eyes were still as bewitching as ever, and beneath the sunlight, her tattoo seemed even more dazzling and glaring.

Is she the one you want to protect?

Chimei curled her lips into a cold smile.

You’d go so far as to draw your sword against me for her? How amusing… but in the end, haven’t you still fallen into my hands?

◆ When the sword that had once pierced her chest drew near again, in that instant, all affection vanished, leaving only a trail of dark, crimson wounds.

It turned out that no matter what she did, she could never change his hatred. It turned out that in this world… there were things she could not have.

In the past, she had toyed with other people’s feelings as she pleased. Now… she was getting what she deserved.

The wound in her chest healed slowly. Her muscle tissue cried out in waves, and her chest throbbed with tearing pain… but she did not care about any of it.

She merely closed her eyes for a moment, steadying her trembling body. When she opened them again, everything… was over.

Since you think so little of it, I’ll take it back, just as you wish.

At last, a smile capable of captivating all living souls curved her lips. Her rosy lips spoke each word clearly

Yan Qianye, from this moment on, you are free.

At that moment, the man felt the world spin around him.

◇, You still haven’t left? You really have no sense at all. How could there be a man in this world as clueless as you?… What a bore.

That once