Chapter Ninety-Eight: Betting on White Meow Meow’s Folly

Forgotriver appeared utterly confident, while Youluo showed a slight tremor.

“What’s the bet?”

Forgotriver pondered for a long moment before answering slowly, “The bet is on whom she herself chooses to follow. She goes with whoever she wants, and the other party has no right to object.”

Youluo frowned. “Qianqian once belonged to you and feared you deeply, so naturally she would be scared and follow you. I won’t bet on that.”

“Is that so?” Forgotriver looked at me with a faint smile.

That smile sent a jolt through me, like an electric shock, making me both panicked and on the verge of tears.

Before I left the rift, Forgotriver had clearly told me I no longer needed to seek him out, that we were no longer connected.

In the past few days, I had been comforting myself, clinging to the hope that things were as they were before our quarrel.

But now that he had truly appeared, I didn’t even have the courage to call out to him, much less approach.

It wasn’t, as Youluo claimed, fear of him—I wasn’t afraid he’d hit or bully me. What terrified me was the thought that he might reject me.

That would hurt all over again.

Last time, I was haunted by the shadow of losing my baby; this time, even though he had come for me, I lacked the courage.

What if—what if I were refused? What would I do? Bash my head against the wall?

Youluo seemed to catch the flicker of emotion in my eyes but hesitated over whether to accept Forgotriver’s wager.

Indeed, the bet was unfair to Youluo.

But I also knew Youluo had done a lot beforehand—like the underwear incident that created a rift between Forgotriver and me.

And Rebecca and Claudia’s threats, as well as Youluo’s feigned kindness these past few days.

Silence surrounded the wager; no one spoke. Peimu stared wide-eyed at the pensive Youluo.

Finally, Forgotriver added a few conditions.

“First, if White Meow Meow goes back with me, she remains the guardian cat, and we have no further ties.”

“Second, any trouble caused in recent days will be punished equally—you won’t escape.”

“Third, if she wants to return, she must kneel and beg me.”

Forgotriver said this with a smile, while Youluo looked at me.

Shock was written all over my face.

Return, have nothing to do with him, still be punished, and kneel to beg him?

Seeing my stunned expression, Youluo glanced again at the resolute Forgotriver.

Even Peimu’s fur stood on end, staring at Forgotriver in disbelief before exclaiming and throwing himself onto him.

“Damn it! My Chuanger, have you lost your mind? Wasn’t all this for nothing?”

My heart raced, my face flushed bright red, and I didn’t know what to say.

Forgotriver stepped aside disdainfully, looking at Peimu without expression.

“So? Will you agree?”

Youluo looked at me again, at my petrified form.

Truth be told, I felt it would be better not to go back at all.

Why return? To suffer punishment? To be told we have no connection? To kneel and beg?

Maybe I’d even be left alone in the forest to be pecked at by birds!

Youluo saw my stupefied state clearly, but in the end, he smiled and said softly, “You’re far too confident.”

“The bet is on White Meow Meow’s shamelessness,” Forgotriver said, still smiling at me.

I swallowed hard, my eyes darting anxiously, my heart inexplicably pounding.

Youluo turned around, straightening my collar, which he had crookedly grasped.

“Bet then.” He sighed softly, as if certain Forgotriver would lose. “You’ll stay, won’t you?”

Peimu snorted, “Stay to be eaten? No way!”

Youluo looked into my eyes with a gentle tone that made my scalp tingle.

“I don’t care what you were before. As long as you stay now, you are a new soul, the Third Princess Consort, and I will love you.”

I took several deep breaths. Why did this feel so difficult?

I didn’t want to stay with Youluo! His words sounded sweet, but his actions weren’t! I knew it!

But if Forgotriver said we had no ties anymore, why did he come looking for me? And why treat me this way once here?

I looked at Forgotriver in panic, whispering, “Master…”

He gave no response but a soft hum, lowering his gaze to me.

He acknowledged me. He didn’t ignore me!

Suddenly, a flicker of courage stirred within, and I took a step forward.

Forgotriver’s lips curved slightly. Seeing Youluo nervous again, he added,

“Kneel and crawl over.”

A sharp crack echoed in my mind, and my body stiffened.

At this moment, deep breaths were useless—it was too humiliating! Why did Forgotriver have to do this?

Still, I knelt. It wasn’t the first time. I was used to it. I told myself I was just a cat crawling forward.

Kneeling beside Forgotriver, my face felt like it was on fire.

I didn’t dare look at Youluo; I had no idea what expression he wore. I only knew Forgotriver was right.

I was indeed shameless.

A cool hand covered my cheek with unexpected tenderness. I looked up at Forgotriver’s cold eyes.

“Beg me,” he said.

My heart nearly leapt from my chest. Peimu stared, frozen like me.

“Beg… beg Master to take me back,” I murmured, eyes fixed on a button on his collar.

“Louder.”

“Please, Master! Take me back!”

“Going back means punishment. You still want to return?” His eyes narrowed, burning.

“Yes!”

I kept my head bowed, feeling the heat even without looking.

I didn’t know why, but the thought of not going back meant I wouldn’t see him ever again.

I might never see him again! That made me anxious.

Besides, this place wasn’t somewhere I belonged.

Youluo wasn’t a good man. Though he seemed kind, he never truly cared for me.

Women are sensitive; it’s clear who genuinely cares.

His finger slipped into my mouth. I heard Forgotriver say, “Lick.”

The familiar scent of a male made me instinctively stick out my tongue and lick twice, then look up to see his lips curve slightly.

Burning hot!

Again, a fiery sensation surged through me.

“Get up.” His command was as stern and cold as the first time we met.

I scrambled up awkwardly. It was embarrassing, but I endured it.

I glanced up slightly and saw Youluo’s face pale with anger.

Forgotriver touched my cheek with a proud smile, then looked at Youluo.

“See? I told you she’s shameless.” He pinched my cheek. “Isn’t that right, White Meow Meow?”

“…Yes.” I pressed my lips together, too shy to lift my head.

“You…” Youluo seemed too angry to speak.

“Sorry, I’m taking her away.” Forgotriver bowed slightly, then turned, naturally taking my hand.

He pulled me along, and I saw Youluo didn’t chase after us.

Surrounded by howling fiends with grotesque faces occasionally brushing past me, Forgotriver asked,

“Afraid?”

I barely spoke, only shaking my head vigorously.

Peimu’s face was as grim as Youluo’s. He patted me hard.

“You’re so brave!”

The force surprised me, making me grunt. Forgotriver shifted me to shield me from Peimu.

Peimu gleefully patted Forgotriver. “You’re smart! Now we don’t have to fight the Underworld! Seems there’s no grudge! Amazing! But honestly, if I were me, I wouldn’t go back with you!”

Forgotriver chuckled, squeezing my hand. “My cat, I raised her myself, so I know her temper well.”

I pouted, feeling oddly happy despite myself.

Peimu looked at Forgotriver, then at me. “So jealous. I want a cat too.”

Forgotriver frowned. “Didn’t we agree you could pick one?”

“There’s none so obedient.” Peimu sulkily tried to grab me.

Forgotriver blocked him. Peimu pulled on Forgotriver’s sleeve instead.

“Then, when you’re done playing with her, give her to me, okay?”

Hearing this, I instantly tensed, barely daring to breathe as I stared at Forgotriver.

“You want the females I’ve been with too?” Forgotriver raised an eyebrow and tossed Peimu’s words back at him.

Peimu was stunned, then slapped his forehead. “Gross! I want a cute little princess.” He burst into laughter.

Forgotriver said nothing. At a shaft of faint light, he suddenly lifted me up, his coat wrapping around me, covering my eyes.

“Don’t open them. We’ll be home soon.”