Chapter 133 Lowering one's proud head, the final choice

Li Xinran's body trembled slightly with anger.

Su Ze's fingers weren't applying much force.

But that flippant touch felt like electric currents, shattering her last line of defense.

"So what if you lock me in a cage?"

She gritted her teeth, her voice maintaining that deep-seated, bone-chilling pride even with her chin pinched.

"If I want to die, you can't stop me! At worst, I'll just stop eating!"

This was her final weapon, her last shred of dignity.

Using her own health to defend her untouchable pride.

"Oh? Stop eating?"

The smile on Su Ze's face deepened, a playful look that saw through all her cards.

"That's simple."

He released her chin.

Under Li Xinran's stunned gaze, he leisurely retrieved an item from his player's backpack... a plastic funnel.

An ordinary, even somewhat cheap-looking white funnel.

Su Ze held the funnel up, waving it before her eyes.

"When the time comes, I'll tie your hands and feet, prepare some rice porridge or meat broth every day, and just pour it down your throat using this funnel."

"Guaranteed balanced nutrition. You definitely won't die. The process just might not be very dignified."

Truthfully, he wasn't overly concerned about what would become of Li Xinran.

What he wanted was merely the [Gold Burst] Bond she could activate.

Sleeping in a bed in the Dormitory or being locked in a dog cage... there wasn't much difference.

Of course, if he could make her submit, that would naturally be best.

It would also be more convenient for her to serve him.

Boom!

Seeing that white funnel and hearing Su Ze's words...

...they acted like a heavy hammer, smashing brutally into Li Xinran's heart.

The color drained from her face in an instant, leaving only a deathly pallor.

She had imagined countless ways Su Ze might respond: wariness, threats, fury, even compromise.

But she had never anticipated it would be this kind of...

...nonchalant, yet utterly cruel method.

This man would truly do such a thing!

An unprecedented wave of fear and helplessness instantly swallowed her whole.

"Now, let's discuss the more dignified option again." Su Ze put the funnel away and sat up straight.

"You nod, become my tenant. To the outside world, no one will know what happened today. They'll only envy you for becoming my woman."

"Given the power I've gathered now, you should understand perfectly well what becoming my woman would mean."

Li Xinran's chest heaved violently, her breathing ragged.

Of course she understood!

A massive force of over twenty thousand people!

Nearly half of all survivors in Jinghai University revered him as their master!

Becoming his woman meant status, safety, supplies... everything people struggled and fought for in this apocalyptic world, she could obtain with ease.

She might even live no worse than before the apocalypse!!

But...

To lower her head just like that?

She couldn't accept it!

"So what?" She stubbornly lifted her head, a tremor in her voice she didn't even notice herself.

"It seems you still prefer the dog cage."

The smile faded from Su Ze's face, replaced by a hint of impatience.

"Fine. Let you see with your own eyes, my other women enjoying delicacies and fine drinks every day, using brand-new skincare products, wearing the best clothes, while you're locked in a cage, watched and mocked by everyone like a dog."

"I wonder how much of your pathetic pride will be left by then?"

"Oh, right. Maybe when I'm in a good mood, I'll even take a few photos and post them on the Public Channel, let everyone admire the campus belle Li's Style in the dog cage."

Every word from Su Ze was like a sharp knife, precisely stabbing her most vulnerable spots.

She wasn't afraid of death.

But she was terrified of living without dignity!

Even more afraid of being made a laughingstock!

This was worse than killing her!

Li Xinran bit her lower lip fiercely, teeth marks sinking deep, almost drawing blood.

She knew every single word Su Ze said would come true.

She had no room for resistance. Even the right to choose death had been stripped from her.

After a long while, she seemed to deflate like a punctured ball, all strength drained from her body.

"...I can join."

Her voice was hoarse, filled with humiliation.

But she still straightened her back, trying to salvage one last shred of dignity.

"But you must publicly, with a humble attitude, sincerely invite me to join!"

Su Ze shook his head directly, as if hearing the biggest joke.

"Impossible."

Two words, crisp and clear, leaving no room for negotiation.

Li Xinran was so angry she almost choked, her exquisite face flushing crimson.

She took a deep breath, conceding again.

"Fine! Then I can join on my own initiative! But you must announce to everyone that I am your one and only primary consort! My status must be higher than all the other women in your Dormitory!"

This time, Su Ze didn't even bother speaking, just rolled his eyes at her.

Wishful thinking.

He didn't even want to waste more words. With a flick of his wrist, a bundle of tough rope appeared in his hand.

"My patience is limited. It seems you've made your choice."

He stood up, stepping closer.

Seeing that bundle of rope, Li Xinran's psychological defenses finally, completely collapsed.

This man was impervious to both soft and hard tactics!

He simply didn't care about her feelings. What he wanted was absolute obedience!

"...I... understand..."

She dejectedly lowered her proud head, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum, filled with endless exhaustion and defeat.

"I agree... to become your tenant, your woman."

"But my status cannot be lower than any of them!"

This was her final bottom line.

"I treat everyone equally." Su Ze stopped, putting the rope away. "But I also warn you, don't bully them. Behave yourself."

"...Understood." Li Xinran gritted her teeth, forcing out the three words.

Done.

Su Ze knew very well in his heart.

To deal with such an extremely proud woman, yielding and gentleness would only make her push her luck.

Only by using absolute dominance, crushing all her means of resistance...

...making her understand that even death was not her choice to make, would she choose the only path that still seemed somewhat dignified.

Otherwise, she would definitely cause trouble for him later.

He didn't say anything more, turning and walking to the shattered door.

With a thought, he consumed some Wood material.

He repaired the Dormitory door and even upgraded it in the process.

After finishing this, he turned and walked back to the bedside.

Before Li Xinran could react, Su Ze reached out a long arm and pulled her somewhat rigid body directly into his embrace.

The scent of a man instantly enveloped her.

The moment Li Xinran's body made contact with his chest, it tensed up violently!

"I'm inviting you now, and at the same time..."

"...you need to first fulfill your duty as my woman..."