At 10:40 in the morning.

The sunlight at the Port of Hercules was just right, the sea breeze stirring up fine, white foam.

"Rumble—"

Accompanied by the deep, resonant roar of engines, the 136-meter-long [Floating Dream] cast off its final mooring line.

For such a staggering behemoth of white steel, setting sail didn't involve the obvious pitching and rolling common to ordinary vessels.

Instead, there was only a sense of immense, unstoppable power, slowly pushing aside the sea.

The three of them stood in the open-air viewing area on the topmost deck, Level 6.

Facing the cool Mediterranean breeze, they watched the entire Port of Hercules gradually recede and shrink behind them.

Replacing it was the boundless expanse of deep blue sea ahead.

As the yacht cleared the breakwater and truly merged into the vast open sea, the engine vibrations also gradually smoothed out and became rhythmic, like a sea monster finally stretching its limbs, beginning a quiet, unhurried cruise forward.

"Wow—it's so beautiful!!"

Xu Qing, holding up her phone to frantically take photos and videos, couldn't help but let out a long exclamation of awe.

This sound also pulled Ouyang Xianyue, whose gaze had been somewhat distant, slightly back to reality.

She rested both hands on the smooth teak railing, quietly gazing ahead.

As far as the eye could see, the sea and sky were one color, the long wind vast and mighty.

No skyscrapers, no shoreline, no eyes watching her every move, none of the tightly interlocking identities, rules, and boundaries of the land.

At this moment, she had finally truly accomplished something she had always wanted to do, but never truly had.

Leaving the land.

Leaving order.

Sailing out to sea, with him.

This could almost be considered a "private escape" belonging solely to her.

Ouyang Xianyue glanced sideways slightly, looking at Tang Song standing beside her.

The sea breeze ruffled his slightly messy black hair. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, a tall and slender figure, his profile in the sunlight sharp and clean, his whole person carrying an indescribably captivating aura.

A scalding current of heat quietly surged from the most secret place in her heart, relentlessly battering the already precarious line of rational defense.

In her mind, the dream image that had tormented her countless nights uncontrollably surfaced once again—

Herself, wearing that utterly shameful black bikini.

Herself, completely surrendering to desire.

Even... herself, actively straddling him, seeking, sinking.

And the name of this ship happened to be [Floating Dream].

It had to be said, it was just too fitting.

Ouyang Xianyue gently bit her rosy lower lip, feeling only a slight dryness in her throat.

[Drift Value: 66%]

[Drift Value: 67%]

She subtly licked her lips, then glanced to the side again.

Xu Qing was still there, carefree and recording her video, happy as a lucky female lead who had stumbled into a billionaire romance novel scene.

Everything was perfect.

Just as she had envisioned.

Xu Qing already vaguely knew about those unspeakable secrets between her and Tang Song.

But she was simple-minded, with a big imagination, yet wouldn't truly probe too deeply.

She was easily influenced and easily soothed.

Such a person wouldn't spoil things; on the contrary, she would become an ideal catalyst of sorts.

Next, all she had to do was wait patiently.

Wait for this grand, fleeting dream belonging to her to slowly unfold.

"The wind is getting a bit strong."

Ouyang Xianyue withdrew her gaze, elegantly smoothing her wind-blown long hair, her tone still the gentle, composed one from her daily life.

"I'll go back to my room first to tidy up some things. You two enjoy the view slowly. I'll see you at lunch later."

"Mm, go ahead."

Tang Song turned to look at her, his gaze lingering on her slightly reddened earlobes for a moment, a faint, ambiguous smile playing on his lips.

"Okay, goodbye, Sister Xianyue!"

Xu Qing obediently waved at her.

"Goodbye."

The sound of high heels tapping against the deck gradually faded into the distance.

Only after watching that full, graceful figure disappear into the elevator did Tang Song withdraw his gaze. He turned to look at Xu Qing, who was still holding up her phone and clicking away frantically, his tone becoming casual again.

"Let's go."

"Go where?" Xu Qing asked without looking up.

"Of course, to give you a tour of my ship." Tang Song reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist, lowering his head to whisper in her ear with a laugh, "Come on, my dear girlfriend."

Warm, strong fingers lightly encircled her waist, and Xu Qing's cheeks instantly flushed red.

She put up a token struggle twice, then quickly settled down obediently.

(Hmph.)

This Little Song guy, when he's not being mischievous or hitting people... actually... really does seem like a perfect domineering CEO.

For the next hour,

the two of them toured from Level 6 all the way down to Level 1.

Sun deck, starry sky lounge, two-tiered infinity pool, water-level platform, observation submarine entrance, art salon, IMAX private theater...

After one round, Xu Qing was completely dazzled and dizzy, happy as if she had mistakenly entered a limited-time heaven dungeon.

Most of the tension, awkwardness, and guilt from stumbling upon the noble lady's big secret had also been washed away.

The shutter on her phone almost never stopped, clicking away as she took countless high-definition photos that would shock her social media feed.

Her mind had even automatically started planning her subsequent writing schedule.

This is perfect now.

For the side story, she's definitely going all out!

When the time comes, she'll write all these real-life scenes in and utterly destroy the faces of those anti-fans who say she "doesn't understand yachts" and "just makes things up"!

Hehehehehe!

Finally.

The two took the private elevator back to the Owner's Deck on Level 4.

Compared to the areas on the previous levels, which were more geared towards external display and social reception, Level 4 was noticeably much quieter.

No extra traffic flow, no service staff coming and going.

There was only an almost extravagant sense of privacy and softness.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows was the shimmering, boundless Mediterranean under the sunlight.

This didn't feel like a deck on a ship.

It was more like an entire super-large flat floating on the sea.

And it belonged to only one person.

Xu Qing spun around in the main living room, which was easily two hundred square meters, her eyes shining like two searchlights.

This is the real kind of presence a male lead should have!

Stuff like "booking the entire top floor of a hotel" in those domineering CEO novels...

Compared to this ship, that's just weak, okay?!

Without any regard for her image, she threw herself onto the wide, soft sofa. Like a happy little loach, she hugged a cushion and gleefully rolled around a couple of times.

"Wow—so soft—"

Tang Song didn't pay her any mind. He walked straight to the nearby bar, casually opened a bottle of sparkling wine, and poured two glasses.

Turning around, he brought them over and sat down on the single sofa opposite, casually crossing his long legs, his posture relaxed yet dignified.

Watching Xu Qing still wriggling happily on the sofa, he raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone teasing.

"What are you doing, little maid? You don't even know to proactively pour wine for your master now that you're here?"

Xu Qing's rolling movement abruptly froze.

She sat up with a "whoosh," her face instantly feeling a bit hot.

"Y-you! Who are you calling little maid?!" She glared at Tang Song with false bravado. "We don't need to role-play now! I'm not any maid, you detestable Tang Song!"

Mainly, she had just dreamed last night of being kidnapped by the mare and forced to wear a maid outfit to serve the noble lady.

Now, actually being out at sea with Little Song and the noble lady like in the dream, and being alone with him on this ship...

Just hearing the word "maid" gave her a bit of PTSD.

"Little Song?"

Tang Song narrowed his eyes, unhurriedly placing his wine glass on the coffee table.

Before Xu Qing could even realize the impending danger,

her vision blurred as a powerful force swept over her.

The next second.

"Smack—!"

Her bottom stung with pain.

Xu Qing had already been pinned across his lap.

She instinctively reached back to cover it, shame and indignation turning her ears bright red, her whole body twisting and struggling desperately.

"You're hitting people again! Let me go! Domestic violence is illegal!"

"Smack—!"

Another slap, crisper than the last.

"I'll give you one chance." Tang Song looked down at her, his voice dangerously low. "Say it again properly."

"You, you, you! You only know how to bully me! I'm going to tell..."

She had originally wanted to say "tell Sister Xianyue."

But the words reached her lips, and she faltered first.

Given the current situation...

Who exactly would suppress whom between Ouyang Xianyue and Little Song was really hard to say.

Maybe she herself was the unlucky one who would be jointly suppressed.

Just as she guiltily shut her mouth, Tang Song's hand slid up under the hem of her knitwear.

A scalding palm covered her delicate, soft skin.

"Eek—!"

Xu Qing jolted in shock, almost leaping up entirely.

She struggled haphazardly a few times, her voice instantly softening.

Especially now that they were away from shore, with the sea beneath them, on the ship, in this completely unreasonable private domain.

That sense of shame and having nowhere to escape was suddenly magnified.

In the end, after putting up a token resistance for half a minute, Miss Xu Qing, with great lack of backbone, surrendered once again.

"M-master... I was wrong."

"That's more like it."

Satisfied, Tang Song patted her head, withdrew his hand, and pulled her up to sit properly.

"By the way, there's something good I want to show you."

"What good thing?"

Blushing, Xu Qing rubbed her bottom while curiously perking up her ears.

Was he going to give her a gift?

Jewelry? A limited-edition bag? Or a diamond necklace matching the yacht?

Who knew this guy understood a bit of romance?

But the next second,

Tang Song took out an exquisite little velvet box from his pocket and handed it to her.

Xu Qing opened it, full of anticipation.

Inside the box wasn't any sparkling jewelry.

Instead, lying quietly was a "card" made of stiff cardboard.

On the front was a photo of her from her university period.

Above the photo, written in artistic font, was a line of text:

[Any Request Card]

Xu Qing's eyes instantly went wide as saucers. She snatched the card over.

"How is this thing with you?!"

This was the "indentured servitude contract" she had lost in a bet with her best friend Shen Yuyan during university.

It could make her do any one thing unconditionally.

Although it was essentially just a commemorative, bonding joke between best friends, Shen Yuyan had treasured it back then, saying she would save it for a critical moment.

How did it end up in Little Song's hands now?!

Tang Song reached out and pinched her chin, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Of course, your good best friend gave it to me."

This was one of the birthday gifts Shen Yuyan had given him.

That antique puzzle box with intricate carvings, he had found some free time to casually solve it.

Inside were two cards.

One was Xu Qing's, and one was Shen Yuyan's.

Both had photos from university and both said any request could be made.

Only, Xu Qing's card was older, the edges showing signs of age; Shen Yuyan's was clearly made later specifically to make a pair.

It had to be said, this birthday gift of "selling out your best friend, while also throwing yourself in" really suited his taste.

Originally, he had wanted to find a suitable opportunity to play some more interesting games with this pair of "plastic" best friends.

But now, being in the [String Moon Drifting] dungeon,

to make this sea voyage smoother and more interesting, taking out this card early was actually quite appropriate.

"Y-you! What do you want to do?!"

Seeing the increasingly ominous look in Tang Song's eyes, Xu Qing retreated in fright, clutching her chest tightly with both hands.

The images from last night's nightmare flashed back into her mind once again.

She cried out in terror:

"You wouldn't... you wouldn't really make me cosplay as a little maid, serving tea and water on the side, waiting on you and Sister Xianyue, would you?! Y-you're too bad! Too perverted! I don't want to! That would be way too shameful!"

She shook her head desperately, her whole body writhing on the sofa like a frightened little animal.

Tang Song was momentarily stunned, then his heart gave a slight jump.

He had originally just wanted to use this card to make Xu Qing settle down and be a good wingman, helping to set the mood.

He hadn't expected...

Her imagination and initiative had already grown to such a level.

Brainstorming that scene a bit, it actually did seem quite interesting.

Looking at the little maid trembling before him, Tang Song suddenly changed his mind.

He leaned down, placing his hands on either side of Xu Qing, trapping her entire person within his shadow.

"It seems you already know?"

"I, I don't know what you're talking about!"

"About the matters between me and Ms. Ouyang." Tang Song looked down at her, the corner of his lips curling up slightly. "You know, right?"

Xu Qing's face flushed red, her lips moving, but for a moment, she had no idea how to deny it.

Seeing her expression that practically had "guilty conscience" written all over it, Tang Song couldn't help but laugh.

"Don't worry, I won't make you do anything too excessive."

He reached out and took the [Any Request Card] back, holding it between his fingers, his tone leisurely.

"Level 4 is the Owner's Deck. In principle, no one is allowed to enter casually. Ms. Ouyang's status is special; she requires absolute privacy and confidentiality, and it's not suitable for her to appear frequently in front of the crew."

"So, for these few days on the ship, the task this card gives you is—to cosplay as a maid here."

"You'll be responsible for daily service on Level 4, simple tidying, and coordinating meal arrangements with the service staff outside."

"That's all."

"I won't!" Xu Qing immediately bristled, attempting a final struggle. "I protest!"

"Smack—!"

"Protest denied."

Tang Song withdrew his hand, his expression calm and utterly matter-of-fact.

Immediately after, he took out his phone, opened the photo album, and held it in front of her.

"Look at this."

While rubbing her bottom, Xu Qing glanced at the screen with a wronged expression.

The next second, she froze.

It was a super luxurious independent villa.

The exterior had an extremely modern, technologically sleek line design, surrounded by vast greenery and flowers, like a female lead's mansion directly lifted from a comic book.

Tang Song didn't speak, just continued swiping down.

Next appeared photos of the villa's interior.

In front of huge floor-to-ceiling windows were placed various limited-edition, life-sized anime figurines.

A specially customized gaming room was equipped with top-tier peripherals and a matrix of monitors.

There was also an entire collection room, hung with divine-level cosplay costumes of various styles, with craftsmanship so exaggerated it was outrageous.

Every detail, every arrangement, was so precise it was as if it had been stolen from her own mind.

"Th-this is..."

Xu Qing's eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape, her breathing even starting to grow warm.

The style of this villa was exactly like the dream house she had fantasized for the female lead in her novel "Entered the Wrong Room, Then Picked Up a Domineering CEO."

To be more precise,

it was the kind of level the male lead would finally give to the female lead as a wedding home.

"This is one of the independent villas within the Tangjin Estate. I specifically had people redo the soft furnishings and functional areas. So, how is it? Do you like it?"

"Like it, like it, I like it!"

Xu Qing nodded her head like a chicken pecking rice, her eyes shining like light bulbs.

Tangjin Estate!

Before, she had only heard Lin Muxue mention it, knowing the place was amazing.

But this time, truly setting foot in Europe, personally witnessing the privilege channel at Nice Airport, witnessing this outrageous superyacht in Monaco, she finally truly realized.

What it really meant to own an independent villa, completely customized to her own tastes, in a place like that, teeming with old European money.

That couldn't even be described as "rich" anymore; it was practically top-tier Mary Sue configuration that even the female leads she wrote about wouldn't dare to write!

"As long as you obediently complete these few days of maid duties. This villa will be given to you. Oh, right, and your best friend too. When the time comes, the two of you can live there together."

"Ah..."

Xu Qing's mind went completely blank for a moment.

"The estate doesn't just have what you see. In the summer, there are endless fields of lavender where you can have picnics among the flowers; in autumn, there's your own private vineyard and wine cellar where you can make wine yourselves; when you want to exercise, there are Olympic-level indoor and outdoor equestrian arenas, and dozens of kilometers of forest cycling trails..."

As Tang Song described, Xu Qing's breathing grew more and more rapid.

She could already picture herself and Shen Yuyan dragging their suitcases, screaming and running barefoot through the massive living room, rolling around hugging life-sized pillows at night, and taking crazy photos by the lavender fields during the day.

She wanted it.

She wanted it very much.

After a full minute of internal struggle,

Miss Xu Qing ultimately failed to withstand this evil capitalist sugar-coated cannonball.

"Master, I'll go clean the rooms right now!"

She abruptly straightened up, even switching her form of address with seamless fluidity, fully demonstrating a professional cosplayer's professional dedication and strong sense of conviction.

Looking at her money-grubbing, cowardly yet enthusiastic appearance, the amusement in Tang Song's eyes deepened.

"Don't rush. Go change your clothes first. The cosplay outfit I specially brought for you is already hanging in the walk-in closet."

Xu Qing's newly mustered morale instantly deflated by half.

Her little face fell, her two index fingers twisting together pitifully as she weakly tried to negotiate. "Th-that... can I not change? The skirt on that outfit is way too short, and... and there are cat ears and a tail..."

Tang Song didn't speak, just picked up the glass of sparkling wine from the coffee table and gave it a gentle swirl.

"I'll change! I'll change, alright?! B-but let's be clear first! Besides serving tea and water... any other perverted requests, I, I won't do!"

After saying that, she turned and ran towards the walk-in closet, her face red.

There was no helping it; what he was offering was just too much!

(T~T)