C7 I Checked the Goods!

The man didn't linger on the issue any longer, his gaze falling upon her pale shoulders as he commanded, "Take off your clothes."

Ah! Qiao Yiyi's mouth fell open, hardly able to believe her ears. Why should she undress? What was he planning to do?

Noticing her hesitation, the man grew impatient. "Hurry up, I've already wasted too much time on you. I hope you won't disappoint me."

Qiao Yiyi was utterly confused. She cautiously inquired, "Why should I undress?"

"To inspect the merchandise."

Inspect the merchandise? That hardly sounded like a reassuring response. Despite being dazzled by the man's good looks, Qiao Yiyi's principles and boundaries remained firm. She was an independent, strong woman with self-respect and dignity, and she certainly wouldn't strip down in front of some mysterious man, especially not under the guise of 'inspection.'

Clearing her throat, she spoke with clarity and composure, "Sir, I will not undress, nor do I wish to waste any more time here. Whether you are disappointed or not is of no concern to me. I am going home now. Farewell!" With that, she turned and strode toward the door.

The man didn't try to stop her, but he let out a contemptuous snort, "Such a clueless woman."

Qiao Yiyi reached the door and tugged at it, but it wouldn't budge. Thinking she lacked strength, she grasped the doorknob with both hands and pulled with all her might, yet the door remained immovable. Frustrated, she kicked at it, the dull thuds echoing through the room.

She heard the man snort once more, "Overestimating yourself."

Qiao Yiyi was beginning to understand. She turned back, fixing him with a stern look, "Please open the door."

The man rose from behind a screen. In a mere flicker of light and shadow, he was suddenly before her, causing Qiao Yiyi to gasp in alarm and stumble backward, finding herself trapped against the wooden door.

In the dim light, the man's handsome features took on an eerie, unsettling quality.

"Who are you?" Qiao Yiyi's voice quivered uncontrollably.

The man smiled, revealing his identity, "I am Mo Xiling, the master of this house."

Qiao Yiyi stood there, dumbfounded. The man before her, none other than the enigmatic Patriarch Mo, was both stunningly handsome and terrifyingly intimidating.

His age was indiscernible; he had the delicate features of a man barely out of his teens, yet the piercing chill in his gaze suggested someone in their mid-twenties.

"Mr. Mo," she said, her voice tinged with fear as she attempted a weak smile, "I... I want to go home."

Mo Xiling's brow furrowed slightly. "Didn't they inform you? You've been selected."

"To become Miss Mo's confidante?"

"No, to become my woman," he paused, a hint of sternness in his tone. "But don't get ahead of yourself. I'll make my decision after I've 'inspected the merchandise'."

Fear mingled with incredulity within Qiao Yiyi. Why on earth would Mo Xiling assume she'd be pleased? She was petrified, desperate to escape this very moment.

"Mr. Mo, I..." she began, nervously licking her parched lips, "I don't wish to be your woman. I just want to go home. Is that possible?"

To her surprise, Mo Xiling looked astonished. "You're refusing?"

"Yes, I refuse," Qiao Yiyi maintained a light tone, "Such matters should be consensual, right? A melon plucked against its will is never sweet."

Mo Xiling regarded her intently for a moment. "You are the first woman to ever refuse me."

A shiver ran through Qiao Yiyi, a sense of her own audacity dawning upon her. She had just turned down a man of unparalleled allure and immense wealth—a man whom countless women dreamt of. Yet, she had effortlessly walked away from this once-in-a-lifetime chance!