"Just..."
The little girl dug at the corner of the table, mumbling about the video.
Yu Wenli raised an eyebrow. "Anything else?"
"No!"
Wen Tingxue shook her head frantically, assuring him repeatedly, "It's really just this one thing, you know everything else."
In her haste, her small voice squeaked out.
Yu Wenli couldn't help but curve his lips. "The video, brother will handle it. You don't need to worry about it."
Changing the subject, he said, "Pants down."
The rosewood ruler lightly tapped the edge of the table, making a crisp sound. The little girl's scalp tingled as she walked over.
She stood there, blushing, for a moment, then looked up pitifully.
"Can… can you go easy?"
Her tear-filled eyes were filled with vulnerability and fear of the ruler.
Before Yu Wenli could answer, the little girl reminded him, "You said, if I act cute, it can be overlooked."
Yu Wenli laughed in exasperation. "Do you think acting cute can get you out of this?"
The little girl fell silent.
Yu Wenli turned the ruler, conceding, "How about this, eight strokes, divided."
"Huh?"
Wen Tingxue looked up, puzzled. The next second, the ruler landed on her buttocks, over her school uniform pants, and gave a gentle tap.
"Four strokes."
The spot he touched felt like burning fire, and her face turned scarlet.
Only the rosewood ruler was cool, a stark contrast in his palm.
"Four strokes."
Afterward, he asked democratically, "Alright?"
The little girl glared, a mix of shame and embarrassment. "Do I have the right to refuse?"
"Yes," he nodded. "I don't mind if they're all in one place."
"..."
Seeing her speechless, Yu Wenli chuckled softly. "Don't worry, I'm always lenient with first-time offenders."
Wen Tingxue didn't believe him. She had witnessed his strictness as a teacher and an elder brother.
Yu Wenli smiled. "The rules here are: lying, severe punishment. Other than that, whether it's homework or anything else, I'll give you a chance.
"So, if you get a question wrong again that you've missed before..."
He didn't finish, just raised the ruler, the implication clear.
Wen Tingxue immediately felt relieved. Although she wasn't as smart as him, she would never fall into the same trap twice.
"Okay."
The little girl agreed decisively.
Yu Wenli tilted his head, gesturing.
Wen Tingxue swallowed nervously. She had been spanked quite a few times growing up.
But in front of him, it felt… strange.
Yet, she was the one who lied first, and he had never lied to her…
Thinking about it, she gritted her teeth and leaned forward.
It was only four strokes, she could endure it.
The desk was custom-made for Yu Wenli's height, and it hadn't felt awkward when she used it normally.
But now, as she leaned over, the little girl felt her legs were too short, and her bottom stuck out, becoming the highest point of her body.
It was incredibly easy to reach.
Wen Tingxue really wanted to cry. If she had known this would happen, why did she lie in the first place…
"Four strokes," the ruler traced over her perfectly arched buttocks. His cool voice was more intimidating than the ruler itself. "Count."
Wen Tingxue closed her eyes in despair.
She finally understood.
The point today wasn't to spank her.
It was to break her spirit.
...
A minute passed, and the ruler didn't fall. The little girl sulked resignedly, "Got it, count..."
There was a hint of gritting her teeth in her voice.
Yu Wenli curved his lips, a soft chuckle accompanying the ruler as it fell, making the little girl feel dazed.
It didn't hurt that much, but it wasn't pleasant either.
A dull thudding sensation came from behind, not enough to make her cry out, but certainly not comfortable.
After a moment, Wen Tingxue bit her lip and shamefully counted, "One..."
"Good girl."
A satisfied voice came from above her head, followed by another unexpected stroke.
After enduring all four strokes, the little girl felt that her pride and dignity hurt more than her body. Her face was as red as a cooked shrimp.
Her flushed cheeks were like ripe peaches.
Yu Wenli couldn't help but reach out and pinch it. It was soft and tender, smooth and delicate, utterly irresistible.
"Xiao Yiyi, you're so beautiful."
After so long together, this was the first time he had called her beautiful.
The little girl froze for a moment, then looked up.
His eyes were incredibly deep, and he never lied.
Being praised for her beauty by the person she liked, right in front of her.
That feeling was enough to erase all previous emotions, leaving only overwhelming sweetness in her chest.
Even getting spanked felt sweet, though it did hurt.
"It's all red..."
The little girl held out her hand, complaining in a wronged and娇气 (jiāo qì - pampered/sweetly complaining) voice.
Yu Wenli knew his limits. If he didn't want her to feel pain, she wouldn't.
But since she said it hurt, then—
Yu Wenli took her slightly reddened palm, blew on it gently, and then kissed it.
His movement was too quick, a mix of reverence and gentlemanly charm.
Wen Tingxue didn't react at all. By the time she realized what had happened, she was already on his lap.
"Kisses make the pain go away," he said, playing with her hand.
Wen Tingxue, unable to bear it, tried to run, but he grabbed her waist first.
Though he used only one hand, his grip was skillful, neither letting her escape nor hurting her.
He was like an old hand at seduction.
Wen Tingxue was a complete novice in front of him, blushing at the slightest provocation, a pure and innocent girl.
Yet, it was precisely this innocence that was most captivating.
Yu Wenli looked at her deeply for a moment, then pinched her fingertips and called out, not too hard, not too soft:
"Yiyi."
"Hmm?" The little girl responded, not understanding.
Her eyes blinked like a doll's.
Yu Wenli chuckled low, his voice soothing, but his words carried a hint of coldness and ferocity.
"If you have something on your mind, don't hide it. If you can't hide it, you'll have to rack your brains to lie.
"Lying is the worst in a relationship; it means distrust.
"Many relationships crumble from a lack of trust, so if there's a next time..."
He lifted his eyelids, a half-smile playing on his lips as he uttered four words, "I'll beat you until you're bruised and battered."
Wen Tingxue's eyes shot up. Seeing that he wasn't joking, and remembering that he never joked,
She quickly raised both hands and swore, "I won't, I absolutely won't again..."
She only needed to go through this once. She didn't want a repeat.
Besides, given his personality, he would surely make up for his leniency the first time around on the second.
She would never do such a foolish thing again.
A flicker of satisfaction crossed Yu Wenli's eyes. He hugged her tightly, resting his chin on her shoulder, and murmured softly, "Good girl..."
Wen Tingxue let him hold her, not daring to move. After a long while, she finally realized, "You knew all along, didn't you?!"
She had felt something was off. How could he remember the number of times she lied so clearly!
So he knew everything and watched her spin her lies!
Ah!
Wen Tingxue felt like she was going to explode.
Yu Wenli gently held her small hand, nudged her hand with his nose, and let out a soft chuckle.
"Yes, brother happens to know a thing or two, but 'if the people don't complain, the officials don't investigate'..."
"Hmph."
Even though he had asked her many times, she was still angry.
Like an idiot in front of him.
Yu Wenli smiled and coaxed, "Good girl, don't be angry. It's brother's fault."
The wind tonight was a bit strong, and the window wasn't fully closed. Wind whistled through the gap, lifting the stray strands of hair from his forehead, making his features even more exquisite.
His eyebrows were like finely drawn lines, his eyes long and narrow, possessing an innate sharpness, yet softened by a touch of tenderness, making them exceptionally elegant. His voice, too, became lingering.
"Punish brother... by taking care of you for a lifetime, okay?"
He whispered this in her ear, his breath warm.
Wen Tingxue's heart raced. She reached out to push him away, and then noticed a scar near his eye, not too deep, not too shallow, seemingly old.
She couldn't help but reach out to touch it. "How did you get that?"