Chapter 927: 108 Ways to Play with Bells

Ye Wenxin wasn’t sure whether he had an obsession or was a eunuch. She hoped it wasn’t the latter, or it wouldn’t be long before Long Qingyue got involved.

“I want to make a bell for my younger sister. You better ask her for the details.” Ye Wenxin shifted the topic to Liuli, letting her choose.

But Liuli had no clue about these things.

The elder glanced at her before silently walking over to a worktable. He pulled out a box from it.

“Take a look. Are any of these close to what you want?”

He opened the box, revealing an assortment of bells inside.

Some were as large as a fist, though their odd shapes reminded Ye Wenxin of certain “toys.” Others were tiny and strung together, looking like anklets.

Liuli’s hesitation became increasingly obvious. She seemed strangely drawn to the large bells but curious about the smaller ones.

“Sir, can she try one on?” Ye Wenxin asked, thinking it might help Liuli choose.

“The small ones are fine. The big ones—well, I doubt you’d dare use them right now,” the elder replied calmly.

Ye Wenxin thanked him, though she felt a suggestive subtext had just zipped past too fast for her to catch.

“Why can’t I?” Liuli asked, genuinely curious.

“It’s too valuable!” Ye Wenxin hurriedly answered the dangerous question before anyone else could.

Liuli let out a soft “oh,” seeming to accept Ye Wenxin’s explanation. She turned her full attention to the anklet, unsure what to do with it. Ye Wenxin didn’t know how to put one on either. Their eyes met, both looking lost.

After watching the two stare helplessly at the accessory, Sister Hong stepped forward and offered to assist. “It looks like you sisters have never worn an anklet before. Here, let me help.”

“Wait—!” Ye Wenxin tried to stop her, but it was too late.

The startled Liuli immediately slapped Sister Hong’s hand away. Red welts appeared on the young woman’s skin where the nails had scratched her. Ye Wenxin sighed and quickly pulled out a medicinal salve to disinfect and stop the bleeding.

“My sister’s reserved,” she explained quickly. “A stranger’s touch, especially around her stomach or feet, can trigger a stress reaction.”

Sister Hong didn’t seem bothered by it. “Then you help her put it on, Celestial Master Ye. I’ll guide you from the side.”

Ye Wenxin nodded in agreement. She was about to help Liuli take off her shoes and socks when she suddenly realized too many people were in the room.

“Men, step outside,” Sister Hong ordered. The men reluctantly filed out, even the elder.

“Ma— Sister, why did everyone have to leave?” Liuli asked. She didn’t understand why putting on an accessory required clearing the room.

“Ah, well…” Ye Wenxin was stumped again. Some taboos still lingered even in this open-minded society. For instance, it was unheard of for women to wear clothing that exposed their legs outside of demon sects. And bare feet were not for public viewing.

“Only the person you like may see them,” Sister Hong helpfully offered when she saw Ye Wenxin struggling for an explanation. That said, she also backed away, wary of getting clawed again.

“Oh, I get it now.” Liuli suddenly looked enlightened. She recalled Ghost Mother clinging to Ye Wenxin every day, pestering her into doing things. Seeing Ye Wenxin about to remove her shoes and socks, Liuli figured this must be the first step toward becoming the one on top.

“Then could you leave too, Sister Hong?” Liuli added.

“Uh…?”

Sister Hong looked alarmedly at Ye Wenxin, recalling her claim about Liuli being her biological sister.

No matter how open-minded the times were, that was still a bit much.

Ye Wenxin felt a headache coming on. “My sister grew up in the mountains. Don’t take what she says too seriously.”

Sister Hong gave a polite smile that didn’t reach her eyes, clearly misunderstanding Ye Wenxin and Liuli’s relationship. And since she also had a younger sibling, she looked at Liuli now with pitying affection. If she were Liuli’s older sister, she would never be this unhinged.

“This ‘like’ refers to the feelings shared between men and women. Since we’re all girls here, it’s fine.”

Under Sister Hong’s scrutiny, Ye Wenxin tried to explain things to Liuli again. But she only dug herself deeper the more she spoke. Thankfully, Liuli was obedient as ever and calmly extended her delicate foot.

Her smooth, fair calf stretched out, looking kissable. Ye Wenxin crouched down so that Liuli’s foot could rest near her knee, making it easier to put on the intricate bell anklet.

In an era without pantyhose or thigh-high socks, ankle bells were the alternative piece of feminine allure when paired with demon sect fashion. Unfortunately, Liuli was too pure. She didn’t suit something so seductively styled.

“What do you think?”

“I don’t like it,” Liuli replied honestly. “I prefer a bell that hangs around the neck.”

Sister Hong felt even more awkward. She wanted to tell the girl those bells weren’t for wearing around the neck. They were for pleasure.

But then she saw those innocent eyes and couldn’t bear to say anything.

“Oh, that kind of bell,” Ye Wenxin muttered, picturing it in her mind. It could look like a normal cat bell if she tweaked the design.

When Liuli saw her considering it, she added, “Mhm. I want eight.”

Sister Hong looked confused. Only Ye Wenxin understood this was the eight furballs’ wish, so she didn’t object. After helping Liuli put her shoes and socks back on, she stepped out and called for the elder, telling him what they needed.

“Why eight?” the elder asked, thrown off by the strange request. No matter which part of the body they were for, that still didn’t justify eight.

“Well…” Ye Wenxin forced a smile. “I have eight little sisters.”

The elder finally lost his composure. He glanced at Liuli and then at Ye Wenxin, trying to wrap his head around how anyone’s family could produce that many daughters as beautiful as Liuli.

Regardless, the small incident passed, and Ye Wenxin began earnestly learning bell-making from the elder. But he still handled all the intricate work. Ye Wenxin just made a mold based on Liuli’s preferences.

The day slipped by in a blur, and night approached, but the bells needed more time to complete. Everyone grew uneasy. Sister Hong kept pacing back and forth, repeatedly asking the guards when the other One Short Sect people would arrive.

“Priest Wang is rushing over here as fast as he can,” a guard replied shakily. “But it’s nearly nightfall. What are we supposed to do, Sister Hong?!”

Sister Hong looked deeply worried. The guard hesitated before suggesting, “Maybe… Maybe we should ask Celestial Master Ye for help?”