Chapter 025: The Resolve of Prey

Daisy cared little for Sandra’s goosebumps; spurred by rivalry, she found herself utterly inspired, channeling all her acting talent into portraying a beautiful, kind, and somewhat adorable younger sister. Sandra saw her as a sly little minx, but men always fell for this act! In their eyes, Daisy was simply the considerate, sweet, and understanding little sister.

Li Lekang and Daisy’s interaction was lively and engaging. He made coins appear in her hair, pulled a signed playing card from a friend’s picture frame, and Daisy’s perfectly timed astonishment truly brought the scene to life. Li Lekang even had a thought: if Daisy didn’t know the secrets behind his magic, she’d make an ideal stage assistant. Tall, striking, and talented, she could easily fill the role of a magician’s partner, drawing the audience’s eyes, enhancing the show’s appeal, or helping with props.

Some tricks simply couldn’t be done solo—beheadings, escape acts—Li Lekang needed an assistant to tie him up or swing the axe. But the assistant inevitably learned the secret workings of the act, sometimes even performing crucial parts themselves. For someone like Li Lekang, who relied on real magic, the situation was tricky.

Unable to solve the dilemma for now, he was soon swept up in the lively atmosphere of the party. Marlon and his friends were organizing games, and the ever-popular Li Lekang was quickly invited over. The first game was classic: tossing ping pong balls into cups, well-known among college students.

But the punishments were strictly adult—pretty girls had to climb up on the table for a sexy dance, men had to pick a girl for a balloon-bumping game. Simple, but exhilarating. The group of old-timers played with utter enthusiasm, making the atmosphere electric.

Relying on his magic, Li Lekang won often. He drank the least, hugged the most girls, and his face soon bore a multitude of lipstick marks. Some bold, fiery women even tried to lure him upstairs for more. But Sandra and Daisy, always vigilant, formed a temporary alliance, setting aside their rivalry to keep the other women at bay.

“Tonight, Lekang is our prey!”

“If he tries to escape, we’ll fry him!”

With ambition burning, they guarded him from both sides, eyes wary of any other woman. Mike, who’d figured out the situation, couldn’t help but laugh.

When the games wound down, Li Lekang prepared to leave.

Mike reminded him, “If you don’t feel up to driving, you can stay here tonight.”

“No need, I’m feeling fine.”

Li Lekang cast a focus spell on himself, easily shaking off any drunkenness. With so many eyes on him and two women by his side, he couldn’t risk losing either—someone else would surely snatch them up. Driven by possessiveness, he decided to bring them home.

He wrapped his arms around their waists and staggered out the door. Both women were excited from the night and had certainly drunk their share, but their minds remained clear—they could count to ten without hesitation. Their walk was less than straight, clinging to him, whispering all sorts of nonsensical things in his ears.

“All right, everyone into the car! We’re going home!”

“Sandra! Just turn around and sit!”

He drove them back, then had to help each one upstairs; unsteady from drink, it took them five or six minutes to climb three flights. Sandra leaned against the door, rummaging through her bag for the key. Daisy, tired of standing, kicked off her heels and plopped down on the floor, complaining that she wanted a sandwich and didn’t care about dieting.

“Found it.”

Sandra finally located the key. Li Lekang took it, opened the door for her, and then carried both women—one at a time—to the living room sofa, collapsing beside them, breathless.

“I’d rather lift two hundred pounds than help a drunk!”

Li Lekang gazed up at the ceiling; gone was any desire for nighttime games. All he wanted was to settle them and retreat to his own comfortable bed for a good night’s sleep.

But the moment he tried to stand, Daisy pressed him back down. “You want to leave?”

She flipped herself onto his lap, arms around his neck, eyes fixed on him, her face flushed from drink and wearing a triumphant smile befitting a hunter who’d trapped her prey.

“Put your hands on my waist!” she demanded.

Li Lekang complied.

“Now, you can do anything you want—”

The atmosphere was perfect, until she opened her mouth and let out a drunken burp, ruining everything.

Li Lekang was assaulted by her boozy breath; the goddess transformed into a pickled vegetable vendor. He endured, saying, “Cough, cough! I think you’re drunk, Daisy. Let’s discuss this another day!”

“No! No, no, no!”

Daisy shook her head, refusing to let go.

Li Lekang feared she’d get dizzy and vomit on him. “Help me, Sandra!”

He turned to seek aid from Daisy’s rival, but Sandra, slumped on the sofa, merely glanced at him, sneered, then tucked the apartment key into her cleavage, hiding it.

“Oh no!”

Li Lekang looked at the locked door—escape was impossible!

Sandra crawled over from the sofa, shoved the crazed Daisy aside, and declared proudly, “This was my idea. Let me go first!”

She pinned Li Lekang down.

“Mmm, mmm, mmm!”

Truth be told, Li Lekang wasn’t enjoying this. He’d thought himself the hunter, only to realize he was the prey from the start. Tricked by these two, he’d stepped straight into their trap, bound tight, only now realizing he was the cake to be divided between them. The feeling was deeply unsettling.

Truly!

…

The next morning.

Li Lekang woke from a night of alcohol, perfume, and strange scents. He freed himself from the arms around his neck and the foot across his stomach, then got up. Tiptoeing, he found his pants in the corner, put them on, steadying himself with a hand on the wall.

Looking back, he saw two women both brimming with hormones—fitness enthusiasts who intimidated ordinary people. The consequences were predictable.

He slipped out, shoes in hand, gently closing the bedroom door. Using the key he’d managed to retrieve from Sandra, he unlocked the apartment door and finally regained his freedom, only to find Mike the dog waiting for him with a food bowl.

Being a single dog wasn’t so bad, Li Lekang suddenly thought.

He fed the dog, ate a soul bean himself, then prepared breakfast—two steaks, five steamed eggs, a giant glass of milk. Gulping it down, he finally felt his energy returning.

He’d need only a few hours to recover, and by afternoon he’d be back at the gym, lifting weights. Though his intensity was reduced, his body proved resilient.

He thought about trading for more points, asking his spirit companion to find any skills to strengthen his physical prowess—no matter the cost, he’d buy them. After all, the body was the foundation.

…

By evening, he returned. Not seeing the two women for most of the day, he was curious and knocked on their door.

Daisy, wearing a face mask, opened up, and Li Lekang peeked inside cautiously, which made her laugh.

“Come in, it’s safe!”

“I just wanted to ask if you’ve eaten,” Li Lekang said awkwardly, entering to see Sandra in sportswear emerging from the room. “Hi!”

“Hi!”

Sandra looked well, her cheeks glowing with health, her steps light, her mood clearly cheerful. Daisy, too, was relaxed. Li Lekang asked casually, “Are you both alright?”

“Beautiful day, what’s the matter?” Sandra replied.

“Um, about last night…”

“Oh!” She understood. “If you mean that, we were all drunk. Whatever was said or done doesn’t count, don’t dwell on it.”

He turned to Daisy, who nodded. “That’s just fine by me. And… let me say, you’re pretty great.”

“So our friendship stays the same?”

“Of course!”

“Definitely!”

Li Lekang breathed a sigh of relief. What did playboys fear most? One, responsibility; two, commitment. Now, neither was required—they erased last night, wiped away the scene where he’d been prey. He felt a faint sense of gratitude.

He thought that if he approached things seriously, it wouldn’t be impossible—they truly were considerate, thoughtful women.

Sandra interrupted his daydream. “I need to get to class.”

“I have rehearsal tonight,” Daisy added. “I’m afraid I can’t join you for dinner.”

“No problem, next time!”

Li Lekang gave a typical American politeness, saying the words but meaning nothing. With their answer, he took the easy way out.

After chatting, Li Lekang took his leave.

Once the door closed, the two friends glanced at each other and laughed.

“Asian men are so adorable.”

“Strong and cute.”

“Honestly, it’s been a while since I felt so exhilarated.”

“He completely exceeded my expectations.”

Speaking of his strengths, their eyes met, and sparks of rivalry seemed to fly. Daisy huffed, “I know what you’re thinking, but he’ll be my prey sooner or later!”

“Dream on! Men can’t resist someone like me, who fulfills all their fantasies. Just a little wiggle and he’ll be utterly bewitched!”

Daisy sneered, “I remember not long ago someone doubted her own appeal and threw a fit!”

Sandra cut her off, “Shut up, you witch! You’re no better! Let’s each go our own way and see who laughs last!”

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