Ling stopped outside Dadi's door.
Her hand hovered in the air.
She already knew.
That instinct—sharp, inherited, never wrong—told her whatever waited inside was not mercy.
She exhaled once and knocked.
"Come."
The moment she stepped in—
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Dadi stood in the center of the room, laughing, eyes bright with chaos.
"Here is my prey," Dadi announced grandly.
Ling shut the door behind her slowly. "You're enjoying this too much."
Dadi grinned. "Oh, immensely."
Ling crossed her arms. "I said I'd do whatever you say. Don't dramatize it."
Dadi circled her, appraising. "You folded your hands to me today. Begged."
Ling groaned. "Dadi."
"Begging is rare for you," Dadi said, stopping in front of her. "So the price must match."
Ling lifted a brow. "What's the verdict?"
Dadi leaned in, eyes sharp. "You are forbidden."
Ling's stomach dropped. "From what?"
"From chasing," Dadi said calmly. "From touching. From cornering."
Ling scoffed. "Impossible."
Dadi smiled sweetly. "Exactly."
Ling straightened. "You know I don't do half-measures."
"I know," Dadi replied. "That's why this will hurt."
She tapped Ling's chest lightly. "You will let her come to you."
Ling went still.
"Four weeks," Dadi continued. "You will be polite. Distant. Controlled. No following. No teasing. No saving unless life or death."
Ling clenched her jaw. "She'll think I lost interest."
Dadi shrugged. "Then she wasn't yours to begin with."
Silence fell heavy.
Ling's voice lowered. "And if I break the rule?"
Dadi smiled again—slow, dangerous.
"Then I will tell your mother everything you don't say out loud."
Ling's breath hitched.
Dadi straightened. "Do we have a deal, tiger?"
Ling stared at the floor for a long moment.
Then nodded once. "Four weeks."
Dadi clapped again, delighted. "Good."
She leaned back onto her bed, satisfied.
"Now go. And try not to unravel before morning."
Ling turned to leave, hand on the handle.
Dadi's voice followed her, softer now.
"Control is not strength," Dadi said. "Restraint is."
Ling didn't reply.
She barely made it three steps down the corridor.
Then—
She turned and ran back.
The door flew open.
"I won't," Ling blurted out, breath uneven. "I won't stay away. Tell me something else. I'll do that."
Dadi burst into laughter.
Full, delighted, unrestrained.
"Ohhh—look at her," Dadi said, clapping again. "The great Ling Kwong, undone by four weeks."
Ling shut the door behind her and marched in. "Be serious."
"I am serious," Dadi said, wiping her eyes. "I'm just also entertained."
Ling planted herself in front of her. "Anything else. I'll obey. Household duties. Public appearances. Even… talking to Mira."
Dadi raised a brow. "That desperate?"
Ling didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
Dadi leaned forward. "Why?"
Ling's jaw tightened. "Because if I stay away, she'll think I don't care."
Dadi hummed. "And if you don't stay away?"
"She'll…" Ling faltered. "…break."
Dadi's smile faded—just slightly.
"Ah," Dadi said softly. "So you do see it."
Ling looked away.
Dadi stood, walking closer. "You think closeness will protect her. But right now, you're pressure."
Ling's fists clenched. "I don't hurt people."
Dadi touched Ling's cheek gently. "No. You overwhelm them."
Silence.
Then Dadi sighed. "Fine. New condition."
Ling's head snapped up. "Yes?"
"You may not chase," Dadi said. "But you may not disappear either."
Ling frowned. "Meaning?"
"You will be… visible," Dadi explained. "Present. Neutral. No claims."
Ling swallowed. "And touching?"
Dadi smiled cruelly. "Accidental only."
Ling groaned. "You enjoy my suffering."
"Immensely," Dadi said cheerfully.
Ling dragged a hand down her face. "How long?"
"Two weeks," Dadi said. "If she comes to you within two weeks—unprovoked—you win."
"And if she doesn't?"
Dadi's eyes sharpened. "Then you accept she chose distance."
"No."
The word was sharp. Absolute.
Dadi blinked. "Excuse me?"
Ling's jaw was set, eyes burning. "Don't take her name. Anything else—anything—except her."
Rina, lounging near the doorway, straightened instantly. "Ohhh. That's the line."
Ling ignored her. "I won't stay away. I won't pretend she doesn't exist. I'll take any punishment—but I'll be close to her."
Dadi studied her for a long moment.
Then she laughed.
Not teasing this time. Deep. Knowing.
"So," Dadi said slowly, "this is where you draw blood."
Ling didn't flinch. "Yes."
Rina grinned. "She's done for."
Dadi sighed theatrically. "Fine. New terms."
Ling tensed. "I'm listening."
"You get closeness," Dadi said. "Touch. Presence. Training. All of it."
Ling's shoulders loosened a fraction.
"But," Dadi continued, raising a finger, "for one full week—you do exactly what I say."
"No objections," Rina added gleefully.
Dadi nodded. "No questions. No attitude. No last-minute bargaining."
Ling narrowed her eyes. "Public or private?"
"Both," Dadi said pleasantly.
Ling considered for exactly three seconds. "Done."
Rina laughed. "She didn't even ask what the tasks are."
Dadi smiled like a victor. "That's how I know I won."
Ling turned toward the door.
"One more thing," Dadi added.
Ling paused.
"If you break even one instruction," Dadi said calmly, "I step in."
Ling met her gaze. "I won't."
Dadi nodded, satisfied.
As Ling walked out, Rina whispered loudly, "One week of control for unlimited access."
Dadi watched Ling reach the door.
"Wanna talk?" Dadi asked casually, almost bored.
Ling didn't even turn. "No."
She knew the pattern.
Talk meant teasing.
Teasing meant exposure.
Dadi shrugged. "Okay. I was just asking because I was going to talk about Rhea."
Ling froze.
Dadi continued lightly, turning to straighten a cushion. "You know. Her reaction today. The way she looked when you—"
The window banged open.
Rina yelped. "WHAT—"
Ling was suddenly back inside the room, having practically launched herself through the open window, hair slightly messed, breathing uneven.
"I was joking," Ling said quickly. "I can talk."
Dadi stared at her.
Then burst out laughing so hard she had to sit.
"Oh my God," Dadi wheezed. "Did you just jump through the window?"
Rina clutched her stomach. "I swear—this woman rules a university."
Ling straightened her blazer, dignity attempting a comeback. "You said her name."
Dadi wiped her eyes. "So you do want to hear."
Ling crossed her arms. "Say it."
Dadi leaned forward, suddenly serious. "She wasn't mocking you today."
Ling's jaw tightened. "I know."
"No," Dadi said. "You don't."
She tilted her head. "She was shaken. And when someone like her ignores—it's not always power."
Ling swallowed.
"Sometimes," Dadi continued, "it's fear."
Silence fell.
Rina stopped smiling.
Ling's voice came low. "Fear of what?"
Dadi looked at her pointedly. "Of being seen."
Ling's fingers curled slowly. "She won't let me."
Dadi smiled softly. "That's why she will."
Ling didn't respond.
But her eyes betrayed her.