The dazzling and ever-changing lights created an ambiguous atmosphere, while passionate music drifted into every corner of the ballroom.

The delicate flowers exude fragrance, and water droplets drip down the tender petals, releasing an intoxicating romantic atmosphere.

The gorgeous and alluring masks gave everyone attending the ball a sense of mystery.

There was a witch in a black robe and a black feather mask, a vampire in a bat-like outfit with two fangs in his mouth, and a queen wearing a crown, a golden court dress, and a golden mask.

The collar of his shirt was embroidered with golden wheat ears, and the edges of his delicate epaulettes were adorned with tassels. His dark green uniform was sewn with two rows of golden buttons. Yin Yichen was dressed in a dashing knight's outfit, his bangs were parted to the back of his head, and he wore a dark gold mask on his face.

He casually pulled a vibrant rose from the vase and gave it to Xia Linyin, who was holding his arm beside him, saying, "Give this to my most beautiful princess tonight."

"Didn't you say you were going to wear a prince's clothes?"

Xia Linyin accepted the roses. She wore a mask adorned with white feathers and a pure white princess dress. The off-the-shoulder neckline exuded elegance, and the soft, layered skirt made her look like Snow White from a fairy tale.

"Puff sleeves, pointed shoes, and then tight leggings—after seeing that prince outfit, I lost all interest in wearing it," Yin Yichen said, shaking his head.

"Do you think the Rose Assassin might be mixed in with these people?" Xia Linyin searched discreetly.

Yin Yichen raised an eyebrow. "Very likely. How do you think he'll attack me? Could it be—"

The sudden explosion interrupted Yin Yichen's words. The exquisite chandeliers above his head shattered, sparks flew everywhere, and everyone screamed and ran away with their heads covered. A few seconds later, all the lights went out, and the entire hall was plunged into complete darkness.

Xia Linyin and Yin Yichen were separated by the crowd. In the chaos, Xia Linyin felt a strong force coming at her, and then she was picked up.

"Yin Yichen, Yin—uh, uh, uh—" A large hand carrying a cool fragrance tightly covered Xia Linyin's mouth.

Xia Linyin struggled, but the man holding her possessed a powerful physique and extraordinary strength. Xia Linyin's struggles and resistance posed no threat to him at all.

The man's long arms were like iron arms, tightly gripping Xia Linyin's body. Xia Linyin hit him hard with her high heels, but the impact made her hands go numb.

What is this person's body made of? Is it made of copper and iron?

In the darkness, the man skillfully avoided every person who rushed towards him, carrying Xia Linyin with steady, unhurried steps.

Xia Linyin felt herself being led into a narrow space by the man. Because she kicked the wooden planks around her, the man finally released her mouth. Xia Linyin immediately shouted, "Rose Killer, is that you?"

Darkness always breeds fear. Xia Linyin felt completely out of control, her heart filled with an unprecedented panic. She cried out in terror, "Yin Yichen!!"

Unfortunately, her shouts were immediately drowned out by the screams of the crowd outside.

The lights that had been turned off were finally turned back on, and Xia Linyin found herself in a changing room, but the mirror in front of her was covered.

The doors around the changing room were all painted pink, a soft and sweet color that gave off a romantic and sweet feeling. But right now, Xia Linyin felt that the changing room was so cramped that it was hard to breathe.

Her hands were bound with red silk, and the oppressive aura emanating from the man standing behind her was like a black mist, enveloping her.

"Xiao Li, is that you?"

"Is that you, Xiao Li? Xiao Li?"

"Li Luo, Li Luo, is that you? Li Luo!"

With her wrists bound, Xia Linyin struggled to hold up the dice cup with her head smashed. "Hey! Want to make a bet with me?"

The man chuckled softly, his voice magnetic and seductive, captivating all who heard him. He reached out and took the black dice cup from Xia Linyin's hand, placing it aside.

Xia Linyin's eyes widened. "Xiao Li, Xiao Li, is that you? I'm your older sister, um, um, um..."

The man stuffed a red ball into Xia Linyin's mouth, silencing her.

After gently stroking Xia Linyin's soft lips with his long, clean index finger, the man put his finger inside his lips and licked it, then suddenly lifted the red cloth covering the mirror.

The smooth mirror surface clearly reflected her humiliated posture.

The white feather mask had fallen off during the struggle, and the neatly tied bun had become messy, with a few slightly curly black hairs hanging down from the cheeks, just like its owner's disheveled state.

A red ball was stuffed in her mouth, and strands of hair clung to her rosy lips. A blood-red ribbon tied around Xia Linyin's snow-white arms, suspending her entire body. As if not finding Xia Linyin disheveled enough, the man behind her maliciously raised the ribbon even higher.

Xia Linyin had no choice but to stand on tiptoe. She tried to kick the man behind her, but he grabbed her ankle and took off her princess shoes.

Xia Linyin struggled desperately, but in the end she was left only panting heavily.

"Your voice sounds absolutely beautiful."

The man let out a satisfied sigh, his breath brushing against Xia Linyin's earlobe, causing her to tremble.

When the man's hands grasped her slender waist, a shiver instantly swept through Xia Linyin's body, every pore seemed to explode, and a layer of fine goosebumps rose on her arms.

The man wore a silver mask, revealing only his beautifully curved lips and a pair of blood-red eyes, which were like exquisite rubies, breathtakingly beautiful.

His cuffs and collar were embroidered with rose patterns in silver thread, he wore a bow tie, a diamond-encrusted watch on his wrist, and his black leather shoes were polished to a shine—a very gentlemanly outfit. However, his actions were anything but gentlemanly.

The man removed his other white glove. His hands were as beautiful as his eyes; his fingers were long and slender with delicate lines, and his skin was so white and translucent that his nails had a faint pink tinge, as if they were carved from fine jade.

After grasping Xia Linyin's slender waist, the man, who was already very close to her, took another step forward, letting Xia Linyin's tiptoe feet step on his shoes. In this way, the two of them were as intimately close as conjoined twins.

With one arm around Xia Linyin's waist and the other hand around her delicate neck, the man gently caressed her. His long silver hair fell onto her collarbone, cool and silky, like the finest satin.

"Baby, tell me, how should I enjoy you?"

The man chuckled softly, his voice as gentle as honey, sweet and cloying, yet it sent a chill down Xia Linyin's spine.