It Seems I’m Not The Only One Who Reincarnated (Patreon)

Chapter 86: War of Words

Tian Shui hadn’t felt this humiliated in a long time.

She lowered her head slightly, biting her lower lip, and grabbed her left arm with her right hand as her face flushed.

She looked pitiful, like a beauty suffering in silence.

When she lifted her gaze, those tear-filled eyes were enough to make any well-meaning man’s heart race for such a delicate lady.

This was Tian Shui’s second trap in a game of layered tricks.

Since the seductive approach hadn’t worked, she decided to go with a more delicate, charming approach instead!

And the reason Tian Shui was able to act so convincingly… was because she wasn’t entirely acting.

Wearing Shi Hai’s clothes, she couldn’t help but huddle in on herself, feeling uncomfortable from head to toe.

Though she was fully covered, it felt even more shameful than wearing nothing at all.

And she understood why she felt this way—it was a feeling of "restriction," of having her freedom taken away.

She hadn’t willingly put on these clothes but was instead led by Shi Hai’s words, “forced” to wear them.

It was like becoming a doll in his hands, where whether she wore or removed clothes, what clothes she wore, and what pose she struck—all seemed under his “control.”

This inescapable feeling was like being back in the palm of his hand...

This awakened a kind of “body memory” in Tian Shui.

In her mind’s depths, she began hearing a voice, softly urging her to "give up resistance," "just surrender," "why make life so hard," "wouldn’t it be easier to be obedient," and "your body remembers the pleasure of letting go"—all telling her to “yield” and “submit.”

But these whispers were not in Shi Hai’s voice...

They were in her own.

The voice of another “Tian Shui,” the one who had accepted herself as Shi Hai pet.

She had believed that her memories from her past life gave her an advantage.

But she hadn’t expected this “memory of defeat” to become a burdensome debuff for herself.

Not only did she have to battle the “Demon King” Shi Hai in reality, but she also had to fight this submissive version of herself in her own heart.

But if she just gave in here, then she wouldn’t be the proud Tian Shui anymore.

It was indeed very embarrassing... but it was also an opportunity!

The signal for her counterattack would start here!

Shi Hai must feel pretty smug right now, right?

But when he lets his guard down, that’s when she’ll make her move!

If Shi Hai showed even a hint of hesitation, like “Am I going too far?” or “Is this really necessary?” it would be the perfect moment to pull him into her “trap.”

However, Shi Hai looked at the seemingly pitiful Tian Shui and, instead of showing any concern, continued rummaging through his bag as he spoke.

“Hey, Senior…”

“Hmm?”

“Let’s play a game.”

“…”

This guy! Why isn’t he following the script?

Isn’t he supposed to care about me?

Why? How could he not?

Tian Shui was sure this time that Shi Hai would fall into her trap.

Because she knew that while Shi Hai was not as soft-hearted as his mother, he was still a decent person.

In other words, seeing a girl on the verge of tears would usually prompt him to show at least a bit of “concern.”

But why, when faced with this pitiful senior, dressed in ill-fitting clothes and almost in tears, did he not show the slightest bit of concern?

Could he have seen through her again?

Was her performance still lacking?

But she wasn’t even really acting this time!

If he could still see through it, it would be ridiculous!

Tian Shui was full of questions.

She genuinely couldn’t understand why Shi Hai wouldn’t fall for any of her tricks.

This was supposed to be easy mode!

He wasn’t letting his guard down in the slightest!

On the other hand, Shi Hai calmly continued,

“Didn’t you say you felt lonely, Senior?”

“Mhm… I’m very lonely…”

“Then…”

"So… are you going to comfort me, junior?"

"So, let’s play a game."

He pulled a simple foldable chessboard out of his bag.

"Do you know how to play Go, Senior?"

Tian Shui’s smile twitched. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

"Not at all… Could you teach me, junior?"

"No problem. If you don’t know Go, let’s play Gomoku instead."

"..."

Tian Shui felt an urge to flip the table.

She closed her eyes, taking a long pause to forcibly suppress the irritation bubbling inside her.

So, neither seductive allure nor delicate charm seemed to work. What style would actually work, then?

What kind of approach would reach the Shi Hai of today?

After some careful thought, Tian Shui realized the answer.

He was only interested in that approach.

She decided to drop the act. Forget about seduction, charm, or even the gentleness and tsundere tactics she hadn’t tried yet. She would discard them all.

Instead, she returned to her true form.

The dignified queenly demeanor.

Crossing one leg over the other, she placed her hands on her knee and gave him a smile tinged with provocation.

"Hmph, plain old chess is a little dry, isn’t it? Why not make it interesting with a bet, junior?"

Seeing Tian Shui finally drop the pretense, Shi Hai also removed his mask and revealed a smile.

Now they both showed their true faces.

Yes… this was how it should be.

Coming here wasn’t about watching some private performance of yours, Senior. I came to uncover the secrets hidden in your heart.

I didn’t want to see a facade; I wanted to see the real you.

"Of course. And as for what I want… I think you already know, don’t you?"

Tian Shui scoffed and replied disdainfully.

"Hmph… such a boring man. You know, dear junior, being too direct will get you labeled as a ‘dull guy.’"

Shi Hai’s eyes widened in mock surprise.

"Oh? Haven’t you already labeled me as one?"

"I thought you were different from other men… It’s disappointing."

This was Tian Shui subtly criticizing him, suggesting that he was no different from men who blurt things out thoughtlessly, with zero emotional intelligence.

Shi Hai responded, seemingly unfazed.

"Well, there’s not much I can do… These days, if a man doesn’t cater to women, he’s called a ‘dull guy.’ So, the ones who don’t want that label turn into ‘players’ instead."

With this, Shi Hai countered, insinuating that Tian Shui’s simplistic view of men, categorizing them as either ‘dull’ or ‘players,’ showed her to be arrogant and judgmental.

Tian Shui squinted, chuckling lightly.

"Heh, so you do know how to be sarcastic, junior..."

Shi Hai politely replied.

"Oh, I’m nowhere near as good as you are, Senior."

"..."

"..."

Their words were like verbal knives.

After a round of exchanges, neither had managed to ruffle the other.

They both wore smiles, but it was only skin-deep.

Just moments ago, when Tian Shui had welcomed Shi Hai inside, there had been a thick air of mutual attraction.

But now, that mood had completely dissipated.

Though, the temperature had certainly risen...

You could even say things were “heating up.”