Chu Ming's eyes burned with fury as she glared at Lu Chen, her chest heaving with the weight of her anger. The air around them seemed to crackle with tension, thick and suffocating, as if the very atmosphere was charged with the intensity of their emotions. Her voice trembled, low and venomous, as she spat out her words. "Disgusting man! Do you really think this method will work? You're wrong—dead wrong!"
Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms hard enough to leave crescent-shaped marks. The memories of his manipulations, his schemes, and the pain he had caused her surged to the surface, fueling her rage. Each memory was a spark, igniting the fire that had been smoldering within her for far too long. "I've always hated you!" she shouted, her voice echoing in the space between them, raw and unbridled. "You think you can control everything, but you can't control me!"
Lu Chen stood there, his expression unreadable, a mask of calm that only served to infuriate her further. But for a brief moment, a flicker of something—perhaps surprise or amusement—crossed his features. It was fleeting, but it was enough to make Chu Ming's blood boil. How dare he stand there, so composed, so unaffected, while she felt as though she was unraveling at the seams?
Before he could respond, Chu Ming turned her attention to Yun Li, who stood nearby, her face pale and her eyes wide with shock. Yun Li had always been caught in the crossfire of their tumultuous relationship, a pawn in Lu Chen's games and a silent witness to Chu Ming's suffering. But today, Chu Ming had had enough. She would no longer be a passive participant in this twisted dynamic.
"Yun Li!" Chu Ming barked, her voice sharp and commanding, cutting through the tension like a knife. "Raise your hand!"
Yun Li hesitated, her gaze darting between Chu Ming and Lu Chen, uncertainty etched across her delicate features. She had always been obedient, always followed orders without question, but this—this was different. The intensity in Chu Ming's eyes left no room for argument, and yet, Yun Li's heart wavered. Slowly, reluctantly, she lifted her hand, her fingers trembling slightly as she held it aloft.
Without another word, Chu Ming stepped forward, her own hand snapping out like a whip. The sound of the slap rang out, sharp and unforgiving, as her palm connected with Yun Li's cheek. The force of the blow sent Yun Li staggering back, her hand instinctively flying to her stinging face. Tears welled in her eyes, but she bit her lip, refusing to let them fall.
Lu Chen's eyes darkened, his calm demeanor cracking as he stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous. "Yun Li," he ordered, his tone icy, "slap her back. Hard."
Yun Li's heart raced, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear. She had always admired Lu Chen, had always been loyal to him, but the anger in his eyes now was something she had never seen before. It was cold, calculating, and utterly devoid of the warmth she had once believed existed within him. Her gaze flickered to Chu Ming, who stood defiantly, her chest still heaving with rage.
With trembling hands, Yun Li raised her arm, her fingers curling into a shaky fist. She hesitated, her eyes locking with Chu Ming's, searching for something—anything—that might give her the strength to follow through. But Chu Ming's gaze was unyielding, filled with a fire that seemed to burn straight through her.
The first slap landed with a resounding crack, the sound echoing in the tense silence. Chu Ming's head snapped to the side, but she didn't cry out. Instead, she straightened, her eyes blazing as she turned back to face Yun Li.
"Again," Lu Chen commanded, his voice cold and unrelenting.
Yun Li's heart ached, her chest tightening with each blow she delivered. Slap after slap, her hand struck Chu Ming's cheeks, the sound of each impact reverberating through the room. Tears streamed down chu ming face.