Sitting on the couch, Tang Ze silently heard the screams coming from Ye Qingyi. His face remained completely impassive. Earlier tonight, he had felt genuinely pleased, thinking he'd stumbled upon something valuable. But now...
Did she actually mistake this place for a shelter? How could she still harbor such naivety at a time like this?
In the bathroom, Sun Ting had finally vented all her anger. An Bai crouched on the cold tile floor, her mind reeling as disbelief washed over her. She couldn't comprehend how she'd ended up hurting a complete stranger. Her eyes darted around nervously, filled with fear and panic—but beneath it all lingered a faint, unsettling thrill from having released her pent-up frustration.
Sun Ting glanced at An Bai's conflicted expression and let out a heavy sigh. "We've moved bodies before. What's left to be afraid of? No one needs to feel sorry for someone like her. Did she honestly think everyone would cater to her whims?"
Ping, ping, ping.
Several consecutive WeChat notifications rang out. Sun Ting turned her attention to the phone lying nearby—it seemed to belong to this woman.
Ye Qingyi watched as Sun Ting picked up her phone. Through gritted teeth, she managed to choke out, "Give it back!"
With a disdainful sneer, Sun Ting grabbed Ye Qingyi's hand. Immediately, Ye Qingyi began struggling fiercely, refusing to allow Sun Ting access to her fingerprint lock.
"Xiao Bai! Xiao Bai! An Bai!" Sun Ting called out repeatedly until An Bai finally snapped out of her daze.
"Stop spacing out. Hold her down."
"Ah… okay," An Bai murmured apologetically, casting a hesitant glance at Ye Qingyi before pinning her down firmly. With that, Sun Ting successfully unlocked the phone.
Opening WeChat, Sun Ting's lips curled into a sly smile.
"What a sweet little note," she mocked softly. "'My Dearest Future Hubby, Zihui.'"
"Give it back! Give me my phone back!" Ye Qingyi shouted desperately, reaching out despite being pinned down by An Bai. Every movement sent waves of pain coursing through her body, but she didn't care.
Without hesitation, Sun Ting planted her delicate foot squarely on the back of Ye Qingyi's hand.
"Ahh!" The sharp pain shot straight to her core. Ye Qingyi had never endured anything like this in her life—she had always been sheltered and pampered.
Sun Ting chuckled darkly. "Your 'dearest future hubby' seems worried. He's asking what happened to you, why you haven't replied to his messages. What should I tell him, hmm?"
Though battered and bruised, Ye Qingyi had held back her tears until now. But hearing these words, the floodgates broke open, and the tears she had suppressed for so long spilled uncontrollably down her cheeks.
She couldn't bring herself to tell her fiancé that everything had fallen apart—that her sister and brother-in-law were dead, and that she was trapped here. In his eyes, she was pure, untainted—and she needed to stay that way, even if it meant dying to preserve that image. Better to die than let him see her defiled.
Watching Ye Qingyi's reaction, Sun Ting's eyes gleamed triumphantly, as though she had just uncovered a crucial weakness.
Meanwhile, Tang Ze sat on the couch, idly flipping through channels on the TV. Internet streaming services were the only option available; local broadcasts had disappeared entirely.
As the bathroom door creaked open, Tang Ze turned his gaze toward it. The freshly cleaned Ye Qingyi emerged, looking strikingly different—though her eyes appeared hollow, devoid of spirit.
"Master, I'll take her to get ready. It won't take long," Sun Ting said briskly.
Tang Ze rested his chin on his hand, giving a nonchalant hum of acknowledgment. Despite Ye Qingyi's obvious fear, he harbored no sympathy for her whatsoever.
Twenty minutes later, Ye Qingyi was finally brought back out.
Her once dry and tangled hair now cascaded smoothly down her shoulders, exuding a subtle fragrance. A light touch of makeup enhanced her features, making her face appear even more delicate. The pristine white dress hugged her curves perfectly, while a sleek black belt accentuated her slender waist.
"Still not going to greet him?" Sun Ting prompted sharply, giving Ye Qingyi's hip a pointed tap.
Ye Qingyi clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug painfully into her palms. Lowering her head, she bit down hard on her trembling lip.
When Ye Qingyi remained silent, Sun Ting's temper flared again. Leaning close, she whispered something harsh into Ye Qingyi's ear.
Ye Qingyi's body shuddered violently, and after a moment, she forced herself to murmur weakly, "Master…"
Tang Ze's gaze flickered with approval, though his expression remained cool and detached. You're quite skilled at this, he thought to himself.
"Come here," he commanded curtly, leaving no room for disobedience.
Ye Qingyi hesitated for a brief second before rising unsteadily to her feet. She approached Tang Ze but kept her head bowed, avoiding his piercing gaze.
In another life, their paths would never have crossed—he, a deliveryman, and she, the vice president of an advertising company. Yet here they were, bound together in ways neither could have imagined.
"Sit," Tang Ze instructed, patting his lap with an air of authority.
Ye Qingyi's lips quivered as she pressed them together tightly. The vibrant red hue faded under the pressure of her teeth, leaving behind only pale tension.