In a villa in the suburbs of Capital City, within a lavishly decorated small mansion, a certain room emits fierce roars mixed with a womanâs growls, quieting down after a while.
"Where are you going?" a man lying on the king-sized bed asks the woman getting up.
The manâs skin is sagging, with age spots all over, exuding a dreary aura of old age, stirring disgust.
The man rests against the pillow, squints his eyes, glaring at the woman, scanning her shapely curves.
"Itâs too hot, Iâm all sticky, going to wash up." The woman says flatly.
The man chuckles wickedly: "Is it heat, or are you disgusted by me? Xiao Qing, I donât like disobedient women, even less so those who lie!"
The woman called Xiao Qing smiles at him: "Uncle Gao, how could I lie? Itâs May already, right? Summer is almost here!"
Indeed, the two in the room are Chiang Qing and Gao Hongbo, the topic of Cheng Su and the othersâ discussions.
"But I donât want you to leave." Gao Hongbo leans over, pulls her close.
The manâs scent rushes into Chiang Qingâs nostrils, alongside his senile odor, mixing into a nauseating stench.
Chiang Qing feels a cold shiver in her stomach, urging her to vomit.
And so she does, retching at the bedâs edge.
After retching clean, turning her head, seeing Gao Hongboâs face, her heart skips a beat.
Smack!
Gao Hongbo slaps Chiang Qing on the face, leaving her lying wordlessly on the bed.
Her hair is grabbed, Gao Hongbo mutters chillingly by her ear: "Iâve told you, I donât like lying women. Disobedience deserves punishment! Look at you, so long now, yet you never learn!"
Chiang Qing slightly turns her head: "If Uncle Gao thinks Iâm lying, just beat me to death, you wonât believe anything I say anyway!"
Gao Hongbo hesitates briefly, then gently caresses her face, speaking with fondness: "Silly girl, I couldnât bear it. Uncle Gao likes you. Just comply with me, and Iâll pluck the moon and stars for you!"
Chiang Qingâs heart stirs, deliberately asking timidly: "Really?"
"Of course, why else did I go through such lengths to get you out of the mental hospital?" Gao Hongbo says: "Your fatherâs ruthless, sacrificing a dear daughter like that. I couldnât."
"So when can I see my mom and dad?" Chiang Qing asks.
Gao Hongboâs brows furrow: "Why see them?"
Now Chiang Qing is his possession. He dislikes her contacting outsiders, even her parents. She can only gaze at him, depending on him to live!
"I also want to know how my fatherâs heart grew." Chiang Qing says expressionlessly: "I want to know, are they humans or beasts."
"Not yet, be good. Youâre listed abroad; suddenly appearing could get you caught and investigated. Uncle would be heartsick!" Gao Hongbo pulls her nearer, chuckling: "Listen to me, one day youâll get your wish."
Chiang Qing smiles: "Alright!"
"Then..."
Chiang Qing displays a captivating smile, then lowers her head, hiding the deep coldness and hatred in her eyes.