As night fell in London, the haze after the rain floated over the streets, and the brightest things under the streetlights were the puddles reflecting the light, illuminating the silent gate towers.

Sudden!

"—Smack!"

The water, trampled underfoot, splashed everywhere.

Mu Yiran staggered and ran barefoot, the heavy footsteps behind her and incoherent curses close at hand.

Run, keep running.

He's catching up!

A sharp, stabbing pain shot through the soles of her feet from the wear and tear, but Mu Yiran dared not stop; if she did, she would die!

She could only keep running, but no matter how she darted through the streets and alleys, the man was still chasing her closely.

The overnight escape had exhausted her, and Mu Yiran fell heavily to the ground when her left foot crushed some gravel.

"ah!"

Before she could get up, a hand grabbed her calf and dragged her backward forcefully. "Damn, I finally caught you!"

"You little slut!" The man gripped her chin, his thumb and forefinger pressing against Mu Yiran's mouth. A strong stench of sweat filled the air as he excitedly shouted, "Why are you running? I'll let you experience what it's like to be in ecstasy before you die. You're getting off easy, you little virgin!"

"Sizzle!"

The knee-length uniform skirt was torn to shreds.

Goosebumps covered her entire body; she felt disgusted, as if her body were rotting, stinking flesh.

It's so cold...

Mu Yiran didn't even have the strength to struggle. All she could do was weep in despair and cowardice. Suddenly, she stopped struggling and simply pulled her torn dress back up.

The new uniform is quite nice, and she wants to dress neatly.

If she were to meet Ms. Wen and Mr. Mu, their first words would undoubtedly be to compliment her on her beauty.

Their mistresses always have to look beautiful.

"Damn it, what are you blocking for!" The man spat and twisted her resisting hand away, but the expected pain did not come.

The weight pressing down on her body disappeared, replaced by a faint scent of fir. The person's palms were cool, but when they covered her legs, Mu Yiran felt warm.

A voice whispered in my ear: "Don't be afraid, just close your eyes if you are."

"I'm here, no one can hurt you."

"......"

Mu Yiran obediently closed her eyes, then opened them again, wanting to see who it was. Her eyes, blurred by tears, were a pale pink that filled her entire field of vision.

And those phoenix eyes that could devour her completely.

His usually dark and cold eyes were now burning hot.

"Ah! Hiss!"

Mu Yiran woke up with a start, her whole body burning hot as if she had a high fever. She stared blankly at the ceiling, panting. Before she could even feel relieved that it was just a dream, she realized that something was wrong with her body. Every time she moved, she was groaning from the tingling, electric-like sensations that made her grimac.

Her head was throbbing from the alcohol, and as she raised her hand to rub it, her wide sleeve slipped down, revealing bruises and swelling.

In an instant, her skin tightened, and her heart pounded so hard it hurt her chest.

Not only her arms, but Mu Yiran slowly pushed back the blanket and saw that all the skin exposed under the light-colored shirt had the same marks, densely packed.

It went straight into the hem of the shirt, and there was a tooth mark at the right ankle.

Only the refreshing scent of shower gel and the smooth surface of her skin reminded her that these weren't wounds from being beaten up, but rather...

"—I feel really bad, can I help my sister?"

"The antidote is useless; it's me who's useful."

"—It's so thin. Look, if it's wrapped up like this, my sister can't move."

Mu Yiran was extremely anxious due to the effects of the drug, but Shi Youxi was even more anxious than her; both of them were novices at this.

The first time was rushed, which resulted in Mu Yiran feeling even worse, while Shi Youxi felt a bit awkward.

The two men fought fiercely for the steering wheel, but in the end, Shi Youxi took the driver's seat.

"—My sister told me I felt unwell there."

"—I've learned it. Sister, please check Chen Guo's progress."

"..."

Mu Yiran covered her forehead, closed her eyes in pain, and images flashed uncontrollably through her mind—

Shi Youxi steadily supported her when she screamed in fear of losing gravity.

The boy's bangs were damp with sweat, and his eyes, red-rimmed and bright, were fixed on her.

The ice water she was given, though it didn't quench her thirst, created a bittersweet experience. Finally, the boy turned his head and kissed her ankle...

………

…………

How could this happen? How could this be...?

She and Shi Youxi really...?!

A breath caught in her throat, and Mu Yiran took a deep breath. Even though she tried her best to hold it in, she couldn't help but sniffle and forcefully suppress the sour feeling rising in her throat.

...We must leave this place.

At this moment, Mu Yiran had only one thought in her mind.

If Mu Yiran could have said goodbye properly to Shi Youxi before leaving last night, she now doesn't even have the courage to face him.

She climbed off the bed, her thighs trembling as if she had just run an 800-meter lap. There were neat clothes at the foot of the bed, clearly the style that Shi Youxi liked. Mu Yiran put on her coat and ran towards the door.

In her panic, she didn't even notice that the room had two doors. The heavy, soundproof door was pulled open, and the scene that greeted her made Mu Yiran freeze on the spot.

That's... a face.

She saw a face hanging on the wall.

That was her face.

Mu Yiran blinked in surprise, this time seeing it more clearly: countless hand-drawn cards were filled with her, all kinds of her.

There's her in a haute couture gown, she's in business attire, she's sleeping soundly in her room... or perhaps she's as Cheng Ran.

There are many more, including photos of her wearing various nanny dresses during the Mu Ran period.

She is always there.

Mu Yiran felt a chill run down her spine, and her fingers twitched uncontrollably. Next to that face was a cello and the 16 photo albums that had been neatly arranged, now a pile of junk but still well-preserved in the glass cabinet—"exquisite yet cheap" gifts.

The entire room was filled with dolls of Mu Yiran standing on high, dressed in form-fitting clothes and exquisitely crafted.

Mu Yiran stared at one of the dolls sitting in the iron cage, and felt a chill run down her spine the moment she met the gaze of "herself".

She didn't know when Shi Youxi had set up this room, or when these paintings had been photographed—was it this time, when he was 16, or even earlier...?

She didn't dare to think any further. She turned around, shoved open another door, and rushed out. There was no sign of Shi Youxi in the entire apartment. She ran back to Mu Yiran's apartment.

Mu Yiran pulled a suitcase from the room, stuffed a few clothes into it haphazardly, paused for a moment when she saw the closet full of bags and jewelry, and then closed the door directly.

She wanted to leave this place, to leave London. Whether it was her aching body or the thought of that room that filled her, Mu Yiran couldn't bear to stay any longer.

She absolutely has to leave!

"Clothes, money, and... um?"

She searched the entire room but couldn't find those items. "...Where did they go? I definitely put them here—"

"Squeak—" A light footstep came from behind, followed by the man's low, hoarse voice.

"Sister, what are you looking for?"

"....."

Mu Yiran's neck tensed instantly, and she remained frozen in place. The person behind her walked over, squatted down in front of her, and waved his passport and ID card over her hand.

Shi Youxi gave a nonchalant smile:

"Is this what you're looking for?"