Chapter 39 Locked in the Basement
Upon hearing his voice, Luo Tingwei felt a flash of disgust and turned her head away, refusing to look at him.
Unexpectedly, the next second, her chin was lifted up, forcing her to look him in the eye.
"Why aren't you saying anything? Did I hit the nail on the head?"
Luo Tingwei sneered and simply spoke up, "Yes, I'm thinking about Lin Zeyuan. Are you satisfied now?"
“Li Yanzhou, I had a terrible accident at sea yesterday and almost drowned. He saved me. What’s wrong with me thinking about him? He’s my savior. Why can’t I think about him?”
Upon hearing her words, the man's gaze became unfathomable. "Yes, he saved you..."
"So you're thinking of him, right? If I had saved you, would you think of me the same way?"
Luo Tingwei stared into his eyes, her smile growing colder. "Then you're wrong. I'm only grateful for his life-saving grace. I'm thinking about him now, more so because I like him."
She herself didn't know whether she said those words to spite him or what.
Li Yanzhou gripped her chin even tighter. "You like him? What do you like about him?"
"I like that he's handsome, rich, gentlemanly, gentle, elegant, respectful, and loves animals..."
"Handsome and rich?"
Li Yanzhou thought she should wash her eyes.
Does he have no money and no good looks?
Seeing that he had focused on the wrong thing again, Luo Tingwei didn't bother to say anything more.
Anyway, she and he were never on the same wavelength; they were completely out of sync.
In the past, she had always worried that Li Yanzhou would hurt Lin Zeyuan, but now that she knows about the Lin family's background, she has no more concerns.
Moreover, she believed that Li Yanzhou had also investigated Lin Zeyuan and would be somewhat wary of him.
However, she still underestimated the man in front of her.
Because he's an absolute madman.
He bluntly told her that she could never be with Lin Zeyuan in her life, because from today onwards, she would be trapped in this basement until she died of old age.
"Luo Tingwei, no one can save you. Give up those thoughts you shouldn't have and spend the rest of your life here."
Li Yanzhou made a harsh statement and then got up to leave.
"You madman! Let me out! Either kill me or let me out!"
Luo Tingwei screamed wildly behind him.
The man abruptly stopped, turned around, and shot a cold, sharp glint of light directly at her.
"If you call out one more time, I'll turn off the lights here."
Once the lights are turned off, the basement is completely dark, with nothing in it.
She was clearly stunned by his words and stood there speechless.
Tears, once again, uncontrollably slipped down my cheeks.
Why am I being treated like this?
Seeing that she had quieted down, Li Yanzhou wearily pinched the bridge of her nose and said, half explaining and half scolding, "I didn't want to treat you like this either, but you brought this on yourself. I've warned you countless times not to think about running away from me. What makes you think you're so capable?"
Luo Tingwei sobbed, too weak to argue with him, and could only stammer,
"I'm afraid of the dark... I don't want to be here."
"Since you made a mistake, you have to accept the punishment. You'd better take it."
He showed no sign of backing down and continued to deliver sarcastic remarks.
"You don't want to marry me, so it seems you just want to stay by my side as a plaything without any status. Since you're a plaything, I can play with you however I want."
A long silence filled the air, Luo Tingwei's sobs sounding particularly jarring. After what seemed like an eternity, her voice, barely audible, began to murmur her protests.
"You don't like me, so why did you marry me..."
"Luo Tingwei, are you an idiot?"
He suddenly interrupted her, his fingers tightening slightly, the veins on the back of his hand bulging. "You think I went through all this for no reason?"
"Just how stupid and idiotic are you? I really want to crack your head open and see if it's filled with water."
The man said these words, then turned and strode away, leaving Luo Tingwei stunned on the bed, pondering the meaning behind his words.
What's the meaning?
Could it be that he... likes her?
How could that be? If you like her, would you force yourself on her?
After Li Yanzhou came out of the basement, she felt irritable. Just then, Wu Ma told her that the old man and his wife had arrived.
When they came out, Li Tianyou and Qin Anya were already sitting in the living room.
"Why are you here?"
"What, you don't want to see our old faces?"
Li Tianyou sneered, then went straight to the point, "I came here today specifically to see the woman you're keeping hidden away. If she's really a good one, I won't stop you."
He had already investigated Luo Tingwei's background. Although her father was not a drug dealer, he was involved in some shady, gray-market industries. Although he had reservations, he kept his composure and decided to take a look first.
Qin Anya chimed in, "Yes, Ayan, you've been dating her for a while now, it's time for your dad and me to meet her."
Li Yanzhou casually sat down on another sofa, lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said in a measured tone,
"You've come at a bad time. She's made a mistake recently and I've locked her in the basement. I'm afraid she won't be able to see you."
Upon hearing this, both people on the sofa were taken aback.
Li Tianyou thought he had misheard. "What did you say? You locked her up?"
Qin Anya was also stunned. "Ayan, what's going on? Aren't you two dating properly?"
Li Yanzhou scoffed, thinking of Luo Tingwei's ungrateful behavior, "She doesn't even deserve it!"
That ungrateful wretch doesn't deserve his kindness at all.
After a moment of reaction, the couple's expressions suddenly softened.
Seeing this, Qin Anya said, "Ayan, at your age, it's normal to have a few nice people around you, and your father and I can't say anything about it. But you need to understand that having fun is one thing, and getting married is another. You're not getting any younger, and it's time to find a serious partner and settle down. Your father knows quite a few suitable girls, and they're all very nice. Whenever you have time, go and meet them."
He thought Li Yanzhou would refuse as usual, but this time, the man surprisingly didn't make excuses. A slight smile curved his lips as he spoke.
"OK."
Seeing that he had relented, Li Tianyou showed a look of relief for the first time. "It's good that you've thought it through."
After seeing the old man and his wife off, Li Yanzhou smoked pack after pack of cigarettes, a sudden irritation rising in his heart.
That's all.
It's good to distract him with something, so he won't think about that woman all day long.
He had spoiled her too much before, which is why she took him for granted and started to disregard him.
At this moment, Wu Ma came to ask him, "Young Master, Miss Luo hasn't touched the food that was delivered this morning and at noon."
Since Luo Tingwei was locked in the basement, her meal allowance has been reduced, and Uncle Zhong has been put on leave and is no longer responsible for her meals.
Breakfast consisted of plain congee and steamed buns.
Lunch consisted of green vegetables and white rice, along with a bowl of bland soup without any oil.
If you want to eat meat, you'll have to wait until Saturday, or until you behave well.
Aunt Wu tentatively asked, "Do you think we should prepare a slightly better meal for Miss Luo?"
"What's so good about it? If she doesn't eat, she'll go hungry. If she faints from hunger, we'll give her an IV drip!"
Li Yanzhou suddenly said angrily.
Wu Ma was also startled and never dared to plead for Luo Tingwei again.
Luo Tingwei tossed and turned in the basement, unable to sleep. The lights would be turned off after ten o'clock, and the pitch blackness around her put her in a state of extreme fear.
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