The Abyss

Cui Yun – Male, age between 20 to 28, identity: “Ace Spy” within the organization, specializing in high-risk tasks involving liaison and intelligence theft. Dong Qin thought, these people, who she would never have crossed paths with in her entire life, were now standing right in front of her. They had the same noses and mouths, nothing particularly special about them. In society, people first engage in idle chit-chat when they meet. The three of them sat down and drank three cups of tea, exchanging some boring pleasantries that nearly put her to sleep. Cui Yun put down his cup and smiled, “Mr. Lu, how many days have you booked your flight for? Is there anything I can help with during your trip to Italy?” Lu Jinghao stroked his wrist, “You are too kind, Cui Yun. If nothing unexpected happens, I should return to Italy tomorrow afternoon; my wife is waiting for me there. Regarding the salary for the tutor…” Cui Yun waved his hand with a cheerful laugh, “No need to be so polite, Mr. Lu. We are colleagues, after all; I can certainly help with this small matter. We don’t need to discuss the salary further. You just need to provide me with a place to stay; I can handle everything else. During this vacation, I plan to travel around, so I’d prefer not to be too extravagant. A modest place to stay would be ideal.” Lu Jinghao gritted his teeth silently but smiled, “Then I’ll have the servants prepare a guest room on the third floor for you. I apologize for any inconvenience over the next few months.” After exchanging a few more polite words, Cui Yun suddenly turned to Dong Qin with a warm expression. She was startled, her hand tingling as Lu Tuo tightly gripped it, his fingers turning her skin blue. “This must be Miss Zuo Dong Qin.” He said softly, “It’s an honor to meet such a beautiful lady.” He stood up, extending his hand to her. Dong Qin thought, he really knows how to put on an act, just like the first time they met; his eyes had already betrayed everything. She was forced to stand up and shake his hand. His hand was larger than Lu Tuo’s, dry but cold, with long fingers like those of a pianist. The coldness made her uncomfortable, and she instinctively tried to pull away, but he suddenly tightened his grip, enveloping her hand. Dong Qin watched in a daze as he bent down, his cold lips pressing two kisses on the back of her hand and her fingers. Then, he looked up. “I haven’t introduced myself; I am Cui Yun, Miss Dong Qin.” His eyes were like an endless sea of moon, pure as when they first met. Dong Qin suddenly remembered that he had said the same words and done the same thing that day. She quietly withdrew her hand and sat back down on the sofa. Lu Tuo’s warm hand immediately grabbed hers, rubbing the back of her hand and fingers hard, as if to erase the traces left by Cui Yun. Cui Yun’s eyes curved into a smile, his dark blue eyes looking like the clearest night sky. “Lu Tuo, you and your sister are so close, it’s enviable.” Lu Tuo coldly replied, “Are you envious?” “Tuo!” Lu Jinghao frowned, “You always talk out of turn! It’s late; you both should go upstairs to rest. You have classes tomorrow. Cui Yun, you’ve come a long way, so rest early as well. I’ll have the tutor’s schedule sent to you tomorrow afternoon.” Lu Tuo lazily agreed, retracted his legs from the coffee table, and pulled Dong Qin towards the door. Cui Yun softly said from behind, “What, does the little brother need his sister to sleep with him? Seems like Lu Tuo is regressing.” Lu Tuo turned back to glare at him, about to retort, when Lu Jinghao sternly said, “Cui Yun, Dong Qin is my daughter. Please watch your words. They’re just high schoolers, after all.” Cui Yun raised his hands, “OK, OK! My mistake, I apologize. Mr. Lu truly cares for his daughter, it’s touching.” He glanced at Lu Jinghao with an ambiguous smile, ignoring his pale face, and left whistling, patting the maid Xia Ai on the shoulder. “Beautiful maid, thank you for your hard work. Please prepare the guest room for me.” He was playful with everyone, holding onto Xia Ai’s hand, and softly said, “I hope the bed isn’t too big; sleeping alone in a big bed is lonely. Would you keep me company?” Lu Tuo’s face darkened as he pulled Dong Qin upstairs. Dong Qin couldn’t help but glance back; Cui Yun’s long black hair covered half his face, his thick, long eyelashes fluttering, and his straight nose made him quite a handsome man, but why did he always act so nonchalantly? Did he flirt with every woman he met? Xia Ai coldly pushed Cui Yun’s hand away, saying indifferently, “Alright, I understand. I’ll arrange a single bed for you, to your satisfaction.” Cui Yun was taken aback, then laughed bitterly, “Oh, it seems I’ve said the wrong thing. Can I take it back?” Dong Qin felt like laughing, her lips curling slightly, but then she realized he was looking at her. She turned, and Cui Yun winked at her. “What’s there to look at?” Lu Tuo forcefully dragged her up the stairs. Dong Qin was pushed into the room, stumbling and falling to the ground. Lu Tuo pounced on her, kissing her hands frantically, as if he would chew off each finger. “Don’t talk to him! Don’t even look at him!” he commanded hoarsely, holding her face and kissing her urgently. Dong Qin could barely breathe, pushing against his chest, but was overpowered by his fierce strength. Lu Tuo nearly bit her lip before suddenly letting go, gasping, “Don’t be seduced by him, or you’ll end up with no bones left after death.” Dong Qin softly asked, “Why? Is he very fickle? Or are you afraid I’ll fall for him?” Lu Tuo paused, then growled awkwardly, “Who you love is none of my business! Even if you fall for a dog, I wouldn’t care! But not him! So many women have died at his hands! Cui Yun isn’t someone a girl like you can handle!” “Oh? He kills people?” Dong Qin saw the veins bulging on his forehead and reached out to touch them, but he grabbed her hand, interlocking their fingers. “He doesn’t kill; he’s a fox, loving everyone and no one at the same time. He seduces whoever he suddenly likes with all sorts of methods! Once he’s had his fun, he discards them without a second glance! He has no moral compass, never taught those things.” Dong Qin looked at him calmly, “What are you really worried about?” Lu Tuo stared at her, “Because I know you have no heart, you won’t fall for him, that’s why I’m worried. He’ll keep pestering you, he’s very patient, until you fall for him. Zuo Dong Qin, I’d rather you die by my hand than be played to death by him!” Dong Qin was silent for a long time before saying, “Played… I thought I’ve always been played with. Haven’t I?” Lu Tuo was choked up, unable to find words to refute. Dong Qin suddenly smiled, with a touch of charm. “I’m already used to days like this, so you don’t have to be so upset about it.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and offered her lips, “But, I should thank you for worrying about me. Lu Tuo, kiss me…” Her words were swallowed by his kiss. Lu Tuo was passionate, blazing. His hands, his body, his lips, all were interwoven flames. In the dark night, they were enough to warm her coldness. Dong Qin suddenly thought of Cui Yun. Lu Tuo called him a fox, but she didn’t see it that way. This man had a splendid exterior, dazzling and vibrant, but his blood was cold. He was a snake. His venomous fangs were hidden beneath beautiful clothing, quietly waiting for prey. Once bitten, death was certain. Snakes, solitary creatures, trust only themselves, love only themselves, and only know how to satisfy themselves. Lu Tuo left her in the middle of the night, leaving behind a scent of heat in the room. She turned over in the messy bed, clutching the blanket which still held his warmth. That warmth was enough to let her sleep soundly tonight. Dong Qin drifted into a half-dream state, gradually falling asleep. Suddenly, she felt cold, from head to toe, inside and out. The cold wasn’t piercing but eerie, making her skin slightly numb. In a half-dream, she opened her eyes to see long, jet-black hair everywhere. Someone was entwining around her, naked, yet she felt no weight or pressure. The cold breath spread from her knees upwards, as if being blown, inch by inch, reaching the inner side of her thighs. Dong Qin was startled! Was it a person or a ghost?! She wanted to move, to struggle, but her body wouldn’t obey, limp and powerless. The person suddenly propped themselves up, revealing a pair of beautiful dark blue eyes, looking at her with some danger. Cui Yun… she whispered the name in her heart, unsure if it was real or not. Was she dreaming, or was it real? She didn’t understand. Her heart raced, half in fear, half in tension. He parted her weak legs, and Dong Qin felt a coolness on her inner thigh as his tongue licked upwards, tingling. She let out a cry, suddenly opening her eyes to bright daylight. Was it a dream?! Her heart almost leaped out of her chest, her limbs weak from shock. She struggled to check the door lock; it was unchanged from when Lu Tuo left, the small transparent tape on the door frame undisturbed. The balcony’s floor-to-ceiling windows were the same; the curtains held down by a chair, the tape on the window seams still intact. There was no sign of anyone breaking in. So, it must have been a dream. Dong Qin sat back on the bed in confusion, why did she dream of him? And… so vividly. She touched between her legs; it was wet and sticky, a normal reaction of arousal, but at an unusual time. The sensation of his cold hair scattered on her body was so detailed, and the cool touch of his tongue… She thought, perhaps he really was a snake, so cold, silently sneaking into her dreams at night to tease her. Xiao Ai knocked on the door outside, “Miss, please get up, your breakfast is ready.” She responded haphazardly, quickly took a shower, then opened the door. There was someone at the door. Cui Yun, holding a tray, smiled at her, and as she stepped out, he handed it to her. “Here, millet porridge with pickled vegetables. A traditional Eastern breakfast, haven’t had one in a while, have you?” Seeing him so suddenly, Dong Qin instinctively flinched. She took the tray, glanced at it, and softly asked, “Did you make this?” The chefs at Lu’s usually only prepared Western meals, even breakfast was bread, milk, and eggs. She indeed hadn’t had porridge or side dishes for some time. Cui Yun nodded, “I’m very interested in Eastern cuisine; I specifically learned how to make it before. If you don’t mind, I’d be happy to cook for your lunches and dinners too. However, today’s pickled vegetables were bought, I couldn’t make the side dishes at short notice.” Seeing Dong Qin’s stunned look, he tilted his head and smiled, “Aren’t you going to invite your teacher in for a sit?” After thinking, she stepped aside. “Please come in.” She placed the tray on the table, picked up the chopsticks, and tasted a bit. “How does it taste?” Cui Yun’s eyes lit up like a dog waiting for praise, almost wagging his tail. Dong Qin nodded, “It’s very good, thank you.” His presence made her lose her appetite, and she only managed a few bites before stopping. Suddenly, Cui Yun reached out and ruffled her hair, with the affection of a mentor, which sent chills down her spine. “Not hungry? Did you not sleep well last night?” he asked softly, his voice turning eerie. “Did you have a nightmare?” Dong Qin felt something hit her heart hard, sending a chill from her chest to her abdomen. She looked at him in disbelief, unable to speak. His dark blue eyes were like a vortex, hiding countless terrifying secrets. She felt herself being sucked in, bit by bit, skin, flesh, and bones, all to be crushed within.