He came right up to her, suddenly reaching out to grip her neck. Dong Qin was forced to stand up; his grip was terrifying, and she had no doubt he could strangle her right there. “What did you see?” he asked in a low voice. Dong Qin stared into his dark, brooding eyes, and at that moment, she found it amusing that Lu Jinghao was so handsome, with Lu Tuo inheriting about eighty percent of his looks. But he was even more imposing, with the unique charisma and flavor of a mature man. She couldn’t say anything, just kept looking at him. Lu Jinghao’s gaze slowly changed from menacing to gentle, from furious to intrigued. He slightly loosened his grip, and only then did Dong Qin realize she could breathe. He moved closer, his body still carrying the scent of desire. He asked, “Are you a virgin?” Dong Qin shook her head. Lu Jinghao seemed surprised, “How many men have had you? You’ve always put on a good act, huh! I always thought you were just a little girl!” Dong Qin suddenly wanted to laugh. And she did, her lips curling with a hint of mockery. “If I didn’t pretend, I might have been kicked out the next day. Isn’t that right, Dad?” She emphasized the word “Dad,” and Lu Jinghao’s expression changed, his voice harsh, “Who’s your dad!” She softly said, “Mr. Lu, I accidentally stumbled upon your secret. Are you planning to kill me or kick me out?” Lu Jinghao stared into her cold, distant eyes for a long time before saying, “You want me to let you go?” “Can you? How do you want me to beg you? It’s okay, I’m very cooperative, I have no pride.” Lu Jinghao slowly withdrew his hand, and Dong Qin, weak in the knees, fell to the ground, looking up at him as she caught her breath. He suddenly squatted down, mercilessly prying her legs apart, his fingers probing forcefully. His hand came away with blood. He frowned, “Disappointing! Go upstairs! I bet you wouldn’t dare tell. If you behave, I can let you live well.” Dong Qin wanted to laugh. As long as she behaved, they would let her live well. Zuo Shaoqin had said the same. Do adults always make such promises? Lu Jinghao said coldly, “If Tuo finds out, you can expect your head to roll. Killing a little girl with no background doesn’t require any threats from me, right?” Dong Qin nodded, struggling to crawl up to the third floor, forcefully closing the door behind her, never coming out again. At this moment, even if he wanted her to be a dog, licking his shoes, she would be willing. As long as she wasn’t kicked out, as long as she could stay alive. No matter how desperate a person is, when faced with a crisis, they always choose to live. When Lu Tuo returned, the house was eerily quiet, and there was no one around. He looked around, put down his backpack, and called out loudly for Yina in Italian. After a while, Xiao Ai came downstairs, carrying a rag and a small bucket. Seeing Lu Tuo, she immediately bowed respectfully, “Young master, you’re back early today. Miss Yina just returned and should be in her room.” He nodded and went upstairs without even glancing at her. Yina was lying in bed, her eyes red as if she had been crying. Seeing him, she immediately threw herself into his arms. “Tuo!” she choked out, “Am I not welcome here?” Lu Tuo stroked her hair, kissed her lips gently, and softly said, “Silly talk! Who bullied you?” Yina stammered, “No… nothing really. Tuo, is Dong Qin really your real sister?” Lu Tuo’s eyes flickered slightly, then he smiled, “So it was her who upset my little princess! No problem, I’ll go deal with her for you.” He turned to leave, but Yina quickly grabbed him, “Tuo! Don’t go! She’s so scary!” Lu Tuo gently removed her hand, soothingly, “What’s there to be afraid of? I’m here!” Yina wouldn’t let him go, blocking the door. Lu Tuo wrapped his arms around her neck, whispering a kiss into her ear, “Be good, I’ll be back soon. You sleep a bit.” His finger flashed with silver light; it was the ring on his index finger. Yina suddenly collapsed backward, truly asleep. Lu Tuo softly called her name, “Yina? Asleep? Yina?” Her breathing deepened, and there was no response. He smiled with satisfaction, tossed her onto the bed, casually covered her with a blanket, and left, calling out to Xiao Ai, “Miss Yina is tired and needs some sleep; don’t disturb her for now.” He had to hurry, and hurry more. It seemed like Dong Qin had discovered something; if Lu Jinghao got to her first, her life would definitely be in danger! Dong Qin’s room was right next to Yina’s; he went to the door, gently pushed it. After confirming there was nothing unusual, he pulled a thin wire from his pocket and inserted it into the lock, jiggling it up and down. With a click, the door opened. He glanced around to make sure Lu Jinghao was not at home, then quickly slipped into the room and locked the door behind him. Dongqin was asleep in bed, seemingly dreaming, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, her delicate lips parting in fear and urgency. He quietly approached, squatting by the bed to examine her closely. A few strands of hair fell across her forehead, and he gently brushed them away. She was in a deep sleep, completely unaware. Lu Tuo pushed her hair to the side, revealing a large expanse of white, jade-like skin. His throat tightened — was she sleeping naked? That tender skin, the delicate curves of her shoulder and neck, seemed to becklessly beckon a man — come, take me now! He slowly placed his hand on her, feeling the texture with his palm and fingers. As he explored further down, the thin blanket slipped off, exposing her shoulder blades. Suddenly, Lu Tuo’s gaze darkened. Right in the middle of her spine, following the backbone, there was a tattoo. It was a blue vine-like tattoo extending to her tailbone, looking like a slender black bone. At the tailbone, the vine spread out into butterfly wings, with four vivid red spots at the center, like coagulated blood. He couldn’t help but touch the tattoo; it looked a bit faded, indicating some age. Who had given her this tattoo? Dongqin let out a soft “um,” turning over uncomfortably and instinctively pulling the blanket up to cover her cold shoulder. Lu Tuo held the blanket down, not wanting to obscure the beautiful scene before him. She had round, well-shaped breasts, not large, but with a perfect shape, light rose-colored areolas, and a small, red, pearl-like protrusion at the center — both enticing and adorable. He took one in his hand, gently kneading, feeling its elasticity and smoothness. Dongqin suddenly woke up, staring at him in horror, as if in a dream. “You…” He pressed a finger to her lips. “Don’t speak yet.” His voice was low as he continued his actions, his thumb circling her sensitive nipple. Dongqin’s toes curled involuntarily; she grabbed his hand, “What are you doing? You should know it’s not possible for me right now!” Lu Tuo chuckled, “You’re really interesting. Does a man touching you mean he must have sex with you? Don’t you know about the concept of caressing?” Dongqin responded coldly, “Did you come here specifically to ‘caress’ me?” Lu Tuo raised his eyebrows, “If you want to think that way, I have no objections.” His hand slid down, resting on her smooth, flat stomach. Dongqin flinched, trying to dodge. His fingers, however, only traced the edge of her underwear without venturing further. “Does it still hurt?” he asked. Dongqin furrowed her brows, “Lu Tuo, what exactly do you want? Whether it hurts or not, it’s none of your business. Your girlfriend is next door! Please recognize who you’re dealing with before you lavish your tenderness!” Lu Tuo didn’t respond immediately. After a while, he withdrew his hand, propping his chin on the bed, staring at her. “You saw it when you came back, right?” Dongqin was taken aback, looking at him incredulously. What was he talking about? “Don’t play dumb.” He pinched her chin impatiently, “You’ve uncovered my dad’s secret, and he hasn’t killed you yet. You really have some skill. How did you please him?” After a moment of silence, Dongqin said, “Are you talking about Yina…” He nodded, “She’s supposedly my girlfriend, but in reality, she’s my dad’s lover. I forgot to mention, he has a particular interest in teenage girls.” Dongqin felt the world was absurd and laughed, “Ridiculous. Since she’s his lover, how can you be with her…” She didn’t finish, believing he understood her meaning. Lu Tuo played with a strand of her hair, winding it around his finger. “She’s kind of an informant, a mole Lu Jinghao planted to monitor me. Our world, you’ll never understand. Fatherly love means nothing here. A slight misstep, and you could die.” He tapped her forehead, “But there’s nothing I can do now. I didn’t want to drag you into this, but it’s too late now. You’ve crossed him, and now you’ll have to face his torment.” Dongqin was speechless, just staring at him. Lu Tuo suddenly laughed, “I play the part of the good son and the good lover well, don’t I? Zuo Dongqin, although I still dislike you, you’re the first person in this world who has no ulterior motives towards me. I’m tired of deceit and hypocrisy. Here with you, at least I can breathe.” The world was in chaos, and she was utterly unprepared. The future was uncertain, and she felt increasingly drawn into a struggle that had nothing to do with her. There was no way out; the only path was to move forward. Suddenly, Xiaoxi knocked on the door. “Miss, dinner is ready. The master wants you to come downstairs to eat.” Dongqin was startled; why the sudden change after days of not being required to eat downstairs? Lu Tuo laughed, opened the French windows to the balcony, and like a cat, quickly dashed to the balcony of the room next door, which was Yina’s. “Take care,” he silently mouthed to her before entering the room and drawing the curtains. Dongqin stood there stunned for a while before getting up to dress. The reflection in the mirror showed her looking haggard, perhaps due to her period, with deep shadows under her eyes. She heard Xiaoxi knocking on the door next door, and Lu Tuo, pretending to have just woken up, declined the dinner invitation. Was he planning to let her face this alone? Who said the most vicious creatures were women? Men, when cruel, were far worse than scorpions. She opened the door and hurried downstairs, not even glancing back at Lu Tuo’s smiling face behind her. The dining table was long, with each of them at one end, eating in silence. Dongqin felt like prey being watched by a venomous snake. Lu Jinghao’s brazen gaze made her question if she was even wearing clothes. The food was tasteless; she didn’t know what she was putting into her mouth, and her throat was bitter, making swallowing difficult. This feeling was like three years ago when she felt completely hopeless about the future, about life, about herself. She couldn’t understand why the sun should rise tomorrow. “Dongqin,” Lu Jinghao suddenly called her name in a low voice. She shuddered, forcing herself to calm down and look at him. There was no one around; the servants had retreated at some point. His eyes were fervent and malevolent. Her stomach twisted again, and the man across from her brought back some unpleasant memories, making her instinctively want to curl up. “How old are you?” Dong Qin remained silent for a long time before saying, “Sixteen, almost seventeen in a few days.” Her birthday was on November 17th, actually tomorrow. Lu Jinghao raised his eyebrows in surprise, “Oh? Your birthday is coming up? When is it?” Dong Qin had no choice but to say, “The seventeenth.” Lu Jinghao stroked his chin, smiling slowly, “What do you want as a gift?” Dong Qin didn’t respond; a bad feeling suddenly crept over her. “Don’t know what you want?” He laughed, “No problem, I’ll give you a luxurious gift that you’ll never forget.” He drained his glass of sweet wine, suddenly looking tired, and waved his hand, “Go upstairs after you’ve eaten, don’t just sit there.” Dong Qin put down her knife and fork and fled upstairs, locking her door, wishing she could shrink into a bacterium or a cell, invisible and untouchable. The room was dark, the night endless, and she felt the darkness was boundless. The bright tomorrow seemed like it would never come. She didn’t know when she fell asleep, just lying on the floor. A hand was undoing the buttons on her chest when she suddenly woke up, trying to scream but was muffled. “Happy birthday, my little princess!” the man whispered, lifting her by the waist and throwing her onto the bed. Lu Jinghao! She couldn’t even make a sound, her breathing seemed to falter. The light from the courtyard lamp filtered through the curtains, in the dark room with heavy breathing, everything was reminiscent of that day. His hands were hot and rough, hastily pulling off her clothes, then paused while removing her skirt. “Did you take a bath?” he asked, pinching her thigh suggestively. Dong Qin was in a state of confusion and shook her head. Lu Jinghao picked her up, heading to the bathroom, saying, “I like clean girls. But since it’s your birthday, I’ll wash you.” Dong Qin suddenly saw light as he turned on the bathroom light. “Tomorrow… is my birthday…” she murmured. Lu Jinghao smiled, turning on the hot water, “It’s past midnight, my little princess.” He stripped off her skirt and underwear, throwing her into the bathtub, water splashing everywhere. The nightmare was endless; her body was completely exposed, gently scrubbed by him. “You look like your mother but also completely different. How did I not notice you before…” he murmured, removing his robe, filling the tub with fresh water, and they both sat in the oversized round bathtub. “Ever done it in a bathtub?” He bit her ear, using his knee to part her legs from behind, his fingers probing her most sensitive spot. Dong Qin flinched instinctively, her knees closing, going limp in his arms. “So sensitive,” he said, his movements gentle, “What’s so fun about playing with those young boys? You haven’t experienced a real man yet.” She didn’t understand what he meant, but her body was no longer under her control, his skilled and purely carnal touch making her breathe heavily, writhing on him. “So, accept my birthday gift first.” He spread her legs, thrusting from behind; she was hot and slick, he entered almost instantly. “Ah!” he groaned, biting her shoulder, “You’re a real treat…” Dong Qin felt him rush in, her body convulsing. The water in the tub began to churn, splashing over the edges. He thrust rhythmically, not fast but steady, until Dong Qin cried out, enveloping him tightly. “Faster… harder…” she said, tears in her eyes, unsure if from pleasure or something else. “You little slut,” he cursed, pulling her hair back, thrusting fiercely. Water flowed everywhere, the sounds of splashing and impact filling the bathroom. Dong Qin’s moans were not loud but alluring, accompanied by rapid breaths. Lu Jinghao thought the woman he was ravishing was truly exceptional. Young, with a perfect body, and most importantly, her insides made him want to die right there. She suddenly stopped moaning, trembling, clutching his arms. Lu Jinghao reached his limit, withdrawing from her, casually wiping himself, the murky liquid dissolving in the water. After catching his breath, he dragged her out of the tub, naked and wet. “Just like your mother, you’re a natural-born slut,” he laughed, pulling her up by her hair. Dong Qin’s legs were weak, her scalp in pain, she let out a cat-like scream as he dragged her out of the bathroom and threw her onto the bed. Bright red menstrual blood flowed down her pale thighs, her lower abdomen tingling with pain. She closed her eyes, not wanting to think about the consequences or reasons. He was going to have her, and she had no way out. “Ha, there’s even blood, just like deflowering a virgin,” Lu Jinghao said, pulling her up by her hair, placing pillows under her waist, turning on the bedside lamp to greedily admire her youthful curves. He opened the nightstand drawer, unsurprisingly finding several condoms. He slapped her, “Slut! Why didn’t you let me discover you sooner, I would’ve had you ages ago!” He spread her legs as wide as possible, folding her in half. That night descended like a dream; she had no escape, nowhere to flee. The world was vast, empty like death, with no place for her to go. Lu Jinghao showed no tenderness, nearly brutal in his actions, regardless of her comfort or pain. Dong Qin felt like she was losing consciousness, but he always switched positions to torment her further. Who said that middle-aged men might not have the explosive power of the young, but their endurance was unmatched? She felt like she was dying but couldn’t die. He suddenly lifted her, walking to the full-length mirror, turning on all the lights, and began to thrust into her violently. “Look at yourself! Little whore! You’re so cheap!” he spat, roughly spreading her legs in front of the mirror, making everything visible. Her vibrant red engulfing his dark, his thickness overwhelming her delicate form. Her cheeks were flushed, the corners of her eyes and lips full of the allure of spring. “Scream!” he demanded fiercely, sitting on the edge of the bed, suddenly thrusting upwards with vigor, the wooden bed legs scraping the floor with a harsh sound. Dong Qin felt his member thrusting deep into her viscera, a sensation of nausea, her tongue tingling. She let out short, pained cries, her lower abdomen in sharp pain, her vision darkened, almost fainting. He sat by the bed, his waist moving more and more violently, his robust arms encircling her slender, fair body, like a doll unable to move, being tossed up and down. Blood gushed from between her legs; in her extreme confusion and daze, she suddenly noticed someone watching her from outside the window. She stared in disbelief, only to see Lu Tuo hidden in the shadows of the balcony, coldly observing them. No, don’t look! She roared in her mind, but her throat made no sound. His gaze drove her into complete madness, something dying inch by inch inside her heart, caught off guard, her soul seemed frozen in an instant. Lu Jinghao groaned loudly, grabbing her hair and pulling it down, her body being jolted up and down, casting a lewd scene in the window. “No…” she whispered, “please… spare me…” she pleaded, trying to close her legs, but he grabbed her knees, forcing them apart. While thrusting vigorously, he crudely cursed, “I’ll fuck you to death, you little whore!” Dong Qin felt pain all over, a heart-wrenching pain. Yet within this pain, a strong sensation of pleasure burst forth, a part of her body contracting intensely, as if forming a vortex, sucking her in, expanding, relaxing, then expanding again… “Ah…” she cried out repeatedly, her voice fragmented by his thrusts. Lu Jinghao gave a few final thrusts, panting as he collapsed, Dong Qin lying limp on top of him, her lower abdomen in excruciating pain, yet her entire body felt a strong sense of relief after the ordeal. Lu Jinghao took a moment to recover, withdrew, leaving a pool of blood that stained the sheets. He stood, put on a robe, took out a cigar from his pocket, lit it, and inhaled deeply. “Remember your place in this household, or face the consequences if you talk nonsense.” He said coldly, pinching her chin, “But you pleased me today. Little whore, one day I’ll fuck you to death.” He squeezed her breast playfully, chuckling as he left the room. Dong Qin lay quietly on the bed, feeling the warmth and wetness beneath her, unwilling and unable to move. The bright light made her see her disheveled reflection in the mirror. Ugly… She closed her eyes, her mind blank. After some time, the door opened again, and someone approached softly. “Are you dead?” he asked. Dong Qin opened her eyes to meet Lu Tuo’s cold, mocking gaze. She didn’t speak, just looked at him indifferently, as if looking at a stranger, or at an alien landscape. Lu Tuo sneered, flicking her breast with his fingers. “Not bad, you seemed to enjoy the old man, huh? I could hear you screaming next door, your moans were nothing special.” Dong Qin remained silent, turning her gaze to the ceiling. “Speak!” Lu Tuo suddenly roared, grabbing her hair to pull her up, his nose almost touching her face. “…What should I say?” Dong Qin looked at him, smiling quietly. “Thank him for fucking me, for not kicking me out or killing me?” she asked softly, her voice weary and hoarse. Lu Tuo raised his hand to slap her but stopped. “Or should I thank you for watching for so long? Was my performance to your satisfaction?” she asked, smiling through her tears. Lu Tuo stared at her, momentarily at a loss for words or expressions in the face of her silent tears. He let go, and Dong Qin fell back, her tears soaking the bed. She touched her face, feeling the moisture, and murmured, “So I can still cry. I thought I had forgotten how.” She wiped her face on the sheet, wrapped herself in it, and tried to stand, but her legs buckled, and she fell. Lu Tuo instinctively moved to help but then, for some reason, felt a wave of disgust and let her fall. Dong Qin knelt on the floor, looking up at him with a hint of mockery. After a while, she struggled to her feet, shakily walking to the cabinet, rummaging through it, pulling out some DVDs and a pack of cigarettes. What was she doing? Lu Tuo watched as she turned off the light, as if he didn’t exist, and started the computer, inserting a disc. She sat on the floor, leaning against the bed, lighting a slim cigarette. “If you’re not leaving, sit down,” she said, pointing to the space beside her, “Just sit quietly, don’t talk.” The computer screen displayed a media player interface, and familiar music played from the speakers. She was actually watching a “Doraemon” cartoon. Lu Tuo found it absurd and amusing but couldn’t laugh. After a while, for reasons he couldn’t fathom, he actually sat down next to her, watching cartoons he hadn’t seen since elementary school. The faint scent of mint from her cigarette wafted over, everything seemed less real for a moment. She didn’t speak, just smoked deeply and exhaled slowly, as if it were a serious task. The flickering light from the computer cast a soft glow on her face, her silent tears falling to the ground. Lu Tuo wondered, how could she cry without making a sound? Could someone laugh while crying? Were those tears meaningless water? A part of his heart softened, and at that moment, not knowing what to say, he chose silence, watching the cartoons with her, feeling their absurd yet gentle innocence. Despite the absurdity of the situation, her presence was like a spell, keeping him there. One episode, two episodes… After four episodes, Lu Tuo moved, turning to embrace her slender body. He kissed her cold lips, his warmth seeking to thaw her. His tongue parted her teeth, tasting the faint bitterness of tobacco, with a gentle urgency. Dong Qin did not resist, nor did she welcome him; her eyes were closed, seemingly unwilling to open. Lu Tuo tasted the tears at the corner of her lips, a faint saltiness. He reached out to brush her eyes, wiping away the remaining tears on her face. Then he held her tightly in his arms. Later, when he recalled this moment, he found himself curious about his actions, which were not controlled by his mind but were purely instinctive. Perhaps, from that moment on, he was no longer able to control the development of the situation. “Why watch cartoons?” he asked in a low voice, the screen already black, automatically switching to screen-saver mode. Dong Qin lowered her eyes and after a long, long time, she softly said, “When I was very young… my dad often held my hand and watched Doraemon with me. I really miss that feeling.” In this vast world, finding someone to quietly watch cartoons with turned out to be such a difficult thing. She thought she would never understand what the human heart truly is, capable of being gentle when it wants to, yet turning ruthless without warning. Zuo Dong Qin was a fool, perhaps her parents, in their incestuous relationship, had indeed given birth to an idiot. Even now, she still didn’t know how to interact with people without getting hurt. She pushed away from Lu Tuo’s embrace and lay down on the bed. “I’m going to sleep. You should go back too. I’ve accepted my fate and don’t want to cause any more trouble.” She closed her eyes, not minding the large pool of blood on the bed, ready to drift into a deep sleep. Lu Tuo was silent for a moment, then suddenly pulled her up. “Don’t sleep, come sit. I want to watch cartoons.” He inserted the second disc into the DVD player. “There are three more, and it’s still early. We need to watch all of these.” Lu Tuo patted the floor beside him, not turning back, and said coldly, “Hurry up, or I’ll rent this spot to someone else.” He waited a bit, and hearing no movement behind him, he was about to curse when he felt a softness around his neck, encircled by a pair of arms. Dong Qin’s face pressed against his neck, whispering, “Rent it to me, Lu Tuo. Actually, you’re not a bad guy.” Lu Tuo snorted, “I’m a good man, and you’re just realizing it? Too late, you’re destined to be bullied by me.” Dong Qin licked him, startling Lu Tuo, almost making him jump up. She had already climbed off the bed, wrapped in a blanket, and sat beside him, focusing on the cartoons. Later, when Lu Tuo thought back to this night, it was so bizarre; he actually spent the night watching boring cartoons with a woman he disliked. Even more bizarre, he didn’t feel bored at all from start to finish. Could one say Zuo Dong Qin wasn’t peculiar? Lu Jinghao could discover his secret at any moment, and Yina might start questioning his supposed love at any time. But in this moment, this very moment, he wanted to forget everything that had happened before and stay by this woman’s side, like old friends reunited after a long time. Zuo Shao Qin never returned, and the promised two weeks passed quickly, leaving even Dong Qin puzzled. Yina, on the other hand, quickly returned to Italy, leaving with much reluctance, clinging to Lu Tuo and crying, promising marriage on her next visit. Whom was she actually mourning the departure from? Dong Qin wondered, was it Lu Jinghao or Lu Tuo? A woman, when she decides to act, realizes she’s a natural actress. A few days later, during dinner, Lu Jinghao announced shocking news. “I have some issues with my business and need to go to Italy. Your mother already knows. She’s waiting for me there.” Lu Jinghao said kindly; in front of others, he was a model of a caring father. “I might be away for a long time, so you two…” He paused, looking intently at both of them. Dong Qin lowered her head, saying nothing. What was he suspicious of? She knew all too well. Everyone suspected she had something going on with Lu Tuo. If it were true, she might have found it amusing, but now, she only found it laughable. “Don’t worry, Dad,” Lu Tuo said with a smile, patting Dong Qin’s shoulder, “I’ll take good care of my sister! Besides, we have so many servants at home, our life is not a problem.” “That’s not what I meant…” Lu Jinghao said softly, “Tuo, your teachers sent me a letter saying your final exam scores have dropped significantly compared to your midterms. Should you be focusing more on your studies? If we’re both away, I’m worried you’ll go wild.” Lu Tuo smiled, “I’ll pay attention.” Lu Jinghao nodded, “I’m not at ease. You kids are too flighty, one way in front of us, another behind our backs. Dong Qin, please keep an eye on your brother, I’m counting on you.” Dong Qin nodded. “Tuo, Dong Qin, I’ve hired a tutor for you. During my absence, he will not only supervise your studies but also look after your daily needs. He should arrive tomorrow evening. Make sure to greet him politely, understood?” He finished with a kind tone, sipping his red wine. Was this hiring someone to watch over them? Dong Qin thought, he was indeed cunning, using this excuse to keep them under strict surveillance. She glanced at Lu Tuo; as expected, a storm was brewing in his eyes, a sign of imminent rage. “I’m done eating.” Lu Tuo threw down his fork, stood up, and coldly said, “Sister, I need help with some homework. Can you come with me?” His gaze was icy as he looked at Lu Jinghao, who only returned a fatherly smile, with a hint of victorious arrogance in his eyes. Lu Tuo grabbed Dong Qin’s hand and quickly dragged her upstairs. “Lu Tuo!” Dong Qin still held the fork with a green bean on it, looking at him in a daze, unable to speak. Lu Tuo slammed the door shut, gripping her shoulders, and said in a low, serious voice, “I miscalculated! I didn’t expect him to go to such lengths to entrust someone from the organization! Zuo Dong Qin, be careful. Do not provoke that so-called tutor! Or you won’t even know how you died!” Dong Qin looked at him for a long while, then softly said, “Could it be that Lu Jinghao’s business troubles are your doing?” Lu Tuo said coldly, “You’re smarter than I thought. Yes, it’s my doing. I want him to be stuck in Italy forever!” He suddenly seemed embarrassed, quickly adding, “Don’t think I did it for you! I’m just tired of his constant control over me!” Dong Qin nodded, calmly saying, “I thought as much.” “What did you say?!” Lu Tuo was furious, pushing her hard. Dong Qin stumbled and fell to the ground. “You women, indeed have no conscience at all!” He said with hatred, kicking a cushion away with his foot. Dong Qin slowly put the green beans from her fork into her mouth, ignoring his inexplicable outburst. Lu Tuo paused for a long time before he said in a low voice, “Anyway, telling you about our organization’s affairs doesn’t mean anything! Just be careful of that tutor! I don’t know what level of person Lu Jinghao can invite with his reputation, but the people in the organization are beyond your imagination. So, behave yourself! If you go around seducing men again, don’t blame me for being rude!” Dong Qin whispered, “Do you think I can just go around seducing men in my current situation?” Lu Tuo shook his head, “I don’t care! Just be careful!” He then flung the door open and pushed her out, “Get out! Just looking at you pisses me off!” The door slammed shut with a “bang.” Dong Qin silently glanced at the door handle, then turned and slowly went upstairs. She didn’t understand what his anger was about. She placed her fork beside the computer, changed into pajamas, and went to the bathroom to shower. When she came out, there was an extra person in the room. She froze, her blood turning cold in an instant. Lu Jinghao—since that night, he had never looked for her again, so why was he here today? Lu Jinghao casually threw his cigar into the water glass by the bed, then suddenly grabbed her hair, pulling her roughly towards him. Dong Qin couldn’t help but cry out in pain, her scalp burning. She dared not resist, allowing him to drag her over and press her against the wall. Like a beast, he tore her pajamas, his hand forcefully gripping her still damp breast, twisting and kneading. Dong Qin gasped in pain but dared not make a sound, just staring fixedly at the ground. With a “slap,” Dong Qin’s vision spun, her left cheek numb with pain, her ears buzzing. Lu Jinghao had slapped her, then slapped the other side. Blood immediately trickled from her mouth, her vision went white then black, and she curled up, not daring to move. “You little slut! How dare you seduce my son!” he said coldly, dragging her by the hair to the bed while pulling down her pants. Dong Qin trembled all over, could only close her eyes and let him do as he pleased. “I have my ways with sluts like you, would you like to try?” he asked with malicious intent, pulling off his belt and lashing it across her thighs and chest. Dong Qin screamed in pain, struggling to escape, but Lu Jinghao didn’t stop her, laughing heartily as he continued to whip her mercilessly, leaving streaks of blood on her back and thighs. “No! Spare me!” she cried out, with nowhere to hide, running to the corner where he continued to beat her until she was nearly fainting. Lu Jinghao laughed, “Your mother used to enjoy this! Why don’t you?” He flipped the belt over, the steel buckle aimed at her, ready to strike. “I’ve said before, if you make me angry, killing a little girl like you is nothing to me!” Dong Qin tightly shut her eyes, waiting for the blow, ready to end it all. After a while, when no sound came, she opened her eyes in surprise to see Lu Jinghao lying unconscious at her feet, with Lu Tuo, the last person she expected to see, standing in front of her. Lu Tuo kicked Lu Jinghao aside, retracted his tranquilizer ring, and pulled her up from the ground. “Are you an idiot?! Can’t you open the door? Hiding in the corner, are you just waiting to be killed?!” he roared, pushing her forcefully. Dong Qin staggered but couldn’t utter a word. She just looked at him, her heart filled with countless emotions, yet she didn’t know what to say.
14. Making Love
