As the sound of people entering the hall reached her, she quickly exited the study.
A massive conspiracy was unfolding. What should she do?
In her panic, Tong Yifeng’s gentle smile flashed through her mind. Yes, she needed to tell her brother. He would know what to do.
Her hands shook nervously, and the numbers she usually dialed easily resulted in several errors.
“Beep—beep—.” The waiting sound after connection felt endless. She was truly afraid, though uncertain of the source of her fear.
“Hello?” Tong Yifeng’s gentle voice calmed her momentarily. But after that one word, there was no more sound from the phone, not even a dial tone.
A cold, shadowy figure enveloped her, and in an instant, she felt as if she had fallen into an invisible demonic claw…
Suddenly, a strong wind swept across the sea, dispersing the clouds. Moonlight burst forth, illuminating the sea and pouring soft light through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the bedroom, dispelling some of the darkness. Yet it also stretched the cold, shadowy figure even longer, like a ghostly hand reaching toward her, slowly closing and gripping, bringing her under control.
“Who were you calling?” his voice was deeper than usual.
Ou Xueman didn’t dare turn back, afraid her panic would reveal her thoughts. “Nothing… just a routine call… back to Hong Kong… chatting with Dad and Mom.”
“Oh? Is that so?” The last syllable was drawn out long.
“Mm.” Ou Xueman felt her heart about to leap out of her chest, continuously swallowing saliva.
Silence descended suddenly. Though her back was to him, she could still clearly feel his deep, profound gaze.
“Hmph,” the cold snort was like sudden thunder, “Tong Yifeng, when did he become your dad and mom?”
Ou Xueman trembled all over, stiffly turning to look at him. In the moonlight illuminating one side of his face, his handsome features were overlaid with silver-white light, like frost had been applied, with an imperceptible cold air swirling around.
“I…
“Seeing him now, like a life-claiming Rakshasa, she was stunned.
He casually tossed the torn phone cord aside and stepped forward with elegant strides, exuding a dangerous aura.
All around her faded away; only a pair of deep, ruthless eyes remained.
“I wondered how Tong Yifeng could react so quickly. It turns out…” His breath swept across her face, cold as winter wind, “it was you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ou Xueman protested, trying to distance herself but was caught by his hand. She struggled in vain to break free.
Gripping her chin, he forced her to look up. “The person who entered my study just now was you, wasn’t it?”
Nervously, she lowered her eyes. “I… didn’t.”
“Didn’t? Then how did the display on my computer screen change?” His voice carried a cold laugh.
She trembled, realizing she had forgotten to restore the content. “No… pain.” Before she could finish, he tightened his grip on her chin, causing her to cry out.
“Dong Yixuan, don’t treat me like a child. There are only four people in this house: you and Tina are the prime suspects, but…” He paused, the silence creating suffocating pressure, “but Tina doesn’t understand Chinese.”
The moment he laid everything bare, all her fear disappeared, replaced by a surge of courage erupting like a volcano with anger.
She raised her hand and slapped his face with a loud “Slap.” Even Di Xihuang was stunned, never expecting her timid self to take action.
He hadn’t anticipated her capability; her innocent demeanor was just a facade. Like father, like daughter. He had intended to spare her and even argued with his aunt about it, but now that seemed unnecessary. A cold smile played at the corner of his mouth.
“You used underhanded tactics against the Dong family, so you’re not qualified to question me,” Ou Xueman shouted angrily. “Di Xihuang, you’re despicable and shameless.”
“Hmph, I’m shameless? Compared to Dong Baichuan’s nature, it’s nothing,” Di Xihuang’s voice was like an avalanche.
“Don’t you dare insult my daddy!” Ou Xuemeng raised her hand to slap him again, but he caught her wrist, rendering her immobile.
“Insult? He’s not even worthy of that,” he almost roared, forcefully throwing her aside.
She violently hit the bed’s edge, the pain in her waist so intense it almost made her faint.
She collapsed on the floor, waiting for the pain to subside, but Di Xihuang approached, his dark eyes flickering with cruel intent.
“Don’t come closer! What do you want?” she pleaded, attempting to support herself before falling onto the bed.
“You’ll find out soon enough,” he replied, stopping in his tracks.
The moonlight became obscured by clouds, casting the room in darkness, leaving only her rapid breathing audible.
Suddenly, his large body was near her, pinning her hands above her head. The sound of clothing being torn sent a chill through her. “No, you can’t do this…”
“Can’t? Why not? Dong Baichuan treated my mother this way, and now I’ll make you, his beloved daughter, endure the same torture,” he exclaimed like a demon intent on destruction.
She didn’t fully understand but didn’t want this. Fear overwhelmed her, tears streaming down her face.
Despite her struggles and cries, he remained unmoved. The more she fought, the more violently he attacked. Pain surged through her as her heart shattered.
In her tear-blurred vision, she saw blood-red flower petals dancing in the darkness, mirroring her broken spirit. Her eyes went blank, leaving her like a soulless shell amidst his relentless assault.
Feeling her lifeless body, he suddenly awoke, his rationality returning. Though they couldn’t see each other in the darkness, he knew she must be filled with terror.
“After satisfying your beast-like desires, get off me.”
Di Xihuang was stunned. Her voice was calm, like stagnant water, unable to raise even a ripple.
Slowly leaving her body, he collapsed beside her. He didn’t know what to say. Silence spread between them, trapping them in a small space.
A sudden knock on the door broke the silence, tearing a crack back to reality in the enclosed darkness.
As he walked to the door, he coldly turned back and warned her, “You’d better not think about sending any messages. You’ll only embarrass yourself.”
“How long do you plan to imprison me?”
Di Xihuang didn’t answer. Opening the door and using the hallway light, he could vaguely see her curled up and shivering at the head of the bed. He wanted to approach but knew he no longer had the right to do so.
It seems that Brother Yifeng’s response strategy has seriously disrupted Di Xihuang’s plan; otherwise, Di Xihuang wouldn’t have returned to Hong Kong to take charge. Should I do something too? But what can I do? Even if Liu Qiusi is using me, Dong Baichuan and Dong Yifeng truly care about me.
For their sincerity, I should do something for them.
Although I know their plan, I can’t transmit information back to Hong Kong. Since that night, all phones in this villa have been controlled. To make a call, it must be transferred through the main machine in the old witch’s room. Our phones were confiscated, meaning all communication tools are in their hands. How can I send a message back?
I looked towards the study upstairs. What should I do?
“Mother, I’m not sure if Xihuang has eaten on time. When he gets busy, he forgets about these things. I’m really worried.”
A sweet voice drew Ou Xueman’s attention. Sitting across from her was a woman with delicate features, dressed elegantly, exuding the gentle demeanor of a well-bred lady.
Ou Xueman coldly snorted inwardly. Tian Muxiang Hui, the stepdaughter of the old witch, had arrived by helicopter that night. They usually spoke in Japanese to prevent her from understanding, but today they conversed in Cantonese, wanting to show off. Hmph, she couldn’t be bothered.
