The man’s current wretched appearance greatly satisfied Wen Ruchu’s inner feelings.
Wen Ruchu brought over a small stool, sat down next to Shen Chiyan, secured his hands, and slowly cut at Shen Chiyan’s index finger with the fruit knife.
“Ahhh!”
The excruciating pain radiating through all ten fingers made Shen Chiyan scream. Wen Ruchu stuffed a pair of his own underwear into his mouth—she wouldn’t want to disturb the neighbors; after all, she was a good citizen.
Shen Chiyan watched helplessly as Wen Ruchu cut off each of his fingers one by one, blood pooling across the floor.
When she finished with one hand, Shen Chiyan fainted from the pain. Wen Ruchu dropped the knife on the floor and sighed. Boring—he couldn’t endure much.
She pressed a few acupuncture points on him to stop the bleeding, ensuring he wouldn’t die too quickly. After all, Huahua still had to arrive.
…
Tang Xinhua arrived very early the next day. She saw Wen Ruchu open the door and smiled. “Ruchu, you’re here! Where’s Brother Chi?”
“He’s inside, cooking. He said you were coming, so he’s showing off his skills for you.”
Tang Xinhua’s eyes lit up. “Really? Brother Chi can cook?”
“Yes, come in quickly.”
Overjoyed, Tang Xinhua stepped inside, but before she could call out “Brother Chi…”
The scene in front of her made her scream.
The man lay unconscious in a pool of blood. Severed fingers, soaked in blood, were scattered on the floor. This… this was Shen Chiyan!
Tang Xinhua immediately tried to turn and flee, but Wen Ruchu would never give her the chance. The door was locked.
Wen Ruchu smiled warmly at Tang Xinhua. “Huahua, sit.”
Tang Xinhua’s legs buckled. “R-Ruchu… this… this…”
Before she could finish a single sentence, her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the floor.
“Huahua, what’s wrong?”
Wen Ruchu slowly squatted down, grabbing Tang Xinhua by the hair. “Scared, Huahua? Don’t be. Soon, you’ll be keeping your Brother Chi company.”
Tears filled Tang Xinhua’s eyes. “Who… who are you?”
Wen Ruchu made a troubled expression. “Why does everyone ask me who I am? I’m Ruchu, Wen Ruchu.”
“No… you’re not…”
Wen Ruchu didn’t waste more words. She slammed a brick onto her, knocking her unconscious. One person, one blow—fair. She wouldn’t play favorites.
Both women fainted. Wen Ruchu then drove a knife into Tang Xinhua’s thigh, the sharp pain waking her instantly.
“Ah, you’re awake.”
She splashed water on Shen Chiyan as well, reviving him.
Tang Xinhua stared at the blood-soaked wounds on her thighs, tears streaming, but she dared not make a sound, fearing she would anger the woman before her.
“Huahua? You came too? This woman isn’t Wen Ruchu—she’s a devil, a monster!” Shen Chiyan looked at his severed fingers. “Ah… my hand, my hand!”
Tang Xinhua’s tears kept falling—truly a beauty in tears.
Wen Ruchu smiled at Tang Xinhua. “Do you want to live?”
Tang Xinhua nodded frantically.
“Alright, then I’ll give you a chance.”
Wen Ruchu paused, smiling like spring flowers, and threw the knife in front of Tang Xinhua. “Cut two pieces of flesh from him. You eat one, he eats one. Then you may leave.”
A gun appeared in Wen Ruchu’s hand, twirling once around her fingers. “Don’t try to deceive me, or you’ll go straight to hell.”
Tang Xinhua trembled as she reached for the bloody knife—the same one that had just pierced her thigh…
Shen Chiyan watched her actions, shaking his head. “Huahua, you… you can’t listen to this madwoman. She won’t let us live.”
“No… I can’t!”
Holding the knife, Tang Xinhua glanced at the gun. “Brother Chi… I’m sorry. You know my family is poor. My parents depend on me. I… I can’t die.”
She shook with fear as she cut a piece of flesh from Shen Chiyan’s thigh. He struggled, but he had no strength left; one hand had lost all its fingers, blood pooling everywhere. Surviving this far was a blessing, yet he had no power to resist.
“Ahhh!” Shen Chiyan let out a hoarse scream, his face twisted in despair and pain.
Tang Xinhua’s hands shook as she cut, sweat rolling down her forehead. The knife was dull; it took a long time to cut a single piece. Her palms were icy, trembling as she picked up the flesh and forced it into Shen Chiyan’s mouth.
“Ugh!” Two vomiting sounds echoed in the room.
Tang Xinhua’s face turned pale. She cut another piece, trembling, and continued.
For Shen Chiyan, the world seemed to be nothing but pain. He wished it had ended quickly. Cutting one’s own flesh—pain like this was unrelenting…
Finally, Tang Xinhua held the piece of flesh, looked at Wen Ruchu’s cold, unforgiving eyes, and with tears, forced it into her mouth. The metallic, bloody taste filled her senses, making her gag and spit it out.
“That doesn’t count if you spit it out,” the gentle voice now felt like a death sentence.
Tang Xinhua held back her disgust, picked it up, and forced herself to swallow.
Wen Ruchu applauded. “Such a brave girl.”
“You… you said… you’d… let me go.” Tang Xinhua’s throat felt blocked; her body trembled. Pain crashed over her like a tidal wave, but she had nowhere to escape.
“Of course…”
“Bang!” The gun fired.
“Of course, you’re going straight to hell.”
A faint sound followed. Shen Chiyan’s forehead now had a bullet wound.
Wen Ruchu looked at the two dead bodies and suddenly smiled. As she laughed, tears streamed down her face.
Betrayal etched deep into her soul, suffering worse than death—Wen Ruchu, congratulations. You’ve been reborn…
From now on, live well for yourself.
She set the air conditioner to the lowest temperature, locked all doors and windows, sealing even the smallest gaps. She then took out a large iron chest and placed it over the two corpses. The chest was custom-made, airtight—no smell would escape, and even if discovered later, the bodies would be unrecognizable.
…
When Wen Ruchu returned home, she saw Egg Tart pacing anxiously at the door. Upon seeing her, he ran straight toward her.
“Human, where did you go? Why were you gone so long? I was so worried about you!”