He Duoye lowered his gaze, meeting her eyes for a moment before releasing his grip. He stood up with the cigarette still in his mouth and instructed the person beside him, “Take my ex-girlfriend to wash up. Make sure she’s clean…”
He looked down at Lin Mian, a faint smile curling his lips. His voice was hoarse yet tinged with laughter, carrying a cold, casual indifference.
“Then bring her to my room.”
With that, He Duoye turned and walked away.
Lin Mian was helped to her feet, her ropes untied, and escorted down from the platform.
It was only then that she could clearly see her surroundings—a manor seemingly built within a forest. At its center stood a large, reddish-brown villa in English style, surrounded by expansive gardens and neatly trimmed, emerald-green lawns.
Beyond that lay dense woods, a scattering of houses, and a road cutting through the forest.
On the far side of the road, the city’s buildings stood tall, their lights bright and vibrant, appearing quite prosperous. Even from a distance, the tallest building shimmered with a hint of opulent splendor.
Lin Mian was led into the villa and handed over to an elderly man who looked like a butler, along with two maids who kept their heads bowed.
The old man had a kind face and smiled warmly as he said, “Hello, I am the butler here. You may call me Uncle Jixiang. I will now take you to wash up.”
He led the way ahead.
Along the path, he inquired about Lin Mian’s name, living habits, dietary restrictions, allergies, and other details.
The villa was as large as a castle, with an incredibly complex interior layout. Lin Mian, who had a slight sense of directionlessness, tried her best to memorize the route while answering questions, but soon felt disoriented.
Fortunately, the butler stopped at that moment and pushed open a guest room door.
The two maids attempted to bathe Lin Mian, but she felt too embarrassed to be naked in front of others and firmly refused. However, the maids did not speak Chinese, making communication impossible.
After a prolonged struggle, they finally stepped back but remained nearby, keeping watch.
Lin Mian quickly slipped into the bathtub.
Inside, a rose-scented bath bomb had been placed, and a layer of fresh rose petals floated on the water. The bathroom was luxuriously decorated, exuding an air of elegance reminiscent of a six-star hotel from a television drama.
But thinking about the events of the day, she felt no enjoyment at all.
It seemed her ex-boyfriend, whom she hadn’t seen in four years, had truly evolved into a pervert.
She was now deeply worried that she would be strung up and tortured by her brutal ex-boyfriend.
That guy’s sexual preferences had already seemed off back then, and now he had become a lawless gang leader who clearly did as he pleased. Wouldn’t that mean his perversions had been unleashed even further… Lin Mian curled her legs, watching the floating rose petals, genuinely concerned she might be killed.
She couldn’t stay in the bath any longer.
Right now, she was like a steak, marinated and fragrant, about to be fried.
Lin Mian dawdled through her bath, then was forcibly attended to by the two maids, who meticulously washed her hair, trimmed her fingernails and toenails neatly, and finally dressed her in a white spaghetti-strap dress before escorting her to the door of He Duoye’s room.
By the time everything was done, the sky had turned completely dark.
Outside, rain had begun to fall again at some point. The villa had a constant temperature and humidity system, so it wasn’t as stuffy and damp as outside, but the temperature felt a bit cold to Lin Mian.
Standing before the black bedroom door, goosebumps rose on her arms.
Uncle Jixiang, the butler, gave Lin Mian a gentle look, allowing her a few seconds to compose herself before knocking on the door.
Inside was a living room, with soft, hazy lighting and a spacious layout. However, the dark decor cast a dim, oppressive gloom over the empty space.
No one was in sight.
Lin Mian nervously stepped inside, and the heavy door closed behind her.
She paused for a moment, wanting to call out He Duoye’s name, but suddenly realized that they were no longer in a relationship where she could address him so casually.
Her gaze swept across the empty living room and the pitch-black terrace before finally settling on a door to the side.
The layout of the room was somewhat unusual. Beyond that door was a short hallway, and further inside was the door to the master bedroom.
The master bedroom was unlit, shrouded in darkness, with only the faint outline of a bed barely visible.
Lin Mian hesitated for a few seconds before walking toward the master bedroom.
The light from the living room spilled onto the hallway floor, fading from brightness into darkness. The further she went, the darker and quieter it became.
Amidst her nervous heartbeat, she suddenly remembered her first time with He Duoye.
The room had been just as dark back then.
Lin Mian sat on the carpet beside the bed, watching as the young He Duoye turned off the lights and walked toward her.
The room was so dark that only vague outlines were visible. He Duoye’s figure was tall and slender, and as he drew near, Lin Mian still felt as though she was enveloped by his shadow.
As if there was nowhere to escape.
In that moment, her heart raced so fast it felt like it might leap out of her chest.
Now, Lin Mian’s heart was beating just as rapidly.
The bedroom was pitch-black and silent, with only a faint, hazy glow. She slowly shifted her gaze and immediately spotted her ex-boyfriend sitting in an armchair.
His tall frame nearly filled the chair, one long leg stretched lazily forward, his arm resting on the armrest in a posture that was both casual and arrogant.
The room was dark, but Lin Mian could clearly feel his gaze.
Like the snake from a few hours earlier, cold and dangerous, coiling around her.
“Come here,” He Duoye’s voice rang out in the darkness, hoarse and cold.
Lin Mian pressed her lips together and, under the weight of that oppressive presence, slowly walked over.
She wanted to call out his name, but before she could utter a word, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his embrace.
With her back to him, his scorching body heat enveloped her, and his hot, heavy breaths fell beside her ear.
A warm, soft sensation spread across her shoulder—He Duoye was kissing her, trailing from her slender shoulder to the side of her neck. He buried his face there, his nose pressed against her delicate skin, his hot breath fanning over her.
He took a deep breath, inhaling her scent as if he were greedy for it.
Lin Mian trembled, her body tensing as she gripped his arm.
In an instant, her body vividly recalled the countless moments of intimacy they had shared in the past.
“He Duoye,” she called his name, her voice trembling.
He Duoye hummed in response, biting her neck before murmuring in a low, husky voice, “You smell so good.”
Lin Mian’s heart was beating too fast, and she was too nervous. In her daze, she almost mistook his words for “I missed you so much.”
A warmth spread across her chest as He Duoye’s hand pressed against it.
“Are you wearing nothing underneath either?” he asked hoarsely.
Lin Mian bit her lip, her entire face burning with heat.
The maid had only given her a slip dress, nothing else.
“Your heart is beating so fast,” He Duoye murmured, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Suddenly feeling a mix of shame and anger, Lin Mian retorted, “Aren’t you the same?”
His scorching chest was pressed against her back, and his heartbeat was so loud she could almost hear it.
He Duoye chuckled softly, his large hand gripping Lin Mian’s chin as he turned her face toward him and kissed her.
His kiss was fierce and greedy, enveloping her soft lips and filling her mouth.
“Because right now, I really want to fuck you.”