Cheng Youyi ran out from the same spot she had entered, bypassing the long corridor. She tried to make her way out based on memory, but even though it was the same path, the scene outside was entirely different.
She had no idea where the main gate was. The place was unbelievably vast, like a maze, making her dizzy and disoriented.
She fumbled for her phone to check the time—it was already past six in the evening. If she didn’t leave soon, it would be dark.
But the problem was, she couldn’t find a way out.
Moreover, Gong Ming’s black-clad subordinates were everywhere. They were all tall and burly, dressed in identical suits, clearly not people to be trifled with.
What exactly was Gong Ming’s identity? Why did he wield such immense power in a place like this?
Cheng Youyi was deeply puzzled. Could it be… that the rumors outside were true? Besides being the head of the Gong family, was Gong Ming secretly a mafia boss?
Combined with her recent interactions with him, the more Cheng Youyi thought about it, the more terrifying it seemed.
If she got involved with such a dangerous man, would she end up like those mafia mistresses in TV dramas—killed off the moment she displeased him?
How terrifying…
The place was filled with danger everywhere. The black-and-white architecture, combined with the evening hour and a flock of black birds flying overhead, made it even more eerie and sinister.
Suppressing her fear, Cheng Youyi walked as quickly and quietly as she could, afraid of bumping into something or being stopped and questioned by someone.
With no clear direction, she could only rely on her vague memory and keep moving forward, hoping to leave this dreadful place as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the black-clad subordinate following her looked troubled and turned to Wen Zhuo. “Brother Zhuo, look, if Miss Cheng keeps wandering around like this, won’t she be in danger? Should we inform Mr. Gong?”
“Just follow her as instructed. Stop being so talkative!”
Wen Zhuo glared at the subordinate before turning his attention back to Cheng Youyi.
Mr. Gong had only ordered him to follow her, not to bring her back. This left Wen Zhuo, who was usually steady and composed, in a dilemma.
After all, in the past, he had always followed orders without questioning his master’s intentions.
But now, Mr. Gong’s attitude toward this woman was clearly unusual—something that had never happened before. For a moment, Wen Zhuo didn’t know what to do.
Just as Wen Zhuo hesitated and pondered—
“Brother Zhuo, it’s bad! Miss Cheng has mistakenly entered Shen Ye’s Forbidden Grounds!”
Hearing this, Wen Zhuo’s brows furrowed, and his heart tightened. Damn it!
“Are you all useless? How could you let this happen? Hurry and protect Miss Cheng! If anything happens to her, Mr. Gong won’t spare any of you!” Wen Zhuo roared at his subordinates before rushing forward.
Behind him, the black-clad subordinate followed anxiously. “It’s… it’s too late. Miss Cheng has been injured by Shen Ye.”
Wen Zhuo stopped in his tracks and turned around angrily. “Damn it, can’t you even keep an eye on someone properly? Hurry and notify the medical team!”
“Yes, yes, someone has already gone.” Several subordinates responded hastily before scurrying away.
Wen Zhuo stood in place, dialing Gong Ming’s number, his heart burning with anxiety.
If this matter escalated, Mr. Gong would surely be furious. Worse, they might all lose their lives.
The phone rang for a long time before it was finally answered. Gong Ming’s deep voice came through the receiver. “What is it?”
“G-Gong, Mr. Gong, I have failed in my duties. I request punishment.” Wen Zhuo finished trembling, beads of sweat forming at his temples.
“Speak.”
“I failed to keep a close watch on Miss Cheng. She accidentally trespassed into Shen Ye’s Forbidden Grounds, and Shen Ye seems to have injured Cheng…” On the phone, Gong Ming hung up before Wen Zhuo could finish his report. He grabbed his coat from the back of the chair and hurried downstairs.
At this moment, Gong Ming’s expression was terrifyingly dark, as if the temperature of the entire space had plummeted to freezing point.
…
Meanwhile, inside the Forbidden Grounds, Cheng Youyi was so frightened by the fierce tiger before her that she kept retreating. Her arm had been scratched, and the wound seemed quite deep, blood gushing out steadily.
The giant tiger appeared to be full of curiosity toward Cheng Youyi, slowly pacing closer to her.
This movement terrified Cheng Youyi, who covered her bleeding arm and continued to retreat.
“Y-you, don’t come any closer, b-big tiger. L-let’s talk this over. I didn’t mean to barge in here on purpose,” Cheng Youyi explained, trembling.
To make matters worse, a giant serpent was now staring at her menacingly from behind.
Cheng Youyi instantly turned deathly pale, her legs going weak.
Wah wah wah, why would Gong Ming keep such terrifying animals here? It’s too scary.
She had only wanted to see if there was a way out from here. Who knew that with just a gentle push of the door, a big tiger would pounce at her? At that moment, she was so frightened that her mind went blank for a few seconds.
She thought she was surely going to die today. Unexpectedly, the big tiger didn’t attack her. Instead, it stopped and curiously examined her.
But her arm had been scratched by the sharp door handle as she retreated in panic, instantly piercing her skin and causing blood to flow.
“Two great masters, please let me go, wah wah wah. I didn’t mean to trespass accidentally. Please don’t eat me!” Cheng Youyi wailed with a tearful face.
Suddenly, as if understanding her words, the tiger raised its paw and effortlessly brushed aside the weeds near her feet, revealing a set of snow-white, sharp teeth.
Not to be outdone, the giant serpent behind her flicked its tongue and coiled its long tail around Cheng Youyi.
Cheng Youyi let out a startled cry, instinctively crouching down with her knees hugged to her chest, trembling all over as tears streamed down her face.
This was even more terrifying than the end of the world!
How could these two terrifying animals be just as clingy as their owner?
Just as Cheng Youyi thought she was surely going to die today—
A tall, imposing figure strode through the gate, followed by several stern-faced subordinates in black, all looking extremely anxious.
The scene that now met Gong Ming’s eyes was, to say the least…
…unexpected.
The young girl was sitting on the ground, crying pitifully with reddened eyes, while Xiao Mang coiled its long serpentine body around her as if protecting her.
Shen Ye was blocked outside by Xiao Mang, only a pair of crimson beastly eyes visible, as if ready to pounce on anyone at any moment.
“Hiss—” Xiao Mang flicked its long tongue at Shen Ye, threateningly swaying its tail as if issuing a warning.
Seeing this, Gong Ming immediately understood—these two beasts were competing over their “prey” again!
Clearly, they had both taken a liking to Cheng Youyi.
“Growl…” Shen Ye glanced at Gong Ming and let out a defiant roar.
“Get down!” the man scolded Shen Ye in a low voice.
Shen Ye immediately obediently restrained his imposing aura, crouching around Cheng Youyi, not daring to act rashly.
Hearing the sound, Cheng Youyi slowly lifted her head to look toward the source of the voice—