Nie Zhenzhen felt as though she had been reborn.
Her mind gradually began to function normally again.
She carefully surveyed her surroundings.
She discovered that the cell holding them was enclosed by rows upon rows of densely packed iron bars.
The gaps between them were so narrow that forcing one’s way through was utterly impossible.
Moreover, outside the iron cage hung not only a heavy padlock, but two guards also took turns on watch.
The surveillance cameras mounted around the corners of the walls monitored them closely around the clock, without a single pause.
Escaping under such high-pressure conditions would be harder than reaching the heavens.
Yet, the people from the compound couldn’t possibly keep them locked up forever while still providing food and water to sustain their vital signs.
Clearly, they would eventually take her out of here.
Though her heart was filled with overwhelming terror and dread about what lay ahead, the mere thought that leaving this dungeon might open a new path gave her a sliver of comfort and hope.
Just as Nie Zhenzhen was lost in her thoughts, a measured pace of footsteps echoed through the dungeon corridor.
Amplified by the reverberation, they rang out with striking clarity in the airtight underground prison.
The footsteps drew closer and closer, finally coming to a halt at the cell door.
The newcomer was another guard, tall and powerfully built.
A submachine gun hung across his chest. With an expressionless face, he gestured for the keeper to unlock the iron door, then stepped into the cell.
He swept his gaze across the room, sending the huddle of girls trembling in fear.
None dared meet his eyes; each hung her head low, trying to evade his stare.
Finally, the man crooked a finger at a girl in the corner, jerking his chin to signal her to come forward.
The girl in the corner shook uncontrollably, her body frozen in place, refusing to follow him.
This undoubtedly enraged the man.
He strode over in a few quick steps, and with a pair of large hands that exerted effortless yet unyielding force, he yanked the girl up from the ground.
Like an eagle snatching a chick, he shoved her roughly forward.
The girl’s legs gave way in terror, and she stumbled and fell to the ground, unable to continue walking.
“Damn it, what a pain in the ass!”
The man cursed aloud, raising his gun and slamming the butt hard into the girl’s back.
“Get the hell up now, or I’ll beat you to death!”
The girl let out a sharp cry of pain, startling the other girls in the cell.
Instantly, screams, shrieks, and wails rose one after another.
What had been a deathly silent dungeon now seemed to transform into a living hell.
“Rat-a-tat-tat—”
Finally losing his patience with the rage and irritation boiling inside him, the man raised his gun and fired a burst over the girls’ heads.
“Shut the hell up, all of you!”
His roar thundered through the dungeon, stirring up echoes like a demon’s summons.
Silence fell over the room at once.
The girl who had been struck forced her frail body up from the ground, rising slowly, inch by inch.
Trembling all over, she shuffled step by agonizing step, following the man out of the cell.
“Click.”
The sound of the lock being re-secured came from outside the iron cage.
The cell instantly returned to calm, broken only by the occasional sob from one of the girls.
“Wanwan, do you think…”
“What will they do to that girl?”
Nie Zhenzhen looked at Xiang Wan with a terrified expression, asking timidly.
“I don’t know either…”
“But they only take one at a time. I don’t know when it’ll be our turn…”
Xiang Wan’s tone was laced with helplessness and confusion.
“Wanwan, I’m so scared… I don’t want to be separated from you…”
The girl’s shoulders heaved violently, her eyes filled with panic and bewilderment.
Xiang Wan didn’t know what to say to comfort her.
She could only gently pull her into her arms, one hand patting her trembling shoulder in a slow, steady rhythm.
Nie Zhenzhen gradually calmed down in her embrace, and with a nasal voice, she said to Xiang Wan,
“Wanwan, if we’re forced apart when the time comes…”
“Let’s each find a way out on our own first.”
“Then try to reunite when we get the chance.”
“We have to escape this place alive, together!”
“Okay, we will—walk out of here alive, together!”
Xiang Wan nodded firmly at Nie Zhenzhen.
After what felt like an eternity, the familiar footsteps sounded again.
It was the same man as before.
Same expression, same movements, same procedure.
Except this time, he chose Xiang Wan.
Xiang Wan looked utterly incredulous. She shook her head desperately, her eyes pleading with the man almost in supplication.
But he showed not a trace of sympathy, coldly commanding, “Move!”
With the earlier incident as a precedent, Xiang Wan dared not hesitate any longer. She struggled to push herself up from the ground, bracing against the cold wall.
Before she left, her eyes locked onto Nie Zhenzhen, brimming with reluctance and fear.
Soon, her figure disappeared into the corridor.
Nie Zhenzhen’s chest ached as if something were wrenching it apart.
She hadn’t expected to be separated from her best friend so soon.
Intense fear and unease coiled around her heart like venomous snakes, refusing to let go.
Time slipped away, second by second, without notice.
After a long while, a dense flurry of footsteps echoed once more through the dungeon.
But unlike the steady footsteps before, this time they were hurried and frantic.
Soon, a young man of medium build with a somewhat roguish air came to a halt outside the iron cell.
When the cell door was opened, he casually glanced around the interior.
Finally, with an indifferent air, he raised his hand and pointed at Nie Zhenzhen.
“You, come out!”
His tone was lazy, yet his attitude was firm and unyielding.
Nie Zhenzhen lifted a delicate, battered little face, her eyes brimming with terror and panic.
She tried to calm herself, and after several attempts, she barely managed to scramble to her feet.
Then, she followed his steps toward the exit of the dungeon.
No sooner had she stepped outside the dungeon than the young guard walking ahead began to act strangely.
His steps grew unsteady, and his body started to tremble slightly.
Suddenly, his frame stiffened violently, and he pitched forward uncontrollably, crashing straight to the ground.
His limbs began to convulse wildly without conscious control, his body rigid and curled up.
White foam kept spilling from the corners of his mouth, slowly trickling down his jaw.
His eyes were vacant and lifeless, his pupils dilated and unfocused.
Before long, his consciousness completely dissolved, and he fell into a deep coma, lying motionless on the ground.
This sudden turn of events left Nie Zhenzhen momentarily stunned and at a loss.
She covered her mouth and nose with one hand, her eyes filled with tension and helplessness.
After standing frozen in place for a few seconds, she cautiously stepped forward.
Reaching out a hand, she gently nudged the young man.
Seeing no reaction from him, she grew a little bolder.
She studied his face carefully—the white foam at the corners of his mouth continued to pour out endlessly, gradually spreading toward his neck and soaking through his collar.
Looks like he overdosed on drugs. Serves him right!
Nie Zhenzhen silently sneered to herself.
Then, she quickly scanned her surroundings.
There was no movement nearby; it seemed no one had noticed yet.
She moved quietly, half-crouching as she crept through the shadows.
But she had only taken a few steps when something occurred to her, and she swiftly turned back to the man.
She quickly stripped off the man’s jacket and pants, slipping them on with practiced speed.
Finally, she eyed the submachine gun on his chest, hesitating several times before deciding not to take it.
The submachine gun was too heavy; slung over her petite frame, it would only slow her down and hinder her escape.
Besides, she didn’t know how to use it—carrying it would only be a burden.