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The convoy passed through the training grounds. In the distance, armored vehicles were parked neatly in rows, while security personnel conducted formation drills.
The sound of their shouted commands echoed one after another, shaking the air with overwhelming force.
The vehicles finally stopped in front of a white three-story building.
This building was located in the core area of the base. Behind it stood towering cliffs, while a neatly trimmed lawn stretched out in front. Compared to the grim and murderous atmosphere outside, this place felt completely different.
A-Ken quickly stepped out of the vehicle and opened the door for Shen Yu’s side.
Shen Yu stepped out with his long legs.
After giving A-Ken a few instructions, he walked straight inside. His tall figure exuded an arrogant, cold aura, as if he were the only person in the world who mattered.
Xia Zhiyao watched as Shen Yu disappeared into the building. She remained sitting helplessly in the car, unsure of what she was supposed to do, until A-Ken walked around and opened the door for her.
“Miss Xia, please get out.”
Xia Zhiyao awkwardly climbed out of the vehicle. The moment her feet touched the hard concrete ground, the scorching heat made her flinch.
A middle-aged woman dressed in gray cloth stood waiting at the bottom of the steps. She appeared to be in her forties or fifties.
She was slightly overweight, with a kind smile on her face. At first glance, she looked just like an ordinary, warm-hearted neighborly aunt.
“Mr. Shen.”
The plump woman slightly bowed toward Shen Yu’s back.
Shen Yu did not stop walking. He only gave a casual nod before his tall figure quickly disappeared behind the door.
A-Ken turned to look at the woman.
“Aunt Mei, I’ll leave her to you.”
“Alright, don’t worry.”
Aunt Mei replied with a smile before turning her attention to Xia Zhiyao.
“Oh my, such a delicate and pretty girl. How did you end up like this?”
Looking at Xia Zhiyao’s dirt-covered body and mud-caked feet, Aunt Mei shook her head. Her voice was filled with sympathy.
“Come with me, Miss Xia.”
Xia Zhiyao did not dare to ask any questions. She lowered her head and quietly followed Aunt Mei.
The interior of the building was extremely simple.
The entire place was decorated in black, white, and gray tones, creating a cold and rigid atmosphere. It looked almost like a display room rather than a place where someone lived. There was no trace of warmth or any signs of daily life.
Aunt Mei led her through the corridor and stopped at a room at the end of the first floor.
“Go in.”
Aunt Mei pushed open the door.
Xia Zhiyao carefully stepped inside.
The room was not large, but it was exceptionally clean.
There was a single bed covered with white sheets, a large sofa, and a private bathroom.
For Xia Zhiyao, who had spent nearly a week locked inside an iron cage and a dungeon, this place was practically heaven.
“Mr. Shen occasionally comes here to rest,” Aunt Mei explained. “He said you can stay here temporarily.”
“There’s hot water in the bathroom. You should take a shower first.”
Aunt Mei stood at the doorway and had no intention of entering.
Xia Zhiyao let out a sigh of relief and was just about to thank her when Aunt Mei continued, “You must keep yourself clean every day. Every gap between your fingernails must be scrubbed thoroughly. There cannot be even the slightest unpleasant odor on your body.”
Xia Zhiyao froze for a moment.
“Um… why does it have to be washed so carefully?”
The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted asking.
It was an incredibly foolish question.
The smile on Aunt Mei’s face deepened, carrying a suggestive meaning that did not need to be explained.
“Of course, it’s for Mr. Shen to see.”
Xia Zhiyao’s face instantly turned pale.
“Mr. Shen is a bit of a clean freak.” Aunt Mei restrained her smile and became serious again as she explained. “If he smells something he shouldn’t, or sees something dirty and loses his appetite… the back mountain of this Black Wolf Base would be the perfect place to feed the wolves.”
Xia Zhiyao was startled, and she immediately recalled the terrifying scene she had witnessed at the previous compound.
She had never expected that after there were no dogs here, there would be wolves instead.
“Mr. Shen said the door doesn’t need to be locked, but you shouldn’t wander around either. If you accidentally enter the security training area, it could be dangerous.”
“Mm, I understand. I won’t go anywhere.”
Xia Zhiyao obediently nodded.
Of course, she understood that leaving the door unlocked did not mean she had a chance to escape.
On the contrary, it meant that inside this heavily guarded base, even without a locked door, she would still be unable to leave.
“Alright, go wash up first. I’ll call you when it’s time for dinner.”
After saying that, Aunt Mei turned and left.
“Tha—”
Before the word thank you could even leave her mouth, the door had already closed.
“Thank you…”
Xia Zhiyao still softly finished the sentence.
She stood there blankly, staring at the tightly closed solid wooden door.
She had originally thought she had escaped from the wolf’s den, only to realize that she had entered an even more terrifying tiger’s lair.
Right now, thinking about these things was useless…She looked at her filthy appearance, turned around, and walked into the bathroom.
Her miserable and disheveled reflection appeared in the mirror.
Her hair was messy and tangled, her face was stained with black dust, and the torn dress hung loosely from her body. The exposed skin beneath it was covered with patches of blue and purple bruises.
She looked just like a beggar.
Was this how that man saw her?
A $20,000 carpet…
His things…
Xia Zhiyao’s trembling hand turned on the faucet.
Hot water poured out with a rushing sound, and steam quickly filled the bathroom.
She removed the filthy dress and stepped into the bathtub.
The moment the hot water surrounded her body, the fear, grievances, and despair she had endured for days finally broke through.
She hugged her knees, buried her face in the crook of her arms, and silently began to cry.
Dad… Mom…
Where are you…
I really want to go home…
……
Third-floor study.
Shen Yu stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, a freshly cut cigar held between his fingers.
Downstairs, that slender figure had already been taken into the room.
“Mr. Shen,” A-Ken stood behind him and reported in a low voice.
“We’ve finished investigating Miss Xia’s background. She is indeed a student from the Department of Art History at An Nan University in Hua Country. Her parents have been doing business overseas for many years, and the only relative she has in the country is her uncle, Xia Hongwen. This time, she was tricked into coming here by her uncle.”
“Mm.”
Shen Yu nodded and lit the cigar, not paying much attention.
There were too many chaotic and filthy matters happening in those compounds, and they had nothing to do with him. He was merely a supplier of technical equipment and materials; he simply could not be bothered to involve himself in those affairs.
He lowered his head and glanced at his military boots.
Suddenly, the image of the little girl wiping his shoes appeared in his mind—the way she had treated the task almost like an academic research project, with such intense concentration.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Mm, she really did look like a well-behaved student.
As long as she wasn’t a spy, that was enough.
Besides, he believed that old bastard Ba Sai wouldn’t dare to do something like that.