The entire prison cell was filled with the glint of blades and the stench of blood, but the one who died was the female assassin, and I fell into a pool of blood.

I seemed to have been unconscious for three days and three nights, and it seemed like I had a lengthy dream. In the dream, I saw the man who once made me drown in happiness, only for him to rip it apart with his own hands. I also saw the child who I never met face-to-face. Perhaps it was because of him that I managed to survive. Upon waking, my cheeks were damp, and outside the door, I could hear the voices of Feng Mujiu and Fang De.

"Why did Master Jiu save her?"

"A smaller chess piece can restrain a larger one. If we use both, wouldn't that increase our bargaining chips?"

"But Master Jiu has always been decisive in killing. Why break the principles for a woman?"

"Heh! She is a chess piece first, and then a woman. Rest assured, I know what I'm supposed to do."

"Understood."

"When will my great brother come back to the country?"

"Master said that in July next year, he and Miss Moxin will be returning to the country to hold their engagement ceremony."

"Didn't he love Yunwo to death? It seems like he has finally succumbed."

"Yes, indeed. After all, the Shen Family is a prestigious one in Country A. Moreover, Master has always wanted to expand his industries in Country A. The beneficiary of this grand wedding is not just the young master, but the entire Feng Establishment stands to gain as well."

"What did my big brother mean?"

"I overheard the young master propose a condition to Master. As long as the Feng family spares Yunwo, he will engage himself to Moxin."

"I shall present him with a grand gift then."

With a squeak, the door was pushed open. I immediately shut my eyes, yet the sound of Feng Mujiu's voice echoed in my ears, "Since you're awake, accompany me for a chat."

I continued to keep my eyes shut, seeing him only filled me with revulsion. To my surprise, he dared to slide his fingers under my clothes, roughly kneading: "Wowo, I’ve been missing you so much."

I snapped my eyes open, swatting his hand away with a disgusted expression: "Junye, you couldn't wait to get rid of me last night, could you?"

A devilish smile crept onto his face: "In the end, I couldn’t bear to let you go."

"Junye, it’s not that you can't bear to let me go, but you think I still have some value left for you to extract."

He caught my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze: "Indeed, I am attached to your body, yearning for it day and night."

Leaning over, he kissed my lips. I bit hard on his tongue, yet the more I resisted, the fiercer he kissed, until our mouths were filled with the metallic taste of blood. It was only when I saw stars, my face flushed red, almost fainting, did he let me go.

His thin lips, now tainted with blood, appeared even more bewitching: "WoWo, after being here for so long, yet you still haven’t learned to behave. However, I rather enjoy your muleheadedness, it makes training you more satisfying."

I found the taste of his blood nauseating and leaned over to vomit:

"Feng Mu Jiu, one day, I will kill you!"

"That’s a good reason to stay alive, I look forward to it."

After Feng Mu Jiu left, the doctor informed me that my injured leg was practically useless. My future meant depending on a crutch, or limping. I laughed bitterly, tears streaking across my face. One day, I would make him pay for the pain he made me go through!

In the blink of an eye, July arrived. I was released from Luocheng Prison. The iron gates behind me shut with a heavy thud, echoing the heaviness of my heart.

I strained my eyes upward, staring at the sky. While imprisoned, the sky was always chopped up by iron bars. Now, although a free woman, I felt no different. More than anyone, I knew that my swift release was undoubtedly due to Feng Mu Jiu. Such a heartless, ruthless man, would he really grant me the freedom I desired easily?

Though my sight was now uninterrupted, these lines settled deep within me, imprisoning my heart.

With a screech, a stretch Lincoln pulled up in front of me, the window rolled down and there was Feng Mu Jiu's face, so handsome it would make women ashamed, filling my field of vision.

"Get in the car!"

I dusted off my clothes obediently and stepped into the car.

Feng Mui Jiu squinted his peach-blossom eyes at me, remarking, "You know better."

"My son is in your hands, what other choices do I have?"

"Heh, I heard that you initially wanted to kill him in your womb. How come you are so keenly referring to him as your son now?"

I glanced at him calmly and retorted, "I am not like you, with a heart cast in iron, as cold as ice."

At the time, I didn't want to give birth to the child only because I didn't want him to be under someone else's control like me. But women are often tender-hearted. When the sound of the baby's crying filled the hospital room, I suddenly felt I had to keep going. Even with the tiniest glimmer of light, I had to survive.

Feng Mui Jiu laughed pompously, "What can you do? He calls me dad now but doesn't recognize you as his mom."

My fingernails were about to pierce my palm, "Feng Mui Jiu, I know you want to harm Feng Nian Chen, I'll help you with that, but please, spare my son!"

He gently opened my clenched hand and licked off the droplets of blood on my palm, "Fine."

I felt utterly disgusted, instinctively retracting my hand, but he quickly yanked me into his arms. The scent of his cigar and sandalwood filled my nostrils. It was the distinctive fragrance of Feng Mui Jiu.

He abruptly pushed me onto the back seat, the desire in his beautiful eyes evident and domineering.

Awkward noises erupted from the back seat. The driver and Fang De immediately went into self-ignoring mode, concentrating solely on the road ahead.

My fingers scratched on the car window and left multiple scratches, both deep and shallow, on Feng Mui Jiu's muscular back.

A content Feng Mui Jiu seemed to be in a good mood as he played with my hair and sniffed it, "As long as you behave, naturally, I won't mistreat you and your child."

He put weight onto the words "mother" and "son" but said them in such a tender tone, which instantly gave me a nauseous feeling. He’s always like this, draped in magnificent appearances, yet harboring a despicable and vicious heart.

I often wonder how a man can be so despicable in this world. He’s like a carnivorous plant, having brilliant colors but being naturally vicious.

I am trying hard to numb this pain. Perhaps this is the only way to live on.

"Ninth Master, when can I see my son?" I asked.

In these days in prison, I miss my son every moment.

Feng Mujiu's lips brushed against my earlobe, "What's the rush? I still have someone important for you to meet."

I shivered. I knew that Feng Mujiu kept me here probably to deal with Feng Nianchen, the man I once loved to the marrow, who disappeared at the critical moment. Also, a legitimate heir of the Feng Family. Back in his young days, the old Feng was quite the playboy, scattering seeds everywhere. The seemingly splendid, luxurious Feng family is dark and turbulent deep down.

Seeing my reactions, Feng Mujiu held an inexplicable irritation, he seized my chin abruptly, forcing me to look up at him: "Are you missing your lover?"

I knew I should hate that man. From sentencing to prison, he never appeared. The vows of love we once made mocked me when I was being tortured in prison. It felt like a sharp blade, cutting through my heart mercilessly.

"I am... done with him," I said.

A glint of slyness crossed Feng Mujiu's eyes: "Good. I invited your brother-in-law and sister-in-law to dinner at the villa tonight. Behave yourself."

So, he already has someone else. Was our love ever real? It felt like a stab through my heart.

Suddenly there was a sharp pain in my earlobe. Feng Mujiu bit me fiercely, his voice cold and stern, "Yun Wo, make it clear. You could see today's sun only because of me. Thus, you should serve me like a slave in this lifetime!"

His thin lips stained with my blood, his face looking chillingly compelling. Despite being incredibly handsome, he bears no charm and instead gives off an intimidating aura, giving the beholder thrills.

Back to the villa, Feng Mujiu tossed me a set of clothes: "Put these on, go to the kitchen, I heard my brother is quite fond of your culinary skills."

When I clearly saw the clothes on the ground, my face instantly turned pale. It was a black mesh see-through dress, with a fluffy rabbit ear headband. There was also a fluffy bundle behind it, appearing to be a tail. Unavoidably, this dress had a large arc cut out in the back, making it obvious that it was meant for a nightclub hostess.

Seeing that I was hesitant to put on the dress, Feng Mu Jiu abruptly tore my current clothes into shreds, "Yun Wo, my elder brother is someone who cherishes old memories, and there's still a place for you in his heart. You should resent him for abandoning you. So, do as I say now, let's witness his hysterical outburst and fury together. Wouldn't that be great?"

Shaking, I stepped back, "Even if I hate him, I don't want to degrade myself!"

Feng Mu Jiu suddenly grabbed my hair, causing a sharp pain in my scalp. However, his tone was unexpectedly gentle, "Yun Wo, don't you miss your son? Lately, he's learnt some new tricks. Let Fang De tell you about it."

Feng De immediately reported, "The young master can now crawl on the ground and lick plates clean, just like a dog."

Snarling, I exclaimed, "Feng Mu Jiu... you... you're raising my son like a dog?”

I couldn't believe it. This man's heart was so dark that he wouldn't even spare a child.

As he forcefully yanked my hair, leading me upstairs, he said, "Did you want to know who it was you killed that day? Come, I'll tell you today."