Chapter 3

I woke up from the cold.
My clothes had been changed at some point, replaced by a white shirt carrying that cologne scent.
I tried to lift my hand, and piano keys clanged chaotically, eerie in the quiet night.
Scared, I forced myself to calm down.
My eyes were blindfolded with thin gauze, making my ears hypersensitive.
The hum of an air conditioner came from a corner, blowing warm air.
I strained my eyes and, through the hazy moonlight from the window, figured out where I was.
If I was right, this was Shen Kuo’s villa in the remote suburbs.
Shen Zhe had mentioned it was the old house left by their parents, under his brother’s name. It had been vacant since he went abroad, with occasional cleaners.
During my sophomore summer, Shen Zhe brought me here for a stay.
The place with the piano must be the music room.
Maybe Shen Zhe was teasing me?
So I tested, “Shen Zhe?”
No response.
“Shen Zhe, stop messing around—untie me.”
Still nothing.
Cold drafts blew through the half-open window, making me shiver despite the AC. My abdomen ached more.
I struggled, but it only rubbed my wrists against the chains, making me hiss in pain.
The keys clanged irregularly, and if I listened closely, there were footsteps too—clack, clack.
I held my breath as a tall shadow grew clearer through the gauze.
Then, cool hands touched my cheek.
“Shen Zhe?” I asked tentatively, voice trembling.
The man scoffed, pressing harder. “Miss Jin, do you like my little brother that much?”
My heart skipped.
It was Shen Kuo!
“What do you want? Where’s Shen Zhe? Why tie me here?”
Instinctively, I dodged his hand, shrinking back.
“What do I want?” He chuckled, repeating my question.
Moonlight bathed him, and through the gauze, I saw him lick his red lips, smirking like a vampire from Western tales.
“To fuck you, of course.”
I stared in disbelief, my face full of shock.
How could someone as polished as Shen Kuo say something so outrageous? He was my boyfriend’s brother.
I searched his face for any sign of joking, but found none.
Worse, his hand moved downward, and I had nowhere to hide.
His rough fingertips grazed sensitive skin, making me tremble uncontrollably.
“I’m your brother’s girlfriend—aren’t you afraid I’ll tell him?” My breathing was unsteady, but I tried to sound calm.
“Miss Jin, you’re too naive.” His eyes were murky.
“What do you mean?” I backed away vigilantly, pressing against the cool piano.
“You think Shen Zhe doesn’t know?” He idly played with strands of my hair falling over my chest, glancing behind me.
“No way, don’t try to trick—” I refuted instinctively.
“Yao Yao.”
A familiar voice came from behind, turning my face pale.
Against the moonlight, Shen Zhe approached, standing beside Shen Kuo.
“You… why? Why are you doing this? This is illegal imprisonment!”
Facing two perverts—one my boyfriend, the other his brother—who had tied me up filled me with terror for the unknown. My voice shook badly.
Shen Zhe’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he carefully lifted me off the piano keys. The chains clinked crisply against the wood.
He held me like a child, his fluffy hair rubbing my face. “Yao Yao, you know I like you—like you so much I want to lock you up.”
I was speechless.
How had I missed that Shen Zhe was crazy?
They locked me in a second-floor room.
Before leaving, Shen Zhe leaned in to kiss me, but I dodged.
Hurt flashed in his eyes, but he smiled, ruffled my hair like always, said goodnight, and left.
The door locked, leaving me alone.
I pursed my lips, not expecting rescue.
My parents were long dead, and I had no close colleagues or friends who’d notice my absence. I’d have to save myself.
Surveying the room for escape tools, I realized it was the same one Shen Zhe and I stayed in that summer.
Little had changed, except the TV was removed, windows had double security bars, and the door was locked from outside.
Before I could plan, a twisting pain hit my abdomen.
I always got menstrual cramps, but the severity varied.
Usually, with preparation, it wasn’t too bad.
But today, after the cold wind, it hurt intensely.
I bit my lip, curling up on the bed, cold sweat on my back.
Eventually, I either fell asleep or passed out from pain.
The next morning, I woke burning up. Trying to sit, strong hands pushed me back.
“Yao Yao, don’t move—you have a fever.” Shen Zhe caught the ice towel falling from my forehead, flipped it, and replaced it.
Enduring the discomfort, I dodged in disgust. “Get away—don’t touch me!”
Shen Zhe looked helpless, lowering his eyes in apology. “Yao Yao, I’m sorry. It’s my fault for not noticing sooner, letting you suffer and get a fever. Hit me, yell at me—anything.”
“Unless you let me go.” I bargained.
He stared silently for a while before speaking. “Yao Yao, anything but that.”
Too weak to argue, I turned away, ignoring him.