Chapter 75: Just Like Back Then

A sharp slap landed crisply on Jiang Yao’s face.

For two seconds, her vision went black; blood oozed from the corner of her lips, but she made no sound. She stared at Zeng Qiwen, her eyes burning with hatred.

“At a time like this, you’re still stubborn,” Zeng Qiwen sneered. “Cry out, why don’t you? You know, your cries are my favorite.”

He unbuckled his belt and pulled it free from his waist.

“What are you doing?” Jiang Yao gritted her teeth through the pain.

“What am I doing? Isn’t this something you’re most familiar with?” Zeng Qiwen’s voice was as sinister as a specter. “Too bad your dead mother can’t witness this anymore. I almost miss the days she’d stand outside the door, sobbing as she listened.”

“Bastard!” The mention of her mother made Jiang Yao spit at him in fury. “You killed her.”

“That foolish woman overestimated herself, came at me with a knife,” Zeng Qiwen’s tone dripped with contempt. “I took it from her with barely any effort. One stab, two… Can you guess how miserable she sounded? Which stab made her collapse?”

“You’ll get what’s coming to you!” Jiang Yao forced herself not to cry.

“Unfortunately, you won’t live to see it.”

With the belt in his hand, Zeng Qiwen struck Jiang Yao’s delicate face twice. “But don’t worry, I won’t send you to see your useless mother so soon—the game has only just begun.”

He dragged a chair over, sitting before Jiang Yao, her phone dangling in his grasp as he waved it before her eyes.

“Give it back!”

“Don’t be impatient,” Zeng Qiwen clicked his tongue. “Even if I won’t escape for much longer, dragging a few others down with me before I die isn’t a bad deal.”

He seized Jiang Yao’s finger and unlocked her phone, opening her contact list.

“He Yunqing… Cheng Yanchi…” Zeng Qiwen recited the names of two men. “Seems they both care about you. Do you regret your last choice? If you had to choose again, my little princess, who would it be?”

“I’d choose you—to die.”

The belt cracked across Jiang Yao’s body.

“Even now, you’re still so stubborn. After all these years, that temper hasn’t changed one bit.” Zeng Qiwen spoke slowly. “Since you can’t make a choice, I’ll bring them both here. Hahaha.”

He laughed wildly, head bowed, fingers flying across her phone screen.

“For you, they’ll come. Not just come—they’ll come alone.”

“You lunatic!”

Night fell.

The chorus of cicadas and frogs filled the air.

“Water… water…” Jiang Yao slumped against the wall, dazed and exhausted.

Zeng Qiwen, always alert, suddenly tensed, his eyes sharp as he watched the door. His hand gripped the rope around Jiang Yao’s neck.

A tall silhouette appeared at the entrance.

Through her blurred vision, Jiang Yao recognized He Yunqing’s figure.

Of course—he was closer, so he’d arrive first.

Seeing He Yunqing, Zeng Qiwen’s spirits soared. He cast a provocative glance at him and tightened the rope in his hand. “You really came.”

He Yunqing’s expression was icy as he glanced at Jiang Yao, frail and battered. “Let her go. Take me instead.”

He strode forward.

“Stop!” Zeng Qiwen shouted. “Move any closer, and I’ll strangle her.”

He Yunqing stopped at once. “I’m here. Let her go.”

Zeng Qiwen looked triumphantly at Jiang Yao. “Who would’ve thought a woman like you could inspire a man to risk his life? I’ll have to think carefully about how to torment him.”

“This has nothing to do with him. Don’t do anything reckless.”

Zeng Qiwen tightened the rope further. “If he’s interested in you, then it has everything to do with him!”

He raged, nearly losing control. “You’re mine—always mine. Do you hear me?”

Jiang Yao’s eyes rolled from the pressure.

“Stop!” He Yunqing commanded.

Zeng Qiwen gestured toward a cup of water not far from He Yunqing. “Drink it. If you refuse, I’ll kill her.”

He Yunqing’s gaze fell calmly upon the cup.

“He… Yunqing… don’t… drink…” Jiang Yao forced the words out, staring as He Yunqing picked up the cup.

“Ayao, it’ll be fine.” He met her eyes, then tilted his head back and drank the water in one elegant motion, as if he were sipping milk.

Zeng Qiwen loosened the rope, satisfied.

“What did you give him? What was in that?” Jiang Yao gasped for air, coughing as she struggled, her voice urgent.

“Look at you, so anxious,” Zeng Qiwen’s tone turned harsh. “I hate it most when you worry about other men. Didn’t you know that?”

He slapped Jiang Yao again.

“Don’t touch her!” He Yunqing surged forward, fist raised.

But before his punch reached Zeng Qiwen, He Yunqing’s tall frame began to sway. He managed to brace himself against the wall, locking eyes with Jiang Yao, before collapsing.

Zeng Qiwen grunted and walked over, kicking He Yunqing twice, then quickly bound him with rope.

“He Yunqing… He Yunqing…” Jiang Yao called his name.

He Yunqing frowned, consciousness slipping.

“Don’t worry, he’s only unconscious. He’ll wake soon enough.” Zeng Qiwen’s greasy hand pinched Jiang Yao’s face. “Xiaoqing, it’s surprising. He knows your past, and still treats you this way. But knowing is one thing; seeing is another.”

“What do you mean?”

“What do I mean? Haven’t you figured it out yet? After all these years, I really do miss those days. Why not relive them now?” Zeng Qiwen yanked Jiang Yao’s hair, pointing to He Yunqing. “Let that man be the witness to our love. Let’s see—will he despise you in his heart, or will he still be hopelessly devoted?”

Jiang Yao’s stomach churned violently with disgust.

Zeng Qiwen tilted his head, smiling coldly. “Remember, just like before, you need to cry out loud, beg me, plead for mercy—that’s what makes it exciting.”

He lashed her with the belt. Jiang Yao gasped from the sudden pain but only let out a muffled groan.

“Cry out!” He struck again.

She gritted her teeth, cold sweat pouring down, refusing even a whimper.

“If you won’t scream, I’ll beat him!” Zeng Qiwen’s eyes were bloodshot.

Another lash landed.

“Ah!” Jiang Yao finally cried out…