Chapter 4

When Wen Jianxin said she was tired, Wen Jianmeng instinctively wanted to get up and leave. But remembering their mother’s instructions, she hesitated, glancing at her sister with words on the tip of her tongue—yet unable to speak them.

It felt far too cruel. She couldn’t bring herself to aid in such wickedness.

Noticing her sister’s look, Wen Jianxin rubbed her temples, her expression bleak.

“Sister, I know what you want to say. But think about it carefully—before marriage, he can already treat me worse than a beast. If I actually married him, would I have any way to survive? I don’t expect you to help me. But at least don’t rub salt into my wounds. I’m truly exhausted. Please, leave.”

Wen Jianmeng was left speechless.

In that moment, she made up her mind.

No matter what their mother said, she would no longer get involved in this matter. Otherwise, she would end up hated on both sides, gaining nothing but resentment.

With her thoughts settled, her furrowed brows finally eased. Picking up her handbag, she said helplessly:

“Xinxin, don’t blame me for not helping you. I truly can’t do anything. Rest well. I’ll come see you another day.”

Wen Jianxin responded with only a faint nod.

“Mm.”

Once the room was empty, she struggled to her feet, limping toward the bed.

That day, her ankle really had been fractured into pieces. A doctor had come to the house to bandage it, instructing her to stay in bed and avoid walking, lest she worsen the injury.

He had prescribed her medicine as well, to be taken regularly.

At night, when her foot was accidentally jostled in her sleep, the pain would wake her, cold sweat drenching her.

She told no one. She bore all of it alone.

Because everyone knew it was Xu Wangzhi who had done this to her—yet not a single person sought justice on her behalf. To speak of it was meaningless.

For the first time, she realized just how filthy the word family could be.

Lying in bed, she began planning her next steps.

First—if she wanted to run, she had to solve the problem of survival.

She had savings from these past years, but she knew money would run out eventually.

Second—she needed letters of introduction, and a way to protect herself out there.

After Xu Wangzhi, she understood too well: the world was full of ill-intentioned people. She couldn’t escape one beast only to fall into another’s jaws.

But before she could think further, her door was pushed open.

And in walked the last person she wanted to see—the one she loathed most.

Xu Wangzhi, clad in pristine white robes, appeared before her, exuding elegance and noble composure.

Ignoring the disgust on her face, he wore just the right amount of a smile as he sat down on her bed.

The moment Wen Jianxin saw him, memories of that day rushed back. She grabbed the pillow at her side and hurled it at his face, her voice sharp with venom:

“Who let you in here? Get out!”

Xu Wangzhi’s smile vanished. He stood, walked to the door, and with a sharp click, locked it.

It all happened in a blink—before she could even react, he was in front of her again, staring down at her with a dark, heavy expression.

She already knew what he was going to do.

Lock the door, so no one could interrupt—then punish her.

But in truth, even if he hadn’t locked it, no one in this house would intervene.

Her lips curled into a bitter, mocking smile.

“What now? You want to rape me again? Disgusting dog—you’ll die a wretched death someday!”

Cursing him was the only way she could soothe her burning hatred.

Xu Wangzhi pinched her chin, his face twisted in a half-smile.

“Since you want it, I’ll oblige.”

He knew full well she planned to run. That she refused to marry him.

If that was the case, he saw no reason to show mercy.

He wanted to see how long she could hold out before she begged.

Wen Jianxin spat in his face.

Taking advantage of the moment when he turned his head, she pulled a small knife from under her pillow and thrust it toward his chest.

She had anticipated this. Knowing his twisted nature, she was sure he’d come again to torment her. That was why she had forced herself, despite her injured leg, to sneak down to the kitchen the day before and steal a knife—waiting for this moment.

At first, she thought—if he didn’t come to violate her again, she would endure a while longer, wait until her ankle healed before striking back. That way, she’d have a better chance.

But clearly—a dog could never stop eating filth. Against someone like him, she could never let her guard down.

So what if she failed?

If not this time, then the next. If not the next, then the one after. One day, she would succeed.

But the blade never pierced his chest.

Xu Wangzhi moved swiftly, dodging with ease.

And worse—her own arm took the knife. Blood gushed instantly.

Xu Wangzhi was truly vicious. Not only did he evade her strike, he twisted the moment, forcing the blade into her flesh himself.

Against such a man—was Wen Jianxin brave, or simply foolish?

Agonizing pain seared from her arm straight into her heart. Her face turned deathly pale, but she made no sound. Her eyes blazed like fire, as if they could burn him to ash.

“You may have escaped death this time. But next time—you won’t. Someday, I’ll cut off your filthy head and kick it like a ball. I’ll cook your flesh for wine, feed your bones to the dogs. I’ll see you die without a grave!”

Xu Wangzhi clamped a hand around her arm, squeezing hard. His gaze was that of a ghost demanding her soul—chilling, merciless.

“Then I’ll start now—by shattering your spine, crushing your dignity beneath my feet, and using your proud, unyielding bones to pay for your mistake.”

Wen Jianxin let out a cold laugh.

“Besides that filthy act, what else can you do? No matter what you try, I’ll never like you.”

Her eyes burned with disdain.

“You’re not even worthy to carry my shoes—I’d still find you filthy.”

Xu Wangzhi tightened his grip, lifting her like a ragdoll, his gaze cold, brimming with bloodlust.

“Since you dislike that act, let’s play a different game. I’ll make you regret every word you said today. You’ll beg me.”

Wen Jianxin’s arm was numb with pain, but she refused to show even a flicker of weakness before such scum.

Biting her lip until blood welled, she forced herself to stay conscious, spitting each word like venom:

“In. Your. Dreams.”

“Is that so?”

Without warning, Xu Wangzhi released her.

She crashed onto the bed, her forehead striking the bedpost with a dull thud.

But the pain in her head was nothing compared to the desolation in her heart.

So much noise—yet not a single person came to save her.

Just a pawn. That was all she was.

Nothing but a piece to secure the family’s power.

No more, no less.

Pain, when pushed past its limits, numbed into nothing.

She carved into her heart every cruelty Xu Wangzhi inflicted, every indifference her family showed.

Executioner and accomplices alike—beasts. All of them. All damned. None deserving of forgiveness.

Xu Wangzhi, savoring her suffering, leaned down until his lips brushed her ear.

“The game begins now.”