Chapter 1: Death’s Door

In a suburban slum of Hai City^[1]Coastal City, Qinghua Country, a woman clad in black from her jacket to her sneakers waded through the half-meter-deep snow, tracing the path of her own footprints. A wicker basket and a food tub weighed heavily on her shoulders.

Two hours later, when Bi Qiao’an finally reached her house, her hands were numb and raw from the cold. Her whole body shivered uncontrollably as she set down her burdens and fumbled for her keys. The keyhole, however, remained stubbornly elusive as her trembling hands repeatedly missed their mark.

Stopping for a while, she cupped her hands over her mouth, breathed warmth into them, and then rubbed them vigorously. After a few minutes, sensation in her hands slowly returned, and she was finally able to turn the key in the lock.

The interior offered scant comfort. This small, 20-square-meter brick house held only a meager assortment of furniture: a cabinet, a bed, and two thin cotton quilts. A coal stove, now burning wood instead of coal, provided temporary warmth from beneath the bed.

Placing the basket and tub in the corner, she took a few branches she had found in the mountains and fed them into the stove. Next, she dragged out three bricks that were stored under the bed and strategically positioned them beside the fire. She sat on the makeshift seat and cradled her hands near the flames, seeking solace in their meager heat as her gaze drifted aimlessly.

A sharp knock at the door jarred her out of her daze. “Qiao’an, open up!” someone shouted.

Bi Qiao’an sighed heavily, her voice flat as she opened the door. “What brings you here again, Xiao Fei? Can’t you simply leave me in peace?”

Ignoring her question, the man squeezed past and deposited a large sack against the wall. The chilling temperature that greeted him mirrored the one outside. “Qiao’an, is this how you define integrity? It’s been two years. How much longer are you going to keep this up?”

“This is my home. Where else would I be?” A bitter smile twisted Bi Qiao’an’s lips while tears welled up in her eyes. She then turned her face calmly to prevent the man from seeing her expression.

“Home? Have you forgotten your previous home, Qiao’an? Do you really need to debase yourself like this? Come home with me, Qiao’an. Your room is still untouched. I promise to treat you well,” his voice softened as he reached out to embrace her.

Bi Qiao’an flinched and held up her hands to stop him. “Xiao Fei, please. You’re married. I’m fine here.” She forced open his arms and turned her gaze to his while showing him her skinny hands that seemed more claw than human.

“Look at me, Xiao Fei. My face… would anyone believe I’m only twenty-five? Why do you persist when you’re surrounded by women? What is your true objective? Does this… make you feel better?”

Xiao Fei’s gaze lingered on her haggard features, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. “I only want what’s best for you.”

“Your visits only worsen my situation!”

Undeterred, Xiao Fei walked to the corner and began meticulously unpacking the sack’s contents: rice, noodles, peanuts, and potatoes. Sugar and charcoal rounded out the provisions. “Qiao’an, venturing into the mountains is dangerous now that the temperature is well below freezing point. Please use these first.”

Meeting her continued silence, he once again enveloped her in a brief embrace. His voice held a sigh as he spoke, “You’ve lost weight despite my efforts. Even if you won’t leave with me, you must eat. I can provide for you. Finish this and come to me when you’re done. I’ve cleared your room; it’s ready for your return.”

He released her before she could protest and offered a parting message, “I should get going. I’ll come see you again!”

Bi Qiao’an watched as he left, accompanied by his two bodyguards, their presence a constant reminder of the inexplicable protection he had received for the past two years.

She didn’t bother to close the door and numbly sat on the bed instead. Less than thirty minutes later, an elegantly dressed woman stormed into the house with her face contorted with rage. Upon spotting Bi Qiao’an, she lunged forward with her hand aimed for a vicious slap.

Bi Qiao’an instinctively dodged, but the two bodyguards accompanying Chen Jin swiftly grabbed and effectively restrained her movements. A stinging slap landed on her left cheek, followed swiftly by another that sent her crashing to the floor.

“You worthless slut! Why won’t you just die instead of hiding here so you can drive a wedge between me and Xiao Fei?! How can you be so shameless?!” Chen Jin cursed Bi Qiao’an as she rained blows down on her.

“Qiao’an, we’ve been friends for years, haven’t we? Why do you always stand in the way of my happiness? Xiao Fei and I have been married for three years! See, I’m six months pregnant! Yet, he continues to seek you out. Why can’t he move on?”

Chen Jin’s sobs turned into furious shouts as she kicked Bi Qiao’an over and over. Through the pain, a sardonic smile played on Bi Qiao’an’s lips.

“Chen Jin, are you sure it’s me? Have I ever interfered with your relationship? If I could, I’d rather never have known either of you. Xiao Fei and I broke up four years ago, and I never initiated contact.

I heard about your dear husband’s ‘wandering eye.’ And that there are several wild flowers in your family. Perhaps the wildflowers blooming outside your marriage hold more allure than his lawful wife? Is that why you’ve come to harass me?”

Her words struck a raw nerve and ignited fresh fury within Chen Jin. She kicked Bi Qiao’an viciously in the abdomen, each movement punctuated by a curse.

“I’m here precisely because I can’t handle them! An orphaned nobody like yourself, what makes you think you deserve the life of a princess while I remain stuck in the mud, looking up at you? You’ve lost your home, your man, and everything that was once yours to me!”

Chen Jin’s rage built with each word as she unleashed years of suppressed resentment. However, when Bi Qiao’an lay motionless on the ground, a glimmer of sanity resurfaced, only to be swiftly overtaken by panic.

“You two come in and throw her outside! It might sober her up.” Chen Jin slowly regained her composure as she ordered the men.

These two men were initially assigned to Xiao Fei by the higher-ups. However, after Chen Jin’s pregnancy, he sent them to safeguard her. In just two short months, her manipulative nature had completely won them over.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Jin steadied herself. In a gentler tone, she said, “Go ahead and divide the things here. From what I saw, they’re all good quality.”

Chen Jin’s abrupt shift from violent rage to calm composure left the men baffled.

“Really? Thank you, Madam!” They exclaimed, delighted at the prospect of spoils. After all, the food they had stored so far could only last them for a month.

“Have I ever lied to you? Just remember the rules — don’t speak to my husband about this. Or don’t blame me for getting ruthless!” A chilling smile crept across Chen Jin’s face as her eyes squinted with the unconcealed threat.

The men shuddered and quickly promised their silence. In these harsh times, survival depended on securing any source of food. As for the woman now lying in the snow, they couldn’t care less what happened to her.

One look at their faces told Chen Jin exactly what they were thinking. A contemptuous smile played on her lips as she left without a backward glance.