Tears of blood streamed from Jiang Tao’s eyes.  

She let out a bitter laugh. “You all think it’s impossible, don’t you? I thought so too, back then.”  

Her memories drifted back to the day of the incident, and Jiang Tao couldn’t help but shudder.  

That afternoon, she had gone out as usual to buy food when she encountered a child crying inconsolably on the street.  

The child tugged at the hem of her clothes. “Sister, I’m lost. Do you know where Block B of Jinyu Garden is? I can’t find my mom and dad… wuu…”  

Seeing the child fair-skinned and so distressed, Jiang Tao’s heart softened.  

She had intended to call the child’s parents to come pick him up, but the boy couldn’t remember their phone number.  

She pulled up the navigation on her phone and saw that Jinyu Garden was nearby, so she decided to take him back herself.  

After dropping the child off at the building, she turned to leave.  

As she passed through an alley, a man suddenly rushed out from behind her and covered her eyes.  

Jiang Tao jolted in fright and was about to scream for help when a familiar, cheerful young man’s voice sounded in her ear. “Tao-Tao, still so easily scared, huh?”  

He let go of his hands.  

Jiang Tao exhaled in relief and lightly punched his arm.  

“Chen Shuo, are you insane? You scared me to death!”  

Chen Shuo stood in the shadows, grinning as he shook a bag in his hand. “Don’t be mad. I bought you milk tea. Want some?”  

Inside the bag was her favorite—peach oolong tea.  

Chen Shuo and Jiang Tao had been classmates since high school.  

Back then, he was quiet and often bullied until Jiang Tao stepped in and drove the bullies away.  

From that day on, the two formed a deep friendship.  

Under her influence, Chen Shuo gradually became more outgoing and cheerful.  

This wasn’t the first time they had treated each other to milk tea.  

So, without hesitation, she took the bag from him, inserted the straw into the cup, and took a few sips.  

On that scorching summer day, the sweet, lightly oolong-scented fruit tea from her dear friend made her lose consciousness.  

When she woke up again, Jiang Tao felt weak all over, her hands bound.  

Before her eyes lay a world of colorful fantasy.  

The room wasn’t particularly small, but it was cozy in tone, with every decorative item inside delicate and cute.  

This place was both familiar and strange.

Jiang Tao’s head throbbed dully, her vision blurry. She couldn’t remember where she was, only that she instinctively wanted to break free from her restraints and escape.  

Click. 

The sound of the door handle turning reached her ears. Jiang Tao looked up in terror, and when she saw Chen Shuo standing in the doorway, backlit by the light, tears nearly spilled from her eyes.  

With a choked sob, she gazed at him helplessly. “Chen Shuo, help me—quick!”  

Chen Shuo didn’t move.  

Jiang Tao stared at him in confusion, unable to stop herself from urging, “Hurry!”  

She didn’t notice the coldness in his expression, nor did she have the presence of mind to wonder why she was here. She only knew to turn to him for help.  

But when he remained silent, his gaze fixed on her with unsettling intensity, it finally dawned on her—she had lost consciousness after drinking the beverage he gave her.  

Jiang Tao’s body trembled, her face growing paler by the second.  

Thud.

Chen Shuo closed the door.  

With heavy steps, he walked toward her, crouching down until his eyes were level with hers.  

He smiled and gently stroked her hair.  

“Tao-Tao, I love you.”  

Jiang Tao’s mind went blank. If this had happened under normal circumstances, she would have been flustered, her ears turning as red as ripe shrimp.  

Her feelings for Chen Shuo had never been simple.  

In the bleak days after losing her parents, she had been drowning in grief—until his tenderness and patience helped her through that unbearable time.  

But no matter how cheerful and outgoing a girl might be, when faced with the boy she likes, courage always seems to falter.  

She had always told herself to become a little more outstanding, a little more beautiful—maybe then she could confess her feelings openly.  

When you love someone, you drape them in a soft, glowing filter, seeing only their best.  

But that illusion can shatter in an instant.  

Here, in this cozy room, with her freedom stripped away, Chen Shuo knelt before her, declaring his love in a tone that pretended to be equal—and all she felt was nausea.  

Yet Jiang Tao knew she couldn’t afford to provoke him.  

She forced herself to stay calm, forcing a shy expression.  

“I… I love you too, Chen Shuo. Could you untie me? My hands hurt…”  

Her eyes reddened as she feigned vulnerability.  

But Chen Shuo only let out a cold laugh and gripped her chin.  

“Tao-Tao, we’ve known each other for years. Did you really think I wouldn’t recognize when you’re lying?”  

“You love me? How could you possibly love me?”  

“I waited so long, thinking you’d eventually fall for me. But the wait was endless, Tao-Tao. I don’t mind waiting—but I couldn’t see any hope.”  

“Maybe the only way you’ll ever belong to me… is if I keep you hidden.”

His smile was still bright, but to Jiang Tao, it was utterly chilling.  

His gaze roamed over her body with unrestrained hunger, making her skin crawl. “Chen Shuo, you’re insane!”  

The corners of Chen Shuo’s eyes were tinged with red as he gripped her clothes.  

Tilting his head, he grinned at her. “Yeah, I lost my mind a long time ago.”  

“I love you so much, so why do you smile at others? Why are you so kind to everyone else?”  

“Can’t you just love me? Only me?”  

Buttons from her white blouse scattered across the floor with sharp *pops*, and in that moment, as his presence consumed her, Jiang Tao’s world shattered.  

She barely registered the pain, her vacant eyes fixed on the ceiling.  

The room was so meticulously decorated.  

Even the ceiling was painted in her favorite shade of cherry blossom pink.  

Chen Shuo held her tightly, as if trying to fuse her into his very bones.  

“Tao-Tao, half a year ago, when I finished decorating this place, I invited you over.”  

“You said this room was beautiful. I prepared it just for you.”  

So that was it. No—even earlier, when he had bought this place and planned the renovations, he had already decided to imprison her here.  

Or perhaps… even before that.  

“Tao-Tao, let’s stay like this forever. Never apart, in our own little home.”  

“Dream on!”  

Tears streaming down her face, Jiang Tao spat the words through gritted teeth.  

Just wait a little longer!

A few more hours, and her coworkers would notice her absence and call the police.  

But Chen Shuo seemed to read her thoughts. His large hand traced her skin, and when she trembled in fear, he only laughed.  

“Tao-Tao, I know what you’re thinking. You’re waiting for your colleagues to realize you’re missing, waiting for them to report it, waiting for them to save you.”  

“But you’re so naïve. Do you really think people in this world are as compassionate as you?”  

“Your disappearance will just be gossip for them—something to chat about over tea. No one in this world cares whether you live or die… except me.”  

Jiang Tao refused to believe it.  

But she waited and waited.  

And no matter how much time passed, no one came to save her.