The dim light in the operating room and the cold, occasionally colliding surgical instruments instilled a bizarre sense of unease.
The greyish-blue walls didn't even feature a window, escalating the stifling atmosphere to the verge of being unbearable.
Time seemed to drag on endlessly —
Finally, a distinct cry of a newborn baby echoed from the operating room. The woman waiting outside relaxes her tightly knitted eyebrows ever so slightly, only to promptly furrow them again.
The fragile, small body swathed in a baby blue blanket was given to her. It weighed heavily in her arms and with a glint in her eyes, she coldly uttered, "Dispose of it!"
There was not an iota of sentimentality or compassion in her voice. The person standing by her shivered involuntarily, "But, Miss..."
"Didn't you hear my words?" Her voice low, brimming with indisputable authority.
The rest didn't dare to utter another word. With a cloth covering the baby's face, they quickly departed.
The individual lying inside the operating room, unaware of the happenings, was surrounded by a large expanse of blood, akin to a ghastly, blossoming flower. Their eyes shut tightly, oblivious to the world outside.
Once the operating light went off, the doctor walked out, his face etched with exhaustion. She stepped forward, "How is she?"
"There's no immediate danger to her life. However, labor has significantly drained her stamina, and she's suffered severe brain trauma. It's hard to predict the impact of her condition. Let's observe for a while. If she survives the critical 24 hours, she should be fine."
She nodded and the person beside her immediately handed over a thick envelope.
"This..."
"Today's event... you must not tell anyone. If I catch even a whiff of a rumor, the consequences..."
A chilling, menacing smile appeared on her face, making the doctor's face turn paler, "Rest assured, I'm a doctor, not a paparazzo."
She stopped talking and nonchalantly walked towards the inside of the room.
On the operating table, there was a young girl who had just undergone surgery. Her face was terrifyingly pale, her head was wrapped with layers of gauze, and her breath was so weak it was almost unnoticeable. The only thing proving she was still alive was the heartbeat monitor next to her.
She reached out, gently touching the girl's forehead, the corner of her mouth lifted in a smile, "I told you, don't try to oppose me, disobedience ends poorly."
Whether the girl on the operating table could hear her or not, her eyelashes trembled slightly.
"Master, what about the man..."
"Make him disappear."
——
Five years later.
Bin City was a seaside town, where strong winds often blow at this time of year.
Footsteps could be heard coming closer from down the hallway, as the man hastily made decisions while absentmindedly pushing the door open. Inside the room was an overly large box, meticulously wrapped even on the exterior, with a ribbon bow on top. He squinted his eyes, pointing his finger, "What's that?"
"Mr. Zhao from KY Group sent it over. He said it’s a gift for you," the secretary replied, watching his expression carefully before adding, "He said you would definitely like it."
"Zhao Zhiyan?" His finger hooked on the bow, with a flick of his wrist, the wrapping came undone.
What followed was a woman, barely clothed, appearing before his eyes.
The secretary stood, her face unperturbed, "Mr. Mu, same procedure as usual?"
Mu Zhengbei's thin lips pursed. At the moment his head nodded, the woman's head tilted slightly, her messy hair falling to one side, revealing the profile of her sleeping face. His pupils contracted abruptly, he raised his hand, "Wait!"
"Mr. Mu?" The secretary, who was about to wave for assistance, paused, unsure of what he meant.
"You, leave." He gave a terse command.
His unusual behaviour made the secretary taken aback, and she asked uncertainly, "Mr. Mu…"
"Out!" His voice was now mixed with aggression and impatience.
Having been with the boss for many years, she had learned to gauge his moods. She acknowledged his command and, as she was leaving the room, she couldn't help but give another glance at the woman in the box.
The door shut gently behind her. Standing before the box, Mu Zhengbei looked down at her from above, like a king overlooking his realm. A light cast from behind him drew a long shadow, hiding the woman completely.
Perhaps she had had enough sleep or perhaps it was the chill of the shadow, but her long eyelashes shivered. She woke up.
Her eyes were filled with confusion. Probably, she didn’t know where she was. She lowered her head, looking at her smooth skin, her delicate legs, and was shocked to realize she was only wearing a silk nightgown. Quickly, she wrap her arms around herself. But then, feeling something amiss, she looked up to meet a pair of cold eyes.
"Ah ——" she couldn't help but scream, "Who are you? Why are you here? Where am I?”
She tried to escape, but the box was too high for her. In her panic she fell to the floor, which was thankfully carpeted, so she didn’t hurt herself.
Mu Zhengbei stood still, his eyes coldly watching her struggle like a trapped animal at his feet. His eyes glowed, reflecting a myriad of complex emotions.
"Help, help——" She didn't know what this man wanted, why he was here, only that she instinctively felt danger. "Zhi Yong, where's Zhi Yong…"
"Zhao Zhi Yong…"
The sudden sound startled her, making her tremble. In the large room, all she could grab was a pillow from the sofa to cover most of her exposed body. She looked at him like a frightened deer, only to see him with a cigarette in his mouth. The flame from the lighter flickered as he lit his cigarette. The glow from the burning ember was the only other light in the room. He released a cloud of smoke and asked, "Who are you to him?"
"He... he's my husband. I warn you, don't come any closer, or he won't be nice to you. Where... where are my clothes?" Her lips quivered as she looked around, oblivious to the fact that she had been 'sold' by her so-called husband.
"Husband?" He laughed in a mocking way, the afterglow of his glance oozed with disdain. "Is this how you address every man you have slept with?"
His mannered humiliation reddened her face, making her feel both ashamed and vexed. "What.. what nonsense are you talking about..."
Before she could finish the sentence, she felt a blast of chilling wind. She saw him fiercely extinguishing his cigarette butt on the desk and striding toward her. The first instinct was to run, but she was blocked by his raised hand, directly against the transparent glass window.
He gripped her chin with masterful hands as he coldly snorted, "Who am I? Very good, Nanxiang, you certainly impress!"
