Nian Zhen grabbed the woman by the hair, twisting it as she hissed her instructions at her once more. The blade of the sword dug deeper into her flesh and the older woman let out a grunt as blood poured.
None of us seemed to think anything of the mistreatment. I even found looks of satisfaction on several of the girls' faces as Mama groaned in pain.
"You thought that by taking our identity papers, we'd be forced to work for you even without a building? You seem to forget that Sui Yü Lou is only the shell. You need us to keep it alive."
Hong walked up to the kneeling woman, staring down at her. "As much as you'd like to think we need you. You're wrong. You need us."
The woman flinched as Hong took hold of her jaw with one hand.
"You're nothing without us," Chun spoke up, turning her steely gaze upon her.
"Guess what, Mama? I don't need you anymore. I've found my sister." Hong spoke slow and clear, as though worried that Mama wouldn't be able to hear her.
