The off-road vehicle continued towards the city center, and after turning a corner, we were greeted with a completely different sight.
If the previous street had a strong rural vibe, this area felt like a scene straight out of "Night Shanghai."
Towering buildings, opulent entertainment centers, and a whiff of an unmistakable red-light district atmosphere greeted us at the entrance.
Here, "yellow buildings" were euphemistically casinos.
"Red buildings" were places where prostitutes sold their services.
"Gray buildings" represented hotels, implying places for quick hookups.
"White" needed no explanation; it signified drugs, something our country has been cracking down on.
In Myanmar, every household grows opium, the only quick way for farmers to make a living.
Those street girls, prostitutes, 99% of them were tricked from China, sold multiple times before ending up here.
Once they got sick and were of no use, they were simply discarded into the Mekong River...
Just thinking about it sends shivers down your spine. Would you still trust those high-paying job offers here?
Even when traveling to Thailand now, you need to be careful. You might wake up in an underground basement in Myawaddy.
This is not alarmist talk; they've used this method to drug and bring many women here.
So please be cautious. Don't trust travel agency promotions, don't blindly join group tours, and don't believe the tales of friends inviting you to travel abroad!
Looking around, the entire street was lit up with colorful neon lights, and scantily clad street girls, greedy gamblers, and drug addicts dying by the garbage piles filled the scene.
Every indescribable image embodied the essence of this sinful city.
A few minutes later, Liu Shiyi's car stopped at the entrance of a lavishly decorated "Golden Grand Casino."
We got out of the car.
The two drivers, after dropping us off, drove the vehicles elsewhere.
The black thug, holding an AK, followed us up the steps to the casino's entrance.
To be honest, it was my first time in such a place, and I had no idea how things worked.
"Remember, if he asks you to gamble, don't agree, not even to try, got it?"
Taking advantage of Liu Shiyi talking to the security at the casino door, Chen Weiqiang whispered to me.
...I rolled my eyes at him without saying a word.
He seemed to know more than I imagined. No wonder he's a tech guy.
Seeing my mocking look, Chen Weiqiang stepped into the lobby.
I followed them, pushing open the large, red double doors—
Inside the vast casino, it was a sea of people.
The smell of money was everywhere, with gamblers all around hoping to strike it rich.
Slot machines, dice games, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and other traditional casino games kept every gambler engrossed.
Some people looked disheveled, their eyes bloodshot, still clutching their cards and dreaming of overnight riches...
The beautifully made-up, scantily clad female dealers seductively encouraged gamblers to bet recklessly as they dealt cards.
These dealers, and the women available for gamblers' pleasure, were mostly tricked Chinese girls.
Sold here, they became private "goods."
When gamblers were unhappy, they could abuse these women without any regard for their dignity.
Many gamblers, having lost their minds, gambled away everything, borrowing money to continue playing just to win back their losses.
Without exception, they ended up locked in the basement, calling home to ask for ransom money.
If there was no money, they might lose a kidney, have their blood drained, or be fed to the river crocodiles.
Those lucky enough and with wealthy families could be ransomed back.
If they had no money, they could call and trick friends into replacing them.
In a place like this, don't mention morality or humanity because they don't exist here.
To survive, people will stop at nothing.
"Here's 100,000 in chips. It's all yours. Win or lose, it's on me."
Liu Shiyi pointed to a stack of chips, smiling at me.
The tall, beautiful woman holding the tray of chips beside him kept throwing flirtatious glances my way.
"Handsome, want to play? It's easy to win! If you win, I'll keep you company and fulfill your every desire!"
Her sexy figure and alluring voice were incredibly tempting.
Honestly, if I were a gambler or a lecher, I wouldn't be able to resist this double temptation.
The money would be mine if I won, and I could freely enjoy the women in the casino.
If I lost, it was on Liu Shiyi.
Which man wouldn't be tempted?
"No, gambling makes me sleepy."
Remembering Chen Weiqiang's earlier warning, I flatly refused Liu Shiyi.
"You are too cautious! How about playing with the girl? What about this one?"
Liu Shiyi squeezed the woman's buttocks, looking a bit unhappy.
Chen Weiqiang frantically signaled for me to nod and agree.
I knew refusing him again would anger him, which wouldn't be good for me.
"Sure, I like the girl."
"Hahaha, then have fun. I'll go play cards. Meet back here in an hour."
Liu Shiyi was delighted and headed to a nearby card table.
The handyman took the tray of chips from the woman, and he and Chen Weiqiang followed Liu Shiyi.
The black thug immediately went to find some women to fool around with.
"Handsome, let's go!"
The woman cozied up to me, speaking sweetly.
"Uh...where to?"
I pried her hand off, feeling very uncomfortable being hugged.
"To have some fun."
She didn't mind my coldness, dragging me towards the staircase.
Wearing ten-centimeter high heels, she led me into a small room on the third floor.
Every floor had armed guards patrolling, making it impossible for the women to escape.
The room was small but clean and tidy, with just a bamboo bed and a dressing table, and nothing else.
There was a small bathroom inside, with underwear and slips hanging to dry on the windowsill.
It was clear this was both her living and working space.
"Should I take a shower first?"
She kicked off her high heels and asked after taking off her black dress.
To be fair, her fair skin and curvy figure were very tempting.
"No need. I'll just sit for a bit and then leave. Don't be nervous."
Don't look at what you shouldn't.
Honestly, I was the nervous one...
I quickly stood by the nailed-shut window, feeling very oppressed.
"Do you...think I'm dirty?"
She looked stunned, standing there unsure of what to do.
"No, I just don't want to do that. I'm not an animal. I'm just trying to appease Liu Shiyi."
"You're so kind. They just abuse me; crying is useless..."
She lowered her gaze, rubbing the visible bruises on her thighs, then walked up to me.
"Can you save me? I'll do anything if you can get me out."
Saying this, she clung tightly to me, her hands roaming...