Turning on the shower, the warm water poured down from above, and Shen Li felt utterly exhausted, her body clinging to the wall, barely able to stand.
The sound of water drowned out her crying, and Shen Li didn't even know what she was crying about. Abused by her stepmother since childhood, she had always endured it. Once she grew up, got into college, and found a good job, she always had the chance to turn things around.
After years of hard study, she had finally been admitted to a good school and was looking forward to an internship after the winter break. Just as she was about to embrace a bright future, why did she have to encounter this?
The unspoken grievances and the uncertain future made her cry even harder. What should she do, put her hope in the police? But with her situation with Huo Siyu, especially since Huo Siyu had indeed spent money, what could she use to compensate him?
The bathroom door was suddenly yanked open, and Shen Li, who was in tears, subconsciously lifted her head. She saw Huo Siyu entering, wearing a robe, his expression dark and indifferent.
Shen Li was greatly startled, not knowing if he was up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom or...
At that moment of surprise, Huo Siyu reached out and lifted her up in a princess hold, and Shen Li stared dumbly at his face, inexplicably surprised...
"My woman is allowed to cry only in bed; at all other times, it's not permitted," Huo Siyu suddenly said, his voice deep and restrained, void of any ambiguity, sounding more like a declaration.
Shen Li looked down, unable to stop her tears from flowing, her voice low but laced with complaint and accusation, "I'm unwilling, yet I can't even cry about it?"
Huo Siyu glanced at her, or perhaps glared.
"You are bought with my money. What right do you have to talk about willingness or unwillingness?" Huo Siyu said, his expression a bit irritable. Everything had been fine, but then Shen Li had run off to the bathroom to cry, which annoyed him.
"I'm a free person, what right do you have to buy me?" Shen Li argued, saying, "The law doesn't support that at all!"
"The law, you're talking to me about the law now?" Huo Siyu sneered, his words filled with derision, "I shouldn't have let you off the boat. I'd like to see where you can go to cry."
"No!" Shen Li exclaimed in panic, unconsciously stepping forward and grabbing Huo Siyu's hand, "We signed a contract, I'll pay you back the money."
Indeed, nothing was more important than freedom. To actually become his... just the thought made her shudder all over.
"I will definitely pay you back," Shen Li urgently said, with a very pragmatic quality, "I... I will never cry again in the future."
Upon saying this, Shen Li's tears fell once more. She quickly lowered her head and wiped them with the back of her hand.
Huo Siyu suddenly reached out and pinched Shen Li's chin, forcing her to lift her head. Her eyes were red, her face streaked with tears, and her pair of moist, autumnal eyes filled with sorrow.
Why the sorrow, though...
Tears were a bit salty, carrying a faint chill.
Shen Li froze, a look of shock in her eyes, thinking about Huo Siyu's threat, she didn't dare refuse, but couldn't help whispering softly, "I... I want to rest for a while."
Huo Siyu's face immediately turned sour, and the pity and tenderness in his eyes swept away. He had only felt a trace of pity seeing Shen Li's tears for an instant, saying, "You're overthinking it, thinking you are so charming."
Shen Li: "..."
Huo Siyu laid under the covers and settled in. Shen Li also quickly lay down, saying nothing, just sleeping, which suited her just fine.
"You're my woman," Huo Siyu suddenly said.
Shen Li was startled.
Huo Siyu added, "Being my woman is a happy thing, you won't cry."
Shen Li: "..."
As the first light of the morning shone in, Shen Li suddenly opened her eyes, not bothering to dress and instead reached for her phone.
She had an appointment over the phone yesterday, she was supposed to be at the police station at nine o'clock. After a whole night, she was even more determined to break free from Huo Siyu. For now, her only hope lay with the police, even though she didn't know how to explain to them, it still gave her some hope.
At nine-ten, Shen Li grew anxious, already ten minutes late, thinking to call and explain that she would be there soon, but when the call connected the staff said, "Your lawyer has already arrived, we're getting the details of the situation. Such a terrible incident doesn't require you to come in person. If necessary, we will contact the lawyer."
Shen Li stood dumbfounded, about to say instinctively, "I didn't hire..."
Turning her head to look beside her, Huo Siyu was already awake, but with a sour face, annoyed at having been woken up, staring straight at Shen Li.
Shen Li's body involuntarily shivered, dropping the phone onto the bed. She quickly ended the call but couldn't help asking, "The lawyer... did you arrange for them?"
She had been counting on going to the police station today to escape Huo Siyu. If Huo Siyu had already sent someone, what was she going to do? And what would the lawyer say to the police? Would Fang Hongxia be acquitted?
That was absolutely unacceptable, she had to receive the punishment she deserved.
"Don't talk, my head hurts," Huo Siyu said, frowning with irritation.