Three years later.
"Inmate number 10495, your visitor is here."
The gates of Western Suburb Prison opened, and the woman pursed her lips, looking up with a still calmness in her eyes.
A ludicrous release of innocence.
She had crawled back from the endless hell.
Her fingers were slender, and beneath the worn-out clothes one could still glimpse her smooth skin. She reached up to touch her left cheek, feeling its smoothness.
The burn scar there had been completely healed, now as fair and exquisite as the other half of her face.
A black stretch Bentley stopped in front of her, and the driver got out, saying, "Miss Shen, I am here to pick you up."
She nodded her head, clenched her hand, took a deep breath, and entered the car.
The car slowly headed for the He family manor.
A big incident recently occurred with the He family, the young Master He Chengze drove drunk and got into a car accident, turning into a vegetative state, and the hospital had issued a critical condition notice. The He family had no choice but to resort to the most traditional and superstitious method—marriage for luck!
And the bride for luck was Shen Wan.
It was said that her fate and that of He Chengze were a match made in heaven. The He family cleared her of suspicion and got her out of prison, created a fake identity for her, and even had her facial scars repaired, all for the wager of a chance.
Shen Wan had died, died on that day three years ago.
The person living now was called Shen Wanxing.
She sat in the car, the patter of raindrops hitting the windows. Her rough fingers caressed the bright red wedding dress on the seat until at last, she shed her tattered clothes and dressed in the traditional wedding attire.
The car arrived soon after.
The sky was overcast and it was raining; two maids holding red umbrellas were waiting at the entrance of the estate.
"The bride is getting out of the car!"
Shen Wanxing was helped out of the car, the headdress pressing so heavily that she could hardly lift her neck, and the beaded curtain almost blocked her view.
Passing through successive arches and corridors, the sound of rain became louder; Shen Wanxing caught a glimpse of an extremely luxurious living room, decorated and furnished in a style both ancient and majestic.
"Don't look around," the maid said sternly.
"Mhm."
There was no grand wedding ceremony, not even a He family member in sight, which felt very strange.
Has she escaped the tiger's den only to enter the wolf's lair?
"You can sit here." The maid opened a door, motioning for her to sit on the bed. Inside the room was decorated in black, white, and shades of gray, simple and understated, without the slightest hint of festivity.
The maid glanced at her once more and added, "If you're tired, you may sleep first, but don't turn on the light; it's unlucky."
"Okay."
Without suspicion, she nodded her head.
The rule was indeed strange.
The room quieted down. Shen Wanxing, after an exhausting day and a long wait without any occurrence, closed her heavy eyelids and curled up, leaning against the headboard to sleep.
Click.
The door was gently pushed open, and a faint smell of alcohol wafted in with the night breeze.
The tall and straight man had his shirt sleeves rolled up slightly, and two buttons of his collar were undone, which looked somewhat sexy.
He was covered in the scent of alcohol, his gaze heavy, relying on his last bit of will as he made his way into this room.
He Xizhou pulled off his coat and threw it aside before lying on the bed.
Suddenly, He Xizhou reached out and felt the warmth beside him. Subconsciously, he turned over and pressed the warmth beneath him, his long legs bending to pin her limbs firmly, leaving her no chance to struggle.
"Ah!"
Shen Wanxing cried out in pain, but she couldn't make a sound, her eyes blurry and fearful as she looked at the towering figure before her.
She opened her eyes to try to see the man clearly, but just like that night three years ago when she was tied up, there wasn't a single star in the sky, and the bedroom was pitch-black, leaving her only with an inexplicable fear.
He Chengze had become a vegetable; he couldn't possibly do something like this.
So then…
Who is he?
"Is it you who has returned?" The man's voice resonated in her ear.
Low and hoarse with the smell of liquor, his deep eyes looked vaguely at her as if through her to see someone else, the alcohol nearly intoxicating Shen Wanxing.
"No…"
Shen Wanxing's plea for help was stuck in her throat.
The man's hand covered her mouth and nose, demanding her silence, his breathing becoming a little rapid. Shen Wanxing couldn't breathe; she couldn't go on like this!
Seizing the opportunity, she viciously bit the man's finger, the taste of blood spreading…
Click.
The wall lamp was turned on by the man.