In the suffocating darkness, I watched as a man strode in with a group, his presence imposing. Approaching Wang Gui, he reached out, touched his forehead, and sneered, "He's burning up. Won't last long anyway. Drag him out and bury him."
His words ignited fury within me. I roared, "If you dare bury him, I won't let you go!"
My outburst didn't faze him. I tried to struggle, but the ropes binding me were too tight, leaving me helpless. I could only watch as Wang Gui was untied and carried out, his body disappearing from my sight.
The despair and frustration stabbed at my heart like knives. Overwhelmed, I yelled, "Let him go! Don't touch him! I don't need your help—just leave him alone!"
My cries fell on deaf ears. As Wang Gui was taken away, vanishing beyond the door, the hopelessness was suffocating.
Suddenly, a punch landed hard on my stomach. I doubled over, vomiting bitter bile—my stomach long empty from starvation.
Lifting my head, I glared at the man. "Bring him back," I begged, voice trembling. "I'm begging you—please…"
He answered with chilling indifference. "He's going to die anyway."
His apathy fueled my rage. I knew they wouldn't spare me either. Fixing him with a cold stare, I shouted, "Skinny Monkey! Chen Xi! You bastards! Come out here! I know it's you—both of you scum!"
My voice cracked with desperation as I hurled insults. In return, I was beaten relentlessly, fists raining down, pain coursing through my body. Yet my gaze remained fixed on the door.
Two figures entered—Chen Xi and Skinny Monkey, both smoking with cruel nonchalance. Chen Xi chuckled and said, "Ban Lun, Assistant, don't treat my friend like this. After all, he's one of our gang's lackeys."
I etched their names into my memory. Chen Xi stepped closer, pressing his cigarette into my shoulder. The searing pain was instant, like a fiery cycle of death and rebirth.
I gritted my teeth, refusing to scream, staring defiantly. He discarded the cigarette and said coldly, "Zhao Fei, you're clever. It's a pity to kill you. If only you'd sided with me instead of Qian Guang."
I spat furiously. "Go to hell…"
Skinny Monkey struck me hard. "You little bastard! You cost me a hand. I've wanted to kill you since day one. Do you know how agonizing it's been to restrain myself for three days?"
His maniacal glare was hideous, like a demon from hell. Swallowing hard, I stared back and said, "You'll die a wretched death."
They laughed cruelly. "A wretched death?" Chen Xi mocked. "Zhao Fei, being stubborn won't save you. Play nice, and maybe we'll give you a clean death."
"You won't get the money. Wei Boss has at least a hundred million. He's stalling for time. You'll get nothing." My voice was icy with contempt.
Skinny Monkey grabbed my throat, his face close, and hissed, "You cheated us out of three million euros. We're just collecting interest. Don't pay? I'll kill you and your entire family. After you're gone, I'll make your girlfriend mine, pass her around, and ensure she's ruined."
His vile threats burned into me, but I couldn't retaliate. Then a loud growl interrupted—the sound of a stomach growling. Everyone turned to see Xiao Mi, huddled in hunger after two days without food.
Skinny Monkey approached her. "Don't touch her!" I shouted, voice hoarse with rage.
Ignoring me, he removed her hood, sneering. "Hungry? Let me feed you something special."
Xiao Mi trembled in terror, and Skinny Monkey began unbuckling his belt. My fury surged. "Come at me! Leave her alone, you beast!"
He smirked, motioning for others to join. A dozen men entered, eyes filled with malicious intent.
I yelled, insulted, and cursed until Skinny Monkey approached me again. "You're hungry, aren't you? Let's play a game. Eat these buns—one for every man. Finish eighteen, and I'll spare her."
A steaming basket of buns was placed before me. My hands, unbound, trembled as I collapsed to the ground, too weak to stand. I began eating, tears mixing with each bite, knowing the futility of it all.
Skinny Monkey laughed mockingly. "Faster! Or she's mine."
Choking and gagging, I couldn't keep it down. The laughter grew louder, and the nightmare deepened.
Suddenly, two gunshots shattered the air, and the room fell silent.
Hope ignited within me.