Around ten minutes later, Yu Xiu limped out of the small room, following closely behind a self - satisfied Burmese thug from Northern Myanmar.
As they got nearer, I spotted a faint yet distinct bite mark on her neck. It wasn't a love bite; rather, it was the kind of mark left by a bite that had drawn blood, much like the one I got when bitten by a stray dog during my childhood in the countryside. Under normal circumstances, how could a woman be limping like this after such an encounter? And it clearly wasn't her first time. I was well aware that during those short minutes in the small room, Yu Xiu must have endured inhumane torture. At that moment, a powerful urge to kill surged within me. I wanted to slay the despicable Burmese thug in front of me more desperately than I had ever wanted to take revenge on Abu, that scoundrel. However, I knew I couldn't make a move right then. Otherwise, Yu Xiu's pain and suffering would have been for nothing. To prevent the Burmese thug from detecting the change in my expression, I lowered my head and feigned fear as they approached.
"Big brother, would you be so kind as to convey a message to Sister Fei for us? If we can get out of the water dungeon this time, I swear I'll be at your service whenever you need me from now on," Yu Xiu said, glancing at me and assuming a submissive and pitiable look, pleading once again with the Burmese thug guarding the dungeon.
"Since you're so sensible, I'll inform Sister Fei for you. But whether she'll let you out or not depends on your luck," the thug replied. "And remember what you just said. From now on, you're my little pet, and you must come running whenever I call."
The Burmese thug seemed highly content with what had happened in the small room and, surprisingly, didn't turn on us. Perhaps it was because he had savored the pleasure of Yu Xiu's body and intended to keep her as his exclusive possession for a long time.
"Of course. I'll be obedient. I'll be your little pet from now on," Yu Xiu quickly managed a flattering smile, like a dog trying to please its master.
"Good. Wait here," the thug said with a smug grin. He pinched Yu Xiu's body, kicked me a couple of times as a warning, and then walked away humming a tune.
After he had gone a short distance, Yu Xiu suddenly crouched down, clutching her stomach in agony.
"Yu Xiu, what's wrong?!" Her sudden action startled me, and I rushed to support her, asking in a hushed, gritted - teeth tone.
"I'm okay. It's just that my lower body hurts terribly," she said. "That Burmese thug... he's a perverted, psychopathic brute." Yu Xiu's face was pale, and she gave a bitter smile, not elaborating further.
"Damn it! If I get a chance, I'll make that bastard pay," I said, seething with rage at seeing Yu Xiu in such pain, longing to rush over and kill the scoundrel right away.
"Stop talking nonsense. Compared to being killed and having our bodies turned into fertilizer, my current suffering is nothing," Yu Xiu said. "Our goal is to survive and escape this hell. I don't want to die here, and I definitely don't want to decompose here." Yu Xiu held my arm tightly, gradually leaning against me as she crouched on the ground, as if this could somewhat ease her pain. I shifted closer to her to make her more comfortable.
"Remember, as long as we're alive, there's hope of escape," she said. When I remained silent, she tightened her grip on my arm until I nodded in agreement. Later, when I was fortunate enough to escape this infernal place, Yu Xiu's encouragement and advice played a crucial role. If I hadn't constantly remembered her words - "As long as you're alive, there's hope of escape" - I would have likely perished long before.
"If Sister Fei's people come later, you must find a way to stay by her side," Yu Xiu said. "Under no circumstances should you get involved in the fraud operation."
After resting on the ground for a while, Yu Xiu managed to stand up with my help. She walked to the faucet, took off her pants, and began to wash herself with her back to me, all the while whispering instructions. I could clearly see several bloody scratch and bite marks on her legs. There was no question that they were the work of that Burmese thug. Yet throughout this ordeal, Yu Xiu never once complained of pain. Instead, she was constantly thinking of me. I took a deep breath, forcing myself not to look at her fresh wounds. Otherwise, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to restrain myself and would rush to kill the deranged thug who had tortured her.
"Why can't I get involved in the fraud?" I finally managed to suppress my murderous impulse and asked, curious.
"In our fraud - infested area, fraud and human organ trafficking are almost intertwined. In fact, fraud often leads to human organ trafficking," Yu Xiu explained. "Of course, if you can bring in several million every month for the area, you're like a golden - egg - laying goose, and no one would be foolish enough to kill you. But 99 percent of people can't survive in the fraud business for six months. If your monthly performance fails to meet the quota, you'll be thrown into the water dungeon at best, or have your limbs broken at worst. If you don't meet the quota for two consecutive months, you're doomed."
At this point, Yu Xiu endured the pain and put on her still - damp pants. She turned around, looking at me with a solemn expression. "No matter how sophisticated your fraud techniques are, you ultimately have to deceive people into giving you their money. The power is always in their hands. Who can guarantee that they can scam tens of millions every month just by making phone calls?"
Indeed, who could? I nodded in deep agreement. Forget tens of millions; it would be difficult for me to scam even a few hundred or a thousand.
"The sex trade is different. If you're good - looking, have a nice body, and are lucky, there's a good chance you'll be bought by local or foreign wealthy men. Once that happens, escaping or doing whatever you want will be much easier than in the area," Yu Xiu continued. "Even if you're not that lucky and end up working in a sex establishment, the level of supervision will be much lower than in the area. Most importantly, you're more likely to survive longer in the sex trade."
After hearing Yu Xiu's analysis, I finally understood why she had repeatedly emphasized that I should try to get under Li Fei's wing. As she had said, from every perspective, working in the sex trade offered more hope of escape and a better chance of a longer life. Even if it was just an extra month of survival, it was still an added glimmer of hope.
"I understand. When Li Fei's people come, I'll make sure to put on a good show," I said. I knew that getting into Li Fei's sex trade operation was the key to surviving and escaping this hellhole. I had to make the transfer, no matter what. But to my surprise, Abu, that bastard, for some unknown reason, was clinging to me like a venomous snake, refusing to let go.