In a uniquely designed room.Wisps of smoke intertwined with an atmosphere that seemed to stir hormones.Looking around, everything was crafted with intimacy in mind.It had to be said, for a man and a woman to be alone in such an environment, even a gentleman like Liu Xiahui might struggle to hold back.As soon as he entered the room, Ye Chen immediately looked around the corners.Instinctively, he wanted to check for cameras."Are you looking for cameras? Don't worry, there aren't any installed in the room," Xiao Ya said, her tone somewhat numb, as if she understood Ye Chen's intent.Then, she reached to take off her clothes."What are you doing?" Ye Chen asked urgently."Don't I need to take them off?" Xiao Ya responded woodenly.She didn't seem particularly surprised.After all, many "gods" had their quirks."Just massage my head for now," Ye Chen said, lying down on the luxurious bed.He rested his head at the foot of the bed."Massage your head?"It was the first time Xiao Ya had received such a request.In her past experiences, most of her clients were impatient and eager.However, following the principle that "the customer is always right," she obediently brought over a chair and began massaging Ye Chen's head."Will our conversation be overheard?"Ye Chen, eyes closed, suddenly asked as she kneaded."No, there are no cameras or recording devices in here. Why?" Xiao Ya replied, her voice still numb.Hearing this, Ye Chen hesitated.He had sought her out because her eyes and expressions still carried a trace of unyielding struggle, a sign that she had not been completely broken.After some thought, he asked, "What did you do before this?"Xiao Ya's hands froze momentarily.Ye Chen wasn't impatient, nor was he surprised.After a brief silence, Xiao Ya responded bitterly, "Three months ago, I was still in college, a senior. Surprised?""Hmm? Then how did you end up... working here?" Ye Chen pressed.Xiao Ya hesitated, her face full of inner conflict.She resumed the massage and suddenly asked, "Are you a good person?""I'm not bad," Ye Chen replied after a pause.For reasons unknown, whether it was the difference between Ye Chen and her usual clients or a peculiar sense of trust he seemed to evoke, Xiao Ya found herself disclosing her personal story—a risk she had never taken before.With a vacant expression, she began, "I come from a single-parent family. My mother raised my younger brother and me all by herself. My brother is still in his senior year of high school. Three months ago, my mom fell seriously ill. The doctor said we needed five hundred thousand yuan. For us, that was an astronomical figure. But the situation was critical, and I heard about a company called Anda Finance that lent money. So, I went to them.""They did lend me the five hundred thousand in one go. I thought I could pay the hospital first to save my mom, then slowly find a way to pay it back. But a month passed quickly, and I couldn't think of any way to repay the high-interest loan. I even considered completely abandoning my dignity and finding a wealthy man to support me. But when they heard I needed over fifty thousand yuan at once, they all left.""When the repayment date came, and I couldn't pay, Brother Biao from Anda Finance sent people to drag me back to their office. They showed me two videos: one of my brother at school, and one of my mom in the hospital.""They gave me two options: either pay immediately or work at Maple Leaf Hotel to repay the debt. Otherwise, they'd kill my mom and my brother. I had no choice. Even though I knew what 'work' there entailed, I had no choice."At this point, Xiao Ya's voice faltered, tears streaming unknowingly.Ye Chen frowned. "You've been working here for so long. How much do you still owe?""How much? It's impossible to repay. The debt just keeps growing," Xiao Ya replied.Ye Chen already guessed why but still asked, "Hmm?""I was too naive at first, thinking I could clear the debt by working. But I didn't realize the principal kept compounding daily with interest. And a week into working here, they forcibly injected me with drugs to get me addicted, so I'd have to buy from them. Between the drugs and the compounding debt, do you think I can ever repay it?"Her sobbing voice was filled with despair."Have you thought about escaping?" Ye Chen asked."I've thought about it. I even tried. One night, I and another girl, Xiao Qin, tried to escape together. But within half an hour, their men caught up with us. I was so scared I collapsed on the ground. Xiao Qin tried to run but was run over by Brother Biao's car and killed on the spot. They dragged me back and beat me up, threatening to kill my mom and brother if I tried to escape again."Her voice trembled as she continued, "They'll do anything. Over the past three months, I've seen two other girls beaten to death with my own eyes."Xiao Ya's words stopped.Ye Chen fell silent.The room descended into a heavy silence.After a long pause, Ye Chen finally spoke, "Aren't you afraid I'll report what you've told me? If the people at Maple Leaf Hotel find out, won't you lose your last chance to live?""I am afraid. But I also want to take one last gamble because I have no chance of escaping otherwise. Unless Maple Leaf Hotel's entire operation is dismantled, or the police rescue me, I have no hope."Xiao Ya stopped massaging, staring blankly at the ceiling.Hearing this, Ye Chen understood why she had died in her past life.Because in that life, she hadn't met him, and these words had been mistakenly confided to the wrong person...The result was her body being buried in concrete."What car was Brother Biao driving when he hit Xiao Qin? Do you remember the license plate?" Ye Chen asked."A black Toyota Highlander. The plate number was Jiang M-J311K," Xiao Ya replied instantly.Her voice trembling, she asked again, "Are you an undercover cop investigating Maple Leaf Hotel?"At this moment, Xiao Ya seemed to see a glimmer of hope, kindled by Ye Chen's question."You'd better not tell anyone else what you told me today. Not unless they're the head of an inspection team. Also, mess up this room a bit. Make it look like a service was completed. Then leave and tell them I ordered the third-tier service package for thirty-eight thousand yuan. I'll take a shower and leave after."Without giving Xiao Ya a chance to respond, Ye Chen headed toward the bathroom.