"The problem is right here!" Chen Lie wiped the sweat pouring down his forehead, his voice cracking under the strain. "I've tried every antidote we have—none of them worked! Her condition isn't improving at all. In fact, it's getting worse!"
"Getting worse?" Huo Shaoheng remained unfazed. "It's not poison. She'll just have to endure it. As long as she doesn't die, she'll be fine."
"Endure it?!" Chen Lie gaped at him, outraged. "Do you think she's one of your Special Operations soldiers?!"
The Imperial Military Special Operations Unit trained their soldiers to endure the worst conditions imaginable. Poison, aphrodisiacs, seduction—they had undergone it all, making them resistant to almost any foreign substance.
"Is that not an option?" Huo cast him a sharp glance, eyes cold and authoritative.
Chen Lie wiped his sweat again, muttering, "She's struggling too much… She already broke through one of the restraints."
He pointed to the corner, where a thick white nylon rope lay snapped in two.
Huo glanced at it without much reaction. "Then sedate her. Let her sleep for two days—it'll pass."
It was just an aphrodisiac. It wasn't as if they hadn't dealt with worse before.
In Special Operations training, soldiers were routinely exposed to similar drugs in controlled environments to build immunity. Though uncomfortable, it was survivable.
Chen sighed, shutting his eyes for a moment. "Fine, I'll administer a sedative. But just in case, I'll put her on assisted breathing and monitor her vitals."
Huo nodded. "Do it."
They moved together toward the bed.
Huo sat at the edge, one hand pressing down on Gu Nianzhi's shoulder, the other locking around her wrist like a vice. Her body, which had been thrashing violently just moments ago, instantly froze under his overwhelming strength.
Chen wasted no time injecting the sedative into her vein.
As the needle went in, Huo noticed something alarming—she was growing even stronger. Her struggling intensified, her muscles tightening with unnatural force.
He had held back before, worried about hurting her. But now, he had no choice. He pressed her down firmly, locking her in place until the injection was complete.
Gu Nianzhi shuddered violently before slowly settling.
Chen exhaled deeply, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "Should've done that from the start…"
He set up the breathing apparatus and connected the vital sign monitors.
Huo stood, glancing at the now-motionless girl. His back was damp with sweat.
"I'll be back in a bit—" he started, but before he could finish, the alarm monitors blared, sharp and piercing.
Chen flinched, nearly dropping the tablet in his hands. "What the hell?!"
He lunged toward the machines, his face turning deathly pale as he read the data. "Shit! Her blood pressure is skyrocketing! Her heart rate's off the charts! She's… she's suffocating—"
"It's the sedative! She's having an adverse reaction!"
Chen had no time to process why—it didn't matter right now. "We need to counteract it immediately, or she'll go into cardiac arrest!"
"Then do it," Huo ordered curtly.
Chen hurriedly grabbed another syringe, quickly administering the reversal agent.
Within moments, Gu Nianzhi's vitals stabilized—her blood pressure lowered, her heart rate evened out.
But her senses returned as well.
The unbearable sensation surged through her again—like thousands of ants crawling through her veins, like feather-light touches teasing her entire body. The torment was excruciating.
A broken sob escaped her lips. "No… No… Help me… Commander Huo… please…"
Her body, consumed by heat and distress, grew impossibly strong. With an unnatural burst of energy, she kicked off the breathing mask, yanked out the heart monitor, and thrashed wildly, nearly falling off the bed.
Like a drug addict going through the worst withdrawal of their life.
Huo finally frowned, the first hint of unease appearing on his otherwise impassive face.
Chen looked on, defeated. "I knew this drug was different… I started a blood analysis earlier, but reverse engineering it will take time. I haven't finished yet!"
"How much longer?" Huo's jaw tightened.
"I don't know—at least six more hours." Chen checked his watch anxiously. "But if this keeps up… she won't last that long."
Huo hesitated briefly, his eyes flicking toward the trembling girl curled up on the sofa.
He had been her guardian since she was twelve. She had grown up under his protection. In his mind, she was still a little girl.
But now, tormented by the drug, her petite body was curled in an almost unbearably soft, vulnerable way.
Huo quickly averted his gaze and turned back to Chen. "…What happens if we do nothing?"
Chen rubbed his temple. "I don't know for sure, but based on her vitals—if this keeps up and the drug isn't neutralized… it could destroy her central nervous system. At best, she could end up in a vegetative state."
Huo's brows furrowed deeply. He took a step forward, his boots tapping steadily against the floor. Gu Nianzhi, still trembling, seemed to sense his presence.
Her unfocused eyes turned toward him, filled with raw, desperate need.
Chen let out a bitter chuckle. "She's completely lost control of her mind. Even if you call her name, she won't respond."
Huo didn't hesitate.
In one smooth motion, he scooped Gu Nianzhi into his arms, locking her writhing form securely against him. His grip was firm yet controlled as he pressed her burning forehead against his chest, his deep voice steady.
"We're leaving."
Huo carried her out of the room effortlessly.
Chen exhaled in relief. "Honestly, I was going to suggest that. She'll be safer at your place. Too many people come in and out of here."
Though they were all trusted comrades, some things were better kept unseen.
Chen grabbed a blanket and draped it over Gu Nianzhi before following behind, medical kit slung over his shoulder.
Huo moved swiftly, taking the private underground elevator that led directly to his personal quarters—an exclusive three-story residence secured by the highest-level clearance.
Chen followed him inside, clutching his laptop with hastily scrawled medical notes still waiting to be entered into the system.
Huo placed Gu Nianzhi onto the bed, his sharp eyes studying her flushed skin. Without a word, he removed the nylon bindings from her wrists and ankles.
The moment she was freed, she lunged at him—like a caged animal finally unleashed.
Huo barely reacted, catching her wrists effortlessly. His grip was firm, inescapable.
He glanced at Chen. "Help me."
Chen peered over, assessing the situation before quickly nodding. "Tie her down again. Arms and legs—make sure she can't move."
Huo studied her wrists, already red and swollen from the previous restraints. He hesitated before stepping into his closet.
When he returned, he carried several silk scarves—deep blue and violet.
Silently, he secured her wrists and ankles once more, this time with something softer.
A storm raged outside.
And inside this locked room, another was just beginning.