“I just embroider for fun—it’s hardly worth calling it real embroidery.” Lin Aiyun was too modest to put her little hobby on display and waved her hands repeatedly.
“Look at you getting all flustered. What’s there to be modest about? Since we’ve got nothing much to do lately, why not show me a pattern you’ve embroidered?” Liu Hui was in high spirits today. She acted on impulse, rummaging through a box in her second-floor room and pulling out needles, thread, and fabric, laying them in front of Lin Aiyun.
“I came back in a hurry and didn’t bring much—this is all I have. Just make do with it.”
Lin Aiyun’s eyes widened. She looked at Liu Hui, who seemed rather dissatisfied, then at the assortment of thread in every color and needles of all shapes and sizes laid out before her. This was “making do”?!
“Take your time embroidering—I won’t disturb you.” Liu Hui patted Lin Aiyun’s shoulder, then turned and left, closing the door behind her. Though it had been a spur-of-the-moment idea, as she walked away, she couldn’t help thinking that if Lin Aiyun’s embroidery was truly good, she might introduce her to that person.
Of course, all of that depended on whether Lin Aiyun’s finished piece passed muster.
The window was cracked open, and a cool breeze drifted in, bringing a refreshing sensation. Lin Aiyun sat in the chair, staring at the array of tools before her, unsure where to begin. She took a deep breath, thought for a moment, and then started selecting her needles and thread.
In her previous life, she’d been busy and aimless until middle age, when she finally had the leisure to dabble in such things. Knowing she enjoyed it, Xiao Cheng had specially prepared a large room to collect embroidery works from all over the world. Having seen so many pieces over time, she’d gradually developed her own taste and unique insights in this area.
She also liked to embroider things herself to pass the time. Year after year, her works had piled up all over the house. Xiao Cheng even joked about holding a solo exhibition for her—if she hadn’t stopped him, he probably would have gone through with it.
She imagined that the wutong flowers in the Xiao family’s courtyard in the capital must be blooming beautifully right now.
At the thought, Lin Aiyun couldn’t help but smile softly. Ideas began to form in her mind, and she started stitching onto the white fabric.
With her hands busy, Lin Aiyun temporarily pushed her worries aside. She embroidered all afternoon, only stopping when it was time for dinner. The light wasn’t good at night—continuing would strain her eyes—so Liu Hui kept her company and chatted with her, not letting her touch the needlework again.
The moon hung high in the treetops. The drowsy residents retired to their rooms. Knowing someone was nearby made Lin Aiyun feel safe, and she soon fell asleep. But little did she know that on the bed in the Ding household—where she should have been sleeping—a dark figure lay, clutching a crumpled note in hand.
The person greedily inhaled the lingering fragrance on the bedsheets and pillowcases, a strange smile curling at the corner of their mouth.
—
Lin Aiyun had stayed safely at the Liu household for two days without incident, and her anxiety had eased considerably. So when Liu Hui invited her to go grocery shopping at the nearby market, she didn’t refuse.
She also planned to use last month’s wages to buy some pastries and fruit for the Liu family. After all, she’d been staying at their place for a while, and it would be remiss not to bring something. The mung bean cakes her aunt often took her to buy were excellent—and she’d also see if anyone was selling mulberries. She’d brought some from home before, and Auntie Hui had said they were delicious.
With these thoughts in mind, Lin Aiyun began to keep an eye out for what the stalls had to offer.
“I see they’ve got grass carp over there. How about we have a nice meal tonight—scallion fish?” Liu Hui’s eyes lit up, and she turned to Lin Aiyun.
“Sure, sounds good.” Lin Aiyun wasn’t picky. Seeing Liu Hui head off to buy the fish, she was about to follow when she noticed a stall not far away selling mulberries. She changed course and headed there instead.
“How much are your fish?” Liu Hui crouched down and prodded at the fish’s scales. Hearing the vendor’s price, she frowned: “So expensive? Give me a better price—I live nearby and I’ll be a regular customer.”
“Sister, fish aren’t easy to catch these days. I can’t go any lower—this price is already fair.” The vendor slapped his thigh, putting on a pitiful, troubled look as he shook his head.
Liu Hui pursed her lips, stood up, and made to leave, muttering: “Forget it then—might as well buy some meat instead.”
Before she’d taken more than a few steps, a helpless voice called out from behind: “Hey, alright—since you’re serious about buying, I don’t mind making a little less profit.”
“Thank you, brother. If the fish is good, I’ll bring my old friends over to buy from you too.” Liu Hui beamed and pointed to the plump fish she’d already had her eye on: “I’ll take that one.”
“Heh, thanks in advance then! Good eye—this one’s guaranteed to be tender!”
“Aiyun, come help hold the bag.” Liu Hui turned around with a cheerful grin—but where was she? Her expression froze. She forgot all about the fish and called out Lin Aiyun’s name several times, but there was no response. Instead, the commotion drew curious looks from the people around her.
“Oh no, oh no.”
Liu Hui searched the market from end to end but still couldn’t find her. A sinking feeling rose in her heart. After a second fruitless search, she clung to a sliver of hope—maybe Lin Aiyun had gone back early. She hurried home.
But aside from Liu Chengzhang reading prescriptions in the house, there was no one else there.
—
Dizzy and weak all over.
Lin Aiyun slowly opened her eyes, her consciousness gradually returning. She found herself lying on a damp floor. A piece of ragged cloth was stuffed in her mouth, wrapped with tape on the outside—she could only breathe through her nose. Besides that, her hands and feet were tightly bound, leaving her unable to move.
She quickly glanced down at herself. Thank goodness—though a bit rumpled, her clothes were still intact, and her body didn’t feel any strange swelling or pain.
It seemed her captor hadn’t yet violated her.
After letting out a breath of relief, she tried to struggle but only felt more chest tightness and lightheadedness. The drug’s effects hadn’t fully worn off yet, so she had no choice but to temporarily abandon any thoughts of resistance.
The room was dim, with only a sliver of light coming through a small window high up on the wall, just enough to make out the surroundings.
It was a cramped, basement-like space cluttered with odds and ends. Besides herself, there was a small figure sitting cross-legged by the door, playing with a slingshot. When Lin Aiyun made out his face, her pupils contracted sharply. She instinctively gritted her teeth, so angry she wanted to lunge at him and slap him twice.
At the same time, she remembered what had happened not long ago.
At the market, after buying the mulberries, Lin Aiyun was about to go find Auntie Hui when a little boy ran up and grabbed her hand, crying that his little sister was being bullied in the alley ahead—a group of mischievous kids had pulled down her pants and were hitting her. He begged her to help.
Following the direction the boy pointed, Lin Aiyun saw a little girl squatting in a corner, bare-bottomed, trembling all over from fear, sobbing breathlessly—pitiful beyond words.
“Where are your parents?” Lin Aiyun was led by the boy toward the alley. Though he was thin and small, his grip was surprisingly strong. Before she could react, she’d been pulled to the alley entrance in an instant.
The boy didn’t answer her question. He kept glancing in a certain direction, his tone flat and tinged with urgency: “Sister, please take a look at my sister—is there blood on her leg?”
At that, Lin Aiyun sensed something was off. The boy’s tone didn’t sound like he cared about his sister at all—more like he was reciting lines, as if completing a task.
After all, he was still young and couldn’t fully hide his emotions. When he saw Lin Aiyun stop and stare at him without speaking, he panicked. He shoved her hard, trying to push her into the alley. But Lin Aiyun, already on guard, wouldn’t let him succeed. Her first instinct was to flee—she turned and ran.
But she’d barely taken a step when a pair of powerful hands clamped over her mouth and nose from behind. The man’s grip was terrifyingly strong—the difference in strength was immense. No matter how she struggled, it was futile. As the pungent odor grew stronger, her mind began to drift, and her vision went hazy.
“I told you to wear more clothes when you go out. Now look—you’ve got a fever and I’m stuck paying the doctor bills.”
A deep male voice reached her ears, sending a chill down her spine—because it was a voice she’d never heard before.
Just before losing consciousness completely, she felt herself being dragged deeper into the alley. When she woke up again, she was in this unfamiliar place.
What an animal—using a child like that.
Lin Aiyun lowered her lashes. She was a fool too. If she hadn’t let her “kindness” get the better of her, none of this would have happened.
Just as she was silently cursing herself, a sharp clatter sounded ahead—the little boy had dropped a pebble. He stood up silently, walked over to the window, and picked it up. Sunlight fell on his face, making his features clearer.
The more Lin Aiyun looked, the more familiar he seemed. She felt she’d seen him somewhere before, but no matter how hard she racked her brain, she couldn’t immediately match him to anyone in her memory.
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