The Quagmire of Desire: From Gambling Addict and Village Flower to Movie Queen

She held the five red bills in her hand, stood there for a while, and then turned around and went back to bed.

Liu Meiling had already counted the money for the third time. She stuffed it under her pillow, lay down, and said happily, "Sleep well, sleep well, tomorrow will be another beautiful day."

Sun Xiaoyan hummed in agreement and lay down as well.

But she didn't sleep well that night.

My dream was bizarre and fantastical. One moment it was the yellowed newspaper clippings in the study, the next it was Xiao Hui's cold gaze, and then it was Brother Chen's smiling face as he handed me a red envelope.

She woke up just as dawn was breaking.

Liu Meiling was still fast asleep next to him.

Sun Xiaoyan got up quietly and went to make breakfast.

Fry eggs, cook porridge, and chop pickled vegetables.

At 7:30, Brother Chen and Xiao Hui sat down at the dining table on time.

The atmosphere was as usual, silent, with only the sound of bowls and chopsticks.

After finishing his meal, Brother Chen wiped his mouth but didn't leave immediately.

He lit a cigarette and watched Sun Xiaoyan and Liu Meiling clear the table.

"Oh, right, something's come up tonight." Brother Chen exhaled a smoke ring. "A friend of mine is coming over and needs the two of you... to provide some private service."

Liu Meiling was wiping the table when she paused, her eyes lighting up: "A friend of Brother Chen? No problem, we've got your back."

Sun Xiaoyan's heart skipped a beat. Holding the bowl in her hand, she remained silent.

"He'll be at home," Brother Chen continued. "I'll bring him over this afternoon, so you guys get ready. Tonight I... I'm taking Xiao Hui out for dinner, so I'll make room for you."

Liu Meiling smiled even more sweetly: "Brother Chen, you're too kind. You even made room for us. Don't worry, we'll definitely make your friend happy."

Sun Xiaoyan lowered her head and put the bowl into the sink, where the water was boiling loudly.

Brother Chen gave a few more instructions, telling them to drink with the guests to create a better atmosphere, and then he left.

Xiao Hui slung his schoolbag over his shoulder and glanced at Sun Xiaoyan and Liu Meiling before leaving.

That look in his eyes was hard to describe; it was a bit cold, and also... something else entirely.

The door closed, leaving only the two of them in the house.

"Meiling," Sun Xiaoyan said, her voice a little dry as she turned off the tap, "what does 'private service' mean?"

"What else could it mean?" Liu Meiling said dismissively. "Isn't it just drinking and chatting? Maybe...maybe it involves...you know. As long as you pay, it's fine. He's Chen's friend, he'll definitely be generous."

"But..." Sun Xiaoyan recalled her unease from last night, "Wouldn't it be... at home?"

"What's wrong with staying at home?" Liu Meiling interrupted her. "It's safer at home! It's better than going to a hotel, right? Have you forgotten what happened at the hotel last time?"

Sun Xiaoyan fell silent.

Liu Meiling leaned closer and put her arm around her shoulder: "Don't think too much. Brother Chen is good to us; we do whatever he asks. Besides, isn't this what we're doing now? It doesn't matter where we work, right?"

The words may be crude, but the principle is sound.

Sun Xiaoyan sighed and nodded.

In the afternoon, the two tidied up the house briefly.

Liu Meiling even went out and bought some sexier lingerie, then tried it on in front of the mirror when she got back.

"Look at this, it's lace, so subtly revealing, it's amazing!" she said happily.

Looking at her, Sun Xiaoyan felt that unease welling up again, like seaweed.

Around 5 p.m., Brother Chen returned with someone.

He was a man in his forties, with a large belly, wearing an expensive shirt and a shiny watch on his wrist.

Brother Chen introduced with a smile: "This is Brother Li, my good friend. Brother Li, these are Xiao Sun and Xiao Liu, whom I told you about."

Brother Li looked them up and down, his eyes lingering on their chests and legs, and said with a smile, "Old Chen, you're something else, keeping two mistresses in one place."

Brother Chen laughed and said, "What golden house? It's just an ordinary house. Anyway, Brother Li, you guys have fun. I'm taking Xiao Hui out to eat. I won't bother you."

As he spoke, he patted Xiaohui on the shoulder: "Come on, I'll take you out to eat."

Xiao Hui didn't say anything and followed Brother Chen outside.

Before leaving, Brother Chen glanced back at Sun Xiaoyan and Liu Meiling, his eyes deep: "Keep Brother Li company."

The door closed.

Only Sun Xiaoyan, Liu Meiling, and Brother Li remained in the house.

Brother Li plopped down on the sofa, crossed his legs, and said, "Don't stand, sit down. Let's have some drinks to liven things up."

Liu Meiling immediately went to get the wine; Brother Chen had already prepared it, with both red and white wine.

She poured two glasses of red wine, handed one to Brother Li, took one for herself, and sat down next to him.

Sun Xiaoyan sat on the single sofa next to her, looking a little awkward.

"Little Sun, right? Don't be nervous." Brother Li took a sip of his drink, his eyes fixed on Sun Xiaoyan. "Old Chen told me that you two... are quite uninhibited. I like that kind of attitude."

Liu Meiling said sweetly, "I'm glad Brother Li likes it. Here, let me toast you."

The three of them started drinking.

Brother Li didn't talk much, but he drank quickly, one glass after another.

His eyes became increasingly restless, scanning back and forth between Sun Xiaoyan and Liu Meiling.

After drinking his third glass, Brother Li put down his glass and took out two items from his bag.

A thick hemp rope.

A black digital camera.

Sun Xiaoyan almost dropped her wine glass.

Liu Meiling's smile froze for a moment.

"Brother Li, this is..." Liu Meiling's voice was a little dry.

"Don't be nervous." Brother Li laughed, a slightly greasy smile. "I have a little hobby, I like taking...private photos. Art, you know? Nude art. You two are so good-looking, it would be a shame not to take some."

He pointed at Sun Xiaoyan: "Xiao Sun, you go first. Go and tidy up the area around that pillar over there. I'll take a set of photos for you guys; I guarantee they'll look good."

Sun Xiaoyan's face was pale, and she remained seated without moving.

Liu Meiling quickly smoothed things over: "Brother Li, taking pictures... taking pictures is no problem, let's have some more drinks first, take our time."

"That's enough drinking." Brother Li stood up, walked to Sun Xiaoyan, and reached out to pull her. "Come on, Xiao Sun, cooperate with me."

He had a strong grip, and Sun Xiaoyan was pulled up by him.

"Brother Li, I really don't know how to take pictures..." Sun Xiaoyan struggled to back away.

"If you don't know, I'll teach you." Brother Li picked up the rope with his other hand, still smiling, but his eyes had changed. "It's simple. Tie you up there, and as for your clothes... tear them a little. That torn look is the most artistic."

Sun Xiaoyan panicked completely. She tried to shake off Brother Li's hand: "No, I won't film! Let go of me!"

"So you're going to refuse a toast only to suffer a penalty shot, huh?" Brother Li's face darkened, and he suddenly looped the rope around Sun Xiaoyan's body with a frighteningly practiced movement.

Sun Xiaoyan screamed and struggled desperately.

But Brother Li was too strong. In a few moments, he dragged her to the decorative pillar in the living room, wrapped the rope around her several times, and tied her hands behind the pillar.

"Help! Meiling! Meiling!" Sun Xiaoyan cried out to Liu Meiling, tears welling up in her eyes.

Liu Meiling was also terrified; she hadn't expected things to turn out this way.

She rushed over and grabbed Li Ge's arm: "Li Ge! Li Ge, don't do this! We agreed you were just going to keep me company, this...this is too much!"

"Too much?" Brother Li shoved Liu Meiling aside, glaring at her fiercely. "I paid to have fun, not to be treated like this! One more word, and I'll tie you up too!"

Liu Meiling was pushed and stumbled, bumping into the coffee table and wincing in pain.

She looked at Sun Xiaoyan, who was tied to a pillar, her face streaked with tears, and her skirt torn in half. Then she looked at Brother Li, whose face was contorted with rage, and her legs went weak.

Li Ge ignored her, picked up his camera, and started taking pictures of Sun Xiaoyan.

Click!Click!

The flashes of the camera flickered in the dimly lit living room, illuminating Sun Xiaoyan's pale face and tattered clothes.

"Yes, that's the expression—fear, despair, beauty!" Brother Li exclaimed excitedly as he filmed. "It's so evocative!"

After taking a few pictures, he put down his camera and reached out to pull at Sun Xiaoyan's already torn dress.

"No! Get away!" Sun Xiaoyan twisted desperately, her bound wrists aching from the friction.

Just then—

The sound of a key turning came from the doorway.

Click.

The door opened.

The living room ceiling light was suddenly switched on.

The blinding light instantly filled the entire space.

Brother Chen and Xiao Hui stood at the door.

Brother Chen was still holding the takeout container in his hand, his face expressionless.

Xiao Hui stood behind him, his school uniform neat, his eyes coldly observing everything in the living room.

Brother Li, who was bent over with his hand gripping Sun Xiaoyan's skirt, froze.

Liu Meiling stood by the coffee table, her face deathly pale.

Sun Xiaoyan was tied to a pillar, her face streaked with tears and her clothes disheveled.

Time seemed to stand still for a few seconds.

Brother Li was the first to react. He quickly let go of her hand, straightened up, and forced an awkward smile: "Old Chen, you guys... you're back so soon? I... I was just joking with them, taking some artistic photos, but they didn't seem too keen..."

Brother Chen didn't say anything.

He slowly placed the lunchbox in his hand on the shoe cabinet by the door.

Then, he raised his head, his gaze shifting from Brother Li's face to the bound Sun Xiaoyan, and then to the stiff Liu Meiling.

His eyes were deep, like a still pool, revealing no emotion.

Xiao Hui stood beside him, equally silent, like an outsider.

Brother Chen stared at it for a full half minute.

Then, he raised his hand and waved gently at Brother Li, who was still trying to explain.

The movements were slow, but carried an undeniable air of authority.

Brother Li opened his mouth, but the words stuck in his throat and he couldn't say them.

The living room was deathly silent.

Only Sun Xiaoyan's suppressed sobs and the faint sound of ropes rubbing against pillars could be heard.

Chen's gaze finally landed on Sun Xiaoyan and Liu Meiling's faces.

There was no anger, no surprise, and no sympathy in those eyes.

There was only one kind of cold, calculating look, like someone appraising merchandise.

Sun Xiaoyan met his gaze and trembled.

The chill instantly shot from the soles of my feet to the top of my head.

She suddenly understood.

This so-called "stable new home," and this seemingly "kind and rich" Brother Chen.

Perhaps, from the very beginning, it was another trap.

Moreover, it is deeper and darker than any of the previous ones.