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

Sun Xiaoyan was washing rice, and Liu Meiling was chopping pickled vegetables.

Neither of them spoke, their movements mechanical.

Footsteps came from the living room; the strange woman had gotten up.

Wearing a bathrobe, she rubbed her eyes and walked to the kitchen doorway, leaning against the doorframe to watch them.

"What's for breakfast?" she asked, her voice still hoarse from just waking up.

"Porridge, pickled vegetables, fried egg." Liu Meiling didn't even look up.

"Oh," the woman replied, turning to leave, then stopped and turned back, saying, "Oh, by the way, I threw my underwear from last night in the bathroom basin. You two can hand wash them later and hang them to dry on the balcony. They're all silk, so they can't be machine washed, understand?"

Sun Xiaoyan paused for a moment.

Liu Meiling paused while chopping the pickled vegetables, but she quickly resumed chopping, her voice calm: "Understood."

The woman left satisfied.

About half an hour later, Brother Chen also got up.

He and the woman exchanged a few words in the living room, their voices were very low and inaudible.

Then the two of them went out.

The door closed, leaving only Sun Xiaoyan, Liu Meiling, and Xiao Hui inside.

Liu Meiling put down the rag in her hand and looked at Sun Xiaoyan.

"Walk."

Sun Xiaoyan's heart tightened; she knew what she was talking about.

The two went to the bathroom.

Sure enough, there was a set of black lace underwear in the plastic basin next to the sink, which didn't look cheap.

Liu Meiling bent down to pick it up, turned around and walked to the living room, accidentally throwing it directly at Sun Xiaoyan's face.

Sun Xiaoyan didn't dodge; her bra fell onto her shoulder and then slid to the ground.

"Pick it up," Liu Meiling said coldly. "Go wash it."

Sun Xiaoyan bent down to pick up the set of underwear. Her fingers touched the slippery material, and her stomach churned.

She took it into the bathroom and turned on the tap.

Liu Meiling followed her in and closed the door.

The water was flowing rapidly. Sun Xiaoyan lowered her head and vigorously rubbed the black cloth in her hands.

"Later," Liu Meiling said in a low voice, "I'll go to his room."

Sun Xiaoyan's hand trembled slightly.

"You come with me," Liu Meiling continued, "don't say a word, just watch my eyes. We need to know where we're going tomorrow night, we can't just let ourselves be sold out and then help them count the money."

Sun Xiaoyan nodded, and her hands moved even more forcefully.

The underwear was washed and hung to dry.

The two lingered in the kitchen for a while longer, and then it was almost nine o'clock.

Liu Meiling took a deep breath, walked to Xiao Hui's door, and knocked.

There was no sound inside.

She knocked again.

"Who is it?" Xiao Hui's voice came through, muffled.

"It's me, Sister Meiling," Liu Meiling said softly. "Did I take out your clothes and wash them for you?"

There was a few seconds of silence inside.

"Need not."

"I've taken everything out," Liu Meiling said, turning the doorknob. "Look, the school uniform pants, and this T-shirt..."

The door opened a crack.

Liu Meiling squeezed in sideways, and Sun Xiaoyan hesitated for a moment before following her in, gently closing the door behind her.

Xiao Hui sat in the computer chair, wearing school uniform pants, shirtless, holding a mobile phone in his hand.

Upon seeing the two enter, his brows immediately furrowed.

"Who let you in? Get out."

"No way," Liu Meiling said with a smile as she walked over and placed the clothes she was carrying on his bed. "Look at the mess your room is in, and you don't even wash your clothes regularly. It'll smell bad soon."

As she spoke, she bent down to pick up a few pairs of socks that were lying on the ground.

When she bent over, the neckline of her T-shirt drooped down, revealing that she wasn't wearing a bra underneath.

Xiao Hui turned his face away and swiped his finger across the phone screen.

After picking up the socks, Liu Meiling straightened up and walked to Xiao Hui's side.

"Xiaohui," her voice softened, "can I ask you something?"

"What is it?" Xiao Hui asked without looking up.

"Is your brother... and Boss Zhou taking us out tomorrow night?"

Xiao Hui paused for a moment.

"have no idea."

"You must know," Liu Meiling leaned forward, her chest almost touching his arm, "What doesn't your brother tell you? Just tell your sister, and I won't tell anyone else."

Xiao Hui moved his chair to the side.

"I really don't know."

"Then guess?" Liu Meiling persisted, "Is it going to dinner, or karaoke, or... one of those places?"

Xiao Hui stopped talking.

Liu Meiling glanced at Sun Xiaoyan.

Sun Xiaoyan stood by the door, her palms sweaty.

She took two steps forward, her voice trembling, "Xiaohui... just tell us. We... we're scared."

Xiao Hui looked up and glanced at Sun Xiaoyan.

Sun Xiaoyan's eyes were red, and she was biting her lip; she looked truly pitiful.

Xiao Hui's Adam's apple bobbed, then he lowered his head again.

"It's a club," he finally spoke, his voice low. "A private club. My brother and Boss Zhou... took you there to 'broaden your horizons.' I don't know exactly where; they didn't tell me."

Liu Meiling's eyes lit up.

"Anything else? What time are we going? Who will be there?"

"Tonight," Xiao Hui said. "I really don't know the exact time. The people... should all be from Boss Zhou's side, the rich and powerful type."

After he finished speaking, he threw his phone on the table and stood up.

"You've finished talking, can you leave now?"

Liu Meiling didn't move.

She looked at Xiaohui and suddenly smiled.

"Xiaohui," she said, "you've helped me so much, how...how can I thank you?"

Xiao Hui's body stiffened for a moment.

"Need not."

"How can that be?" Liu Meiling took a step forward, almost touching him. "I know best how to repay kindness."

She reached out and gently ran her fingers across Xiaohui's chest.

Xiao Hui's breathing suddenly became heavy.

He stepped back and bumped his back against the computer desk.

Liu Meiling followed him, put her hands on his shoulders, stood on tiptoe, and brought her lips close to his ear.

"Your brother... isn't he bad to you?" Her voice was low and breathy. "I can tell. You hate him, don't you?"

Xiao Hui's body trembled violently.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

"I'm not lying," Liu Meiling laughed. "Those photos on your computer... are they of your sister-in-law? Your brother killed her, and you still have to look at him every day. You must feel so resentful, right?"

Xiao Hui's face turned pale instantly.

He glared at Liu Meiling, his eyes frighteningly red.

Liu Meiling wasn't afraid; instead, she became even closer to him.

"I'll help you," she said. "We're both alive and well, real and warm-hearted. Looking at photos is so boring for you. Today... I'll keep you company, how about that?"

Xiao Hui's breathing became more and more rapid, his chest heaving.

He looked at Sun Xiaoyan.

Sun Xiaoyan stood there, her hands and feet ice cold.

She saw Liu Meiling wink at her.

She gritted her teeth, walked over, and stood on the other side of Xiaohui.

She didn't say anything, but simply reached out and gently placed her hand on Xiao Hui's arm.

Xiao Hui shuddered.

He looked at Sun Xiaoyan, then at Liu Meiling.

Two women were pressed against him, one on his left and one on his right. One was bold and outspoken, the other was weak and pitiful.

His mind went completely blank.

Liu Meiling's hand slid down and began to unbutton his pants.

Xiao Hui didn't move.

Sun Xiaoyan closed her eyes.

……

Things happened very quickly.

When it was over, Xiao Hui slumped into a chair, panting heavily.

Liu Meiling had already stood up and was tidying her clothes and hair.

She moved quickly and calmly, as if nothing had happened.

Sun Xiaoyan was still sitting on the ground, her skirt all wrinkled.

She lowered her head, tears falling and landing on the back of her hand.

Xiao Hui looked at her and suddenly let out a cold laugh.

"Why are you crying?" he said. "Isn't this what you two do?"

Sun Xiaoyan looked up at him.

Xiao Hui turned his face away.

"I only love my sister-in-law," he said in a low voice, as if talking to himself, "I sleep with her picture in my arms every day. You two... are nothing but prostitutes."

Liu Meiling has finished tidying up.

She walked over and helped Sun Xiaoyan up.

"I'm leaving," she said. "Thank you, Xiaohui."

The two left the room and closed the door.

Back in her room, Sun Xiaoyan rushed to the bathroom, turned on the tap, and frantically washed her hands.

Liu Meiling leaned against the door frame and looked at her.

"What's there to wash?" she said. "Will it even come off?"

Sun Xiaoyan stopped.

She looked at herself in the mirror; her face was pale and her eyes were red and swollen.

"We..." her voice trembled, "What are we doing?"

"Live," Liu Meiling said, "and find a way to climb up."

After she finished speaking, she turned and left.

Sun Xiaoyan stood alone in the restroom for a long time.

In the evening, Brother Chen returned, alone.

The woman didn't follow.

Brother Chen came in, changed his shoes, and sat down in the living room.

Sun Xiaoyan and Liu Meiling came out of the kitchen and stood in front of him.

"Tomorrow night," Brother Chen lit a cigarette, took a puff, "Boss Zhou is taking you somewhere. Get ready, dress presentably."

Liu Meiling nodded: "Understood, Brother Chen."

Brother Chen took two things out of his bag and threw them on the coffee table.

There are two collars.

It's made of leather, black, and very exquisite, with a small metal clasp on the front.

"Put it on," Brother Chen said. "It's Boss Zhou's rule."

Sun Xiaoyan felt a chill run down her spine as she looked at the two collars.

Liu Meiling walked over, picked one up, and put it around her neck without hesitation.

She walked to the mirror, adjusted her position, and even touched the clasp.

"It suits you well," she said. "Thank you, Brother Chen."

Brother Chen looked at Sun Xiaoyan.

"And you?"

Sun Xiaoyan walked over and picked up another collar with trembling fingers.

The leather feels cool to the touch and adheres to the skin.

She slowly put the collar around her neck and fastened the buckle.

A soft click.

The latch is engaged.

The collar clung tightly to her neck, not constricting, but its presence was very noticeable.

She looked up and saw the black ring around her neck in the mirror.

Like a dog.

Brother Chen nodded in satisfaction.

"Alright, go to bed early tonight and get some rest. Don't embarrass me tomorrow night."

After he finished speaking, he got up and went back to his room.

Sun Xiaoyan and Liu Meiling also returned to their room.

late at night.

Neither of them was asleep, lying on their respective beds.

Sun Xiaoyan reached out and touched the collar around her neck.

The leather is no longer so cold; it feels warm against the skin.

Her fingers touched the clasp.

Small, exquisite, and locked.

She stared blankly at the ceiling.

After a while, something flashed in her eyes.

It was cold and resolute.

In the next bed, Liu Meiling was also touching her collar.

She touched it very carefully, as if she were assessing the value of this "jewelry".

Then she turned over and faced Sun Xiaoyan.

"Xiaoyan," she whispered, "tomorrow night...is an opportunity."

Sun Xiaoyan did not speak.

"We must secure a connection with Boss Zhou," Liu Meiling continued. "Once we get on his good side, we won't have to put up with Brother Chen's attitude anymore."

Sun Xiaoyan remained silent.

Liu Meiling didn't seem to care and continued talking to herself.

"The people in that club are all rich and powerful. We need to behave well so they'll remember us. Maybe... we can escape this hellhole."

As she spoke, her voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement.

Sun Xiaoyan closed her eyes.

The next room.

Xiao Hui sat in front of the computer, the screen lit up.

On the screen is a photo of his older brother, Chen, and a woman.

The woman smiled gently, and had a small mole on the left corner of her mouth.

Xiao Hui stared at the photo, his eyes gloomy.

He reached out and gently touched the woman's face on the screen with his fingers.

Then he closed the image folder and opened another folder.

It contained photos of the same woman.

Various angles, various poses.

Some were wearing clothes, some were not.

He stared at it for a long time, then suddenly slammed the laptop shut.

The room was pitch black.