Chapter 2 — Green Tea Today, Black Tea Tomorrow

He tilted his head, a cryptic smile playing on his lips. You know, darling—between him and me, there is no room for compromise. It is strictly a matter of survival. I squeezed out two pathetic sparrow tears, biting my lip as I fully assumed the role of an innocent hired actress. In your eyes, am I truly that kind of person? Chi Van Tung, I happen to have my own pride. No matter how you choose to humiliate me, my soul will never yield. He massaged his temples, letting out a chilling laugh. Cry again, and I will ensure you no longer have the strength to remain human. I fell instantly silent, my mouth zipped tight. Several men strode into the room, hastily setting up a ladder and fastening strange devices to the ceiling. Noticing my gaze, Chi Van Tung murmured, Listening bugs. He tapped on his application, and our voices filtered through the electromagnetic waves, replaying with crystal clarity. The men soon departed, politely pulling the door shut behind them. The light within the room plunged abruptly into gloom. My heart skipped a beat. Are we not leaving? He leaned back lazily, his long legs spread apart, one arm tightening securely around my waist. His voice dropped to a low, hypnotic register, heavy with enchantment. Seeing you... suddenly makes me want you. The heavy twilight streamed in, casting a translucent, veil-like blur over his sharp, chiseled features. I bit my lower lip. This... this is someone else's office. This hardly seems appropriate. Chi Van Tung curled his lips in a faint, mocking smile, pressing closer. That only makes it more exhilarating. He took my hand, his lips brushing lightly against the sensitive skin of the inside of my wrist. His nostrils flared slightly, as though catching a faint scent. His gaze instantly turned frigid, deepening into an abyssal trench. Lam Loc Nien. He addressed me by my full, given name. Chi Van Tung had always been wild and flippant, rarely prone to genuine anger. But once he used a person's full name, things were truly beyond saving. Why... why are you looking at me like that? I stammered, trembling. A sound of icy laughter echoed through the tense air. You tell me.

What on earth was I supposed to say? Damn it, had my seamless channel-switching been exposed already? No, wait, what if he was merely testing me? I... I have no idea what you are talking about. Without warning, he sank his teeth viciously into my wrist, the sudden pain causing me to recoil. The skin there was paper-thin, and I winced in agony. He let out a cold snort. Endure it. And with that, he clamped down even harder. I suddenly recalled what Khue Khue had mentioned regarding marks of possession. But surely it could not be that... Chi Van Tung simply had a peculiar habit of biting people. Besides, I had eaten porridge earlier, and around my mouth... He abruptly halted, raising his head to stare intently at my lips. His sharp gaze felt as though it wanted to carve intricate patterns across my face. What... what is it? My voice was no louder than a mosquito's hum. His Adam's apple bobbed, his eyes darkening like an ink-stained abyss. You little swindler, you truly have some nerve. Exactly how many ways do you intend to slice up your affections? A powerful hand clamped firmly around my chin. In an instant, his kiss crashed down like a tidal wave, crushing all resistance in its path, driven by a violent, devouring possessiveness. My mind went hazy, leaving me utterly starved for breath. I... am not deceiving you... if I am lying, may I turn into a puppy... His movements were hurried and fierce, the thick scent of blood permeating the air. I had never witnessed him lose control to such a mad extent. It felt as though... he intended to swallow me whole. Terrified for my life, I desperately blurted out another deceitful plea. If I dare to deceive you... I will become a dog! I swear it on my life! As I spoke, I scrambled backward, my hips sliding awkwardly across the carpet. He curled his lips into a cold smile. Oh, is that so, little puppy? He caught me by the ankle, giving a gentle tug. I tensed up. What do you intend to do? A delicate, refreshing scent of pomelo grove drifted past. He smirked, his expression deeply sinister. I am going to—

Good little puppy. Damn it all! What a wretched, perverse lunatic! I was losing my mind, never imagining he could sink to such depths of deviance. I wanted to run. Easily as though spinning a walnut, he flipped me over with effortless grace. Our eyes locked. I was a bundle of nerves, while he looked thoroughly amused and entertained. You deceitful little pup— Suddenly, a crisp, sharp clatter rang out across the room. He glanced down at the floor. Slipping from my pocket, a shattered, distorted piece of an ancient mirror lay in fragments. Chi Van Tung reached down and picked it up. What is this? Reflected within the glass was his own face—bright, handsome, utterly indistinguishable from any ordinary mortal. Khue Khue had once claimed this was her family's most precious heirloom. Any supernatural monster, the moment they looked into it, would instantly reveal their true form. I had once asked, Are there any kinds it cannot detect? She had pondered for a moment and replied, Yes, but they are exceptionally rare. If you are unlucky enough to run into a top-tier demon, even eighteen generations of my ancestors combined would not be able to defeat them. If you encounter one... you can only wait for death, but surely no one could be unlucky enough to run into that. Chi Van Tung handed the mirror fragment back to me, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. An antique? I nodded frantically. Just... dug out from a corner of the house, practically worthless. He burst into laughter. Very well, keep it safe. Damn it, I had actually believed Khue Khue's nonsense and brought a demon-revealing mirror to inspect another person. Ha ha ha, I was truly losing my mind!

I began to grow restless and panicked. Chi Van Tung was the type to act on impulse, and if he really decided to carry out his threats right here... As luck would have it, his phone began to ring. I glanced at the screen—the contact note consisted of a single character: Yen. Upon answering the call, he released me, sitting upright upon the sofa. Crossing his legs, the tip of his leather shoe tapped rhythmically against the air, his posture lazy and arrogant. Adhere to the rules? Why don't you catch a scent of yourself, I wanted to see just how long your vaunted self-control would actually last... Brother, I certainly do not act as brilliantly as you do, putting on this immaculate, spotless facade... You lunatic, preparing so many toys, do you intend to open a manufacturing plant, tsk tsk... Sooner or later, I will burn the whole lot to ashes! It was unclear what the person on the other end said, but Chi Van Tung suddenly raised his voice in fury, his hand clenching so tightly that the sofa cushion sank deep. In your dreams... she can only ever belong to me! Hmph, relying solely on the toxins within your body? I carry no poison, yet I dare to do what you lack the courage for. Heh, do you dare to kiss her? Do you dare to bite her? He behaved as though reclaiming a stage, standing tall and haughty, his tone as jubilant as a child winning a contest. As for me... I retreated into the background, pretending to mop the floor, glancing left and right, playing the part of a model domestic servant. After a short while. He ended the call, waving a hand to summon me. Come here, my good pet. He deliberately marked me all over, scattering peach blossoms across my skin. Once finished, he wore a look of smug satisfaction. It is only Monday, yet the week stretches out so agonizingly long. He shook his phone, opening the eavesdropping application. Business secrets, do not let them slip out, understand? I wanted nothing more than for him to vanish immediately. I nodded like a pounding pestle. Yes, yes, yes! The moment he disappeared around the corner of the wall, Yen Tu Tu appeared in his place. Perfect. If one desires wealth and status, one must risk their life to seize it!

Within the centers of power, betrayal was a daily occurrence. Yen Tu Tu had his men drag a bloodied, battered wretch into the adjacent room. A ghastly streak of dark crimson stained the carpet. He surely had not expected me to be standing right by the doorway. His dress shirt was spattered with blood, his left hand holding a pistol he had not yet put away, yet he walked calmly closer. Damn it... these really were gangsters! Noticing me, his brow twitched slightly. His voice was as cold as jagged ice. Darling, do not look, go inside. My lips trembled, my teeth chattering uncontrollably. I... I wish to go home first... if you please? He tilted his head. What is the matter? His finger brushed lightly against the bite mark at the corner of my mouth, tracing over it. Has my little darling been up to some mischief? Why are you trembling? I met his gaze—it was as cold as frost, deep and fathomless. Terror began to grip my heart. No... nothing at all... A faint, mocking chuckle escaped the tail end of his words. Then wait for me, will you? Y... yes, then... what about that other man? Why was he beaten... to such a state? He smiled indifferently, his voice as light as a passing breeze. He accepted favors from me, acquired classified documents, and then defected to the faction of President Chi, daring to play both sides right before my eyes—did he not deserve to die? You know how it is, my dear... I despise betrayal above all else. I smiled stiffly like a statue, completely at a loss for how to reply. He pinched my cheek affectionately. Be a good girl, go inside the room and wait for me. I stepped backward. His secretary, exceedingly tactful, immediately pulled the door shut. The room was exceptionally soundproofed. Everything around me suddenly plunged into absolute silence. Good lord. I had just witnessed the criminal activities of Yen Tu Tu! And he had even noticed the bite mark at the corner of my mouth—implying that I, too, was playing both sides! He was undoubtedly planning to silence me permanently!! I paced frantically back and forth inside the room, stamping my feet like a frantic hen. I rushed over to check the surveillance monitor—guards were stationed outside! Damn it all! I had spent my life accumulating good karma, I had no desire to transmigrate into the next life just yet, wah wah wah...

I hopped around erratically inside the room for what felt like ages. With a sharp snap, the door swung open, and the fiery crimson sunset poured in like a cascading torrent of fire. Yen Tu Tu stood there, taking in every frantic movement of mine with a cold, mocking smile. What is the matter, planning your escape from justice? He scooped me up from the balcony and placed me down upon the sofa. I remained utterly mute. Uncharacteristically, he softened his tone, lowering it just a fraction. What happened to your lips? Just as I had anticipated, we were right back to that damned topic. I... bit it by accident, would you believe me? He tilted his head, one hand propped against the back of the sofa beside me, his movements freezing for a beat. After a brief silence, he murmured quietly. I believe you. Come here, let me give you a hug. Was that truly all? I edged closer, immediately enveloped securely in his arms. Resting my head against the hollow of his neck, I could feel his tight embrace. The next moment, his voice sounded right beside my ear, deeper than usual, like an echo from a dream laced with a hint of sarcasm. Just a minor incident like that... was enough to send him flying into a blind rage... Yen Tu Tu abruptly stopped. He bent down, inhaling lightly. His mood was like the skies of June, shifting without warning. His expression darkened instantly, requiring neither reason nor justification. He flipped me over, the lower half of my body suddenly chilled. Wh... what is wrong? Remembering the firearm resting in his hands, my entire body quivered. He offered no reply, his gaze burning like a fierce flame, scorching my skin inch by inch. My precious, let me inspect something, shall we? The silver barrel of the gun pressed against my abdomen, icy cold, like a sharp stone piercing into flesh.