Chapter 40 - Self-Rescue Manual of a Villainess

Chapter 040: Snatched from the Jaws of Death Eyelids fluttered open to an incomprehensible, blurring world. Xia Yi Yi fought a sudden burning dryness in her throat and instinctively rose to fetch water. However, she promptly tumbled off the bed. “Thump!” Her head had collided with the step in front of the bed, but the parchedness of her throat stifled any cry of pain. Forced to discharge her suffering elsewhere, Xia Yi Yi opened her mouth to release a faint whimper. Her eyes, now wide open, were the only outlet for her excruciating pain- they even brimmed with tears. “Mmh...cough...cough, cough…” She struggled to her feet and finally set sight on a vase sitting on the bedside table. She hadn't noticed it for its elegance but rather the translucent liquid visible through the transparent vase. Without a second's hesitation, she crawled forward, poured the contents into her mouth—thankfully it was water. This quenched her burning thirst to a certain extent. When she went to replace the vase, she discovered a pillbox placed conveniently adjacent. Upon closer inspection, she found it to be contraceptive pills, common on the market. Beneath the pillbox, she noticed an opened condom box. “Cough...cough…" She attempted to rise again, but her thoughts began to fuzz, reminding her of the two men who had injected her upon entering. Particularly the way they'd looked at her—like a commodity, an object easily traded. Her foster father, her family for over a decade, had sold her off to these scum in exchange for drugs... Why... Why must she endure such tribulation...? Is fate truly unjust? Not even allowing her a shred of love or concern...? Vigor draining from her form, she slid down the edge of the bed, knocking the pillbox and condoms to the floor, and a decadent orgasm appeared to be her sordid destiny. She stared listlessly at the grandly adorned ceiling, recalling how Xia Jun had mistreated her, how Xia Bin had violated her…She remembered her teacher, her classmates...and Nan Yin... What awaits her when she leaves this place tomorrow? I'm just seventeen… I don't want… don't want to... Suddenly, Xia Yi Yi’s trembling subsided, as she used the bed to pull herself upright. She then made her way to the balcony door and slid it open. The wind... A bone-chilling night breeze... ……………………… “Miss Nan Yin, what you requested is upstairs." Downstairs in the Shang mansion, Shang Qi stood with a trace of a smile, addressing the silver-haired girl beside him and pointing towards the stairs. Upon hearing Shang Qi refer to Xia Yi Yi as "what," Nan Yin coldly glanced at him before intending to head upstairs. However, before she had a chance to act, someone grabbed her wrist—Su Xiao Yu, who was followed by jovial-looking Shang Dong Chang and Chen Yi. “Why, our friend from the Felidae, worry about any lethal traps upstairs?" Shang Qi squinted towards Su Xiao Yu, who smirked back defiantly. "Cut it out, Xiao Yu. This is as far as we've come. I believe Mr. Shang Qi will handle everything," Nan Yin sneered, shooting Shang Qi a glance before wresting free from Su Xiao Yu's grasp. She took off her waistbag that contained a gun and tossed it to him before sprinting upstairs. Su Xiao looked at the waistbag in his hands, then Nan Yin’s retreating silhouette, thought for a moment, and pulled out a small piece of paper. He quickly folded it into a paper crane and released it into the air. It glided for a moment before unfurling its wings to trail Nan Yin up the stairs. “Heh, heh…" Shang Qi pretended not to notice Su Xiao Yu's little trick, and walked towards Shang Dong Chang with a grim expression. Simultaneously, Shang Dong Chang was in the middle of a conversation with Chen Yi. "Officer Chen lavishes favoritism on the younger generation. You've rallied troops for just a misunderstanding. I'm impressed," Shang Dong Chang waved his hand dismissively at the paranormal equipped law enforcers parked at the gate, reducing Shang Qi's actions to a mere misunderstanding. "Your words mistake, sir. Nephew violated innocent citizens without any rhyme or reason. If there were no adverse consequences, it'd be fine. But once an accident occurs, I believe neither our media friends nor the public would sit idle.” “If they do not express their objections now, then the next time such incidences occur in their vicinity, nobody would voice their concerns for them, would they?” Chen’s lips curled, understanding Shang Dong Chang's underlying implication. "Dragon Gate Gang is a reputed organization, Mr. Shang. If your organization's leadership dares to condone the involvement in sex trafficking of civilians, then it won't guarantee that the another beautiful daughter may not be the next victim, right?" Chen Yi straightened his hat and feigned sincerity. His innuendo was evident. “Heh, heh… Officer Chen, that's a bit too harsh. This time Qi was admittedly too extreme. How about we discuss compensation after Miss Xia Yi Yi descends? Everyone can be bought in the right amount, and if they can't, well… the money's just not enough yet." Shang Dong Chang didn't want conflict with this rising star in law enforcement over a simple drug trafficker's daughter. Choosing his battles wisely, he sounded out peace talks to end the conversation. ……………………… "Yi Yi!" The door swung open, Nan Yin didn’t see Xia Yi Yi on the bed, only the still-open balcony door. At this moment, Nan Yin felt her heart seize. Could it be that she was too late? Xia Yi Yi... This has nothing to do with some system mission, or any sense of compassion. That was her friend, a girl who cherished any bit of care and concern she receives! Nan Yin discarded the handgun hidden up her sleeve and rushed towards the balcony. Thankfully, there stood a frail figure in the shivering night wind. "Xia Yi Yi!" "Nan...Yin?" Upon hearing her voice, Xia Yi turned around, her face showed pure disbelief. "Why are you here…" "Yes, I'm here. Could you step down from there, please?" Nan Yin glanced at where Xia Yi Yi stood—perfect positioning for a suicide. Panic stormed in her heart. "Nan Yin… do you know? My father sold me here...for three packets of drugs…" "I'm just seventeen…I've never-demanding in front of them...why ought they treat me thus?" "I don’t want to...I really don’t want to…" "I…" Xia Yi Yi neared the edge of mental collapse, partly due to the drug Xia Jun had used to render her unconscious, but predominantly due to the combined physical and psychological trauma she had suffered. Now, she finally saw someone who mattered to her heart, and that person was witnessing the most pathetic version of herself… "I…" Xia Yi reached out towards Nan Yin. The fragile arm stretched out and seemed to paw at the air as if trying to latch hold of something. She then gave a mournful smile and purposefully flung herself backwards! "Dammit!" Seeing her posture, Nan Yin cursed inwardly, but fortunately, she was also prepared. Casting caution aside, she dashed forward, and just barely managed to grasp Xia Yi Yi's outstretched hand. "Don't think you can escape everything with death, you idiot!" Nan Yin grit her teeth, braced her feet against the balcony edge, and with all her strength, hauled Xia Yi Yi back to safety. Creak! Colliding into Nan Yin, Xia Yi Yi’s momentum pressed heavily on her chest, causing her to feel nauseated and nearly vomit blood. Although Xia Yi Yi was shielded by Nan Yin, she too wasn't wholly unaffected by the abrupt force. Nan Yin could distinctly hear her moaning. Starting from quiet whimpering to loud sobbing, the broken-hearted girl’s tears quickly drenched Nan Yin’s chest in the icy night wind. This world is still sordid and melodramatic as always. But now… Nan Yin felt better. After all, she's alive, isn't she?