Lu Shiyan didn't even glance at him, walking straight towards the villa's main door.
Lin Butler was dragged like a rag, his face veins bulging, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets.
“Do you think you can hurt me?” He pulled open the door, and a low growl came from the darkness outside.
Su Wan covered her mouth, feeling completely cold as if she had fallen into an ice cave.
Outside the villa, in front of the main door, several slow-moving, decaying figures stood, letting out excited growls the moment the door opened.
Zombies.
Lu Shiyan casually flung him, and Lin Butler flew out the door like a dishrag, landing heavily in front of the zombie horde.
“Ah! No! Help!” Lin Butler shrieked in terror, frantically crawling backward.
Those decaying figures immediately pounced, tearing and biting at Lin Butler's limbs. Blood splattered, and his screams were heart-wrenching.
Lu Shiyan stood at the doorway, watching coldly. After about five seconds, he reached out and closed the door, but Lin Butler's sharp screams were still clearly audible, piercing the night sky, gradually fading.
Su Wan tightly covered her ears, hugging herself and curling into a ball. This was what would happen to her if she couldn't meet Lu Shiyan's demands.
A few muffled sobs came from downstairs, likely from the remaining servants in the villa who had heard Lin Butler's screams.
Su Wan trembled and immediately burrowed into the bedding, desperately covering her face.
Steady footsteps echoed on the stairs, neither hurried nor slow, yet they were chilling.
He was back.
The footsteps stopped outside her bedroom door.
Su Wan's entire body tensed, not even daring to breathe.
However, the door did not open.
He just stood there, paused for a moment, then left, his footsteps fading into the distance.
Only then did Su Wan realize her face was streaked with tears, her breathing as ragged as someone drowning.
This man had just killed someone.
Without hesitation.
Rustling sounds outside the door interrupted Su Wan's thoughts. Someone was out there, but it wasn't Lu Shiyan's footsteps. A moment later, a familiar, timid voice came from outside the door: “M-Miss… Are you alright?”
Zhang Ma.
Su Wan didn't answer, nor did she have the courage to open the door. She didn't know if Zhang Ma was there to check on her or if she was sent by Lu Shiyan to monitor her. “Miss… that gentleman asked me to tell you…” Zhang Ma's voice trembled, “Please come to the dining room for breakfast at seven tomorrow morning.”
Su Wan closed her eyes, biting her lip, still not responding.
Zhang Ma waited for a moment, then her footsteps gradually receded.
Outside, Lin Butler's screams had completely stopped, replaced by the more frequent growls of the zombies.
She didn't want to die; she wanted to live well! Su Wan gently touched her cheek, wiping away her tears completely.
This luxurious villa now had a new owner.
Those agonizing screams haunted Su Wan's dreams like a shadow. She struggled in a bloody mist, Lin Butler's desperate wails and the sounds of zombies tearing flesh intertwining.
As dawn barely broke, Su Wan awoke with a start from her nightmare. Cold sweat drenched her clothes, and she clutched the quilt tightly, her heart pounding.
It was just a dream, thank goodness, I'm still alive!
Six-thirty. There was still half an hour until the “appointed” time.
Su Wan forced herself out of bed, dragging her heavy feet into the bathroom. The woman in the mirror looked haggard but still beautiful.
Cold drops of water slid down her cheeks, but they couldn't extinguish the fear in her heart. Lu Shiyan's cold eyes and the image of Lin Butler being torn apart flashed alternately in her mind.
“Don't panic, don't panic, Su Wan.” She whispered to herself in the mirror, “You still have value; he won't kill you for now.”
At six-fifty, she opened her bedroom door.
The corridor was empty, eerily quiet. Su Wan cautiously walked towards the stairs.
In the spacious dining room, Lu Shiyan was seated at the head of the table. He had changed into clean clothes, found from who knew where. The black shirt made his complexion appear even paler, and the scars were still shocking in the morning light, yet they did not detract from his innate cold and stern demeanor.
The vengeful demon from last night, covered in blood and radiating a wild aura, now looked like an elegant nobleman, meticulously cutting the fried egg on his plate.
Su Wan's heart skipped a beat.
She had to admit, that face indeed had the power to make people lose themselves.
His features were well-defined, his nose bridge high, and the line of his thin lips was very attractive.
No wonder “Su Wan” was so devoted to him.
His gaze lifted as she appeared. “Seven o'clock sharp.” Lu Shiyan glanced at his wristwatch, his voice calm, “Punctuality is a good habit.”
Su Wan almost thought she had come to the wrong place. The scene was too bizarre, as if they hadn't just swapped places as prisoner and guard, but were having an ordinary breakfast date.
“Sit.” He gestured to the seat opposite him, a hint of scrutiny in his eyes.
Su Wan stiffly walked over, carefully pulled out the chair, and sat down. A breakfast was already set on the table: milk, fried egg, bread, and fruit.
“Eat.” Lu Shiyan gestured to her, “It's good for the 'child' in your belly.” The last few words were heavily emphasized.
Su Wan swallowed, picked up her knife and fork, and cut a small piece of fried egg, putting it into her mouth. The food felt like chewing wax, but she forced herself to swallow it.
Lu Shiyan elegantly wiped the corner of his mouth, his gaze fixed on her.
“Last night… did you see it?” Lu Shiyan's voice was devoid of emotion, as if discussing the weather, “That's the consequence of disobedience.”
Su Wan put down her knife and fork, instinctively covering her lower abdomen. This action did not escape Lu Shiyan's eyes; he narrowed them.
“Don't be nervous, Miss Su.” He leaned back in his chair, “As long as you cooperate, I won't do anything to you. At least, not until I confirm whether there truly is 'my child' in your belly.”
“Understood?” Lu Shiyan's voice pressed closer.
“Understood.” She nodded with difficulty.
“Very good.” Lu Shiyan put down his napkin, “From now on, I am the master here. Everyone, including you, must obey my commands.”
The tragic sight of Lin Butler from last night flashed before her eyes, and Su Wan involuntarily trembled.
“All the servants have already accepted the new arrangements.” Lu Shiyan swept a glance at her, “Including your personal maid, Zhang Ma. I hope you can be as sensible as them.”
“And…” Lu Shiyan's gaze sharpened even more, “Your Space Ability.”
“From now on, your ability is for my use.” Lu Shiyan said, word by word, “Anything I need, you must retrieve from your space without hesitation.”
Su Wan nodded silently. This was one of her bargaining chips anyway.
“I also need your cooperation in storing the supplies I bring back.”
“Okay.” Su Wan softly replied.
Lu Shiyan seemed satisfied with her obedience. He stood up, looking down at her: “Remember, Su Wan. You are alive now for only two reasons: a possibly existing 'child' and your Space Ability. Once either of these is proven to be a lie or loses its value—”
He didn't finish, but the threat was clear.
Su Wan lowered her head, her hands unconsciously protecting her abdomen.
“After breakfast, you can go back to your room to rest.” Lu Shiyan turned to leave, “At noon, I will have Zhang Ma call you.”
“Wait!” Su Wan suddenly spoke, “Can I move freely within the villa?”
Lu Shiyan stopped, turning back to look at her: “Yes, but you are not allowed to leave the villa. Don't even think about escaping.” With that, he strode away.
Su Wan plopped down on the chair, picked up the milk, and gulped down a large mouthful, but the fear in her heart could not be diluted.