Ye Li slowed, glancing back but still hesitant, weighing his options.

Shivering dramatically, Niu Shurui whispered, “So cold…”

He looked down at her. Her chin was smeared with his blood, the crimson stark against her pale skin, making her look like a delicate, broken doll.

Finally, he turned back for the robe. As he bent to pick it up, Niu Shurui seized her chance, breaking free. While he frantically reached for her, she quickly wrapped the robe around herself.

Ready, she glanced towards the entrance.

Qiao Qi, knife in hand, was slowly approaching, calculating how to kill Ye Li without harming Niu Shurui.

Sensing Qiao Qi’s presence, Ye Li tensed, a low growl rumbling in his throat as he pulled Niu Shurui back into his embrace.

Niu Shurui looked at the knife in Qiao Qi’s hand, an idea forming.

She began to struggle, trying to move towards Qiao Qi. Ye Li’s grip tightened. “Don’t go, Niuniu… Don’t go…”

Her waist ached from the pressure. Ignoring the pain, she clawed at his hands. “Let go, Ye Li! I hate this! You say you care about me, but you’re hurting me—you know I hate pain.”

The body behind her stiffened. His grip wavered.

Ye Li’s face was a mask of anguish, his features contorted in a silent battle. His face flushed, but his lips, pale from blood loss, betrayed his weakening state.

Niu Shurui wrenched herself free and stumbled away. Ye Li, completely unhinged, burst into tears again. He reached for her, but didn't dare touch her.

His words tumbled out incoherently. “Niuniu… I won’t do it again. Please don’t hate me. Don’t ignore me, Niuniu… I’ll do anything. Just look at me, Niuniu…”

Niu Shurui’s voice was cold. “You always say that. But how often do you mean it? I asked you to go to the hospital. Did you?”

Without hesitation, Ye Li choked out, “I will. I’ll go now.”

Niu Shurui stopped, and so did he, his hand twitching in the air, fighting the urge to reach for her.

She turned back to see him, tears streaming down his face, washing away some of the blood. With a sigh, she turned and slowly opened her arms.

Ye Li instantly lunged forward, burying his face in her shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably, his words a jumble. “Niuniu, don’t leave me. Don’t say you hate me. I’ll do anything you want… I promise…”

Lost in the relief of having her back, his defenses completely crumbled. He was oblivious to Qiao Qi’s steady approach.

Niu Shurui stroked Ye Li’s hair, her eyes fixed on Qiao Qi, a warning in their depths. Her gaze flickered to the knife in his hand, then she slowly shook her head.

Qiao Qi continued to advance, his face grim. Niu Shurui, still holding Ye Li, took a step back, shielding him.

Ye Li, unaware of his surroundings, clung tighter, nearly knocking her off balance.

Qiao Qi’s chest heaved, his heart pounding with rage.

Why? How?

Did she even know what she was doing? She was his. Where had it all gone wrong?

His face was a terrifying mask of fury, but he stopped advancing.

Niu Shurui breathed a sigh of relief and looked towards the entrance. Ye Yanhui had been standing there the entire time.

She subtly signaled that it was safe to approach. He moved forward and struck Ye Li sharply on the back of the neck.

Ye Li’s body went limp, collapsing against her.

His weight forced her to her knees, but her voice remained calm. “Left arm, pierced. He’s lost a lot of blood. Call an ambulance. He needs surgery. Now.”

Ye Yanhui’s brow furrowed as he began to organize Ye Li’s transport to the hospital. As they carried Ye Li away, Ye Yanhui glanced at Niu Shurui and Qiao Qi before turning to leave, his face impassive. He seemed concerned only with Ye Li’s survival, indifferent to the events that had just transpired.

Finally, the ordeal was over. Niu Shurui closed her eyes, exhaustion etched on her face.

Relief and a lingering fear washed over her.

When she’d heard the car, she’d guessed that Ye Yanhui had seen her email and returned. That's why she’d used the cold as an excuse to lure Ye Li back to the hall. The robe had given her the chance to escape his grasp and distract him from the activity at the entrance.

But Ye Li had been too alert. If he’d remained that way, he would have spotted Ye Yanhui immediately.

And a cornered Ye Li was unpredictable.

That was why she’d signaled Ye Yanhui to stay back.

But then another problem arose: how to lower Ye Li’s guard?

Just then, Qiao Qi had reappeared. Though unintentional, his approach had refocused Ye Li’s attention.

Ye Li had been teetering on the edge of a breakdown. Niu Shurui had seized the opportunity, pushing him over the edge.

And as expected, a delusional Ye Li was oblivious to everything else.

The only wildcard had been Qiao Qi. She’d been terrified he would make things worse.

But somehow, miraculously, it was over.

Niu Shurui felt weak. That single hour had been more harrowing than all the days of her captivity.