Chapter Five: All Means Revealed

The pounding outside finally ceased, and the creature’s roar faded into the distance.

Mu Chen leaned against the door and slowly slid down to the floor, a fine cold sweat beading on his forehead.

The once sturdy security door was now dented deeply; a few more blows like that, and it would be completely ruined.

He crept up to the peephole and glanced outside, confirming that the mutated bulldog had indeed left. Only then did his taut nerves relax slightly.

Chen Jiahe was still curled up on the ground, her hands bound behind her back, tears streaking her face, clearly shaken.

Mu Chen had no sympathy to spare.

He approached her, squatted down, grabbed her chin, and forced her to look up. “Want to live?”

Her voice trembled, “I do…”

“Then behave,” Mu Chen released her chin. “Search yourself.”

Chen Jiahe suddenly lifted her head, resisting in her tone, “What… what are you doing? No!”

Mu Chen sneered, “It’s the end of the world. Who knows if you’re hiding a weapon? What if you stab me in the back?”

“I don’t have one! I just wanted to trade for some water…”

Mu Chen was tired of her protests and started searching her body without further delay.

Pockets, waist, even the shoes—nothing was spared.

“Don’t touch me!” Chen Jiahe struggled, trying to evade his hands. “You’re being a pervert!”

“Smack!”

A sharp slap rang out.

Chen Jiahe’s left cheek instantly swelled and reddened; tears poured out immediately.

“You have no right to bargain with me here,” Mu Chen said coldly, without a trace of warmth. “Or maybe you’d rather go out there and join that mad dog?”

Chen Jiahe froze, too frightened to move.

Mu Chen continued searching and soon found a spring knife tucked into the back waistband of her jeans.

“Heh, ‘no weapon,’ huh?” Mu Chen waved the knife in front of her face. “What’s this?”

Chen Jiahe’s lips quivered but she couldn’t find words.

“I’m asking you!” Mu Chen grabbed her hair roughly, forcing her to look up at him. “When were you planning to use this? While I was asleep?”

“I… I use it for self-defense…” Her voice was weak. “I’m afraid of you…”

“Afraid of me?” Mu Chen arched an eyebrow. “Afraid I intend to harm you? Then why did you come knocking on my door?”

“I needed water…”

“Needed water?” Mu Chen sounded as if he’d just heard a joke. “So you came armed, planning to trick me out of water and then stab me?”

“Not! I just—”

“Smack!”

Another slap.

“Lying comes at a price. Understand?” Mu Chen’s tone was icy cold.

Chen Jiahe was truly terrified now, trembling uncontrollably. “I… I just wanted to protect myself… I didn’t know what kind of person you were…”

Mu Chen snorted coldly and got up to fetch a bottle of mineral water from the kitchen.

He unscrewed the cap, took a gulp in front of Chen Jiahe, then waved the bottle teasingly before her eyes.

“Want some?”

Chen Jiahe’s throat moved; she hadn’t had a drop of water in nearly a day.

“I do…”

“Call me master.” Mu Chen’s face showed no emotion.

“What did you say?” Chen Jiahe almost thought she misheard.

“I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.