Chapter 378: Chapter 378

The next moment, an ear-piercing scream tore through the air.

Lin Hu, standing closest, couldn’t help but shudder, his sturdy frame trembling as though he wanted to flee in panic.

Gao Yuyue threw aside the basin of water, crouched down expressionlessly, grabbed Qing Hong’s soaking wet hair, and forcefully lifted her swollen, pig-like face.

The girl’s features were exquisitely beautiful, but her gaze was cold and sinister to the extreme, like a messenger from the underworld, stealing souls and striking fear.

"Talk. Who’s the one behind you pulling the strings?"

Assistant Wen, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly lifted his head.

Lin Meng and Lin Hu exchanged a glance and, without a word, lowered their heads, seemingly transforming into invisible men.

Qing Hong’s eyes were bloodshot, tears streaming uncontrollably from the irritation of the chili peppers. She chuckled dryly, "It’s Gao Dongting. The first time... I didn’t want to... He forced me. Cough, cough... I want to sue him... sue him..."

"Oh? It seems you’re quite loyal to your master. No matter, the night is long—I have plenty of time to play with you."

Gao Yuyue then pulled out a dagger from her bag, casually toying with it in her hand. Her voice was hauntingly soft: "When I was little, a certain TV drama left a deep impression on me. There was a plot where the most beautiful woman in the martial arts world—a deceitful, promiscuous character—used men to commit vile deeds. The protagonist forced her to reveal the clues, but she had a tough mouth. So, a little demoness came up with a brilliant method of coercion. She cut countless wounds into the woman’s body, dripped honey onto the wounds, and let an army of ants gnaw at her flesh. The sensation of thousands of ants feasting on the wounds—what a peculiar sort of ’thrill.’ Would you care to try?"

Her voice, utterly gentle, resembled the soothing tone of a bedtime story.

Yet, the other four in the room felt their skin crawl, their pores tingling as if ants were already burrowing into them, goosebumps rising across their bodies.

What little demoness? She *was* the little demoness!

No—she was worse than the little demoness.

The sharp blade pierced the skin, the air thick with the acrid scent of chilies and the metallic tang of blood.

Her coaxing continued, "Such a beautiful face and body—wouldn’t it be a shame to ruin them ?"

Qing Hong’s mind went blank, her thoughts filled only with the vivid scenes described by the girl.

Disfigurement was far more terrifying than beatings.

No woman was immune to vanity.

The woman before her was no exception.

"Speak. Who instructed you to approach Gao Dongting?"

The final barrier in Qing Hong’s mind collapsed, "It was Gao..."

Qing Hong’s eyes rolled back, and suddenly she passed out.

Gao Yuyue frowned deeply.

Assistant Wen quietly sighed in relief, but when he raised his head, his pupils constricted.

The girl was standing right beside him, smiling up at him. Her pitch-black pupils were startlingly clear, as though nothing sinister or shadowy could escape their notice.

When had she entered the room?

Not only that—when had she appeared by his side without him realizing?

Assistant Wen narrowed his eyes, "Miss Shen, the scene is rather gory—it might scare you. Perhaps you should wait outside."

"If I want to be friends with Yuyue, how can I be rattled by a trivial scene ?"

With that, she moved beside Gao Yuyue, crouched down, and lightly pressed her fingers against Qing Hong’s chest. "It’s a stress-related fainting spell. Take her to the hospital—delays could worsen her condition."

Gao Yuyue tightened her brows, muttering in frustration, "Why did she have to faint at this moment? She’s really infuriating me."

"You can always question her again once she wakes up."

Gao Yuyue sighed helplessly, "I guess that’s the only option."

Assistant Wen gestured to Lin Meng and Lin Hu, who quickly stepped forward and dragged the unconscious Qing Hong out.

Suddenly, Gao Yuyue’s expression stiffened as realization dawned. "I... I told you to wait in the next room, didn’t I? Why did you come over? Do you think I’m vicious? If you don’t want to be friends, just say so—I won’t cling to you shamelessly!"

Although Gao Yuyue’s tone was a bit fierce and accusatory, it was clear that her confidence wavered.

Shen You’an shook her head and smiled. She took Yuyue’s right hand gently—her pinky, unnoticed by Yuyue, had been nicked and was bleeding.

Shen You’an pulled out a clean handkerchief and wrapped the wound tightly to stop the bleeding. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn NovelHub(.)net

Gao Yuyue simply watched her silently.

"There," Shen You’an said, releasing her hand.

"Qing Hong mentioned a surname—Gao. The mastermind may have that same surname. Perhaps you should carefully consider if any of your father’s enemies carry the name Gao."

Gao Yuyue nodded at this possibility but shook her head soon after. "That’s unlikely. Those people always feign loyalty and arrogance—they wouldn’t dare do something this self-destructive."

Gao Yuyue suddenly turned around, "Assistant Wen, what’s Qing Hong’s background?"