After confirming that the handcuffs resting against the headboard were secure, Yun Shunan quickly glanced at Mu Qi. Seeing that he showed no signs of waking up, she took the key to the handcuffs and tiptoed out of the bedroom.
At the same time, Mu Qi, who had been sleeping soundly, opened his eyes.
Once Yun Shunan exited the bedroom, her steps visibly quickened.
She walked directly to the dining table, casually added a few dishes to Mu Qi's bowl of rice, and then headed towards the guest room.
Upon opening the guest room door, she found the cruise ship’s pilot lying on the floor, his breathing shallow and his hunger so severe he was almost no longer breathing.
Seeing Yun Shunan enter, the pilot stirred slightly, evidently finding even the slightest movement to be extremely strenuous at this point.
"I'll help you get this out of your mouth. Before you start shouting, think about your wife and children. If you forget them, I'll send you straight to the sharks."
Yun Shunan's expression was cold, appearing utterly unconcerned by the man who was on the verge of starving to death before her.
Hearing Yun Shunan's words, the cruise ship pilot nodded repeatedly.
Seeing this, Yun Shunan raised her hand and pulled the object out of the pilot's mouth.
Once his mouth was free to open and close, the pilot lunged towards the food Yun Shunan had placed on the floor.
On his knees, the pilot buried his head in the food on the floor and began to eat.
Yun Shunan frowned and then walked behind the pilot to untie the ropes binding him.
With his hands freed, the pilot quickly cupped the bowl of rice with both hands.
The pilot was so famished that he finished all the food in the bowl within minutes.
Without hesitation, Yun Shunan immediately tied the pilot up again. "As long as you cooperate with me, I'll find an opportunity to let you go back in a few days."
The pilot nodded repeatedly, then involuntarily cast a longing glance at the empty rice bowl. "Can I have some more food and water?"
Yun Shunan said nothing. She picked up a piece of clothing from the floor and stuffed it back into the pilot's mouth.
Having eaten his fill, the pilot immediately lunged towards Yun Shunan.
However, he dared not lunge *at* her. Instead, he crawled towards her and repeatedly pointed at the rice bowl with his head.
Yun Shunan opened her mouth, then closed it. She turned and left, then returned from the living room with a large cup of water and brought it to the guest room.
After the pilot had drunk his fill, Yun Shunan once again gagged him and then quickly walked upstairs to the bedroom.
The pilot had been starving for too long, so he couldn't eat too much at once.
However, Yun Shunan didn't want Mu Qi to discover the pilot she was hiding in the guest room. Firstly, she didn't want Mu Qi to think she was too cruel. Secondly, she didn't want Mu Qi to harbor any unwarranted hope.
Upon returning to the bedroom, Yun Shunan first glanced at Mu Qi, who was still in the same sleeping position as when she left. Then, she carefully knelt on one knee on the bed, raised her hand, used the key to remove the handcuffs, and re-attached them to her own wrist.
As Yun Shunan cautiously nestled into Mu Qi's embrace, Mu Qi looked at the clock on the bedside table, his eyes filled with a palpable savagery.
In those nine minutes, Mu Qi had almost managed to break the solid wood bed.
...
The next morning, Mu Qi cooked breakfast as usual.
Yun Shunan still had a good appetite. Mu Qi didn't abstain from eating but would occasionally pick at his food, then chew on the few leaves of vegetables in his mouth while staring blankly.
After Yun Shunan finished eating and put down her chopsticks, she noticed Mu Qi's current state and became very anxious.
"Mu Qi, eat more," she said, just like yesterday, continuously placing many dishes into his bowl.
Mu Qi continued to eat sporadically.
Yun Shunan pursed her lips, lowered her gaze, and pondered for a long time before saying, "Mu Qi, from today onwards, your daily food intake must reach my standard. Otherwise... otherwise, I'll have someone cause trouble for Ling Xue."
After Yun Shunan spoke, Mu Qi showed no reaction.
Did Mu Qi not believe she would do it?
Yun Shunan frowned. She wasn't a good person.
"Mu Qi, did you hear me?"
"Hmm?" Mu Qi seemed to have just heard Yun Shunan speaking.
Yun Shunan took a deep breath and repeated her words with a more forceful tone.
"Mm," Mu Qi, unsure if he had absorbed her words, picked up his chopsticks, put another leaf of vegetable in his mouth, and then placed the chopsticks directly on the chopstick rest.
"Mu Qi, are you even listening to me? I said if you don't eat the amount I require, I'll have someone cause trouble for Ling Xue!"
Yun Shunan emphasized again when she saw Mu Qi put down his chopsticks.
"Mm, do you need help?" Mu Qi frowned, not understanding what Yun Shunan was trying to achieve.
"You..." Yun Shunan was taken aback by Mu Qi's reaction.
"Aren't you afraid I'll cause trouble for Ling Xue?" Yun Shunan asked with a hint of uncertainty.
"Why should I be afraid?" Mu Qi was even more confused by Yun Shunan's meaning.
Yun Shunan didn't believe Mu Qi could remain so nonchalant. "I... I'll find someone to beat her up!"
Yun Shunan thought for a moment and quickly added, "There will be bloodshed!"
Mu Qi's expression became serious. "Find someone to kill her?"
As Mu Qi spoke, Yun Shunan tensed up.
Was Mu Qi doing this deliberately, just to test her?
Yun Shunan had never considered killing Ling Xue. Because Mu Qi liked her, she didn't want to become Mu Qi's enemy.
Besides, Ling Xue hadn't done anything morally reprehensible. She had simply fallen for someone who was difficult not to like. Su Dan Novel Network.
Furthermore, if Ling Xue were killed, another would simply take her place.
Yun Shunan didn't want to waste her time eliminating these people. She only wanted to cherish every moment of her life and stay with Mu Qi for a long, long time.
Soon, Yun Shunan calmed down and, feigning a stern expression, said, "Yes, I want to kill her."
Mu Qi's tone softened, with a light, chilling threat. "Don't do it yourself. I'll arrange someone."
Yun Shunan's eyes widened, her gaze towards Mu Qi deep and disbelieving.
Seeing Yun Shunan looking at him like this, Mu Qi realized something and was momentarily flustered.
Had Yun Shunan merely been speaking hypothetically, and he had taken it seriously?
How would Yun Shunan see him now?
Mu Qi's heart became unsettled.