Wang Yuxi’s heart sank as unease began to gnaw at her.

Her trembling fingers unconsciously twisted together as she stood hesitantly by the doorway, frozen in fear.

“Come in already! Why are you just standing there?” Bai Ze’s voice broke through her reverie, pulling her anxious gaze toward him.

His words only made her breathing quicken, her chest rising and falling erratically as if her pounding heart might burst free at any moment. The oppressive place made her want to run and flee, but her leaden legs refused to move.

The next moment, Bai Ze’s firm grip seized her wrist, pulling her into the room with effortless strength. The heavy thud of the reinforced door shutting behind her extinguished her last flicker of hope for escape. Like a puppet bound by invisible strings, she allowed herself to be dragged along, powerless to resist.

“You need a hot shower. Liu Yumeng, show her to her room,” Bai Ze ordered briskly, his tone brooking no argument.

“Yes, Master,” Liu Yumeng replied with a practiced smile, walking over to Wang Yuxi. “Come on, Sister Yuxi, I’ll take you there.”

Soon, they ascended to the second floor, leaving Bai Ze behind. Wang Yuxi’s eyes darted nervously toward her guide. The moment they were out of earshot, she finally found the courage to whisper, “Little sister, were you also… brought here against your will? Do you think he’ll kill us?”

Liu Yumeng maintained her pleasant demeanor, though her lips curled mischievously. “Oh, don’t worry. “Primary won’t be our end,” she said casually, inching closer conspiratorially. “He’ll just… devour us.”

Wang Yuxi’s pupils contracted in terror. “Devour us? Why aren’t you trying to escape, then?”

“Why should we?” Liu Yumeng asked with a shrug, her tone nonchalant. “This place is safe, there’s plenty of food, and we even get to bathe with clean water.”

“But aren’t you afraid of dying?”

At that, Liu Yumeng’s expression hardened, her smile vanishing like a shadow under the midday sun. “As long as we serve Master well, we’ll be fine. You’d better remember your place—being allowed to stay here is a privilege, not a right.”

Her sudden shift in tone left Wang Yuxi stunned, her words catching in her throat. She voiced her concern, but they coldly dismissed her attempt at solidarity. Fearful that her comments might reach Bai Ze’s ears, she clamped her mouth shut and followed in silence.

When they reached the assigned room, Wang Yuxi hesitated in the doorway, her eyes widening at the opulent decor. The lavish furnishings and intricate details were unlike anything she’d ever seen. For a moment, a flicker of longing crossed her face—she had always dreamed of living in a place like this. Yet, born into a modest family, such a wish had always seemed beyond reach.

“This will be your room from now on,” Liu Yumeng said curtly. “Look around. I’ll go run the bathwater for you.”

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As Liu Yumeng disappeared into the bathroom, Wang Yuxi began to explore. Her initial awe gave way to practicality as she examined every nook and cranny, searching for a potential escape route. However, her efforts proved futile—the windows were all sealed shut, rendering any thoughts of climbing out useless.

When Liu Yumeng returned, she announced, “The water’s ready. You can take your bath now,” before leaving Wang Yuxi alone in the room.

The silence felt oppressive. Wang Yuxi sniffed at her nurse’s uniform and winced—it smelled rank after all she’d endured. She quickly stripped it off and cast it aside, heading into the bathroom.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Bai Ze sat at the table, casually eating as Liu Yumeng recounted her interaction with Wang Yuxi. He listened with little reaction, his expression impassive.

Her suspicions don’t surprise me, he thought. He hadn’t bothered explaining his intentions when he brought her here—such misunderstandings were inevitable.

After finishing his meal, Bai Ze rose and walked toward the stairs. He intended to visit Wang Yuxi’s room, to claim what he deemed was his by right. Whether she stayed or left afterward was of little consequence to him.

Upon reaching her door, he found it locked. A faint smirk played on his lips. Locking the door? A futile gesture. The privileges of the house granted him access to any room he desired. Within moments, the door clicked open.

The first thing that caught his eye was the discarded nurse’s uniform on the floor, along with a delicate, lace-trimmed undergarment. Bai Ze’s gaze darkened as he stepped quietly toward the bathroom.

The door was slightly ajar, giving him an unobstructed view. Wang Yuxi lay in the bathtub, her hair cascading over the edge, and her porcelain legs resting on the tub’s rim. The sight made his pulse quicken.

As he entered, stripping off his clothes, Wang Yuxi noticed his approach. Panic flared in her eyes as she instinctively tried to sink deeper into the water. But her movements were in vain—Bai Ze grabbed her legs, pulling her forward with a firm tug.

“Don’t!” she cried out, her voice trembling with fear.

Her plea fell on deaf ears. Bai Ze pressed on, disregarding the barriers between them. His actions marked the beginning of an irrevocable transformation in Wang Yuxi’s fate.

The system’s voice echoed in his mind: “Congratulations, Host. Another woman conquered. First blood obtained. Rewards doubled. You’ve gained 150 points ×2.”

After the fevered encounter, Bai Ze carried her to the bed, wrapping her trembling form in the sheets. Wang Yuxi clutched the blanket tightly, silent tears streaming down her cheeks.

Sensing her fear, Bai Ze leaned close, his breath warm against her ear. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to eat you.”

Her body trembled at his words, but she exhaled shakily, relief flooding her expression.

“Rest well,” Bai Ze murmured. “I’ll check on you tomorrow.”

With that, he dressed and left the room, heading back to his own quarters.

Outside, the world lay cloaked in darkness. Bai Ze gazed out the window, noticing how the distant cityscape was eerily devoid of light. The widespread blackout confirmed his suspicions—civilization was crumbling fast.

At least I equipped my safe house with generators, he thought. Electricity wouldn’t be a problem, but the light might draw attention from those lurking in the shadows.

“It seems I’ll need to be more cautious. A prize like this… everyone would want a piece.”

With a sigh, he pulled the curtains shut and settled in for the night, unaware that a group of menacing figures had already set their sights on the safe house.

Not far from his refuge, a gang of burly men huddled together in the darkness, their sinister laughter cutting through the night air.

“I told you, this is the place,” one of them sneered. “Four women inside, and each one’s a rare gem.”

“Only one man and four women?” another leered, his eyes gleaming with lust.

“Exactly. I’ve been watching all day. That guy left this morning and came back with another girl. She’s got a body that’ll make you weep.”

“Perfect,” growled a scar-faced man, his voice dripping with malice. “Tonight, we take action. Kill the guy, and the women are ours. We’ll show them a good time.”

In the pitch-black night, their evil laughter echoed ominously, heralding the danger that loomed ever closer.