"Things are about to get exciting. Don't you want to take a guess at which handsome guy you fancy?" Wang Lulu's voice was teasing.
"I already told you, I'm just here to take a look. Did you agree to share a room with me?" Jiang Qiuying's voice was urgent.
"I did say that, but given the current situation, everyone has to listen to the Leader. So, what I said before doesn't count anymore. Besides, what's the point of always being with one man? To be honest, I've had my eye on that bald guy, nicknamed Flower Monk. Just look at how manly he is! I want to try something new and change things up! You can't hold me back tonight; I want to let loose..." The more Wang Lulu spoke, the more explicit she became, crossing all boundaries. "I don't believe you don't feel even a little flutter for any man other than your husband."
"What about me? What should I do?" Jiang Qiuying's voice was filled with helplessness.
"Don't worry; no one will laugh at you. After tonight, you'll love this team-building experience," Wang Lulu said in a rather inappropriate tone.
"But I don't want to!" Jiang Qiuying continued to struggle weakly.
"Your words don't count, and neither do mine. Just wait for the draw; it's thrilling like opening a blind box..."
Perhaps in an attempt to sober up, the sound of flowing water filled my headphones; it must be Qiuying taking a shower in her room.
The water stopped, and my phone rang. The caller ID showed it was Qiuying.
"Honey, I..."
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, it's not that... I'm just a bit..."
"Did something happen?"
"No... no, I just drank a bit too much and came back alone. I'm feeling a bit scared!"
She still hadn't told the truth or asked for help.
Was she still anxiously waiting or hoping for something?
I didn't know when Brother Xiong came to my side.
"Are you worried she's already fallen or is about to fall?"
I nodded silently.
"If... I mean, what if... what are you going to do?"
"What else can I do? Let go. I don't want to live my life in shame and shadows!"
"What if she confesses and asks for forgiveness?"
"I don't want this kind of redemption! It's a torment!"
The sound of knocking echoed through the headphones, loud and rude.
"Who is it?"
"Can't you recognize my voice?"
"Leader? Is there something you need?"
"My luck was good in the draw just now; tonight, we’re staying together!" The man's voice was urgent.
"What about Lulu? She promised to stay with me!"
"Wang Lulu is in another room working out with the Flower Monk; tonight, I'm keeping you company!"
"If Lulu isn't coming, I'll be fine alone. You can go to another room!"
"That won't do. We agreed on the rules; I can't be the one to break them! Open the door and let me in. Don't forget, one of our notifications states 'no coercive measures, respect each other's wishes.' I will respect your wishes!" The man sounded almost poetic in his insistence.
If you dare open the door, our marriage will be over! I thought fiercely to myself.
"No way! I'm participating in this event because Wang Lulu promised to stay with me! I can't accept staying with a man. If you knock again, I’ll call the police!"
I let out a long breath.
For a while, all that filled my headphones was Jiang Qiuying's sobbing, and my heart ached with each sound.
Before long, the knocking resumed: " Qiuying, you're really something; I regret bringing you along!" It was Wang Lulu's voice.
"I won't participate in your Cycling Event anymore!" Qiuying's tone was resolute.
"Alright, dear, hurry and open the door; you can't leave me out here!" Wang Lulu nearly shouted.
The door rattled.
"Leader, I can only help you up to this point!" Wang Lulu said.
"How did you get in? Get out!" It was Qiuying's voice again.
"Now that I'm here, we have to follow the rules; we're staying together tonight, and no one can change that! Wang Lulu, you can go back to the Flower Monk; next time's event will earn you an extra chicken leg!"
"Jiang Qiuying, what are you afraid of? I've organized this event many times; if anyone dared to break the rules or act unscrupulously, something would have happened long ago!"
"It’s already eleven o'clock at night, and this is the only place within ten miles that offers food and lodging. You can’t possibly leave just because I’m staying here!" The man's words were heavy with threat.
After a long silence in the headphones, Jiang Qiuying's voice came through hesitantly, "Then it’s settled. You must respect my wishes!"
I was so nervous that I almost forgot to breathe.
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