C12 Cut off Your Hand

"Liang? Is that you, Shen Liang?"

Shen Yueyin loosened the rope in her hands slightly. She pressed her lips together, her gaze lingering on the ring for a moment before diverting the conversation. "Is it expensive?"

"Not at all. For you, no amount of money is too much," Kwoo Wenci replied, his excitement evident as he took out the ring and admired it on his index finger. After a long look, he removed it and turned his attention back to Shen Yueyin. "Will you marry me?"

Seeing Shen Yueyin remain silent, he leaned in closer, his freckled face looming large. With a wide grin, he asked again, "Will you?"

Shen Yueyin furrowed her brows slightly, subtly leaning back to create some distance. Though her grip had loosened, it wasn't enough to free her hands. Her eyes flickered to the ring, and she tentatively asked, "It's beautiful, but I'm not sure if it fits. Could you help me try it on?"

Her tone was gentle, deliberately echoing a phrase Shen Liang often used.

Kwoo Wenci's eyes lit up instantly, responding eagerly, "I knew it was you, Liang. I've missed you so much."

As he spoke, he suddenly grabbed Shen Yueyin's shoulders with a grip that was far from gentle, causing her discomfort. She resisted slightly, maintaining her previous tone, "The ring..."

"Right, right!" Kwoo Wenci replied, fumbling with the ring as he hurried to untie the ropes binding her hands.

Shen Yueyin's eyes quickly scanned the room, finally landing on the candlestick beside the sofa. Once her hands were free, she shifted her legs slightly. In the moment Kwoo Wenci looked down to pick up the ring, she seized the candlestick and shoved him on the shoulder, making a dash for the door.

Her palms were sweaty from nerves, making it difficult to turn the lock.

Her heart raced as she heard footsteps approaching. She quickly turned around, holding up a candlestick defensively, her eyes wary as she faced Kwoo Wenci, who stood before her with a ring in hand.

"What's wrong?" Kwoo Wenci asked, a smile still on his face. The flickering candlelight cast an eerie glow on his features.

He stepped closer, swinging the ring in his hand, and pulled out a knife from behind his back. "If you don't behave, I'll have to cut off your hand to see if the size fits!"

"Stay back!" Shen Yueyin shouted, retreating until her back was pressed against the door.

"Liang, be good," Kwoo Wenci said, his smile growing wider.

Bang!

A loud noise erupted from outside the door, startling both Kwoo Wenci and Shen Yueyin. In her moment of shock, Kwoo Wenci knocked the candlestick from her hand.

She swallowed nervously, inching along the wall in the dimly lit room, unable to see clearly.

"Liang, you're still as beautiful as ever," Kwoo Wenci said, pulling a cheap white veil from his pocket. "Do you like what I've set up for you?"

"I'm not Shen Liang..." she tried to bring him back to reality.

"Don't be silly, you're so naughty," he teased, attempting to place the veil on her head. Suddenly, he remembered the soft feel of her delicate face.

So smooth, like cream, like porcelain. His hand instinctively reached out to touch her again. As she tried to evade him, he grabbed her wrist, quickly closing the distance between them.

"Don't be shy," Kwoo Wenci said, reaching to pull at her clothes.