“Alright, class dismissed!” The homeroom teacher snapped the book shut, his face a winter cliff under fluorescent glare. “We’re done for today. You all did well—keep pushing. Now, homework…”
“Ugh, I’m beat.” Little Loli stretched like a cat in a sunbeam, then slowly tilted her head toward Joanna. Joanna tipped her head back with a crescent-moon smile. “Mm…” Little Loli flushed peach-pink and turned away.
Chalk dust drifted like pale mist as the teacher finished the assignment on the board. He looked at Little Loli and said, steady as a bell, “Math class rep, the math teacher wants you.” He turned and strode out, jacket hem flapping like a flag.
“Finally, school’s out…”
“Yeah, yeah—dead tired.”
Voices rippled through the room like waves on a shallow shore, yet more eyes swung toward Little Loli. Her single golden ponytail swayed as she walked out, a bright ribbon in the door’s frame. In the golden sunset, her hair blazed like wheat at harvest—then her figure slipped away like a fish into light.
“Gorgeous, but she’s cold to everyone,” one classmate muttered, the words falling like stones.
“Yeah… if she were more lively, she’d be a star,” another chimed, like a sparrow’s echo.
“Too bad. Tonight, she’s mine.” Ou Xiangyang’s smile was a knife under silk. He fell in behind Little Loli and left the classroom like a shadow unhooking from a wall. Moments later, Joanna tightened her bag and ran out, quick as a breeze through reeds.
“Xiao Qianxue, I hope you perform well in class tomorrow.” The math teacher’s eyes warmed like morning tea.
“Don’t worry, sir. I won’t let you down.” Little Loli clenched her fist, a sprout pushing through soil—she liked this math teacher, and she wouldn’t betray his trust.
“Good. It’s late—head home. Be careful, young lady.” His nod was firm, like a gate closing.
“Okay. Goodbye, teacher.” Little Loli waved, pushed the door, and slipped into the hallway like a swan through reeds. “Formulas tomorrow? Easy.” She hopped toward the stairs, lemon-light in her step—then stopped. A figure stood at the landing, blocking it. Of course—Ou Xiangyang.
Seeing her exit the office, Ou Xiangyang shoved his hands in his pockets, shook his messy yet handsome black hair, and stepped out of the corner shadow like a wolf at dusk, taking the stair mouth.
“Move.” Little Loli’s voice iced over—frost on glass, cutting clean.
“Xiaoxue, have you decided about what I said before?” Ou Xiangyang smirked, a thorned rose under lamplight.
“Trash. You’re in my way. Last warning.” Little Loli’s fists tightened, knuckles pale as shells.
“If you refuse, don’t blame me for getting rough. I’m Ou Xiangyang—remember it. Heh… heh…” He vaulted down the steps, a black streak, and vanished from her sight like ink poured into water.
As Little Loli set a foot forward, Joanna sprinted up beside her, backpack bouncing like a drum. She watched the shadow leaving the corridor, then checked Little Loli’s face. “You okay, Xiaoxue?”
“I’m fine. Just some trash.” Little Loli didn’t spare him a thought and headed down the stairs.
“That guy’s Ou Xiangyang—the deputy mayor’s son, a real headache.” Joanna’s expression twisted bitter, like biting green tea; she’d likely been harassed before. “If he clings to you, tell me. I’ll deal with him.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. No need to worry, Joanna—small stuff.” Little Loli’s tone drifted, like a leaf on a slow stream.
“Okay then, Xiaoxue, I’m heading out. See you tomorrow.” Near the gate, Joanna waved and sprinted to a Bentley, its body glinting like a black panther in the sun.
“So her family’s not simple either.” Little Loli watched the car and replayed Joanna’s words, thoughts circling like swallows.
“Ahu, stick to the plan.” Ou Xiangyang watched Little Loli at the gate, his voice low as night water against stone.
“No problem, Young Master. Watch us work.” He pocketed the phone and fixed his gaze on Little Loli at the gate. “Ignore me, will you? You’ll taste it soon.” Ou Xiangyang’s mouth curled into a hook.
“Huh… why isn’t my old man here yet? Traffic jam?” Little Loli scanned the street like a sparrow searching a familiar tree, eyes hunting for that trusty Mercedes. Nothing—just drifting headlights. A suited man jogged over, tie straight as a blade. “Little princess, I work for the boss. He’s tied up today, so he sent me to pick you up. Please get in.” He swung open the door of a nearby Audi, offering it like a red carpet.
Little Loli didn’t think twice—she slid in, habit smooth as water. For Boss Wu’s household, this kind of thing was normal. Ou Xiangyang had dug up her family info and shared it with Ahu, polishing the lie till it shone.
Shortly after she left, a Mercedes rolled up to the school gate, chrome bright as a fish’s belly. “Huh? Where’s my Xiaoxue?” Her old man peered around, eyes sweeping like a lighthouse beam.
“Mm… why am I getting sleepy?” Little Loli yawned, a kitten curling up.
“If you’re tired, little princess, nap a bit. We’ll be at the company soon,” the suited man said, voice calm as velvet.
“Okay. Wake me when we’re there.” Little Loli’s lashes fell like shutters, and she sank into sleep.
Watching her doze, the man thought, cold gleam in his eye: This drug works like a hammer—shame about such a good girl. “Boss, it’s done. She’s out,” he whispered.
“Good. Bring her to the spot,” Ahu said, satisfaction rolling like thunder on a far ridge.
Before long, the car slid into a factory on the outskirts, concrete bones jutting like old teeth. Several men came out of the building, shoes ticking like beetles on rusted ground. The suited man parked, stepped out, and opened the back door.
The tallest one—Ahu—looked at the sleeping, golden-haired Little Loli, and his breath hitched. “An absolute beauty.” His voice oiled the air. “Forget those idol fantasies—I’m tasting first.” He licked his lips, snake-slick, then turned. “I’ll handle Young Master Ou. Tie her up and bring her to my room.” He strode into the dim factory, shadow long as a spear.
“Mmm… where am I?” Panic bloomed first—her head was fog, a wet field at dawn. She felt a bed under her, unfamiliar as a stranger’s face. She blinked wide; the ceiling wasn’t hers—no familiar cracks, no soft light.
She tried to push up, but her wrists jerked tight. She tipped her head—her small hands were lashed to the headboard, rope biting like rough vines. She moved her feet—ankles bound firm, knots hard as knucklebones. She pulled, breath hot and useless—the rope held like iron snakes.
“Oh come on—what mess did I step into now?” Lying there, Little Loli had only that thought, bitter as smoke.
