Chapter Nine: The Human Heart and Desire

“No, please, no, I was wrong, I was wrong, please don’t do this…” Lin Xingyan clutched her chest and begged loudly, pitiful and fragile, with not a trace left of her dazzling superstar aura, nor the arrogance of a noble heiress. But the more she pleaded, the more the men whose minds had already turned sinister felt their desire intensify.

The other security guards gave in to their own wicked impulses, rubbing their hands together, barely able to contain themselves. After all, in the world before, these guards were at the very bottom of society, with no chance to encounter a woman as exquisite as Lin Xingyan—let alone a famous actress. Even in their dreams, they’d need to stack their pillows higher to imagine such fortune.

“No… please…” Lin Xingyan fought desperately, which only fueled their lust further. The head security guard grabbed her hair and dragged her toward the corner.

“Save me, please save me…” Lin Xingyan looked pleadingly at the wealthy men nearby, shouting, “My father is Lin Tian. I’m the heiress of the Lin family in Beijing. Save me, and I’ll give you whatever you want. My father will come for me, and he’ll rescue you too…”

The head guard’s face twisted with malice as he glared at the wealthy men, his eyes fierce. These men, all of considerable status, understood exactly what the Lin family represented in Beijing. Lin Xingyan’s desperate plea stirred them, yet when they met the head guard’s gaze, their courage faded away.

Favor from the Lin family was tempting, but only if one survived to enjoy it.

Among the wealthy crowd, several women—socialites themselves—couldn’t compare to Lin Xingyan but were dazzling in their own right wherever they went. Witnessing Lin Xingyan’s ordeal, terror crept into their hearts, but none dared to speak.

The head guard was satisfied with the rich men’s fearful compliance and flashed a cruel smile. “I’m a man who likes to share good fortune. Such a noble, exquisite woman—I’ll share her with you all. Once I’m done, you can join in…”

The faces of the male millionaires grew pale. One shook his head desperately. “No… I can’t…”

“Damn you!” Without warning, the head guard stabbed the man in the stomach, kicked him aside, and hacked away with his knife. “What, you think you’re too good for me? I tell you to have fun with women and you refuse? You think you’re better than me, is that it? Look down on me, huh?”

Blood spattered across the hall; the wealthy man was butchered beyond recognition. The sight sent the other millionaires into abject terror.

“Will you play or not?” the head guard roared.

“Yes! Yes! Share the fortune…”

The rich men hurriedly agreed.

A wicked smile twisted the head guard’s face—a swelling sense of satisfaction. Suddenly, he felt the apocalypse was wonderful, truly wonderful. In the past, he couldn’t even raise his voice around these people. Now, he could beat and curse them as he pleased; they grovelled like dogs. What celebrities and millionaires, what distinguished guests—were nothing at all. He was the most exalted, free to do as he wished.

The thrill was intoxicating. In that instant, the hidden demons in the guards’ hearts were unleashed.

Blood still smeared across his face, the head guard grinned at the male millionaires. “Since we’re all sharing the fortune… shouldn’t the women behind you be shared with us as well?”

The millionaires dared not respond.

One of them, though, paled, because the woman behind him was his wife. He hurriedly protested, “Brother, that’s my wife…”

“That’s even better—let’s all have some fun together.”

“No… you can’t… ah!”

Before he could finish, another security guard swung an axe down on his head. The man let out a tragic cry, dying instantly. His wife’s face drained of color and she collapsed in terror.

The ax-wielding guard wiped blood from his face and strode toward her. “Your husband doesn’t agree, but you will, right?”

Staring at the bloody axe, the woman was paralyzed with fear, unable to object, nodding frantically.

The guard laughed, unzipping his pants as he approached her.

At that moment, the other guards released their inner depravity, laughing as they rushed toward the socialite women. No one dared resist; in this savage climate, all law and morality had vanished. The strong now ruled as absolute masters, free to do as they pleased.

The head guard swaggered, laughing as he walked toward Lin Xingyan, who cowered in the corner like a helpless kitten, hugging her knees, tears streaming down her pale face as she whispered, “No… please…” Despair hung in the air.

Just then, a calm voice rang out from upstairs:

“Hey!”

The sudden voice stunned everyone below. The frenzied guards looked up to see Gu Sha on the upper floor.

Gu Sha had been watching the chaos for some time now. Returning after twenty years in the apocalypse, he was used to such scenes and felt no discomfort. Seeing the moment was ripe, he finally spoke.

The people below looked confused, surprised there was someone upstairs. Especially the guards, whose wildness wavered for a moment. But when they saw Gu Sha was only a teenager, their fleeting fear faded. One guard waved his kitchen knife and shouted, “Kid, you’re asking for trouble…”

Gu Sha vaulted over the railing and leaped from the second floor, about four meters high, landing with a kick that sent the shouting guard flying into the wall. Blood trickled from the guard’s mouth; his head lolled and he died instantly.

The display stunned everyone.

Gu Sha, calm as ever, looked at the head guard and said slowly, “Don’t rush things. I have a question for Miss Lin first—then I’ll decide if you get your way.”

He turned to Lin Xingyan, whose eyes shone with hope. “Miss Lin, when your family comes to rescue you, could their plane take me somewhere first? The fare would be me keeping you safe these next few days. Do we have a deal?”

Lin Xingyan, desperate for any lifeline, replied quickly, “I promise! I promise! Wherever you want to go, I’ll take you!”

Gu Sha smiled lightly, and glanced at the head guard. “Sorry, looks like your plan won’t work today.”