I don’t know how long passed before I woke.
I was back in the wolf’s house, my wound still throbbing.

The maid was dozing beside me, dark circles under her eyes, as if she’d watched over me for days and nights.

The wolf moved silently, entering just then, his eyes slightly red, holding a round object.

I didn’t know what game he was playing.
He sat beside me, fastening a white ring around my neck—a collar-like thing that wouldn’t come off no matter how I tugged.

“Bomb,” he said coldly, showing me a remote control, his tone void of emotion.

My eyes went hollow, my heart pierced by a thousand knives: “Just kill me.”

He said nothing, leaving the room again.
I couldn’t fathom his thoughts—saving me only to put a bomb collar on me.
Did he want me dead or alive?

Or was it to make me wish I were dead?

Tears welled in my eyes.
The maid woke, checking my wound, noticing the collar: “This is…”

“A bomb.”
I covered my eyes with my forearm.
She sighed: “We spent a whole week looking for you. He barely slept.”

I swallowed hard: “He wants me to suffer that much?”

She earnestly said I was his sister, that he wouldn’t let me die.

“Then what’s this bomb about!” I pointed at the collar.
She had no answer.
In that moment, I felt she was lying.
She said he wouldn’t let me die, yet he’d put a bomb on me.

My face was a mess of emotions, my mind in chaos.

I thought of Gao Yang, asking worriedly: “Those boys—are they okay?”

The maid smiled, saying they were fine; the one who got kicked needed rest.

I felt dejected.
Gao Yang had been so kind, and I’d gotten him hurt.
My eyes filled with despair: “What’s it like to die? If I died… would I still suffer?”

The maid froze at my question.
Tears slid down my cheeks: “It’s so painful, worrying every day if it’ll explode.”

She stayed silent.
I begged her: “Kill me, please. I’m in agony. Why does he get to decide if I live or die? What gives him the right?”

She seemed to have unspoken troubles and said no more.
One day, I’d kill this wolf.

I was confined to the room, the maid bringing me food.
I’d go mad like this.
My old life was hard but free—unlike now, a caged bird in a suffocating space.

Why did I have to obey the wolf?
Who was he to me?
Did he think he could just lock me up?

The door was locked, unyielding to my efforts.
Frustration surged, and I slammed my head against it—once, twice, harder each time, wishing for death.

Finally, dizziness hit, and I collapsed backward.
The door opened—it was the wolf.
My face twisted, and I laughed maniacally: “I’m worse than dead! You win! Kill me, haha, do it! Come on!”

“Enough!”
The maid, behind him, clenched her fists: “You’re the one who brought her here.”

I calmed slightly, watching them.
Was the maid confronting him for me?

The wolf’s face remained blank.
He pulled out the remote.
I don’t know where the strength came from, but I leaped, snatching it.
The maid’s eyes widened, shouting: “No!”

Ignoring her, I flashed a grim, blissful smile, closed my eyes, and frantically pressed the buttons…