Through the crimson mist, Shen Nan saw a woman with an exquisite and aloof countenance.

The woman crossed her arms, tapping her polished, sharp nails on her fair and delicate arms, as if playing a beautiful melody. Her peach blossom makeup complemented her already beautiful face, giving it a fresh and alluring charm. Only her eyes revealed a cunning and disdainful look that didn't match her appearance.

Shen Nan coughed lowly, feeling even the breaths he took were scorching his throat. The wound on his forehead kept bleeding, coagulating on his eyelashes and staining his entire face a horrifying crimson.

The wound was inflicted by a woman using a knife, which she had now thrown at his feet. However, he felt great discomfort throughout his body, and could only alleviate it to some extent by curling up. He had no extra strength to pick up the knife.

The woman looked at him as if she was seeing a dying stray dog on the muddy street, with strong disgust. She pursed her lips, which were painted with lipstick, and in Shen Nan's eyes, it seemed like a gaping, blood-filled mouth. She said, "You don't know yet, but Bei Shao is going to marry me. The wedding is this afternoon."

She showed off by waving her hand in front of Shen Nan, the sparkling light of the diamond on her slender fair fingers was dazzling. Shen Nan squinted his eyes, it took a while for him to confirm that the diamond was not red.

The woman said, "I don't want to be married into the Shao family if you're still in this dreadful place."

Shen Nan lowered his head and smiled. His playful face hid his expression, and the woman did not notice his smile. She only heard his hoarse voice say, "I... cough, I don't want to either."

Whoever it may be, having already prepared themselves for death, to then be forcefully saved at the critical moment and become an imprisoned person devoid of freedom, they would never desire to cling to life.

I don't know what part of those words made the woman uncomfortable, but she stomped her foot on Shen Nan's waist. The slender heels of her ten-centimeter high heels almost sank into his flesh. Shen Nan trembled in pain, sweating coldly, but he gritted his teeth and didn't let out any low moans or cries of pain.

The woman, frustrated, fiercely stomped her heel, causing Shen Nan to nearly faint. Just as this happened, someone outside exclaimed, "Madam, the young master has come to pick you up."

The woman was momentarily stunned, a look of panic flashed across her face. She quickly composed herself, straightening out her unwrinkled clothes and adjusting her appearance to look obedient and charming, then she walked out of the basement.

After the surroundings regained tranquility, Shen Nan, with great effort, propped himself up using his arms and leaned against the copper walls of the basement.

He raised his head expressionlessly, gazing into the void. The excruciating pain coursing through his body left him unsure of where to even place his hands, and all his thoughts converged on two words—

The Northern Young Master.

In a daze, Shen Nan unexpectedly had the presence of mind to make a joke. Despite already being in his late twenties, approaching thirty, he was still referred to as "young." He couldn't help but laugh, causing his heart, chest, and lungs to ache.

In the midst of the pain, he could no longer force a smile.

North Young Master, Shao Bei. Until now, who else knows that this nickname was actually coined by him?

Who else knows that, before they regarded each other as thorns in their sides, longing to eliminate one another, the past ten years they were actually very good friends, like brothers?

He thought they should have settled everything in that life-or-death siege, but he never expected to wake up and find himself becoming a prisoner under Shao Bei's control.

A prisoner serving as a vent for frustrations and torment.

Shen Nan coughed up a mouthful of blood, too lazy to wipe off the bloodstain at the corner of his mouth. His gaze fell on the blade that was within reach.

Before this, there was nothing in this prison cell that could enable him to commit suicide.

I don't know if it was intentional by the woman or if it was the heavens showing him mercy, but today, finally, they gave him a chance to escape forever.

Shen Nan's fingertips trembled slightly, and when he grabbed the hilt of the knife, he felt as if he was lifting a huge rock. It took a great deal of effort to pick it up.

There was still his blood remaining on the tip of the knife.

Shen Nan stared at it fixedly for a while, then used the corner of his clothes to wipe the knife until it gleamed, not even leaving behind any fingerprints before he finally stopped.

Then, he tightly gripped the knife, as if clutching onto the last straw, and forcefully plunged it into his own heart.

Drama, pain, weakness, and coldness.

When sinking into the depths of darkness, Shen Nan's thoughts became hazy as he vaguely thought, "It's all over."

We have settled our grievances, Beishao.

Congratulations on your marriage, Bei Shao.