A Shocking Turn in the Dead of Night

Tonight, the darkness hung heavy like a thick shroud, pressing down with suffocating weight, so dense that not even an outstretched hand could find its way. Wild winds howled across the open fields beyond the city, raging as if to devour everything in their path. Only a lonely road wound through the blackness, stretching endlessly into the unknown.

A young girl, Yan Xiaonian, pedaled her somewhat battered bicycle along this deserted road, struggling against the gale. The wind roared in her ears, like monsters lurking in the shadows, and fear gripped her heart, rising to her throat. The world around her was deathly silent except for the occasional cry of a night owl, sending chills down her spine. Desperate to get home, she pedaled harder, hoping safety would greet her soon.

Suddenly—a deafening crash shattered the night’s silence. It was as if thunder exploded behind Yan Xiaonian, and immediately after, a sleek sports car, wild and uncontrollable, streaked past her like a beast unleashed. Its tires screeched against the asphalt, carving a dangerous yet oddly graceful arc, before the car hurtled off the road and plunged into a deep ditch, sending up a mountain of mud and sand, as if a small sandstorm had erupted.

“Ah!” The shock struck Yan Xiaonian with brutal force; she tensed, screaming like a startled fawn as she tumbled from her bicycle. Kneeling on the cold ground, hands clutching her head, her wide eyes fixed in terror and confusion on the overturned car, her mind blank, unable to react.

A car accident? Her lips trembled as the thought flashed through her mind.

“Ugh—” After a brief silence, a painful yet alluring groan sounded from the wreck, low and hoarse, with a peculiar magnetism—it was unmistakably a man.

Yan Xiaonian, driven by innate kindness, didn’t hesitate. She scrambled toward the car, hands trembling in panic as she pounded on the twisted frame, her voice quivering with tears, “Hey, are you alright? Don’t be afraid, I’ll get help for you!”

Just then, two beams of headlights cut through the darkness like blades and swept over them. A car was coming! Hope sparked in Yan Xiaonian’s chest, and she ran toward it, waving her arms frantically, calling out, “Hey! Stop, please help!”

But the car, ghostly and elusive, didn’t stop—it sped up, disappearing into the night, leaving Yan Xiaonian coughing in the dust it kicked up.

She exhaled in disappointment, as if all her hopes vanished in that breath, dissolving into the night. Yet she quickly rallied, gritting her teeth as she jumped into the ditch. The mud was slippery, nearly causing her to fall several times, but she pressed on, grabbing the door handle with all her strength, desperately trying to pry open the warped door.

She was a slight girl, usually unable to lift anything heavy—where did this strength come from? But in this moment, with a life at stake, her mind was consumed with only one thought: save him! She exerted every ounce of energy, her face flushed, sweat beading on her brow, veins straining on her arms.

With a sharp crack, pain shot through her arms—the immense force had strained her muscles. Yan Xiaonian gasped, tears pooling in her eyes, but she gritted her teeth and refused to give up.

Fortunately, the door finally yielded. A fresh surge of blood scent washed over her as a tall man struggled out. His face was pale as paper, sweat glistening on his forehead. He gripped Yan Xiaonian’s ankle, his breath labored as he murmured, “Help… me.” His hand was burning hot, like fever.

Yan Xiaonian shuddered at the touch, but steadied him by his shoulder, promising sincerely, “I will help you. I won’t leave an injured person behind.” Her eyes were clear and resolute, shining faintly in the darkness.

“Thank you. I’ll repay you,” the man’s voice was low, metallic, magnetic—he didn’t sound much older than her. Yan Xiaonian blushed deeply, murmuring, “No need to repay—ah!”

Before she could finish, the world spun, and a powerful, dangerous masculine presence enveloped her. Yan Xiaonian’s mind went blank, panic, fear, and anger all rushing in at once.

The night was black and deep, like a great abyss poised to swallow everything.

After an uncertain period, the man spoke, “Thank you for helping me. My foot’s injured. Go find my phone in the car, and later, come back with me…”

“You scoundrel!” Yan Xiaonian snapped to her senses, her face burning with anger. His idea of help was utterly different from hers!

She stood, grabbed a handful of dirt, and hurled it at his face in a burst of fury, then turned and ran.

“Ugh!” Xiao Sheng blinked against the dirt in his eyes and, with his injured ankle throbbing, gasped in pain. He struggled to stand and chase after her, but his foot gave out, sending him to one knee. When he finally wiped the dust from his eyes, the darkness around him was empty—she was gone.

Just then, the phone in the car rang. In the faint glow, he noticed a single white women’s shoe lying nearby…

Yan Xiaonian reached home at midnight. She quietly opened the door, expecting her family to be asleep. But when she turned on the lights, she saw her elder sister, Yan Yurou, lounging at the staircase, swirling a glass of red wine, her face twisted in a gleeful, mocking smile, as if watching a show.

Yan Xiaonian ignored her, head bowed like a wounded animal, eager only to retreat to her room.

“Car accident, was it?” Yan Yurou blocked her path, raising a brow with malice, her eyes full of scorn. “If I hadn’t seen you in that crash, with the way you look, I’d have thought you’d been…”

Boom! Yan Xiaonian felt as though a bomb had gone off in her chest, pain twisting inside her, her face turning even paler. She clutched her clothes tighter, coldly asking, “Was it you driving that car earlier?”

“Of course,” Yan Yurou replied smugly, lifting her chin.

“Then why didn’t you stop?” If her sister had stopped, none of this would have happened, and she wouldn’t have had to endure such terror. Yan Xiaonian’s eyes were full of accusation.

“I can barely stand you, let alone clean up your mess!” Yan Yurou sipped her wine, voice dripping with sarcasm. “I didn’t tell Dad either. The accident is your responsibility, right? How much will you have to pay? Don’t drag us into it.”

“Move aside or I’ll smear mud all over you!” Yan Xiaonian pushed past her, climbing the stairs.

“Ugh, filthy!” Yan Yurou spat at her back, then rushed up and grabbed her. “Hey, why are you wearing my new shoes? Where’s the other one?”

“Dad gave them to me—he said you outgrew them.” Yan Xiaonian glanced down and realized she’d lost one shoe somewhere.

“Outgrew them? Why wouldn’t I just get a new pair?” Yan Yurou shoved her sister angrily. “Do you know how much these shoes cost? They’re from a brand you don’t even recognize—five thousand!”

“Ugh!” Yan Xiaonian’s back struck the stair rail, making her gasp in pain. She snatched off the remaining shoe and threw it at her sister’s feet. “Take it! I’ll find the other one for you tomorrow!”

“You brat!” Yan Yurou waved her hand, splashing wine across her sister’s face. “Now it’s dirty, how am I supposed to exchange them? You’d better pay up! Wait—what’s that smell on you?”

Smell? Yan Xiaonian froze, then darted away.

“Don’t run!” Yan Yurou grabbed her, sniffing like a dog. “A hint of ambergris! I know—you caused that accident and couldn’t pay, so you offered yourself instead, didn’t you? Dad, Dad—”

Yan Xiaonian slapped a hand over her sister’s mouth, her beautiful eyes flashing with fury. “If you dare spread lies, I’ll drag you down with me!” Her voice was low and resolute, as if making an oath.