The Big Bad Wolf’s Little White Rabbit

If being trafficked to this place was the greatest misfortune of Xiaxia’s life, she was also the luckiest among the abducted girls. On her first day, an elderly woman named Grandma Gan claimed her to work in the big kitchen, sparing her from a far worse fate.

To outsiders, this place was a paradise of indulgence. But for the girls trafficked here, it was a black hole of hell.

They had no way to contact the outside world, and no one dared challenge Shenglong’s power to help them. Every day, Xiaxia prayed silently that her aunt and uncle back in Jiang City, unable to reach her for so long, would follow her trail and come to her rescue.

She struggled daily in this loathsome environment, hating everyone here—their cruelty, their lawlessness. But her hatred was powerless to change anything.

“Well, well, some shameless girl thinks she’s hot stuff just because she’s got a pretty face. Thinks sleeping with Little Lord Feng makes her special, huh? Still ends up doing the dirty work of a lowly servant all day.”

A sudden mocking voice snapped Xiaxia back to reality.

A heavily made-up girl, dressed in revealing clothes and holding a cigarette between her fingers, sauntered to the kitchen entrance with a knowing smirk. Her eyes burned with resentment as she stared at Xiaxia, who was squatting on the ground.

She was one of the girls abducted on the same day as Xiaxia. Her name was Ali. Perhaps time had warped her mindset, or maybe all her hopes had crumbled into nothingness. With no trace of hope left, she had no choice but to adapt and let herself be assimilated into this place.

Ali envied Xiaxia. She was beautiful, and her luck seemed better than the rest of them. Unlike Ali, Xiaxia didn’t have to endlessly entertain guests or drown herself in liquor day after day.

Ali could tell Xiaxia wasn’t local. Even trapped in the sweltering heat of Tasang, her fair, delicate skin retained an otherworldly charm that couldn’t be diminished.

Xiaxia completely ignored the woman’s provocation. She picked up the washed vegetable leaves with both hands and carried them to the stove inside. Being dismissed like that only fueled Ali’s anger.

“What’s so great about you, huh, Miss Xia? Always acting all high and mighty with that sour face—who’re you putting on a show for?” Ali couldn’t stand Xiaxia’s air of aloofness.

The harsh reality had long worn down Xiaxia’s once-strong spirit, smoothing out its edges. She tried hard to suppress her emotions, afraid she’d lose control one day. Now, she’d become a quiet person, barely speaking a word to anyone.

Ali stomped her high heels, ready to storm into the kitchen and give Xiaxia a piece of her mind. But before she could, she ran straight into Grandma Gan, who was returning from outside. Startled, Ali quickly pulled back the hand she’d raised.

Though Ali wasn’t sure of Grandma Gan’s exact status here—she looked like just an old lady who cooked—even the manager of the hotel where Ali worked showed her some respect.

Grandma Gan seemed like a kind old woman, always greeting everyone with a warm smile. Even when she saw Ali about to strike Xiaxia, her expression remained gentle and welcoming.

Not daring to cause trouble in front of Grandma Gan, Ali lowered her arm in frustration, turned on her heel, and stormed out of the kitchen.

Grandma Gan glanced at Xiaxia, who was quietly shelling beans, and a heartfelt smile crept onto her lips. She walked over to the men stir-frying vegetables in the large woks, gave them a few instructions, then returned to Xiaxia’s side.

“Little one, come back with this old lady for some food.”

Xiaxia’s hands paused at the words. Ever since she’d arrived here, Grandma Gan had taken her to eat separately at the small wooden shack, cooking just for the two of them. Thanks to Grandma Gan, Xiaxia didn’t have to squeeze into the cramped dorms with the other girls. Instead, she lived with the old woman in the shack.

Xiaxia looked at Grandma Gan’s warm, benevolent smile, then down at the half-finished pile of beans. Before she could respond, Grandma Gan continued.

“Don’t worry, I’m the one telling you to stop. No one will dare give you any trouble.”

With Grandma Gan’s reassurance, Xiaxia set aside her work and followed her back to the small wooden shack.