The flight from Beijing to New York had been long, but Yan Zheke felt a strange mix of excitement and melancholy as she watched the city lights spread out beneath her like scattered diamonds. She was finally here—Kangcheng University, one of the top business schools in the world. For months, she had worked tirelessly on her application, balancing her martial arts training with late nights studying for the GMAT. Now, it was all real.
She touched the ring on her finger, a simple platinum band that Lou Cheng had slipped onto her hand during their wedding ceremony three weeks ago. The memory of that day was still vivid—the way his eyes had shone with unshed tears, the warmth of his hand in hers, the gentle kiss that sealed their vows. They had married in a small ceremony, just family and close friends, before she had to leave for her studies abroad. It was a bittersweet beginning to their married life.
"Are you okay, honey?" her seatmate, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, asked. "You look a little lost."
Yan Zheke smiled, her dimples appearing. "I'm fine, just thinking. It's a big change."
"You'll do great," the woman said. "My daughter studied abroad too. It's hard at first, but you'll find your way."
The flight attendant announced their descent, and Yan Zheke fastened her seatbelt, her heart racing with anticipation. She was a professional 9th-rank martial artist, capable of feats that would leave ordinary people in awe. She could run faster than a car, jump higher than a house, and punch through solid concrete. But none of that mattered now. She was just a girl, far from home, starting a new chapter.
The first week at Kangcheng University was a blur of orientation events, class schedules, and trying to navigate a campus that felt both enormous and unfamiliar. Yan Zheke quickly settled into a routine: morning martial arts practice in the school's gymnasium, followed by classes in corporate finance, investment analysis, and international business. She even joined the university's martial arts club, where she could spar with other practitioners.
Every night, she video-called Lou Cheng. The time difference meant that it was often the middle of the night for him in China, but he always answered, his sleepy voice warming her heart.
"How was your day?" he would ask, his face appearing on her laptop screen, looking tired but happy.
"Busy," she would reply, leaning back in her chair in her small dorm room. "I had a finance exam today. I think I did okay. How about you? How's the competition going?"
Lou Cheng was a professional 5th-rank superhuman-level martial artist, one of the most promising young talents in China. He was currently competing in the National Martial Arts League, and his matches were broadcast on national television. Yan Zheke watched them whenever she could, cheering him on from thousands of miles away.
"Won another match today," he said, grinning. "Knocked out my opponent in the third round. It was a good fight."
"I saw the highlights," she said, her eyes sparkling. "You were amazing."
"Not as amazing as you," he said softly. "I miss you, Ke."
"I miss you too, Cheng," she whispered. "But this is important for both of us. We'll be together again soon."
"Yeah," he said, his smile fading slightly. "Just take care of yourself, okay? And if anyone tries anything, you know how to handle it."
She laughed. "You mean I'll break their bones?"
"Something like that," he said. "But seriously, be careful. There are crazy people out there."
"I'll be fine," she assured him. "I'm a martial artist, remember?"
"I know," he said. "But you're also my wife. I worry."
The call ended late as usual, and Yan Zheke lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. She missed him terribly, but she knew this was the right decision. She needed this degree to help with their future plans—Lou Cheng was already talking about opening a martial arts school after he retired, and they needed capital. This was an investment in their life together.
One month passed quickly. Yan Zheke had settled into her courses and had made a few friends in her program. She was known as the quiet, pretty Chinese girl who could break a brick with her palm during the martial arts club's demonstrations. People treated her with a mix of admiration and respect, but few got close to her emotionally. She kept most of her heart reserved for Lou Cheng.
Then came the invitation. It was a party organized by a group of classmates, held at a rented event space near campus. Everyone in her finance cohort was invited, including the professors and teaching assistants. It was supposed to be a casual get-together to celebrate the end of the first month of classes.
"You have to come, Zheke!" her friend Lisa said, grabbing her arm in the hallway. "It'll be fun. There'll be music, drinks, and dancing. You've been working so hard. You deserve a break."
Yan Zheke hesitated. She wasn't much of a party person, and she didn't drink alcohol—martial artists had to keep a clear mind and healthy body. But Lisa was persistent.
"Please?" Lisa pleaded. "A lot of people want to get to know you better. You're always so busy. Come, just for an hour. I'll make sure you don't get dragged into anything weird."
"Okay," Yan Zheke said finally. "But I'm not staying long. I have an early practice tomorrow."
The party was held in a loft-style venue with high ceilings, neon lights, and a DJ spinning loud electronic music. People were scattered across the room, some dancing, others mingling with drinks in hand. Yan Zheke arrived wearing a simple white blouse and dark jeans, her hair tied in a ponytail. She felt underdressed compared to some of her classmates in their trendy outfits, but she didn't care.
Lisa immediately dragged her to the bar. "What do you want to drink?"
"Just soda," Yan Zheke said.
"Soda? Come on, live a little!" Lisa laughed. "How about a fruit punch? It's non-alcoholic."
Yan Zheke agreed. She sipped the punch, which was sweet and refreshing, as she chatted with a few classmates. She talked about her studies, her home country, and her life. She mentioned that she was married, which surprised some of them, but she didn't elaborate. She was a private person.
Throughout the evening, she noticed a guy watching her from across the room. He was tall, with dark blond hair and blue eyes, wearing a casual shirt. He had been in several of her classes, and she recognized him as Mark. He smiled at her a few times, but she didn't think much of it. He was just a classmate.
Around two hours into the party, Yan Zheke felt a strange wave of dizziness wash over her. She blinked, shaking her head slightly, but the feeling didn't go away. Her vision blurred for a moment, then cleared. She felt hot, her skin tingling, and a strange heaviness in her limbs.
"Are you okay?" Lisa asked, noticing her discomfort.
"I think I need some air," Yan Zheke said, her voice sounding distant to her own ears. "I'll be right back."
She walked toward the exit, but the room seemed to spin around her. She reached out and grabbed a wall to steady herself. Something was wrong. She was a professional 9th-rank martial artist—she had an extremely high tolerance for alcohol and drugs. Her body was conditioned to resist toxins and foreign substances. But this was different. This was hitting her hard, and fast.
*I've been drugged,* she realized with a jolt of fear. *Someone put something in my drink.*
She pushed herself forward, determined to get outside and find help. But as she stepped out the back door into the alley, the cool evening air hit her, and her legs buckled. She fell to her knees, gasping, her body wracked with waves of heat and weakness.
"No," she whispered, fighting to stay conscious. "Not now. Not here."
She reached for her phone, but her fingers felt clumsy and unresponsive. She tried to focus, to use her martial arts techniques to purify her body, but the drug was too strong. It was designed specifically to knock out even the strongest of people.
Her vision swam, and she saw a figure approaching. It was a man, tall and blond. Mark.
"Hey there," he said, his voice soft and concerned. "Are you okay? I saw you leave, and you didn't look good."
Yan Zheke tried to speak, but only a weak groan escaped her lips. She tried to push herself up, but her arms gave way, and she collapsed onto the dirty ground.
Mark crouched beside her, his face coming into focus. "You don't look so good. Let me help you. I'll take you somewhere safe."
He picked her up, and she felt his hands under her shoulders and knees. She tried to resist, but she had no strength. Her mind was a fog, and she could only barely understand what was happening. He draped his coat over her head, hiding her face, and carried her out of the alley.
As he walked, she could feel his heartbeat, steady and calm. He was not concerned. He was excited. She could sense it, even in her compromised state.
They reached a small hotel, the kind that didn't ask for identification. Mark carried her inside, paid in cash, and took the key to a room on the second floor. The room was small, with a single bed, a nightstand, and a window that looked out onto a brick wall.
Mark laid her on the bed, and she felt the rough sheets beneath her. She tried to move, but her body wouldn't obey. Her eyes were half-open, and she saw Mark looking down at her, a smile playing on his lips.
"You're beautiful," he said softly. "I've wanted this since I first saw you in class. When I found out you were married, I was so angry. How could someone like you belong to someone else? But it doesn't matter now. Now, you're mine."
He set up his phone on the nightstand, propping it up so the camera was pointed at the bed. He pressed record.
"No," Yan Zheke tried to say, but the word was lost in a moan of helplessness.
Mark climbed onto the bed, his hands reaching for her blouse. He unbuttoned it slowly, savoring the moment. Her body was pale and perfect, the skin smooth and warm. He traced his fingers along her collarbone, down to her breasts, cupping them with a possessive grip.
"You're going to be my little pet," he whispered. "From now on, you'll do whatever I say. And if you don't, everyone will see what a whore you are."
Yan Zheke's eyes filled with tears. She couldn't move. She couldn't fight. She could only lie there, feeling his hands on her, violating everything she held dear. She thought of Lou Cheng, of their wedding night, of the gentle way he had touched her, of the promises they'd made. And now, this monster was taking it all away.
Mark pulled off her jeans, then her panties. He spread her legs, positioning himself between them. He looked at the phone, then back at her face.
"Look at me," he commanded. "I want you to see who owns you."
But Yan Zheke's eyes were closed, tears streaming down her cheeks. He slapped her face lightly, making her eyes open in shock.
"I said look at me," he snarled. "Or I'll make it much worse."
She looked at him, her gaze filled with hatred and despair. He smiled, then lowered himself onto her.
The pain was sharp and immediate. Even in her drugged state, her body tried to resist, but it was useless. He forced himself inside her, her dry and unprepared flesh tearing with the intrusion. She tried to scream, but no sound came out.
He moved, his rhythm fast and rough. He grunted, his hands gripping her hips, leaving bruises. The phone recorded everything, capturing her naked, helpless form.
After what felt like an eternity, he finished, pulling out and panting. He didn't clean her up. Instead, he rolled her over onto her stomach.
"Not done yet," he said.
He entered her anally, and she screamed. The pain was blinding, worse than anything she had ever experienced. She felt like she was being split in half. But the drug kept her immobile, kept her from fighting back.
He moved again, and she sobbed into the pillow. He was talking, but she couldn't hear the words. She was lost in a sea
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