The handling of that leg had been quite troublesome. When Fang Yanmeng and I returned to Village Head Li Tieniu’s house, the light in the east wing room was still on. I pulled Fang Yanmeng’s hand and we crept quietly under the window.

I peered inside first, confirming that Li Tieniu was still intensely absorbed in tinkering with that ‘human leg.’ Only then did I let Fang Yanmeng look.

Just as I expected, upon seeing it, Fang Yanmeng’s body recoiled. I caught her just as she started to fall backward, simultaneously clamping a hand over her mouth, wary of her sudden noise ruining our operation.

“Let go of me quickly, take your hand away!” Fang Yanmeng hissed in a low voice.

If I hadn't feared Li Tieniu discovering us, I wouldn't have bothered with her. Once free, Fang Yanmeng made a quick leap to the corner near where I had just thrown up and promptly retched again.

Noticing her vomiting sounds were a bit loud, I worried Li Tieniu in the east wing might hear. I went over to comfort her: “Stop throwing up. Anyway, you’ve already eaten it. This kind of meat should be incredibly nourishing; let’s just accept it. We should hurry back and gather everyone to discuss what to do.”

Fang Yanmeng leaned on my arm: “What else can we do? Grab him and send him to the Public Security Bureau! You can kill a pervert like that ten thousand times and it wouldn't quench the hatred—tricking us into eating human flesh.”

“Ms. Mengmeng, are you tired of living? He has knives and guns. Besides, it’s at least forty or fifty li to the police station in the big town. If he doesn’t cooperate, are you planning to carry him there? Moreover, we must secure evidence. Without proof, who will believe us? They might even think we’re lunatics. Li Tieniu is a grassroots government official; if we speak carelessly, he could sue us for slander.”

Fang Yanmeng retorted: “Then hurry up and rush in to snatch that leg! I see him carving away, soon he’ll fillet even the calf muscle. Oh, right, he has knives and guns. We need to rethink our approach.”

The light in the east wing suddenly shifted its direction. Not good. Li Tieniu was probably finished with his work and about to come out with the oil lamp. What should we do now? Returning to Zhao Fen’s house might alert Li Tieniu that we know something. If we don't return to Zhao Fen's, we must immediately get back into bed to avoid him noticing that our room is empty. But lying in the bed of this homicidal maniac felt awful.

Fang Yanmeng grabbed my hand and whispered: “Hurry back to the room and lie down. Pretend we know nothing. Once he’s asleep, we can sneak out to find that leg as evidence.”

Although this proposal wasn't exactly what I wanted, I couldn't think of a better plan immediately.

But if I returned to the room, what would Fang Yanmeng do? It’s dangerous for both of us to hide in the bed. What if Li Tieniu catches us red-handed? Tomorrow, he’ll have fresh woman’s flesh to eat.

Fang Yanmeng didn't care what I was thinking; she pulled me back to the room, got onto the bed, covered her head with the quilt, and decided to ignore everything else. Li Tieniu’s footsteps sounded as he entered the courtyard, paused briefly in the kitchen, and then suddenly headed toward my room.

Damn it. Does Li Tieniu think his stock is low and he intends to make a move? I’d better lie down first, and when the opportunity arises, I’ll capture him in one go.

Fang Yanmeng was already huddled under the quilt. After I got in, I propped up my two legs and forcefully pressed her down beneath me. This way, her petite body was hidden in the space created between my legs, making it impossible to tell from the outside that another person was concealed under the covers.

Fang Yanmeng was wriggling beneath me, up to some mischief, while Li Tieniu’s footsteps had already reached the doorway. I reached down and pressed Fang Yanmeng’s head down toward my crotch, then poked my head into the quilt and hissed lowly: “If you move around any more, I’ll let Li Tieniu eat you first.”

Startled by my threat, Fang Yanmeng finally became still. However, it seemed her mouth had ended up pressed against my most treasured part. I could feel the hot breaths through my sleep pants. No wonder she was struggling—I was unintentionally forcing her into Cunnilingus! My unintentional offense, my unintentional offense! But now, changing positions was impossible. The door creaked open, and Li Tieniu walked step by step toward my bedside.

I dared not open my eyes wide enough to see clearly, only managing to keep the eye resting against the pillow half-lidded, my heart pounding with extreme tension. But surprisingly, Li Tieniu wasn't holding the knife or gun I expected. Damn it, perhaps he planned to drug me first before making a move?

Li Tieniu placed the oil lamp on the small table nearby, walked over, and chuckled at me, who was supposedly ‘sleeping’ soundly on the bed. “Such a young man, to be able to sleep in such a posture.”

Bad. I forgot about that point. People rarely sleep with their legs spread wide apart like I was doing. However, Li Tieniu’s expression was strange; he didn't look like he was about to attack me. Could he be a smiling tiger?

Just as I was thinking this, Li Tieniu’s hand suddenly reached toward me. He’s going to strike! My mind snapped alert, ready to grab him, but I saw Li Tieniu pull the quilt up higher over me and then withdraw his hand. He chuckled again, turned around, picked up the oil lamp, and left the room.

What kind of game was he playing?

I was puzzled for a long time before I remembered the one I was holding captive underneath. I reached into the covers and pulled Fang Yanmeng up.

I asked in confusion: “That old fellow came in, but he didn't attack me. He just pulled up the quilt and left.”

Fang Yanmeng changed her demeanor completely, lying with her back to me and not saying a word, as if the matter of human flesh had nothing to do with her.

“Hey, what’s wrong with you? Later, when he’s asleep, we’ll sneak back to wake up the other three; we can discuss how to resolve this.”

Fang Yanmeng not only stayed silent but also started sobbing, her shoulders shaking.

“My dear Miss Fang, what time is it for you to be crying? Be careful Li Tieniu hears you!”

Fang Yanmeng suddenly turned around, opened her mouth, and bit down hard on the flesh of my arm. “Damn Zhao Qian, you forced me to do that just now! I hate you, I truly hate you! How am I supposed to face my boyfriend after this?”

Oh my god, I was so nervous I forgot. It was such a pleasurable moment, a pity I didn’t savor it properly. Now that she’s confronting me, how can I explain?

“F-Fang, Fang Yanmeng, I didn’t mean to! You know the situation. If Li Tieniu had discovered you hiding under the quilt, he would have loved a tender young girl like you the most. He would definitely have braised you, or maybe steamed you, or perhaps he would have raped and then killed you. The outcome wouldn't be what it is now.”

After biting a few times and realizing the flesh on my arm was as hard as iron, Fang Yanmeng could only say, releasing her bite: “Damn Zhao Qian, your flesh is hard and smelly; even dogs wouldn’t bother eating it if you were thrown into the wilderness! Don't think you can do whatever you want with me just because you spent two thousand eight hundred. Be careful, I’ll tell Zhao Fen, and she won't even talk to you anymore.”

I whispered: “I told you it wasn't intentional; the situation forced me. Even if you tell Zhao Fen, she’ll understand me.”

Fang Yanmeng stroked my chin. “Hmph, finding excuses for yourself… Zhao Qian, you are the first man I have ever been this close to. What about you?” Fang Yanmeng’s tone shifted suddenly.

I stammered: “I, I, I’m not a first-timer.”