The Trafficked College Student 02

"Host, something's off." The system flailed its limbs nervously, eyeing the woman before them with suspicion.

"No kidding, I noticed," Fang Zhiyi replied with his eyes closed, communicating internally.

Meanwhile, Mei Lanju also had her eyes slightly shut. Eventually, both opened their eyes and locked gazes, tension thickening the air.

"Gate facing the sea, a stretch of western hills eternally splendid," Mei Lanju suddenly clapped her hands and recited.

The second half of the phrase instantly popped into Fang Zhiyi’s mind, and he answered without hesitation, "Land shaking high ridges, three rivers converging in perpetual flow."

Mei Lanju stood and extended her hand. "Pleasure to meet you."

"How did you figure it out?" Fang Zhiyi quickly shook her hand.

Mei Lanju smirked. "If you were the real Fang Zhiyi, you would’ve attacked me by now." She paused. "Originally, I planned to crush you and that idiot together the moment you made a move."

A cold sweat trickled down Fang Zhiyi’s back. He could tell she wasn’t bluffing. "You’re a transmigrator too?"

"Yes."

"What’s your mission?"

Mei Lanju tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Help this girl escape and make sure this village pays for what they’ve done. You?"

"I don’t have one."

"Huh?" Mei Lanju looked skeptical.

Fang Zhiyi shrugged. "If I had to say, it’s not just about dealing with this village—I need to uproot the entire human trafficking ring behind it."

Mei Lanju pondered for a moment before nodding. "Then our goals align. Tonight, I’ll take the girl away and come back later to assist you. How’s that?"

Fang Zhiyi shook his head. "You can’t take her yet."

The atmosphere grew tense again as Mei Lanju clenched her fists. "Why not?"

Fang Zhiyi sighed. "I’m waiting for someone else to arrive." He then explained the female lead’s storyline to the fellow transmigrator. Mei Lanju nearly choked on her own breath after hearing it. "What the hell? Is this heroine out of her mind?"

After a moment of thought, she nodded firmly. "Fine. Then what do we do about the one outside?" She gestured toward Fang Dagang, who was pacing restlessly in the yard.

"Beat him up if he doesn’t listen," Fang Zhiyi said casually, as if it were no big deal. He certainly wouldn’t feel guilty about it.

After a brief discussion, Mei Lanju got up and headed to the girl’s room. Naturally, she couldn’t share a bed with Fang Zhiyi, so she used the excuse of keeping the "new bride" company to stay there—and to keep an eye on Fang Dagang.

As Mei Lanju left, Fang Zhiyi shot a sidelong glance at his system, sensing something odd about its behavior.

Late at night, Fang Dagang’s impatience got the better of him, and he sneaked into Shen Ni’s room—only for his screams to soon echo through the house. Startled awake, Fang Zhiyi lazily threw on his clothes and strolled into the yard, watching through the window as Fang Dagang got his ear twisted and beaten by his "mother." He clicked his tongue in amusement. "This guy’s something else." At one point, Fang Dagang, driven to desperation, tried to fight back, but Mei Lanju effortlessly dodged and landed a few more solid hits.

The commotion drew some villagers over. Fang Zhiyi stood at the gate, grinning. "First-time newlywed jitters, my apologies."

Though suspicious, the villagers took one look at Fang Zhiyi’s relaxed expression and burst into eerie laughter.

"Usually, it’s the women screaming. First time hearing a man howl like that."

"Fang Dagang’s always been a dumb ox."

"Hahaha, let’s go, let’s go."

Once the gate was closed, Fang Dagang had already been dragged into the yard by Mei Lanju. Inside the room, Shen Ni peeked out nervously but ducked back in when she noticed Fang Zhiyi looking her way.

"Dad, control her!" Fang Dagang scrambled toward his "father," but before he could get close, Fang Zhiyi kicked him back with full force. The blow sent him flying, rolling across the ground before he went limp.

"Knocked out," Mei Lanju remarked, bending down to check his breathing.

The next day, Fang Dagang, bruised and battered, refused to leave the house out of shame. He couldn’t understand why his parents had suddenly turned so violent—why they wouldn’t let him consummate the marriage. And his "mother"… how did she hit so hard? Was she possessed?

The more he thought about it, the more terrified he became.

His "father" wasn’t acting right either. Why wasn’t he taking his side? Unless…?

"Host, someone’s getting suspicious," the system warned, though it stayed hidden behind Fang Zhiyi’s head, seemingly avoiding Mei Lanju. Fang Zhiyi glanced at Mei Lanju, who looked unbothered, clearly unfazed by the risk of exposure. He couldn’t help but shoot a disdainful look at his own system.

After whispering a few words to Mei Lanju, she stifled a laugh and marched straight to Fang Dagang’s room, leaving Fang Zhiyi alone with Shen Ni. The girl was still nervous—after last night, she knew the elderly couple weren’t bad people, but fear lingered.

"What? Mom, do you even hear yourself?" Fang Dagang jolted up in shock, only to collapse again from the pain.

"I’m too old to bear children. Your father has taken a liking to this girl, and she’s fond of him too. As a son, shouldn’t you be filial?"

Mei Lanju stood with her hands on her hips, radiating a clear message: Try refusing, and I’ll end you.

Fang Dagang opened and closed his mouth several times, but the throbbing pain reminded him that refusal might cost him his life. Finally, he gave a reluctant nod. At least this made sense—his "father" had also taken a fancy to the girl. How humiliating! Fang Dagang vowed never to speak of this outside.

Meanwhile, Fang Zhiyi quietly instructed Shen Ni: "You’ve seen this village—only one way in or out, always guarded. Escaping won’t be easy, but there’ll be a chance. Just act like you’ve settled into our family, and when the time’s right, I’ll get you out."

Shen Ni nodded, reassured by Fang Zhiyi’s sincerity.

Days passed. Fang Dagang kept his shameful secret—his "father" stealing his bride—to himself. Shen Ni, now clean and presentable, wandered the village, earning praise from the locals for being such a "good buy"—no crying, no tantrums.

Meanwhile, Fang Zhiyi spent his days visiting households, gathering intel on how many women had been trafficked here.

Then, another girl arrived.

Plainly dressed and frail-looking, she was sold cheaply to Liu San.

Liu San died that very night. Fang Zhiyi had expected it; the villagers simply chalked it up to his poor health, lamenting his "bad luck." Strangely, Liu San’s elderly mother refused to resell the girl, keeping her as a servant instead.

"That’s the heroine?" Mei Lanju crossed her arms, squinting at the girl washing clothes in the yard.

Fang Zhiyi, hands clasped behind his back, nodded. "Most likely."

"What now?" Mei Lanju was used to overpowered missions—this subtlety wasn’t her forte.

Fang Zhiyi studied the heroine with narrowed eyes. "I’ve got a better idea."

Mei Lanju took an involuntary step back. Something about this man felt more dangerous than any villain she’d faced before.

Liu San's new bride loved to socialize and often chatted with the other women in the village. When she happened to meet Shen Ni, who was idly strolling about, she couldn't help but feel surprised—it was the first time she had ever seen a girl who didn’t have to work, and one so neatly dressed at that.