Room 1001.
Nearly a full day and night had passed since Xiao Q and the other two were imprisoned here.
The three of them lay weakly on the cold floor, staring blankly at the white ceiling above.
"Has no one noticed we're missing? What about my teachers and classmates? My friends? What about Xiao Hua?"
Both Xiao Q and Xiao Peng among the three kept hoping someone would notice their sudden disappearance and come rescue them.
But after all this time, there hadn't been any signs of help.
Then, movement came from Room 1001's door.
The sound of the door being flung open, followed by the clicking of high heels on the floor.
None of them needed to look to know it was Su Mi from Room 202.
A foul smell hung in the living room.
It came from the three tiny plastic toilets.
After nearly a full day, the three naturally had needed to relieve themselves.
With no access to a proper toilet, they had to use the plastic toilets - better than going on the floor.
Su Mi seemed pleased they'd used the plastic toilets.
Her attention then turned to the two bowls placed before each of them.
Two bowls:
One filled with dog food, the other with tap water.
The water bowls were mostly empty, one nearly drained completely.
But the dog food bowls remained untouched at the same level as when first filled.
Su Mi's delicate brows furrowed in displeasure. "Why aren't you eating? Not hungry?"
Xiao Peng immediately cursed: "You stupid bitch! You think we're dogs? That's not human food!"
Neither Xiao Peng nor the other two could bring themselves to eat dog food, though they'd reluctantly used the plastic toilets and drunk from the bowls.
"Tsk tsk tsk," Su Mi clicked her tongue. "Handsome, you're the best-looking of the three. I liked you most, but your mouth is so foul. Don't you know dogs shouldn't talk back to their owners?"
Xiao Peng responded with cold laughter.
Su Mi took out her phone and made a call.
About five minutes later, she opened Room 1001's door again.
Two minutes after that, the door closed once more.
Now two more people stood in the living room:
A middle-aged male doctor they'd seen yesterday.
And Li Mengmeng, the girl captured by the Dog Man yesterday.
Li Mengmeng wore black iron shackles that severely restricted her movement.
She seemed deeply traumatized, her former confidence completely gone, now meek and obedient.
"Good girl, go empty and clean those three plastic toilets," Su Mi ordered.
Li Mengmeng nodded obediently and complied.
Xiao Q and Ke Bei watched in shock, remembering how confident Li Mengmeng had been during the welcome party introduction. Whatever had happened to her in the past day must have been horrific to break her so completely.
While Li Mengmeng cleaned the toilets in the bathroom, Su Mi went to the bedroom and soon emerged carrying a baseball bat.
She walked up to Xiao Peng and swung the bat hard at his left arm.
Xiao Peng howled in pain.
"Fuck! You crazy bitch! Why hit me?!"
"Why? This is punishment for your foul mouth and disobedience, puppy. Endure it - it'll be over soon."
Su Mi swung again at the same arm.
This time Xiao Peng reacted quickly, grabbing the bat with his right hand.
He gripped tight with both hands, trying to wrest the bat away from Su Mi.
Seeing this, Xiao Q wanted to help, but then he noticed something strange - Su Mi was smiling despite the struggle.
Then he noticed the bat looked unusual - it seemed detachable, not one solid piece.
"Xiao Peng! Let go!" Xiao Q shouted, sensing danger.
But Xiao Peng, nearly winning the tug-of-war, only tightened his grip and pulled harder.
Su Mi suddenly yanked outward.
Like a rocket separating mid-launch, the bat split in two.
The section Xiao Peng held came free, sending him crashing face-first to the floor.
Su Mi now wielded a shorter bat, which she immediately used to beat the fallen Xiao Peng mercilessly.
Xiao Peng screamed for help, but the other two were chained and couldn't reach him.
Finally, Su Mi stopped, apparently deciding not to beat him to death.
"Punishment over," she said sweetly. "Good dogs behave. Don't talk back next time!"
With a smirk, she swayed out of Room 1001, bat in hand.
The doctor remained until Li Mengmeng returned with the cleaned toilets.
Before leaving, he examined Xiao Peng's injuries.
"You're lucky - no fractures, just bruises. Rest and you'll recover."
He tossed some ointment and bandages to Xiao Peng, who stared blankly at them, perhaps still dazed from the beating.
With that, the doctor left, Li Mengmeng obediently following.
Once again, the three were left alone in their misery.
Meanwhile, in the live stream room:
Ultimate Rich Kid: "Damn! That sexy woman hits harder than she looks! She almost killed him!!!!"
Middle-aged Uncle: "What did you expect? Besides these lab rats, everyone in that apartment has a backstory worthy of a movie! None of them are saints!"