In the pitch-black forest, I ran desperately forward, my feet hurting from the thorns, and my legs, scratched and bleeding, with some wild beast in hot pursuit from behind.

Just as I was about to reach the flat road, a noose suddenly tightened around my neck. I couldn't breathe, and my hands and feet struggled frantically.

I thought I was having a nightmare. When I opened my eyes, I saw Zhang Yi's hands squeezing my neck fiercely, my arms and legs desperately clawing at him.

As I was about to suffocate, I pointed to my stomach with my finger and squeezed out, "Child..."

Zhang Yi's hands loosened, and I gasped for air, "This child... so pitiful, soon... will die with me..."

"You're pregnant? You're carrying our child." Zhang Yi stared at me with bloodshot eyes.

I nodded. Zhang Yi dropped to his knees before me with a thud, crying bitterly, "Oh my God, what should I do?"

He kneeled and begged me to keep the secret of the human meat buns forever, never to tell anyone about it.

"You don't want the child to be fatherless from birth, do you?" he pleaded tearfully.

"The 1 million your brother wants, we'll send it over tomorrow." He pleaded again, "Swear never to reveal this secret, okay?"

"Every penny you earn is stained with filthy blood! Do you know how many families you have condemned to a lifetime of pain?" I exclaimed angrily.

"You've made so much money, why don't you stop?" I asked, puzzled.

"Stop? Hahaha..." he sneered, "How can we stop? If we stop using human meat, our business will plummet. With so many lives on our hands, do you think it can be wiped clean?"

"Stay home and take good care of your pregnancy, give our Zhang family several chubby boys. Money, you and your family can spend as you like!" he said again, gently pinching my chin with infinite tenderness.