The man inside the house continued hollering as if someone was going to cut his flesh out and tear his skin apart.

After Xia Ruoxin closed the door, she leaned her back against it and slowly slid down. Her whole body looked as if she just got fished out from the water. Her clothes were wet, and even her hair was clumped together in lumps and stuck to her face.

She held her shoulders tightly, and her weak body shivered from time to time.

She was afraid, petrified. She had never seen someone’s drug addiction kick in and did not know it would become like that. What she heard from others and what she had looked up was way milder than Gao Yi’s situation; his was too brutal, too unsightly.

What to do? She really could not take it; she could not take seeing him like that. Should she buy him some?

No, she shook her head. Anything was negotiable except for that. She could not do it; she could not give it to him. With all her might, she pinched the back of her hand till she felt the pain; but that pain could not be compared to the heartache she felt hearing that man roar in anguish.

Until the voice inside the room gradually became lower, she knew this wave was over. However, it was only the beginning. Not only was Gao Yi suffering the torment of his drug addiction, but so was she.

“Mommy, what happened to your face?” Rainy asked as she touched her mother’s face.

“Nothing, I think I ate too much lately so I became fatter.” Xia Ruoxin laughed bitterly and carried her daughter to Madam Mei Fu’s place to let her take care of Rainy for a few days. With the situation at home, it was better if Rainy was not there.

“Is everything okay back home?”

Madam Mei Fu carried Rainy and asked Xia Ruoxin worriedly. When she passed by just now, she heard a terrible voice from inside. What exactly was going on?

“It’s fine.” Xia Ruoxin forced a smile, but this move hurt her face. She felt as if her teeth were being torn away from her mouth.

“There’s someone sick at home so I need to take care of him. Please take care of this kid for me.” Xia Ruoxin ruffled her daughter’s hair, and all she felt was exhaustion.

“Don’t worry. Leave it to me.”

Madam Mei Fu patted her chest; both of her chest muscles were stunning.

“Sorry for the trouble.” Xia Ruoxin heaved a sigh of relief; at least she could settle the small child. As for other things, they could slowly settle them. She strongly believed that there was nothing that could not be solved, and everything would be in the past.

Madam Mei Fu leaned in carefully to Xia Ruoxin’s ear and said, “I know, but what happened to the person in your house? I saw it. It’s that tall and skinny friend of yours.”

Xia Ruoxin was nervous and did not know how to answer. She did not expect Madam Mei Fu to know, and she did not expect her to still remember Gao Yi.

“It’s okay,” comforted Madam Mei Fu. “I have many friends who had the same, um, disease.” She used disease instead of drugs, perhaps because she did not want Xia Ruoxin to feel upset.

“Don’t give in and persist. No matter what, don’t feed him those things. Those things would harm people and would kill him. If you want him to live, he needs to rid himself of the addiction. If you can’t bear to watch, he would definitely die in the near future. Then, you can just prepare his coffin for him.

“Speaking about that, I know of a good burial place with nice scenery and affordable pricing. If he really passes on, remember to look for me.”

Xia Ruoxin looked up at the sky and felt as if a whole bunch of crows had flown past her.

Wu… WU…

However, even though Madam Mei Fu’s words seemed a bit illogical and random, the gist of it was right. It was reality. One could only live if he or she got rid of the addiction, and if they could not, death was the only outcome.

Initially, she had already softened up; but this time, she decided to harden her heart. No matter what, she must help Gao Yi get rid of his drug addiction. It would not be like what Madam Mei Fu said: finding a burial place as his only outcome.

Madam Mei Fu brought Rainy to her house to stay for a few days. When something was happening at home, it was really inconvenient to have a child there. This time, Rainy did not clamor for her mother but followed Madam Mei Fu home obediently instead.

Xia Ruoxin heaved a sigh of relief and touched her face. With a hiss, she clenched her teeth tight as she could not stand the pain.

It really hurt.

She closed the door. The food at home should be enough to last for a few days. If it was not, she would then think of another way.

Inside the room, Wei Lan was taking care of Gao Yi who had fallen asleep. He looked a lot better and showed that this wave was clearly over. However, it was just like what Xia Ruoxin had expected, it was only the beginning

The days behind would be worse and even more intolerable.

Not only for the drug addict but also for the people around him. This kind of addiction tormented not only the person himself but also his loved ones.

When Gao Yi woke up, he felt pain reverberating throughout his body. He opened his eyes and saw a tired Wei Lan sitting in front of him. He called out to comfort her instinctively.

However, once he moved, he realized that his entire body had been tied up.

All of a sudden, he could not remember what had happened. He kind of remembered that his drug addiction had kicked in, and he saw Bai Luoyin standing in front of him so he begged her for the drug. However, Bai Luoyin refused; and in the end, he wanted to strangle her.

“Mom…”

He yelled, but the voice that came out was extremely hoarse as if there was sand in his mouth to the point where he could not even hear his own voice.

“Xiao Yi…”

Wei Lan recovered her senses and heaved a sigh of relief upon seeing her son waking up.

“Xiao Yi, you’re okay. You really scared Mom just now.” She stretched her hand out and placed it on her son’s forehead. Luckily, he did not sweat anymore. This wave had passed.

“Mom, let me out.” Gao Yi closed his eyes and said lightly. “I want to sit up.”

“No,” rejected Wei Lan. “I can’t let you go. Once I do, it would be murderous.” If it did not kill his own life, it would mean the end of Xia Ruoxin’s. Today had really scared her out of her wits.

So, the rope could not be untied.

“Mom, please let me go. I’m fine now.” Gao Yi smiled weakly. “I need to go to the toilet and eat. Don’t worry, as long as the drug addiction does not kick in, I’m exactly the same as a normal person. Before it kicks in, I will realize it; and I’ll let you tie me up again.”

Wei Lan thought so, too, as Gao Yi was speaking with logic now and was completely different from when he had his drug addiction. She knew her son really well and knew she had to release him because he could not be tied up forever.

She released the ropes on Gao Yi’s body. However, once she released him, she started to regret it. If her child started to act up again and ran out of the house, God knew what would happen. She really could not take another blow; she only has these two sons left.