Chapter 5: "Become his mistress for the next five years!"

The sun had set behind the mountains. The sea surface is covered in the golden red color of the sunset at the end of the day. The wind blew the waves crashing on the sandy beach, but people were still having a good time. Seagulls flock in pairs. An outsider, Anne sat alone in a corner, watching the bustling scene. Is it that difficult to find a place that belongs to you in such a vast world?

"Do you have to do that, Anne?" I still have some money saved up that I can lend you to start. If the money is not sufficient, we can gradually earn it. Think carefully about this as it relates to your overall happiness."

From behind, Rebecca gently admonished Anne. She felt pity for this little girl named Anna when she first met her ten years ago. She fell into a hunter's trap and became lost in the forest when saving her little sister. It was challenging to wait for someone to rescue him from the wolf's den, but he unexpectedly jumped into the tiger's den. The eight-year-old girl had to run all night until she passed out in front of her door from exhaustion.

Anne was initially cautious of strangers. Rebecca felt sorry for her and was always kind to Anne, but she still couldn't get close to her. Anna became seriously ill after escaping danger, and when she awoke, she had no recollection of what had happened. Anna's adoptive parents are now elderly but unable to have children; they recognize her plight and wish to adopt. It took a lot of time and effort for the two to persuade Anna to come down and adopt them as parents. After a few years of bliss, fate played another trick on this girl.

"I can wait," Anna said, looking out at the distant sea. "But my foster mother's illness can't. The doctor stated that surgery must be performed as soon as possible to have a chance of survival; the longer it takes, the more dangerous it becomes. Rebecca, I desperately need money."

"You can ask the doctor to pay the surgery fee later..." Rebecca continued to advise.

"You don't need advice anymore. I can't wait," Anna said, shaking her head. Please assist me in contacting them, Rebecca."

"But…"

Before Rebecca could finish her sentence, she noticed tears streaming down the girl next to her. The red glow of the sunset reflected on her face, making her tears sparkle like broken crystals.

 Why is it that life is so difficult for such a young girl?

"Okay, don't cry!" Rebecca comforted Anne quickly. I'll help you contact and find a suitable buyer a little bit."

Anne nodded, crying comfortably on Rebecca's lap. In the sunset, the two girls leaned against each other, sobbing about their uncertain future.

Anne's health had been deteriorating ever since the severe illness that year. Fortunately, everyone here is excellent, and they all call her. Now, Anne is assisting a neighbor with running a grocery store; the work is light, but the pay is low. Her adoptive father had recently died, and now her adoptive mother needed surgery, so there was no money in the family. Throughout those years, they had cared for her like they were their child, and Anne had not become an orphan.

Anne was about to close the shop and go home for the evening when she received a phone call from Rebecca. She held the phone in her hand for a long time before answering it the second time. "Anne, or didn't you do it?" said Rebecca at the other end of the line.

Anne made her decision and responded, "Have you received any contact? So you plan to assist me and then decide after our next meeting."

Rebecca sighed: "I went through their list and picked a few who looked the best, hoping the first time wouldn't be so bad." She paused, "I don't want you to walk away on foot on this road with no return," 

"I may never be happy in this life; all I can do is help my parents live a healthy life for the rest of my days." Thank you very much, Rebecca!" Before hanging up the phone, Anne said.

Tonight is going to be a long night.

The adoptive mother was admitted to the hospital the next day for observation. Anne finished her mother's hospital admission procedures and then went to the store to begin working. Anne had a lot of free time recently because the shop was no longer bothered by thugs, so she spent it cleaning up and selling goods to customers. Rebecca appeared moments later to deliver the bad news.

"They say $100 million is too much for a single night, Anne. They want to meet with you to discuss things in greater depth. What do you think?"

Anne knew the sum she requested was significant, but it was for her adoptive mother's surgery. She currently has only this option for assisting her family. Anne agreed and nodded. Rebecca helped her respond to the other party, and they decided to spend the afternoon together at a nearby cafe.

Jessica, a lovely young lady, greeted them. After three hours of talking and assessing Anne's appearance, she left the cafe, saying she would call to answer them later.

Ten years ago, an eight-year-old girl risked her life to flee human traffickers.

Ten years later, the same girl was discussing the cost of selling herself to someone else at eighteen.

Anne gave a bitter smile but didn't cry. Her life is a tragic drama with no way out, and the road ahead is dark and without light. Anne, perhaps accustomed to the darkness, no longer felt the same despair and grief she had before.

That day, Anne was about to tell Rebecca to lower the price when Jessica called and told them the good news.

"On the condition that I consult you first, a man agreed to pay $100 million for the first night."

Anne had not anticipated that anyone would agree to spend such a large sum for one night. 

"In what condition?" she inquired.

"Become his mistress for the next five years!"