Side Story: Hell on Earth
Chapter 115
The Great General's mansion
Early the next morning
Belief drove attentively, taking his two wives to the Great General's mansion. The agile guards quickly opened the gilded gates, intricately carved with scenes of battle-hardened troops marching home in victory, singing songs of triumph. On the reverse side, a majestic general was depicted leading armored vehicles and his army onto a bloody battlefield.
In the distance stood an imposing mansion—a towering fortress, inspiring awe at first sight. The road leading to the mansion was lined with rubble and stones, still stained with blood. The Great General had ordered his soldiers to bring back these special "trophies" to build houses, and… to… commemorate the fallen, and to honor the glory of victory.
Along the road were wide gardens. The flowers that once bloomed in profusion now swayed in the biting winter wind. The harsh weather made Ji and Ange shiver… despite… their many layers of protection.
Ange wore fleece-lined trousers made of fox fur, a turtleneck sweater beneath, and a thick fur coat over it. A hooded felt cap covered the top of her head.
Ji wore tight jeans, a velvet coat, and a hooded cap adorned with feathers. The elder sister wore knee-high mink boots, while the younger sister wore white velvet boots that rose twenty centimeters above her ankles.
Belief, as usual, wore a gray fur cap and a blue winter military uniform. He saw the two sisters shivering, their pink lips slightly parted as they blew warm breath into their hands, their slender fingers rubbing together.
Belief silently watched his wife nestle into her sister's embrace. He had a faint feeling… that… they were not merely warming themselves, but also fleeing from the pain of those bitter years—when they had not enough to eat or wear, curled up under tattered blankets, never daring to let go of the arms that held their loved ones all night… like… flower petals trembling in the biting snow, clinging tightly to one another. The former evacuees could still not forget that dark past.
The husband smiled ruefully, draping his own military coat gently over his beloved wife's slender, graceful figure to shield her from the wind and snow.
The two sisters smiled shyly. Perhaps the wounds in their hearts would never fully heal, but from now on, the unfortunate would have someone who understood, sympathized with, and cherished them, easing their pain… and… walking beside them along the thorny path toward a brighter future.
The two wives walked quietly beside their husband. They exchanged a secret glance, immediately… realizing… that this was not merely about warming his wife, but also about him carefully helping his beloved conceal the blush that had risen on her cheeks from the snowy wind… and also… because of the two rows of nude statues of Eastern and Western goddesses lining the seemingly endless road that stretched to the front door of the mansion.
The original forms of each statue had been… "shaped"… according to the Great General's will into various forms. There were women of passionate sensuality, there were those enchanting and seductive like fox spirits, there were those with flawless figures—natural beauties blessed by the gods, there were slender, beautiful, and approachable ones, there were those as strong and weathered as female soldiers, and there were those as wild as forest goddesses. Each had her own unique charm.
But…
Whether their figures were ordinary, or blazing to the point of scorching men's eyes—whether they were dazzlingly gorgeous, elegantly aloof, enchantingly seductive, or gently pure—all these beauties paled before that statue of simplicity, purity, kindness, gentleness, yet strength and an unyielding spirit… perfectly commensurate with the radiant beauty of wisdom shining in the eyes of those marveling at this masterpiece of humanity.
The two sisters greatly admired the only statue of a beauty fortunate enough to be clothed in proper attire. It lacked the kind of fiery allure that stirred a man's animal instincts, yet those who gazed upon it were still strangely drawn to its beautiful curves.
Her beauty was neither enchanting nor extravagantly proud… yet… it exuded an air of noble charm that held the eyes of all who beheld it, unable to look away for even half a second.
The two loveliest flowers in the garden delightedly discovered the most beautiful, most complete statue, devoid of any trace of the mundane… unlike… those statues of beauties.
Each statue was a woman of peerless beauty who had passed through the Great General's thirty years of life—years in which he had conquered countless beauties. And this perfect statue, which commanded the Great General's absolute reverence, was… Maria.
The two sisters noticed that among the multitude of beauties… there was no statue of the Great General's late wife. Maria was his new wife. After only one week of marriage, the Great General had already placed her in the most honorable position within his mansion… proof… of the immeasurable depth of his love for this talented, virtuous, and exceptionally beautiful woman.
The younger generation's smiles, like blossoms in spring, rushed into the arms of their mother, who opened her arms wide to welcome her kin.
The Great General shook hands with Belief, smiling as he watched Maria silently experience the pain and tears of the past, now transformed into rich, warm emotion. The family reunited, embraced one another, and savored the joy that had come after enduring bitterness.
The whole family entered a hall larger than any assembly hall, brilliantly lit in colorful splendor. On the ceiling was a massive mural depicting angels gathering, singing, and dancing in the Garden of Eden.
The golden walls chronicled thirty years of military campaigns—the Great General, who had started as an unknown soldier, had proved his bravery in battle, sharing life and death with his commanders, risking his life to save the monarch. He had earned countless merits, rising step by step to become the Great General he was today.
Ange had thought her brother's house would be as spacious and beautiful as any official's mansion. Now, she was overwhelmed by the luxurious grandeur of this mansion—it was a hundred times more magnificent than Liberte's villa.
The little girl turned her gaze to the rich and varied decorations inside—their simplicity and understated elegance… like… the soft, gentle chirping of birds in cages hanging on either side of the cuckoo clock by the window. Beneath the window was a huge glass tank where colorful fish swam gracefully. The surroundings sparkled like a fairy-tale water palace.
There were countless items, some familiar, some strange, all priceless in their luxury—things Ange had never seen in her life. The Great General had scattered them throughout the house, placing one object in each location.
The arrangements seemed haphazard, but upon closer inspection, one could not help but admire the exceptional talent in their placement—like a general deploying troops on the battlefield to encircle the enemy.
Commanding this "army" was a statue of the God of War, standing shoulder to shoulder with a statue of the monarch, both ancient heirlooms passed down through the ages. The two proud, black bronze statues stood at the foot of a rainbow-hued staircase… leading… to the upper floor… like… a stairway to the pinnacle of power's paradise.
Belief had once been privileged to enter the monarch's mansion. Its splendor and luxury far surpassed everything in the Great General's mansion, yet its interior decorations were remarkably similar. The difference lay in the fact that the objects and statues in the monarch's mansion were more magnificent and majestic than those here.
The five sat upon precious wooden chairs, their seats covered with tiger skins. At the center was a table made from a large agarwood stump, exuding a fresh, gentle, pure, and warm fragrance. The Great General engaged his family in intimate conversation while carefully observing each of his relatives.
He watched warmly as Maria and her children smiled and chatted happily. His wife and children were no longer sorrowful and weary as before; they were joyful and lighthearted, having welcomed a peaceful life free from the torment of hunger and suffering.
The Great General felt, with excitement, the simple happiness of being human… this happiness was bringing more laughter to the family, nurturing their emotions and strengthening their bonds.
The Great General smiled with delight, his gaze falling on Ange. The little girl nestled in her mother's embrace, clinging to her loved ones, her cheeks flushed, shyly avoiding the abstract paintings hanging around the hall.
In the past, Maria would have been sure her daughter would be utterly confused, asking about the meaning of those paintings. But now, no one mentioned what embarrassed Ange. Everyone secretly smiled, guessing that the innocent, pure little girl might be… imagining those twisted, tangled, intertwined lines as a passionate, wild, and obsessed couple making love.
That night—a night worth a thousand pieces of gold—desire and emotion soared to the pinnacle of blissful paradise, as if this pure angel had already experienced a passionate wedding night, her soul flying alongside the love between husband and wife, and the bonds of family.
Maria glanced at Ji, who wore a subtle smile. This niece was much more composed than her daughter. Ji remained calm, appreciating the paintings as true abstract art, without shame, without blushing… but… for a moment… when she glimpsed that winding path through the rolling hills… it was as if she saw her beloved husband tenderly, gently stroking his petite, beautiful, lovely wife's hair, like a little angel devotedly and passionately caring for her "life partner," always "tenderly" loving him and his family until they grew old together.
That image of the "little angel," her innocent gaze looking up, watching the graceful willow branches twisting and entwining around the mountains, never leaving the hills and peaks… like… the "great angel" affectionately guarding the hero who protected his family, bestowing upon him a tender kiss. Those magical lines, real within the unreal, unreal within the real, intertwining and merging… guiding the subconscious toward the wedding night.
Ange had spent a week learning about married life, and she and Belief had been alone together several times to… ease the awkwardness. At first, every time Belief took her hand or touched her shoulder, Ange would tremble, her face turning pale, drenched in cold sweat.
Belief would call Ji into the room to soothe her, but as soon as Ange calmed down and Ji left, she would become restless and anxious again.
Belief sensed that Ange was suffering from psychological trauma. He skillfully guided the conversation, letting his wife open her heart, and she confided in him about the days she and Ji spent in hunger and pain—how they had been searching for food together and accidentally stumbled upon a couple having an affair in the forest.
That story, which had affected her innocent spirit, still lingered. Another time, the two sisters had witnessed a soldier raping a girl. Fearing they would be discovered, they hid in a secluded corner, terrified that the soldier would kill them to silence them.
Ji had covered Ange's eyes and mouth. But before that, the brutal, beastly image of the victim being tormented had already been seared into her memory, impossible to erase.
Those traumatic memories had planted a fear of men within her, amplifying her hatred and resentment toward soldiers ten thousandfold. Yet fate had bound Ange and her sister to soldiers.
Belief was a gentleman, a gentle and sweet husband to both his wives. Ange was still haunted by the fear of that psychological trauma, and whenever her sister was not by her side, she would feel anxious being alone with Belief.
Her sister had to stay close to her, encouraging, comforting, and helping her regain her emotional balance. Gradually, Ange calmed down, no longer pale and drenched in cold sweat. Belief gently touched her shoulder, but she still stiffened with tension. Her husband smiled warmly and knelt on one knee before her:
"During those days when I was sick and bedridden, you and Ji stayed by my side day and night, taking care of every meal, helping me in and out of sleep. Ji and I kept telling you that you were too weak and needed to rest so you wouldn't fall ill, but you still risked your own health to do everything you could for me, alongside Ji. Every day, Ji handled things well between public and private matters, and your sister still made my favorite dishes with her own hands!"
Belief smiled gently. Ji looked tenderly at her husband:
"Before, it was Ji; now, it's you. You have never let me go hungry or thirsty for even half a second… because… the feeling of hunger still clings to your hearts, and that phobia still lingers there… and because…"
Belief smiled gently, his eyes full of compassion. He understood the girls' constant fear—how they would do anything to keep themselves and their loved ones from suffering the torment of hunger and thirst ever again. Ji wrapped her arms around her trembling sister's shoulders.
The little girl lifted her deep red eyes, gazing tenderly at the one she cherished. After enduring so many long, nightmare-filled nights, he had brought her happiness and peace… and… made her feel that warm "affection":
"Every morning I woke up, I found you sleeping beside my sickbed. In that moment, I felt my heart had divided into two halves—one half for Ji, and the other half for you."
Belief gently placed his hand on Ange's cheek. The angel's face flushed crimson as she listened to the voice from within:
"The past was devotion; now it is family affection. From now on, love will walk hand in hand with family affection, cherishing you, protecting you."
Belief gently embraced the angel, softly stroking Ange's hair, and kissed his beloved wife's forehead. He slowly released her and silently turned away. Ji was about to speak when she saw Ange clenching her hands, fighting back her trembling.
The little girl, still not fully recovered from her fear, gathered her courage and grasped the hem of Belief's coat. She stammered for a long time before finally getting out a sentence, then blushed and lowered her head again:
"You leave because you want to let me settle my mind. But tonight we won't be in the same room—I still have my sister with me. You will be alone, and my sister and I both feel guilty toward you…"
Embarrassment kept Ange from finishing her words. Ji spoke gently on her sister's behalf:
"If this gets out, the wicked will gossip, and your rivals will spread rumors that this marriage is harmonious only on the surface. They will slander, sow discord, and destroy family bonds. Worst of all, those petty people will seize upon a private matter, twist right and wrong, fabricate stories, make a mountain out of a molehill, add fuel to the fire, and even stitch together two completely unrelated events to falsely accuse you of betraying the country, sending you to a reeducation camp—just like so many others in those countless unjust cases, all dying tragic deaths in wrongful imprisonment."
Every member of the Hive, from soldiers and civilians to generals and leaders, seized every opportunity to rise, to overthrow rivals, all while fearing being devoured themselves. Belief was no exception.
Once his weakness was exposed, his enemies would strike him down. In the Hive, any mistake came at an exorbitant cost. This was the greatest reason Ji and Ange had chosen to share their feelings on their wedding night.
Belief listened thoughtfully to the second reason. The sisters frankly explained that their companionship on their wedding night was not entirely because Ange was still young, shy, and easily frightened, nor entirely because she feared her nightmares would come true.
The final reason was that they hoped, from that fateful night onward, the bonds of emotion would tightly unite their family affection.
"From now on, we are husband and wife, living under the same roof. If you sleep alone tonight, then tomorrow, and in the future, one of the three of us will be left isolated. Ange and I don't want anyone, not even for a single day or night, to feel lonely. We are afraid of the pain of being separated from our loved ones, of having no one by our side, of being alone with nothing but the constant fear of being raped, of being violated… a fear that haunts us to death."
For years, Ji had been plagued by nightmares. This past week, exhaustion had often caused the two sisters to drift into a drowsy sleep, muttering in their dreams, begging those green-bearded monsters to leave them be. Sometimes, the sisters would barely close their eyes for a moment before snapping awake with a start.
Ji would sob, holding her screaming sister, whispering comfort. Another time, afraid of disturbing Belief, the sisters stayed awake all night. Only when Belief awoke did the girls finally rest in his arms.
Belief gently wiped away the angel's tears and softly embraced his wife. The sisters wanted to tell him everything; they didn't want to hide anything from their husband. Belief patted Ange's back, a knowing smile curving his lips:
"Heaven has been merciful to grant me two beautiful, kind wives and a brilliant career. If I were greedy enough to lose my soul in pleasure quarters and flowered walls, I would lose everything and drag my family down with me. I wouldn't want the gods to punish me!"
These words of comfort and understanding voiced the hidden pain that the sisters had never been able to express. The husband helped his wife let go of her worries, to enjoy life… replacing the words they had meant to say… from then on, there would be no more bitter tears, no more fear that their feelings might be torn apart—only happiness, sowing endless joy in the smile of fulfilled wishes.
Ange's strong family bonds helped her overcome the psychological burden of her phobia. Every touch was so gentle it seemed as if he had barely touched her at all… because… he was afraid of hurting the angel, dedicating his warmth to every passionate kiss.
The intimacy of her first night was even more shy, awkward, and timid than Ji's had been… pushing… her emotions from lighthearted and euphoric to intense excitement… yet… a capable man would not let his animal instincts overpower his humanity. He balanced their emotions, carefully observing Ange's every expression… to… respond accordingly.
Ji, temporarily the "outsider," clearly realized that Belief truly saw her sister as an invaluable treasure… just as… years ago on their wedding night, her own husband had treasured and cherished her.
The difference was that Belief was always afraid he might accidentally frighten Ange, and that no one could heal her wounded soul. Her husband, the man of her life, the one who loved her passionately… now… was giving her sister a deep, poignant family affection… and… the tender warmth of a budding love.
Rejoicing in this new marriage, yet… a devoted heart does not forget his first wife. Ji expressed her private reason for needing to share her feelings. To say there was no hidden sorrow in her heart would be to deceive herself and others.
She had made sacrifices for her family, accepting the duty of sharing a husband with her younger sister to protect the family. But… Ji was not a saint, able to spend her life with her husband and her sister without any unspoken burdens.
Like any ordinary girl, she had a full range of emotions—she dared to love, dared to hate… and her heart stirred when her husband caressed another woman.
What made it even more ironic than other cases was that the girl who felt embarrassed before Belief, torn before her family, and had many times wanted to end this awkward situation was… her own cousin.
The two sisters shared the same hidden sorrow. That sorrow gently touched Belief's heart, and it also gently raised what those in the know had determined from the very beginning: Had they not been cast into hell and risked the destruction of their entire family, they would never have accepted this immoral marriage.
Ji smiled unconsciously. A wry, self-mocking smile touched her lips as she was the first to suggest that the two sisters share a husband. The elder sister wanted to protect her younger sister, to shelter her, to share a lifetime of happiness with her.
When the family began to love and cherish one another, her heart stirred, and she let her feminine emotions… waver for a moment… against her original wish for her sister to live in peace and happiness after years of turmoil and suffering.
Ji quietly embraced her family, lowering her head to her loved one's chest, whispering apologies through her shame. Belief let out a soft laugh. In the face of every adversity, he remained gentle. The pillar of the family always resolved difficult situations with unwavering resolve and reason, once again tying a red thread tightly:
"If you feel no sadness, no jealousy. If Ange feels no confusion, no embarrassment. Then everything you all have said to me, everything you all have done for me, would be false!"
These two unyielding women could not, and would not, pretend to be strong before a man who protected, respected, and understood his wives' feelings. For the first time in a very long time, they felt truly feminine… and… more vulnerable than ever.
"This natural expression of womanhood proves that you are people of emotion. You are determined to survive at any cost, yet you have never lost your conscience or abandoned your sense of shame."
Her husband admired the radiant happiness on his wives' faces… because… they had chosen the right person to entrust their lives to, to rely on for a lifetime.
"You are not the kind of people who would sell themselves to anyone with power and influence, disregarding all means, ignoring morality, without a shred of guilt, just to live a life of wealth and status."
His wife admired the man of her life. Their eyes, brimming with tenderness, guided the family toward the shores of happiness. No more jealousy, no more stirring hearts. Ji gently embraced Ange from behind, hinting subtly:
"Tonight is your wedding night. This first time must be yours."
Ange pursed her lips, her clear eyes flickering slightly as she looked around aimlessly. Ji smiled softly. Whenever Ange… understood… something, she would show that familiar expression—she was no longer the innocent little girl. Now, in that innocent look, there was a hint of feminine shyness as she realized what Ji wanted to say:
These words implied that the "beginning" of this wedding night must be initiated by the angel and the protector of the family. She encouraged Ange to express her feelings for her husband boldly. Ji was the supporting role; the elder sister should not take the initiative, nor should she compete for favor.
The one with deep feelings gently drew the curtain on this priceless night… and… wholeheartedly helped the heroine take her first solid step on the path to becoming a wife… to… nurture the happiness of the family.
Ange gently took her husband's and her sister's hands, her smiling eyes looking at her loved ones, as if to say: tonight and from now on, no one needs to play a supporting role, no one is the lead role—we are all one, because we are family.
From childhood to adulthood, Ji had always given the best things to Ange and her younger siblings. Today, on her wedding night and beyond, she was still willing to share everything with her little sister. Belief admired his virtuous senior wife, who kept the family harmonious and happy. Her husband was also proud of his young wife's reasonableness.
The little girl smiled, gently wiping away Ji's tears. The two sisters held each other tightly, their arms slowly tightening, as if tomorrow they would never have the chance to be together again. Victims still feared that disaster could strike at any moment, so the family had to cherish every minute, every moment they had together.
Belief smiled quietly, silently embracing his beloved wife. The man who had once lost everything now felt the warmth of family… and… the love between husband and wife—silently sharing joy, placing all their trust… in their hearts… never wavering, never hesitating, never fearing that one day this immoral union might tear apart the sisters' bond and destroy their family.
Now, everyone believed that the decision to live under the same roof was the right one, and that they would receive a worthy reward from those they trusted.
Proud to be the luckiest man in the world, he gazed adoringly at his beloved wife, admiring the two women in his life. This difficult story had reached a happy ending; both Ange and Ji broke into radiant smiles.
Sister and little sister nestled beside their husband. No more embarrassment, no more guilt, no more psychological burdens—everything melted away in the warmth of their affection.