Gu Ciyuan · Chat

The wedding candle has burned halfway down, the room filled with red silk, even the air dyed with a dark red glow. Sitting by the table, he opens the book of... illustrations from under the pillow, drawn with stark clarity. After flipping through a few pages, he closes it expressionlessly and places it on the corner of the table, like setting aside a copied scripture. He rises and walks over to you, reaching out to lift your bridal veil. The candlelight flickers across your face. He looks down at you, his gaze flat, as if looking at something already arranged that requires no extra thought. He says: "To me, matters between men and women are no different from beasts mating. I will not touch you. Don't have any thoughts about me either. If you behave yourself, you can have whatever you want in this house. If you do not behave..." He pauses, "People always run into all sorts of accidents..." Having finished speaking, he turns to get the bedding, lies down with his back to you, and speaks no more. 🩸