The man paused, "Every step had to be incredibly precise, one misstep meant going hungry for a day. I refused, so she forced me, once didn't work, try twice, and if twice didn't suffice, then thrice. I was stubborn, so she resorted to beating me. When the whip made me run, she commanded Steward Zhou to seize my hands and bind them with rope above my head, and hang me up. Then she'd take a handful of fine silver needles and jab them into my back, not stopping until I agreed to practice the spear position. Only then would she let me down."
Tong Ran felt numb all over, trembling from her spine to the top of her head. Her throat clenched, and she found it difficult to speak, "How long... did she keep going?"
"From sunrise to sunset. I said 'alright,' and only then did she stop."
"You..." Tong Ran's lips trembled severely. Compared to her great-aunt hitting her, this was the true definition of cruelty and torture, "Your mother, she..."
