Jiang Xingxing turned the shower to full blast, the scalding water pouring over her entire body. She ran her hands over her smooth skin and looked toward the mirror.
A thin layer of steam coated the mirror, making her reflection blurry. She wiped a clear spot on the glass, revealing the delicate line of her slender and beautiful collarbone.
From a young age, Jiang Xingxing would stand in front of the mirror after her shower, observing her body. She watched it mature gradually with age, bit by bit, becoming more and more like a woman.
She loved every inch of her skin, even the scars that had brought her endless ridicule and pain—she cherished them, too.
No one loved her, so only she could care for herself.
But tonight, was she really going to give this body to another man, a complete stranger?
Jiang Xingxing wasn’t exactly conservative. She lived in the chaotic world of show business, where money and physical transactions were common. Though she had always disdained such exchanges, she never stood on a moral high ground to condemn others. After all, life wasn’t easy for anyone, and people had the right to do what they needed to achieve their dreams.
Hadn’t she been carefully trying to please this man for her own future?
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Gp pbl oyp ellr kd vbswtbv, pbl pweeldzu dsvknle vbl pkzbswlvvl sq y xyd yrrasynbkdt swvpkel vbl essa. Tl pvsse yv vbl qsttu tzypp essa, zssxkdt nzspla.
Fvyavzle, Kkydt Dkdtmkdt nyzzle swv, “Psd’v nsxl kd!”
Mbl xyd zywtble nszezu qasx swvpkel, “Ls dlle vs cl ps lytla. Kwpv oydvle vs ypj—Rp kv uswa qkapv vkxl?”
“Ebyv?” Kkydt Dkdtmkdt eked’v iwkvl wdelapvyde. “Ebyv es usw xlyd?”
His voice was lazy, “Your first time doing this?”
A flush of red spread across her face. “Why are you asking that?”
Would admitting it’s her first time make her seem pathetic, like no one had ever wanted her?
Hmm… well, she had never been in a relationship before.
“Seems like it is your first time,” he muttered thoughtfully, standing by the door for a moment before walking away.
Jiang Xingxing was about to breathe a sigh of relief when she heard the familiar sound of the door opening outside the room. She quickly turned off the shower and asked, “Are you leaving?”
“Going out to buy something.”
“Buy what?”
“Some wine,” he said. “So you won’t be as scared.”
Jiang Xingxing had never heard of needing alcohol to gather courage for something like this before.
Of course, besides buying wine, Shang Jie had also bought other things. By the time he returned, Jiang Xingxing had already finished her shower and was standing in front of the mirror blow-drying her hair.
She was wearing her usual white flannel pajamas, which were especially warm and wrapped her up like a little white bear. Her thick, black hair fluttered wildly under the heat of the blow dryer.
Suddenly, Shang Jie pressed up against her from behind, startling Jiang Xingxing. She turned her face slightly, and he was gazing down at her.
Her skin had a dewy, fair glow, smooth like a baby’s, and there was a sweet almond scent on her body—she had carefully applied fragrant body lotion.
Shang Jie was quite pleased with her preparation.
He lowered his head to kiss her.
Feeling nervous, Jiang Xingxing dodged the kiss and moved over to the table. Pretending to be casual, she asked, “You bought red wine?”
“Yes.”
“Not just wine, you bought other things too…”
As soon as Jiang Xingxing pulled out the red box, she regretted it.
Condoms. Two boxes. Ultra-thin, large size.
Awkwardly, she put the box down and asked, “Are you hungry? How about I cook something for you?”
“I’m only hungry for you right now,” Shang Jie said, his deep, dark eyes filled with unhidden desire.
Jiang Xingxing bit her lip and then sat nervously on the edge of the bed. “Are we starting now?”
Shang Jie smirked slightly, opening a bottle of red wine and grabbing two wine glasses. “No rush. I like to ease into things.”
Jiang Xingxing walked to the sofa, took the wine glass from him, and clinked it against his. Shang Jie turned on the TV, then wrapped his arms around her as they nestled into the sofa, drinking wine and watching TV together.
It all felt incredibly natural, like they were longtime lovers. Even when Shang Jie’s hand wandered to her waist and gave a light squeeze, it didn’t feel strange.
He had set the mood perfectly, ensuring there was no awkwardness between them.
Giving her first time to the man in front of her didn’t seem so bad after all—he was handsome, and he had a great body.
Jiang Xingxing turned around and kissed the stubbly edge of his jaw. “Honestly, I’ve been really happy these past few days. Happier than I’ve ever been.”
Shang Jie raised his eyebrows. “Really?”
“You’ve kept me company. I don’t feel as lonely anymore.” She tapped her glass against his. “Honestly, I’m really glad you’ve been with me during this time.”
Shang Jie, apparently not much of a drinker, had already become a bit tipsy, and his hands started to wander more freely.
Pouring him another glass of wine, Jiang Xingxing gathered her courage and asked, “Mr. Shang, how many times have you done this?”
Shang Jie tilted his head back, drinking the red wine in one gulp. With slightly glazed eyes, he replied, “What if I said this is my first time? Would you believe me?”
Jiang Xingxing shook her head. She didn’t believe it. He always carried himself like a playboy, and at nearly thirty years old, a virgin? Who was he trying to fool?
“My brother said there’s something wrong with me. He locked me up for a long time,” Shang Jie recalled, a hint of resentment and anger flashing in his eyes. “I almost went mad.”
Jiang Xingxing frowned and looked at him sympathetically. “I had no idea you’ve been through something like that.”
“I once swore that if I ever got out, I’d never go back to that prison-like place.”
His hot breath brushed against her ear, carrying the rich aroma of red wine. “I don’t want to be some corporate boss. I just want to find a woman I like, spend every day with her until we’re utterly exhausted, and live a carefree life. But he never lets me do that.”
Jiang Xingxing suddenly felt a pang of sadness. He clearly didn’t want to return, yet she was forcing him to do so for her own sake, even using her body as leverage.
How selfish.
“Mr. Shang, if you really don’t want to, then I—”
She suddenly felt a weight on her shoulder. Turning around, she realized he had already fallen asleep, his head resting heavily on her.
Jiang Xingxing: ?
She shook his arm. “Mr. Shang?”
Shang Jie mumbled something, then cuddled her comfortably, lying down on the sofa with his head nestled against her neck, continuing to sleep.
Jiang Xingxing: …
Wasn’t he supposed to help her gather courage? How had he passed out first? This wasn’t how it was supposed to go!
Shang Jie clung to her like she was a soft, plush toy, sleeping peacefully.
Helpless, Jiang Xingxing reached out and turned off the lamp.
Let him sleep.
In truth, she was already beginning to regret the deal she had made with him. She couldn’t use her body to exchange for his freedom for the rest of his life. That was too selfish. He had the right to choose how he wanted to live.
As for the theater troupe, there had to be a better solution.
She recalled what Shang Jie had said earlier: “Find a woman I like, and spend every day with her until we’re utterly exhausted.”
For some reason, those words felt like hot water being poured on her cold heart, bringing it back to life.
She gently embraced his head, stroking his short, prickly hair. Softly, she whispered, “Mr. Shang, I’ll protect you. I won’t let them find you.”
At that moment, Shang Jie’s warm hand suddenly gripped her wrist with such force that her skin ached, and her bones felt like they might break.
“Mr. Shang, you… you’re hurting me.”
With his eyes tightly shut, Shang Jie’s face showed a hint of struggle and pain. Clutching her wrist, he spoke in a deep, unfamiliar voice—
“Stay… away from him…”
…
The next morning, Shang Jie woke with a start, nearly tumbling off the sofa. He stumbled to his feet and rushed to the sink, turning on the faucet to splash water on his face.
After a minute, he calmed down and looked up at the man in the mirror.
In the morning light, his skin appeared almost flawless, with a high nose bridge and prominent brows that shaded his deep brown eyes. His eyelashes were long and curled, surprisingly striking.
Droplets of water clung to the tip of his nose.
Drip, drip…
It was him.
It was him.
The tension in Shang Jie’s gaze gradually relaxed. He splashed more water on his face and grabbed a towel to dry off.
“You’re awake.”
A woman’s voice startled him. Shang Jie jerked back, only to see Jiang Xingxing leaning against the door, looking at him with concern.
His head felt heavy, his temples throbbing uncomfortably, and he was still a little disoriented.
“Last night…”
Before he could finish, Jiang Xingxing quickly said, “I’ve already made up my mind. I won’t force you to go back.”
“What?”
“The theater troupe is my problem. I shouldn’t be pushing you into something you don’t want to do, especially by using myself as a bargaining chip. It’s just wrong.” Jiang Xingxing lowered her gaze. “You can stay here as long as you like. I won’t pressure you to leave.”
Shang Jie rubbed his head. “Wait a minute…”
“Mr. Shang, I have to go to work. You didn’t sleep well last night, so get some more rest.”
Shang Jie: “Actually, we could talk about this more—”
“Mr. Shang, I don’t want to pressure you, so let’s just leave it at that. I’ve already decided.” Before he could finish, Jiang Xingxing turned and walked out the door. “I’m running late. Bye!”
Shang Jie: …
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