[The Fragrance of Power] [Chapters 2-5] [Author: Unknown] [To be continued]

page views:1 Publication date:2023-06-11 15:11:47

Chapter 2: Shi Qiong - What's It to Me?

Beishan Villa District, Capital.

Shi Qiong sat on the sofa, hugging her bare feet, secretly sneering angrily. But looking at her ten cute, delicate toes and the smooth toenails after removing her nail polish, she suddenly felt happy. Her mind was filled with smug and absurd thoughts: "My toes are so beautiful. Luckily, I stopped long-distance running training when I was little and switched to swimming. Otherwise, my toes would be worn down every day. How could they be so beautiful and soft? Yingying always praised my feet. Those damn men probably all want to touch them...hehe...I won't let anyone touch them...Dad's business? Humph, what's it to me?"

She sat there, wearing a silk, girlish slip dress, knees bent, hugging her bare feet, as if simply killing time. Although her perfectly shaped breasts were completely concealed, her soft, smooth shoulders were fully exposed, gleaming with a milky white halo under the light; her round buttocks, accentuated by her bent knees and tucked legs, displayed curves that could send any man's hormones into a frenzy. If a man were to enter at this moment and witness this scene of youthful, fiery, and captivating charm, no matter how he tried to conceal it, he would likely find it difficult to suppress his desires and fantasies about this girl's near-perfect, graceful body.

However, no man would be allowed in this room now. There were only three women. Besides Shi Qiong, two women sat opposite her on the two rosewood guest sofas facing each other. One was the woman Shi Qiong loved most in the world: her mother. The other was the woman Shi Qiong hated most in the world: her stepmother.

"What a cheesy and melodramatic plot..." Shi Qiong thought, while admiring her most prized bare feet.

Originally, at least in the eyes of outsiders, she had a near-perfect, happy family. Her father, a dashing political star; her mother, an elegant lady from a prominent family; and her cousin, tall, handsome, and so charming that he made the girls around them swoon—they all doted on her. Even her grandfather, a silent old man whom everyone seemed to respect, even fear, would greet her with the same loving smile that grandparents have for their granddaughter. Everyone treated her like a precious jewel, fulfilling her every request from childhood to adulthood; and thoroughly investigating anyone who tried to get close to her. She lived in a prestigious residential area in the northern part of the capital, in her own detached villa, and attended the best primary, middle, and high schools in the city. At only 19 years old, she had already traveled to 12 countries with her father, Shi Shu'an, who was about to take over as Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs.

"I get whatever I want," Shi Qiong said, already used to it.

Four years ago, when she was a high school freshman in the capital, her mother and father, after her cousin left the room, solemnly summoned her for an "adult talk." These two close relatives, so familiar yet so unfamiliar in their voices, told her a story that seemed both shocking and absurdly ridiculous to her:

her father said he had lost control and developed feelings for a girl who had just graduated from drama school. Both her parents emphasized that her father had apologized to her mother and hoped to try to save their marriage. However, her mother, considering various factors, believed the marriage could not continue and stressed that she believed her father and the young woman were "truly in love," so she decided to divorce him. They both "expressed regret," both "still and forever love their daughter," and "remain friends," but her father would be starting a new family. They hoped she could understand and "adapt to the new family dynamics." They also respected her "personal choice"—she could stay in the capital with her father or go back to Hexi Province with her mother.

Shi Qiong found it hilarious, not just mocking, but genuinely funny. Because she could clearly sense that her father and mother, much like their attitude towards their marriage, were conducting a diplomatic negotiation, narrating the family's breakdown in a theatrical tone. She understood that in her parents' eyes, she would always be an immature, spoiled, and ignorant girl, perhaps an innocent and pure little princess. They selectively ignored the fact that, growing up in this family background, she had long seen through many things and was far more mature than they imagined. Her

parents hadn't lied to her; her father had indeed expressed his apology and hope for reconciliation to her mother, but after all that talk, it was only about "saving the marriage," absolutely no intention of "saving the love." "Divorce is bad for Qiongqiong." These were her father's exact words. No! "Divorce has a bad political impact"—that was her father's real subtext.

She felt disgusted and ridiculous; she felt both lonely and free. She wanted to spit in her father's face, she wanted to throw scalding tea on his face, she wanted to gather a group of girlfriends to beat up that bitch named Ji Yarong, she wanted her brother to take his younger brothers to gang rape that bitch named Ji Yarong, she even had a strange urge to take off her blouse and bra on the spot, to show her father her breasts, which she was proud of, a high school girl's breasts that were both immature and full, and to humiliate her father with those words: "You just want to play with young girls, right? You can play with me, play with your daughter, anyway, I'm your daughter, so who benefits? Do you have to play with that bitch to be satisfied?"

Of course, she didn't do any of that. That was just a deep-seated impulse, just a "virtual" self, while the real Qiongqiong was just a girl who was playful outside, obedient at home, and a little princess-like. At most, she would have some rebellious and unconventional teenage antics, but she would never make a scene at home over such an important matter. Even subconsciously, she could accept her father's statement: "It has a bad political impact." She understood that what her family couldn't accept most wasn't the lack of love, nor the loss of anyone, but rather "a bad political impact."

So, she actually learned from her parents, answering them in a calm and collected tone, with a touch of "polite" sadness: "I understand. But if Dad agrees, I'd rather live with Mom. Anyway, I originally planned to apply to Hexi University for the college entrance exam. Since Mom is going to teach in Hexi, it will be easier and more convenient for me to study in Hexi Province. But I will definitely visit Dad often. I hope you can understand."

At that time, even her mother, Liu Chen, seemed like a stranger to her. The only person in the world who could comfort her was her cousin, Shi Chuanyue. Afterwards, her first thought was to go to her brother. She wanted to be that "illusory" version of herself in front of him, to smash things, curse, tear her hair, spit, and then throw herself into his arms and cry her heart out until she had no strength left and fell asleep. Because she was asleep, she didn't have to think about it; sleep, like death, was a good tool for escape.

But a few days later, news arrived like a sudden storm, shocking her to the point of almost unbearable disbelief: someone was accusing her brother of rape. Although the incident was from several years ago and the evidence was insufficient, considering the "political impact" and for her brother's future, her father and grandfather decided to send him abroad to study, to avoid the limelight and gain some experience, and also to teach him a lesson.

This was truly a depraved and chaotic world. Men, in order to play with women, would indulge in their childishness and idiocy in every detail. Weren't those wild women just for playing with? How could they all get themselves involved? Her father was like that, and her brother was like that too. Shi Qiong felt utterly disheartened.

After years as a full-time housewife, her mother, Liu Chen, decided to return to work and teach at Hexi University. She moved to Hexi City with her mother. Her maternal grandfather's equally prominent family background ensured her affluent lifestyle. As she grew older, she blossomed into a beautiful and charming young woman, gaining admission to the English Department of Hexi University, becoming a socialite and the center of attention. However, her relationship with her parents became increasingly absurd and bizarre. She would whine and plead, even in her first year of university, pestering her father to buy her a Z4. As for bags, clothes, cosmetics, and electronics, she wanted whatever she desired. Although her parents were divorced, there were always strange people trying to please her in various ways to curry favor with her and ingratiate themselves with her parents. She accepted all offers without hesitation, seemingly oblivious to the gossip behind her back. From junior high school onwards, countless boys expressed their admiration for her. In college, many wealthy young men and children of officials deliberately tried to please her and get close to her. The number of arrogant boys pursuing her was endless. She never showed any disrespect to anyone, accepting all material gifts, but politely and gracefully rejecting their advances and advances.

Sometimes her mother couldn't help but restrict her finances, so she simply asked her father, grandfather, and uncle for money. Her mother patiently tried to talk to her, asking if she was confused about her life goals. She smiled and answered sincerely,

"I have what I want. Why should I care about unimportant things?"

To her own slight embarrassment, when she heard the thought of her father's arrest, her first concern wasn't his safety, but rather the economic and lifestyle impact his arrest would have on her, and whether her treatment would change. What kind of change would occur to her already extravagant lifestyle?

Her mother, Liu Chen, took her back to the capital. After meeting her grandfather, they went to the "home" where her family used to live, now occupied by her stepmother, Ji Yarong, ostensibly to discuss her father's affairs.

"I can have whatever I want. What does my father have to do with me? Why should I care about him? Mom should cut ties with that man as soon as possible; that would be the right decision," she thought maliciously.

Over there, that annoying woman was crying her eyes out—how pretentious! In this respect, her mother, though also very anxious and fearful, at least maintained her composure and dignity. The two helpless women engaged in a pointless conversation.

"Sister Liu, sob... I'm completely helpless. Only you can help Lao Shi, sob... Sister Liu, even if you don't look at me, for the sake of your years of marriage, you have to lend him a hand..."

"Ya Rong, don't cry. I'm just as worried about Lao Shi as you are. But this isn't something that can be explained in a few words. It's not a simple matter of right and wrong... You need to calm down. Crying won't solve anything..."

"What should I do? What should I do now? I heard that even his former subordinates are handing over some information to the Discipline Inspection Commission... lifestyle issues, economic issues, and national security issues... They're trying to destroy him... sob... Sister Liu, I know, even his marriage to me is now being used as one of his lifestyle issues... sob... I've ruined him..."

"Don't overthink it. You don't need to worry about these things... You've done what you could. The most important thing right now is to get Xiao Yue back to China as soon as possible."

"Sister Liu, I don't understand, what does Chuan Yue have to do with this? Why are you all urging me to bring him back to China?"

"This is Dad's intention. In short, you must remember that Lao Shi used to work in the sports system, and later switched to diplomacy. His job is very special. The organization's first priority is national interests. Now, there's you, me, Qiongqiong, and Chuan Yue. We all need to let the organization know where we live and what we're doing as soon as possible, and we need to be clear about our finances so that the organization can feel at ease... That's why I'm in a hurry to bring Chuan Yue back to China. This is actually Lao Shi's way of making a statement. Don't worry, Dad will arrange everything... There won't be any problems with our lives or finances... Ya Rong, actually, you should be prepared for this kind of thing once you enter the Shi family. Even Qiongqiong, I originally wanted her to go to England as an exchange student, but now I have to give up on that for the time being. It's better for her to stay in Hexi to study. It's just hard on her..."

Speaking of herself, that annoying woman was looking at her with pitiful eyes. Shi Qiong raised her head again, looking sensible and innocent: "Aunt Ji, Mom said everything's fine. You have to believe that Dad is innocent. Those rumors outside are just rumors." She found it funny herself, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly. Seemingly wanting to change the subject, she looked up at Liu Chen and asked, "Mom, if brother goes back to China... where will he stay?"

Liu Chen shook her head and said, "Xiao Yue is an adult now, it all depends on what he thinks. But Grandpa said last time that it's not suitable for Xiao Yue to stay in the capital or go back to his original unit. Since he studied sports industry management, he can take on some work in local departments. This is also convenient for the organization to evaluate him..."

Shi Qiong said "Oh," lowered her head, and continued her wild and whimsical imagination: "Brother not staying in the capital? What a pity, isn't he a deadbeat rapist... doesn't he like raping women? This woman pretending to be pitiful in front of me would be perfect for him to rape... if my brother raped her now, hehe... I'm afraid she wouldn't dare to make a sound."

She looked up again at her "stepmother," Ji Yarong, who was only seven or eight years older than her. Tall and slender, with delicate and gentle features, her figure, though covered by a well-fitting knitted sweater, still revealed a youthful and alluring curve, the most beautiful time of her life: "Sigh... this bitch, she's really beautiful. If she wore her old opera costume, men would definitely be unable to resist her. No wonder Dad was so infatuated with her. That old lecher, he fucked this jinx, had a good time, didn't he? Now look what's happened."

Liu Chen was still offering empty words of comfort to Ji Ya Rong:

"Ya Rong, don't think too much. If anyone asks you anything, don't say anything. Dad's here for

you..." "Sister Liu, I really don't know how to repay your kindness... I'm so sorry... Waaah... But Sister Liu, I'm afraid of Dad, I'm a little afraid to see him. I'm also afraid that his health isn't good and he can't handle the shock."

"It's alright. Actually, I'm also afraid to see Dad. Um... how about this, if you need any specific help, you can contact Director Qin at the General Administration of Sport. Old Qin and Old Shi are close friends, he won't refuse to help if needed."

"Director Qin? Qin Muben? Sister Liu, at this time, he's still willing to see us? Still willing to help us?"

Shi Qiong almost burst out laughing. Although this stepmother was beautiful, she really knew nothing about the ways of officialdom. She was too lazy to listen to the two women's pointless "discussion," so she stood up and continued to act like a good girl: "Aunt Ji, Mom, it's too late, can I go to my room to sleep first? I'm a little sleepy..."

Ji Yarong quickly stood up apologetically, awkwardly trying to be helpful: "Of course, Qiongqiong, your and your brother's room, the whole second floor, your father has kept it exactly the same. Go to sleep quickly... you can take a shower first."

Shi Qiong nodded, giving the two women a sweet smile, and stepped onto the familiar marble staircase. She knew every line on those steps so well; they were the steps where she and her brother used to play and tumble down when they were little. When she reached the second floor, looking from the small hallway, she saw two rooms, one on the left and one on the right, almost exactly the same as when she left three years ago, untouched. A giraffe hung on the door of one room—that was her brother's; a pink duck hung on the door of the other room—that was hers.

To the north, there was a half-frosted, half-mahogany wooden-framed glass door. Pushing it open, one entered the second-floor bathroom. Since the second floor used to be where she and her brother lived, given how much her parents doted on them, they spared no expense. Even when they were just children, they had a spacious imported bathtub and luxurious bathing facilities installed. Closing the door, she looked around. Even the pair of cartoon starfish suction cup hooks she liked on the bathroom mirror were still there.

She thought about how much effort her father and stepmother must have put into keeping these things "untouched." She couldn't help but scoff, "So pretentious! Is this some kind of play? A family reunion version?"

She turned on the Hansgrohe hot water tap beside the bathtub, and the hot water stored in the solar water heater immediately gushed out. A layer of soft, crystalline water rippled across the bottom of the milky-white bathtub. Steam gradually rose and filled the air, and in just a moment, the bathroom was slightly misty.

Shi Qiong lifted the hem of her slip dress, peeling it upwards from her body, letting the silk fabric brush against her trembling, girlish nipples, and slip away from her smooth, long hair. She couldn't help but gaze at her near-perfect breasts in the mirror. She had originally intended to take off her pink silk panties and get into the bathtub to lie down for a while, but as she looked at herself, she seemed reluctant to leave. She stared blankly at her half-naked reflection in the mirror, a reflection like an oil painting. Suddenly, she couldn't hold back any longer, and tears streamed down her face. A soft, self-deprecating murmur escaped her lips: "You stinky brother…you rapist, don't you like playing with girls? Come back, come play with me. My body is for you. Didn't you secretly play with it when we were little? Now that I'm all grown up, it's even more my turn to play with it. My body is only for you to play with."

She squeezed out another tear: "Dad? Whether Shi Shu'an lives or dies, what does it matter to me?"

Finally, lying naked in the bathtub, the warm, slightly bluish liquid washing over her neck, she hugged her knees, gritted her teeth, and cried softly.

Chapter 3: Qin Muben, the Eldest Young Master, is a Big Trouble.

At Terminal 2, B4 of Beijing Capital International Airport, there's a special VIP parking lot with direct access to the welcoming expressway without needing a toll card.

Normally, someone of Qin Muben's status wouldn't pick up anyone from the airport. Even if he did, it would be with a large entourage of staff, picking up an international sports or political figure. But today was an exception. He had his driver drive the GL8 with the privacy windows—a backup car from the General Administration. Today was a private matter; he wasn't specifically picking up any political figure or official, but… a troublesome person. Of course, he trusted his driver, Xiao Meng, completely. These kinds of drivers are very sensible; no matter where they go, who they meet, or what they say, they act as if it's happening in another dimension. For a VIP's personal driver, driving is secondary; one of the most important skills is, when necessary, to pretend you're deaf and blind.

"It's really tiring..." Qin Muben looked at the handsome young man sitting upright in the van, his eyes full of sincerity, but his mind was a little distracted.

His life had been going smoothly for the past few months. Hedong Province was bidding to host the 9th Olympic Games, and he, as the Director of the Foreign Affairs Department and Director of the Administrative Office of the State General Administration of Sport, didn't need to do any specific work; he didn't need to boast or show off his talents, didn't need to do anything or make mistakes, didn't need to speak or appear on camera. He just needed to wait patiently, and once the bid was successful, his name would naturally be firmly on the list of achievements, and he could probably be promoted. At least he could hold a more important position in the General Administration, and at least he could remove the "vice" from his "vice-ministerial level treatment.

" "Having a title is enough; there's no need to do specific work," Qin Muben had always understood this principle.

Having a title is equivalent to having power. Even if you don't use that power, the power is still there, and it will still bring you rewards. Of course, not using any power will result in slightly lower quality and quantity of rewards compared to using power; but it will also be slightly safer.

"Not using any power is also a kind of 'power'." This is Qin Muben's philosophy of power.

But last month, Shi Shuan, a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former ambassador to Russia, was reported for lifestyle and economic issues. A video involving Shi Shuan bribing FIFA officials ten years ago was also posted online. He is now being detained by the Discipline Inspection Commission for investigation. Qin Muben knew, of course, that the important thing in this matter was not what Old Shi had done, but that the Discipline Inspection Commission actually dared to detain him. There must be a lot going on behind the scenes. He carefully sniffed out the rumors, and it seemed that it wasn't directed at him, but it didn't matter. Given his relationship with Old Shi, he would be dragged into it anyway.

He should have stayed far away, but this young man in front of him... after thinking it over, he felt a certain restlessness and decided it was better to meet him in person. Now that he had actually picked him up and the car was on the highway, he was a little distracted.

At this moment, he actually remembered the wonderful experience of the night before last.

He thought about the girl from the night before last. The girl who had booked a room in the Marriott Executive Suite in the capital, wearing a sexy sports skirt. The girl he had tormented and violated all night. Her only request was that he "not use his power," right? What business was the Hexi City Sports Bureau's issue of rigging matches with him, the director of the External Relations Department? He didn't need to do anything, say anything, or even think anything.

Of course, he knew that since he had played with this pure girl, who used to play badminton and was now a model at some Wanqing Company, all night, it was a statement, and someone would naturally leak his attitude to the relevant departments, who would be sensible enough to not investigate some things that should be investigated. But his stance remained unchanged: he wasn't "pretending not to know anything," but "truly knowing nothing." Of course, he also understood that some people were definitely using various means to smooth things over, and this wasn't his main focus. A young girl, although not beautiful... No, wearing a badminton player's short skirt is undeniably alluring, but for someone of his status, it's nothing special. The price they're charging isn't for him to "do anything," but simply to "not get in the way."

How could he be in the way? He's enjoying it.

He's enjoying the youthful, vibrant body of a former female athlete.

They seem to have studied his tastes. The girl is not only clearly immature, but also clearly being semi-coerced into doing these things; her eyes betray her undisguised shyness and fear. As for the specifics of the various interests at play, he doesn't need to know, he doesn't even want to think about it, he doesn't even need to ask the girl's name.

And that girl, even if she's being coerced, even if she's just an ordinary model, has to book her own hotel room, prepare her own props and costumes, and send her background information and provocative nude photos to his phone first. It's inherently safe, but this is for added security, to ensure everything goes smoothly, for the future... In extreme cases, it could be argued that the two had some other relationship, and that the woman had seduced him.

That young body, that awkwardness when she called him "Teacher Zhang" at the door, that barely concealed athletic skirt, those firm buttocks shaped by exercise, the pained expression on her face as he actually penetrated her—he was satisfied with all of it. Until that girl, the last time, wearing only a sports bra, deliberately lifting it to hug her breasts, willingly straddling his wrinkled body, arching and twisting, moaning and groaning, again and again, like a skilled, shameless prostitute—no, like a submissive, undignified sex slave. But the pain and tears on her face still spoke of the girl's boundless shame and inner purity.

He liked it even more. He enjoyed it even more.

He knew that to these small figures in the grassroots sports world, he was a big shot, and his every whim and pleasure was worth their careful consideration and meticulous analysis.

However, that day, when he went to the Hedong Sanatorium to see the half-dead old man with late-stage pancreatic cancer, he seemed to forget what kind of "big shot" he was, and still couldn't hide his inner tension. Although Old Shi's words to him were spoken on his deathbed, he couldn't treat them as ordinary conversation: "Little Qin, regarding Chuan Yue's job, if you can, please help arrange it. Thank you for your hard work. No matter where it is, just do some work to get some experience, and you don't need to come see me..." So today, after much thought, he decided to come to the airport personally, carrying his entrustment, risking everything, to pick up this former troublemaker, the "Young Master Shi of Beijing." His main task was to personally persuade this troublemaker to honestly accept the arrangements: no business, no going abroad, no staying in the capital, no transferring assets, no seeing Shi Shu'an, no inquiring about the case, and to work where the organization could see him, and be ready to be investigated at any time if needed.

This arrangement was the result of a power struggle among various parties. Even Secretary Ke, an incorruptible old discipline inspection commission member, tacitly approved it. It was a compromise, and a very important step. However, whether he could truly persuade this clueless playboy in front of him, Qin Mu felt he would indeed have to use some persuasion.

"Chuan Yue, Uncle Qin has met your grandfather. He's not in good health, and your aunt isn't here either, so don't go to Banshan. Stay at the Marriott tonight; Xiao Meng will arrange a room for you. This is all your grandfather's idea..." "Uncle Qin is even more anxious about your uncle's matter than you are. But now is not the time. You must be patient. Don't show your face in public, and don't get involved in his case. You must have faith in the law and the spirit of justice..." "Your return to the country is enough to repay your uncle's kindness in raising you. Otherwise, if the organization sees that someone from your Shi family is in the country..." "If he won't come back, your uncle's situation will be even more complicated. It's good that you're back. Even if there's a case, you're just a child; it has nothing to do with you and won't implicate you..." "Don't worry, with your grandfather and Uncle Qin around... the truth about your uncle's case will eventually come out, and everything will be alright. Besides, your uncle has so many old friends and subordinates who will help you when the time is right..." "Originally, the organization wanted to observe and review you, but Uncle Qin couldn't bear to see you waste your precious youth. Your old workplace isn't suitable to go back, but you can still take on some responsibilities..." "I've arranged a job for you. *cough cough*... I just don't know if you, young man, can appreciate your Uncle Qin's good intentions. The choice is yours. You can go to Zhuji City in Nanhai Province first. It's a special economic zone with a developed economy. You can work in an office under the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, where you can learn a lot and meet many people... *cough cough*... If you want to stay in Hedong, then go to the Hezhou City Land Administration Bureau. They're holding an expo there, surveying and mapping land. Hmm... they need a few college students. Since you've studied abroad, you could be a group leader..." "If you're willing to stay..." "Within the sports system, you could also go to Hexi Province... Oh, your aunt and sister are both at Hexi University now. But there's only one position there, a propaganda officer, in the Mass Sports Department under the Sports Commission... Heh, before you went abroad, you were already a section-level cadre in Wannian Group, and you're a top student from Princeton University, from a prestigious family, it's a bit of a waste for you... But it's all temporary..." After

he finished his long speech, he squinted at the handsome young man in front of him, with distinct features, a tall and strong physique, and wearing black-rimmed glasses, who at first glance appeared to be a refined gentleman.

Four years ago, he was the one who personally arranged to send this troublesome young master abroad; who would have thought that four years later, he would have to personally pick him up and arrange this and that for him. In his eyes, this Shi Chuanyue was just a complete good-for-nothing playboy, who hadn't inherited any of the Shi family's traditions. Born into an athletic family, this good-for-nothing son of a high-ranking official has known since childhood how to spend his time with a bunch of dissolute friends, indulging in drinking, partying, and having fun. He's a philanderer, involved in everything from high-speed racing and dog-raising to gambling and even gun-related activities. He's completely useless when it comes to anything productive; even when given a department manager position in a state-owned enterprise, he never shows up for work. In his eyes, this good-for-nothing son of a high-ranking official, aside from his reasonably good looks, is utterly worthless, and any attempt to gain experience abroad would be a waste. Now that he's been forced back to China, if he resumes his hedonistic lifestyle, who knows how much trouble he'll cause? A spoiled brat, a big problem.

The best choice? I still hope he'll choose Zhuji City; the possibility is quite high. After all, it's a special economic zone, a place of entertainment, and a lucrative position in the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. It's lucrative and easy to indulge in debauchery. Besides, Nanhai Province is far from the capital; since it's troublesome, the farther the better. I can arrange things myself, have Wannian Group transfer him some money, and he can do whatever he wants in that faraway place. It'll just be the same old drinking, gambling, and debauchery. It's just that special economic zones are chaotic. I hope this little bastard doesn't do anything illegal again. The Shi family isn't what it used to be; now, there might not be anyone willing to smooth things over for him.

If he really wants to be closer to the glamorous world of the capital, then go to Hezhou City. At least it's within the province, and it's only a two-hour drive to the capital. What kind of technology does land surveying require? It's basically selling land and getting kickbacks, which is quite lucrative. Of course, the land market is a bit tense now, but this little bastard probably values coming back to the capital for weekend fun more. A lot of his old cronies are still there.

Going to Hexi Province? A publicity officer in the Media Section of the Mass Sports Events Department of the Provincial Sports Bureau… Heh heh, what a ridiculous position, even I don't know what that entails. Although Hexi is far away, Hexi City is still quite prosperous, and within my own system, it's convenient for me to take care of him and clean up his messes. It's just that the sports circle is relatively low-level, with little lucrative opportunities, so this young master probably isn't interested. Besides, from the Provincial Party Committee to the General Sports Bureau, Hexi Province is basically a collateral branch of the "princelings," and this little bastard, a mere "tail" of the "tea party," what good could he possibly get there? However, these factional divisions are inherently blurred, and this spoiled brat probably doesn't even understand them.

Anyway, I've done my best. Although it's a troublesome and troublesome job, taking care of Shi Chuanyue's life and work, fulfilling a favor to an old friend—that makes sense after all. The "Princelings" might not necessarily target this infamous "Nine-No-Job Director" because of this. After all, Shi Shu'an has already gotten into trouble; it's just a matter of sending a useless playboy to deal with him. Killing someone is just a matter of a quick death. As long as they find a way to give this young master the money still left in the Wannian Group so he can enjoy himself in Hexi City, the "Tea Party" should be able to say they've been loyal enough. And the best part is, the whole thing doesn't violate any laws or organizational principles.

But thinking back to why he had sent Ishikawa Yue abroad years ago only fueled his contempt for this heartless young master of an official family. He found him troublesome and useless: "Why play with rape? Is it that fun? If you want sex, you should go through the normal channels of dating and marriage. Anything is fine, but resorting to violence is against the law... It's immoral, and you have no sense of aesthetics at all..." The monotonous scenery on both sides of the highway rushed past the car window. Qin Mu was about to offer some words of comfort and mention the money to reassure Ishikawa Yue when Ishikawa Yue, sitting opposite him, was already speaking with a sincere expression:

"Uncle Qin, please don't say that. At this time, with your status, you still came to pick me up at the airport and even arranged a job for me… I really don't know how to thank you enough…" "You don't need to say that, Grandpa's arrangements won't be wrong. I also trust the government and the law. Since you've said so, I'll follow your arrangements. I won't stay in the capital anymore, Uncle. I'll visit him again when there's progress in the case." "I know, this is your painstaking effort to cultivate me, a junior, and also a test from the government and organization, giving me an opportunity to learn and grow… I'll fly to Hexi City tomorrow. I…" "A master's graduate with no experience from overseas, I'm fortunate to have a position that allows me to do real work, all thanks to Uncle Qin's arrangement. I'm more than grateful; how could I possibly complain about having too much or too little?" "Actually, I learned a lot of theoretical knowledge abroad and observed some characteristics of the American sports industry. Ah, Uncle, when you were young, didn't you also do a lot of practical work for local sports? And Uncle Qin, haven't you always been working in the sports field? I think there's still a lot of room for development in our country's mass sports and competitive sports, especially in the sports industry, which is worth our young people..." "I'm going there to train and explore, don't worry... I'm telling you this: once I get to Hexi Province, I will definitely work hard and study diligently; I'm willing to spend three to five years at the grassroots level, at least in some areas, to carry forward the fighting spirit of your older generation in sports... My ideal is that within three years, Hexi Province can at least achieve a top-six medal count at the National Games." Looking at Shi Chuanyue's sparkling eyes and his Adam's apple bobbing with excitement, Qin Muben's eyes narrowed this time, as if he didn't recognize him. Looking more closely at this "nephew," he suddenly felt a little uneasy. Qin Mu thought to himself, "Americans really know how to educate people..." But then he heard Chuan Yue say with a cheerful expression, "Uncle Qin, once we get to the provincial capital, I'll just be a low-level staff member... I probably won't even get to see the big leaders of the provincial party committee and bureau... I wouldn't dare ask you to put in a good word for me, that would be inappropriate. But if you have some free time, could you perhaps tell me about the current state of sports in the province?" Qin Mu was momentarily at a loss for words. Hearing his enthusiasm, he vaguely regretted giving him the option of going to Hexi, but it was too late to back out now. He squinted and chuckled, nodding and saying vaguely:

"Young people, it's good to have drive. Grassroots work is still work. The sports industry... it's a vast field with great potential. Providing talent for the national team is the main task for each province now. Hexi Province isn't really a sports powerhouse... of the three major ball sports, only volleyball is decent. Track and field and swimming haven't been very good in recent years. Small ball sports are alright, though. Other strong provinces are declining... and... there's diving. Several promising young divers for the national team are from Hexi... young athletes, still developing, I can't remember them all... Now that you've arrived..." "You'll get to know the province better..." "Director Liu of the Sports Bureau is also my old comrade-in-arms, hahaha... and there's Old Chen from the Competition Department, Chen Li. He used to work for your uncle. Now he's a key figure at the grassroots level... These are all your superiors, you should learn from them..." He actually had no real understanding of the personnel and projects in a province with weak sports, so he rambled on for a bit, looked out the window at the approaching city, glanced at Ishikawa Yue, and laughed: "Your Uncle Qin is busy, he has to go to a meeting first. You just returned to the country, tonight..." "Let Xiao Meng take you out for a meal and a good rest... Xiao Meng, take Chuan Yue out for a nice welcome-back dinner..." Driver Xiao Meng, who had been practically invisible the whole way, suddenly seemed to appear out of thin air after this sentence, chattering incessantly: "Yes, Director Qin. Officer Shi is truly a handsome man, and he even has a Master's degree in Sports Management from Princeton University... Tsk tsk... We people of such a cultural level are really envious... By the way, I have a distant cousin who is currently a student in the Department of Physical Education at Capital University. She happens to have time tonight; Officer Shi needs to..." "Let's go to Hexi? Could we have dinner together tonight? She could learn some advanced concepts in international sports management, wouldn't she? Director Qin, would this count as doing both public and private good?" Qin Mu seemed to hear but not hear, and vaguely smiled, "You young people, are you having fun by yourselves?" He closed his eyes to rest. He was quite satisfied with today. Although he was a little unsure what this playboy was thinking, he knew that at least for now, there were no problems. Xiao Meng would arrange for him to be in this big mess. He would have a comfortable night and be sent out of the capital tomorrow.

Chapter 4: Jiang Ziyan - Whose Bra, Whose Fragrance?

Two months later.

Kongjiang Water Sports Training Base is located in the urban-rural fringe of Hexi City, the capital of Hexi Province.

It is preparing for the National University Games. The Hexi Province swimming team, diving team, and water polo team have been training here in seclusion for the past three months. Due to limited conditions, each team not only has to use the venue in sections, but sometimes they even have to train together. However, special equipment like the 10-meter diving platform is only available in two locations, so the schedule has to be mixed: after the women's team completes seven sets of training exercises, they go to the locker room to shower and change, then do flexibility training and tactical drills. Only then do the men's team come in to train.

Jiang Ziyan, the top athlete on the provincial men's team, is naturally the first to start. On the 10-meter diving platform in Pool 2, he makes his final preparations for the jump. From a distance, everything looks normal: his tall and well-proportioned figure, his strong and fair muscles, his outstretched arms like an eagle, his tiptoes raised, the sunlight filtering through the skylight, mixed with dust, makes him look even brighter, healthier, and calmer. Only Jiang Ziyan himself knows that even at the moment of takeoff, he can't help but feel a little conflicted, making full use of his "high" position, secretly looking down into the corridor leading to the locker room, as if trying to see through something... As a star athlete in a closed training camp, Jiang Ziyan is under immense pressure.

Last year at the Heineken Asia Tour, national team star Song Jiangpeng was absent, and veteran Yang Yong underperformed, suffering a recurrence of a left foot injury upon entering the water, causing him to convulse and fail to control the splash. It seemed that China was about to lose to China again, missing out on the gold medal. Jiang Ziyan, an unknown athlete who had only gone to gain experience, delivered a flawless 207b performance, earning applause and cheers from the crowd and winning the gold medal for China against all odds. Although the Heineken Tour was essentially a commercially sponsored event with far less influence than official international competitions, Jiang Ziyan's handsome appearance, resolute expression, and shy smile of joy after winning the gold medal were captured by a keen photographer and shared online. This was met with cheers from a group of bored, infatuated men and women: "What a handsome young man!", "He's like the morning sun shining on the earth!", "I can't take it anymore, he's melting my heart!"... There were even exaggerated claims like "The national team has a worthy successor!" and "China's new diving number one!"

Upon his return, the provincial team leaders repeatedly tried to calm him down, admonishing him to avoid arrogance and complacency, to train diligently in seclusion, not to be distracted by the noise of society, and not to focus too much on

fame and fortune. However, he still saw the barely concealed excitement on the faces of the provincial team's head coach, his personal coach, and even the provincial sports bureau leaders, Director Liu and Section Chief Chen. For the past five or six years, sports in Hexi Province, especially men's events, had been lukewarm. Not to mention compared to strong provinces like Hedong, even medium-sized provinces like Nanhai and Beihai were beginning to fall behind. It was rare to finally produce a gold medalist with such good looks and public recognition. The team and the province had already recognized his talent, even his potential. The Hexi women's diving team already had several promising prospects, and now the men's team had a leader, which even the province considered a source of pride.

In recent months, the media seemed to have been stirred up and couldn't be stopped. The city's TV stations, newspapers, magazines, and online media had all come to the training base to visit him, dig up gossip, and interview him, of course, accompanied by team leaders. Even the day before yesterday, the newly arrived Director Shi from the provincial bureau, who seemed quite capable, arranged for an ESPN reporter to film a training clip of the male and female diving teammates. The documentary was originally intended to focus on the theme of athletes' retirement and legacy, mainly filming the lives of retired athletes such as coaches, assistant coaches, and other administrative staff. Even so, he was given several shots. Director Shi, whether jokingly or not, also said he would arrange for Jiang Ziyan to appear on a TV program.

The online frenzy surrounding Jiang Ziyan was surging. The provincial open training competition a couple of days ago—a competition that usually goes unnoticed, merely a chance for a few team members to familiarize themselves with the rules—had attracted a huge audience and even media coverage because of his appearance. Several female students from Hexi University and Kongjiang No. 3 Middle School had come specifically to cheer and scream for him from the stands. He blushed, still sporting his signature shy smile, like an innocent boy next door. This purity, unique to athletes and so out of place in the chaotic world, made the female students even more excited and their hearts race.

Jiang Ziyan also thoroughly enjoyed this near-celebrity-like attention; however, he was also somewhat afraid of this excessive attention during the actual competition. The 207b and 405b moves were beyond his usual training average. Was his exceptional performance in the tour truly due to improved training, or just a flash of inspiration? He hesitated to think further.

Jiang Ziyan knew, and his head coach had repeatedly warned him, that too many thoughts and too much pressure were the most common reasons for failure in this type of sport. The more he thought about it, the more afraid he became, and the more afraid he became, the more likely he was to make mistakes. He needed to distract himself and focus his energy on the monotonous and tedious schedule of the closed training.

But recently, almost every night after the lights were turned off at 10 PM, he tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep for various reasons. To pass the time and distract himself, he often browsed the internet on his laptop, secretly reading his fans' comments and entertaining himself.

A young girl with the ID "Lulu1202" posted a shy message: "I've fallen in love with Jiang Ziyan. I really want to kiss his face." Want to kiss me? Want to kiss my face? I want to kiss you too. Not just your face. Jiang Ziyan's heart was churning with turmoil.

He was 18 years old, a diver.

He was 18, a grown man, with an uncontrollable primal urge and desire.

For athletes, seeing the physical characteristics of the opposite sex is a common occurrence, especially for divers. From around 11 or 12 years old, Jiang Ziyan would notice the figures of the girls on his team in their diving swimsuits. After seeing it so many times, he became indifferent, unlike some boys who, during puberty, would seize every opportunity to secretly observe the curves of girls' bodies.

Jiang Ziyan wasn't a clueless idiot. He had secretly watched porn and read erotic novels at a young age, and understood the structure of the female body and the actual meaning of so-called sexual intercourse, although he had never tried it himself.

However, he was, after all, a child who had entered the city's youth team training camp at the age

of 10. The so-called "amateur sports schools" and "sports-featured schools" scattered throughout the country, and their target groups—provincial and municipal training teams—seemed to be of the same ilk, but were actually two completely different worlds. Talented individuals like Jiang Ziyan were, of course, considered "probably okay" ordinary athletes by the national team, but from the perspective of the local area, especially at the city and county levels, they were already considered key targets for closed training from a young age. Now, at the provincial team level, the rules are almost as strict as those of the national team: dating is absolutely forbidden, and those caught will be expelled.

Athletes in provincial and municipal teams, regardless of age, face numerous rules during closed training camps, and their lives are particularly monotonous and lack any outlet or release. Every move they make is controlled by coaches, leaders, teachers, parents, and team leaders. In some people's eyes, athletes are merely scoring and training/competition machines, and they

are unwilling to inject more content into their lives. Of course, this is not 20 years ago. Even in the national team, some rules were only verbally agreed upon and difficult to enforce seriously. In reality, youthful enthusiasm and teenage girlish feelings are irrepressible once they reach a certain age. Even in the suffocatingly tense and numbingly monotonous closed training, male and female athletes, starting from puberty, always find various opportunities and ways to joke, play, and interact. In the world of 16- and 17-year-old professional athletes, this kind of interaction sometimes seems as innocent and naive as that of elementary school students. It's incomparable to the increasingly open relationships of teenagers in the city, and worlds apart from the chaotic and filthy amateur sports schools. However, within the closed training environment, it can be considered a touching and romantic aspect of youth.

For the past two years, Jiang Ziyan had been secretly observing Xu Shasha, constantly seeking opportunities to talk to her, joke with her, and even, when exchanging tips on completing movements, to take the opportunity to gently touch her shoulder or waist through her swimsuit.

Jiang Ziyan couldn't help but think many times: Xu Shasha is simply too charming.

Xu Shasha is two years younger than him. She has bright eyes, long eyelashes, a small nose with a slightly rounded, upturned tip that adds to her playful cuteness, and two adorable dimples when she smiles. Her personality is so gentle, lovely, kind, and pure, like a water lily, untouched by the world. She's the undisputed beauty of the Hexi Provincial Diving Team, a rising star, and has already begun training with the national second team. This exquisite and charming little mermaid not only possesses a graceful figure and captivating confidence on the diving platform, but when you get close to her, as an ordinary girl admiring her, you'll also be captivated by her natural beauty. Jiang Ziyan and several of the male team members secretly admire her. They dream of embracing her, even kissing her.

Of course, these shy young men generally only dare to think about it, or joke and play around with the girls. The provincial team's rule is that dating is forbidden, and besides, Xu Shasha has such a heavy training schedule. An athlete's life is often not their own choice, and confessing isn't something everyone dares to try. Although Jiang Ziyan is handsome, he considers himself just an ordinary member of the men's team. Although he wants to reach out and pluck this beauty, he lacks the courage.

However, his performance in this tournament gave Jiang Ziyan an opportunity. Thanks to the power of the internet and its gossip, he seemed to become a celebrity overnight. Several of the younger members of the women's team would greet him proactively, female fans would come to cheer him on, and even the team leaders and provincial leaders looked at him with new respect. The delicate beauty of the women's team, Xu Shasha, seemed to have noticed him too, and would even smile sweetly at him. Sometimes, he even noticed that Xu Shasha's cheeks seemed to blush when she looked at him.

Ah, this beautiful water lily. Her bright eyes, long eyelashes, small nose with a slightly rounded, upturned tip that was exceptionally cute and playful, and two adorable dimples on her cheeks when she smiled.

And… her fair arms, her rounded shoulders, her slender legs, her jade-like feet, the soft rise and fall of her chest, those two small, granular protrusions that one almost dared not look at… and her little bottom wrapped in her one-piece swimsuit, that round, alluring shape and the firm, upright firmness only a female athlete possesses, and… that mysterious triangle area, that slit whose form is vaguely visible… even…” Why can’t all of this belong to me? Be mine. Let me see what they really look like. Let me touch them. Let me kiss them. Let us enjoy every inch of that skin, let me do things that make me happy with this girl’s body.” Whenever these thoughts surged, Jiang Ziyan felt excited but also ashamed. His thoughts were becoming more and more absurd, and his gaze towards Xu Shasha was becoming more and more absurd. But he couldn’t resist; these thoughts seemed to be the best way to relieve the pressure of training. The more he suppressed his feelings, the more unbearable it became. He seized every opportunity to steal glances at Xu Shasha, get close to her, and fantasize about her. He believed that he had truly fallen in love with this diving girl.

He was somewhat confused, but not to the point of losing control. However, a recent encounter plunged him into an even more chaotic and inescapable state.

A little over ten days ago, he went to the girls' dormitory again under the pretext of delivering some documents, actually hoping to find a chance to talk to Xu Shasha. The security guard downstairs wasn't there, and he inexplicably wandered to Xu Shasha's dormitory on the third floor of Dormitory 7. Next to the laundry room, he saw a bamboo laundry basket. At the very top of the basket, a very delicate pinkish-purple embroidered bra caught his eye. He didn't know it was called a push-up bra, nor did he know it was embroidered with roses, nor did he know that this thickness was called a thin one-piece bra, and he couldn't even tell what size it was. For a moment, his breath almost stopped. He felt it was the most beautiful and alluring thing in the world, and the pile of wrinkled swimsuits and casual clothes in the basket seemed to be clearly telling him: these are dirty clothes… Are these dirty clothes?… These are clothes just taken from a girl's body, from those soft, high breasts? Did every inch of these lines once wrap around Xu Shasha's breasts? Did every single line exist to caress Xu Shasha's nipples? Was that bra strap the one that had kissed Xu Shasha's shoulder? He didn't know what he was thinking; his brain almost stopped functioning, and he impulsively stole the bra. That night, in his own bed, he used that bra to frantically rub his penis, kissing, caressing, folding, sucking, and licking it. He wrapped it around the cups, the straps, the back straps, and used the creases of the support to probe every inch… again and again, reaching sexual arousal and orgasms he had never achieved before through masturbation.

Rationally, he knew there was no reason why it must be Xu Shasha's bra; several female teammates lived on the third floor, especially a few senior female teammates who had just retired and were now working as assistant coaches. He was also ashamed, believing his behavior was utterly despicable, utterly perverse, bordering on evil.

But in his frenzy, he couldn't control himself. This beautiful and unique fabric was simply too tempting. Its scent, its feel, that intoxicating fragrance—it was like the most precious treasure in the world. He continued to frantically rub the woman's undergarment, as if touching it was a ritual to unlock a paradise of pleasure.

Then, as his reason and fervor surged simultaneously, he didn't know why, but he secretly started searching online for information about women's bras. The result was a mix of frustration and excitement: this bra… almost certainly didn't belong to Xu Shasha. While

Xu Shasha's figure was undeniably graceful, the bra's cup size was clearly a size larger than the breasts of this 16-year-old girl; and this exquisitely embroidered bra was very adult-oriented and expensive, unlikely to be the style worn by the young girls on the diving team. Could

it be one of the senior girls'? Could it be Sister Lü's? Or Sister Song's? Could he be so lucky as to think it belonged to Sister Jinjin? No, let's just pretend she's Sha Sha's... Although he continued kissing, caressing, playing with, and breathing in the bra for several nights in a row, fantasizing about pressing Xu Sha Sha's tender and pure body against his chest, kissing, caressing, playing with, even raping, torturing, abusing, and ravaging her... But in the later nights, the incredibly beautiful body he imagined, the voice that moaned and begged for mercy under his pressure, became less and less like Xu Sha Sha. Instead, it transformed from a youthful and graceful feeling into a more alluring, more mature, and more lewd body that could make a splashing sound. That body was imagined, and of course, it often took different forms, infinitely close to every man's inner desires. But the face gradually changed, from that bright and cheerful diving team girl, becoming more and more like the stunningly beautiful assistant coach of the women's team: Zhou Jin.

Therefore, he felt a ridiculous sense of shame: it was as if he were betraying Xu Sha Sha. He felt even more absurdly that his desires had escalated from gentle caresses to more intense collisions; the exclamations in his mind had transformed from the innocent and simple "The girl next door is so sweet, beautiful, and lovely" to countless absurd, hoarse statements: "I want the woman under this bra," "I want to play with her breasts," "I want to fuck her," "I must fuck her," "Ah... what is a woman's body really like..." "Ah... what are the fragrant, full breasts of this girl under this bra really like..." He was terrified, he loathed himself, and he felt the desire in his heart growing more and more like an evil flame. Even the pool water washing over his body with each movement, concealing a certain distortion in his body, could hardly truly quell the restlessness in his heart.

Just like now, even in this instant of jumping, even though he knew he couldn't see anything, he still stared intently at the corridor leading to the changing room, lost in his fantasies.

He knew that there, in this world, lay the most beautiful thing: a woman's body.

Whether it's Xu Shasha's or Zhou Jin's. 207b... Backwards three and a half somersaults in a tucked position... Soaring into the air...

Chapter 5: Zhou Jin - The Script of Life

In the dressing room, Zhou Jin tried her best to keep her tone within the range of adjectives: "friendly," "professional," and "serious."

"The rectus abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique muscles all need to feel tense and controllable... Even when walking on flat ground, you need to get used to the tension in your lower back muscles. Remember, it's not about flexibility, it's about tension. Tension means that you can subjectively control these muscle groups, so that you have enough strength when doing bending and folding movements to make your lower back completely tense, even in straight movements. It needs to be absolutely tense so that the lines can be shown, and the power of the movement also starts from these muscle groups. One of the differences between us and ordinary people is that we can control muscle groups to the maximum extent..." "The rectus abdominis is here... the internal oblique is here... the external oblique is here... no, this is the posterior extension of the erector spinae muscles, and it's the same, you need to feel the tension. If you can feel the internal muscle fiber rhythm, that's even better..." She pointed to the waist and abdomen wrapped in Xu Shasha's light blue swimsuit, gesturing the location of the muscle groups, while carefully repeating the knowledge she had mastered. Her fingertips traced the body of the diving team's little mermaid, glistening with sweat from practice, and she couldn't help but admire her: "Your natural talent is truly remarkable..." She seemed to realize her tone was a little hesitant, so she blushed and smiled, bending slightly forward with her hands behind her back, and softly said with narrowed eyes, "Actually, with your talent and experience, you should already know all this... I'm... well... it's all just talk. Just pay more attention to your own feeling..." The diving team didn't allow girls to have long hair, so Xu Shasha draped her medium-length hair, still dripping with water, over her shoulders with her hands. She combed her hair back, squeezing out some water from the pool, and noticing the shyness in the "fitness assistant instructor's" voice, she quickly giggled and said, "Oh, not at all... Sister Jinjin, you're truly professional, and you even studied and trained in Australia. What you say is really valuable to me... Hehe... Coach Xu is also very dedicated, and he means the same thing, but all he says is 'tighten your waist,' 'tighten your waist.' I was thinking, you can tighten your legs, but how do you tighten your waist...?" She playfully imitated the head coach's Sichuan accent, laughing so hard she almost fell over.

Seeing her playful demeanor, Zhou Jin's dimples were exceptionally sweet when she smiled, and her burgeoning breasts, brimming with youthful charm, appeared even more prominent and lively thanks to her exaggerated movements. He couldn't suppress his admiration and affection for her, unable to maintain the seriousness of an "ice queen assistant coach," and joined in her giggles. For some reason, he couldn't resist playfully slapping her cute, pert bottom, encased in her swimsuit, and said with a laugh, "I'll tell Teacher Zhao later…it's so kind of her to dote on you…" Unbeknownst to anyone, his hand gently touched the little mermaid's bottom, and the curve of her buttocks bounced like jelly. Zhou Jin, who considered herself to have no homosexual tendencies, couldn't help but feel a flutter in her heart.

For the past three months, Zhou Jin had been diligently controlling her words and actions. If she passed the internship assessment, she might become a formal assistant coach for the women's team. Although it was only an entry-level job, she still needed to be mindful of her professional image.

The understanding Xu Shasha had already wrapped her arms around Zhou Jin's neck, like a little sister pleading with an older sister, or a best friend confiding in her, encouraging her new assistant coach: "Sister Jin Jin, you're great. You'll be a good coach..." Zhou Jin felt a warmth in her heart as she listened to Xu Shasha's words. But looking at the smiling, glistening 16-year-old girl before her, especially her pert little nose fluttering, she felt a faint pang of sadness. The Xu Shasha before her seemed not to be Xu Shasha at all; her features were shifting, transforming into another version of herself, another Zhou Jin. This little mermaid seemed to be someone who had accidentally picked up another script on the stage of life, despite the ten-year age difference between them. Thoughts and memories mingled together, flooding her mind:

the demanding requirements for talent in the professional sports world are unimaginable to the average viewer. A girl like Xu Shasha might start diving at 7 or 8, stand out in a sports school after 10, and become a key talent for development. By 13 or 14, she could typically join the city's youth training team or even falsify her age to join the provincial team. Reaching the national team level meant being the center of attention, living in a special world incomprehensible to ordinary people.

However, in the numerous "sports-focused schools" and "amateur sports schools" scattered across China, the stories of children like Zhou Jin were far more common. They were considered "extremely talented" by their parents or teachers before the age of 7 or 8, and then embarked on this path. But after years of honing their skills, each improvement in technique only brought them encountering even more "talented" peers.

This wasn't surprising; participating in professional sports was already a one-in-a-hundred event. Making it into the provincial or municipal teams is a matter of one in a thousand, or even one in ten thousand. Reaching the national team means being among the very few out of hundreds of thousands, even millions, of "extremely talented" children who can combine "talent," "opportunity," "luck," and "hard work" into a cohesive whole. Yet, at Kongjiang No. 3 Middle School, where Zhou Jin studied as a child, many families harbored dreams of becoming sports stars for various reasons.

Kongjiang No. 3 Middle School also had a primary school section, nominally a provincial-run 12-year integrated primary and secondary school, but in reality, it was the preferred sports-focused youth school in Hexi City and even the entire Hexi Province. Since the late 1990s, "amateur sports schools" that only trained future sports talent have suffered a decline in reputation, easily criticized internationally as sacrificing the educational rights of young people and a negative symbol of the national gold medal system. Local governments at all levels have gradually become less willing to run such schools, turning instead to these self-deceptive "sports-featured" "ordinary primary schools" or "ordinary middle schools." However, in reality, aside from sports programs, the teaching quality and management standards of these schools have always been barely passable or perfunctory. After all, maintaining the same intensity on both the rigorous paths of "academic learning" and "sports training" is impossible, even from the perspective of a child's capacity.

Even for Kongjiang, a "provincial-level sports-featured school," making the school's first team in each age group is still a far cry from producing truly professional sports "promising talents." Only by passing the selection competitions, entering the provincial team training camp, or at least squeezing into the "municipal-level youth special training team," can one be considered to have found a breakthrough on the path to becoming a professional athlete. Of course, even if one manages to overcome all obstacles and reach this point, there is still a long way to go before becoming a provincial-level sports star like Xu Shasha, who already has a marginal spot on the national team.

But at least 14 years ago, Zhou Jin, then only 12 years old, finally became a member of the first team of the Kongjiang No. 3 Middle School diving team after four brutal selection competitions. In the subsequent provincial youth sports selection competition, she completed the 203b and 303b dives, which were considered bottlenecks for children her age, on the 3-meter springboard, although the quality of her execution still needed improvement. After completing the dives, her father, who was also her personal coach, hugged her, now a graceful young woman, and wept bitterly. He believed that his beloved "little goldfish" had finally opened the window to professional diving.

Zhou Jin believed that perhaps there was still a 1% difference in talent, but up until that day, her life script and that of Xu Shasha today were at least similar. Of course, that 1% difference was indeed insurmountable.

Between the ages of 12 and 14, Zhou Jin's training struggled to make breakthroughs. This was difficult for outsiders to understand, as her height and physique were no longer suited to the demands of diving. Development is a crucial hurdle that young athletes must overcome, albeit a difficult one. During a period of intense, intensive training in hopes of recovery, a muscle strain and an accident cost her her chance to remain on the provincial team. She returned to Kongjiang No. 3 Middle School, becoming just another ordinary student among the countless boys and girls at the sports school.

Life is like that. Perhaps it's just a difference of 1% or even 0.1% in talent, or perhaps just a difference in luck and circumstances. Xu Shasha went on to become a beautiful young star in the sports world, even participating in the World Championships; while Zhou Jin returned to Kongjiang No. 3 Middle School.

The script changed. She couldn't overcome that insurmountable barrier. Afterwards, perhaps the only thing that allowed her to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Xu Shasha today was her increasingly beautiful and alluring physique.

She had always been satisfied with her figure, even somewhat obsessed with it, since childhood. Even after giving up diving, whenever she looked in the mirror and admired her body, she would feel a self-satisfied sense of pride: "Hmph, at least in terms of figure, who can compare to me?" She had exceptionally long and slender legs, was taller than her peers, had a graceful and petite waist, and possessed breasts that, even in her teenage years, naturally created an alluring cleavage without the need for a special bra. She certainly had reason to be proud. Of course, this breast shape and height did hinder her diving development, but at least it brought her a sweet and proud sense of self during puberty and beyond.

This was her script. A script where gains and losses were difficult to discern.

She lost her virginity at the age of 13, after tasting forbidden fruit with the "track and field prince" of the high school. For a girl from Kongjiang No. 3 Middle School, this wouldn't be a big deal; sports schools are places overflowing with hormones. But as a member of the provincial team, she risked being expelled if discovered. However, looking back now, it was 13 years ago. The memories of the diving team were already blurred, and that first taste of forbidden fruit wasn't something she felt particularly pained about, ashamed of, or boastful about. Only occasionally, when she recalled those awkward and apprehensive embraces and caresses, those haphazard kisses and fondling, even the hasty yet strangely stimulating friction… sometimes, she felt the same wistful resentment that all girls share: the first time in youth is always a bittersweet regret, not just lamenting the loss of virginity, but also lingering on the traces of time.

And then there was the time at 14… but she didn't want to recall that time; she had truly forgotten it, at least as if it had never happened. At

16, in her first year of high school, she also had a relationship with a rather handsome high school teacher, a time she enjoyed immensely. At Kongjiang No. 3 High School, most of the promising athletes who needed to shine in their youth had already lost their chance at success, and the management of the high school had become increasingly relaxed and resembled that of ordinary schools. By then, Zhou Jin was used to the boys' teasing and chasing at school, and she knew clearly that the teacher was seducing her, the most eye-catching girl in the class. But at that time, diving was a distant dream, and the college entrance exam was an insurmountable swamp. Only having a romantic yet forbidden story with an adult was what attracted her most. At least, in terms of feminine charm, she surpassed her classmates. She even wore a diving one-piece swimsuit specifically to have sex with that teacher, hoping to gain more satisfaction and wilder pleasure from him. On the other hand, it was also to satisfy a strange mentality of hers: "Rape me, rape this diving beauty. Defile me, defile that high and mighty athlete..." It was as if the man riding on her young body was violently ravaging another version of herself. Another version of herself that she both longed for and hated the most.

Of course, aside from these sexual games, she still believed that there was an element of "love" involved, in addition to desire. The unique charm of an adult man was different from that of a high school boy who only knew how to secretly smoke, drink, read pornography, and whistle at little girls. It wasn't until she discovered the teacher had secretly filmed their lovemaking that she, feeling angry and deceived, broke off all contact with him. For many years afterward, she never acted recklessly or promiscuously again, treating these experiences as just one of the exciting yet somewhat shameful memories that any sexy and beautiful girl would have during puberty. Only occasionally, she would recall the exciting feeling of being "led into love and desire," of being "conquered and expressing pleasure" in bed… She failed to get into Hexi University in the college entrance exam and ended up at a vocational college, studying for three years without understanding anything. She had two very uninteresting boyfriends in college and earned a worthless diploma in "Sports Rehabilitation Therapy." What a garbage major! Was it meant to make her a massage therapist?

This was her script. A somewhat helpless script.

Upon entering the workforce, Zhou Jin did experience some anxiety and confusion, and even held two rather ridiculous internships. Later, by chance, she met her best friend, a television presenter and the daughter of a high-ranking official. Under her guidance and influence, Zhou Jin began frequenting the Yuanhai bar district in Hexi and the top funnel frequented by foreigners. In that circle, she repeatedly, almost like a hobby, proved one thing: how outstanding and charming she was in certain more interesting areas.

With her alluring figure and the still-present healthy charisma of an athlete, many men in the Yuanhai bar district naturally expressed their affection for her, or even harbored blatant intentions towards her. When bored, she and her best friend also enjoyed the kind of "Miss, may I get to know you?"—a somewhat Western-style approach—in the bars of Hexi City. Zhou Jin enjoyed that feeling—teasing them a little, giving them a friendly look, rather than constantly playing the ice queen. Yet, she always politely and elegantly refused them at crucial moments. It was a way of teaching those ridiculous men a lesson and a way of teasing them.

Although she had her share of teenage mischief in her youth, and although her body certainly had the means to continue, she wasn't a glamorous, cynical socialite, or a bar girl selling her body for tips. She still retained a certain innocent instinct. She enjoyed being admired, but didn't want to be too promiscuous, and still dreamed of love, marriage, and a happy family.

This was her script, a rather ordinary one, actually.

Of course, those who walk by the river often get their shoes wet, and her frequenting the bar district inevitably led to passionate encounters. There were a few times, in drunken, half-hearted acts of mischief… Oh, and once, a seemingly well-off young man, after two dates, blatantly took her to a luxury hotel. She was momentarily smitten and firmly proposed a formal relationship. The young man naturally agreed, sincerely calling her "girlfriend" or "Dalin Jinjin." But after a few passionate sexual encounters, he gave her an expensive handbag and a set of cosmetics, but never contacted her again.

She finally realized that with her background, even with her stunning beauty, finding "true love" on Yuanhai Street or TopFuncenter who could lead her away from her social class and escape her mundane and depressing life was just wishful thinking.

This was her script, nothing more.

Her father, who had some insignificant connections in the sports world, used his influence to secure her a modest position at the provincial water sports center. For someone with only a vocational college diploma, this was practically a government job; her father had done everything in his power.

Perhaps truly experiencing the unpredictability and hardship of life, this job seemed to inject new vitality into Zhou Jin. Besides working diligently, she also studied for a coaching certificate. Through some special circumstances, she even impressed the director of the water sports center, who arranged for her to study in Australia. Upon her return, she was given an internship at the provincial diving team. Although she still had a long way to go before becoming a full-fledged coach, at least she was now officially an "Assistant Physical Training Coach."

She had come full circle, only to find herself back in diving.

This was her script, an absurd one.

She was still young, and life held many possibilities; she often encouraged herself with this thought. She could focus on being a good coach, perhaps one day becoming a professional coach. Perhaps one day, she could meet a well-off civil servant in the bar district or at work—someone who could afford a three-bedroom apartment, who would cherish her, not mind her past carefree experiences, and they could build a warm and happy family. There are many possibilities, much happiness, much fulfillment, much comfort… But she also knows that the adjectives she increasingly uses to comfort and encourage herself—"warm," "happy," "joyful," "fulfilling," "comfortable"—all ultimately mean the same underlying tone: "ordinariness." The adjectives she once truly longed for—"glorious," "exciting," "successful," "noble," "famous," "incredible," "the center of attention," and even the true meaning of "infinite possibilities…" and "the thrill of breaking through everything…" appear less and less frequently in her mind. Perhaps all of this belongs more to this young, watery junior colleague before her.

This is her script.

This is my script.

We each play our part.

Zhou Jin couldn't help but be a little dazed.

(Word count: 23007)

[To be continued]

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[The Fragrance of Power] [Chapters 2-5] [Author: Unknown] [To be continued]

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