naked

If we could slice the world across time—the material world and the spiritual world—we would discover many thought-provoking cycles of interpersonal relationships.
A couple holding hands and gazing at each other is a two-point cycle; a husband looking at his child, the child looking at his mother, and the mother looking at her husband is a three-point cycle; but when a couple makes love in a car, the man thinks of his wife and children at home, and the woman thinks of Brad Pitt or Bill Gates. The two-point cycle in the material world has diverged into a double-pronged fork in the spiritual world.
Observing the structure of these cycles and the reasons for their divergence, comparing the contrasts in interpersonal relationships in the two worlds, and studying the process of change from cycle to divergence or from divergence to cycle is obviously very interesting. There is only cycle without divergence, which is rigid; there is only divergence without cycle, which is tragic. In dialectical terms, cycle is for the sake of divergence, and divergence is for the sake of establishing the next cycle. Change generates energy, so times change, circumstances change, comedies and tragedies pass by one after another, and dramas and farces come one after another, like endless salted ribbonfish in the ocean.
On April 1, 2001, at 4:13 PM, a long-awaited five-point cycle finally came to fruition in Shenzhen.
The first to enter the pre-cycle state was Zhen Yan, a master's student in law at Shenzhen University. She wasn't in the classroom or her dormitory, but lying on her side on a rather exquisite bed. The bedspread was green, a pale green, sparsely dotted with small, deep purple flowers. Dim light barely filtered through the white curtains, sliding down her delicate body. Gray shadows, accompanied by slight indentations, slanted up from her bare ankles, then slanted in again, then circled, creeping into the short hair falling in front of her, casting a hazy mist over her normally sharp eyes.
Zhen Yan had been lying like this for a long time, and the mist had already spread from her glossy black hair, spreading to the smiling photograph. In a daze, the photo frame, along with the low cabinet, began to sway gently, as if trying to escape this light mist. Amidst the swaying and twisting, a few moans were even escaping.
Had this foreign scoundrel Liu Xin fallen for her, and to what extent? Zhen Yan tried hard to think, but still couldn't figure it out. She didn't believe he would love her, nor did she want him to, but infatuation was necessary; it was the foundation for him to fulfill his promises, even more promises. She needed these promises, more than ever. She didn't want to lose any opportunities because of her misjudgment.
The smile in the photo frame suddenly took on a mocking tone.
The smile on Liu Xin's face, president of Youlong Investment Development Co., Ltd., was gradually fading.
The reason for its fading wasn't Zhen Yan, but the large, dark clouds outside the airplane window. Having just flown back from the cold of Henan, Liu Xin had been hoping to see bright sunshine, but now he could only shake his head and sigh, secretly taking his anger out on the pretty flight attendant. The way to vent was simple: imagine her struggling and moaning under the pressure of his body.
That was exactly Liu Xin's type. When he got serious, his eyes bore a striking resemblance to Xiao Xue's. However, Xiao Xue's eyes were far purer and brighter. Even through the crude VQ camera, he could often sense a refreshing fragrance.
That was probably the fragrance of a virgin. Liu Xin's lips involuntarily twitched. A faint blush appeared on his previously somewhat gloomy face. He looked out the window again, trying to find something worth watching through the gaps in the dark clouds. However, there was nothing but varying shades of gray-black. Even the distant sunlight disappeared little by little as the plane descended.
Xiao Xue, a student in Class 3, Grade 11 at Shenzhen University Affiliated High School, was looking up at the sky, quietly worrying. Her deskmate, Xie Wenchao, saw the teacher approaching and lightly kicked her chair leg. She just smiled at the teacher, rolled her eyes at Xie Wenchao, and continued to look up at the dim sky outside the window.
Seeing that the teacher hadn't criticized Xiao Xue and had gone back to studying, Xie Wenchao lowered his voice and said indignantly, "Damn teacher, why do you talk so much when I'm not paying attention..."
Xiao Xue interrupted him irritably, "Serves you right for having such bad grades!" She
then pulled her chair further away, ignoring his grumbling.
If it really rained that night, and if her father really didn't come home until midnight, then her mother would have to buy her H?agen-Dazs. Xiao Xue thought to herself as she slowly lowered her head. It wasn't good to trouble her mother, but her habit of eating H?agen-Dazs on rainy days couldn't be broken. Her mother was also one of the "culprits" who forced her to bear such high expectations; what was wrong with her suffering a little for that?
The faint worry on Xiao Xue's face finally began to fade.
Ling Chen, the deputy director of the Health and Recreation Room at the Nanshan District Retiree Activity Center, however, didn't notice the time at all. She had just returned to her small but safe office and was struggling almost futilely with the vexation in her heart.
The source of his annoyance was a retired, decrepit old man, a former soldier and deputy director of the Labor Bureau. Originally a rough and unrestrained fellow, he had suddenly become "cultured" after joining the group, a regular at poetry, painting, and dance classes. Lately, he'd gone even further, constantly waving a floral hat in front of Ling Chen, pestering him with stale and suggestive nonsense. "
That old lecher!" Ling Chen cursed inwardly, his face flushing. He picked up his teacup, sipped for a while, and gradually calmed himself.
What about the saying, "When one grows old, one's blood and energy decline, and one must guard against lust"? Every man, at any age, must "guard against lust." Even Xiao Sen, in his prime, often had ambiguous relationships with female students. His late return home today was probably also for a rendezvous with his old flame, wasn't it?
Ling Chen put down his teacup and sighed inwardly.
Xiao Sen, the vice dean of the School of Law at Shenzhen University, of course had no idea about Ling Chen's feelings. Even if he did, he might not care; he was already frustrated enough.
After a three-day academic conference, Xiao Sen finally found an opportunity to stop Yuan Xiaoyin, who had been intentionally or unintentionally avoiding him, and asked if she had time to have dinner together. Unexpectedly, she flatly refused, saying she had an appointment with her fiancé to look at curtains. "Damn you, you little slut! When you were craving my dick like a glutton, why weren't you this proper? I'm being sentimental, and you're putting on airs. Fine, I can get you into graduate school, I can get you a cushy job at the procuratorate, and I'll find a way to bring you down again. Don't blame me for turning on you then. Damn your ancestors!"
Xiao Sen cursed, finally feeling a little better. Driving onto the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway, he pondered how to punish Yuan Xiaoyin.
Or perhaps he should give her another chance. The way this little slut used to fawn over him was truly nostalgic. If he could tie her up and humiliate her at will, coupled with the thrill of a long-awaited reunion, he could definitely enjoy himself for a few days. Thinking of this, Xiao Sen's penis suddenly swelled up in his pants. Damn it! Forget about that now, going back to Zhen Yan to relieve his pent-up desire is the real priority.
The instant Xiao Sen's penis hardened and he thought of Zhen Yan, Zhen Yan, Liu Xin, Xiao Xue, and Ling Chen immediately transitioned from their previous interconnected cycle to this precious five-point cycle. They had never achieved this kind of "tacit understanding" before, even though they all knew each other.
What did this mean? Nobody knew. But involuntarily, all five of them felt a jolt, some strong, some gentle. With this jolt, all the possible connections within the cycle began to flicker, as if trying to take advantage of this rare opportunity to clarify all existing and impending problems.
Zhen Yan tossed aside her loose hair, and the mist vanished instantly. In the now-steady photo frame, the mocking smile on her lips grew even stronger. Zhen Yan glared hatefully at Liu Xin, wanting to smother him, but hesitated and ultimately didn't. She simply turned away hesitantly, sleeping on the other side.
If Liu Xin didn't work, she'd have to go back to Old Xiao. However, he might not be able to help her. Besides, that old lecher seemed to have set his sights on a new lover; while he wouldn't immediately distance himself, his level of attention would definitely be somewhat diminished. Threatening him with pregnancy would likely be unsuccessful. Xiao Sen wouldn't believe she dared to expose the matter in the courtyard and cause a complete mess; his wife, with her gentle, timid, and silent demeanor, would most likely just swallow her anger even if she found out.
Could he really have to pay for it himself? Zhen Yan gritted her teeth and swallowed hard, unwilling to give up. Was there any way to find a breakthrough with Xiao Xue? This little girl seemed like a ruthless character, and someone like Xiao Sen would never allow his image to crumble in his daughter's eyes.
Just as he was feeling smug about his still vigorous energy despite being over forty, a red Mercedes sports car roared up from the left. His right hand, gripping the steering wheel, jerked violently, almost scraping against the car's rear end.
Xiao Sen quickly put his left hand on the steering wheel as well, paused for a moment, and slowly released his right hand, cursing as he did so: "Damn it! Can't you drive?"
But his depressed mood quickly returned, making even breathing difficult.
Considering his starting point, reaching this point was indeed quite good. But compared to his peers and even younger generations, he often felt pitifully poor and powerless. Even Liu Xin, that guy with hardly any manly spirit, is now a millionaire, while he can only afford to live in a shabby high-rise duplex and drive this beat-up secondhand BMW. Choosing to stay at the university was truly the biggest, and perhaps only, mistake of his life. Xiao Sen grew increasingly depressed. Ling Chen's father was also to blame. Why commit suicide? He could have at least endured the Cultural Revolution and become a member of the CPPCC. What good is being beautiful, virtuous, and gentle?
Perhaps only Xiao Xue was his hope for owning a villa and a Mercedes.
Teacher Wang finally couldn't stand it anymore. Taking advantage of a question to other students, he gently placed his hand on Xiao Xue's desk, his fingers tapping rhythmically, as if sending a telegram whose contents no one knew.
Xie Wenchao curled his lip in disdain. Seeing this, Xiao Xue deliberately adopted an admiring expression, intently looking at the teacher's fair face. Before long, the young teacher's ears gradually turned red, although he never actually looked at Xiao Xue.
Xiao Xue immediately lost interest.
Liu Xin, her senior, had seen it all. She had tried similar methods to test him many times, but never elicited any significant reaction. A successful person is a successful person, and an intellectual is an intellectual. Even a seemingly respectable old man wouldn't be as calm and composed as Liu Xin when faced with temptation. Otherwise, Zhen Yan wouldn't always act crazy, coquettish, and unreasonable in front of him.
He was indeed excessively calm and composed. He'd been away on a business trip for days without a word; did he really not care about her at all? Thinking this, Xiao Xue's heart pounded wildly.
The increasingly gloomy sky outside the airport terminal once again plunged Liu Xin's head into the water.
He suddenly had a bad feeling. But he couldn't pinpoint the source of this unease. Could it just be because the typhoon might arrive early? Nonsense! Liu Xin shook his head with a wry smile, hurrying towards the parking lot while reviewing his plans for the past few days.
He definitely needed to see Zhen Yan. She had left messages several times inquiring about his return date, most likely needing help again. He might as well confront her and force her to agree to his conditions. Her pushy attitude was truly annoying.
This way, it would be a win-win situation. If he could handle Zhen Yan, he wouldn't need to put in so much effort with Ling Chen anymore. Liu Xin suddenly felt a sense of relief. He hadn't figured out how to face Ling Chen in the future, and he didn't want to hurt this kind woman too much. Her only mistake was marrying Xiao Sen.
An unusual breeze blew in his face, and Liu Xin involuntarily shivered. He quickly opened the car door and got in. ...A soft knock on the door woke Ling Chen from her reverie. But she remained seated, motionless. Because that deep, guttural question, "Teacher Ling, are you there?"
clearly came from that pretentious old man.
Ling Chen secretly rejoiced that she had long ago developed the habit of not turning on the lights or opening the door. Otherwise, she would have been driven crazy by these shameless fellows. In the two or three years since she was transferred here, their entanglement had almost never stopped.
But that was still better than staying at school and seeing Xiao Sen and Zhen Yan hanging around every day. Out of sight, out of mind. Since she wanted a peaceful life, she could only let him vent outside. Ling Chen tried to comfort herself, but suddenly a soft, boneless voice popped into her mind: "Do you really just want peace and quiet? What about Liu Xin?"
In the blink of an eye, the soft voice pierced through her heart, reddening her fair face and pricking every inch of her plump skin.
No, it was an accident, and the matter had ended there, never to be continued. Ling Chen bit her lip and shook her head desperately. He and Xiao Xue should have been a couple. Zhen Yan, that slut, won't succeed. She's not good enough for him, and Liu Xin is far too stupid for that.
Five people, ten lines, a pentagon and a five-pointed star, flickering in the sky of the spiritual world, seemingly able to maintain a stable balance until the distant future.
But eternity doesn't exist, and the ideal state of stable balance cannot last. Moreover, what circulates between them is not only affection and pity, but also contempt, disgust, and even scheming and hatred.
Thus, after only fifteen minutes, this long-brewing and precious five-point cycle has already disintegrated as if it had never been formed at all.
Fifteen minutes, from 4:13 PM to 4:28 PM on April 1, 2001, is but a fleeting moment in the river of time.
In an instant, all that remains is emptiness.
The sky grows increasingly dark and inexplicable.
Chapter One:
Fate is nothing but a whore; the rich and powerful can do whatever they want with her. A little premonition, what's there to be afraid of!
After passing the Tongle Joint Inspection Station, Liu Xin's mind finally began to relax. The familiar feeling restored his confidence that everything was within his grasp. This confidence was something he had lost several times during his time in Henan. At times, he even thought it would never return.
But it had returned, and it had returned too. How wonderful! For the first time, Liu Xin felt a sense of home in Shenzhen. Enveloped in this warm and refreshing atmosphere, the unexpected events that had occurred in distant Henan over the past few days seemed increasingly like a joke, a sordid joke. When his assistant, Xiao Wang, excitedly
told him on the phone that the signing was about to take place, Liu Xin was somewhat surprised. He knew the agreement would be signed sooner or later, but he hadn't expected it to be so soon. To be honest, this IPO agreement was far from as fair as it appeared, in fact, it was completely unfair, even though those old guys would pocket a considerable amount of money from it. But compared to the assets they were selling, it was just a drop in the ocean. One percent, split among five people, wasn't even a fraction of what they were talking about. Liu Xin had initially thought they would take the opportunity to squeeze more money out of him.
Of course, Xiao Wang deserves credit, Xiao Zhang certainly deserves a lot of credit, and perhaps even a certain boss deserves credit as well. However, ultimately, most of the credit will go to Liu Xin. Securing the company's first joint venture agreement not only helped him establish his authority but also gave him more say in front of the boss. From any perspective, this was something to be happy about.
In retrospect, perhaps it was this anticipation of victory that led to the repeated setbacks he suffered during his first three days in Henan.
First, besides the panicked and angry Xiao Wang and Xiao Zhang, only a smiling negotiation assistant—Xu Hui—came to pick him up at the airport. Then, at the welcome banquet that evening, five stiff-faced old men demanded that the ratio of bonus shares and employee shares be increased to 1.5%, which, based on the post-IPO share price of 5 yuan, amounted to an extra ten million yuan. And for the next two days after Liu Xin's firm refusal, they all avoided him, leaving only Xu Hui to continue reiterating those demands, displaying an attitude of not giving up until they achieved their goal.
"Those old bastards, they agreed so readily but then went back on their word. They're fucking despicable!"
Zhang, who always maintained a ladylike demeanor, finally couldn't suppress her anger and cursed out loud. Wang, who had been feeling anxious and guilty for the past two days about having no outlet for her power, chimed in softly, "That's right! If we push them too far, we'll have someone strip them of their hats and see if they dare to be so arrogant again!"
"Come on, do you think stripping someone of their hat is that easy? Our business principle is win-win. Even if you kill them, what benefit will you get?"
Liu Xin glared at Wang, and seeing him lower his head and remain silent, she turned to Zhang, softened her tone, and slowly said, "Let's review this again. Which link went wrong?"
Zhang immediately offered her opinion, "Director Niu and Secretary Luo both personally agreed to the conditions, and Vice Mayor Lü has been very supportive of this matter and won't interfere. Director Zhu and Director Yang are under my jurisdiction, so there shouldn't be any problems, right?"
As she said this, a disdainful look appeared on her lips as she glanced at Wang.
Xiao Wang paused for a moment before slowly saying, "Director Zhu and Director Yang are both well aware of the successes and failures involved, and they are both men of their word. I doubt that some people actually take what they say in bed seriously..."
"You..."
Seeing Xiao Zhang about to stand up, Liu Xin quickly waved his hand, signaling her to sit down, and then drew the two of them's gazes to him. "Don't rush to blame each other. It's not your fault if someone changes their mind. Only by being open and honest can we find the root of the problem. Let's take it one step at a time. First, let's talk about Vice Mayor Lü. He's in charge of industry, and the company's listing will be his main political achievement. He also spearheaded this project, so I believe he absolutely won't change his mind. Do you agree?"
The two nodded. Xiao Zhang asked with a fawning smile, "Can you control the boss?"
Liu Xin suddenly raised his eyebrows and stared at her. "That's none of your business. How did you handle Director Niu and Luo Han?"
Xiao Zhang's expression hardened, her smile somewhat awkward. "What problems could those two old lechers possibly have? Secretary Luo took the bait quickly and agreed just as fast. Director Niu had some initial difficulties, but after things were settled, he repeatedly assured me that he wouldn't go back on his word."
"Did Luo Han actually make that promise later?"
Xiao Zhang immediately stopped smiling. “No, not at all. But he agreed very readily, so he should…”
“Business is like war, don’t talk to me about ‘should’!”
Liu Xin coldly interrupted her, and after a long pause, turned to ask Xiao Wang, “What about your side? How did it go?”
“Director Zhu and Director Yang both agreed after I explained the pros and cons in detail. I believe that with their clear minds in charge of factory finances, they wouldn’t be unaware of the consequences of a failed negotiation. I don’t think they have any reason to change their minds.”
“In that case, it seems that Luo Han is the most likely culprit.”
Liu Xin pondered for a moment before asking again, as gently as possible, “Xiao Zhang, this isn’t entirely your fault. You don’t need to blame yourself too much. Tell me, what kind of person is he?”
“A lecherous scoundrel who knows nothing. I heard he used to be a county magistrate, but he was demoted to the position of secretary in this factory because of his promiscuity.”
“Then how could you not handle him with your skills?”
Xiao Wang asked sarcastically.
“Whether he changed his mind is still uncertain.”
Xiao Zhang said this, but there was little confidence in his eyes as he glanced at Liu Xin. “That old guy is definitely a womanizer, but he has quite a few mistresses outside. I can't be with him for long, so… I guess the high cost of keeping mistresses is one reason he wants to raise his price.”
“Why don’t you become his mistress and serve him comfortably? Hehe…”
Liu Xin quickly glared at Xiao Wang. “Nonsense! When someone takes a fancy to you, do you become a devoted mistress too? Does the company even need to continue operating?”
To ensure his reprimand was effective, Liu Xin took a few sips of coffee. “Although you two are just my assistants now, your treatment is the same as everyone else's. You will definitely have to go out and work independently in the future. You don’t even have team spirit. Do you still want to continue working at the company?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Liu. I saw the atmosphere was bad and wanted to make a joke to ease the tension. I really didn’t mean to blame her. I’m sorry!”
Seeing that Xiao Zhang also laughed, Liu Xin then said gently, “Let’s all think about how to completely win over Luo Han.”
“Have you used all your resources?”
Xiao Wang asked.
“We’ve used almost everything. However, this guy’s been through a lot, so I’m not very confident about the results. But I think we absolutely can’t back down. Giving him a discount alone won’t work either. Who can guarantee that someone who doesn’t take promises seriously won’t go to the other side?”
Xiao Zhang cautiously observed Liu Xin’s expression. “If all else fails, we’ll have to try someone else.”
Liu Xin immediately rejected her suggestion. “Even if someone else is better than you, their abilities are limited. Xiao Wang, do you have any good ideas?”
“I don’t know if it’s a good idea. I think we might as well do the opposite. Since the success or failure of the negotiations isn’t in the next few days, let’s just pretend to give up and see what they do.”
Liu Xin nodded. “I think so too. I believe the other four are the type who can take a cut if necessary. If the negotiations really might break down, they’ll definitely put a lot of pressure on Luo Han. At that time, the initiative will be in our hands.”
Sure enough, after Xiao Zhang returned to Shenzhen first, and Liu Xin and Xiao Wang also went to Zhengzhou to find a hotel to stay in, they quickly became impatient. However, the fact that Luo Han wasn't among those calling the company to see him made Liu Xin both happy and worried. He was pretty sure Luo Han was the one behind it all, but the guy's composure meant the problem wouldn't be so easy to solve. He really didn't want to compromise and damage his image at the company.
Unexpectedly, last night, when Liu Xin's confidence was waning, this crisis that left him unsure how to proceed and forced him to take things one step at a time suddenly turned into a joke.
The joke started when he saw Xu Hui in the lobby.
It was almost midnight when Liu Xin, supported by Xiao Wang, returned to the hotel dizzy, constantly wondering to himself—was he not convincing enough, or were they just too stupid to find him? A soft voice called him from behind. "President Liu! President Liu!"
It was Xu Hui, of course. In that instant, Liu Xin was struck by how pleasant Xu Hui's voice was. He stared blankly for a while before slowly turning around, looking at the face he had never paid much attention to before, and was startled again. She might not be considered a beauty, but with a little grooming, she wouldn't be much less attractive than Xiao Zhang or Zhen Yan. And her ample figure was exceptionally rare among the young women he knew. He liked this fullness more than anyone else thought.
Liu Xin thought vaguely, completely forgetting to try and figure out why she had come here.
Seeing Liu Xin's strange expression and silence, Xu Hui's expression grew even more timid. "Mr. Liu, do you have a moment? I… I'd like to talk to you."
Liu Xin finally snapped out of her daze and tightened her grip on Xiao Wang's arm. Xiao Wang immediately understood and replied, "Didn't you see Mr. Liu has had a long day? We can talk tomorrow."
Xu Hui hesitated for a moment, but finally followed him to the elevator and said as firmly as possible, "Mr. Liu, please, I must talk to you today, it will be too late tomorrow."
Liu Xin looked at her, pondered for a moment, and then replied, "Alright, then come up with me."
He led Xu Hui into the room, patted Xiao Wang on the shoulder to signal him to leave, then closed the door and walked over to the sofa opposite Xu Hui. He didn't sit down, but just stared at her with hazy eyes for a while, until she slightly twitched her lips as if she was about to speak, then he preemptively said, "I'll take a shower first, is that alright?"
"Please, Mr. Liu, make yourself at home."
Xu Hui's eyes flickered, his sharply defined eyelashes, even in the dim light, brushed against Liu Xin's chest, sending a shiver down his spine that he hadn't felt in years.
Liu Xin suddenly felt unsteady on his feet and quickly turned to go into the inner room, using the moment while changing his clothes to compose himself. Damn it! Liu Xin cursed under his breath. He had never been a man with a strong sex drive, never. Even when drunk and disoriented, he always maintained a clear mind. What was wrong with him today? Could the triumphant feeling of finally achieving his goal after such a setback have made him so carried away? Impossible. The root of his loss of composure could only be that lustful body and those ethereal eyes.
An Zhao, his ex-wife, didn't she have such a body and such eyes? Wasn't that shiver he felt just now something he hadn't experienced since leaving An Zhao? ... Liu Xin's heart tightened, and he dared not think any further. Staggering out of the bedroom, he forced a smile at Xu Hui on the sofa, then staggered into the bathroom, jumped into the bathtub, and let the torrent of water cascade over his head and body, not even bothering to take off his pajamas.
After what seemed like an eternity, Liu Xin finally steadied his breathing and relaxed. Xu Hui was, after all, not An Zhao, and could never be An Zhao. Aside from her ample figure, their bodies didn't share many similarities. An Zhao's skin was darker, her curves better; aside from her eyes, their face shapes, noses, and mouths were completely different. An Zhao's features weren't as soft, nor as symmetrical. And the similarity in their eyes was most likely just a fleeting illusion born of drunkenness.
So, should he still get rid of her? Thinking this, Liu Xin's smile immediately became much more composed. For the past two years, sex had always felt more like a means to obtain something, gradually losing its flavor. If he didn't project too many fantasies onto her, perhaps he could find some different, pure pleasure.
He should also change his habit of never treating women he worked with as men. At least, it didn't matter since she wasn't his subordinate. Liu Xin hesitated for a moment, then called out, "Xu Hui, could you please get me my pajamas? I accidentally got them wet." He
smiled smugly afterward. Calling her "Little Xu" instead of as usual would probably help bridge the gap in their status.
Sitting down on the opposite sofa, Liu Xin was surprised to find Xu Hui's expression remarkably calm. Aside from her initial timidity downstairs, she seemed completely unfazed. Was she used to it and indifferent, or simply naive and oblivious to the ways of the world? Did she think she wasn't attractive enough, or did she see him as a virtuous gentleman who remained unmoved? Or perhaps, she was just good at hiding her emotions? All of these were possible, and all of them were unlikely. He really didn't understand her at all. Except for those vaguely familiar eyes.
Liu Xin shook his head, put the cigarette in his mouth, wiped his lighter, but didn't light it. Seeing that Xu Hui still didn't speak, he asked calmly, "Speak, what do you want to talk to me about?"
"I..."
Xu Hui hesitated after all.
Liu Xin suddenly felt a sense of security, a security that was easy to grasp. He didn't want to encounter an opponent who was too skilled when he was looking for fun. That could easily turn into some kind of protracted battle. Perhaps the pleasure after victory would be more intense, but he didn't have that much time to waste. Only a woman like Xu Hui, who was skilled but not too skilled, was the best object for him to seek fun. So Liu Xin smiled, and his tone became much gentler.
"Just say it, it's okay, don't hold back."
After saying that, he lit his cigarette, watching Xu Hui's slightly uneasy actions and expression with great interest.
"It's...it was Director Zhu who sent me..."
Xu Hui carefully chose his words, glancing at Liu Xin, then suddenly turning to the side.
"Oh..."
Liu Xin responded noncommittally and didn't say anything more.
Xu Hui bit his lip quietly, seemingly having finally made up his mind. "The leaders heard you've booked your flight back to Shenzhen for tomorrow afternoon and instructed me to find you and find out if there's still a possibility of signing the agreement."
"Which leaders? Besides Director Zhu?" "
Leaders from the city and bureaus, and all members of the negotiation team."
"What about Luo Han?"
"Luo...including Secretary Luo."
The weight that had been hanging over Liu Xin's heart for three days finally lifted. His three days of running around with Xiao Wang, putting on a show, hadn't been in vain. If they hadn't thought he was wholeheartedly seeking new joint venture opportunities, that bastard Luo might not have given in so easily.
His smile grew even more composed. "As long as the agreed-upon terms remain the same, the agreement can be signed tomorrow. If there's not enough time, I can postpone my return to Shenzhen by two days."
"If..."
Xu Hui's face showed no joy; instead, he bit his lip again. "What if we insist on the latest terms? Is there absolutely no possibility of signing?"
"No,"
Liu Xin answered almost instinctively. Giving in now, even with just a brief hesitation, could lead to a complete retreat; he wasn't that foolish. "Go back and tell Luo Han to think it through. We can afford to wait this joint venture negotiation, but they can't. Don't let his own greed jeopardize the benefits everyone has already secured."
"No, it's not just Secretary Luo's idea, it's the idea of all the leaders."
"Heh... no matter whose idea it is, my answer is the same."
"Then, is the deadline still tomorrow? Could you please wait a few more days, giving the leaders enough time to discuss things properly?"
"No. After tomorrow, everything will have to start over."
Xu Hui's face finally showed some panic. He stammered for a while, still unable to find the words he had likely prepared long ago.
Liu Xin remained silent, still watching Xu Hui's expression with great interest. This girl, who had graduated less than a year ago, probably thought the negotiation team was a cushy job; now she'd really gotten away with it. Thinking of this, Liu Xin felt a pang of pity and broke the silence, saying gently, "You don't need to feel guilty. The breakdown of the negotiations isn't your fault. Hehe... Actually, they shouldn't have called you at all. They're just grasping at straws!"
"I...I..."
Xu Hui's anxious face suddenly turned slightly red with embarrassment. She bit her lip hard, her eyes fixed on her hands, which she gripped tightly together as if trying to kill each other.
Liu Xin asked curiously, "Do you have anything else to say?"
"I...I..."
Xu Hui's voice was barely audible, "The leader said that I'm the most suitable candidate, and I should do everything I can to persuade President Liu."
"Do everything you can?"
Liu Xin's heart skipped a beat, and she asked again, feigning ignorance. "So how do you plan to try?"
Xu Hui lowered her head even further, but her voice grew louder. "If President Liu agrees to our conditions, I'm willing to be his mistress."
Liu Xin was extremely generous, almost laughing out loud. That idiot Luo Han, after all that trouble, actually came up with such a terrible idea. Do I look like the kind of person who would do anything for a woman? Even for the smallest gain, I might not let a woman control me, let alone at least half a million of that ten million. That's enough to hire a celebrity for a month, so what's a little Xu Hui? Is she made of gold? Damn it! Besides, even if you guys are practically delivering yourself to my door, I can still get rid of Xu Hui and ignore you. What can you do about it? I'm not a Communist Party member, I'm not a civil servant, I'm not married, and I don't have a girlfriend I can't afford to offend. Do you think you can use this to blackmail me? What a bunch of idiots!
Liu Xin, who remained silent for a long time, only making some strange noises, clearly left Xu Hui feeling at a loss. She quietly raised her head, secretly observing Liu Xin's flushed face. Gradually, the anxiety and shyness on her face began to fade, and a glimmer of hope seemed to appear in her eyes. Noticing those lights, Liu Xin's chest trembled again. He quickly coughed, refocusing his gaze on the top of Xu Hui's head, and asked softly, "Was it Luo Han who gave you this idea?"
Xu Hui was taken aback for a moment, then hurriedly replied, "No, it was my own idea. Secretary Luo only told me to do my best to persuade you."
"Is that so? You've invested so much; how much benefit will you get from it?"
"Keep my job, and I can get more employee shares. Besides, I think someone as gentle and distinguished as President Liu would certainly not treat me unfairly."
"That's all?"
Liu Xin was somewhat disappointed. He hadn't thought Xu Hui was very innocent, but he hadn't expected her to be so pragmatic. A job, a few hundred employee shares, some possible but not guaranteed alimony… that’s too cheap.
“That’s all.”
Xu Hui nodded lightly, her eyes as faint as wisps of smoke.
How could someone like her have eyes like that? Liu Xin felt a pang of regret and a surge of doubt. But he didn’t want to press further; in this atmosphere, it would be difficult to get any information. It was better to learn about it gradually later. Besides, he could no longer suppress his intense desire to kiss those eyes. He could dislike her as a person, but he couldn’t help being captivated by those eyes. Sometimes, eyes are just eyes, and have nothing to do with the person who possesses them.
“Then…”
Finding his voice trembling slightly, Liu Xin cleared his throat before continuing, “…Are you ready to be my lover?”
Xu Hui lowered her head again, answering in a soft, emotionless voice, “Ready.”
Liu Xin immediately patted the ground beside him with his right hand. "Alright, come here, sit here."
"Mr. Liu, you've agreed to our conditions?"
Xu Hui looked up, her eyes growing increasingly hazy and unfocused in the growing light.
What precious eyes! He wished he could bite them off, hold them in his mouth. Liu Xin sighed inwardly. Suppressing his impulse, he coldly said, "How will I know how much you're worth if you don't let me try first?"
The light was quickly veiled by tears. Xu Hui bit her lip hard, unable to utter a word.
"Don't cry! Come sit here!"
Liu Xin knew that the more he said this, the more uncontrollable her tears would become. And this was exactly what he wanted.
Xu Hui, her eyes blurry, swayed, slowly stood up, and walked over step by step.
Perhaps reliving the past was ultimately just an illusion, perhaps Xu Hui would ultimately disappoint him again, but Liu Xin couldn't care less. The passion in his chest was already surging uncontrollably. Under the temptation of such flesh and such eyes, he was willing to forget all his traumas, even forget himself.
Before Xu Hui could even sit down, Liu Xin had already pulled that alluring body into his arms, pressing him against the back of the sofa. His murderous lips began to move up and down, trying to completely devour those eyes, those eyes that shimmered with a mixture of light and moisture.
But his mouth couldn't completely hide those eyes. He couldn't completely forget himself, letting passion control everything. Years of arduous struggle and meticulous planning had given him a power deep within him that could always clearly separate a part of his soul, condensing and hovering above him, carefully tracking and studying his every move, ready to prevent any possible adverse consequences.
Liu Xin couldn't help but feel a surge of annoyance. Xu Hui's complete lack of resistance and submissiveness only fueled his anger.
If you're going to be my lover, at least have some professional ethics! Damn it! Are you just too lazy to deal with me, or are you deliberately playing innocent? Do you really think I'd like a blockhead? Liu Xin cursed inwardly, releasing his left hand that had been holding Xu Hui's head to prevent her from escaping, and reaching straight for her waist.
Xu Hui finally struggled slightly, seemingly muttering something. But to Liu Xin, consumed by passion, it sounded more like a short moan. When he forcefully freed her weak, feigned resistance, loosened his belt, pulled out her sky-blue sweater and white shirt, and gripped her curvaceous waist tightly, Xu Hui quickly submitted again, like a lamb awaiting its death.
The rare passion had suddenly dissipated by nearly half.
His vengeful hand continued its reach, loosening the hooks, grabbing a full, firm breast, and kneading it vigorously.
This time, Xu Hui didn't even utter a moan.
The crisp, salty taste gradually mingled with the scent of blood and fire. The light and moisture in those eyes, which couldn't be concealed, had vanished, leaving only a broken, sorrowful ruin.
Passion continued to dissipate, perhaps soon to vanish without a trace. Liu Xin resisted in vain, waiting helplessly. He knew that even with the wonderful touch of cool, smooth skin, even with the suppleness of flesh, the warmth of breasts, the fragrant sweat, and the lewd aura, it wouldn't be enough to sustain his passion for long. After the passion faded, all that remained was lust. Only his erect penis remained, intoxicated by lust.
But, regardless, he had to continue. Getting rid of Xu Hui but refusing the conditions was the best warning to Old Luo. Besides, "one day's pleasure is one day's gain."
Who could guarantee the same effect this time? Wasn't that passion clearly stronger than before? Thinking this, Liu Xin pushed Xu Hui away and stood up.
Xu Hui immediately sat up straight, stretched his coat, and tried to tuck it into his pants.
"No need to tuck it in, you'll have to take it off again later anyway,"
Liu Xin said teasingly.
Xu Hui glanced at him, didn't answer, stood up, continued tucking in his clothes, and went into the bedroom before Liu Xin could say anything.
Liu Xin's competitive spirit flared up. "You've only been out of school for a year, you're still too green to play these tricks on me. I won't call it a day until I've made you cry your eyes out!" Thinking this, Liu Xin pondered for a moment, then walked confidently to the window, opened his suitcase, pulled a small bottle from a hidden compartment, poured out a blue pill, and swallowed it.
To Liu Xin's surprise—when he reached the bedroom door and turned on the light, Xu Hui was already lying almost naked on his side on the bed, about to pull up the blanket and crawl in. As the yellow light suddenly appeared, her body seemed to tremble violently before disappearing under the blanket.
Liu Xin paused, then said sternly, "Who told you to take it off yourself? Put it back on."
Xu Hui bit her lip hard, her hand gripping the blanket stiffening. After a long while, she stammered, "No...no more trying?"
"Of course you'll try. But I like to do it myself."
Liu Xin smiled mockingly, turned her back to the bed, and urged, emphasizing, "Hurry up, I'm waiting."
The rustling stopped quickly. Liu Xin slowly turned back. Xu Hui, fully dressed, stood by the bed, her eyes once again misty with tears.
I refuse to believe I can't handle you. Liu Xin secretly admired her for a while before slowly walking over, standing opposite Xu Hui, lifting her chin with her index finger, and staring into those familiar eyes.
Xu Hui finally couldn't maintain her previous composure any longer. The misty spray flushed her cheeks, and her breathing quickened, her nostrils trembling slightly.
The passion that had dwindled was beginning to build again, slowly brewing.
Liu Xin wasn't in a hurry. His hands moved slowly and skillfully, his eyes constantly scanning Xu Hui's face. Xu Hui became increasingly uncomfortable, trying several times to turn her head away and look down, but Liu Xin forcefully pulled her back each time. As her coat and sweater were tossed onto the bed one by one, her whole body grew increasingly stiff.
Knowing he had succeeded, Liu Xin's movements became even slower and gentler. He loosened his belt little by little, pulled down his trousers piece by piece, and unbuttoned his shirt one button at a time, as if what lay beneath was not a body that could be kneaded and squeezed, but a delicate snow sculpture. Intentionally or unintentionally, his fingers would trace almost every inch of her warm, white jade-like skin. Occasionally, he could even elicit a shiver, like a cold wind blowing.
Unless one was a seasoned veteran of the pleasure quarters, few women could resist his charm. Liu Xin thought smugly, but inwardly he was secretly surprised by the frequency and extent of those shivers. At Xu Hui's age, she couldn't possibly have been celibate for a long time. Was she a gifted expert or a complete novice?
But Liu Xin had no time to think about these things, because a glimmer of light was gradually returning to Xu Hui's eyes. Her misty, ethereal eyes and deeply flushed face slowly but firmly fueled the passion in his chest. He feared that it wouldn't be long before he surpassed the heights he had just reached.
"Mr. Liu."
Xu Hui's sudden voice struck him like a morning bell. "Please turn off the light, okay?"
"No. I like watching."
Liu Xin's voice was somewhat impatient, and his movements suddenly quickened. In the blink of an eye, Xu Hui was completely naked.
The blush deepened, the misty blush became more ethereal, and her tightly bitten lips began to tremble uncontrollably.
Liu Xin chuckled wickedly, reaching out to pull Xu Hui's gaze down to the bulge in the center of his body. Then he slowly took off his pajamas, grabbed Xu Hui's hands, and pressed them as tightly as possible against his erect penis.
Xu Hui's naked body suddenly swayed back and forth and side to side. She quickly lost her balance, let out a soft moan, and fell straight back onto the bed. In excruciating pain, Liu Xin could only press down on top of her. Even so, the hands gripping his penis continued to tremble uncontrollably. It took Liu Xin considerable effort to finally pry open those unusually strong hands and free his manhood. "
Damn it! You're deliberately trying to make me suffer!" Liu Xin cursed inwardly, catching his breath before pressing down on Xu Hui again.
But no matter how hard Liu Xin tried, he couldn't completely control Xu Hui's trembling limbs. Her eyes were tightly closed, her face was pale, and blood was clearly seeping from the corners of her mouth.
This didn't seem faked, yet it certainly wasn't epilepsy. Desperate, Liu Xin could only straighten up, kneel down and pin her hands beneath his knees, and slap her hard across the face twice.
Suddenly, her trembling body broke free from Liu Xin's grip, throwing him aside. She contorted into a yoga-like shape, holding the position for several seconds before finally collapsing.
Tears immediately streamed down her face.
"Mr. Liu... I'm sorry, I... I didn't mean it, please... please... don't..."
Xu Hui stammered, sobbing uncontrollably.
"What's wrong with you? Are you sick?"
Liu Xin was furious, but he couldn't bring himself to be forceful.
"I... I'm not sick... I'm scared..."
"Scared?"
Liu Xin's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly pressed, "Scared that I'm too rough, or have you never done this before?"
"Yes... yes..."
Tears welled in Xu Hui's eyes, and she couldn't answer for a long time.
Was she unable to speak, unwilling to speak, afraid to speak? Suddenly, Liu Xin seemed to understand something. "You're still a virgin?"
Xu Hui stopped sobbing, paused for a moment, and finally nodded.
Her anger and desire vanished instantly. Liu Xin looked down; his penis was already limp and lifeless. He secretly rejoiced as he reached out to cover Xu Hui with a blanket. Then, he slowly put on his pajamas, went outside, lit a cigarette, and sat down on the sofa.
No wonder that bastard Luo Han thought Xu Hui could persuade me. Damn it! Liu Xin cursed inwardly, taking several puffs of his cigarette before finally feeling a little calmer. It seemed Xu Hui must have been under much more pressure than she had described, perhaps many times greater. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to remain a virgin after working for Luo Han for a year. A woman like her, still a virgin a year after graduating from university, must have very conservative views on life. What immense pressure must have driven her to so resolutely offer herself to me!
That old bastard Luo Han really knows his stuff; he hit my weak spot right away. If it weren't for Xu Hui's sudden spasm, he would have been truly caught in a dilemma. "Damn it!"
Liu Xin couldn't help but curse.
From puberty onwards, Liu Xin had always firmly believed that the husband's virginity was solely his prerogative. He never wanted to infringe on anyone's rights, not even once. This was an unchangeable principle for him. In his mind, virgins and non-virgins were completely different species. He could have sex with any non-virgin without a care, even someone else's wife, but he could never allow himself to easily take a woman's virginity. And since he didn't want to keep any mistress, nor did he think Xu Hui was qualified to be his wife, after rashly taking Xu Hui's virginity, he would most likely have no choice but to painfully agree to their conditions. Otherwise, he would definitely fall into intense and prolonged guilt and self-reproach. That was something he absolutely could not bear.
Liu Xin couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
"Mr. Liu... Mr. Liu."
Xu Hui's voice had completely lost its former composure. "Want to try again?"
Turning around and seeing Xu Hui standing timidly at the bedroom door wearing only underwear and panties, Liu Xin was surprised and couldn't help but chuckle to himself. This girl is really stubborn, he thought. She dared not easily show a smile, only saying gently, "No need to try it on, put your clothes on. I have something to ask you."
Disappointment immediately appeared on Xu Hui's face. But she quickly dressed, timidly walked over, and sat down on the sofa opposite her.
Liu Xin paused for a moment before asking, "Tell me honestly, how did Luo Han force you to come?"
Xu Hui froze, and after a long while, cautiously replied, "Secretary Luo didn't force me. It was..."
"Do you think I'll believe that?"
Liu Xin raised her voice to interrupt her, "If you don't tell me the truth, no one can help you."
"Really, I'm telling the truth,"
Xu Hui repeated groaningly, tears welling up in her eyes again.
Liu Xin felt a surge of pity. "You should believe me. Besides believing me and telling me the truth, you have no other choice. Going back like this, you'll get nothing."
Tears swayed for a while, then finally streamed down her slightly swollen cheeks without restraint. "I...I..."
Liu Xin looked at Xu Hui quietly until her tears subsided and her sobs stopped, then said gently, "Speak. I'll try my best to help you."
After a long while, Xu Hui still stubbornly shook her head. "It really is only what I said."
Liu Xin couldn't help but sneer. "Fine, you can leave now."
Xu Hui looked at him strangely, then suddenly stood up and walked towards the door.
Her somewhat unsteady steps made Liu Xin have to call her back. "Wait."
Xu Hui stopped, but didn't turn around. "What?"
Liu Xin pondered, "Regarding the agreement, I'll give you another month. The conditions remain the same, but the signing location must be changed to Shenzhen."
Xu Hui turned around and replied calmly, "Okay, I'll pass it on."
Liu Xin felt a pang of guilt and hesitated for a moment before asking, "Our company is setting up a representative office in Zhengzhou. Would you be interested in coming to help with the preparations?"
Xu Hui paused, then said, "No need, thank you, Mr. Liu."
She turned to leave.
"Also,"
the inexplicable urgency in her voice surprised Liu Xin, who quickly caught her breath and added, "If you encounter any difficulties, you can call my cell phone anytime."
Xu Hui forced a smile, very faint, her expression increasingly unreadable. "I think I can handle it myself. But thank you for your concern, Mr. Liu."
Liu Xin felt somewhat deflated, said nothing more, silently watched her, opened the door, and walked out.
Once outside, Xu Hui suddenly turned back and said, word by word, "I heard the listing policy might change. Vice Mayor Lü instructed that the agreement must be formally signed by the end of April."
Liu Xin immediately sat up straight, and after a long while, slumped back on the sofa, laughing triumphantly.
Chapter Two:
North of Beihuan Avenue, from the OCT intersection to Jingtian, the landscape is mostly lush, sparsely populated wild mountains. The mountains are green, not high, and the variety of trees and grasses is limited, but in a city like Shenzhen, which is increasingly modernized, they are undoubtedly a unique sight. This is related to the fact that Beihuan Avenue is far from the prosperous southern areas and is itself a closed highway. However, in recent years, the mountains south of the road have been almost completely excavated, with some areas even covered by high-rise buildings. The remaining yellowish-white mounds of earth will likely soon be replaced by concrete.
Liu Xin has always enjoyed driving slowly along Beihuan Avenue. If it's nighttime, he'll open the windows, turn off the engine, and let the mountain winds rush through the car, giving his body a chance to experience some of nature's wildness. This is something absolutely impossible to find on the bustling and orderly Shennan Avenue and the refined and elegant Binhai Avenue. He can't imagine what place in Shenzhen will be left for him to linger after the wild mountains north of the road are also gone. Therefore, while he couldn't deny that Shennan Avenue was the core of Shenzhen, he never believed it represented the soul of Shenzhen people. As for the saying circulating among outsiders—that every Shenzhen resident returning from a trip must walk along Shennan Avenue, otherwise they'll feel restless, as if they haven't truly returned home—he scoffed at it even more. In his mind, it was simply because Shennan Avenue was the only route most Shenzhen residents took home from the airport or train station.
Perhaps he couldn't even be considered a true Shenzhener. Even though he had spent four years at Shenzhen University, even though Shenzhen was still his first choice for development after returning to China, even though he could easily wield influence in Shenzhen now, he probably wasn't qualified to be a true Shenzhener.
Now, Liu Xin didn't really want to be a Shenzhener either. In the year or so since returning to China, Shenzhen had increasingly disappointed him. Those young and hardworking people from before had aged prematurely, lacking much motivation; the whole city was gradually becoming effeminate, only thinking about decorating its face with flower-filled parks and streets and a magnificent central square. Perhaps soon, it will be no different from other Chinese cities.
But where else can it go besides Shenzhen? Almost all Chinese cities are either effeminate or aging, lacking masculinity and vitality. Hong Kong is a superficial noblewoman, Guangzhou a mercenary commoner, Wuhan a shrewish village woman, and Chengdu a languid mistress. Furthermore, Chongqing is a spoiled young girl, Nanjing a modest young lady, Hangzhou a fallen noblewoman, and Shanghai a middle-aged woman. And those few rare masculine cities are already old and worn out. Xi'an is a dull old farmer, Lhasa a foolish old wizard, and Shenyang a decrepit landlord. As for Beijing, it can at best be considered a eunuch—a cunning and shrewish eunuch, or a glib-tongued eunuch.
Surrounded by effeminacy and aging, how long can Shenzhen hold on? Jia Baoyu will never have much masculinity, and Sun Wukong will eventually accept the title of Victorious Fighting Buddha. A vibrant, masculine city simply cannot survive long in China; sooner or later, it will become a neurotic impotence, all that's good for a short time. Liu Xin smiled helplessly, sighing inwardly. Perhaps, after fulfilling his wish, he would eventually have to return to America.
A sense of foreboding suddenly surged from the depths of his mind. Liu Xin's heart tightened, and he quickly shook his head, glancing at the sky. Large raindrops were already pattering down. In an instant, the dusty car windows were streaked with tears. "
At least I don't have to wash the car," Liu Xin comforted himself, his smile growing increasingly helpless. He disliked the rain, and he disliked letting the rain easily wash away the grime from his beloved car. For an off-road Land Rover, spotless was a noble quality, dusty was a heroic nature, but after the rain, it was nothing. Gone was the weathered look, not truly clean, only bringing a sense of shameful incongruity and loss of self.
Frustrated, Liu Xin floored the accelerator, speeding out of the North Ring Road and heading towards the Bank of China Tower, which was now within sight. In the dim sky, lightning seemed to flash on the towering spires of the Bank of China Tower.
Sitting alone by the window of the café downstairs, gazing into the distance, was clearly Zhen Yan.
Could that ominous premonition have originated from Zhen Yan? Liu Xin absentmindedly reversed into his car, turned off the engine, opened the door, and remained motionless for a long time.
Was Zhen Yan here to see him? Most likely. She knew roughly when he would return, and she probably didn't have any other friends living here. But what could be so urgent that she would not only repeatedly inquire about his return date but also wait anxiously here in this weather? Was it possible that this matter was beyond his control? Could something serious have happened to Xiao Sen and the others?
Liu Xin grew increasingly hesitant. He quickly took his phone from his suitcase and dialed the company.
"Mr. Liu, you're back? Just arrived?"
His secretary, Xiao Chen's, sweet voice instantly lifted his spirits. "Yes, just arrived. Who's been looking for me these past few days?"
"Nothing important, business is fine, I'd better not say, lest I disturb your rest, Mr. Liu. Hehe..."
Xiao Chen, as always, anticipated his reaction. Seeing he remained silent, she continued, "Personally, only Miss Zhen called yesterday. I told her you were coming back this afternoon, as you instructed, but I didn't give her a specific time." "
Just that one?"
"Yes. Since you asked yesterday at noon, that's all."
Xiao Chen answered carefully.
"Oh, good. I'm free today. If things aren't busy at the company, you can leave early too."
"Okay, thank you, Mr. Liu. See you tomorrow!"
Liu Xin put down his phone, increasingly realizing he'd been worrying unnecessarily. Damn it! He had to see her anyway, why was he overthinking it? Zhen Yan probably already saw him come in. He'd better hurry up. Hiding wasn't his style. Thinking this, Liu Xin raised his arms, stretched his chest, took a few deep breaths, picked up his suitcase, and headed for the elevator.
Zhen Yan was indeed standing at his room door.
She wasn't tall, and very thin. Liu Xin had never asked her, but he estimated she weighed no more than 40 kilograms. The long, strappy dress she wore looked especially relaxed and carefree on her. When Liu Xin stepped out of the elevator, she was leaning against the wall, holding a pure white blazer in her hand. Together with her blue and white floral dress, it accentuated her fair and delicate legs and face, creating a truly pleasing scene.
If she weren't so short, she would definitely be a fashion model. Liu Xin walked over, not showing any surprise, and simply asked, "Have you been waiting long?"
Zhen Yan couldn't help but feel a little strange. "You knew I was coming? Or did you see me just now?"
"I knew you were coming, and I saw you just now too."
Liu Xin chuckled inwardly, but still spoke calmly. After saying that, he walked past her and took out his key to open the door.
"Hmph! Why did it take you so long to come up? I thought you'd already gone in."
Zhen Yan complained, but there was no anger in her tone; it was more like flirting.
Liu Xin, however, wasn't buying it. He opened the door and said in a cold voice, "Do I need to report to you what I'm doing?"
"You..."
Zhen Yan almost choked, but quickly, her expression softened. "You, can't I even care about you? Did the negotiations go wrong, so you're taking it out on me? Hehe..."
Liu Xin's tone grew increasingly sinister. "That's none of your business. You'd better not care about me."
With that, he pushed open the inner wooden door and went inside.
Zhen Yan immediately regretted it. She had thought the negotiations were sure to go smoothly, which was why she dared to joke with Liu Xin, but she hadn't expected to hit a nerve. That hateful Chen Lin dared not tell me the truth; she would definitely find a way to get rid of that little slut someday.
Liu Xin walked straight to the sofa and sat down, coldly watching Zhen Yan's slightly hesitant steps and somewhat timid eyes, feeling quite pleased with himself. With this initial show of force, the situation should be easier to control. Dealing with a woman like Zhen Yan required seizing every opportunity to gain the upper hand; he absolutely couldn't be as relaxed as he was with Xu Hui.
Seeing Liu Xin's seemingly unintentional scrutiny, Zhen Yan immediately straightened her shoulders and smiled. She was always adept at quickly adjusting her demeanor, and this time was no exception. In this respect, many people could only admit defeat, likely including Liu Xin. Even she herself was often amazed by this natural talent. "
I can't let her recover," Liu Xin thought. He closed his eyes and leaned back.
Zhen Yan hesitated for a while, then finally came over and sat down next to Liu Xin. "Are you tired? Do you want me to give you a massage?"
she said, gently grasping his arm and kneading it.
Liu Xin gave a noncommittal hum, but inwardly admired Zhen Yan's quick wit and adaptability. If she were willing to be completely open and honest with him, instead of always being so calculating, she would indeed be a very good partner, both at work and in life. It was just a pity that she had never fully trusted him from the beginning, and that hadn't changed at all. Was that due to her nature, or because she had been manipulated and deceived by men in the past?
Liu Xin suddenly realized that although he had known Zhen Yan for almost a year, he still knew nothing about her past. Perhaps he should try to investigate her resume and background, Liu Xin thought. His desire to confront her and gain the upper hand quickly faded. Her
slender fingers and palms continued to knead his arm and shoulder. With his will weakened, Liu Xin's body soon went limp. He simply leaned against the sofa armrest, then lifted his leg and placed it on Zhen Yan's knee.
Zhen Yan, sensing the situation, changed her massage to his thigh. After a long pause, he cautiously asked, "Would it be better to massage you on the bed? It's not very convenient here."
"No need,"
Liu Xin mumbled, half-asleep amidst Zhen Yan's professional-looking massage. He was indeed exhausted; he hadn't slept until after 2 a.m. yesterday, and had gotten up early this morning to play golf with that damned department head all morning. Moreover, dealing with a woman like Zhen Yan, with each of them harboring their own secrets, was truly exhausting, even though it hadn't lasted more than half an hour.
"Then... do you want me to run you a bath?"
Zhen Yan's voice grew even softer, completely ignoring his obvious refusal.
"No need,"
Liu Xin forced himself to perk up, opening his eyes to look at her hazy, pretty face. He couldn't understand why she was so hesitant to reveal the purpose of her visit. Was it really so important that even someone as confident as her had to wait for the right moment? Liu Xin was too lazy to continue this scheming and decided to put her in her place first. “I want to sleep. If there’s nothing else, you can go back now.”
Zhen Yan remained silent for a long time, not even moving.
“If there’s something you need, just say it. Don’t beat around the bush.”
Liu Xin’s tone was clearly impatient.
“Do I have to have something to say to come see you?”
Zhen Yan retorted, her voice becoming unusually soft and seductive. “It’s been so long since we last met. I missed you, is that not allowed?”
Liu Xin was immediately stunned. He really hadn’t expected Zhen Yan to talk about feelings with him. After their first time sleeping together, she had clearly expressed her purpose: she wanted him to cover all her living and study expenses after she went abroad to study. In exchange, she was willing to satisfy all his sexual needs from that day until he finished his studies in the US. Knowing her own physical value, how could Zhen Yan possibly commit the taboo of developing feelings for a client in a brothel?
This must just be a ruse. If he fell for her too easily, or even just felt pity for her, he would probably soon be forced into a corner and have no choice but to agree to her demands. Thinking this, Liu Xin steadied himself and said calmly, "Miss me? What are you thinking? Tell me!"
"What else could I be thinking, hehe..."
Zhen Yan said, placing her hand on his crotch and gently rubbing it twice before stopping.
Liu Xin breathed a slight sigh of relief. "Don't try to fool me. When did your sex drive become so strong?"
"You don't believe me?"
Zhen Yan turned to the side, staring into his eyes, her face flushed and her smile alluring.
Liu Xin's heart fluttered, and he almost reached out to pull her into his arms, but he quickly restrained himself. "I don't believe you,"
he said.
Zhen Yan didn't answer at first, but instead turned around, lifted his legs, and placed them on the sofa. Then she knelt on Liu Xin's waist, took one of his hands, and slipped it under the hem of her long halter dress. Only then did she look into his eyes again and say, "Do you believe me now?"
As soon as she finished speaking, her head slowly drooped down, quickly resting on his shoulder and neck, as if all the bones in her body had been drained away.
It was completely soaked. She wasn't even wearing underwear. This was clearly staged; she had clearly planned this all along. Damn it! Liu Xin cursed inwardly, his mind suddenly clearing considerably. He immediately called out in a deep voice, "Get up! Did you hear me?"
Zhen Yan gave a few soft groans and twisted a couple of times. Seeing that Liu Xin didn't respond, she had no choice but to struggle to her feet and ask, "What's wrong?"
Liu Xin pushed her down, sat up straight himself, and said slowly, "What exactly did you come to see me about today? Just say it. Otherwise
, it won't be as enjoyable as it is." "You really are..." Zhen
Yan mumbled, but the smile on her face had completely vanished, and the almost overflowing flush was gradually fading to ashen.
Liu Xin looked at her quietly. He didn't need to say anything more. Someone like Zhen Yan couldn't possibly still not understand the situation by now.
Zhen Yan stood up as expected, adjusted her skirt slightly, then sat down again, letting out a soft, groaning breath. She said, "It's true I need to talk to you, but it's also true I want to make love to you. You don't need to be so wary."
"What is it?"
Liu Xin asked, trying to keep it simple.
Zhen Yan looked up at him, then lowered her head again, saying each word clearly, "I'm pregnant."
Liu Xin remained expressionless and silent. For Zhen Yan, pregnancy wasn't a difficult problem to solve; she certainly wasn't finished.
A hint of resentment flashed in Zhen Yan's eyes, but she continued in a clear and steady voice, "I want to go to America to give birth to him. I hope you can help."
"So that's how it is." The reason Zhen Yan was so anxious was simply because she was worried about her belly getting bigger if too much time passed. This was indeed a perfect opportunity to get her to agree to his conditions. Liu Xin
felt much more relaxed. "How do you want me to help?" His straightforwardness surprised Zhen Yan somewhat. Her face immediately filled with hope. "If… after thinking it over, the best way would be for you and me to register our marriage, and then I can get a divorce after I give birth in the US and get my green card."
Without even thinking, Liu Xin answered decisively, "No. Is there any other way?"
Zhen Yan's face immediately lost its radiance. "This... I don't quite understand. What's your opinion? Should we contact schools or companies? Which is faster?"
"Neither is fast."
Liu Xin pondered. "The only way is to go there first with a tourist, business, or official passport, and then we can talk about it after the baby is born. However, this will make your future travel procedures more complicated."
"Won't contacting schools mean we can only wait until next year?"
"There might be an opportunity in the second half of the year, but you can't wait that long."
"What about contacting companies to work?"
"It would take at least three months. I'm afraid that's too late."
Zhen Yan's expression froze, and after a long while, she stammered, "You... really can't have a fake marriage with me?"
"No. No discussion."
Liu Xin remained resolute.
"Then... okay. Please help me contact companies first. I'm so thin, if it's quick, it might be able to cover up."
Liu Xin nodded, feeling that it was time to state her conditions, so she smiled and asked, "What's in it for me?"
Zhen Yan had obviously already thought of her answer. "You won't have to pay for my living and study expenses in the United States, okay?"
Liu Xin felt a wave of disappointment. He had thought he had the upper hand and could easily force her to agree to his conditions, but she hadn't expected her to use such a surprising tactic, disrupting his plans. No! He couldn't let this opportunity slip away. While thinking this, Liu Xin feigned concern and asked, "Can you afford it yourself? You're having a baby, which is a considerable expense in the US."
"That's none of your concern,"
Zhen Yan replied casually, though she couldn't hide the smugness in her eyes. She didn't really want to hide it. Gaining the upper hand with Liu Xin was truly a gratifying thing. It was a rare opportunity, and she had only gotten it by painfully giving up the fastest route abroad. If she weren't worried that Liu Xin would get angry and not seriously help her contact companies, she would have burst into laughter.
The sudden turn of events annoyed Liu Xin, and her words involuntarily carried a hint of gritted teeth. "And what about the sexual services you provided me? When will that end?"
Zhen Yan asked without changing her expression. "Do as you please, until you think I'm old and faded, no longer of any use."
She finally couldn't help but smile.
Liu Xin, however, didn't grasp the meaning of her smile and continued relentlessly, "Since you don't need me to provide for your living and study expenses, you can just hide in America. Do you think I'd ask the FBI to put you on the wanted list?"
"Haha... I promise..."
Before she could finish, Zhen Yan quickly shut her mouth. Provoking Liu Xin excessively was definitely not a good thing.
But Liu Xin still realized her lapse in composure from her sudden laughter and quickly regained her composure, sitting quietly. Damn! Looks like today was really exhausting. Despite all her precautions, she still managed to find a loophole. If she didn't quickly find a way to recover some of the lost points, it would be very difficult to control her in the future. Thinking of this, Liu Xin cleared her throat and asked in a deep voice, "Whose child is this?"
Zhen Yan hesitated for a moment before saying, "This doesn't seem to concern you."
"It could be mine, how can it not concern me!"
"Even if it's yours, it's still none of your business. This is my child."
Zhen Yan said solemnly.
She clearly cared a lot about this child; perhaps this was her last chance to have children. Such a trump card shouldn't be wasted easily. Thinking this, Liu Xin's expression gradually calmed down. "If it's not mine, then it's Xiao Sen's. Hehe..."
"Don't talk nonsense, I have no relationship with Vice Dean Xiao."
"Then who else could it be?"
Liu Xin leaned forward and pressed on. Perhaps there really was a third, a fourth, or even many more; otherwise, she wouldn't have the money to live in America. Although he had given her many gifts, he rarely gave her money directly; Xiao Sen would only give her a little living allowance at most.
Sensing that Liu Xin had no intention of taking the child, Zhen Yan breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile...

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