Jiang Ze Xi sized her up.
She was attractive, with a good figure.
But there were many women like her, all wanting to be famous, to become big stars. The world didn't have that many opportunities or good people.
He wasn't a good person, nor was he one to pity the weak. He was a businessman, and he needed an equal exchange.
However, he didn't like those who were too pure. To drag the pure into the mire would be too sinful.
"As I said, you should leave."
"I won't leave," Xia Wan Fu bit her lip and took two steps forward. "Please help me. I'll do anything."
Jiang Ze Xi's eyes turned cold, and he stared at Xia Wan Tang without a trace of emotion.
"Can't you understand? Get out." As long as it had nothing to do with him, it was none of his business how Xia Wan Fu behaved or who she asked for help.
There were bottom lines, and everyone had their principles.
Xia Wan Fu, of course, was unwilling to leave just like that. She calculated the time in her heart, trying to stall for as long as possible.
The incense Wu Jia Jia had given her was colorless and odorless, volatilizing quickly, but its effects were gradual.
It didn't feel like traditional Chinese medicine at all.
Jiang Ze Xi irritably tugged at his collar, his cold eyes clouded with frost.
He wondered if his temper was too good, making him seem approachable.
"Young Master Jiang, I like you. Please give me a chance, won't you?"
Xia Wan Fu's eyes welled up with tears, looking as if she might cry at any moment, stirring a desire to protect her.
Jiang Ze Xi's breathing hitched inexplicably, and he found himself unable to look away.
The moment he realized it, he became even more agitated.
"I told you to get out, didn't you hear me?"
Xia Wan Fu flinched as if struck and then gracefully collapsed onto the floor, tears streaming down her face.
Pitiful and beautiful, like flowers after rain.
Jiang Ze Xi gasped for breath and couldn't help but unbutton the top two buttons of his collar, the partially revealed skin adding to his disheveled, seductive appearance.
The private room was quiet. Hearing his slightly uneven breaths, Xia Wan Fu gathered her courage and walked towards him.
She gazed at Jiang Ze Xi with deep affection, her voice exceptionally charming and gentle.
"Young Master Jiang, please take pity on me and give me a chance. I truly like you."
The seductive whispers made Jiang Ze Xi gradually dizzy, his heart beginning to race.
Then, he saw an illusion. Xia Wan Fu suddenly transformed into her.
The white moonlight he yearned for, the one he couldn't forget.
"Jin Ning, I miss you so much."
He pulled the person on the floor into his embrace, holding her with desperate longing, clinging tightly as if wanting to merge into her very bones.
Xia Wan Fu melted like water, her eyes closed, savoring the embrace that smelled faintly of alcohol.
...
The night was deep, like a gaping abyss threatening to swallow them whole.
Outside, there was passionate singing and dancing, wild revelry. Inside, it was no less so.
Time slipped through their fingers like sand. After one night.
Jiang Ze Xi's eyes snapped open, staring directly at the ceiling. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
He had a dream.
In his dream, she had returned.
They shared a deep, passionate kiss, entangled.
All night long, again and again, leaving him reluctant to let go. If only he could, he wished this dream would never end.
After so many years, this was the first time he had dreamt of her.
Jiang Ze Xi murmured, "You're too stingy. You've only visited me once in all these years."
The moment he moved, he realized he seemed to be holding someone.
Her skin was smooth and tender, clearly a woman.
He lowered his gaze to her pure, flushed little face and instantly remembered last night's events.
Damn it.
Jiang Ze Xi's eyes darkened, as black as ink, like an abyss. The scent of stone calyx in the room made him frown.
Just as he tried to pull his arm out from under her, Xia Wan Fu slowly opened her eyes.
A wave of confusion was followed by shyness. She hugged herself, her gaze lowered, not daring to meet his.
Jiang Ze Xi took a deep breath and sat up.
The floor was a mess, with tangled clothes strewn about, telling a story of intimacy.
He tossed Xia Wan Fu's clothes onto the rumpled sofa, his gaze sweeping over a glaring splash of color.
His expression darkened, and his affectionate eyes held no trace of tenderness.
Xia Wan Fu opened her mouth to speak, but catching his cold look, her heart sank to the bottom.
Since she had known him, she had never seen him look so displeased.
They dressed in silence, the only sound the rustling of clothes.
Jiang Ze Xi wore suit trousers and a shirt with unbuttoned buttons, revealing glimpses of his smooth, sexy muscles.
Paired with his well-defined, exquisitely carved handsome face, it was incredibly alluring.
Jiang Ze Xi took out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his pocket, sat down, took out a cigarette, and lit it.
The tip glowed faintly as he took a deep drag, smoke swirling around him.
Xia Wan Fu huddled in the corner, hugging her knees, her expression despondent.
Jiang Ze Xi felt restless. He had been through countless women over the years and had never lost control.
He couldn't understand why he had had a hallucination last night. It was because he had seen Jin Ning's face.
He hadn't lost his senses even when drugged before.
Perhaps it was because he missed her too much.
Her memorial day had been a couple of days ago.
Unknowingly, she had been gone for five years.
Xia Wan Fu watched his shifting expression, feeling uncertain, not daring to be too greedy for his tenderness.
As long as she could become an artist in his company and get some protection, she would be content.
After a long while, the cigarette burned out.
Jiang Ze Xi turned to look at her, his eyes gradually regaining warmth.
"Be my girlfriend."
Xia Wan Fu looked up in disbelief, her eyes brimming with surprise. She was too excited to speak.
Seeing her silence, Jiang Ze Xi frowned and said coldly, "What, you don't want to?"
"I do."
Xia Wan Fu looked at him deeply, her affection seeming to overflow.
"Alright, let's go."
Jiang Ze Xi fastened his buttons as he walked, not waiting for Xia Wan Fu.
His expression darkened, and his gaze lowered, the warmth in his eyes vanishing in an instant.
Xia Wan Fu endured the discomfort throughout her body, forcing herself to follow him.
Her legs felt weak, almost unable to stand.
The first floor was in disarray, littered with trash.
Men and women lay strewn about, a disgraceful sight.
Xia Wan Fu gasped in shock and nearly fell down the stairs.
Jiang Ze Xi grabbed her and frowned, "Be careful."
After speaking, he swept her up and carried her downstairs.
Once in the car, Jiang Ze Xi asked her as he drove.
"Why did you come to this place again?"
Xia Wan Fu's expression turned somber. "My family went bankrupt, my parents are in prison, and I had no other choice."
Seeing Jiang Ze Xi remain silent, she quickly explained, "Don't worry, I won't make any excessive demands. My parents deserved what they got, and the company's bankruptcy is irreversible.
I just want to be an artist at Jia Xing."
"Alright, as you wish." Jiang Ze Xi asked while driving, "Where do you live?"
Xia Wan Fu was extremely embarrassed and reluctantly explained her predicament.
Jiang Ze Xi didn't seem to care at all and took her directly back to his place.