The night was pitch dark; a few glimmering stars dotted the dark blue sky.
In the Langyue Residence, the lights were lit in a few retro-Western, garden-style buildings. A young maiden in a silvery-white dress walked through the flowery path towards the back garden.
The young maiden had a delicate face. Her facial features were stunning. However, she had a lifeless expression plastered on her face.
After the young maiden walked past, a few uniformed servants started gossiping.
"The doctor said that Old Master Qiao only has a few days left to live. Once Old Master Qiao dies, won't Miss Xu have no one to rely on? I wonder where she can go."
"Hey, didn't I hear that she's the Third Master's fiancée? Shouldn't she marry him?"
"You don't understand. All these years, have you seen Third Master taking the initiative to come back to see Miss Xu? Third Master Qiao doesn't have any feelings for Miss Xu at all. How would he marry her!"
"Ah… how pitiful. She has no parents and her fiancé doesn't even want her…"
Xu Wan could hear people gossiping, but she couldn't hear them clearly. Neither did she care. She walked to the study and took a French edition of "Lovers" from the bookshelf.
Fourteen years ago, Xu Wan became an orphan overnight. Old Master Qiao brought her to the Qiao family and told her that that would be her home from then on.
Xu Wan's parents had died while saving Old Master Qiao. Hence, Old Master Qiao had been feeling guilty all these years. He always wanted to make it up to Xu Wan. Not only did he dote on Xu Wan as if she was his own daughter, he even arranged an extremely honorable marriage for her …
"When Xu Wan is old enough to marry, she'll be marrying Qiao Chen. I have decided on this matter. I don't need your comments."
Back then, Xu Wan was still young. She did not know what it meant to marry Third Master Qiao, who was seven years older than her. She only saw the expressions of Master Qiao and Second Master Qiao change.
After that, Third Master Qiao didn't openly oppose Old Master Qiao's engagement. However, he secretly moved out of Langyue Residence and didn't come back for a year, let alone meet Xu Wan.
He obviously did not want to marry her.
Xu Wan was 19 years old that year and would soon reach the legal age for marriage. However, she did not have any expectations for her marriage.
And just two months ago, Old Master Qiao suddenly fell seriously ill. After all, he was already 70 years old and had been suffering from chronic illnesses… Xu Wan was downcast. She clutched the book tightly in her arms and brisk-walked into Old Master Qiao's residence.
Old Master Qiao was lying on the bed. His cheeks were swollen, and his face was abnormally red. When he saw Xu Wan, his cloudy eyes lit up. He said in surprise, "Little Wan, you're here? It's cold outside. Why are you wearing so little? Come and sit down."
Although Old Master Qiao was not related to Xu Wan by blood, he was really kind to Xu Wan. Xu Wan felt the warmth in her heart. She sat down and held Old Master Qiao's hand. "Uncle Qiao, I've come to read to you. You have just taken your medicine, right? Let's read chapter eight today…"
Old Master Qiao's eyesight was poor. Xu Wan often read to him, but she was afraid that her Uncle Qiao might not have the chance to finish reading the book.
The gentle voice of a woman echoed through the room. Old Master Qiao closed his eyes tranquilly, immersed in the book's story.
"Little Wan." Old Master Qiao looked at Xu Wan, who was focused on her book, and said profoundly, "You've grown up. Uncle Qiao might not be able to continue protecting you anymore, but I've already called Qiao Chen back. I'll let him marry you next year. Then, you'll be the daughter-in-law of the Qiao family. Uncle Qiao promised your parents that he would protect you from troubles forever."
Tears welled up in Xu Wan's eyes as she forced a smile. "Uncle Qiao, I've been very happy all these years. Whether I marry Third Master Qiao or not, I'm very grateful to you for taking care of me."
Old Master Qiao shook his head. "No, this is the last thing I can do for you. Only after this matter is settled will I be able to leave with peace of mind. Please don't blame Qiao Chen. Although he's a little cold, he's not a bad person… It's getting late, you should go back soon. Come here to see Qiao Chen tomorrow."
Xu Wan left and walked out to the pathway. She seemed to be at a loss.
Marry Qiao Chen? Was she going to entrust the rest of her life to such a man?
Xu Wan thought of how in the few times she had seen Qiao Chen, he gazed at her coldly and indifferently. She shuddered.
She held her shivering arms and prepared to go back quickly. Just when she passed by a bush, a figure suddenly appeared and grabbed Xu Wan's arm. It said in a hoarse voice, "Help to detoxify me. I'll give you anything you want!"
Before Xu Wan could react, she felt her breath constrict.
And thus, her first kiss, which she had treasured for nineteen years, was snatched away. By this man who suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Xu Wan was trembling all over. She did not dare to make a sound.
Under the clear moonlight, she saw the man's face clearly—it was her fiancé, Qiao Chen!
However, Qiao Chen's expression was sullen while he looked at Xu Wan. He didn't seem to recognize her at all.
Right, he said he was poisoned?
Maybe that was why he didn't recognize her as Xu Wan.
Qiao Chen had always disliked her. If he knew it was her, he probably wouldn't have asked for her help.
What was he poisoned with? She didn't have the antidote, how could she detoxify him? He wouldn't die, right?
One question after another flashed across Xu Wan's mind. Before Xu Wan could figure them out, Qiao Chen's hands reached for her waist. With a slight tug, Xu Wan's belt loosened and fell off.
Everything happened so suddenly that Xu Wan was caught off guard. Before she was able to react, her body was forcefully taken over by the man.
She was in pain, but she did not dare to cry out loud.
Xu Wan had always been a little afraid of Qiao Chen. At that moment, her body was trembling slightly. With Qiao Chen's intrusion, her tears fell uncontrollably
"Why are you crying? Do I not satisfy you?" Qiao Chen could vaguely feel the woman's unwillingness. He was a little speechless and squeezed Xu Wan's waist even tighter
Xu Wan was tortured and traumatized. Her body trembled involuntarily under the man's broad and warm palms. Their bodies pressed against each other, like two balls of fire blending together.
Qiao Chen was also a little surprised. He didn't expect this woman's body to be like a drug —— her slender waist, soft glistening breasts, and voluptuous buttocks… actually made him feel a little reluctant to let go.
He had never thought that he would be able to gain such intense, soul-trembling pleasure from a woman.
Qiao Chen was madly plundering from Xu Wan's body. He was so exhilarated that his breathing became hurried. In his muzziness, he carried a sense of ruthlessness. He did not care about the woman's delicate, virgin body underneath him.
Xu Wan's body was extremely sensitive. Qiao Chen's gentle caress was enough to make it unbearable for her. However, Xu Wan gritted her teeth and restrained herself from making any shameful sounds.
Only after the torture ended was Xu Wan able to creep up slowly.
Qiao Chen was already asleep. He lay beside Xu Wan quietly, his disposition in a stark contrast with how he was in the day.
In the dark garage, only the two of them were breathing in sync. The air was still filled with a dubious scent.