Outside the window, the entire city was ablaze with lights, resembling a static and magnificent landscape painting, which lent a tinge of serene warmth to this originally masculine and coldly hued room.
Su Mi was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the inky-black river water outside this hillside villa.
Yesterday, facing the man who held her life in his hands, she summoned up courage from God-knows-where and replied to him in such a way.
She said, "I have only one thing. Would you want it?"
The man said nothing and simply turned around and got into the car. And his subordinates bound her hands and legs and tossed her into the trunk.
Perhaps due to excessive nervousness and fatigue, she actually fell asleep in the dark and stuffy trunk. When she woke up, she found herself dumped in a bathtub, with no one around except for what seemed to be a brand-new ladies' bathrobe and a plate of bread.
She devoured the bread almost voraciously and then thoroughly cleansed herself with great relish.
This was the fullest she had eaten and the cleanest she had washed since she transmigrated, she told herself.
This was already everything she needed at present.
Finally, when she was dozing off, leaning against the bedside, the door was gently pushed open.
The lights were turned on, and the room instantly became extraordinarily bright. She squinted and then opened her eyes again, and there stood the extremely cold and hard man from last night at the doorway.
Unlike last night, the man was dressed in a black military police uniform, with the black-gold buttons neatly fastened up to his neck, making him look majestic, aloof, and angular. He was different from every man Su Mi had ever seen, with his jet-black eyebrows and eyes, a high and straight nose, and thick lips, possessing a kind of rugged and tough handsomeness.
And when his cold and dark eyes looked over, even without uttering a word, it somehow made Su Mi tremble with fear.
He raised his hand to unfasten the top button of his uniform. Su Mi had never served anyone before, but since coming to this world, she had learned many survival rules. She immediately walked over and gently took his coat.
A faint smell of alcohol wafted over. Had he been drinking? This realization made Su Mi's heart skip a bit. Subconsciously, she looked up at his face, only to see his black eyes staring at her with extreme sharpness and clarity.
That was probably a silent command.
Su Mi stretched out her already fair and clean enough hands and began to unfasten the buttons of his shirt one by one. His imposing gaze was right above her head, forcing her to stare at his chest.
She helped him take off his shirt, revealing his solid and supple chest. There was a thin metal chain hanging around his neck, looking quite old, with a small square metal plate dangling at the bottom.
A hideous and scarlet scar ran from his left chest all the way to his right waist. Su Mi's hands were trembling slightly as she reached for his belt.
But at that moment, she was caught by a powerful large hand. Immediately after, her chin was gently pinched by his calloused fingertips.
"Sir..." She panicked. Because of the six months of wandering and hardships since coming here, her chin had become very pointed and thin, and it looked even more petite in his palm.
His tanned and handsome face was within close proximity, as calm and intimidating as cold iron.
Suddenly, he smiled, took a careful look at her, and then got up and left the room.
After that night, Su Mi lived in a state of constant unease and unpredictability.
She had already guessed the man's identity, but she never saw him again – the renowned figure who held sway over both the legal and illegal worlds in Hope City.
But that was precisely what made her more fearful.
She was by no means narcissistic enough to think that he would simply let her go or make her his woman.
So what kind of ending awaited her?
Besides Su Mi, there were others who wanted to know the answer to this question.
In the evening five days later. Just as the special vehicle was driving back to the residence of the director of the Planet Security Bureau, Assistant Mu in the front seat couldn't help but turn around and ask the director, Shang Zheng: "Sir, what's so special about Miss Su? It's the first time in so many years that you've kept a woman by your side."
Shang Zheng indifferently took out a cigarette and lit it, exhaling faint smoke rings, his tone cold: "The young director of the Zhou Group, which deals in arms, will be back next week."
Assistant Mu was silent for a while after hearing this before replying: "I heard that he likes clean and pretty young boys and girls."
Shang Zheng said quietly: "Exchange her for a lower discount."
Assistant Mu smiled and didn't continue this topic. Instead, he said: "The night after tomorrow, the newly appointed mayor, You Mo-nian, is holding a cocktail party. Who are you going to arrange as your female companion?"
"The only son of the You family?"
"Yes." Assistant Mu nodded. "The most noble family in the Alliance."
"Take the kitten along." Shang Zheng said. "Have her cleaned up."
Assistant Mu was a bit stunned before realizing that he was referring to Su Mi. He scratched his head: "Sir, for such an upper-class social event, Miss Su is of humble birth after all. Even I feel it's inappropriate."
"Good." A very faint smile appeared on Shang Zheng's face. "I like doing inappropriate things."
The "Eternal" galaxy has eight planets. Among them, five planets – five habitable large cities – form the Human Alliance. The other three are occupied by the Zerg. The peace between humans and the Zerg has been maintained for twenty years.
The You family is the most powerful family in the Alliance in terms of power over the past hundred years and also has a strong influence in the military. You Mo-nian, the only son of the current Alliance President You Lin-ju, is a highly sought-after young talent in the Alliance's political arena.
"Me?" Su Mi watched as the servants, under the direction of Assistant Mu, carried clothes, jewels, and cosmetics into the room.
"Yes." Assistant Mu looked at her and smiled. "These are all bought by the sir. Miss Su, just enjoy them to your heart's content."
Even though she hadn't truly been happy for many days, Su Mi still curled up the corners of her mouth slightly because of the words of the young and handsome Assistant Mu.
Assistant Mu turned to walk towards the door and then suddenly stopped.
The rumored son of an arms merchant who studied medicine was said to like clean young people and to be fond of sadism.
Assistant Mu really had a hard time associating the quiet and frail Su Mi in front of him with the rumored young director of the Zhou Group.
"Miss Su, I'll be back in a while." He stared at her calm and cautious face. "You're very beautiful. Please enjoy this party to your heart's content."
Watching the back of Assistant Mu disappear at the door, Su Mi felt a strong sense of foreboding weighing heavily on her heart. The young assistant's hesitation to speak and his implicit pity made her strangely feel that after this party, her ending would come.
And it would surely be a very bad ending.
One hour later.
As a student, Su Mi rarely wore such evening gowns. She walked on high heels, standing somewhat stiffly in front of the full-length mirror, lost in thought.
Perhaps because she had been down and out for too long, when she looked at the girl in the mirror with the flowing long dress and soft black hair, she was momentarily stunned. The azure and brilliant gems, the light rouge on her cheeks, added a touch of vivid color to her otherwise dull and chilly complexion.
Just then, the door behind her made a soft sound.
"Is this okay?" She made up her mind to pry information from Assistant Mu and turned around and whispered, "To go to the last party before I die?"
But she was met with a pair of pitch-black eyes.
She was slightly startled and immediately bowed her head: "Sir, you're here."
Shang Zheng's steps paused slightly.
Since taking office in Hope City half a year ago, he had seen women who were many times more beautiful than her, all of them gentle, passionate, and proactive. But the sad and slightly self-deprecating look on her face when she turned around just now reminded him that it was the first time a woman had shown such an expression in front of him.
So faint yet so repressed and sad.
She stood gracefully in front of him, with a tinge of ingratiatingness, while her hands unconsciously clutched the red skirt. The strapless long dress and the magnificent jewelry, on the contrary, made her delicate and clean face seem to have a faint, lustrous glow.
So it turns out that the kitten wasn't just weak and docile. Sometimes, being quiet and desperate was another kind of beauty for a woman.
"Don't attempt to escape at the mayor's party." Shang Zheng sat down on the sofa.
Su Mi stood still on the spot.
Then she turned to look at Shang Zheng and slowly walked over.
Like that night, humble and small. She was wearing a bright red long dress and knelt down in front of him.
He didn't say a word, his dark eyes staring at her every move.
"Escape... I never even thought about it." She looked up at him like a pet. "Sir, please keep me by your side, okay?"
Shang Zheng looked down at the girl curled up like a kitten at his feet. Her long black hair was like satin, and her waist was so slender that it could be held with one hand. On her small and pointed face, there were bright and sad lights flickering in her crystal-clear eyes.
"Keep you?" He said indifferently. "You can't do anything."
Su Mi was only silent for a few seconds.
She smiled faintly, a very humble and submissive smile.
"I can learn... I can learn anything." She whispered, gently reaching out and wrapping her arms around Shang Zheng's waist.
When women took the initiative to throw themselves into his arms, Shang Zheng had always coldly pushed them away. But she was so inexperienced and frail that Shang Zheng's eyes darkened and his throat suddenly felt dry.
He didn't give her a reply, just looked down at her being so submissive. She was like a pious believer, gently and sadly worshipping her master.