The warm morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, falling onto the bed where a young man and woman lay sleeping peacefully in each other's arms. There was nothing indecent about the scene; it was surprisingly serene.
"Mmm..." The summer sun felt a little too intense. Alex opened his eyes and saw a pretty face mere inches from his own.
Mornings really are the best time for sweet dreams! he thought to himself.
Wait a minute... something felt off. The weight on his body was unmistakable, and he could clearly feel the smooth skin and the gentle curves pressed against him.
A woman? Alex looked down and froze. It was Jing! What... what is she doing here?
His mind raced, frantically trying to piece together the events of last night. He remembered meeting Jing at the bar, her proposition, his acceptance, the frustration, the drinks... and then?
A wave of nausea washed over him as a horrifying thought took shape. Had he... had he taken advantage of her while drunk? Oh god, that was the worst possible scenario. Especially since... he felt absolutely nothing. Had he completely wasted last night?
No, no, no! What kind of disgusting thoughts were those? He needed to focus. Was Jing awake? How was he supposed to face her when she woke up? He had paid her, so technically, she was his now, but... Alex's head was buzzing with confusion and a growing sense of dread.
He carefully disentangled himself from her, his hand brushing against her bare breast. Perhaps it was because he'd been celibate for so long, but the unexpected contact sent a jolt through him.
Damn it! Alex mentally cursed himself, slapping his forehead. He was thinking with the wrong head again.
He sat on the bed, staring at Jing's naked form beside him, then glanced down at his own equally naked body. His "little brother" was still stubbornly at attention, as if proudly displaying the supposed spoils of war.
Alex quickly got out of bed and headed for the bathroom, turning on the cold shower full blast. The icy water cascaded over him, a much-needed shock to his system. He needed to calm down, to think clearly.
How was he going to face her? And in what capacity? A former classmate? A client? Her... owner? The thought made him shudder. He had no idea how Jing would react when she woke up. What was the point of having her body if he didn't have her heart? A body without a soul was just a puppet. He certainly didn't want that. The thought of the four million suddenly struck him as absurd. This woman had sold herself, not for her own benefit, but for her family. He'd heard rumors of her filial piety back in high school, and now, it seemed they were true.
What kind of woman would sacrifice her entire life for her parents' well-being? Even if she was working in a bar, even if she had sold herself... wasn't that a kind of greatness? She was nothing like that scumbag, Wang De.
The cold water gradually calmed his racing thoughts. The droplets trickled down his hair, tracing the contours of his muscles like tiny rivers, carrying away the anxiety and lust. He felt a strange sense of peace settle over him.
When Alex emerged from the bathroom, Jing was still asleep, her face serene. He noticed the dried tear tracks on her cheeks, a silent testament to the turmoil she must have endured.
Alex sighed. There was no point in regretting what had happened. He wasn't one to dwell on the past. Once he made a decision, he stuck with it, for better or worse. In that, he and Jing were surprisingly alike.
He picked up his clothes from the floor, got dressed, and looked at Jing's naked form. He gently pulled the blanket over her, a strange tenderness welling up within him. He turned to leave, but hesitated at the door. After a moment's thought, he turned back, as if making a monumental decision.
He stood by the bed, looking at Jing's sleeping face, her features delicate and calm in the morning light. He felt a sudden urge to do something for her, to offer some comfort, some reassurance.
He leaned down and gently kissed her forehead, a fleeting touch, like a dragonfly skimming the surface of a pond. Then, he quietly left the room, closing the door softly behind him.
Just as the door clicked shut, a faint smile touched Jing's lips. Was it a smile of relief at the unexpected gentleness? Or a smile of gratitude for the life-altering four million?
Last night, for a brief moment in his embrace, she had felt a flicker of his former tenderness, a ghost of their shared past. Former? Perhaps.
But the details of last night remained shrouded in a haze, obscured by the potent cocktail she'd consumed. Nearly half a bottle of strong liquor was more than enough to numb this woman, who rarely drank.
Tears welled up again, for reasons she couldn't quite understand. She curled up tighter under the covers, letting the tears flow freely, a silent release of the emotions she'd kept bottled up for so long.
Downstairs, Alex ran into Grant, who was overseeing the morning operations. Alex immediately called him over. That bastard, he thought darkly, I wouldn't put it past him to have orchestrated last night.
"Hey, Grant!" Alex's voice was sharp, laced with barely contained anger. "Are you trying to get yourself fired?"
"Ah? Boss, is that you?" Grant approached with a smile, oblivious to Alex's fury.
"Cut the crap, Grant. Why was that woman in my bed?" Alex grabbed Grant by the collar, his voice low and menacing.
"Boss, I... I don't understand what you're talking about," Grant stammered, looking genuinely confused.
"Don't play dumb with me. Why the hell did I wake up next to that woman? Explain yourself!" Alex's grip tightened.
"Boss, but… you bought her last night! You said you were going to go upstairs to… you know… and that no one was allowed to disturb you. What's the problem?" Grant asked, a flicker of understanding crossing his face. Had the woman somehow displeased the boss?
"No, this was your doing, wasn't it?" Alex accused, his eyes narrowed. "I knew something was off from the moment you called me yesterday. And with your track record… Are you tired of living, Grant?"
"Boss, I swear, it wasn't me! If you don't believe me, ask her when she wakes up. She knows everything! You... you're not trying to back out of the deal, are you?" Grant asked, a bead of sweat trickling down his forehead. Being at the boss's mercy was a precarious position indeed.
"Back out of the deal? Have you ever heard of an American soldier asking a Japanese woman if she enjoyed being raped? Use your brain, Grant!" Alex snapped, though the analogy was, admittedly, a bit extreme.
"You have a point, boss... but still, it's the truth!" Grant insisted, feeling unjustly accused.
"Even if it's true, you should have stopped me! Didn't you see how much I drank? I was drunk, Grant, drunk!" Alex argued, trying to justify his own actions, even to himself.
And who was it that kept ordering five bottles at a time? Grant thought to himself, but wisely kept his mouth shut. He wasn't about to add fuel to the fire.
"But boss, why are you even bringing this up? Did... did she not satisfy you?" Grant couldn't resist asking.
"None of your damn business!" Alex snapped, his face darkening. Satisfy? He hadn't even felt a thing!
"Right, I need you to investigate her. A thorough background check. I want to know everything, including which hospital her father is in, which bed he's in, where her mother sets up her stall, their neighbors, relatives—everything. Understand?" Alex said, a sudden determination hardening his expression.
"Got it, boss. So, what about her future? Is she still working here as a wine girl?" Grant asked.
"Are you stupid? Do you think I spent four million dollars for her to sell drinks?" Alex retorted, incredulous. "She has a degree in Business Administration, right? Find her a management position here. Let her gain some experience. You can help her out. She might be useful later. She seems intelligent, don't you think?" Alex mused for a moment. "As for her living arrangements, she can stay in that room upstairs. I rarely use it anyway."
"Yes, boss! What about... our other business…?" Grant asked hesitantly.
"We are a legitimate business, Grant, providing entertainment for the public. We pay our taxes, we follow the law. You're the manager, and I'm a regular employee, that's all. Understand?"
"Understood, boss, understood! Hehe..." Grant chuckled nervously. Damn, the boss could be so eloquent when he wanted to be. It was truly impressive.
"Good. I'm leaving. Contact me if you need anything, otherwise, don't bother me." With that, Alex turned and left the bar.
At that moment, Alex felt a strange sense of responsibility towards Jing. He wasn't sure if it was love, but he knew that if he treated her badly, he'd be no better than an animal. He couldn't let her continue down this self-destructive path. Even if her spirit was broken, he was determined to rekindle the fire within her. Years ago, he'd lost her to Wang De. He knew it was his own fault, his careless, playboy attitude that had driven her away. But now, things were different. Fate had given him a second chance, and she was, in a way, his responsibility now. He needed to make her truly his, body and soul. Jing might not have been the one who changed his life, but she was the catalyst for his change in perspective. Giving up on her now would be a foolish act indeed.
Jing woke up with a start, unsure how much time had passed, but the man was long gone. She opened her eyes, wiping away the lingering tears. It was almost nine o'clock. She needed to get to the hospital.
With renewed resolve, she sat up in bed, taking a moment to gather her thoughts before heading to the bathroom.
The cool water of the shower was a welcome relief, washing away the lingering scent of the night, the residue of his touch. She scrubbed her skin vigorously, as if trying to erase the humiliation, the shame of the transaction.
She got out of the shower, dressed quickly, and neatly folded the blanket on the bed. This kind of luxurious apartment had always been a distant dream. Perhaps Wang De had been right—poverty could make you desperate. But she was stronger than him, more resilient. Ambition? It seemed like a distant memory now.
Jing shook her head, glancing at the check still tucked safely in her bag. A wave of relief washed over her, followed by a surge of uncertainty. As she stepped out of the room, she paused, a sudden thought stopping her in her tracks. Her gaze fixed on the neatly made bed.
"Hmm?" She turned back, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. She walked back to the bed, her hands nervously smoothing the covers, searching, but finding nothing.
She stood there for a moment, a mix of confusion and apprehension swirling within her. Then, she threw her bag on the floor, stripped off her clothes, and went back into the bathroom.
"Ah...!" A scream echoed through the apartment—a scream of joy, of disbelief, of relief.
What exactly happened last night after I lost consciousness? she wondered, her heart pounding. He held me, and then... and then what? Did he... did he actually have some decency and not...? But then why were they both naked in bed, entangled in each other's arms? She had no memory of it, but she was certain of one thing—he hadn't taken what he'd paid for. Could it be that he…? Jing blushed furiously at the thought, then quickly dismissed it. What am I even thinking? He wouldn't ask for the money back now, would he? Her mind raced, a whirlwind of confusion and uncertainty. She quickly got dressed, grabbed her bag, and rushed out of the apartment, eager to escape the suffocating questions.
"You're awake...!" Grant greeted her with a smile as she descended the stairs.
Jing froze, startled by his sudden appearance. She nodded curtly, avoiding his gaze.
"I hear you majored in Business Administration," Grant continued. "While this bar isn't exactly a major corporation, we could certainly use someone with your qualifications. How about this—you can manage the second-floor dining area, starting today. No need to rush, though. Take care of your family matters first. And if you need a place to stay, you can have that room upstairs."
"Why?" Jing asked, confused.
"Well, you're the boss's woman now, aren't you? And he said you seem like you have potential. Don't worry, there are no strings attached. If you need anything, just ask me. And if anyone gives you any trouble, I'll personally make sure they… well, let's just say I'll… educate them appropriately. After all, we are a legitimate business here." He winked, a sly grin spreading across his face.
It was him… Jing's mind reeled. She nodded again, relieved that he wasn't asking for the money back. But just like that... she'd become his woman?
She had no time to dwell on it. Things were different now, whether she liked it or not.
"I'm leaving...!"
"Jing, I'll say it again—you're a lucky woman. You met the boss," Grant called after her, stifling a yawn. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to catch up on some sleep."
Jing paused at the bar's exit, Grant's words echoing in her mind. Lucky? What did that even mean? Was it lucky that she hadn't been violated by that man, even after selling herself to him? But that was a good thing, wasn't it? At least it showed he had some semblance of decency. But his intentions remained a mystery. Was it pity? Or was he still trying to pursue her, even after she'd already sold herself to him? What was she supposed to do if he pursued her? What if he demanded… Her thoughts spiraled into a dizzying vortex of what-ifs. No, she decided firmly, pushing the questions aside. I need to focus on what matters. She headed towards the hospital, her mind still reeling from the events of last night.
A pair of fools, the narrator observed, a pair of drunken fools! Especially that idiot, Alex. Heaven gave him such a golden opportunity, and he completely missed it. He actually thinks he slept with her! He's even got himself convinced it was some grand, strategic maneuver, a 'breaking and then making' masterpiece. He fancies himself a seasoned player in the game of love, but did he not notice the lack of… evidence? Or was his mind so clouded by liquor and lust that he overlooked that crucial detail?
Sigh, a lesson for us all—drink less, or else…