Chapter 1: Struggle
L City, downtown.
In the busiest bar of this prime district, the air was thick with the smell of alcohol and smoke. The music was blaring at full volume, loud enough to make ears ring.
On the dance floor, seductive women twisted wildly to the beat, but Liang Xiaoluo sat alone at the bar, downing drink after drink.
She seemed calm, but her mind was a whirlwind of anger. Even the pounding music couldn't drown out the echoes in her ears:
"Yuyang, do you love me?"
"Love? Of course, I love you."
"Who do you love more, me or Liang Xiaoluo?"
"My little vixen, of course it's you."
That's right. Two hours ago, she had stumbled upon her boyfriend Peng Yuyang having an affair with her half-sister, Lin Xue. She hadn't cried or made a scene—just turned coldly on her heel and left. And now, she was here.
How ironic.
Liang Xiaoluo raised her glass and poured the drink down her throat. She had no idea how many glasses she'd had. She didn't care. Whenever the bartender handed her a drink, she just drank it.
She couldn't figure out why she'd fallen for someone as scummy as Peng Yuyang. Now here she was, drinking herself into oblivion because of him.
What a joke.
"Well, well, Liang Xiaoluo. Who would've thought you'd care so much about me? Drowning your sorrows in a bar over a broken heart—color me impressed."
The most revolting voice in the world reached her ears, coming from behind.
She didn't need to turn around to know it was Peng Yuyang—the man she'd caught cheating two hours ago.
Hearing his voice brought back the image of him and Lin Xue together, making her stomach churn. His presence alone made her feel sick.
She tilted her head back, finished her drink, slapped some money on the bar, and said, "Check, please."
Standing up, she prepared to leave.
But Peng Yuyang grabbed her arm, smirking. "Don't leave so soon, Xiaoluo. After all, we were a couple once. Let's end things on a good note. How about I treat you to a few more drinks?"
The sly grin on his face said it all—he had a plan. He'd already instructed the bartender to slip a pill into her last drink. During their year-long relationship, he hadn't gotten any further than holding her hand, and that fact ate at him. He had planned to seduce her into bed and then dump her, but she'd found out about him and Lin Xue first.
Liang Xiaoluo yanked her arm away, ignoring his taunts, but she began to feel odd. Her body was heating up, her head spinning. Something wasn't right. From the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of his sinister smirk.
She quickly pieced it together but forced herself to remain calm. Smiling sweetly at him, she said, "Peng Yuyang, with your pig-like face, it's no wonder Lin Xue is the only one who'd take you. Honestly, even looking at you makes me want to vomit." Pausing, she added, "Do yourself a favor—save your money for plastic surgery. Don't scare people in public."
Peng Yuyang trembled with rage, pointing a shaking finger at her. "Liang Xiaoluo, you—"
He wanted to explode, but he held back, thinking to himself, You'll be begging me soon enough.
Liang Xiaoluo realized the danger she was in. She needed to get away before the drug took full effect. Scanning the room, she spotted a young man passing by. An idea struck her, and she quickly latched onto his arm.
"How much for one night? I'll buy you."
As she looked up, she was stunned by the man's face.
He appeared to be in his early twenties, with flawlessly sculpted features that exuded nobility. But his captivating, fox-like eyes held a cold detachment.
Could someone like this really be available at a bar?
Great. She'd probably just landed herself in even bigger trouble. But compared to Peng Yuyang, she'd rather take her chances with this gorgeous stranger. Clinging tightly to his arm, she refused to let go.
Ye Tianlin loathed women who threw themselves at him, and this shameless woman had even mistaken him for… someone for sale. His eyes turned icy as he glared at her. But when he met her clear, bright eyes, he froze.
It was her.
The night was dark and intoxicating.
Ye Tianlin took Liang Xiaoluo to the Imperial Hotel above the bar. Peng Yuyang could only watch as they left, too stunned to follow. Liang Xiaoluo breathed a sigh of relief, but then she realized Ye Tianlin was holding her tightly.
She had completely forgotten about that.
As she tried to pull away, she found her strength waning. Her legs felt like jelly, her head swimming. Despite her discomfort, she squirmed in his arms, asking weakly, "Where… where are we going?"
She was anxious, sensing the disaster awaiting her.
Ye Tianlin didn't answer, carrying her directly into his private suite.
"Let me go. I don't want to go!" Liang Xiaoluo protested, her voice weak. She tried to resist, but her body was too tired. She fell limply onto the bed.
Her flushed cheeks glowed, and she swallowed hard. Damn Peng Yuyang—how could she have missed him drugging her? She had escaped his clutches only to fall into someone else's.
This was like digging her own grave.
No, she had to get out of here.
Liang Xiaoluo struggled to get up as Ye Tianlin removed his jacket, his back turned to her. Her heart raced as she stared at his broad shoulders, feeling a strange anticipation despite her predicament. Her body burned hotter and hotter.
She slapped her face lightly, trying to snap herself out of it. What was she thinking? Was the drug taking over her mind?
"I just remembered… I have something to do. I need to go…" she stammered, staggering toward the door. She had to get out before something happened.
But as she fumbled with the door handle, Ye Tianlin's voice rang out behind her.
"Aren't you afraid he's waiting outside?"
She froze, her hand falling away. Sliding to the floor, she gasped for air. He was right—Peng Yuyang might still be out there. He wouldn't let her go so easily.
But her body was betraying her. She felt unbearably hot.
Ye Tianlin smirked, pulling at his tie as he approached. Crouching down, he tilted her chin up and said, "Shall we get started?"
Liang Xiaoluo shivered, pushing his hand away with all the strength she had left. Forcing an awkward smile, she said, "I… I can't afford you for the night. Maybe you should find someone else."
Her eyes, however, betrayed her words, glowing faintly with desire.
Ye Tianlin's forehead twitched. This damned woman. He scooped her up effortlessly and whispered in her ear, "How about I pay for your night instead?"
"What?" she gasped, her eyes wide in disbelief as she stared at this devastatingly handsome man.
"A million? Ten million?" His lips curled into a teasing smile, his breath warm against her face, making her cheeks burn even hotter.
"I'm not for sale," she spat, her voice trembling with shame and defiance.
Ye Tianlin raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her resistance. But as he leaned closer, he realized something was off. His sharp gaze swept over her, and his brow furrowed.
This woman was drugged.
Her flushed cheeks, like blooming lotus petals, stirred something deep within him.
Although he despised women, something about her was different. When she had clung to him earlier, he hadn't felt the usual revulsion. Instead, he found himself wanting to break his own rules.
But would he?
Liang Xiaoluo's mind was clouded, and she couldn't think straight. As her body gave in, her rationality slipped further away…
Ye Tianlin, known for his self-control, found himself wavering. Looking at her delicate skin, flushed from the drug's effects, he felt his restraint slipping.
What would happen next was inevitable. Or was it?