Falling into the water

Falling into the water

Did he say that because he saw me being close to Ye Fenglin?

This man, who has always been the center of attention since childhood, simply couldn't stand that I liked Ye Fenglin instead of him.

When I met Xie Yong's dark, intense eyes, my heart skipped a beat, but then I realized it wasn't what I had imagined.

He wrapped his arms around my waist, his strong presence preventing my legs from closing, and his hot breath, completely out of character, brushed against my neck. I felt uncomfortable all over, head down, speechless, only able to gasp weakly.

Seeing this, Xie Yong used his strength to lift me to the edge of the pool. He pulled me out of the pool, then picked me up from the ground. My throat tightened, and I felt everyone's eyes on us.

Let me go... I struggled uneasily in his arms, but Xie Yong gritted his teeth and held me down: "Don't move."

Why is he still so excited?

I was a little scared as this thing, large and terrifying, tried to get closer to me from the pool. I froze, too afraid to move.

Xie Yong was holding me, and we were almost at the elevator when Ye Fenglin rushed up, trying his best to maintain his composure. "Brother Yong, Jiang Fu is my female companion." "What can you do now?" Xie Yong looked coldly at his arm. "I'm just taking her to change clothes. You don't need to worry about what I'll do." Xie Yong said this very politely, leaving no room for criticism.

Before Xie Yong stepped into the elevator, he reminded him, "Zhi'en is still here; you should at least stay with her."

Ye Fenglin was also stunned.

As the elevator doors closed, I saw Ye Fenglin's uninjured hand clenched into a fist.

However, I should probably worry more about myself than him. Tonight's party was very stressful for me. I ran into Jiang Mingzhuo and Jiang Zhao one after another, got bullied in the restroom, and even clumsily fell into the pool... I couldn't hold back anymore, and tears fell.

"Don't cry," Xie Yong whispered to me. The elevator was full of mirrors, and his handsome and arrogant face didn't show much emotion, except that his arms around me tightened.

"I'm sorry." He suddenly apologized solemnly again. I looked up at his expression and saw that he was calm and composed. "I meant in the pool. I often dream about you. We kiss. You are like my girlfriend, very dependent on me."

Even this rare apology seemed condescending.

He dreamt of me? My breathing became completely disordered. Could it be that Xie Yong remembered me?

No, that's impossible. The game's character design was supposed to be Lin Zhi'en's suitor...

The elevator continued to descend. Xie Yong looked at me and lazily said, "That was my first time. What about you?"

"Have you ever kissed anyone?" He calmly met my gaze.

He clearly saw me and Ye Fenglin kiss in the hospital, yet he still asks this question.

But I want to argue that this isn't the first time; he's kissed me many times before.

Ding. The elevator has arrived at the hotel's fiftieth floor.

The hotel butler waited there for a long time before handing him the room key. "Your change of clothes will be sent over later."

I was in Xie Yong's arms, head bowed, as he carried me into the room. The suite had a very calm and dark color scheme, with two huge guest rooms. Decorative oil paintings hung on the walls, and the terrace offered a stunning view of the entire eastern district at night.

Xie Yong put me on the bed and then left.

He was more of a gentleman than I had imagined; at least, he gave me a little sense of security.

Even though the pool water looked sparkling, I knew many people poured champagne and cocktails in it; it was filthy. I went into the bathroom and rinsed myself in the huge bubble bath with warm water before daring to come out and change.

She wore another Miu Miu grey pleated sleeveless dress, paired with a pale white undershirt, and even her shoes were classic two-tone patent leather high heels.

She was very ladylike and well-behaved. Xie Yong's aesthetic sense was exactly like his personality.

I quickly dried my hair and glanced at my phone.

With less than forty minutes left before the car accident, I couldn't wait to verify my guess: in this world, some things about the "male protagonist" always seem to repeat themselves, which may be related to the plot set up for them by the "game".

For example, Xie Yong's birth, Ye Fenglin's celebratory Instagram post, and Jiang Mingzhuo's car accident.

As soon as I opened the door, I saw that Xie Yong had already changed his clothes, his tall figure disappearing into the darkness.

He was leaning against the window, a cigarette burning between his fingers, wisps of white smoke rising from it.

By the way, Xie Yong didn't actually quit smoking; he just barely touched it when he was around me.

Upon hearing the sound, he raised an eyebrow, flicked a bit of ash from his cigarette with his long fingers, then stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray and walked towards me.

"Where to?" Xie Yong asked.

I turned to look at him, gently bent down to thank him, and took out my phone to type, "Thank you, I'm going home now."

"I can take you." He lowered his head, his body emanating a cool, refreshing smell of smoke, which wasn't actually unpleasant.

I stepped back, my intention to avoid the situation quite clear.

Xie Yong suddenly smiled, unusually arrogant, and calmly said, "Do me a favor."

I stopped in my tracks, my eyelashes trembling violently. I didn't understand what I could do to help him. There wasn't a very long distance between us. Xie Yong suddenly raised his brow bone slightly. "I want to test the distance between you and me, to see where you can really stand."

After saying that, he moved closer to me. "Here?"

I instinctively stepped back, and could clearly feel that tall, powerful figure getting closer and closer to me.

"Still here?"

I stepped on the carpet, my knees resting on the sofa behind me. I wanted to stand up and muster the courage to look at him. Xie Yong walked up to me this time, letting out a soft, arrogant sneer.

“Here.” He spoke to me with absolute certainty. I saw a mature and calm emotion in his eyes. At that moment, I realized the similarities between him and his father, who was about to become mayor. Both were swift and decisive, ambitious, and extremely efficient.

I understand that he's testing my limits so he knows how much control he needs to exert when approaching me without scaring me.

He needs to know when I'll get nervous, when I'll be scared, when I'll be worried... and even when I'll cry.

How could Xie Yong be so unreasonable... I bit my lip, a look of grievance on my face, and I was even more unwilling to admit defeat. I silently leaned on the sofa, but Xie Yong didn't come any closer to me, remaining only a short distance away, less than a meter.

Soon, our silent standoff was broken by a polite knock on the door.

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"Brother Xie Yong, I'm a little worried about that girl. Let me take her home."

Outside the door was Lin Zhi'en's gentle and elegant voice. Xie Yong's smile disappeared, and he regained his calm expression. I saw him go over to open the door for Lin Zhi'en and I breathed a sigh of relief. But I was afraid that Lin Zhi'en would misunderstand the relationship between Xie Yong and me, so I remained standing still.

She walked in quietly.

Wearing a black cashmere coat, her fair skin made her look even taller and more elegant.

Lin Zhi'en smiled gently and looked at me: "Brother Xie Yong, you are so thoughtful. I was worried that she wouldn't have any clothes to change into. Shall I take her home?"

Xie Yong raised an eyebrow slightly, neither agreeing nor refusing. Seeing this, Lin Zhi'en walked to my side, "Her eyes are almost closed. Brother Xie Yong, let her go home and rest early. Although the alcohol at tonight's party has a low alcohol content, it still has a strong aftereffect. Besides, it's not safe for a girl to stay here alone."

Although Lin Zhi'en is gentle, she is not one to back down; her strength is hidden in her gentle eyes.

"Be careful on the way back to her," Xie Yong instructed.

Lin Zhien smiled and gently patted my head. "I didn't drink any alcohol, don't worry."

I followed behind Lin Zhi'en. Seeing that I refused to move forward, she deliberately slowed down and waited for me to catch up.

Lin Zhi'en reached out and touched my long hair. Her fair and slender wrist was adorned with a pearl bracelet that gleamed with a lustrous sheen. Even her voice was clear and pleasant. "Is your hair natural?"

I was a little embarrassed, so I nodded. I have naturally curly hair with a slight wave, and it always hangs loosely down to my waist after washing. I usually only straighten it when I attend more formal occasions; most of the time, I wear it down.

"So cute, like a doll." Lin Zhi'en smiled gently. She pressed the elevator button and said to me while waiting, "I rarely do my hair because of dancing. I usually just put it up."

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I think she is very beautiful and perfect. She is the kind of elegant girl I would admire for my whole life. I am not particularly resistant to contact with girls. At school, other girls would play with my long hair or stroke my fingers like Lin Zhi'en did.

Her eyes shone brightly, like a little girl seeing a limited edition doll in a shop window, unable to put it down. I rarely see Lin Zhi'en with such a childlike expression.

The elevator arrived at the first floor, where someone was waiting at the door.

I felt a little shy and gently pushed her hand away.

Lin Zhi'en's expression was exceptionally gentle as she said softly, "Wait for me at the entrance. I'll drive the car up and take you home."

I nodded obediently. Initially, I was simply admiring the gold leaf, hand-etched murals, and exquisite marble columns in the hotel lobby. But when my gaze fell upon the antique clock, my heart inexplicably raced; the car accident was less than ten minutes away.

The subtle thing is...

As the private elevator slowly descended from the top floor, Jiang Mingzhuo and Jiang Zhao stepped out. Their footsteps were even more noticeable in the high-ceilinged hotel lobby. I quickly leaned back on the sofa, and the footsteps stopped at that moment.

"How will you get back? I'll have someone take you?" It was Jiang Zhao's cool and elegant tone, slightly low, like the melodious sound of a zither.

Many people assumed that when the marriage alliance between the Chiang and Jiang families failed, the two families would become bitter enemies, and the two brothers would grow estranged as they lived separately with their parents. In reality, Chiang Chao and Chiang Ming-chuo's relationship remained as good as ever.

Jiang Mingzhuo paused for a moment, then said, "Hmm, let me think about it."

I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine. For a moment, I even thought he had seen me hiding here. But perhaps it was just a hallucination caused by nervousness, because the next second I heard Jiang Mingzhuo's voice, tinged with a hint of pleasure, "I'll drive back myself."

Jiang Zhao did not speak.

Jiang Mingzhuo left with the words, "I haven't touched a drop of alcohol all night, don't worry about me."

The footsteps faded away, one after the other, and the hall fell silent and desolate once more.

I got up with lingering fear and looked again at the silent grandfather clock ticking away.

The car accident will happen in five minutes.

As if bewitched, I jogged to the hotel entrance, where a red Ferrari suddenly stopped in front of me. The car had an expensive and beautiful appearance, with narrow headlights, smooth body lines, and a domineering roaring engine.

My first thought was that it was some guy trying to pick me up again. The car window rolled down, and Lin Zhi'en's beautiful face appeared. "Get in."

"..." I was startled and quickly got into the car.

Lin Zhi'en seems to have a gentle personality, but the car she drives is the kind that's incredibly expensive and looks like something you wouldn't want to mess with. It's a stark contrast to her elegant and perfect appearance. I sat in the passenger seat and watched Lin Zhi'en drive with one hand, her posture carefree and relaxed.

"Are you scared? Then I'll slow down." Her hand rested on the steering wheel, on which the logo, a lifelike black horse, seemed about to leap out.

Her car sped along in the dead of night, seemingly oblivious to traffic, crossing intersections and climbing the next block, fully utilizing the advantages of her supercar. However, the road ahead inexplicably became congested, forcing Lin Zhi'en to slow down and stop the car.

"Was there a car accident?" she frowned slightly. "That's troublesome."

When I heard her say that, a very subtle burning sensation seemed to rise in my heart. I vaguely sensed that this car accident might be related to Jiang Mingzhuo.

Lin Zhi'en skillfully reversed the car, chose another route, and once again conspicuously joined the traffic.

She asked me, "Can you drive?"

I felt a little embarrassed, so I typed to her, "I do, but my car hit someone a few days ago and is currently being repaired."

Lin Zhien smiled gently at me again, "Wouldn't it be very inconvenient for you to go out then?"

That's true. The subway in Empire State is too crowded, and taxi fares are expensive. Having your own car would naturally make getting around much more convenient. But Yu Xu and I only bought one car for commuting, and we don't have any extra money to buy another vehicle.

Lin Zhi'en smiled faintly. She remained upright and elegant as she drove, a natural-born socialite.

I suddenly felt a little envious of her. Could a rich young lady like her, who has her own ballet career and can also balance her studies well, have the same troubles as me?

Classical music played in the car as Lin Zhi'en drove to the apartment building where Yu Xu and I lived. Before leaving, she asked me what my favorite color was.

I told her that my favorite color is pink.

A faint smile played on Lin Zhi'en's lips as she said goodnight to me.

I subconsciously looked up and saw the black curtains of the apartment across the street. For no reason, I felt a little nervous and scared.

It's so late, Lu Qixi is asleep, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to go. And I really don't want to tell her about her brother Lin Jindong.

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I pulled my coat tighter and went up the steps.

The curtains were drawn in the apartment; I hadn't dared to come back for days. The plants in the living room and bedroom were dying, and the house felt lifeless, with a thin layer of dust floating everywhere. My eyes suddenly stung. You see, Yu Xu and I are both very clean people; we usually keep the house spotless and sparkling clean.

This is our home... No matter what, I shouldn't run away, but rather protect it before Yu Xu wakes up.

I took a deep breath to calm myself and took the cleaning tools from the bathroom. First, I trimmed the plants, watered them, and poured some nutrient solution on them. Then I cleaned and tidied the room. After three whole hours, the room became bright and clean, and it even looked a bit warmer.

Kneeling on the floor, I bent over, meticulously wiping away the stains. The apartment door behind me opened silently, but I was completely unaware until a pair of dark black leather shoes landed, forcefully entering my field of vision.

I slowly raised my head, and then I saw a pair of long legs encased in suit trousers. When the person's face came into clear view, I stood there, stunned, kneeling on the ground, without responding.

Jiang Mingzhuo curled his thin lips sarcastically, "Is this the life you wanted to live even if you ran away? Living in this place, which is smaller than a storage room, with a poor man who has no future, washing his clothes, serving him to sleep, and cleaning for him?"

Am I...dreaming?

Jiang Mingzhuo, who should have been seriously injured in the car accident and receiving emergency treatment in an emergency room at the Imperial Hospital, appeared at my home unharmed.

I blinked, my eyelashes drooped limply, and my eyes stung. I couldn't tell if I was dreaming.

Jiang Mingzhuo let out a sneer. Seeing that I remained silent and didn't respond, he stepped onto the floor I had just wiped clean, walked to the sofa, and sat down. His handsome face held a condescending air as he patted his thighs. "Xiao Fu, sit down."

I stared at him blankly. Seeing that I didn't move, Jiang Mingzhuo asked in a low voice, "Do you want me to hand over Jiang Zhao as well?"

As if by reflex, I stood up and walked slowly to him. I knew he liked me sitting sideways on his lap, but Jiang Mingzhuo didn't say a word. Instead, he looked at me expressionlessly with his dark eyes.

I think it's a dream. I'm having nightmares again because I ran into him at the party tonight.

"You really wish I'd be in that car accident, preferably dead in the hospital, and never find you again," Jiang Mingzhuo said, his arm around my waist and his other hand rubbing against my soft skin, making it feel slightly numb and tingly.

I bit my lip nervously, my heart felt like it was going to explode, pounding loudly, I was tense and scared.

If it were a dream, I certainly wouldn't want to lie. I nodded hesitantly, which seemed to further anger him. A mocking laugh escaped Jiang Mingzhuo's lips. He used a little force, pinning me down on the sofa, and bluntly said, "How about I have sex with you in your and your husband's house?"

I bit my lip. Jiang Mingzhuo smiled meaningfully. I couldn't even control what would happen in my own dreams. In my dreams, I knew I couldn't escape, so I could only close my eyes and let him do whatever he wanted.

I wanted to fall asleep quickly so I could get rid of him. I felt him fall silent for a long time, then grab my chin and make me look up at him. "In your heart, I'm no different from that idiot who slapped you in the bathroom, am I?"

Ah, so this really is my dream... I was already half asleep, but I thought, if it were in the past, Jiang Mingzhuo would never have said so many "truths". These are all secrets I kept in my heart.

Suddenly, a very gentle kiss landed on my eyes, delicate and persistent, from my eyelids to the bridge of my nose, and finally to my lips.

There was no plundering, no invasion, just like lovers. His hand brushed aside two stray strands of hair that had fallen by my temples, his thumb gently rubbing against my skin. He almost enveloped my face in his palm, his wristwatch occasionally brushing against my cheek. We were very intimate, like we had returned to that early summer in the villa, to the first time I met Jiang Mingzhuo, and the way he smiled at me in the music room.

"I've got a new idea. I want to start over with you, Xiao Fu." Jiang Mingzhuo's voice, just like when we were still lovers, was full of desire and cold. I couldn't help but hold my breath and slowly opened my eyes. The last thing I saw was his handsome and sculpted features.

You should see a therapist.

These were my last thoughts before I fell completely asleep.

A ringing bell woke me from my dream. I lay back on the sofa and slowly opened my eyes.

I was cleaning my room until 4 a.m. last night when I had another real nightmare. My back ached and I was severely lacking in energy. My phone kept ringing for a long time before I finally reached out and groped around for a while before finally finding my long-neglected phone on a street stall.

"...Hello, are you Ms. Jiang Fu?"

I was speechless, my voice was hoarse. The other person was very professional and patient, and continued to tell me politely, "The Porsche 718 you ordered from our store, Frostberry Pink, was fully paid for at 10 a.m. today. When would you like to pick up your car?"