2 a.m.
Rose clutched a contract document, limping away from the high-ranking official’s villa.
At the entrance of the vacation villa arranged by Li Xue, bodyguards were already waiting.
One of them glanced at the whip marks on her exposed skin and asked expressionlessly, “Did you succeed?”
Forcing a bright smile despite her exhaustion, she waved the contract triumphantly. “Of course. Just look who handled it.”
The bodyguard nodded, took the contract, and softened his tone slightly. “You’ve worked hard. Rest early.”
As soon as they left, Rose’s smile vanished completely. Her expression turned numb, like a walking corpse, as she limped inside.
While walking, she removed the torn and tattered clothes from her body.
By the time she reached the backyard pool, she was completely naked.
Under the dim yellow streetlight, her fair skin was covered in scars.
The back of her neck bore cigarette burn marks, interspersed with mottled bite marks and glaring whip welts. There wasn’t a single untouched spot on her body—a horrifying sight.
She stood motionless, staring blankly at the pool for a long time, then slowly curled her lips into a strange, self-mocking smile.
Splash—
Like someone with no more attachment to life, she jumped into the pool.
This scene was witnessed by Chi Jin from the balcony on the second floor of the neighboring villa. His brows furrowed involuntarily.
One minute passed, then two…
Crash—
The wine glass in his hand fell to the ground. Chi Jin rushed downstairs frantically, quickly scaled the low wall, and entered the neighboring yard.
Splash—
Water sprayed everywhere.
Rose, who had been holding her breath underwater, was suddenly pulled up.
Dazedly, she opened her eyes and saw the furious yet sorrowful handsome face close to hers. Puzzled, she called out, “Uncle Chi?”
“What are you doing?!” Chi Jin demanded through gritted teeth.
After a moment of stunned confusion, Rose burst into laughter. Choking on her saliva, she laughed and coughed simultaneously, tears streaming down her face.
“Don’t misunderstand. I wasn’t trying to kill myself. I just felt… dirty and wanted to disinfect myself with the pool water…”
Her casual tone felt like a heavy stone pressing on Chi Jin’s chest, suffocating him.
He wanted to say something to comfort her.
But he couldn’t utter a single word.
Because… she had chosen this path herself!
The body he held was covered in wounds, so slender it broke his heart.
“I misunderstood. I thought you… you’d forgive me, right, Xiaoman?”
Finally, Chi Jin forced a gentle smile and spoke in a joking tone.
Rose smiled, her eyes glistening with tears. Seductively, she pressed her smeared red lips close to his ear. “Then… would you help me disinfect, Uncle Chi”
“Okay.”
Without hesitation, Chi Jin nodded. He lifted her in a princess carry, walked to the edge of the pool, and gently set her down on the shore as if handling a treasure. After climbing out, he bent down and carefully picked her up again, striding toward his villa.
The wet, hot breeze brushed against her soaked body, sending a slight chill through her.
Rose tightened her arms around his neck and murmured to herself, “Your embrace… is so warm…”
The familiar words made Chi Jin freeze for a moment.
“Are you cold? I’ll walk faster.”
He smiled gently and quickened his pace while holding her.
They were just next door, and in the blink of an eye, they had arrived at Chi Jin’s residence.
He carried her directly to the second-floor bathroom, placed her on the toilet, and then went to draw hot water for her.
A sharp glint flashed in Rose’s eyes as she slowly stood up.
Feeling a tight grip from behind, Chi Jin looked down in surprise at the hands clutching his narrow waist.
“Xiaoman?”
“Don’t go. Since you saved me, you should be responsible for me for the rest of your life…”
Rose showed rare stubbornness, her trembling voice betraying her unease.
“I’m not leaving. Let go first—you’re practically choking me.”
Chi Jin chuckled helplessly.
But she didn’t relax at his comforting words, as if truly afraid he would abandon her. Seizing the moment, she decided to go all the way.
With another splash—
They both tumbled into the bathtub.
Well, now even if he wanted to leave, he couldn’t.
Chi Jin’s gaze at Rose was filled with helplessness.
The latter smiled triumphantly and wrapped herself around him like an octopus again.
“Enough playing around. Let me go so I can wash your hair.”
“No.”
“Xiaoman.”
“I’m not listening, I’m not listening! Monk chanting sutras!”
…
Chi Jin, utterly resigned, leaned back and gave up completely.
Rose clung tightly to him, burying her face against his chest—soaked through his shirt—and closed her eyes to feel the warmth of their skin pressed together.
No one spoke further. The warm yellow light filled the room with a cozy atmosphere.
The water, originally only up to their lower abdomens, gradually rose and soon reached chest level.
Near his heart, it felt damp and warm.
Chi Jin wasn’t sure if it was the warm water from the tap.
Or… Jiang Xiaoman’s tears.
Hesitating for a moment, he still reached out and gently patted her back.
“Didn’t you say you were going to wash my hair and remove my makeup? I must look awful right now—you’re not allowed to dislike me.”
After a long while, Rose looked up at him, her arrogant demeanor like a feisty little wildcat.
“Want to experience the princess treatment too?”
Chi Jin raised an eyebrow, hinting at something.
“Hmm, is that not allowed?”Rose raised her brow in return, provocatively asking back.\n\n”Fine, fine, young mistress.” Let me attend to your bath.”
Chi Jin nodded with a smile.
Rose turned her back to him, allowing him to lather shampoo in his palms and wash her hair.
Though they were barely clothed, the atmosphere held no trace of ambiguity.
After tending to the motionless ‘young mistress,’ Chi Jin stood up, removed his clothes, and went to shower in the stall.
Rose’s hungry eyes never left his naked body, yet his movements showed no hint of shyness.
Though both were adults.
It seemed in his eyes, Jiang Xiaoman was just his little niece—not even three years old and utterly clueless!
He simply didn’t see her as a woman at all.
Rose didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“Uncle Chi.”
She emphasized the address.
“Hmm?”
He didn’t even turn around, only showing her his well-defined back muscles and firm buttocks.
“When are you going to disinfect me?”
Chi Jin paused briefly before replying, “After the bath.”
“Then hurry up. I can’t wait any longer.”
Rose licked her lips, her tone dripping with ambiguity.
After the bath, he gently carried her to the large bed.
“Uncle Chi…”
She breathed softly, calling out to him.
Chi Jin’s body paused for a moment, then he gently covered her eyes: “Close your eyes.”