Xia Wanzhi stammered as she roughly recounted what happened yesterday, omitting the part about the killing. Her expression was conflicted: “Should I tell Lu Ruiqian about this?”
Shen Hong’s breath hitched upon hearing it: “You… you were almost raped yesterday?”
Xia Wanzhi whispered, “I was saved.”
Although what followed was also somewhat forced, in the end, it was consensual. And the process… was quite… good, even though it was a bit tiring—that man was too intense. But under the influence of the drug, every sensation kept building and intensifying…
Shen Hong: “Are you crazy? Of course you can’t tell Lu Ruiqian that you slept with a stranger.”
“No man can tolerate that.”
“Even if it’s because he didn’t answer your call, even if it wasn’t your fault. But every time he thinks about it in the future, it’ll feel like a thorn stuck in his throat. What’s done is done—just pretend it never happened. Why would you admit it and make things uncomfortable for both of you? Isn’t that foolish?”
“Let me tell you, society tends to blame the victim. They’ll question you: Were you raped because you seduced the man? Were you wearing too little? Were you walking alone at night? No one will listen to your explanations, no one will care. They might even latch onto your poor choice of words and attack you fiercely.”
Xia Wanzhi was stunned. She hadn’t considered any of this—was it really that cruel?
“Then… I shouldn’t say anything? But what if he finds out later?”
Shen Hong rolled her eyes: “You’re too obedient.”
“Date a few more guys and you’ll understand.”
“If you deny it to the death, who can prove you slept with a stranger?”
Xia Wanzhi: “But… the first time… there’s…”
Shen Hong: “What did you learn in health class? Many people don’t have it the first time.”
“Listen to me—deny it to the death. Even if evidence is slapped in your face, don’t admit it. Got it?”
Xia Wanzhi nodded blankly.
Shen Hong grinned and whispered in Xia Wanzhi’s ear: “You have an advantage—you look delicate, soft, and obedient. Men will believe whatever you say. So lie boldly, don’t be afraid.”
“If you don’t know what to say, just cry. You have no idea—with your face, the moment you cry, men’s hearts melt. Not just their hearts, their whole bodies go soft, except for… that…”
Xia Wanzhi nodded, her face flushed. Shen Hong’s way of speaking was just so… bold.
Thank goodness she asked Shen Hong—it really was better not to let Lu Ruiqian know.
But the matter of the killing… She lowered her head and sighed… A sense of unease spread. Would the police find her?
How was the body handled?
If only she had asked that man for details… But she didn’t dare. She didn’t even dare ask him how he handled the body.
Every time she thought of that knife, her hands trembled.
She felt panicked, confused, and afraid to think about it.
…
She had to attend the Lu family banquet, but Xia Wanzhi didn’t know what to wear. She wanted to make a good impression, but she couldn’t be too flashy.
Without hesitation, Shen Hong let Xia Wanzhi pick from her entire closet of dresses: “Wear this red backless dress—you’ll stun the whole room.”
Xia Wanzhi took one look—it was revealing both front and back…
Too sexy. Paired with her figure, it would be too attention-grabbing.
She wasn’t used to being the center of attention.
She even wished people wouldn’t notice her.
She chose a white dress and took a photo to send to Lu Ruiqian: Is it okay to wear this?
Shen Hong shook her finger: “Zhi Zhi, that won’t do.”
Lu Ruiqian was very tactful, replying with a voice message in a deep, pleasant voice: “Zhi Zhi, this is a formal Lu family banquet. In the world of the wealthy, it’s all about appearances—people judge you by your clothes first. How about I send you a dress? It’s just a bit tight on time; I didn’t think it through properly.”
Xia Wanzhi bit her lip, her gaze falling on the apricot-pink dress she had worn back from that man’s place. She didn’t recognize the brand on the label, but it fit her perfectly and looked expensive—at least better than the student-style dresses in her closet, right?
She replied to Lu Ruiqian: “I understand. I’ll pick something suitable.”
Lu Ruiqian transferred 100,000 yuan via mobile payment, with a note: Dress expense reimbursement.
Xia Wanzhi wanted to refund the money, but just as she was about to click, Shen Hong stopped her: “Zhi Zhi, letting a man invest in you makes him care more about you.”
“If you never let him spend money on you, he’ll find it easier to give up on you in the end because there’s no cost involved.”
“Have you read The Little Prince? The rose became special to the Little Prince because he watered it every day.”
“You have to let him water you!!”
Xia Wanzhi paused for a moment but still clicked “Refund,” returning the 100,000 yuan.
She whispered, “Lu Ruiqian’s family is wealthy. I don’t want him to look down on me or think I’m with him for his money.”
Shen Hong was exasperated, grinding her teeth in frustration.
Xia Wanzhi put on the apricot-pink evening gown. The smooth fabric draped elegantly over her delicate curves. She twirled in front of the mirror, the layered skirt fluttering like petals swaying in the wind.
Shen Hong was satisfied: “This one! Paired with a diamond necklace, you’ll captivate him and dazzle the whole room.”
“Come on, let me fix your hair.”
With that, she styled Xia Wanzhi’s hair into a princess updo, adorned with a matching deep pink ribbon.
The embroidered roses along the hem of Xia Wanzhi’s dress seemed to bloom slowly.
…
The Lu family banquet was the height of luxury, attended by celebrities and elites. Xia Wanzhi recognized many people from business case studies in textbooks, along with numerous stars. The Lu family patriarch had consistently ranked among the top names on the Forbes list.
This made her uneasy. The Lu family wasn’t just wealthy—they were far more than that. What would they think of her ordinary background?
She also knew that in the four years she had been dating Lu Ruiqian, he had never introduced her to his family. There must have been someone in the Lu family who disapproved. She had always been understanding and never asked, not wanting to add to Lu Ruiqian’s burdens.
Online, she could find only minimal information about the Lu family. They had ties to both politics and business, and rumors suggested they once had underworld connections. That article had quickly disappeared.
According to Lu Ruiqian, reporting on their family was not allowed—they regularly “silenced” things.
How they silenced things, and by what means, Lu Ruiqian never mentioned.
Lu Ruiqian had always been gentle and kind to her. At school, he was an exceptional senior, free from the extravagance and indulgence often associated with second-generation heirs. Instead, he was hardworking, didn’t drink, smoke, or gamble, and often worked late into the night.
Lu Ruiqian said that some second-generation heirs worked even harder because they were born with high expectations and were given every resource to succeed. Many of them were indeed reckless, but he wasn’t—his family upbringing was strict.
Moreover, Xia Wanzhi knew that Lu Ruiqian was devoted and sincere toward her.
Lu Ruiqian looked elegant and tall in a black suit, which accentuated his mature and steady demeanor. When he saw Xia Wanzhi, his expression softened: “Zhi Zhi, I’ve been waiting for you.”
Xia Wanzhi wore a form-fitting apricot-pink dress that accentuated her fair skin. The neckline was subtly revealing, with delicate lace partially covering her chest. Under the lights, the embroidered belt cinched her waist, making it appear slender and highlighting the fullness of her hips—sensual and alluring.
She resembled a blooming rose, radiant and captivating.
She seemed to glisten with fresh dewdrops, looking tender and enticing.
Lu Ruiqian rarely saw her dressed so seductively. His gaze darkened as he whispered in her ear, “Zhi Zhi, you look beautiful.”
Lu Ruiqian carried a crisp, clean scent of cologne. As he leaned down, his nose brushed against her soft, fine hair, which carried a sweet fragrance that stirred a restless itch in his heart. He had always adored Xia Wanzhi’s innocence, but today, he sensed a hint of allure mingling with her usual purity, making her appear even more mature and full of life. It seemed as though her aura had subtly shifted.
He felt that Xia Wanzhi was changing, exuding a tempting sweetness… Was it because of him? Was she… trying to seduce him? Suppressing the restlessness in his heart, Lu Ruiqian wondered—had Zhi Zhi finally come around? He should find a time to invite her to a hotel.
Flattered by Lu Ruiqian’s praise, Xia Wanzhi felt a little embarrassed, worried that she might be showing too much.
The two leaned close, appearing intimate. A handsome man and a beautiful woman, they looked perfectly harmonious, their expressions soft and smiling, clearly sharing a deep bond.
Xia Wanzhi took the glass of red wine Lu Ruiqian handed her when suddenly, a strange sensation washed over her.
It felt as though she were prey being watched, causing the hairs on her skin to slowly stand on end.
Something wasn’t right.
Her gaze swept the room until she spotted a glamorous woman holding a glass of wine and staring at her. When the woman noticed Xia Wanzhi looking back, she raised her glass in a toast.
Xia Wanzhi frowned slightly. Who was this?
Noticing her distraction, Lu Ruiqian gently shifted to block her view and smiled. “Zhi Zhi, come, let me introduce you to my mother.”
As Xia Wanzhi’s searching gaze landed on the second floor, a sudden roar echoed in her ears, like a bulldozer rumbling over her head.
She saw the man she had slept with just two nights ago, standing upstairs, leisurely smoking a cigarette. Dressed in a silver-gray three-piece suit, he appeared elegant and refined, his gaze fixed directly on her.
His eyes were lingering, unhurried, and full of meaning.
Across the sea of people, their eyes met. Xia Wanzhi’s face turned pale.