Lu Zhuojin felt her hand was ice-cold, her whole body trembling. He tightened his grip on her hand.
Waves of warmth transmitted from his palm, slightly dispelling the chill from Xia Wanzhi’s body.
Lu Zhuojin released her hand, glanced at his blood-stained palm, and smiled faintly.
He picked up a lighter, lit a cigarette, and held it between his bloodied fingers. Taking a slow drag, the scent of blood mingled with tobacco smoke and the sounds of wailing around them. He narrowed his eyes, savoring the moment.
His gaze fell on Xia Wanzhi—delicate yet shattered, her slender fingers clutching her chest unable to fully conceal the pale skin peeking through, tempting one to see more. Was one hand enough?
Restless, he took a forceful drag on his cigarette. The ember at the tip flared brightly before dimming again.
Once released from the man’s warm, dry palm, the night’s chill and the blood on her hands made Xia Wanzhi feel cold all over again.
Xia Wanzhi’s hands trembled as she pulled out the knife, letting it clatter to the ground. She was terrified beyond measure, shaking even more violently than when she had been on the verge of assault. Her breath caught, her blood seemed to freeze, and a pervasive chill spread through her body, leaving only trembling in its wake.
Her pale fingers were stained crimson with fresh blood. In the dim alley, under the faint yellow light, the scene was both devastating and visually striking—simultaneously beautiful, bloody, and horrifying.
Lu Zhuojin watched her with keen interest, raising an eyebrow as he leaned close to her ear, his tone teasingly wicked. “What’s this? Brave enough to kill yourself, but not to kill someone else?”
Xia Wanzhi trembled, her breath still caught. “He… he’s dead?”
She was utterly terrified, her body going limp, disbelief warring with the frantic pounding of her heart.
This man was insane… How could he force her hand to kill someone… Xia Wanzhi’s fear reached its peak.
Lu Zhuojin’s palm was scorching hot as he placed it against the small of her back. The heat penetrated the thin fabric of her clothes, spreading lazily through Xia Wanzhi’s body, warming her from within and sending tingling currents straight to her heart.
Lu Zhuojin bent down, his voice low and amused as he whispered by her ear, “Baby, better to let others die than to die yourself…”
“A double loss is better than a single win.”
His electrifying breath brushed against her eardrum, sending shivers throughout her entire body.
Lu Zhuojin: “You wanted to die just now?”
Xia Wanzhi curled her fingers, her lips pale. She lowered her gaze, tears rolling down. “Mm~”
Lu Zhuojin: “You’d rather die than let them touch you—is that what you thought?”
Xia Wanzhi bit her lip. “Mm.”
Lu Zhuojin’s breath grazed her ear. “Let me tell you a secret: dying is useless. Even if you die, they’d still violate you… maybe even get more excited…”
Xia Wanzhi froze. She hadn’t considered that… A wave of cold washed over her body. So even death was futile.
“When you’re weak, even dying is meaningless.”
Lu Zhuojin’s hand remained on the small of her back. With a firm tug, he turned her around. Before she could react, his lips pressed against hers.
The taste of tobacco mixed with cedar, a crisp scent blending with the metallic tang of blood. Amidst the surrounding wails, his tongue invaded her mouth—aggressive, wild, and unrestrained. It flooded over her body, seeping into every pore. Xia Wanzhi nearly lost her balance, her breath stolen, savored wantonly.
In her daze, his words echoed in her mind: When you’re weak, even dying is meaningless.
Only when Lu Zhuojin had his fill did he slowly release her.
“Breathe, baby…”
“First kiss?”
“First time?”
Xia Wanzhi nodded weakly, gasping for air. The corners of her eyes were red, and her cheeks flushed from holding her breath.
It felt like being reborn.
Her hands clutched tightly at the fabric over her chest, holding it in place.
Lu Zhuojin chuckled softly, “What I mean is, even if you die in front of me, it won’t matter. I’ll keep going. So don’t do anything foolish—it’ll only make me want you even more…”
His voice brushed against her earlobe, his teeth grazing it with a suggestive, lingering touch. “Darling, a beautiful body that doesn’t move or resist will only make me…”
“You’re so lovely. Even with death spots, you’d still be beautiful.”
Xia Wanzhi’s breath hitched in fear, her mind screaming run, this man is insane, but her legs felt like lead, frozen and unable to move.
The three lecherous men earlier had made her want to fight back, to flee even if it meant death. But this man exuded a danger that seeped into the air, paralyzing her, stealing her breath, rendering her body stiff and unresponsive to her own commands.
His lazy tone whispered in her ear, “Death won’t solve anything. Only staying alive can.”
Xia Wanzhi’s thoughts were a jumbled mess. Was he threatening her not to seek death?
Lu Zhuojin’s fingers dragged roughly over her lips, his voice tinged with a seductive rasp. “I’m looking forward to seeing you bare before me, with nothing left…”
Xia Wanzhi knew he was referring to their earlier agreement—to let him have her once…
From the wolf’s den into the tiger’s lair… She wanted to cry…
Lu Zhuojin’s gaze lingered on Xia Wanzhi’s delicate fingers, still clutching her chest, contrasting with her tender skin and pale shoulders. Moonlight, like a cool veil, draped over her shoulders, casting a glow on her skin—unaware of its own allure.
His throat tightened slightly as he removed his black suit jacket and draped it over her, pulling it snugly to half-conceal the tantalizing skin beneath.
Her fingertips, still uncovered, remained exposed, curled slightly.
Xia Wanzhi felt the man’s wild scent envelop her—a mix of tobacco, cedar, and blood—his overwhelming possessiveness crashing over her like a wave.
Only now did the fear truly set in. Her legs trembled. Dealing with those three men was one thing, but this man would be far harder to escape… His dangerous aura was undisguised, elegant yet tinged with a calm madness that made her… afraid. Before raising a knife to kill, he’d even smile gracefully, as if savoring a feast.
Lu Zhuojin looked at Xia Wanzhi, wrapped in his suit jacket, her fragile form enveloped. Behind her lay darkness, blood spreading across the ground, yet she stood out—soft light illuminating her, delicate and enticing. Her black hair fell in smooth, faintly glowing strands, pure and beautiful.
Lu Zhuojin turned and walked toward the car, his tone detached. “Follow me.”
Xia Wanzhi’s legs were weak, her steps small and shaky as she trailed behind. She glanced toward the alley’s exit—once out, she could run…
But she wouldn’t get far.
Thump—she collided with the man’s solid back.
Lu Zhuojin turned, a faint, mocking smile on his lips. “You weren’t thinking of running, were you? I’ll give you ten minutes.”
He leaned close to her ear, his voice intimate and lingering. “But if I catch you, things won’t be so pleasant. The night will be… exhausting. I could make you die on me.”
Xia Wanzhi stammered, the corners of her eyes reddening with fear. “N-no, I wasn’t going to run. I… I promised… I’ll… do it…”
Her voice grew softer, tender and delicate. Her pink lips and pale, vulnerable neck made one want to bite down and taste.
As she struggled, he pressed down firmly.
Lu Zhuojin wanted to taste it, desperately so.
Just now, with a single glance, his desire had surged wildly—no matter the means, he had to try it once.
Suppressing the rising restlessness, he chuckled softly, his voice husky and tinged with a hint of seduction: “It’s good that you know how.”
“If you didn’t, you’d be in for a hard time.”