That night, Jiang Chen shared a bed with Lu Jin.
She had never slept beside a man before. She tried to protest softly, but as soon as the words left her lips, his large hand silenced her…
“What… what are you doing?”
The sensation was so strange, Jiang Chen felt goosebumps rising all over her body. She turned away, frightened, and tightly closed her eyes.
His warm breath gently brushed against her neck, and his low, magnetic voice whispered behind her ear,
“What’s wrong?”
The bastard, he actually dared to ask her seriously.
How could she answer?
She was inexperienced, her romantic history a blank slate.
But her body felt so strange.
Her breathing grew heavier, the flush on her cheeks deepened,
“Don’t… don’t…”
She couldn’t even form a complete sentence, her mind foggy, her body growing softer and hotter.
Suddenly, she gasped.
“Don’t… don’t do this…”
She stiffly turned her head, her eyes already misty, her face, along with her nose and lips, flushed crimson.
“What’s wrong?” Though his tone carried concern, his eyes curved, smiling with a wicked, unrestrained charm.
“I don’t want… please… don’t…”
Jiang Chen tried to arch her body, but couldn’t manage it.
“Were you not quite fierce earlier? Threatening with a knife, even trying to bite me—such a ferocious little beast.” The man withdrew his large hand, stroking the girl’s burning cheeks back and forth. “Why are you begging for mercy now?”
His thin lips slowly drew closer, his teasing voice echoing in Jiang Chen’s ear, “I haven’t even started playing properly, why are you surrendering already?”
Jiang Chen’s body had softened like cotton; she couldn’t argue, only pleading softly, “You clearly said earlier that you wouldn’t… wouldn’t now…”
“Yes, what I said won’t change.”
Lu Jin heard the girl’s soft, pleading voice, his lips curling slightly, desire raging in his eyes. “Don’t worry, you’re safe tonight.”
“But your hand… could you please not…”
Jiang Chen was about to cry.
That night, Jiang Chen thought she would stay awake all night.
After all, lying beside a moody, unpredictable madman, she feared she might be choked to death in her sleep.
Yet… she actually fell asleep.
In her drowsiness, she felt gentle kisses slowly sweep across her forehead, cheeks, lips… moving downward…
So light, so light she barely felt them.
It seemed like a long time later, she was pulled into a broad, sturdy embrace. That heartbeat was so strong, the arms holding her so firm…
After that, she knew nothing more.
She was too exhausted.
Morning light pierced through the mist, warm rays filtering through the curtains into the room.
Jiang Chen rubbed her eyes, then slowly sat up, squinting, her face carrying a dazed, half-awake confusion.
The spacious bedroom held only her.
Where was that man?
She vaguely remembered his name was Lu Jin.
Had he disappeared?
Could it be… everything that happened yesterday was just a dream?
Just as Jiang Chen lifted the covers to get out of bed, she realized she was completely naked.
Jiang Chen gasped sharply and quickly retreated back onto the bed.
She remembered now. Last night, though the man said he wouldn’t take her, he hadn’t spared her either…
Thinking of the warmth of his palm, his heated breath, and his solid body, a flush of crimson quietly crept onto her cheeks.
Ding-a-ling.
The phone on the bedside table rang.
Jiang Chen was startled.
She didn’t have a cell phone—Chen Shuping would never waste money on something like that for her.
Staring at the blinking screen, Jiang Chen hesitated before reaching out.
“Hello? Who… who are you looking for?”
“Awake?”
The man’s voice on the other end was low, carrying a barely noticeable rasp.
Jiang Chen’s breathing unconsciously quickened. She tightened her grip on the bedsheet.
“Mhm.”
“Did you sleep well?”
“Mhm.”
Her replies came out like a chick pecking at rice, one word at a time.
“Are you… naked right now?”
Even though she couldn’t see him, Jiang Chen could tell Lu Jin was smiling.
“You!! You’re just…!!”
She was so angry she was at a loss for words, instinctively pulling the blanket tighter around herself. “You jerk!”
“Seems like you did sleep well—back to being sharp-tongued already.” Lu Jin’s tone was laced with amusement. “As expected, one night isn’t enough to fully tame you.”
Jiang Chen was both embarrassed and furious, ready to retort.
“You’re just…”
“Clothes will be sent to you in a bit. There are my clothes in the closet—put them on for now.” Lu Jin paused. “Don’t go out today. Wait for me at home. There’s a surprise tonight.”
With that, he hung up without another word.
He really was a control freak!
Slipping into the man’s shirt, Jiang Chen playfully shook the sleeves. Goodness, his clothes were so big they could practically be a dress on her.
A soft knock sounded at the door.
A gentle woman’s voice came from outside.
“Miss, may I come in?”
Jiang Chen jumped, taking a few cautious steps back. “Who is it?!”
“Miss, don’t be afraid. I’m Aunt Zhao. The master asked me to bring you breakfast.”
The door was gently pushed open, and a plump middle-aged woman walked in carrying a tray.
“Miss, please have your breakfast.”
Jiang Chen hadn’t had a proper meal since yesterday. As she looked at the array of delicacies before her, her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl.
Aunt Zhao smiled warmly as she handed over the bowls and plates. “Please try the dishes, miss.”
Jiang Chen didn’t hesitate any longer. She picked up a small wonton and eagerly popped it into her mouth.
Soft, silky, and bursting with savory meat flavor.
It was so delicious Jiang Chen almost swallowed her tongue.
“Is it good?” Aunt Zhao asked with a smile, not forgetting to add a shrimp pancake to Jiang Chen’s plate.
“It’s delicious! So delicious!” Jiang Chen devoured the food in big mouthfuls, tears welling up in her eyes.
“Child, why are you crying over food?” Aunt Zhao was taken aback.
Before this, Jiang Chen had never been able to eat such delicious food. To keep her figure slender, her cheeks pale, and maintain a pitiful appearance, Chen Shuping strictly controlled her daily diet. Rich meats and oily, fatty foods were completely off-limits.
Her usual meals consisted of cheap chicken breast, leftover vegetables, and a fist-sized portion of rice.
These meager portions were nowhere near enough for Jiang Chen, who was still in her growth spurt.
Countless times, she had woken up hungry in the middle of the night.
Only when Chen Shuping and Jiang Jiaguang were sound asleep would she dare tiptoe into the kitchen, scavenging for leftover rice, sweet potatoes… anything to fill her stomach.
But this “sneaky” behavior was bound to be discovered one day.
Because Chen Shuping made her weigh herself regularly.
If she gained even a pound, her meals the next day would be cut in half. To prevent Jiang Chen from sneaking food, Chen Shuping even went so far as to lock the refrigerator.
All sorts of unbearable memories flooded her mind. Large teardrops slid down her cheeks and fell into the warm bowl.
So this is what it feels like to be full—such a blissful thing.