Jiang Zui trembled, clearly uncomfortable with her aunt’s sudden gentleness.
“Zui Zui, to celebrate your eighteenth birthday, Auntie specially bought you new clothes,” Chen Shuping said, presenting a set of clothing as if it were a treasure.
Staring at that ‘outfit,’ Jiang Zui furrowed her brows, her eyes filled with disgust.
It was a sailor uniform—a navy-blue necktie, a snow-white shirt, paired with a navy-blue skirt. At first glance, it sounded lovely. But the neckline was alarmingly low, and the skirt was so short it probably wouldn’t even cover her bottom.
“Auntie, thank you for your kindness, but this outfit is too revealing. I’m afraid…”
“Don’t say that! Such a beautiful skirt—Auntie picked it out for a long time. Come on, try it on,” Chen Shuping said, as if she couldn’t hear Jiang Zui’s protests, eagerly holding the clothes up to the girl.
“This outfit isn’t cheap; it cost over ninety yuan. I read online that you girls love this kind of uniform. Jiang Zui, hurry up and try it on.”
“Auntie, it’s… it’s too short.”
Jiang Zui was overwhelmed by Chen Shuping’s persistence but didn’t dare openly defy her. She could only turn away forcefully. “Auntie, you should return it. I really don’t like…”
“Your aunt spent so much money buying you clothes, and you have the nerve to be ungrateful!” Jiang Jiaguang kicked the door open, stormed in, and pointed at Jiang Zui, cursing loudly. “You damn ungrateful brat! Buying you something and you still have the nerve to pick and choose!”
Jiang Jiaguang grew more agitated as he spoke. He grabbed Jiang Zui by the collar, his eyes bloodshot. “I’ve raised you for eighteen years! How the hell are you going to repay me?!”
“Alright, alright, don’t scare the child.”
Seeing Jiang Zui’s face grow increasingly pale, Chen Shuping quickly intervened. “Husband, don’t be impulsive. Tomorrow night is an important occasion. We mustn’t let Zui Zui’s face get injured.”
“Damn it!”
Only then did Jiang Jiaguang release Jiang Zui, still muttering curses under his breath. “If it weren’t for your aunt pleading for you, I’d have broken your leg today! You must change into these clothes!”
“Yes, Zui Zui, this skirt is so pretty,” Chen Shuping seized the opportunity to coax her. “Be a good girl and try it on. You’ll look absolutely stunning in this skirt.”
As she spoke, Chen Shuping pushed Jiang Zui into the room.
Chen Shuping stared at Jiang Zui, who had changed into the outfit, her eyes gleaming with an unusual excitement. “Zui Zui, Auntie was right! This outfit was practically made for you!!”
“But, I…”
Chen Shuping completely ignored Jiang Zui’s protests and pushed her in front of the full-length mirror. “Look at yourself! How beautiful!”
Jiang Zui looked up helplessly.
The girl in the mirror had a face like a painting, with long, jet-black hair cascading like a waterfall. Strangely enough, despite her simple daily diet, her figure was curvaceous and full, like a ripe peach.
Such a figure paired with the sailor uniform—her ample chest, slender waist, long and firm thighs, and delicate ankles… it was the epitome of pure allure.
“Auntie, the neckline is too low, and the skirt is too short. It doesn’t even cover my underwear! No, absolutely not!” Jiang Zui stared at her reflection in the mirror, her cheeks instantly flushing red. This was the first time she had ever worn something so shameful.
Instinctively, she covered her chest and tugged hard at the skirt, trying to hide her body.
“Hide what? This is meant to be seen!”
Chen Shuping impatiently slapped away Jiang Zui’s arm, which was protectively crossed over her chest. “Enough, this one. Wear this to the banquet tomorrow night.”
Jiang Zui was shocked.
“Auntie, what do you mean? Where do you want me to wear this?”
Chen Shuping narrowed her eyes, the corners of her mouth gradually curling into a strange, twisted smile.
“Be good, you’ll find out tomorrow.”
The bedroom door was suddenly shoved open.
“Mom, give me some money! I’m meeting friends at the bar tonight!”
Chen Xi stood in the doorway, impatience written all over his face. “It’s my turn to treat this time, I need… Holy shit!!”
When he caught sight of Jiang Zui’s outfit, his eyes nearly popped out of his head.
“Holy shit, that’s fucking hot!”
“Get out!”
Jiang Zui was startled by Chen Xi’s sudden intrusion. She frantically grabbed the bedsheet, clumsily trying to cover herself.
Chen Shuping scolded with a laugh, “Alright, stop gawking. Isn’t Zui Zui dressing up like this for your sake?”
“For me?!”
Chen Xi’s blood instantly rushed. His eyes reddened as he stared at Jiang Zui, so excited he could barely speak coherently. “Mom, don’t tell me… you want me and Jiang Zui to…”
“Pah!”
Chen Shuping quickly walked over to Chen Xi and gave his big head a symbolic slap. “Right, how much money did you say you needed just now?”
“Oh, right! Money!”
Mention of money brought Chen Xi back to his senses. “Mom, give me two hundred and fifty yuan. Zhao Qiang and the others keep mocking me for not having a job. Tonight at the bar, I’m hosting! I’ll show them what I’m made of!!”
“Pah, a bunch of little bastards, daring to mock my precious son!”
Chen Shuping spat viciously. “My son is so outstanding! They’re just jealous! Son, take these three hundred yuan, spend it freely. If it’s not enough, Mom has more!”
She glanced at Jiang Zui, who was shrinking into the corner, a peculiar smile playing on her lips. “Son, don’t worry, Mom will make sure you live a good life very soon.”
Chen Xi’s eyes shone with excitement.
“Really? Mom, you’re not lying to me?”
Chen Shuping affectionately patted her precious son’s chubby cheek. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. Soon, our family will be rich!”
“Jiang Zui, turn off the lights and go to sleep now! Don’t you dare waste my electricity!” Jiang Jiaguang roared.
Jiang Zui quickly switched off the light and burrowed under the covers.
Just a few more days. If she could just endure a few more days, she could go to university. Once she was at university, she could leave this family behind for good.
She would be free.
Jiang Zui’s bedroom was tiny (it was actually the household storage room). The room was bitterly cold (after Jiang Jiaguang lost his job and failed in his investments, the family couldn’t even afford heating). She had to wrap herself tightly in a blanket and curl into a ball to barely fall asleep.
She didn’t know how much time had passed when she was jolted awake by heavy, ragged panting.
“Who?! Chen… Mmmph!!?”
A thick, fat hand clamped firmly over her mouth.
“Shh! Keep it down!”
It was Chen Xi.
“Mmmph?!”
Jiang Zui was pinned firmly beneath Chen Xi, unable to move an inch. Her wide, terrified eyes stared at the large, burly man looming over her.
“Damn, your body is so fucking hot! You looked incredible in that sailor outfit, totally unforgettable!”
Chen Xi had just returned from the bar and was clearly very drunk.
He panted heavily, his breath reeking of foul alcohol.
“Mmmph!! Let me go… Mmmph!!”
“Jiang Zui, you’ve had enough, eating and drinking at my place for so many years, it’s time to give something back.” Chen Xi bared his yellow teeth, his short and stout body swaying unsteadily. “Anyway, you’re bound to give yourself to someone sooner or later, so why not let me have a taste first?”
Jiang Zui kicked and struggled, but Chen Xi’s bulky frame pinned her down, making it hard to breathe.
Seeing the girl firmly restrained under him, her full figure within easy reach, Chen Xi grew even more smug.
“Be good, Zui Zui, let me take good care of you.”