Ruan Hong Ling glanced at the bloody man at Jiang Xiang Yang’s feet, then walked to the door. With a “whoosh”, she pulled down the roller shutter, a smile on her lips that Jing Xin found both seductive and chilling.
Ruan Hong Ling bent down, took something from a drawer, lifted the man from the ground, and entered a side room with Jiang Xiang Yang. The door closed with a bang.
Jing Xin collapsed into a chair, finally releasing her bitten lip. Her heart began beating again as she felt alive. She was grateful for her delayed reaction; during danger, she would forget to be afraid and only feel terrified after it had passed.
How people like them, once emotional, find it terrifying. When someone is not strong enough, exposing such weakness allows enemies to control them; loving someone can be harmful.
Jiang Xiangyang leaned back in his chair, tired from recent events. A fragrant breeze blew past as soft hands rested on his shoulder, and Ruan Hongling leaned down, her delicate skin brushing against his face. “Xiangyang, does this feel more comfortable?” she asked softly.
The man remained silent, standing up and walking to the window, disliking her intimate touch and finding it repulsive. Ruan Hongling withdrew her hands with a bitter smile. “Xiangyang, are you in love with that woman?”
He continued to ignore her from the dark corner of the room, surrounded by swirling smoke.
“Xiangyang, don’t reject me. I love you, I love you. I never thought Ruan Hongling would fall for you.” Her words were filled with regret and powerlessness.
Suddenly breaking down, she felt exhausted and no longer wanted to pretend.
Her love burned like a raging fire, unwavering even if he didn’t love her in return. She would love him without complaint or regret, like a moth to a flame.
At fourteen, Ruan Hongling left the orphanage and spent nine years frequenting entertainment venues. Her stunning figure and beautiful face made her the focus of men’s pursuit, but her encounters were merely superficial, with her words of love being empty social niceties.
That changed when she met Jiang Xiangyang. In a dimly lit private room filled with flirtation and alcohol, he sat alone, radiating coldness.
