Dong Qin’s eyes narrowed like a cat’s, “Go to the lakeside, I’ll explain to your madam.” This man better not try to challenge her; her temper was not as sweet and compliant as it appeared.
The driver, looking impatient through the rearview mirror, was about to refuse but then fell silent. “Yes, Miss,” he obediently turned the car towards the lakeside road. Her gaze was like dead ash, a silent, almost lifeless stubbornness. A sixteen-year-old girl, yet she looked like a flower about to wilt. Truly a strange person! He muttered, mother and daughter alike!
The lakeside scenery was lovely, with a few tourists sitting or strolling. A gentle breeze swayed the willows, and the lake’s surface rippled slightly. In the center stood a white tower, where a small Buddha statue was enshrined. She remembered playing there when she was very young. On the lake, people paddled in duck boats that moved with foot pedals, still there after nearly ten years, faded white and half-new, half-old. She had ridden one before, but back then, she was too young to move the heavy pedals, so an adult had helped.
“Dong Qin likes to play here? We’ll come every day.” Her fists clenched suddenly. We’ll come every day, Dong Qin! You’re so much more fun than your mom… Look at these breasts, these thighs… Dong Qin, you little enchantress! She suddenly felt nauseous, her throat blocked, unable to even make a sound. The curtain was violently pulled shut, and the driver, startled by the noise, turned around to see her covering her mouth, curling into a ball.
“Miss, are you okay?” The driver was frightened and quickly stopped the car. Could it be motion sickness?
Dong Qin looked up, her face calm, her eyes like still water. “Keep driving, I’m fine.” Someone who has forgotten even how to cry, what could be wrong?
The Lu family’s villa was in the golden area of the suburbs, on a hillside, a four-story neo-classical building that looked like a fairy-tale castle where princesses are imprisoned. It would soon be her prison. Of course, she was never a princess; perhaps she was more like the dragon, killed by knights after being abandoned by a princess.
