Chapter One: An Unexpected Beginning

After hanging up the phone, Tong Zhenzhen hastily slipped on a denim dress, pulled on a pair of sneakers, grabbed her well-worn little backpack, and dashed out of her tiny room.

Night had already fallen; the city of G was adorned with dazzling lights, resembling a celestial marketplace—beautiful and unreal.

The bus window reflected Tong Zhenzhen’s face.

The flickering lights flashed past, making her dark eyes glimmer like stars, while the red mole on her forehead appeared especially vivid.

Her delicately furrowed brows and tightly pressed lips betrayed her inner excitement.

Finally, she had a chance to get close to Jun Lengche!

At this moment, her mind was consumed by thoughts of this opportunity.

How could she truly approach him?

What would his reaction be?

Would she succeed?

Her heart thudded wildly, nearly leaping out of her throat.

When the bus arrived at her stop, she jumped off as soon as the doors opened and ran toward the agreed location—the Joy Bar.

"Where is the person named Shirley who was supposed to welcome me?" Tong Zhenzhen wondered aloud as she entered the crowded bar, scanning her surroundings.

"Excuse me, please let me through," came a polite yet cool voice from behind her.

Tong Zhenzhen turned her head, then quickly looked down and stepped aside to clear the way.

Heavens, had she just bumped into Jun Lengche so soon? She didn’t even know what the plan was; meeting him like this was not good. She hoped he hadn’t recognized her.

But then she remembered that their last meeting was seven years ago. Surely he wouldn’t recognize her. With this thought, she relaxed, but caution never hurt—better not let him see her clearly.

"Thank you," the man said curtly.

"It’s nothing," Tong Zhenzhen replied in a muffled voice, head lowered.

The man walked past her, and a crisp, clean scent wafted to her nose.

"Tong Zhenzhen~ Tong Zhenzhen~ I’m over here~" Suddenly, a woman’s voice called out, mixed with the noisy music.

Tong Zhenzhen instinctively looked up to find the source.

Unexpectedly, she locked eyes with the man who had just turned around.

A beam of light struck his face, and he squinted.

Because of the lighting, she could see him even more clearly.

Sharp brows, dark eyes like lacquer, a prominent nose, defined lips—the whole face had the sculpted look of a statue, with a healthy bronze complexion and a strong build that lent him an air of masculinity. Yet his expression was cold, his brows furrowed impatiently, making him seem unapproachable.

Close call! Tong Zhenzhen anxiously squeezed into the crowd, searching for the woman who had called her name. Thus, she failed to notice Jun Lengche’s sudden wide-eyed astonishment.

After much effort, she squeezed to the side of an extravagantly dressed woman and extended her hand. "Hello."

The woman glanced at her sideways. "I’m Shirley. Someone asked me to help you. Just look at your outfit—do you look like someone who frequents nightclubs? Come with me."

With that, Shirley turned and walked away.

Tong Zhenzhen awkwardly withdrew her hand and followed.

...

"Damn! Where am I?!"

Battling sleep, desperate to regain consciousness, Tong Zhenzhen forced her eyes open and saw a pale gray ceiling, immediately startled.

Her own room’s ceiling was pure white. In an instant, she realized this was not her room.

All traces of sleep vanished as her head buzzed with alarm.

Oh no—something was pressing against her chest. Was it sleep paralysis? She propped herself up with her elbows and suddenly raised her upper body.

Ah! She saw that what had slid off her pale chest was a muscular arm—undoubtedly a man’s.

This was bad, very bad! Something must have happened. She snatched the thin blanket from the bed and wrapped it around her exposed torso. But in that brief moment, she glimpsed ambiguous, dark red marks—“strawberry kisses”—all over her skin.

Her mind was in chaos as she turned to look at the owner of that arm.

It was him! When she saw the man lying on her left side, she froze as if spellbound.

How could it be him?! She could hardly believe her eyes, rubbed them, and checked again.

It was indeed him—Jun Lengche!

God, what had happened?

Clutching her aching head, she tried to piece together the events.

Yesterday at the bar, Shirley had transformed her into a seductive beauty and led her into a private room.

Inside were several unruly men.

Shirley said this was part of the plan, and all Tong Zhenzhen needed to do was cooperate.

Then Shirley urged her to drink.

The alcohol was strong, burning her throat and making her cough.

After several drinks, she was drained, dizzy.

Wait—why did Shirley scream and rush out?

Later, a group of people burst in and dealt with those lecherous men.

She seemed to have tried to stand, but instead, she had rolled off the sofa.

Right! Someone caught her.

Yes, it was Jun Lengche. Only he would have such cold eyes.

But why did his gaze also reveal the joy of a long-awaited reunion?

After that, she really couldn’t remember. Yet everything before her now made it clear that this supposed “hero rescuing the damsel” had turned into something vile.

That bastard!

Tong Zhenzhen raised her arm high, wanting to paint Jun Lengche’s stern face with rage, then bite him, hit him, even destroy his pride.

But her hand hovered in midair, refusing to strike.

Her reason had returned.

Wasn’t getting close to him her goal? Hadn’t she agreed to do whatever it took?

Hitting him might relieve her anger, but it would ruin everything.

Would her vengeance go unfulfilled?

After an inner struggle, Tong Zhenzhen stiffly lowered her hand.

She recalled the advice: to deal with someone as proud as Jun Lengche, she must feign indifference, retreat to advance, and provoke his competitive spirit.

Fine! This debt would be settled later. For now, she would leave, but not without leaving something behind to make him seek her out!

With her mind made up, she wrapped herself in the blanket and got out of bed.

In her haste, she stumbled.

Worried, she glanced back and saw he was still deeply asleep, only his brow twitching.

Strange—this man, a champion of endurance tests at the field hospital every year, slept so soundly, with no sign of vigilance.

She touched her chin, tilting her head to scrutinize him.

Could it be he was exhausted from excess pleasure? With that thought, she felt her whole body ache anew.

Suddenly, inspiration struck. She picked up a lock of her hair and sniffed.

Though the fragrance had faded overnight, there was still a peculiar scent. After a brief sniff, she felt an unusual longing, and with prolonged inhalation, even a touch of drowsiness.

So the hair oil Shirley used last night had special effects.

Yet even with the hair oil, Jun Lengche shouldn’t have taken her innocence. Just three years of abstinence and he couldn’t resist? Clearly, he wasn’t as invulnerable as he seemed.

If he were truly a hero, would he take advantage of her vulnerability? A cold sneer curled into a scornful smile, and Tong Zhenzhen’s icy gaze sliced across Jun Lengche’s face like a blade.

Jun Lengche, now that the game had begun, be ready for what’s coming! Tong Zhenzhen snorted softly.

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