Li Meilin stood frozen outside Long Shen's bedroom door, her hand trembling over the carved sandalwood handle.
Once she stepped in, there would be no turning back.
A storm brewed inside her—fear, hatred, desperation. She whispered to herself, "Maybe the floor will swallow me… maybe Aunt Lin Xue will burst in and say it was all a mistake…"
But the silence mocked her.
Her fingers retracted. Then clenched.
She spun and ran to her room. Her plan was reckless—childish even—but it was all she had. If she looked ridiculous, perhaps he'd reject her. She pulled on a pair of oversized denim trousers, an old polo shirt, smeared red lipstick far outside her lips, and knotted her hair into a frizzy bun.
She looked into the mirror and smirked bitterly. A clown. Maybe that's enough to repulse a monster.
---
Long Shen, shirtless and focused, was typing on his laptop. The faint light from his antique paper lantern cast golden shadows on his chiseled torso. At the knock, he rose, expecting Meilin.
When he opened the door, his brows arched in visible distaste.
There she was: baggy pants, clown makeup, and eyes daring him to reject her.
"…What the hell are you wearing?" he asked, voice heavy with contempt.
Meilin's head was bowed. "This is what I love wearing every night," she mumbled.
Long Shen blinked, unimpressed. "You look like a possessed opera doll. Is this a joke?"
She smiled sweetly. "So... can I go now?"
She turned. He caught her wrist and yanked her inside, slamming the door.
"Nice try, Meilin."
Her stomach clenched.
"Please," she whispered, voice cracking. "Don't hurt me. I'm not ready."
He studied her silently, then released her.
"I told you to prepare yourself. I didn't say I wanted you," he said coolly, stepping back.
Meilin blinked, stunned.
"You really think I'd waste my time on someone so stubborn and pitiful?" he mocked. "You're just a transaction. I'll take you when you stop pretending you have choices."
He handed her a brown envelope.
"What's this?" she asked warily.
"Open it."
She did. Inside was a thick document. Her eyes scanned the paper and suddenly lit up.
"A university enrollment form?!"
She gasped, then shrieked with joy. "I—this is real?! I'm going to school?!"
Long Shen waved her away. "Leave. You're distracting."
Meilin hesitated at the door… then turned back and hugged him.
He stiffled surprised.
"Thank you." She smiled—genuinely—and left.
Long Shen scoffed. "Ungrateful girl. Finally remembered her manners."
She rushed into the servant's quarters with the news.
"I'm going to school!" she exclaimed.
"Congratulations, Miss Meilin!" they chorused, clapping with delight.
"For once, I feel… free."
But the moment shattered as Long Shen's voice rang out behind her.
"Says who?"
The staff scattered like startled sparrows.
"You're not free," he said coldly. "Not until your aunt pays what she owes."
Meilin's smile fell. "Why must you always remind me?"
—
Later at lunch, the silence was suffocating.
Long Shen finally spoke. "You'll be attending school from home. A bodyguard will escort you."
Meilin's chopsticks froze mid-air. "The university is two hours away."
"I don't care," he said, sipping his soup. "You'll go. You'll return. I own your time."
"You still call me a slave," she muttered.
"Because you are. Your aunt sold you to me. You are my property until her debt is paid."
Meilin's fists clenched. "Why am I the one being punished? You and Aunt Lin made the deal. I was sixteen!"
He leaned back, smirking. "A cursed girl. That's what you are. Maybe that's why they abandoned you."
Her rage exploded. "I am not cursed! You're the one cursed—alone in this fortress, no family, no visitors. No wonder no one checks on you!"
Long Shen's eyes narrowed into slits. "What did you just say?"
"A monster. That's what you are!"
He slammed the table. The plates rattled violently.
"You want to see a monster?"
He stood and grabbed her, flinging her over his shoulder. She screamed and kicked, but he carried her up the stairs.
"Let me go!" she cried. The servants stared, terrified, frozen in place.
He slammed the door to his bedroom and threw her onto the bed.
"No, please…" she begged.
Long Shen stripped off his shirt slowly, like a ritual.
"You called me a monster. So let me show you one."
"No! I'm sorry!" she wailed, crawling away.
He climbed onto the bed, his face unreadable. But then—his hands slammed into the pillows beside her, not on her.
"GET OUT!" he bellowed.
She didn't hesitate. She bolted out, sobbing, the heavy door slamming behind her.
---
Long Shen sat on the edge of the bed, his fists clenched, eyes burning.
A moment later, he grabbed his phone.
"Get the car."
Minutes later, they pulled up to his private KTV club in downtown Hangzhou.
Inside the VIP lounge, flashing lights and thumping music surrounded him.
A girl in a tight short dress caught his eye and approached.
He smirked, signaling her in.
Her flirtation was aggressive, but he played along.
He needed a distraction.
But even as she whispered sweetly into his ear…
...all he could see was Meilin's fire.