This bed is so comfortable... much better than the hard bunks in the army!
And this pillow... it's so soft, like a woman's...
Suddenly, Zhao Dong's hand stiffened. What is this feeling...? Why is it so strange?
A moment later, as if struck by a premonition, he snapped his eyes open. The sight before him made his mind go completely blank.
He was on a large hotel bed, and there was a woman lying next to him.
The woman was turned slightly toward him. Her exquisite features seemed to have been carved by the gods themselves, and a hint of languor lingered in her eyes. Her beauty was the kind that could topple kingdoms.
Gazing at her rose-petal lips, Zhao Dong swallowed hard as a wave of heat rushed through him.
A second later, he forced himself to calm down. What is going on? I just got back to East Sea. How did I end up in bed with a woman?
Zhao Dong frowned and tapped his head as fragments of memory returned. He had just gotten back to East Sea last night. Feeling bored, he had gone to a bar for a few drinks...
It seems I did something reckless while I was drunk...
Zhao Dong gave a bitter smile. Who would have thought I'd get into this mess right after being discharged?
Pulling back the sheet, Zhao Dong peeked underneath. The woman's skin was as white as snow. She was completely bare, her perfect, sculptural body fully exposed to his eyes. After a brief surge of desire, his heart sank. A crimson stain on the bedsheet caught his eye, coiling into his heart like a little snake...
Was this her first time?
Zhao Dong's mouth twitched. I've really screwed up!
Just then, the woman's eyelashes trembled, and her beautiful eyes fluttered open. Confusion clouded her gaze. After a brief silence, Zhao Dong forced a wry smile. "Miss, I'm so sorry. Last night, I..."
Before he could finish, the woman screamed, scrambling to sit up. She clutched the sheet to her chest and shuffled backward.
Glaring at Zhao Dong, she demanded angrily, "Who are you? Why are you here?"
Zhao Dong scratched his head. "I was about to ask you the same thing."
The woman froze. She looked down at the sheet, and the bloodstain seared itself into her vision.
Lin Qingyun bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. Did I... lose my virginity?
"You bastard! You animal!" Overcome with grief, Lin Qingyun grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him.
Zhao Dong let the pillow hit him. "Please, don't get upset," he said helplessly. "Let's first figure out why we're in bed together."
A flicker of confusion passed through Lin Qingyun's tear-filled eyes as she suddenly remembered something. Last night... I think I drank too much, too.
Zhao Dong managed a smile. "This can't be all my fault. We were both drunk. But... I'm willing to take responsibility."
Biting her lip, Lin Qingyun spat, "You bastard! How could you possibly take responsibility? Do you think you're worthy?"
Zhao Dong rubbed his hands together, his smile wry. "How would you like me to take responsibility?"
Lin Qingyun sized him up, taking in his shabby clothes, and her heart filled with despair. I'm the President of Qingyan Group! Countless men are pursuing me! And I just lost my virginity to a man like this?
She sighed. I suppose it's my fault, too. I shouldn't have gotten so drunk.
Looking at Zhao Dong, Lin Qingyun fought back her tears and said coldly, "Just go. You have neither the right nor the ability to take responsibility for last night."
Zhao Dong frowned. "Are you sure you don't want me to?"
Lin Qingyun let out a miserable, mocking laugh. "Take responsibility with what? Do you have power or money?"
"Do I have to be rich and powerful? Isn't it enough if I just treat you well?"
Lin Qingyun laughed coldly, looking at him as if he were an idiot. "I don't know if you're stupid or just naive, but in my eyes, you're a loser. Your so-called 'kindness' is worthless to me!"
Zhao Dong's brow slowly furrowed. "A loser? Are you calling me a loser?"
"That's right. You're a loser!"
Lin Qingyun cut him off impatiently. "Enough! I told you to get out! Are you going to keep harassing me?" With that, she snatched three stacks of cash from her handbag and threw them at him. "Take the money and get out!" she said coldly. "I never want to see you again. And you are not to mention this to anyone. If you breathe a word of this, I'll make you disappear from East Sea."
The bills fluttered down in front of him. Zhao Dong narrowed his eyes.
"What? Is that not enough for you?" Lin Qingyun sneered.
Zhao Dong met her gaze with a cold smile. "Do you really think a little money makes you better than everyone else?"
Lin Qingyun was taken aback.
Zhao Dong sneered. "Besides, this is just thirty thousand dollars. I don't want it. Consider it payment for your first time."
With that, Zhao Dong stood, dressed, and walked straight to the door.
Lin Qingyun's eyes darkened with fury. Pointing a trembling finger at him, she raged, "Stop right there! What did you just say? Say it again!"
Thirty thousand dollars to buy my first time? Even a bar girl costs more than that! She was about to explode.
Zhao Dong, however, acted as if he hadn't heard a thing and strode to the door.
The moment he stepped out of the room, Lin Qingyun screamed after him, "You son of a bitch, go to hell! Don't you ever let me see you again! If I do, I swear I'll make you disappear from East Sea for good!"
Zhao Dong just shook his head, muttered, "Psycho," and left without a backward glance.
The door slammed shut. Lin Qingyun's face went deathly pale, and a moment later, two streams of silent tears rolled down her cheeks....
「Outside the Hotel」
The sun was dazzling. Zhao Dong squinted against the light just as his phone began to ring. He answered, and a man's hearty laugh came through the line. "Xiao Dong, you made it to East Sea?"
Zhao Dong, a cigarette dangling from his lips, gave a faint smile. "I'm here. Send the address."
The middle-aged man on the other end chuckled. "I knew I could count on you. Go on over. Think of it as an early surprise from me. By the way, the girl is an absolute knockout. You really lucked out, kid."
Zhao Dong smirked. "The legendary number one beauty of East Sea? I'd like to see her for myself. Send the address."
The man laughed. "You impatient brat. Just make sure you seize this opportunity. I know you still haven't moved on from what happened with your ex, but this time..."
"Enough," Zhao Dong interrupted. "Let's stick to business. Don't bring up the past."
The man on the other end sighed deeply and, saying no more, gave Zhao Dong an address.
After hanging up, Zhao Dong frowned. Lin Qingyun? President of the Qingyan Group? The name's not bad... I wonder what she looks like.
His curiosity piqued, Zhao Dong headed straight for the Qingyan Group headquarters.
「Qingyan Group Headquarters - President's Office」
Lin Qingyun sat at her desk, rubbing her temples in frustration. The events of last night, compounded by numerous problems at the company, made it impossible for her to calm her thoughts.
Her desk phone rang, and she answered it.
"President Lin, there's a man at the entrance who says he needs to see you. His name is Zhao Dong."
"Zhao Dong?" Lin Qingyun paused, her brow furrowing. She didn't recognize the name. "What is it about?"
"He says he can only tell you, and that it's extremely important."
Lin Qingyun was silent for a moment. "Send him up. I'd like to see who it is."
"Yes, President."
Downstairs, after getting clearance, Zhao Dong stubbed out his cigarette and strode into the Qingyan Group building. What kind of woman would that old man take such a special interest in? She must have an extraordinary background.
His curiosity growing, Zhao Dong reached the top floor and immediately spotted the office with a plaque that read "President's Office". He walked up to the door, straightened his clothes, and knocked.
"Come in."
A cool, dignified voice called from inside.
Zhao Dong didn't hesitate, pushing the door open and stepping inside.
In the center of the office, Lin Qingyun sat behind a large desk. She looked up as the door opened. Zhao Dong's gaze met hers, and in that instant, the air between them froze solid.
Three long seconds passed in stunned silence. Then, Lin Qingyun's scream shattered the quiet. "You bastard! Why is it you again?!"