Zhang Xiaoya was doing homework in her dorm.
Her mother had undergone surgery recently, and her condition had improved significantly. She had been moved to a general ward, and Zhang Xiaoya had been busy shuttling between school, Dingxia, and the hospital.
The doctor said another half-month observation period was needed. If all went well, her mother could be discharged. Thinking of this, Zhang Xiaoya felt much better.
Just as she finished her homework and was about to climb into bed, her phone suddenly lit up.
[Marriott Hotel, Room 802. See you in half an hour.]
A WeChat message caught her eye.
Upon seeing this message, Zhang Xiaoya felt a surge of panic. After a few days of peace, that man had returned.
However, she had resigned herself to her fate. The moment she decided to trade her body for her mother's medical expenses, she had faced reality. At least that man didn't abuse her, did he?
She calmed herself, replied to the message, and then got up to get dressed.
"Xiaoya? Going out so late?" a roommate asked, seeing Zhang Xiaoya pick up her backpack.
"Yes, I'm going to the hospital."
Zhang Xiaoya feigned composure, though her heart was filled with anxiety.
She knew she was engaged in illicit activities, and she had no other choice. She needed money.
The roommate looked at her with sympathy. "Hurry along. I'll cover for you with the dorm supervisor."
Zhang Xiaoya looked at her gratefully and thanked her. "Thank you."
With that, she slung her backpack over her shoulder and went downstairs, heading towards the school gate.
It was already close to one in the morning.
The cold wind whipped against her face, turning her cheeks red. Zhang Xiaoya stood outside the gate waiting for a car, feeling a sense of desolation.
She was a university student, yet here she was, like an on-call sex worker. How ironic!
Half an hour later, Zhang Xiaoya arrived at the Marriott Hotel.
The receptionist glanced at her with disdain in her eyes, but still greeted her respectfully.
Zhang Xiaoya suppressed the sting of emotion and took the elevator upstairs.
She knocked on the door.
After a moment, the door slowly opened, and a strong arm pulled her inside. What followed was an overwhelming barrage of kisses.
Before she could even react, her thick clothes were torn away.
The man panted heavily, his grip firm. As if venting his desires, he forcefully pressed her onto the cold coffee table and possessed her.
It was cold, it hurt, and she couldn't break free.
Tears streamed down Zhang Xiaoya's face, but she dared not make a sound. Humiliated, she knelt there, enduring the "gifts" from her patron.
After an indeterminate amount of time, it was finally over.
The man, like a sated beast, let out a long breath and leaned back on the soft sofa.
"Turn on the light."
His hoarse voice sent a shiver down Zhang Xiaoya's spine.
Zhang Xiaoya, dragging her aching body, fumbled on the floor for her clothes, pitifully covering herself, and cautiously turned on the night light.
In the lamplight, the man's handsome face was revealed. So handsome, so deep.
Yet, so terrifying.
Zhang Xiaoya admitted that the man before her was extremely handsome. If he hadn't possessed her so perversely, she might have found herself drawn to such a man.
Unfortunately, beneath the handsome facade, his soul was so ruthless.
She stood there, humiliated, subjected to his scrutinizing gaze, tears still wet on her face.
"You are not as beautiful as she is."
The man uttered this hoarsely and beckoned her over.
Zhang Xiaoya knew he was calling her. She took a deep breath, lowered her head, and walked over, only to be pulled into his arms.
They had been intimate many times. From his moans of pleasure, she had guessed more or less.
The reason this man chose her was because she bore a resemblance to a certain woman.
And that woman was his sister-in-law.
This man craved everything his brother had, craved to possess his sister-in-law. Such a person terrified Zhang Xiaoya, but alongside her fear, there was a hint of pity.
He had money, he had looks, and yet he was so tormented?
Zhang Xiaoya couldn't understand, but she could sense his desperate, broken inner self...
She remained silent, simply lying in his arms, obediently playing the part of a commodity woman, waiting for the ordeal to end.
Then, the man spoke again, "Do you think anyone in this world is irreplaceable?"
Zhang Xiaoya faltered, clearly unsure how to answer.
But the man gripped her chin, forcefully lifting her head, and asked with domineering cruelty, "You tell me!"
"No... no one is irreplaceable."
Zhang Xiaoya's gaze was abruptly pulled into his dark eyes as she answered, flustered.
She truly believed so as well. The world could turn without anyone, no one was irreplaceable, and all people and things would fade with time.
As if satisfied with the answer, a slight smile touched the man's lips, but a deep, unconcealable darkness lurked within that smile.
"Serve me well from now on, and I will give you what you desire."
The man said meaningfully, his rough hand reaching for Zhang Xiaoya's tender skin.
Zhang Xiaoya was highly sensitive to his touch, a blush rising on her delicate face. She instinctively avoided his beast-like gaze and bit her lip.
"Mmm..."
Then, another bout of intense passion ensued.
As Zhang Xiaoya lost consciousness, she knew she wouldn't be able to attend classes tomorrow.
This man was too terrifying.
...