Chapter 1

Chapter 1

In my second year after drifting into Hong Kong.

Zhou Zhao coaxed me with promises, saying that once we pulled off one last big job, he would change our names and take me abroad.

He had spent a year and a half haunting the casinos of Macau, and in the end, he set his sights on Zhao Rongzheng.

As for me, I spent two months getting close to him.

Then another three months becoming the only woman at his side.

Tonight was the moment when the fruit had ripened and was ready to be picked.

The sound of running water stopped in the bathroom. Wrapped in a bathrobe, I stood before the enormous floor-to-ceiling window.

A moment later, the man came up behind me, carrying the cool dampness of the shower. His tall, solid body pressed against my back as he pulled me tightly into his arms.

“What are you looking at?”

“This place really is drowning in luxury and decadence.”

Zhao Rongzheng chuckled softly and bent to kiss the shell of my ear. “Do you like it?”

I shook my head and turned around in his arms.

I responded meekly to his kiss. “I don’t like this city, but I like you.”

Those words clearly pleased Zhao Rongzheng.

The man who always stood high above everyone else even showed extraordinary patience.

He waited, gentle and restrained, for me to adjust, to endure, to accept him.

After the first time, I lay limply by the edge of the bed, my long hair spilling down in winding strands to the floor.

I was so exhausted I couldn’t even lift a finger.

Zhao Rongzheng held my waist, his heated kisses falling on my shoulder. “Do you want some water?”

With my eyes closed, I nodded.

Zhao Rongzheng kissed me again before finally getting up.

He fed me more than half a glass of water. After setting the glass down, he leaned over me once more.

The bridge of his nose brushed lightly over the small red mole on my chest.

My fingers slid into his jet-black hair, then suddenly tightened strand by strand.

“Zhao Rongzheng…”

I murmured his name, letting out a soft, strained whimper.

“Baby, it’s all yours.”

When Zhao Rongzheng woke in the middle of the night, I was curled up in the corner of the bed, sobbing quietly.

“Xue Fu?”

“Mr. Zhao, my brother lost money gambling. Those people said they’re going to break one of his legs…”

“How much did he lose?”

He sat up, took a cigarette from the pack on the nightstand, but didn’t light it.

I cried prettily, tears streaking my face as I choked out, “Ten million.”

He leaned against the headboard, weariness in his eyes, but also a look of deep satisfaction.

“Come here.” He patted the spot beside him, his voice gentle.

Still sniffling, I moved closer and lay against his chest, looking utterly fragile and easy to bully.

“Stop crying. I’ll pay off your brother’s gambling debt for him. From now on, you stay with me.”

He set the cigarette aside and wiped away my tears.

“Mr. Zhao?”

I lifted my eyes, swollen and red from crying.

My wide gaze was filled with glittering disbelief.

Zhao Rongzheng couldn’t help but smile. “But on one condition. Once this debt is paid, you cut ties with him. Gamblers never know when to stop.”

“I know. This will be the last time I help him…”

“Mr. Zhao, you’re so good to me. You’re the best man in the whole world!”

I threw myself at him, laughing through my tears, and hugged him childishly as I kissed him once.

“Once I finish dealing with my brother’s situation, I’ll go back to Hong Kong with you.”

“I’m very easy to take care of. As long as I don’t go hungry or cold, that’s enough.”

“Mr. Zhao, I’ll stay with you for the rest of my life. I’ll love you and respect you.”

“Instead of saying so many sweet things, why don’t we do something more useful?”

Zhao Rongzheng gripped my calf and guided me to straddle his waist.

The hem of my silk nightdress was very short, rippling over his firm muscles.

“Mr. Zhao…” I called softly.

Zhao Rongzheng took hold of my waist and pressed me down. “Xue Fu, cry for me now.”