Volume One, Chapter Two: Escape

The dead of winter brought a wind that cut to the bone.

Not even the car's heater could warm Su Li's slightly chilled heart.

She couldn't deny a hint of apprehension. But then she thought, his days were already numbered—what tricks could he possibly play?

Steadying her nerves, Su Li sent a message to Lu Jing, telling her to stay calm.

The car stopped in front of Nine City's largest entertainment club.

The driver opened the door with respectful movements, but without a trace of real respect in his manner.

Su Li got out of the car, the man leading the way.

They walked through a dazzling corridor and stopped at a door at the far end. The heavy double doors swung open. The man stepped aside. "Mr. Mo, she's here."

With that, he gestured for her to enter.

Su Li was like an arrow already drawn—there was no turning back.

With the mindset of "since I'm here, I might as well go in," she walked inside.

The door closed behind her.

A tense atmosphere filled the sealed room, the air thinning, her heartbeat pounding in her ears.

She glanced around. On the sofa sat a man.

He lounged back, one leg crossed over the other, his figure relaxed against the leather, too far to see clearly.

A faint ember glowed and faded in the dim room; the scent of tobacco lingered in the air.

Su Li took a deep breath and approached, finally seeing his face.

He wasn't photogenic.

In person, he was far more handsome than in any photo, though his complexion was even paler.

The black shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a throat and collarbones that were almost indecently alluring.

That unhealthy pallor only made his features more striking, a kind of morbid beauty.

Yet his spirit was strong; he didn't look at all like someone on death's door.

With a face like that, it was no wonder so many women would want to bear his children.

As she drew closer, Su Li noticed the marriage certificate in his hand.

Of course—his mother had taken it from her back then.

Having registered the marriage for her son, there was no way he wouldn't know.

To think she could hide from this was naive.

"Never heard that greed can get you killed?" Mo Xingyuan's gaze fixed on the woman before him.

A woman willing to marry him at a time like this could only be after his money.

Su Li knew there was no dodging this. His words were a warning—greed brings death.

Resigned, she curved her lips into a seductive smile. "Why can't it be that I've admired you for a long time, and marrying you was my plan all along?"

Mo Xingyuan's fingers tightened around the cigarette.

Admired him for a long time... Such people existed, but not at a time like this.

He could see through Su Li's instant lie and insincere smile with one glance.

He stubbed out his cigarette, then beckoned her closer with a graceful gesture.

Su Li swallowed and moved nearer.

Mo Xingyuan uncrossed his legs, sat up, and seized her wrist, pulling her abruptly onto his lap.

She tumbled against him, only for him to push her upright again.

A hand pressed to her waist, firm through her coat, and the warmth of his palm seeped in.

He gave her no time to react. Using the marriage certificate, he lifted her chin, his eyes mocking. "You admire me?"

Her heart raced, but her face remained composed. The edge of the certificate scraped her skin uncomfortably, but she met his gaze without flinching. "I'd say most unmarried women in Nine City admire you."

A cold laugh rumbled from Mo Xingyuan's throat. "You're not afraid to die?"

"I'm afraid."

He raised an eyebrow.

Su Li replied earnestly, "Everyone dies eventually. If I could be your wife before then, I’d have no regrets."

Four words flashed through Mo Xingyuan's mind: nothing but lies.

He shoved her away, patting his thigh where she’d sat, his disgust obvious.

"Divorce."

Su Li steadied herself. She caught sight of the marriage certificate, tossed aside, and answered calmly, "There’s a month-long cooling-off period for divorce."

Mo Xingyuan looked up. "You think I need it?"

Su Li fell silent.

He really didn’t.

Mo Xingyuan rose, his tall figure imposing, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, long legs striding forward, his trouser cuff brushing Su Li’s coat.

He shot her a frosty look, and the message in his eyes made her swallow down any admiration.

"I won't divorce."

He stopped, eyes cold as ice.

"I'm not playing games," Su Li said, meeting his gaze.

Mo Xingyuan narrowed his eyes.

"I made this decision after careful thought," Su Li said with heartfelt sincerity. "Only by being your wife can I rightfully take care of you, bear your children."

"No matter how much time you have left, I don’t want any regrets. Call me selfish, but as long as I can be with you, I’ll do anything."

Her voice trembled with emotion, her eyes glistening.

Even she was impressed by her own performance.

Mo Xingyuan leaned in, his voice cold. "Anything?"

His nearness was oppressive, but she forced herself to nod. "Of course."

A faint smile tugged at Mo Xingyuan's lips.

The sight of it made Su Li’s scalp prickle.

He sat down again, spreading his legs slightly.

"Kneel."

Su Li thought she’d misheard.

But the way he sat, the icy glint in his eyes, left no room for doubt.

"Is even that too much for you?"

Now Su Li understood what Lu Jing meant by "pervert."

Seeing the contempt in Mo Xingyuan’s eyes, Su Li frowned, shrugged off her coat and tossed it onto the sofa, then quickly gathered her loose hair into a ponytail. She straddled his lap, knees spread on either side.

"Is this acceptable?"

In this position, she was a little higher than him. When she looked down, she caught a fleeting hint of surprise in his eyes.

Her tight black sweater showcased every curve, jeans hugging her hips, her straight-backed poise promising flexibility.

She was so close, their breaths mingled.

Their posture was intimate, sensual—scandal could erupt at any moment.

Su Li was a true enchantress, even more stunning than in her marriage certificate photo.

Her eyes, fox-like and upturned, sparkled with mischief, her smile captivating.

Mo Xingyuan’s arms draped over the sofa, his deep gaze filled with her seductive grin.

"Take it off."

His pale lips parted, commanding her to continue.

Su Li steadied her breath, reached for his chest.

Her snow-white fingers fell on the black buttons of his shirt, creating a striking contrast.

Steadily, she undid his buttons one by one. As each slipped free, more of his chest was revealed.

Not tanned, but an alluring, icy white.

One.

Two.

More and more was bared.

Holding her breath, Su Li’s earlier smile began to falter.

She glanced up. Mo Xingyuan watched her coolly, his bearing that of a king looking down from on high.

And in his eyes, she was nothing but an object for his pleasure.

She forced herself to continue, unbuttoning until her hand brushed his abs. He seized her wrist, grip unyielding.

Su Li looked up and met the bottomless darkness in his eyes, her heart leaping into her throat.

"At this rate, when will you ever bear children?" Mo Xingyuan was displeased by her slowness.

Su Li’s breath hitched.

She refused to flee.

With a small smile, she answered, "We can’t just rush it. I’ve heard children conceived in passion are more beautiful and intelligent."

Mo Xingyuan’s eyes narrowed. "Is that so?"

"Yes." Emboldened, Su Li slipped her other hand beneath his shirt.

But Mo Xingyuan was faster, catching her hand. "And how could it be fair if only I’m undressed?"