While he loathed Liu Hongmei, Shui Miao knew clearly in his heart that his “nightmare” had only just begun. Walking beside her made him feel extremely uncomfortable. Everyone they met along the way, whether familiar or not with Liu Hongmei, seemed to look at him strangely, their eyes filled with mockery and disdain.
He had to admit—being looked down upon really felt terrible.
But to uncover the truth of his origins, Shui Miao had no choice but to endure.
“Hey, Hongmei, who’s this handsome young man?”
As they rounded a corner, Shui Miao saw several middle-aged and elderly women chatting together.
Seeing Liu Hongmei with a young man, they all became instantly curious. As the saying goes, a widow’s doorstep is always buzzing with gossip. And Liu Hongmei was certainly not a reserved woman. Suddenly dressed up like a blooming flower with a young man by her side, it was inevitable that her acquaintances would be filled with suspicions.
The other women, all in their forties and fifties, turned their gazes in unison toward Shui Miao.
The moment Shui Miao met their eyes, he felt as if their stares could pierce right through his clothes…
This was truly a pack of she-wolves!
In Shui Miao’s memory, in the countryside, when aunties and older women cracked vulgar jokes, they were in no way inferior to men. Some bold women even dared to strip a man’s trousers off. Therefore, Shui Miao naturally dared not underestimate these women.
Normally, he would ignore them and walk away.
But now, for Liu Hongmei’s sake, he had to stay and endure their leering gazes roaming freely over his body.
“Hey, look at him, acting all shy! We didn’t even say anything!”
Before Liu Hongmei could respond, one of the aunties directly teased Shui Miao.
Shui Miao was slightly taken aback. Looking at the old woman, he was shocked to find her image was exactly like those bold village matchmakers—so much so that he was too scared to utter a word and hurriedly turned to leave.
Behind him, he heard a strange round of laughter.
Liu Hongmei whispered a few words to the women before hurrying to catch up with Shui Miao. “Xiao Shui, don’t mind them. They were just joking.”
“Nothing…” Shui Miao replied casually, walking ahead without paying much attention to Liu Hongmei.
He was thinking of other ways to deal with Liu Hongmei, but couldn’t come up with any suitable or safe plan at the moment.
After walking for about five minutes, they reached the street.
Seeing that Shui Miao remained silent, Liu Hongmei deliberately tested him, “Xiao Shui, why don’t we just find somewhere to eat? Even a street-side stall would be fine!”
Liu Hongmei wanted to test Shui Miao’s intentions. In her eyes, he was just a young man newly entering society, unable to distinguish truth from flattery. In reality, though, Shui Miao was far smarter than she imagined. He immediately recognized her words as insincere. Wearing a cheongsam to eat at a street stall—wasn’t that just mocking her poverty?
“Hong Jie, how could I possibly treat you at a place like that?” Shui Miao snapped back to reality, continuing to flatter Liu Hongmei. Glancing westward, he noticed a Rose Town about a hundred meters away. He pointed and said, “That place looks nicer. What do you think, Hong Jie?”
“I have no objections.”
Liu Hongmei’s heart was pounding. All three things predicted by Madam Pan had come true.
Still, she felt uncertain. She sensed that Shui Miao wasn’t really the kind of casual young man. When he was cold and silent, he seemed to hide some secret, or perhaps he was just naturally aloof and handsome, exuding an enigmatic charm. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that this mystery carried a kind of magic that fascinated her.
In short, Liu Hongmei felt that Shui Miao had a unique aura.
She had lived for decades and met countless men, but she sensed a mysterious charm in Shui Miao that was different from any other. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have lowered herself to get so close to a tenant.
Shui Miao naturally harbored resentment and hatred toward Liu Hongmei, unintentionally revealing a cold attitude.
While detesting Liu Hongmei, Shui Miao was acutely aware that his “nightmare” had only just begun. Walking alongside Liu Hongmei made him feel extremely uneasy. Everyone they encountered along the way, whether familiar with Liu Hongmei or not, seemed to look at him with strange, mocking eyes, as if they were looking down on him.
He had to admit, the feeling of being despised was truly unpleasant.
But to uncover the truth about his origins, Shui Miao had no choice but to endure it with all his might.
“Well, well, Hongmei, who is this handsome young man?”
As they rounded a corner, Shui Miao saw several middle-aged women in their fifties chatting.
When they noticed Liu Hongmei accompanied by a young man, their curiosity was instantly piqued. As the saying goes, trouble often follows a widow’s door, and Liu Hongmei was hardly a conservative woman. Dressed up like a blooming flower and suddenly appearing with a young man, it was inevitable that acquaintances would speculate.
The other women, also in their forties or fifties, all turned their gaze to Shui Miao in unison.
Meeting their eyes, Shui Miao felt as if these women could see right through his clothes with their stares…
This was truly a den of she-wolves!
In Shui Miao’s memory, back in the countryside, aunts and older women were no less bold than men when it came to telling dirty jokes. Some even dared to pull down men’s pants. So, he certainly didn’t dare underestimate these women.
Under normal circumstances, Shui Miao would have ignored them and walked away.
But now, for the sake of Liu Hongmei’s reputation, he had to stop and let these middle-aged women roam their lecherous eyes over him without restraint.
“Oh, don’t be shy! We haven’t even said anything yet!”
Before Liu Hongmei could respond, one of the women directly started teasing Shui Miao.
Shui Miao was slightly taken aback. He looked at this older woman and was startled to find that her demeanor was exactly like that of the bold, unruly women from his village. Scared into silence, he quickly turned and walked away…
Behind him, he heard a burst of strange laughter.
Liu Hongmei exchanged a few quiet words with the women, then jogged to catch up with Shui Miao. “Xiao Shui, don’t mind them. They’re just joking.”
“It’s nothing…”
Shui Miao responded casually and continued walking ahead, paying little attention to Liu Hongmei.
His mind was busy devising other ways to deal with Liu Hongmei, but for the moment, he couldn’t think of any suitable or reliable methods.
After walking for about five minutes, they reached the street.
Liu Hongmei glanced at the silent Shui Miao and deliberately tested the waters: “Xiao Shui, how about we grab a bite to eat somewhere? Even a food stall would do!”
Liu Hongmei wanted to gauge Shui Miao’s intentions. In her eyes, he was just a young man who had recently entered society, unable to distinguish truth from lies. But in reality, Shui Miao was far more clever than she imagined. He immediately recognized her words as insincere. Wearing a qipao to eat at a food stall? Wasn’t that just highlighting her lack of money?
“Hongjie, how could I take you to a place like a food stall?” Shui Miao snapped back to attention and continued coaxing Liu Hongmei. He glanced to the west and noticed a place called Rose Town about a hundred meters away. Pointing, he said, “The environment there is much better. What do you think, Hongjie?”
“I have no objections.”
Liu Hongmei’s heart was pounding. The three things Mrs. Pan had mentioned had all come true.
But Liu Hongmei still felt somewhat uncertain. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Shui Miao didn’t seem like the kind of casual young man she had imagined. When he was cold and stern, it felt as if he was hiding something, or perhaps it was just his naturally cool and handsome demeanor, exuding an elusive mystique. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that this mystique held a certain magic, something utterly captivating.
In short, Liu Hongmei felt that Shui Miao possessed a unique aura.
Having lived for decades, she had seen plenty of men, but she found something mysteriously magnetic about Shui Miao. If not for this, she wouldn’t have lowered herself to get so close to a tenant.
Shui Miao, who detested Liu Hongmei, naturally exuded an air of aloofness unintentionally.
However, what truly captivated Liu Hongmei was the energy field around Shui Miao. Since mastering the Yin-Yang Five Elements Qigong, Shui Miao’s body had been bathed in the spiritual energy of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. From the inside out, he was constantly changing. The effects of this spiritual energy were miraculous, and the power of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements was profoundly mysterious.
Shui Miao himself had noticed that his body felt more comfortable than before, his spirit was more uplifted, and even his skin had become smoother and fairer.
The two arrived at Rose Town and sat down in a quiet spot.
Shui Miao, ever the gentleman, let Liu Hongmei order.
Liu Hongmei wasn’t really hungry. She had plenty of money and had tasted all sorts of delicacies. What she cared about was Shui Miao’s attitude toward her.
She, in turn, insisted that Shui Miao order…
Shui Miao disliked dithering, so he casually ordered a few dishes and requested a bottle of red wine. He knew that wealthy people preferred red wine, while beer was for those with less refined tastes.
Human psychology is strange. Initially, Liu Hongmei had been concerned about whether Shui Miao would insist she order expensive dishes. But after Shui Miao placed the order, her perspective shifted. She suddenly felt that his decisiveness was manly and commanding, and she began to see him in a new light.
The wine may not intoxicate, but the drinker can become self-intoxicated. A bottle of red wine was soon finished. Liu Hongmei, her face flushed, rested her chin on her hand and gazed dreamily at Shui Miao: “Xiao Shui, you’re so handsome. There must be plenty of girls chasing after you, right?”
“No, not really. I’m from the countryside, and my circumstances aren’t great. Nowadays, girls go for tall, rich, handsome guys with cars and houses. Someone like me doesn’t even get a second glance.” Shui Miao seemed to realize that the more assertive and manly he acted, the more Liu Hongmei seemed to like it.
Since that was the case, he might as well be even more straightforward and see how she reacted.
“No, I have to say no…”
Liu Hongmei wagged her finger. “Those young girls nowadays don’t recognize treasure. A handsome young man like you is a potential gem. They only see the present, not the future. In my eyes, you’re the best. Tell me, what kind of girl do you like? What about someone like me, your Hongjie?”
“Hehe, thank you for thinking so highly of me, Hongjie.” Noticing that Liu Hongmei was slightly tipsy, Shui Miao had an idea. As the saying goes, “in wine, there is truth.” Perhaps if he got her drunk, he could extract some information from her! With this in mind, Shui Miao raised his hand and signaled to the waiter. “Let’s have another bottle of red wine.”
“More? Aren’t you afraid I’ll get drunk and you’ll have to carry me back?” Liu Hongmei indeed had the idea of pretending to be drunk to take advantage of Shui Miao.
“Hehe, there’s nothing to fear. I’m strong enough to carry you.”
Shui Miao had made up his mind: today, he must get Liu Hongmei drunk.
But in reality, Liu Hongmei had a high alcohol tolerance. One or two bottles of red wine wouldn’t be enough to intoxicate her.
However, if she pretended to be drunk, that would be a different story.
By the time the second bottle of wine was half-finished, Liu Hongmei deliberately pretended to be drunk and slumped over the table.
Unaware that Liu Hongmei was faking, Shui Miao was delighted and continued urging her to drink. After finishing the remaining half-bottle, he was convinced that Liu Hongmei was thoroughly drunk.
So, Shui Miao paid the bill and helped Liu Hongmei into a taxi.
The taxi stopped at the entrance of the alley. As Shui Miao supported Liu Hongmei on their way back, they happened to run into an older woman. Seeing Liu Hongmei drunk, the woman hurried over and asked Shui Miao, “Young man, how much did she drink? How did she get so drunk?”
“Not much, just a bottle of red wine.”
Shui Miao replied offhandedly.
“One bottle…”
Hearing this, the woman was taken aback but then smirked oddly. She ran to a neighbor and called out another older woman. The two whispered to each other, pointing at Shui Miao and Liu Hongmei…
Their voices were low, and under normal circumstances, Shui Miao wouldn’t have been able to hear them from thirty or forty meters away.
But Shui Miao wanted to hear what they were saying. He focused his Yin-Yang Five Elements Qigong and listened intently, faintly catching snippets of their conversation.
“I told you, this young man doesn’t seem like that kind of person! It’s Hongmei who’s seducing him!”
“Exactly! She usually drinks five or six bottles of red wine without getting drunk. Today, one bottle does her in? Clearly, she’s up to no good, trying to have her way with him!”
“Haha, let her have her fun. That’s her skill. If you’re jealous, why don’t you find one for yourself?”
“Go away! I have my old man. I’m not like her…”
“…”
Their conversation sent chills down Shui Miao’s spine!
Good grief! I thought I was scheming against her, but she’s the one scheming against me. This woman is truly deep and unfathomable!
Shui Miao was inwardly shocked. He never expected Liu Hongmei to be so lustful!
During their meal, through conversation, Shui Miao learned that Liu Hongmei’s husband had passed away over a decade ago. She had a daughter who was already married and living abroad, returning only once a year during the New Year. So, Liu Hongmei lived alone. She usually spent her time with a few female friends, shopping for clothes, dining, and drinking—living the luxurious life of a wealthy woman. However, without a man by her side, she inevitably felt somewhat empty and lonely.
Shui Miao had initially thought that Liu Hongmei’s words were truths spoken in drunkenness. Little did he know she was pretending to be drunk. This showed that her intentions were far from innocent!
Helping Liu Hongmei upstairs, Shui Miao tried to leave, but she pretended to be drunk and held onto his hand tightly, pulling him down onto the bed. She threw her leg over him and began groping his chest with one hand, muttering deliberately, “Husband, I miss you so much, I really miss you…”
If it were an average man, such temptation might have been hard to resist.
But Shui Miao was different. His heart was pure, and seeing his archenemy Liu Hongmei act so cheaply only filled him with disgust. “Hongjie, I’m Xiao Shui!”
Shui Miao struggled to pry Liu Hongmei’s hand away, trying to break free.
Unexpectedly, Liu Hongmei’s desire burned even stronger. She suddenly yanked Shui Miao back onto the bed, ripped off the buttons of his shirt, and then climbed on top of him, her hands frantically trying to undo his belt…
“…”
Shui Miao was stunned!
Was this a dream? How could such a woman exist in this world?! Shui Miao never imagined that Liu Hongmei could be so desperate that she would try to force herself on him! The unheard-of scenario of a woman raping a man was happening to him!
“Hongjie, I’m Shui Miao, not your husband.”
Shui Miao called out again and struggled with all his might.
But Liu Hongmei clung to him relentlessly. Fueled by alcohol, she seemed to have gone mad. They tussled from the bed to the floor, and she still couldn’t undo his belt. Seeing Shui Miao resist fiercely, she only grew more excited and desperate. Suddenly changing tactics, she reached down and grabbed him between the legs. Shui Miao felt a sharp, searing pain!
“Damn! She’s trying to crush me!!”
In a moment of desperation, Shui Miao could no longer hold back. He kicked out fiercely, striking Liu Hongmei directly in the face…
“Ouch!”
Liu Hongmei cried out in pain, covering her face and swaying unsteadily…
To Shui Miao’s horror, instead of stopping, Liu Hongmei seemed even more aroused after being kicked. She lunged at him again, her entire being transforming into a frenzied beast…
Witnessing this, a term popped into Shui Miao’s mind: masochist. This old witch must be a masochist!
Shui Miao himself had noticed. His body felt more comfortable and his spirit more cheerful. Even his skin had become smoother and fairer.
The two arrived at the Rose Town and sat down in a quiet spot.
Shui Miao was very gentlemanly, letting Liu Hongmei order the food.
Liu Hongmei wasn’t really hungry. She had plenty of money—she had tasted all kinds of delicacies. What she cared about was Shui Miao’s attitude toward her.
She turned the tables, insisting Shui Miao order instead.
Shui Miao disliked indecisiveness, so he ordered a few dishes randomly and asked for a bottle of red wine. He knew that rich people preferred red wine, while beer was for the poor.
People’s minds are strange. Initially, Liu Hongmei was concerned whether Shui Miao would insist she order expensive dishes, but after he finished ordering, her thoughts shifted. Suddenly, she thought Shui Miao was manly and masculine, and began to look at him differently.
Wine doesn’t intoxicate people, but people intoxicate themselves. Soon, the bottle of red wine was finished. Liu Hongmei, her face flushed, rested her chin on her hand, gazing dreamily at Shui Miao: “Xiao Shui, you’re so handsome. There must be many girls chasing after you, right?”
“No, not really. I’m from the countryside, and my conditions aren’t great. Nowadays, girls like rich guys with houses, cars, and bank accounts. People like me, they don’t even bother to look at.”
Shui Miao seemed to realize that the more masculine and dominant he appeared, the more Liu Hongmei seemed to like him.
If that was the case, he might as well be even more straightforward and see how she reacted.
“No, I have to say no…”
Liu Hongmei waved her finger, “Those young girls just don’t recognize real treasures. You, young man, are a potential star. They only see the present, not the future. In my opinion, you’re the best. Tell me, Xiao Shui, what kind of girl do you like? What about someone like me, your Hong Jie?”
“Haha, thank you for thinking so highly of me, Hong Jie.” Shui Miao noticed Hong Jie was slightly tipsy, and a thought crossed his mind—perhaps the truth comes out when one is drunk. Maybe if he got her more intoxicated, he could ask some questions and find out some things. Thinking this, Shui Miao raised his hand and signaled the waiter, “Come on, bring another bottle of red wine.”
“Still drinking? Aren’t you afraid I’ll get too drunk and you’ll have to carry me home?”
Liu Hongmei secretly wanted to pretend to be drunk and take advantage of Shui Miao.
“Haha, what’s there to be afraid of? I’ve got the strength. I can carry you.”
Shui Miao had made up his mind—he must get Liu Hongmei completely drunk tonight.
But in reality, Liu Hongmei had a strong tolerance for alcohol. One or two bottles of red wine couldn’t even get her tipsy.
But if she pretended to be drunk, the situation would be completely different.
When the second bottle of red wine arrived, Liu Hongmei deliberately feigned drunkenness and leaned on the table.
Shui Miao didn’t know Liu Hongmei was pretending. He was secretly delighted and continued encouraging her to drink. After finishing the remaining half bottle, Shui Miao was convinced that Liu Hongmei must be completely drunk.
So he paid the bill, helped Liu Hongmei up, and hailed a taxi.
The taxi stopped at the alley entrance. Shui Miao supported Liu Hongmei as they walked back. Along the way, they happened to meet an elderly woman. Seeing Liu Hongmei was drunk, she hurriedly approached Shui Miao and asked, “Young man, how much did she drink? Why is she so drunk?”
“Not much, just one bottle of red wine.”
Shui Miao casually replied.
“One bottle…”
Hearing this, the old woman was stunned for a moment, then she chuckled strangely. She ran to the next door and called out another auntie, and the two began whispering, pointing at Shui Miao and Liu Hongmei…
Their voices were low. According to normal circumstances, Shui Miao, already more than thirty meters away, shouldn’t have heard them.
But Shui Miao deliberately wanted to know what they were saying. Activating his Yin-Yang Five Elements Qigong, he listened carefully and faintly caught a few sentences.
“I see now. That young man doesn’t seem like that kind of person. It turns out Hongmei is the one seducing him!”
“Exactly. She usually doesn’t get drunk even after five or six bottles of red wine. Today she got drunk after just one bottle—obviously she has ulterior motives, wanting to seduce him!”
“Haha, if she wants to, let her. That’s her talent. If you don’t like it, you can go find one yourself!”
“Nonsense! I have my old man. Unlike her…”
“…”
Listening to their conversation, Shui Miao felt a cold sweat forming on his back.
Wow! I was trying to outsmart her, but ended up being outsmarted instead. This woman is truly deep and cunning!
Shui Miao was secretly shocked. He hadn’t expected Liu Hongmei to be so lustful!
During dinner, through conversation, Shui Miao learned that Liu Hongmei’s husband had died over a decade ago. She had a daughter who had married abroad and visited only once a year during the New Year. Liu Hongmei lived alone, spending her days with a few old friends—shopping, eating, drinking, living the happy life of a wealthy widow. But without a man by her side, she inevitably felt lonely and empty.
Shui Miao originally thought Liu Hongmei’s words were genuine drunken confessions, never suspecting she was pretending. From this, he could see that her real intention was far from innocent.
Helping Liu Hongmei upstairs, just as Shui Miao was about to leave, Liu Hongmei, pretending to be drunk, suddenly grabbed his hand tightly. With a sudden pull, she dragged him onto the bed. Taking advantage of the moment, she straddled him and began groping his chest, murmuring, “Husband, I miss you so much. I really miss you…”
If it were an ordinary man, such temptation might really cause him to lose control.
But Shui Miao was different. His heart was pure, and seeing his enemy Liu Hongmei behaving so shamelessly, he instead felt disgust.
“Hong Jie, I’m Xiao Shui!”
Shui Miao tried hard to pry her hands off, attempting to break free.
But Liu Hongmei, now inflamed with desire, suddenly used her strength to pull him back onto the bed. She ripped off the buttons of Shui Miao’s shirt, then straddled him again, her hands moving to unbuckle his belt…
Shui Miao was stunned!
Could this be a dream? How could there be such a woman in this world!? Shui Miao never imagined that Liu Hongmei could be so desperate as to attempt to force herself on him! The thought of a woman raping a man was shocking enough, yet it was happening to him!
“Hong Jie, I’m Shui Miao, not your husband!”
Shui Miao shouted again, struggling with all his might.
But Liu Hongmei clung tightly, fueled by alcohol, wrestling with him like a madwoman from the bed to the floor, unable to unbuckle his belt. Seeing Shui Miao struggling fiercely, she became even more excited and desperate. Suddenly changing tactics, she reached out and grabbed his crotch. Shui Miao felt a sharp pain shoot through his lower body.
“Damn! Is she trying to crush me!?”
In desperation, Shui Miao could no longer hold back. He kicked out with all his strength, landing a direct hit on Liu Hongmei’s face…
“Ow!”
Liu Hongmei screamed in pain, holding her face as she staggered…
To Shui Miao’s horror, after being kicked, Liu Hongmei didn’t stop. Instead, she became even more frenzied, charging toward him again, her entire body like a wild beast…
Seeing this, a single word flashed through Shui Miao’s mind—masochist. This old witch must be a masochist!
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