Chapter 239: That Dirty Self
The girl was dressed in a vibrant and sexy red sheer bodice, her flat little tummy exposed, while the bottom featured a thin, translucent red skirt that hinted at everything.
Her cascading long hair fell behind her, accentuating her delicate figure even more.
Her cheeks seemed smeared with thick rouge, radiant as peach blossoms, and her cherry-red lips looked temptingly juicy.
Half of her face was obscured by a mask, yet it couldn’t hide the shy sparkle in her eyes, instead adding an extra layer of mysterious allure.
Like a breathtaking fairy stepping out of a strange tale, she radiated lethal charm and attraction.
Honestly, in that moment.
Young Master Sang almost wavered in his thoughts.
Wasn’t it kinda lucky to share a spring night with such a splendid beauty?
Thankfully, he shook his head and resisted.
No, no.
It must be the surrounding aroma working its aphrodisiac magic.
I’m not the kind of person to mess around—I’m Young Master Sang, the king of good pants!
So he cleared his throat and awkwardly greeted her.
“Cough, you, uh, hello.”
The girl seemed shyly to lower her head, daring not to meet his gaze.
Aw, she’s so shy. Young Master Sang couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Alright.”
Behind him, Gongzi Shuiming had already closed the door, looking excited as she approached Young Master Sang with her little notebook and pen.
“What are you standing there for? Undress!”
Girl: “…Huh?”
Young Master Sang: “…Huh?”
Watching the two of them stare blankly, Shuiming suddenly clapped her hands in realization:
“Oh! I got it!”
“…You mean we’re doing foreplay, right?” She had a mischievous, reassuring look.
“It’s fine; foreplay is within my recording scope, so you can start whenever.”
Young Master Sang and the girl exchanged awkward glances, both seeming quite uneasy on the edge of the bed, neither daring to approach.
Gongzi Shuiming looked at them with eager anticipation.
After a while of no movement, she huffed, “Come on, start already?”
“Uh, should I make the first move? That’s not what you said on the way here!” Young Master Sang looked innocent.
“Um… I’m not sure what to do…” the girl shyly mumbled, looking down.
Not sure what to do?
Wait, didn’t the madam say the girls here were experienced and knew how to please?
Just then, Gongzi Shuiming noticed the girl squirming anxiously, her gaze darting away from Young Master Sang.
And Young Master Sang also caught sight of her blushing face, seemingly forcing himself not to look at the girl.
Gongzi Shuiming had another moment of clarity.
Oh! I get it.
This girl truly is a professional.
It’s said that professional courtesans can adapt their personas based on what their clients like, so it was clear she understood that Young Master Sang preferred the shy, innocent girl type that plays hard to get.
Impressive, truly impressive.
Shuiming couldn’t help but admire.
Looks like I have so much more to learn about this bedroom business.
“It’s okay, take your time to warm up.”
Gongzi Shuiming gave the girl an encouraging and expectant look: “I believe in you.”
Huh?
B-believe in me? Hua Jianglian’s heart raced, her small hands nervously clutching her skirt’s hem.
She was completely clueless about such things.
After all, the manga she usually read would typically end when the main couple entered the room. The scenes after that were never illustrated, just some vague silhouette behind curtains with a couple of heart-shaped bubbles.
What comes next, she had no idea.
Maybe… a kiss?
But…
She tried to muster her courage, turning around to cup Young Master Sang’s face for a kiss.
However, just turning to see his face.
Her heart raced like it was about to jump out, and her entire face felt like a frying pan.
Her hand trembled halfway up, then abruptly pulled back, desperately hiding her steaming face.
No, no, no!
I can’t do this! She pouted, covering her face with both hands.
And Young Master Sang observed every moment of her struggle.
Weird.
Where did Shuiming find a courtesan that seems even more nervous than I am?
Of course, Young Master Sang was in no hurry. He could wait as long as needed.
He had just instructed Nian Nian to slowly douse the two with some .
Ideally, they would subtly drift into a peaceful state of slumber, waking up thinking they just dozed off from exhaustion.
In the meantime, let’s just play along with the act.
Noticing the girl beside him seemed to be sweating in her palms, he gently took her soft hand, speaking softly:
“Nervous?”
Hua Jianglian jolted as if zapped by electricity.
“…Yeah,” she mumbled, biting her lip, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
“It’s fine.”
“Just act like you normally would,” Young Master Sang reassured her softly, “Be your true self.”
“…The more real you are, the more I like it.”
Hua Jianglian’s heart skipped a beat.
Suddenly, she realized the reason for her long hesitation to express her feelings, lingering near him yet afraid to get close.
It wasn’t because of him.
It was because of herself.
She feared he only saw her as a sister.
She feared, as a demon girl known for her villainy, she didn’t deserve his warmth and company.
She feared as a spoiled, mischievous girl, she couldn’t compare to the beauties surrounding him.
What she dreaded most was him discovering the harsh truth behind her mask.
Clueless about the world.
Socially awkward.
Struggling with relationships.
Covered in blood, able to wield a sword to kill but not a knife to cook.
She felt like she was standing at the bottom of a dark well, looking up at the sunny him passing by.
But even the courage to call out to him eluded her.
Because Hua Jianglian was terrified that once she spoke up.
He’d understand that the water in the well wasn’t sweet and refreshing.
But a lonely, ugly frog.
Yet now, Young Master Sang was gently holding her hand.
Softly telling her that the more she showed her true self, the more he liked her.
Hua Jianglian experienced this feeling for the first time.
The feeling of someone, having seen even her darkest, dirtiest side, still choosing to accept her.
It wasn’t like a confession.
But it felt even happier than being confessed to.
Seeing the girl’s long lashes drop and her head bow in silence, Young Master Sang thought he must’ve said something wrong.
But the next moment, the girl suddenly lifted her head, gripping Young Master Sang’s face tightly.
Four eyes met.
Young Master Sang felt like he could see the soft, happy thing in her eyes, sparkling like shining stars.
“…Kiss me,” she murmured, lips slightly pursed, blushing furiously.
Young Master Sang leaned in slowly towards her inviting, sweet red lips.
Hua Jianglian closed her eyes, quietly waiting.
But just then, a dull thud echoed.
Hua Jianglian opened her eyes in surprise.
Just in time to see Gongzi Shuiming tumble straight to the ground behind Young Master Sang.
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