Power and Wealth

Quiet.

Still quiet.

In the courtyard, there was silence for a full three seconds.

Both Dong Xuebing and Zhang Longjuan were dumbfounded. Dong Xuebing held her waist, and Zhang Longjuan sat on his lap. They stared at each other wide-eyed. Then, in the next moment, Dong Xuebing saw Zhang Longjuan inhale sharply, and he felt a rush of refreshing coolness. But Zhang Longjuan's face tightened, and she cried out in pain.

"Ah!"

"You—"

"Ouch!"

"Are you okay?"

"No, I'm not okay at all!"

"Don't move. I'll make you regret it!"

Dong Xuebing quickly quieted down, not daring to move. He just stared at Zhang Longjuan, his face pale. He thought this accident was genuinely unexpected. He hadn't intended to force anything, but who knew Zhang Longjuan would suddenly fall? And she fell right onto his lap. After being tempted by Zhang Longjuan for so long, Dong Xuebing had been somewhat aroused, and then everything suddenly went wrong.

Zhang Longjuan breathed lightly, still recovering.

Under the moonlight, Dong Xuebing glanced into the water. He saw a few faint red streaks where Zhang Longjuan's buttocks were slowly rising.

One, two, three faint streaks, barely visible, then diluted by the water and disappeared.

Dong Xuebing observed this, his face even paler. He blurted out, "It's your first time, right?"

Hearing this, Zhang Longjuan cursed, "Nonsense! I haven't even been in a relationship a few times. Can I be the sas you, young people?"

Dong Xuebing knew he had made a mistake. "I-I didn't mean it like that. I didn't mean—"

He began to shift the blame.

But Zhang Longjuan completely ignored him.

Dong Xuebing wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Xu Yan had mentioned to him before that Zhang Longjuan was still a virgin. Dong Xuebing had been skeptical until now and found it hard to accept. After all, Zhang Longjuan's personality was too bold and uninhibited. If Xu Yan had said she was a virgin, Dong Xuebing might have believed it, but Zhang Longjuan's denial made it impossible to accept.

And she verified it in such a way.

Dong Xuebing felt sweat dripping down his back. If he had not been in the water and wearing clothes, he would have been soaked through by now.

What should he do?

He had messed up.

"Sister Zhang," Dong Xuebing said in a bitter voice, "are you alright? I didn't know you were a virgin, and this accident—"

Zhang Longjuan winced in pain. "I'm not a virgin anymore."

Hearing this, Dong Xuebing felt even more guilty. "It's all my fault."

"There's sbleeding," Zhang Longjuan said through gritted teeth.

Dong Xuebing looked down. "There was a bit, but it's gone now."

Zhang Longjuan muttered to herself, "Damn it. At this age, there's still a hymen. It was well-protected, but you ruin it, you brat."

Dong Xuebing felt even lower. "I'm sorry, I'm really—"

Zhang Longjuan looked at him. "Sorry? Seems like you're enjoying yourself quite a bit, huh?"

"No, I'm not—" Dong Xuebing hurriedly explained. He still hadn't fully processed what had happened. The whole thing had been so sudden.

One, two, and three seconds passed, and Zhang Longjuan's expression finally improved a bit.

Dong Xuebing asked cautiously, "Does it still hurt?"

"Hurt? What nonsense!" Zhang Longjuan snapped irritably, "You try changing places and see if it hurts, you little bastard. You've done it to me!"

"Oh dear," Dong Xuebing said, "It was truly an accident, I swear."

"Stop babbling and just get out of here, slowly," Zhang Longjuan ordered.

"Alright," Dong Xuebing said, feeling terrified. He had no other thoughts at the moment. He followed her instructions slowly and cautiously retreated.

Zhang Longjuan grimaced as if in pain.

Dong Xuebing slowed down even more; it took a while before he was fully out.

Huffing, a few more strands of blood floated up to the water's surface.

This time, Zhang Longjuan also noticed. She gritted her teeth, withdrew her leg, gasped for air, and leaned against the wooden tub, muttering, "What the hell... it's like going from joy to sorrow. I can't believe this. You, you are something. Such a small target, and you hit it right on, huh?"

Dong Xuebing forced a smile. "No, not really."

"And you still have the nerve to smile," Zhang Longjuan glared at him.

Dong Xuebing's forced smile disappeared. "No, I don't."

Dong Xuebing didn't argue back. Whether it was an accident or not, whether he was at fault or not, Dong Xuebing knew one thing for sure: he had taken advantage of Zhang Longjuan to a great extent. So, no matter what Zhang Longjuan said, Dong Xuebing had to acknowledge it. There was no other way.

Zhang Longjuan looked at him. "Alright, alright. Look at your expression. Chere, helpout. I can't lift my leg or step out."

"Okay," Dong Xuebing stood up to assist her.

Bending over with difficulty, Zhang Longjuan emerged from the water and, with Dong Xuebing's help, finally got out of the tub. She then hunched over, holding her leg and gasping in pain. "Damn it, it hurts like hell."

"Towel, towel," Dong Xuebing quickly wrapped a towel around her. Only then did he remember to dress himself. "There are a lot of mosquitoes here. Let's go back inside. Watch your step." Dong Xuebing acted like a nanny, one hand supporting her waist and the other holding her arm.

Zhang Longjuan glanced at him. "You little brat, I'll show you who's boss later."

Dong Xuebing forced a bitter smile. "Whether you scold or hit me, I won't retaliate. It's all my fault anyway."

In the northern room.

In the master bedroom.

Dong Xuebing helped her inside and let Zhang Longjuan lie down in bed. He quickly wiped her wet hair with a towel and covered her with a blanket.

Zhang Longjuan just watched him.

Dong Xuebing felt a bit uncomfortable under her gaze. He coughed and sat down on the bed. "So, um, feel free to criticize me. I deserve it."

Zhang Longjuan looked amused and annoyed. "Playing the victim, huh?"

"No, really," Dong Xuebing said, "I truly feel sorry."

Zhang Longjuan gestured with two fingers. "Cigarette, lighter."

Dong Xuebing lit a cigarette for her and watched her smoke.

Zhang Longjuan looked both angry and amused. "So, how did it feel just now?"

"Huh?" Dong Xuebing looked confused. "I didn't feel anything."

"After keeping my virginity for over forty years, and you say you didn't feel anything?"