Chapter 45

A black Audi parked in front of the Water City Grand Hotel. A portly man with a large head and ears got out of the car, his face flushed from drinking, his steps unsteady. He wore a white shirt and a black suit, with a low-key Montblanc belt and a Glashütte Original Senator gold watch, indicating that he was a high-ranking official.

Sister Mei, with her years of experience, immediately recognized that this man was the one who had bought Huanxi’s virginity, as only officials were most enthusiastic about “deflowering.” Wealthy businessmen, on the other hand, were less picky and preferred actresses who could show off their power and status.

Moreover, this man, who weighed over 200 pounds, was certainly a department-level official.

Sister Mei’s guess was correct. The man was Jiao Shihong, the director of the Jiangdong Province Transportation Department Construction Management Office, a department-level official. He had just come from a drinking session. The central government had banned lavish banquets, so they were now held in internal canteens or private restaurants, which were even more upscale, and the wine was even better.

Jiao Shihong liked to drink aged Chivas. After a bottle, he felt as if he were riding on clouds. According to the old rules, he would go to the Water City Grand Hotel, which was run by his brother, to soak in a hot spring and enjoy the taste of a fresh country girl.

Department-level officials all had a lofty and great dream: to deflower as soon as possible, take on greater responsibilities, and serve the people at the deputy department level. Director Jiao was no exception. However, recently, finding fresh girls from middle and primary schools was risky. If something happened, he could lose his position, and not just a deputy department-level one, but everything. It would be a loss that was not worth it. So he took a safer approach, asking his subordinates to look for girls on Taobao or from street salons.

Today’s girl was arranged by Huadeyi, the party secretary and village chief of Huaxi Village. She was absolutely reliable and could be enjoyed with peace of mind. Jiao Shihong didn’t bring his secretary and told his driver to go back first. He then walked heavily to the elevator, pressed the button for the 16th floor, and felt for the room card in his shirt pocket.

Sister Mei was hesitating, standing up and sitting down several times. Finally, she got up and walked towards the elevator.

“Die if I must, I’ll be a fool today!”

The elevator dinged and arrived at the 16th floor. Jiao Shihong walked with a waddle to room 1618, took out the room card, and opened the door. On the sofa in the suite sat a girl, about seventeen or eighteen years old, slim and fair, with delicate arms under her white shirt, exactly the type Jiao Shihong liked.

Jiao Shihong entered, locked the door, and took off his suit, hanging it in the wardrobe. He took out a pack of soft Zhonghua cigarettes and a miniature camera from his bag, turned it on, and adjusted it. He casually asked, “What’s your name, little sister?”

“Lan Huanxi.”

“Huanxi, what a happy name, it sounds nice.” Director Jiao was very pleased. He placed the camera in a suitable position facing the bed and ordered Huanxi, “Little sister, close the curtains and fill the bathtub.”

Huanxi hesitated, not moving. This man was fat and reeked of alcohol. The thought of being with him tonight made her want to vomit.

Director Jiao was a bit unhappy. Although this girl suited his taste, she wasn’t very clever. On the other hand, such a girl, who hadn’t experienced anything and hadn’t served anyone, was pure and innocent. Good! Huadeyi knew how to do things!

Huanxi finally went over and closed the curtains. Director Jiao took out ultra-thin condoms, Viagra, and Indian oil from his bag, walked into the bathroom, and turned on the gold-plated faucet. The hot spring water gushed out, and he planned to wash off the alcohol smell before enjoying a night of passion.

Jiao Shihong started to undress, first taking off his white shirt, revealing a belly like a bowl of jelly. Then he took off his shoes and pants. This girl had no sense; she didn’t even help him undress.

“Little sister, take off your clothes too, let’s play in the water together,” Jiao Shihong said with a smile.

Huanxi bit her lip, nervously holding the edge of her clothes.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and a sharp female voice called out, “Huanxi, girl, open the door!”

Huanxi almost ran to the door, unlocked it, and opened it. Sister Mei stood outside.

Jiao Shihong’s face darkened, and he put on his white shirt, his face full of anger.

“Girl, let’s go, we’re not doing this business,” Sister Mei said, pulling Huanxi away.

Huanxi stumbled after Sister Mei, saying, “Sister, I didn’t take my schoolbag.”

“Leave it,” Sister Mei hurried along, her heart racing. Offending a client meant offending Zhao Yufeng, and the future would be difficult.

Jiao Shihong was furious. His dignity as a superior was challenged. A mere prostitute dared to play him, which was intolerable. He immediately called Huadeyi. The call was answered immediately, and the other end asked, “Director Jiao, what instructions do you have?”

“Instructions my ass! What the hell did you do? Shit!” Jiao Shihong shouted, hung up, and got dressed, making sure to turn off the camera and take it with him.

To hell with Huadeyi! He won’t get a chance to work on the road expansion project!

Huadeyi, the party secretary and village chief of Huaxi Village, was talking business with his cousin Huabao at a club in the Hot Spring Town when he received Jiao Shihong’s call. He was shocked. He had spent a lot of effort to invite Director Jiao for a meal and to show his respect, but something went wrong, and the leader was furious. What happened?

Huadeyi immediately called Zhao Yufeng, the person in charge, and scolded him, “What the hell did you do, Zhao Yufeng! You offended Director Jiao, are you trying to get yourself killed? Go and apologize right away!”

Zhao Yufeng was gambling in an underground entertainment club. He immediately came out and rushed upstairs, just in time to see Sister Mei and Huanxi coming out of the elevator. He was furious!

Jiao Shihong, weakened by alcohol and women, could finish in just a few seconds, but leaders had various quirks and wouldn’t be done in less than three or four hours. Zhao Yufeng had heard these stories. It had only been a few minutes, and Sister Mei was already bringing Huanxi down, which meant only one thing: the deal was off!

“Stop, what’s going on!” Zhao Yufeng blocked their way, hands on his hips, and shouted.

“Nothing much, I’m not doing this business,” Sister Mei calmly took out a bundle of ten thousand yuan and threw it to Zhao Yufeng.

“Shit, you’re playing me!” Zhao Yufeng raised his hand to strike.

A large hand grabbed Zhao Yufeng’s thin arm. Liu Hanei had returned.

“Don’t touch her,” Liu Hanei pushed Zhao Yufeng aside.

“This is none of your business!” Zhao Yufeng’s eyes were red with anger. To curry favor with Director Jiao, the village chief had spent a lot of effort to establish a connection, and Sister Mei had ruined it. This would cost millions!

“Huanxi called me ‘brother,’ so is it none of my business?” Liu Hanei’s tall figure blocked Zhao Yufeng, leaving him helpless. “Sister Mei, you’ll regret this!” Zhao Yufeng took out his phone and called the village chief.

Liu Hanei said to Sister Mei and Huanxi, “Let’s go!”

The two hurried out and got into the Fukan parked at the entrance. Liu Hanei started the car and drove away.

Zhao Yufeng walked around the lobby like a headless fly, holding his phone. “Village chief, Sister Mei is a bitch, she brought the girl down at the last minute and returned the money, saying she’s not doing the business. Shit, I bet Director Jiao had already taken off his pants, this is playing him!”

As he spoke, Jiao Shihong came down in the elevator. Zhao Yufeng hurried over, “Director Jiao, don’t be angry, I’ll arrange it again, ten minutes, ten minutes!”

Jiao Shihong pushed him away, “I don’t know you.”

Zhao Yufeng was helpless and shouted from the lobby, “This isn’t my fault!”

This scene was witnessed by Ling Zijie, who was drinking coffee in a corner of the lobby.

...

The Fukan sped down the road. Sister Mei’s heart was still racing. For a weak woman, her bold action had seriously exceeded her courage. Zhao Yufeng had arranged for a high-ranking official, and this wasn’t something that could be solved by returning the money. It might bring unforeseen trouble to both her and Huanxi.

Huanxi was also nervous. She had been told that she would be doing business today, with a generous reward of ten thousand yuan, two thousand for Sister Mei as a commission, and eight thousand for herself, which she could send home tomorrow. But Sister Mei suddenly changed her mind and took her away. She was both relieved and worried, relieved that she hadn’t been defiled by that fat man, but worried that Sister Mei would suffer because of it.

Sister Mei lit a cigarette to calm herself and asked Liu Hanei, “Why did you come back?”

Liu Hanei said sternly, “I came back to save Huanxi.”

Sister Mei exhaled a puff of smoke and sighed, “Brother, you’re still young. This isn’t saving her, it’s hurting her.”

“Then what about you? Why did you change your mind?” Liu Hanei asked.

Sister Mei put one hand out the window, her eyes distant. “I’m a fool too. I didn’t earn the money, and I acted like a fool. It’s done, and it’s too late to regret. I’ve decided, I’ll move to a new place. I’ll support Huanxi to retake her exams next year and continue to college. If she gets into a key university, I’ll cover her tuition for four years. I’ve lived half my life, and today I’ll be a hero!”

Liu Hanei turned his head and looked at Sister Mei, his eyes full of surprise.

“What are you looking at, never seen a beautiful woman before?” Sister Mei gave him a dirty look.

“I’ll cover the tuition too,” Liu Hanei said.

“You’re a good guy, not in vain for Huanxi to call you ‘brother,’” Sister Mei smiled and patted Liu Hanei’s shoulder hard.

Huanxi, sitting in the back, tried to hold back her tears, but they flowed like a flood, and she sobbed uncontrollably, then burst into tears. At eighteen, Huanxi had carried too much pressure and burden. Now, someone was finally helping her, and her dream of going to college could come true.

Sister Mei turned around and stroked Huanxi’s hair, “Girl, don’t cry, study hard. Next year, we’ll apply to Peking University or Tsinghua University. At the very least, we’ll go to Jiang University. We’ll participate in the international university debate, and I’ll cheer for you. We’ll be proud and show off.”

Huanxi cried even harder.

Sister Mei said softly, “Girl, you must be strong. My life is over, but you can’t fall like me.”

Liu Hanei wanted to correct Sister Mei, it’s “fall” not “fall like,” but his nose was already sore, and he was afraid that if he spoke, he would choke up, ruining his tough guy image.