Chapter 77

The dinner was very sumptuous, with twelve plates on the round table, all featuring local Taiwanese specialties. The portions were small, just enough for three people, but there were many varieties, and the flavors were excellent.

It looked no different from an ordinary Chinese meal. Lin Fengjiao initially thought so too, but after accompanying Lin Qingxia to her sister's house as a guest and listening to her complaints about the local cuisine, she realized how luxurious their life was here.

Chinese stir-frying produces a lot of oil and smoke, which is a problem. In Chinese communities, it's tolerable as everyone understands the situation, but in other neighborhoods, it might lead to complaints.

Residents must follow the community rules. If they violate them and refuse to listen to advice, they can expect a visit from the police. In simple terms, once you enter the community, you must abide by the rules, and there's no room for negotiation. If you don't follow the rules, you'll face severe consequences.

Freedom? Freedom is a matter for the upper class. The lower class is bound by the tightly woven legal network. After all, unfairness is everywhere, and the lack of freedom is only truly felt in prison.

Moreover, vegetables are extremely expensive, and there are very few varieties, let alone the Chinese seasonings.

However, Shuanglin and the others not only have a chef from the best Chinese restaurant in Chinatown who can cook whatever they want, but they also have a wide variety of ingredients, with only some out-of-season vegetables requiring advance reservation.

Everything is relative. When you get used to a certain lifestyle and think it's normal, you realize that for others, it's a luxury they can only enjoy after much effort. The impact of this realization is undoubtedly significant.

Therefore, whether it's Lin Fengjiao or Lin Qingxia, they both understand what this lifestyle implies. So, although the dinner was sumptuous, it was eaten without much flavor.

"Your English has improved a lot. Although you're still far from my highest standards, your basic communication skills are now fine, and I'm very pleased," Li Xu said after dinner, wiping his mouth.

His movements were very elegant, and even though Lin Fengjiao felt resentment and anger, she couldn't deny this.

Moreover, he was well-mannered, polite in his interactions, and very handsome, young, and full of sunshine, likely the dream lover of many young girls.

In fact, if he hadn't used such means to possess her, if he had pursued her like a normal person, she might have really fallen for him.

Thinking about this, Lin Fengjiao couldn't help but give a bitter smile. She didn't know what expression to make in response to these emotional thoughts. This man... that man was not as gentle and refined as he appeared.

She didn't know why she had such thoughts, but her intuition told her that although this man sometimes appeared graceful, sometimes a bit arrogant, and sometimes carefree, deep down, he always looked at the world with a cold gaze.

Thinking about this, Lin Fengjiao felt a sudden chill. When she looked at Li Xu, he happened to turn his gaze towards her, with a half-smile, making her quickly lower her eyes.

Even so, her face still flushed, and her heart pounded several times, making her feel conflicted and uncomfortable.

After dinner, they chatted for a while in the living room on the second floor. Li Xu asked about their recent lives, tested their English skills, and shared some of his own experiences. Lin Qingxia then indicated that she wanted to return to her room.

"I've been feeling tired lately, so I want to rest early," she said.

"Unwell? Have you seen a doctor?" Li Xu asked with concern. "It might be some gynecological issues. I've heard they can greatly affect women's health. Perhaps we can invite some traditional Chinese doctors from Chinatown to examine and treat you."

If it weren't for the playful look on his face, he would have seemed genuinely concerned.

"No... no need," Lin Qingxia lowered her head. "I just want to stay at my sister's place for a few days."

"If I remember correctly, you've only been back for two days," Li Xu frowned.

"Previously, I... accidentally promised my sister I would visit tomorrow, so..." Lin Qingxia bit her lip.

Li Xu pondered for a moment. "Alright, go then. Come back on Monday."

"Thank... thank you." Lin Qingxia visibly relaxed and immediately left the living room.

It seemed reasonable, but Lin Fengjiao felt it wasn't that simple. Given Li Xu's possessiveness—apparent at least—and even though he hadn't been here for half a month, he still called to check on them from time to time, he wouldn't be so accommodating to Qingxia. If he agreed, it would be with conditions.

Thinking about this, she suddenly felt uncomfortable, inexplicably so.

"Fengjiao," after Lin Qingxia left, Li Xu called her name. "Mrs. Barna said you've been learning English quickly and can now communicate without issues. That's great."

"Yes, I learned a bit when I was young. As an actress, I often travel in East and Southeast Asia, so I have some foundation in English, Japanese, and Cantonese," Lin Fengjiao nodded.

"Qingxia also travels frequently, but she can't match you," Li Xu said with a smile.

"Her state of mind hasn't been good lately," Lin Fengjiao forced a smile. With her two protectors, did she need to work on her communication skills?

Li Xu looked at her deeply, then stood up and walked to the balcony, gesturing for her to follow.

The night view outside was beautiful, with the lights of San Francisco shining brightly in the night sky. The sea breeze carried a hint of salt.

"Doesn't this make your heart feel broader?" Li Xu asked with a smile after Lin Fengjiao joined him.

"A... a little," Lin Fengjiao replied softly.

"There's a question I haven't asked before. Now I want to ask: How is this half-month of life different from your previous life?" he suddenly asked.

Lin Fengjiao's body trembled, and she lowered her head, brushing the hair from her ear. "No... not much different."

Li Xu didn't press further, just looked at her with a half-smile. Suddenly, he stepped closer, placing his hands on her shoulders. "So, are you willing to accept my proposal now?"

Lin Fengjiao trembled again, about to speak, but her body tensed, and her eyes widened as the hands on her shoulders began to move downward.

Not only that, a warm breath blew on her neck, making her feel ticklish, and then moist lips kissed her earlobe.

"No... please don't..." Lin Fengjiao, covered in goosebumps, lightly twisted her body, trying to stop his intimate actions, but received only a command: "Be obedient!"

These two words seemed to have a magical effect, extinguishing her resistance. She placed her hands on the balcony railing, allowing his hands to roam over her body.

"I know you just want a stable and prosperous life, and I can give it to you," Li Xu whispered in her ear. "I can give you more, so you won't feel wronged in the future, so you can live freely, so you can have more honor, and so you can turn the things that make you sad into things that make you happy."

"I... I have to... pay... what?" Lin Fengjiao panted, and as her long dress was lifted, she let out a gasp.

"Everything," the voice seemed to come from afar.

"My... everything..." Lin Fengjiao's eyes were already closed, and she spasmed to the sound of the tinkling music.

"Yes, everything," Li Xu whispered, his breath warm in her ear. "Don't worry, I'm not a slave owner, and you're not a slave. I'm just protecting you, just... saving you!"

"But... but..." The gentle stream of music made it hard for Lin Fengjiao to think.

"You know deep down that from the moment they handed you over to me, you had no choice," the voice in her ear continued.

"I... ah... you... your... don't... here..."

"No, right here. You must understand through this that you are mine, the meaning of these four words!"

With these words, and as the kayak began to rush through the mountain stream, sharp moans echoed.

---

Sitting in front of the vanity, Lin Qingxia looked at herself in the mirror. The room was sunny, but the person in the mirror had heavy dark circles under her eyes.

She hadn't slept well, staying awake all night until dawn, when she finally dozed off. The impact of what she had seen was too great.

After returning to her bedroom, Lin Qingxia felt something was off. The other party had agreed to her request too easily, and she sensed some... plot behind it.

After much hesitation, she decided to go back and try to probe a bit, at least to understand what the other person was thinking. However, she didn't expect to see such a scene when she pushed the door open.

The shock was so great that it took her several seconds to react, and then she fled. Despite her efforts to forget the scene by burying her head in a pillow, Lin Fengjiao's pained yet sweet expression was deeply etched in her mind, tormenting her all night.

"How... how could she just... give in like that..." Lin Qingxia couldn't help but say.

Deep down, she knew it was inevitable. Since she was forced to please this man and brought to San Francisco, and after living this life for half a month, she knew it couldn't be avoided, but she refused to admit it.

People always have a侥幸心理 (侥幸心理 means侥幸 psychology, which can be translated as "侥幸 mentality" or "侥幸 attitude"). Even though he had clearly told her that he wanted her, she still deceived herself: "See, that person is still relatively gentlemanly, not very interested in me, so it should be fine."

So... now that Lin Fengjiao has fallen, is it my turn next? Thinking about this, Lin Qingxia shivered and quickly got up to find clothes. She wanted to go to her sister's place; she didn't want to stay here.