As the night fell, as usual, I put on my sexiest dress and walked into the biggest nightclub in city Y, the 'Charm'.
It's not that I enjoyed this job, but I was in dire need of money.
I had to support my twins, a boy and a girl. They were only two years old, one with kidney failure requiring peritoneal dialysis three times a week, and the other had a tumor in his brain. Though the surgery was successful, the subsequent treatment costs were expensive.
It had been a blow when my parents died tragically three years ago, and mysteriously, I got pregnant and had these two children who, unfortunately, both have serious diseases.
From the time I was pregnant to giving birth to them prematurely, along with the four months after childbirth, I was at a loss and got myself in huge high-interest debt. I ended up working at the Charm Club as a 'princess' thanks to my Big Sister Mei's introduction.
Despite being only twenty, I've been working here for a year and a half now, making me something of a veteran in this line of work.
As soon as I entered the dressing room, Sister Mei lowered her voice and mysteriously said, "Fang Han, I've arranged a big fish for you tonight, you have to hold onto this opportunity."
"Thanks, Sister Mei, you know, I don't accept guests who play too perverted games, I'm afraid if I die, there's no one else to raise the children."
"Don't worry, do you think Sister Mei would set you up? Didn't I introduce you to reliable customers all this time?"
I nodded, following her to the most luxurious emperor suite.
Inside, apart from a KTV, pool table and other entertainment facilities, there was a large deluxe guest room.
This level of suite required not only money to book, but also influential connections.
Sister Mei pushed me into the room, chuckling, "Gentlemen, Miss 'Han' has arrived."
The moment I walked through the door, I put on my most charming smile.
The room was filled with several pairs of men and women, laughing and playing, the air thick with lasciviousness.
"Fourth Young Master, this lass goes by the name of Xiaohan, also famously known as the 'Little Demoness'. She's one of the top draws at the Charm Club. Despite having a child, her skin is still baby-soft." One of the men playfully introduced me, wrapping his arm around me and pinching my waist hard, his face full of mirth.
Maintaining my most professional giggle, I smoothly untangled myself from his grasp and stole a glance at the man referred to as the Fourth Young Master.
The other four men each had their arms draped around the most attractive ladies from the Charm Club. But him, he sat alone right at in the center on the sofa, cradling half a glass of red wine, his aura emanating a noble coldness, warning lesser folk to keep their distance.
Without a doubt, this man was an important figure.
Moreover, he was a remarkably handsome young man, probably in his mid-twenties. His facial features were strikingly defined, exuding a royal air laced with an indifferent laziness. His complexion was darker than most pampered heirs, lending him a bit of ruggedness.
He took a small sip of his red wine, leaned back, and cast a casual glance at me. His gaze subtly shifted, studying my eyes closer, his deep voice carrying an intimidating undertone, "Sit."
I moved to sit on his lap, his familiar scent, a unique blend of Longjing tea, cigarettes, manly musk and a hint of red wine stirred something in me. A flash of my most dreaded and painful memory swept across my mind; although that night was pitch black and I couldn't see anything, that particular scent was etched eternally in my memory.
It was from that night that my world turned upside down; my father was gruesomely murdered, my mother, unable to bear the loss, committed suicide shortly after. A few months later, I was rushed to the hospital after collapsing on the street only to find out that I was four months pregnant. It was too late for an abortion.
Since I hadn't even turned eighteen then, the rapid deterioration of my physical condition due to stress and fear of losing my family made abortion unadvisable.
The man who brought this streak of misfortune upon me... could it be him? I found myself instinctively repulsed, slightly furrowing my brows. But the chilling intimidation in his gaze made me shiver, quickly suppressing my doubt and revulsion.
Unfortunately, he was too perceptive for my fleeting expression to go unnoticed. He tilted up my chin, a smirk lingering at the corner of his lips, "Is that how you please men?"
In response, I let out a playful laugh, picking up a glass of wine from the table and holding it to his lips, "What would the Fourth Young Master prefer?"
He didn't take a sip, instead, he nonchalantly lit a cigarette. Swiftly, I put down the wineglass, and flicked the lighter to light his cigarette for him.
He leisurely blew a smoke ring towards my face, signaling me to join him.
Doing as told, I lit a cigarette for myself, puffing and blowing smoke along with him.
He glanced at me indifferently, as if pondering something. His gaze made me feel downright uncomfortable. Lying in his arms, I asked, "Master Si, would you like to hear a song?"
"What can you sing?" he responded.
"Whatever song Master Si wants, I'll sing," I said. I was about to get up and select a song, just to put some distance between us when he pulled me back into his embrace. He signaled to a nearby waiter, "Play 'Love and Hate'."
I liked the songs by Zeng Chun Nian, so his choice suited me well. I was completely absorbed as I sang:
"I am deeply, unapologetically in love with you,
you are the cause of my lifelong sorrow.
Who's right, who's wrong, maybe it doesn't matter anymore,
Loving you left me so desolate,
you drove me to a heart wrenching madness..."
As I finished the song, the room burst into applause. Amid the loud cheers, Master Si asked in a low voice, "Why don’t you sing at a bar? It's better than your current job."
I laughed, "Singing doesn't make money as fast as sleeping with men."
"Do you lack money badly?"
"Yes, I do."
He cryptically patted my face, "Then, it's settled."
I didn't quite understand his meaning. A man of his standing could have any woman he wanted. He didn't need to come to places like this to find women. However, as a 'princess', it's wise to do more and ask less.
Another man with a tall beauty in his arms approached us. His hand was fondling the beauty, but his eyes were lingering on me: "Xiao Han, you're beautiful, and you have a great voice, as well as a tall figure. Being a princess is too much of a pity. Why not come develop in our company? I'll make sure you become popular."
Si Shao sneered, "Mr. Zheng, you seem to have quite a lot of free time to personally poach people. Is one model not enough for a night?"
Mr. Zheng is the boss of a third-rate media company. He indulges in playing with women and, backed by his status as the boss of an entertainment company, he secretly slept with all the beauties under his banner, often frequenting various nightclubs to chase after beauties.
The one he's holding now is Xiao Qiao, a model he recently promoted.
Hearing Si Shao's words, Mr. Zheng glanced at me and stopped talking. However, it was Xiao Qiao who, stupidly relying on the boss's indulgence, sneered, "I heard that Si Shao doesn't allow women to get too close. What's happening tonight? Has he developed an interest in a slut like Han who's been messed around by numerous men?"
Si Shao seemed as if he hadn't heard her, didn't even glance in her direction. I responded with a faint smile, "Naturally, I can't compare to Miss Xiao Qiao. I heard you've been in this line of work for many years and have a wide network in the circle. There's no big shot that doesn't give you face."
Xiao Qiao's face became somewhat awkward. She had slept with who knows how many men to get where she is today. She laughs at me for being dirty, but is she any cleaner?
I hung onto Si Shao's neck, twisting on his lap: "Si Shao, Sister Xiao Qiao says you don't allow women to come close. Should I stay away from you?"