"You expended great effort to marry into this family, weren't you waiting for this moment?" Meng Xiaonan coldly stood in front of the luxurious bed, his handsome face full of scorn and contempt.

Fu Ming bit her lip, her voice barely above a whisper, "Um, could you perhaps take a bath first..."

"So, you only know how to play mind games, don't know how to cater to a man?" His chilly words pierced directly into Fu Ming's heart.

"I..." Fu Ming choked back her tears and slowly walked towards Meng Xiaonan.

The bright red dress perfectly outlined her exquisite figure. Her bare shoulders were even more fair and delicate under the light, beneath her slim waist were a pair of long, straight legs.

But Meng Xiaonan did not appreciate her beauty. Instead, he urged impatiently, "Hurry up!"

Her fingers trembled slightly.

Fu Ming looked up at the man she chose herself. Yet, not a strand of affection could be seen on his face, only disgust towards her.

She slowly undid his suit jacket, and hung it neatly on the hanger. Her actions were slow, in an attempt to calm her emotions.

This time, Meng Xiaonan quietly waited, seemingly satisfied with her discomposure.

Fu Ming's heart was pounding fast. She had to make great efforts to keep her hands steady.

This was the first time she got so close to him.

And this was the first time she got so close to any man.

She clumsily fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, one by one.

Meng Xiaonan just stood there, composed and leisurely, completely unawkward, even relishing her trembles.

"Woman, you're taking too long."

"Ah... I'm sorry!"

She unbuttons the last button of his shirt, revealing his robust and toned chest.

Fu Ming is somewhat afraid to look. She quickly removes his shirt, intending to hang it up like she'd done before to create some distance between them temporarily.

But Meng Xiaonan pulls it away and tosses it carelessly onto the carpet.

"Continue," he commands coldly.

"Ah... you want me to continue? Can't you... do it yourself..."

Meng Xiaonan holds her chin, making her raise her head. "Don't forget. Today is the day we're getting our marriage certificate. Haven't you been looking forward to this for a long time? Surely you're not considering breaking your promise? "

No, she would never go back on her word.

Fu Ming grits her teeth and reaches to unbuckle his belt. But her hands are trembling so much; how could she open it?

Meng Xiaonan steps back, "Yuan Fu Ming, you, in this state, are completely turning me off."

With that, he turns to leave.

"You... don't go!" Fu Ming pleads hastily.

Meng Xiaonan acts as if he didn't hear her.

"You...please, don't go." Fu Ming says painfully once again.

Meng Xiaonan turned around, looking down at her with a condescending gaze, "What did you just say?"

Fu Ming swallowed, lowered her head and murmured, "Please, don't leave."

Meng Xiaonan forcefully clutched her shoulders, forcing her to look into his eyes. "You're begging me, aren't you?"

"Yes, I'm begging you, begging you to want me."

Fu Ming personally shattered her own dignity, then trampled it beneath her feet ruthlessly.

Meng Xiaonan let go, "Then hurry up, woman, don't test my patience."

Fu Ming once again reached for his waistband. This time, she finally managed to unbuckle his belt.

Seeing he had no intention of lifting a finger himself, Fu Ming had no choice but to squat down and strip his trousers down to his ankles.

It was only then that Meng Xiaonan nonchalantly lifted one leg. Then, when he switched legs, he purposely grazed her face with it.

Fu Ming felt a wave of dizziness.

The strong masculine smell mixed with a faint scent of sweat instantly enveloped her, causing Fu Ming's legs to buckled and she collapsed onto her knees.

Meng Xiaonan, however, was indifferent to her nervousness and confusion. He stood there arrogantly, coldly ordering her, "Go and run a bath for me."

"Huh? Oh! Yes!" Fu Ming responded as if she'd just been pardoned, her voice involuntarily filled with a hint of surprise.

It seemed like he was letting her off the hook for now.

But she didn't notice, a cold smirk was creeping onto the corner of Meng Xiaonan's mouth.

A moment later, Meng Xiaonan entered the bathroom. Fu Ming was bent over, testing the water temperature. From Meng Xiaonan's angle, he had a clear view of her graceful back curve.

Unexpectedly, her figure wasn't bad...

Meng Xiaonan stepped forward, holding her waist and leaning against her body.

Fu Ming almost plunged headfirst into the bathtub.

She turned around and said to Meng Xiaonan, "Just wait a moment, it will be ready soon."

Watching as he elegantly stepped into the bathtub, Fu Ming was about to turn around and leave, however, she heard Meng Xiaonan's stern voice from behind, "Is this how you ask for help?"

Fu Ming visibly flinched, "I...I've already taken a bath... I'll wait for you outside."

"Come back!"

Fu Ming, who had just touched the doorknob, had to let go, she walked back to the side of the bathtub, her eyes glued to the floor, "Is there... anything else you need?"

Meng Xiaonan wrapped his arms around Fu Ming's waist.

She felt a strong force pulling her, she had no other choice but to fall into the bathtub, landing on him.

A wicked smile appeared on Meng Xiaonan's mouth, "Serve me as I bathe."

Even if she had to help him bathe... did he really have to soak her in the water as well?

Resigned, Fu Ming picked up the towel, and poured water over Meng Xiaonan.

Meng Xiaonan laid back leisurely in the bathtub, hands clasped behind his head, his body stretched out in comfort. He closed his eyes to enjoy the feeling. However, she suddenly stopped, then, she began to directly apply body wash to his leg.

Meng Xiaonan expressed dissatisfaction: "Shouldn't you wash more carefully?"

As he said this, he straightened up his waist.

Fu Ming's face turned as red as a cooked shrimp, twisting the towel vigorously, looking completely flustered.

"Do not close your eyes!" ordered Meng Xiaonan.

Fu Ming extended her trembling hand. She sloppily splashed some water, then wanted to finish.

Meng Xiaonan abruptly stood up. Even though she was clearly inept, she thoroughly ignited his rising passion.

Forget it, after all, she was his wife who had willingly agreed to this marriage. Why should he be lenient?

Meng Xiaonan pressed Fu Ming onto the bathtub, reaching out to lift her little dress.

Though innocent, Fu Ming realized what he was trying to do. Panic-stricken, she struggled to pull her dress down, pleading desperately: "No, not here..."

Meng Xiaonan ignored her pleas, bending over to her and sneered wickedly: "You forgot, you pleaded for this. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother with such an inexperienced girl like you."

Fu Ming felt as if she no longer had control over her body, her voice getting quieter and quieter: "Please, be gentle...ah..."

"Alright, I'll spare you for today." Only upon hearing a satisfactory answer did Meng Xiaonan finally end this rather displeasurable game for both parties.

"I won't give you a child," he tossed an extra spoonful of salt onto her wounded heart.

When Fu Ming woke up, the person beside her was long gone. She stared blankly at the ceiling for quite some time.

Yesterday was her wedding day. Yet, there wasn't any banquet, or ceremony, or blessings from relatives. All Meng Xiaonan did was get the marriage certificate with her, then booked the most expensive bridal suite in a hotel.

He didn't even bother to inform her before he left her alone in the hotel.

Fuming's ear was still filled with his words before she slept last night: "I have only given you the status of my wife, not the rights that come with it. Don't play with my name outside, or you know the consequences!"

She smirked wryly, regret?

No, she had no regrets. Once she chose this path, she pledged not to look back.

She didn't want to be like her mother, who could only keep mum when the wife of her father came knocking at the door, yelling and throwing things around.

She wanted to get married with dignity, to be a wife wedded with the world's blessing.

What made her determined was that she had once witnessed her father, for the sake of a business deal, sent her half-sister to sleep with a man nearly fifty years old — and at that time, her sister was not yet twenty.

At that moment, she made up her mind that even if she had to please a man with her body, it would only be her husband.

Perhaps it was karma for all the wrongdoings he had committed, but her father, Zhao Tianlin, had only a son and a daughter from his wife. His several mistresses who had children gave birth to only daughters. Of course, this also provided him with ample "capital" to exploit.

Fuming felt helpless.