Nighttime. The moonlight bathes the roof tiles and accentuates the opulent symbol of wealth, the Imperial Hotel.
The Imperial Hotel is the most lavish hotel in M city, a five-star international luxury establishment. The architectural charm of this hotel, a consummate blend of a modern high-rise and eleven 5-story buildings, exudes the unique ‘apricot blossom in the drizzle’ aesthetic of Jiangnan. With over eight hundred meticulously designed and tasteful rooms, it provides the ultimate comfort and warmth to its guests.
Shortly after, a woman dressed in black and wearing sunglasses enters the lobby. The white lily she carries in her hand seems even more elegant and flawless against her dark attire; it glistens radiantly.
This lily is apparently a signal. As soon as the woman pauses in the lobby, another woman, dressed as a service staff, approaches and says with a smile, "Miss Xiao, right? Please follow me."
This staff member, presumably in her late twenties, looks neat with her jet-black hair fashionably knotted behind. Pale complexion, delicate skin, a fringe of curled bangs over her forehead, makes her look appealing. Long slender eyebrows, watery eyes, a straight nose, and her unadorned cherry lips carry a seductive tint of red. The lady in front, with an exquisite and slender figure, truly is a sight for sore eyes.
The woman nods and follows the staff to the elevator. As the staff presses the button for the 8th floor, the elevator door closes, seeming to shut a gateway leading to the mirthful world while ushering her onto a path with no return.
Because what awaits her tonight is a "black date" filled with an air of despair.
Standing at the door of room 818, the hotel staff maintains her charming smile, "Miss Xiao, this is your room. I believe you're clear on the rest. I must return to the lobby and be on my way. Goodbye!"
Once the staff leaves the eighth floor via the elevator, the woman lets out a cold laugh, throws the lily near the door, and steps into the room after unlocking it with her card.
"I expect a white lily at the doorstep of room 818 in the Imperial Hotel before twelve. Otherwise..." This is a message relayed to her from "him," said in his typical tone.
In the eerie darkness inside, she could faintly make out the grandeur of this presidential suite, which was almost as a palace for an ancient emperor, illuminated by the moonlight outside. The woman sighs softly, instinctively reaches out for the light switch...
"Once you enter room 818, no lights shall be turned on. Otherwise..."
This too was a sentence left by "him," tone unabridged.
She lowers her hand. Her features are indistinct in the darkness, with only her bright eyes, like sparkling stars, amiable as jade, visible. Standing in the room, despite trying not to, she couldn't help but recall the most critical line: "Once you enter the room, take a bath first, then wait for me in bed. Tonight, don't disappoint me. Or else..."
The woman lets out a cold laugh, turns, and enters the bathroom, slamming the door shut with a 'bang'.
The moonlight remained breathtakingly beautiful...
After a long wait, the woman finally cleansed herself, and stepped out of the bath while drying her smooth, pitch-black hair. Due to the absence of light, she had to carefully make her way to the bed. Just when she was about to sit down, an icy male voice suddenly echoed from behind her, carrying the refreshing yet cold breath of Antarctic snow. However... the voice was slightly hoarse and it was hard to guess his age just by hearing it.
Caught off guard, the woman gasped in surprise, quickly turning around to the source of the sound. Thanks to the soft moonlight, she was able to discern a man sitting on the couch behind her. Under the dim light, it was impossible to see his face, and even more so given the hawk-shaped mask he wore that reflected a chilled glow!
No wonder he had warned her not to turn on the light earlier and now hid his face with a mask – he didn't want her to know his identity, did he?
Though the masked man appeared eerie under the moonlight, she was unfazed, and laughed coldly, "If you are holding my life in your hands, I dare not break my promise. If you're hiding your face with a mask in the dark, I presume you don't want me to know who you are. In that case, there's something you should know."
Seemingly curious about her cold demeanor, the man paused before inquiring lightly, "What is it?"
"I'm a teacher at a school for the deaf and mute," the woman chuckled coldly, slowly tossing her towel aside, "so I have a keen sense for voices. If I've heard a voice once, I will definitely recognize it when I hear it again. So, if you truly don't want me to find out who you are, you should try altering your voice or, better yet, stop talking altogether."
The man fell silent for a moment, then suddenly stood up and walked over to her. His voice oozed a strong sense of dominance and possessiveness, "I admire your composure, Xiaolin Lang! I hope that during our game, you remain as unique as you are now! Thank you for the advice, meaning the voice you're hearing now is not my real one! If ever there is a secret I wish to keep, then aside from me, probably only God would have the opportunity to know about it! Now, it's your turn to show your abilities! You know, the life of entire Bai family lies on this bed behind you!"
In the darkness, this masked man stood proud and tall. His imposing aura had a sense of pressure like a king ruling his realm, staring down at the prey that had fallen into his hands.
Watching him approaching her, Xiaolin Lang unconsciously backed off. The composure she previously had disappeared under his imposing pressure, leaving no trace: "You…don't come any closer…"
"Do not approach? Does that count as a refusal? Xiaolin Lang, did Bai Haoran not inform you of the consequences of refusing me? Are you sure you can bear them?" The man stood rigid in front of Xiaolin Lang, the eyes beyond his mask emitting a chilling glow, reminding her of a wolf's green orbs! It was inescapable, that she was destined to share a bed with a wolf tonight.
"I... cannot bear them..." Xiaolin Lang gritted her teeth, forcing herself to hold her ground in front of the man, "So, I have no right to refuse. You... are my debt holder, no matter how reluctant I am, I have to pay you back! Tell me, what should I do?"
The man chuckled coldly, suddenly pulling at the towel draped around Xiaolin Lang, pushing her towards the bed, "You should first get in bed."