C6 His Skills Are Not Good

For years, Chu Rusi had been a wanderer, exiled by his grandfather's decree to sever all ties with his homeland due to past events.

He had searched for her, but after the incident, they had vanished, lost forever in the vast sea of faces.

Xu Huanxi glanced back at Chu Rusi. She wasn't entirely pleased, but if Soong Ci had chosen him, she'd have to make do. "You're the one, then. I'll take care of you."

Chu Rusi's expression was a mix of confusion and disbelief. EXCUSE ME? WHAT!

The Vice President of Chumen Horizon, a rising star in the entertainment world, and now he was being offered maintenance? What was this about? A sugar arrangement? Sleeping together?

He touched his lips thoughtfully. If it were her, perhaps he'd consider it—overcoming his past demons might just lighten the load on his soul.

Xu Huanxi saw the kaleidoscope of emotions on his face. "Not up for it?"

He managed a strained smile. Was this the Xu Huanxi he once knew? The memory of a young, bashful girl seemed so distant now.

Time was indeed a devourer of youth. She spoke of maintenance as if it were as simple as a drive in the park.

Maybe he was the one who had extinguished her innocence.

His gaze dropped, shadowed with a sincere melancholy. "Of course not. It's just... I'm not very skilled."

The past had scarred him deeply, leaving him unable to love any woman.

"I'm aware," Xu Huanxi said with a lift of her brow. Soong Ci had told her about this 'brother,' once the most sought-after in the pleasure quarters, his kisses worth their weight in gold. But lately, his reputation had suffered; perhaps his indulgences had taken a toll on his health, driving his former patrons to seek new favorites.

And she, for one, had no need for such services.

Chu Rusi fell silent, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. How did she come by this information? He hadn't even had the chance to prove himself—

Noticing his discomfort, Xu Huanxi tactfully shifted the conversation. "Do you have your ID on you?"

Chu Rusi's eyebrows quirked subtly. An ID? Were they checking into a hotel? Hold on! He wasn't prepared for this!

"Is this too soon?"

"I'm in a rush." She quickly gathered her things. "Let's go."

Chu Rusi watched Xu Huanxi walk away, her ponytail sharp and neat, her white shirt and hip-hugging skirt accentuating her figure, his Adam's apple quivering ever so slightly.

To his surprise, the events of the past hadn't faded from his memory. They came rushing back with startling clarity.

Her voice, her body, her tears.

Xu Huanxi sensed Chu Rusi lagging behind and turned, her gaze inquiring, "What's the matter?"

He shut his eyes briefly, then followed her with a newfound composure, believing that things would get better.

He strolled behind Xu Huanxi and answered his vibrating phone. Sure enough, it was his so-called brother, Ji Qianjun, who had just remembered to find him after dealing with his own affairs.

He dismissed Ji Qianjun's half-hearted apology and got straight to the point, "Check your client list for Xu Huanxi for me."

...

Elsewhere.

The bed was cozy, the air fragrant with the scent of warm, soft skin.

Ji Qianjun puffed on his cigar, arms wrapped around the woman beside him, devoid of any remorse as he spoke, "Sorry for making you wait all night. What can I say? My girl was just too enthusiastic, and I couldn't tear myself away."

The woman in his arms wriggled in discontent and pinched him hard. Clearly, he had been the one insatiable, leaving her no chance to meet up with her friends. And now he was trying to shift the blame onto her?