She didn't bother to tidy herself up or pack anything else. Grabbing her handbag, she endured her discomfort and practically stumbled out of the villa that had humiliated and terrified her!
The cold night wind swept over her, making her shiver, but also making her a little more awake.

She stood by the roadside, anxiously flagging down a taxi.

"Driver! The nearest pharmacy! Quickly!"

Her voice trembled with undisguised panic.

The driver glanced at the beautiful woman in the rearview mirror—her makeup was a little smudged, her hair slightly disheveled, and she was dressed in expensive clothes but clearly not in good spirits—and without asking any questions, stepped on the gas.

A few minutes later, the taxi stopped in front of a 24-hour pharmacy.

Chen Jinhua practically rushed into the store.

"Miss, what do you need?"

The female shop assistant on the night shift looked at the flustered, well-dressed woman and asked her a question professionally.

"Emergency contraceptive pills! The most...most effective kind! Quickly!"

Chen Jinhua's voice was hurried, her eyes darted around, and her cheeks were burning hot with shame and nervousness.

The female shop assistant seemed unfazed, turned around, took a small box from the counter, and handed it to her.

"This is effective within 72 hours, and the earlier you take it, the better the effect. Take one pill at a time with warm water."

"Okay! This is it!"

Chen Jinhua didn't even look at the price, quickly scanned the code to pay, and practically snatched the medicine box before rushing out of the pharmacy.

She couldn't even wait to find water; she tore open the packaging, took out the small white pill, tilted her head back, and swallowed it whole!
The pill slid down my throat, leaving a slightly bitter, foreign feeling.

But Chen Jinhua's heart was still in her throat.

Not enough! What if? What if one pill isn't enough? That man... is so terrifying! Thinking of his tireless demands, Chen Jinhua gritted her teeth, took out two more pills, tilted her head back again, and swallowed them down forcefully!
After taking three pills, my throat felt like it was on fire.

She leaned against the wall at the entrance of the pharmacy, coughed violently a few times, and even choked up tears.

But the immense panic in my heart seemed to have lessened slightly.

She leaned against the cold wall, panting heavily. The aches and pains deep within her body reminded her even more clearly of everything she had just experienced.

Just then, a strong feeling of hunger washed over her like a tidal wave, making her vision blur.

She hasn't eaten a single grain of rice since noon, and has also experienced such intense physical and mental exertion.

No! She has to eat! Otherwise, she won't even make it through tonight, let alone three days!
She needed food, energy, and strength to fight off the man's next act of violence!
Chen Jinhua forced himself to stay awake and, dragging his exhausted body, slowly walked along the brightly lit street.

Her eyes searched among the dazzling array of shop signs on the street.

Soon, a stylish and warmly lit Western restaurant came into view.

She went inside, found a booth in the corner, ordered the top-of-the-line steak set meal, and also added a pasta dish and a dessert.

All she wants now is to fill her empty stomach and her equally empty and fearful heart with high-calorie food.

While waiting for the food to be served, she leaned wearily against the soft back of the booth, her eyes glazed over.

Soft, soothing music played in the restaurant, and diners chatted quietly around them.

The tranquility and peace of all this contrasted sharply with the turmoil raging within her heart.

She looked down at the handbag that was still on her lap, its opening slightly ajar, revealing a corner of the box of glaringly pink condoms inside.

She reacted as if burned, quickly closing the bag and her cheeks burned again.

They wolfed down their food, devouring it in a flash.

The warmth from the food gradually warmed her cold body and restored some of her strength.

When she paid the bill and left, her steps were still unsteady, but at least she was no longer as unsteady as before.

Stepping out of the restaurant, the cool night breeze invigorated her.

She wrapped her rather thin dress jacket tighter around herself and prepared to hail a taxi home.

As she reached the street corner, a shop with extremely luxurious decor and dazzling windows caught her eye.

The huge sign bears the elegant French cursive script "Balenciaga".

In the shop window, under carefully arranged lighting, several items are displayed like works of art.

The most eye-catching feature is the black stockings worn by the two models, one a classic solid color ultra-thin pair, and the other adorned with delicate and sexy lace patterns above the ankle.

Next to it, two sets of boldly designed, minimally expendable black lace lingerie were also on display, radiating a mysterious and alluring sheen under the lights.

Chen Jinhua stopped in her tracks.

She stared blankly at the exquisite, expensive, and alluring goods in the shop window, her mind involuntarily flashing back to those moments a few hours earlier, in that cold villa at Yunshan Residence, Qin Luo's gaze... his playful and scrutinizing eyes, which seemed to linger, almost imperceptibly, on her legs encased in black stockings...

Could it be... that he likes this?

This thought sprouted in her mind like wild grass.

Then she remembered her torn and discarded stockings. She had to go out that night… and face him again… those stockings were torn; she definitely couldn't wear them anymore…

A complex and indescribable emotion welled up in my heart.

There was humiliation, helplessness, and even a subconscious urge to please the other person that she herself was unwilling to admit.

She stood before the dazzling shop window, gazing at the merchandise that symbolized ultimate sexiness and allure, lost in deep thought.

The warm yellow light shone on her face, flickering and reflecting the struggle, shame, and resigned resolve in her eyes.

After a long while, she took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind.

She pushed open the heavy glass door with its brass handle and stepped into the sanctuary filled with luxurious fragrances.

"Welcome to Balenciaga."

A sales assistant with impeccable makeup and a perfect smile greeted us.

Chen Jinhua's gaze swept over the dazzling array of luxury goods in the store, finally settling on the exquisite shelves displaying various stockings and lingerie.

Her voice wasn't loud, and it carried a hint of tension that was barely perceptible, yet it rang out clearly.

"Excuse me, could you please bring me five pairs of each of those two types of stockings displayed in the shop window?"

She paused, then her gaze drifted to the more daringly designed lace lingerie next to her.

"And... those few sets of underwear, and this one too, please wrap it up for me."

The crystal chandelier illuminated the banquet hall as if it were daytime, and the air was filled with the subtle aroma of fine champagne and the lingering scent of elegant ladies.

The stage of the Douyin Annual Ceremony was dazzling. In the center of the first row, Qin Luo sat calmly, his tall figure wrapped in a dark suit, his aura calm yet undeniable.

Beside him sat a middle-aged woman with an outstanding demeanor, Ni Ruolan.

Time seems to have been exceptionally kind to this former pillar of the PLA Academy of Arts, leaving only traces of composure in the corners of her eyes and brows.

She wore a well-tailored dark purple cheongsam, her hair was neatly styled, and her posture remained as upright as when she was on stage.

At this moment, she turned her head slightly, her gaze falling on Qin Luo with a hint of scrutiny, but more so with understanding.

She rarely attends these kinds of noisy commercial events; pure art salons are her true home.

But the name Qin Luo, and his absolute control over Douyin, made her make an exception and come. She wanted to know who this young man was who could turn the entire industry upside down.

The stage lights dimmed and then brightened again, and the host's passionate voice rang out.

"Next, let's give a round of applause to superstar Liu Hua! And rising Douyin influencer Luo Xi! They will bring you the classic hit 'The Road of Life'!"

The spotlights suddenly converged, illuminating the center of the stage.

Liu Hua, dressed in a sharp suit, was as dashing as ever, and his appearance immediately drew thunderous screams.

Beside him, Xiao Ruoxi, dressed in a silver dress, appeared exceptionally slender and nervous.

As the music began, Liu Hua's rich and magnetic voice immediately captivated the entire audience.

When it was Xiao Ruoxi's turn, she tried to adjust her breathing and picked up the microphone.

Her voice was clear and bright, with the purity unique to young girls, but it clearly lacked the support of technique.

The breath control was unstable and slightly dry at the high notes, and the handling of the transitions also showed the slightly casual traces that are common in online live broadcasts.

Especially when sharing the stage with Liu Hua, a superstar who has been immersed in the music scene for decades, this difference in skill was magnified.

Although the guests in the front row maintained polite smiles, subtle changes in their expressions still betrayed their true opinions.

When the song ended, the applause was enthusiastic, but how much of it was for Liu Hua, how much was for Douyin, and how much was for the lucky but awkward girl standing next to the superstar, remains unknown.

The lights dimmed, and the host began to introduce the program.

Qin Luo picked up the crystal glass in front of him, took a sip of champagne, and kept his gaze on the empty stage, as if he was savoring the moment.

He turned his head slightly to look at Ni Ruolan beside him, a faint smile playing on his lips. His voice was soft, just loud enough for the two of them to hear clearly.

"Teacher Ni, what did you think of the performance just now?"

Ni Ruolan turned her gaze from the stage to Qin Luo's face.

The old artist's eyes remained sharp, carrying a clear understanding of everything.

Instead of answering directly, she smiled gently and asked a question in return.

"Is Chairman Qin asking about Andy Lau, or that young lady?"

Her tone was calm, yet carried a subtle hint of inquiry.

“Naturally, it’s Luoxi.”

Qin Luo answered decisively, meeting Ni Ruolan's gaze honestly without the slightest hesitation.

Ni Ruolan's smile deepened, and the fine lines at the corners of her eyes smoothed out, revealing the wisdom of someone who had been through it all.

"Oh? Chairman Qin seems to be paying special attention to her."

She paused, her tone carrying a hint of teasing from an elder, and lowered her voice.

"Is she your girlfriend?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Luo chuckled and shook his head, his fingertips gently stroking the rim of the cup, his tone calm yet unquestionable.

"Teacher Ni has misunderstood. We're just friends."

He looked up, his gaze seemingly piercing through the backstage curtain, and saw the nervous girl.

“I encountered some trouble before, and it caused quite a stir online. She was the first to stand up and speak up for me despite the pressure. I remember that kindness.”

A knowing glint flashed in Ni Ruolan's eyes.

Having seen countless people, she naturally understood the weight in Qin Luo's words.

This is not a frivolous romantic relationship, but more like a chivalrous act of loyalty and gratitude.

"I see."

She nodded slightly, accepting the explanation.

Since it's not a romantic relationship, there's even less need to consider personal feelings when judging the girl on stage.

After a moment's thought, she gave a professional and objective evaluation.

"The girl herself is actually quite good. Her voice is a gift from God. It is clear and distinctive. She is a promising talent."

She then changed the subject, her tone tinged with regret.

"It's a pity, the foundation is too weak. In that song just now, the high notes were obviously not hit, and they were forced, which sounded weak; the breath was also floating in the throat without sinking down to support it, so it sounded unstable. The transitions were also rough and not smooth enough. It's obvious that you haven't received systematic vocal training and are self-taught."

She paused for a moment, then concluded.

"Simply put, talent is a rough gem, but unfortunately it has been wasted and has never been polished."

Qin Luo listened attentively, his eyes focused.

Ni Ruolan's assessment largely coincided with his own judgment.

He looked at Ni Ruolan, a titan in the fields of vocal music and performance, and an idea instantly formed in his mind.

He put down his wine glass, leaned slightly towards Ni Ruolan, and spoke with sincerity and unquestionable weight.

"Teacher Ni has a keen eye. It would be a real pity to let such a promising talent go to waste. I wonder if Teacher Ni would be willing to... personally guide her? Finding her a good teacher is not as good as having a true master like yourself."

Ni Ruolan was slightly taken aback, not expecting Qin Luo to make such a request directly.

She looked at Qin Luo's young yet charismatic face, his deep eyes filled with sincere pleading and a deep respect for talent.

She started the training classes initially because she couldn't bear to see promising talents go to waste.

This appreciation for talent seems to coincide with the sentiments of the young business tycoon before them.

She remained silent for a few seconds, as if weighing her options or scrutinizing Qin Luo's sincerity.

Finally, a gentle yet firm smile appeared on her face, and she nodded slightly.

"Since Chairman Qin has asked for this, and it's for a grateful and kind young man, I'll take the job."

Her tone was calm, yet it contained a strong sense of confidence.

"Three months. I wouldn't dare say it will completely transform her, but I'm confident I can make her stand more steadily on stage, sing brighter, and be completely renewed."

A genuine smile flashed in Qin Luo's eyes as he picked up his wine glass.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Teacher Ni. On behalf of Luo Xi, thank you very much."

The two crystal glasses touched gently in mid-air, producing a crisp, soft sound.

A "refinement" of Xiao Ruoxi's future was decided amidst the clinking of glasses.

The backstage hustle and bustle is completely different from the glamorous front stage.

The air was filled with the smells of hairspray, perfume, and sweat, and people were coming and going in a hurry.

Xiao Ruoxi practically fled into the relatively quiet corridor of the artists' rest area, leaning against the cold wall and panting heavily.

Her heart was still pounding wildly, and the fabric of her clothes clung tightly to her skin, feeling cold and sticky. She had been so nervous on stage that her entire back was soaked with sweat. (End of Chapter)

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