Soon Lin Xingwan and Liu Mengqin walked up to Xue Manting. Liu Mengqin even asked, "Wan Ting, don't you think this evening gown looks good on Xingwan?"
Xue Manting nodded with absolute certainty and praised her with an air of nonchalance, "This red evening gown is practically tailor-made for Sister Lin. I believe that if Sister Lin attends the King of Gambling's Night tomorrow, she might just captivate the King of Gambling himself. No, no, the King of Gambling is too old, he's not worthy of my Sister Lin. And I recall the King of Gambling has several wives, but his sons are quite handsome. Sister Lin's presence there will surely steal their hearts."
Xue Manting's praise elevated Lin Xingwan to the status of a celestial being.
Liu Mengqin quickly interjected, "No matter how handsome the King of Gambling's sons are, can they compare to our Dongfang Junze? Xingwan is the future young mistress of the Dongfang family, an object of envy for countless women!" Liu Mengqin was slowly coming to terms with the fact that Zhou Jinbai was Dongfang Junze, and her heart was filled with both joy and worry for Lin Xingwan.
Having navigated the complexities of society for many years, Liu Mengqin was well aware of the unwritten rules.
It was almost impossible for an individual to break through class barriers and ascend to a higher stratum. For instance, children born to ordinary families, no matter how academically gifted or successful in their careers, would ultimately only be employees. It was incredibly difficult to accumulate wealth and experience to become a major boss or even wealthier; their social circles would remain limited for life. However, children from wealthy families directly managed family businesses and had their own circles. At an even higher level were the upper class and top elite families…
Of course, Liu Mengqin couldn't imagine such a life, as she had never experienced it.
Yet, her good friend Lin Xingwan had managed to overcome the barriers of class and leap to the position of the Dongfang family's young mistress. Even television dramas wouldn't dare to portray such a scenario. Such a life was akin to having a cheat code, and from now on, Lin Xingwan's life would be beyond Liu Mengqin's comprehension. However, Liu Mengqin was also worried for her. Ordinary wealthy families were already rife with dirty dealings, let alone a super-elite family like the Dongfangs, which was beyond imagination.
Lin Xingwan's mood remained heavy, especially when she heard Liu Mengqin mention Zhou Jinbai. The discomfort surging within her was almost overwhelming.
"If this one looks good, then let's go with this one," Lin Xingwan said listlessly.
Liu Mengqin, seeing her dejected state, and unaware of what she had gone through that day, assumed she was tired and said, "In that case, let's take this one. You should rest well, and we'll go to the King of Gambling's Night together tomorrow."
Lin Xingwan nodded, and Liu Mengqin and Xue Manting left.
Lin Xingwan went straight back to her bedroom, not bothering to wash her face or brush her teeth, and fell asleep.
So much had happened in the past few days, and coupled with the shock and exhaustion of today, she quickly fell asleep.
However, Lin Xingwan had a terrifying dream. In her dream, she was locked in a dilapidated little house. The walls were covered in blood-red handprints, and from all directions came lewd laughter from men and the fearful, desperate cries of women.
A voice in her mind told Lin Xingwan that the screaming woman was her mother, and the lewd laughter belonged to Deng Qi and the others.
Hadn't they already died?
Why were they still tormenting her mother?
"Mom… Mom…" Lin Xingwan anxiously searched for her mother's figure, but she could see nothing.
In the end, she saw her mother jump from the upper floor and die before her eyes.
"Ah—"
Lin Xingwan screamed, wanting to wake up from the nightmare, but even though she knew she was dreaming, she couldn't wake up.
Of course, Lin Xingwan would never know that at this very moment, two figures had appeared by her bedside.
One was Duan Muxing, sitting in a wheelchair, and the other was Monk Buluan, dressed in a monk's robe.
"After knowing you for so long, I'm only now discovering your penchant for sneaking into people's homes," Monk Buluan remarked, looking at Duan Muxing beside him. This man, with his delicate face that suggested he couldn't even take care of himself, was surprisingly skilled at picking locks.
"I'm just worried that this pawn, Lin Xingwan, might have a problem. Her emotions were very off on the plane today. You know very well what happens to people who have been hypnotized by our Duan family's hypnosis techniques if they recall their past memories."
"At best, they lose their sanity; at worst, they end up like her mother, unable to bear the pain, living a life worse than death, and ultimately taking their own lives."
Monk Buluan's tone was calm. People feared death, but for some, death was a release.
Duan Muxing's phoenix-like eyes flashed with a cruel light. His gaze, fixed on Lin Xingwan, gradually turned sinister and cunning. "I've waited for this day for so many years. Lin Xingwan is a crucial step; only she can flay that person alive."
"But it's too cruel for Lin Xingwan," Monk Buluan said.
"She's just a pawn; there's no need to pity her. If it weren't for our Duan family, she wouldn't have survived this long. Now, it's time for her to repay our Duan family."
After speaking, Duan Muxing gently pushed his wheelchair closer to Lin Xingwan's bed.
Then, he took out a small bottle from his pocket and dripped the transparent liquid onto Lin Xingwan's brow, gently smearing it.
"The way you are now, if I hadn't known you for so many years, I would have thought you were infatuated with Lin Xingwan," Monk Buluan teased. Of course, he knew that his friend, blinded by hatred, could never be gentle with anyone.
Gentleness was merely an innate attribute of his.
However, the gentlest things often killed without a trace.
Duan Muxing remained silent, still gently applying the liquid to Lin Xingwan.
Monk Buluan sighed inwardly. Some knots could only be untied by the person who tied them.
He wondered if Duan Muxing's meeting with Lin Xingwan was his destiny or his tribulation.
After the liquid in the bottle was absorbed by Lin Xingwan's skin, Monk Buluan and Duan Muxing left.
Lin Xingwan, who had been restless, felt the nightmare gradually fade. She slept until noon the next day.
When she woke up, she felt incredibly energetic. The fatigue of many days had vanished due to this extremely comfortable sleep.
The first thing Lin Xingwan did upon opening her eyes was to call Lu Shiyan.
Lu Shiyan told her that Zhou Jinbai had not yet woken up, and Lin Xingwan's mood became heavy again.
She desperately wanted to fly to Zhou Jinbai's side to care for him and stay by his side, but she also knew she couldn't do that.
Just as Lin Xingwan was about to change into yesterday's evening gown, the doorbell rang.
Having been through the ordeal in Qingxi Town, Lin Xingwan now instinctively checked the surveillance cameras.
Seeing that the person standing outside the door was Ge Xuan Temple, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, Lin Xingwan finally opened the door.
Ge Xuan Temple, standing before Lin Xingwan, was wearing a black suit with a matching vest and a white shirt, paired with a rather flashy tie. He looked like a rebellious yet aloof young master from a wealthy family, so refined that every strand of his hair exuded charm.
Every time Lin Xingwan saw Ge Xuan Temple, this young man always gave her a refreshing impression.
He was too versatile and had improved too quickly; even the aura he exuded had become steady and unique.
"Boss, Mengqin asked me to pick you up for the King of Gambling's Night. She's gone with Miss Xue Manting to choose jewelry first." Ge Xuan Temple's expression flashed with deep surprise when he saw Lin Xingwan wearing a fluffy nightgown and with no makeup.
She lacked the sharpness of the workplace and was not the untouchable goddess he imagined. She looked like a student who hadn't graduated yet, with a childish innocence in her eyes.
Suddenly, Ge Xuan Temple felt his heart race, his blood accelerate, and his body inexplicably grew hot, his earlobes inevitably turning red.
"Then wait for me for a moment. I'll change into the evening gown and put on a light makeup," Lin Xingwan said, turning to go inside.
Ge Xuan Temple had no choice but to follow Lin Xingwan and close the apartment door.
However, his nostrils were filled with the sweet, intoxicating scent of the woman.
Even the entire living room was permeated with this faint, elusive aroma, leaving Ge Xuan Temple feeling flustered.
He sat stiffly on the sofa as Lin Xingwan went into the bedroom.
She put on the evening gown but suddenly realized something: the back of the gown was designed with countless buttons instead of a zipper.
Moreover, each button had dangling tassels. If she tried to fasten them herself, she would inevitably pull the diamond tassels off the buttons or get them tangled.
But she couldn't possibly ask Liu Mengqin and the others to come over now.
Lin Xingwan leaned against the mirror, trying to see her back, but she couldn't smoothly thread the tassels into the buttons.
The more anxious she became, the less she could fasten them. After an unknown amount of time, there was a knock on the bedroom door.
Ge Xuan Temple's voice sounded from outside, "Haven't you finished changing yet?"
It had been nearly an hour since Lin Xingwan entered the bedroom, and Ge Xuan Temple was worried she might have fallen.
"Not yet."
Lin Xingwan replied. Just as Ge Xuan Temple was about to return to the sofa, the bedroom door opened.
Lin Xingwan, looking annoyed, stood inside and said to Ge Xuan Temple, "Help me fasten the buttons on the back."
She was going mad from these buttons and had surrendered.
Ge Xuan Temple frowned, his clear eyes filled with inquiry.
Lin Xingwan had already turned around, and her smooth, fair back suddenly appeared in Ge Xuan Temple's line of sight.
Ge Xuan Temple's mind went blank. Everything around him disappeared, and his eyes were filled only with the woman's smoothly curved, alluring back.
Despite his inner panic, Ge Xuan Temple raised his trembling hands and obediently helped Lin Xingwan fasten the buttons.
Occasionally, Ge Xuan Temple's cold hands would brush against Lin Xingwan's warm back. The handsome young man felt as if he had been electrocuted, a subtle current passing through every inch of his body, a feeling that was both pleasant and unfamiliar.
In less than a minute, all the buttons were fastened. Lin Xingwan quickly sat down at the dressing table to apply makeup.
As for Ge Xuan Temple, even after returning to the sofa, he clasped his hands together, his fingertips gently rubbing the back of his hands.
He tried to recall the sensation of touching the woman's skin, but… he couldn't replicate it.
Half an hour later, Lin Xingwan and Ge Xuan Temple left.
Ge Xuan Temple was driving a white Bentley, a car Lin Xingwan had seen a few times.
As the spokesperson for Bentley in Asia, it was normal for him to be provided with a Bentley by the company.
It was similar to how many celebrities who endorsed a brand of mobile phones or jewelry had to use that brand's phone and wear that brand's jewelry at social events to stimulate consumption.
The car drove directly to the port, where an incredibly large, luxurious cruise ship appeared in Lin Xingwan and Ge Xuan Temple's sight.
This was the world's largest and most luxurious cruise ship, the 'Miracle.' With an investment of over ten billion yuan, it was ten times larger than the Titanic, comparable to a moving sea city. The ship had dozens of amenities for living and entertainment, including a commercial street, an amusement park, a marine park, and a grand theater.
Bars, swimming pools, restaurants, shops, and hotels were everywhere.
And today, this cruise ship was solely dedicated to the King of Gambling's Night.
Staff in uniform stood at the entrance of the ship, welcoming guests, while many influencers were taking photos and live-streaming.
Lin Xingwan and Ge Xuan Temple, however, quickly entered through the VIP channel to meet up with Xue Manting and the others.
Before they had walked far, Lin Xingwan's ears were filled with a woman's scream.
She and Ge Xuan Temple simultaneously turned their gaze towards the source of the sound and saw a group of young men and women in swimsuits gathered by the pool.
They were laughing heartily, watching with schadenfreude as Jia Yankang pushed a girl's head into the swimming pool.
The girl initially struggled desperately with her hands, but as time went on, she could no longer resist.
Even the hands flailing in the air had weakly fallen.
"Young Master Jia, let her come up for some air. It won't be fun if you drown her. After all, this woman is quite attractive. Let's play with her for a bit before finishing her off."
"That's right, Young Master Jia. You're surrounded by beauties, but we're all starving wolves. Why don't you let us have some fun now?"
Jia Yankang pulled the woman out of the water and threw her aside.
The woman coughed violently. Before she could recover, Jia Yankang said, "Hurry up and play, just don't kill her. This woman dared to refuse me, so today I'll make her available to everyone. Let's see which man will dare to marry her."
Jia Yankang's face was full of flesh, looking incredibly ferocious. He already had the appearance of a walking villain, and with his fierce and sinister eyes, he was exactly like the wicked antagonist in a TV drama.
Lin Xingwan had no intention of getting involved in trouble, especially since the perpetrator had a past grievance with her.
But thinking of her own desperate feelings yesterday, Lin Xingwan's hands, hanging at her sides, gradually tightened.
She quickly ran towards the girl, pushed away the man who was trying to tear off her clothes, and shielded the girl behind her.
"A group of grown men bullying a young girl, don't you feel ashamed?"
As soon as Lin Xingwan finished speaking, Ge Xuan Temple also ran to her side, casting a hostile gaze at the group of disreputable men before them.
Seeing Lin Xingwan, Jia Yankang's eyes immediately lit up with excitement. "Yo, it's sister-in-law. You weren't satisfied yesterday, so did you come looking for me today?"