Chapter 24: Choices

Inside the Pride Bar, Chu Changyun, just waking from his stupor, sat up while clutching his throbbing forehead. The misery of a hangover was truly unbearable, leaving his head heavy and dizzy. As he looked around the room, he was struck dumb, his muddled mind instantly clearing. He looked down to find himself completely naked, with a beautiful young woman sleeping beside him. There was no need to guess what had transpired; the scattered clothes on the bed and floor were a shocking sight. What was he to do? What was he to do? Beads of sweat broke out on his nose, and his face flushed a deep, burning red.

He lived in fear of his wife. It was not so much because of her overbearing nature, but because her family background was formidable, while his own business acumen was limited. Whenever he faced losses, he dared not tell his father, forced instead to beg the Li family for help. Over time, he had lost his standing and his spine. If the "tigress" were to find out about this, she would surely tear the world apart.

The more he thought, the more frantic he became. Glancing at the woman still deep in slumber, he tiptoed out from under the covers, snatched his clothes from the floor, and dressed with frantic haste. Fearing any delay, he clutched his jacket and bolted for the door. Just as his hand touched the doorknob, a mournful, weeping voice drifted from behind him: "Are you... are you leaving? Without even a word for me?"

He froze. With one swift motion, he could have torn the door open and fled, yet he found himself unable to take another step. After storming out in a rage the night before, he had only sought a place to drown his sorrows in drink. But as for what followed, he could recall nothing—how much he had consumed, or how he had ended up in bed with this woman, he had no idea. He had caught a glimpse of her earlier; she was much younger than him. To run away would be truly heartless, but if he stayed, how could he possibly face her?

Caught between reason and emotion, he yielded to the latter. He turned slowly toward her. Tears welled in her eyes, making her look pitiful and fragile. She sobbed softly, trying in vain to smile: "I didn't mean anything by it... last night, last night..." She choked on her words at the mention of the previous night, tears rolling down her cheeks, yet she forced a smile that was heart-wrenching to behold: "It was my own doing. Don't worry, I won't hold you to anything."

Chu Changyun’s heart felt as if it were being squeezed by a vice, the pain making it hard to breathe. He knew how much he had hurt her, yet his first thought upon waking had been how to escape. She had not made a scene, had uttered no complaints, and had even sought to absolve him of blame. How could he bear to hurt such a good woman again? He dropped his clothes and walked to the bedside. "I’m sorry. I—I was drunk."

"I know, I know, please don't say it—" She shook her head, biting her lip to keep from sobbing aloud. She looked up at him, her voice trembling with caution: "Can you... can you hold me? Just for a moment!"

"All right." How could he refuse such a simple request? He reached out and wrapped his arms around her. He would provide her with a sum of money so she could live a good life afterward; after all, he was not the man for her—given their age gap, he was old enough to be her father.

The woman clung to him tightly, her tears soaking through his shirt. After a long while, she let go and turned her head away. Perhaps due to the sudden movement, the quilt covering her slipped, revealing her bare, proud frame. She said softly, "Go now. From this moment on, we are strangers."

"You..." Faced with her resolute demeanor, a strange feeling stirred within Chu Changyun. He hesitated for a moment before making a promise: "I will give you one million. Live your life well from now on."