"What's wrong with sharing a bed? Now you want to deny everything after getting what you wanted? You're such a scoundrel!" Nuwa's Forsaken Shade smiled coquettishly before brushing her hair across my face.
"Get out! Who took advantage of whom here? Forget it, let's pretend this never happened and call it even. Just don't ever come near me again, alright?" I clasped my hands together in pleading. This Nuwa's Forsaken Shade was truly like a vengeful spirit, determined to haunt me forever.
Instead of leaving, Nuwa's Forsaken Shade swung a leg over me. "Never happened? How can that be? I'm carrying your child!"
With that declaration, she forcibly pressed my hand against her stomach.
"Bullshit! We only... that was just recently. There's no way it could happen so fast." I yanked my hand back in panic, attempting to scramble away, but Nuwa's Forsaken Shade locked her arms around my waist, refusing to let go.
"Not necessarily. These things vary. You're young and vigorous—not like that old Mr. Lam," Nuwa's Forsaken Shade teased, tracing a finger along my jawline.
"Just say what you came to say and stop tormenting me. Get lost!" This time I didn't care how; I thrashed free from the blankets and stumbled out of bed.
"Why so afraid? You weren't like this that night." Nuwa's Forsaken Shade pouted in feigned anger, looking even more alluring and playful than any young girl.
"Cut the crap! You drugged and set me up—how could I have been in my right mind? Spit it out or get the hell out of here." I immediately issued my eviction order.
Nuwa's Forsaken Shade reclined halfway on the bed, her black dress riding up to reveal her legs. "Fine, I'll be direct. I want you to promise Mr. Lam you'll accompany him to uncover the secret of immortality."
"No!" I shook my head vehemently. "If you want to go, then go. You're more capable than I am. You're the right person to assist him. I'm just a lowly tattoo artist—what could I possibly contribute to finding the secret of eternal life?"
"I am going. But so are you. No one can succeed without you." Nuwa's Forsaken Shade gazed at me with unsettling appreciation.
I snorted. "I'm no expert. Why does it have to be me? That's ridiculous!"
Yet Nuwa's Forsaken Shade nodded with absolute certainty. "Yes. It must be you."
I laughed coldly. "You're full of shit. Since when am I so indispensable?"
Nuwa's Forsaken Shade's expression turned grave. "I'm not lying. That place... only Peng Zu ever entered and returned. No one else can. Before Mr. Lam received the news, he sent a team to scout ahead. But those men came back either dead or insane, screaming endlessly: 'Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts! Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts!'"
Mr. Lam truly lived up to being a man of resources - he'd actually managed to uncover information about Peng Zu. After investigation, it turned out this Peng Zu was also a Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts master.
"By now you should understand, shouldn't you? Everything that's happening is connected to the Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts masters. Without you, none of this would be possible," Nuwa's Forsaken Shade said.
Of course I knew it was related to the Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts masters. I knew it specifically concerned a certain tattoo called "Make Way for the Ghost Soldiers." But I refused to discuss any of that, nor would I cooperate with Mr. Lam and his associates.
"So what? I'm not the least bit interested. Eternal life? I don't believe in such nonsense. Do you really think people can become immortal? If you want to go searching, be my guest - just leave me out of it," I refused again.
The temptation of immortality must have been irresistible for someone like Nuwa's Forsaken Shade, so her coming to me was hardly surprising.
"You're really not going?" Nuwa's Forsaken Shade pressed.
I shook my head like a rattlesnake. "Not going, not going! Even if you ask a hundred times, the answer's the same. Isn't making money here good enough? Going to search for some eternal life secret? How pathetic. Do I look that bored to you?"
"Haha, good, very good. Don't worry - you'll agree to go." Nuwa's Forsaken Shade stood up and let out a soft laugh, her lips curling in a wicked smile.
I immediately understood this bitch was plotting something again - she'd use any means necessary to achieve her goals.
"What are you scheming now? Don't you dare try anything!" I warned. "Or I won't go easy on you."
"Won't go easy on me? Oh please, do your worst." Nuwa's Forsaken Shade took several steps closer.
Damn this woman, acting like she'd never touched a man before! I had absolutely no interest in her and tried to push her away, but suddenly my body went limp. I couldn't muster any strength - as if... I'd been drugged again.
When? How had she drugged me this time? I racked my brain but couldn't pinpoint when it had happened during our interaction.
"Earlier, when I brushed my hair against your face - did you notice anything strange?" Nuwa's Forsaken Shade asked with a sinister chuckle.
Her hair? I remembered it had smelled nice, and felt unusually warm against my skin. I'd assumed it was just scented hair spray and thought nothing of it - never suspecting it was laced with drugs.
Fuck! Next time I wouldn't let her within three feet of me. This woman was a master of drugging people - vicious, shameless and despicable!
"What do you want?" I demanded.
"What do I want? Same as before. I told you I need to successfully conceive your child - how else can I get my revenge on you and Mr. Lam?" Nuwa's Forsaken Shade advanced slowly, then pushed me onto the bed...
When I woke the next morning, sunlight streamed across my bed. I opened my eyes weakly - Nuwa's Forsaken Shade was gone. That wretched woman had tossed me around all night. What a disgrace!
Summoning my strength, I got out of bed, though my legs still trembled slightly. I shuddered and nearly tumbled down the stairs. Guess I'll need to exercise more next time.
Having burned so much energy, I devoured my breakfast ravenously. Stein and Antonio were snickering. "What's so funny?" I asked. "Is it hilarious watching me eat?"
"Little Boss," Stein said, "which woman was it last night? That screaming... tsk, tsk, tsk. I could barely handle it."
"Indeed, Mr. Roger," Antonio chimed in with a leer. "Consider our feelings. Next time, maybe get a hotel room? Hehehe... which woman was it? So... vigorous."
Black lines formed on my face as I glared at them. These two must have been eavesdropping all night. Nuwa's Forsaken Shade was utterly shameless - she couldn't care less who might be in the building. At least they didn't know her identity.
"Master, what happened last night?" The little fox asked innocently. "There was a sister screaming so pitifully in your room. She sounded like this—" She attempted to imitate Nuwa's Forsaken Shade's cries. I quickly clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Children shouldn't learn such things," I scolded hastily. "These are sounds only adults make. You don't... shouldn't know about this."
"Mmmph!" The little fox protested until I released her with a sigh. Stein and Antonio burst into laughter again.
That damn Nuwa's Forsaken Shade - next time I absolutely mustn't fall for her tricks. If I get drugged by her again, I'll be a complete pig!