He met his future wife just a month before they tied the knot. Their first encounter, honestly, seemed unnecessary and troublesome.
In China's elite circles, money, power, and marriage form the bedrock. His marriage was merely a 'contract' between their fathers, where the identity of the bride wasn't a crucial factor.
Whether the bride was attractive or not, a shopaholic or melancholic, promiscuous or virtuous—none of it mattered. The focus was on what the couple could bring to the table.
Once their marriage was set, the families—RJ Investments on the bride's side and Huang Group on the groom's—planned to collaborate on a project in Tokyo.
The project, named 'Savanna,' might sound ludicrous: creating artificial islands in a manmade sea in the heart of the desert. Each island would host a luxury resort and casino club.
RJ and Huang aimed to craft a new illusion for wealthy Middle Eastern families unsure how to spend their oil-derived wealth. The venture required substantial investment but promised lucrative returns. That was the essence of their strategic marriage.
On his tablet, a woman's image stared back at him—a photo resembling a professional ID picture. She seemed remarkably ordinary, perhaps even attractive.
Her neatly tied-back hair, composed expression, and formal attire exuded a gentle charm, the kind favored by many elders looking for potential daughters-in-law.
"Illustrator?"
As he swiped up, more details unfolded: birthdate, education, occupation, hobbies, school and current photos.
"Yes."
Secretary Sen, with his usual brisk and precise tone, briefed him further.
"She's authored three books, mainly working from home and part-time lecturing at HwaYin University once a week."
A bit dull. Jun Shang felt he had enough information and switched off the screen. Despite studying abroad in London, she now seemed content with creating picture books.
Many wealthy women pursued fine arts as a status symbol, a bragging right, and a potential front for money laundering.
"Anything else?"
"No, she's been scandal-free so far. Described as quiet and polite."
Impressive. President Yun of RJ and his kids from previous marriages were known for their rowdiness. On his third marriage, known for infidelity, how was his daughter so composed?
"Are you sure this is accurate?"
"Yes, double-checked."
Maybe it was true. Some people preferred a quiet life.
They reached the meeting place. Jun Shang stepped out, adjusting his suit. This felt more like a business meeting than a marriage discussion.
The contract was almost final. Regardless of the woman's character, the marriage was happening. He just hoped she wouldn't get clingy afterward. Walking to the room, Jun Shang frowned. Women developing feelings for him was his pet peeve.
It wouldn't happen, but he'd be annoyed if she got attached. Mixing emotions with business was foolish. If she and her parents understood the marriage's true nature, sentiment wouldn't complicate it.
They were business partners, not Romeo and Juliet. Romance in this marriage was worse than shopping addiction or flirtation.
The door clicked open. The woman sat at a luxurious table, a vast window behind her framing an elegant magnolia tree. Perfect for a marriage meeting.
In a simple dark green dress, her pale face and updo accentuated her elegance. Standing up, she greeted him.
"I'm Jun Shang."
She lightly lowered her head. "YunXiao. Nice to meet you."
Her tone was soft, keeping a proper distance. Jun Shang smiled. The negotiation began.
YunXiao became his wife.
The wedding took place a month later, arranged like a business project by the secretaries. For Tokyo affairs, Jun Shang wasn't in China at the time.
Everything happened smoothly, and everyone was satisfied. The press covered their upcoming marriage with a rose-colored lens, and the two companies' stocks went up as expected.
A month later, on their second meeting, Xiao was wearing a wedding dress. She wasn't wearing a princess ball gown. Instead, she donned a slim, simple dress.
Unlike their first encounter, her hair was pulled up along the middle and decorated only with white flowers. Her beautiful white nape peeked through underneath.
As Yun Xiao walked down the aisle and moved her hand from her father to Jun Shang, she looked like the epitome of a beautiful and ladylike bride.
However, as they read their vows, as she hooked her arm around his for their wedding photo, or even as they left the wedding venue hand-in-hand, she didn't look up at him once.
Jun Shang didn't intend on spending the first night of his wedding with his wife. They had only met twice, and he wasn't hungry for a woman either. He also guessed that she wasn't the type of woman who would open her body to a man she only met twice. It wasn't required in their marriage anyway.
So why did he change his mind?
Was it some type of hypnosis that came with marriage?
Or was it because of the wisteria flowers?
Spring was in full swing in Japan during the month of April.
They arrived at an airport in Nagoya on a private jet. They then boarded a helicopter to the city of Ise. During the whole trip, no one spoke a word to the other. Jun Shang continued to work on his tablet PC while his wife just looked out the window.
Eventually, when the helicopter arrived at the resort, the sun was setting over Ago Bay, coloring the water with brilliant hues. The islands floating on the sea looked like abandoned birds' nests.
Once the helicopter landed, the noise that had been annoying the couple finally wound down. Eventually, an absolute silence settled over the resort which was situated between a dense forest and the sea.
Finally,
Jun Shang felt like he could finally breathe as he combed his hair back with his fingers. Even though they were here for three days and two nights for their honeymoon, Jun Shang just wanted to get a lot of sleep. He had rushed back from Dubai, so he hadn't been able to adjust to the time difference. On top of that, because of the uproar of the wedding, he hadn't slept for the past 48 hours. Who knew that the wedding would be more difficult to deal with than work?
"If you're tired, feel free to wash up and go to bed first."
Yun Xiao spoke as if she read his mind. Now that he thought about it, those were the first words she had spoken to him all day.
"I'm fine."
"I can see your dark circles."
She gestured to her own eyes as she spoke. Seeing her say those words with a straight face was kind of funny.
Most people couldn't speak comfortably whenever they were around him. While his status in the company was a factor, it was probably mostly due to the cold and scary impression he gave off.
However, it seemed that it didn't affect Yun Xiao at all. Well, she was officially his wife starting today. She had no reason to be wary of him or to be afraid. Her indifferent expression was further proof.
"Ah, is it that obvious?"
"Go and rest. It's understandable that you're tired."
Xiao smiled softly as she spoke. Jun Shang felt strange as he saw her graceful but formal smile. She knew as well as him what this marriage was. A contract. Nothing more, nothing less. They were just business partners.
So it felt like her eyes were warning him to keep his distance, but they were keeping that truth well hidden.
Now that he thought about it, Yun Xiao played the part of his perfect bride, but she never once looked up at him or spoke to him.
"Wouldn't it be nice to have dinner together?"
"Jun Shang." [1]
She called him by his name for the first time. Her flat, clear pronunciation rang in his ears and tickled it.
"I would feel more comfortable eating alone. Please don't worry about me."
Xiao spoke like an employee trying to get rid of her boss from an employee get-together.
"On the first day of our honeymoon?"
"Does the first day of our honeymoon mean anything to us?"
Even though she said this with a smile, Jun Shang couldn't feel any warmth coming from her. After saying her piece, Xiao stood up and exited the room. Left alone, Jun Shang watched with frustration as the paper sliding door slowly closed shut.
Jun Shang couldn't tell if he should be thankful, or if he should be confused. He felt like he was being abandoned.
What did it matter anyway?
What he needed at the moment wasn't a bride. He needed sleep. Jun Shang loosened the necktie that had been around his neck all day.
Hot water came down from above his head with a whooshing sound. The water ran down his immaculately styled hair and then down his stiff muscles.
Soon the water washed away his drowsiness and fatigue. His usual thoughts about work didn't enter his mind this time. Jun Shang watched the random droplets explode onto the tiles. The water began to fully soak his body before crashing down at his feet and spreading out onto the tile floor.
"Does the first day of our honeymoon mean anything to us?"
He recalled Yun Xiao's words. More specifically, he remembered her indifferent eyes as she said those words.
Pfft, Jun Shang began to laugh. He remembered how he had been worried that she would be clingy when he was on his way to meet her a month ago. On the contrary, she didn't seem to have any interest in him at all. He was starting to feel embarrassed for worrying about it.
He was glad things worked out.
Jun Shang briefly cleaned himself off and exited the bathroom. He then buried himself in his bed. The past few days' worth of fatigue smashed into him like a ton of bricks.
Jun Shang didn't know how long he slept. A bird was chirping outside the window. He suddenly woke up from his slumber. He had woken up from a bad dream.
It was a dream he had often as a young child, but had forgotten about now. He was holding his mother's hand as he was going to see his father. He was so excited to see his father for the first time in his life.
His father's cold eyes as he looked down on his young self's childlike anticipation was no different from the eyes of his new bride.
"Damn it."
Jun Shang slowly got up and swept back his disheveled hair. He had been so tired that he dreamed of old memories. He quickly shook off the remainder of the tiresome dream and looked around at his surroundings.
He was inside a clean but luxurious bedroom. The flowers and champagne that the resort had prepared for the honeymooners had been thrown in the trash. The special Japanese characteristic of cleanliness and orderliness felt a bit suffocating for Jun Shang.
He looked at the time. It was already past 2AM. However, he sensed that he was alone.
Where did she go?
Jun Shang put on the yukata that had been laid out on the side of the bed and walked towards the bedroom that she would be using. The room was empty. The bathroom was also empty. Her bags and clothing were neatly put away. Where had she gone in the middle of the night? Did something happen to her?
Worried, Jun Shang opened the veranda doors and went out onto the balcony. The resort's security was more than enough, and the Huang security team was also stationed around the cabin, but something could have still gone wrong.
Did she go out to the garden?
Each cabin had its own open-air bath and a garden. The garden looked natural, but each element had been placed with much thought. The tree branches stretched out over the dim lights.
Jun Shang thought he heard the sound of water coming from somewhere. He smelled the hot spring's characteristic scent of water mixed with the fragrance of spring flowers. He followed the smell until he suddenly stopped.
Ah...
Did he say this out loud? He wasn't sure. Under the moonlight, the lines of purple wisteria blossoms stretched out like a fantasy. Jun Shang felt as if the last remnants of the world had suddenly disappeared. Within the white smoke of the hot spring sat Xiao.
Her long, black hair was still wet as it hung down her white back. Jun Shang wasn't sure if she had only put on half of the blue yukata or whether it had slid down, but he could see her shoulder and part of her back. He was so entranced that he forgot why he came here in the first place.
She was cold and indifferent, but it seemed like a strange sadness was emanating off of her. But her profile was so beautiful. It seemed as if she would disappear into the darkness at any moment.
"Yun Xiao."
Subconsciously, Jun Shang called her name. He felt as if she'd really disappear if he left her alone. Startled, Xiao turned her head and looked at him. Her long, black hair fell around her slender face. Her expression looked completely different from the one she had at their marriage meeting and even their wedding.
Was it because she had taken off her makeup? Her bare face looked as delicate as a child's. Without her sophisticated and cold expression, she looked like a delicate flower that could be crushed at the slightest pressure. A bit confused, she fixed her clothes. Without her usual composure, her ears slightly flushed red.
What is this? She's pretty cute. Her embarrassment showing through her cold expression was burned into Jun Shang's eyes. Was it because of the magic in the night air? Or was it because of the bride's white nape peeking through her hair?
He continued to stare at her. Xiao turned to him so that they were face to face. Jun Shang didn't know what to do. Was he going to continue to be polite? Should he warn her not to get closer to him because they were merely business partners?
Pfft, Jun Shang began to laugh.
This was marriage. Even if it was formed through a contract, in the end, a marriage was the most primitive bond between a man and a woman.
Jun Shang offered her his hand. Xiao didn't move. Her alarmed face returned to its chilly state. With the same cold and indifferent expression she had at their marriage meeting, she looked down at his hand.
They both knew what his outstretched hand meant. It didn't matter if she rejected him. However, she wouldn't be able to reject him for long. Unfortunately, she didn't have much choice.
"Do we need to do something like this?"
Eventually, Xiao opened her mouth. Her tone was as cold as the night sea.
"Is there a reason not to?"
Jun Shang smirked as he replied. He wasn't aware that he looked as dangerous as he did when he was a teen with his hair down. However, Xiao's expression did not change.
"You know very well what this marriage means."
"I know. It's the beginning of a relationship that will bring about a pleasant profit."
"So why must you have a taste of this pleasure too?"
"Like you said, because it's a pleasure. A pleasure that will always be enjoyable."
"What are you going to do if I don't like it?"
"You won't dislike it, Yun Xiao."
Xiao slightly cocked her head. As her hair slid down, her cold eyes glared at him.
"You... are so sure of yourself."
"The feedback I've received so far has been positive."
At his words, Xiao faintly smiled. He could almost hear her voice in the wind saying 'So certain, are you?' Even then, the wisteria flowers trickled down his wife's body. Xiao watched the flower petals fly away.
The purple wisteria flower was said to be the flower of a bride waiting for her husband. She must have answered her husband's call because she was sitting underneath the wisteria tree.
"What if I continue to say no?"
Jun Shang couldn't tell if she was asking him or the flowers.
"In the end, you'll give in. We have to see each other every night."
She wouldn't be able to reject him forever. Like it or not, they were married and had to live under the same roof. They didn't know when this would end. If he put his mind to it, they would ultimately end up sleeping together.
His wife walked over to him. She walked slowly and stopped when she stood right in front of him. She answered him with an indifferent expression.
"Fine."
She walked past him and entered the bedroom. Once again, Jun Shang followed behind her. After he closed the veranda doors, they no longer heard the sound of the wind. He then raised his hand and brought his wife's hair in front of her shoulder. Her white and slender neck was milky underneath the dim moonlight.
"We won't do this again if I don't like it."
Jun Shang heard his wife's voice. Her profile entered his eyes.
"Okay."
He answered her quietly.
"I don't want to have a child."
He untied his wife's belt.
"I agree."
He also didn't want a child. He didn't plan on bringing about another unfortunate being into this unfortunate world.
"Are you good at this?"
Jun Shang laughed at Xiao's question. As he lowered her yukata, he revealed her milky shoulders. He had the skills to give her the best pleasure a woman could ever experience.
"Well, as long as we're doing this, do it well. If you don't deliver, there won't be a next time."
Scary. He brought his lips to her shoulder and chuckled.
"Hnnng."
A woman's first moan was always a good sign.
Even if she tries to suppress it, it can't be suppressed, so she lets out a breath.
As she moaned, his wife's head fell back. The yukatas were randomly strewn above the sheets.
A wisteria petal was stuck to the back of her neck. He stretched down and bit the flower petal. The petal and skin both crumbled between his teeth. The sweet taste spread in his mouth like an aphrodisiac.
"Haa..."
Xiao's hand gripped her abandoned yukata. He had already teased her nipples, and they glistened as they perked up. With another surge of desire, Jun Shang cupped her breast once again.
His wife's body was beautiful. It was as smooth as a painting. Her perfectly supple breasts, her long and slender hands and feet. More than that, the most captivating features were her fragrance and her pale, soft skin that seemed to melt underneath her hands.
'You're beautiful.' She didn't seem to be touched by his words. There was no reason for her to respond with 'You too' just to be polite. But none of that mattered. Her proud face and her cold eyes. All of it. He liked all of it. And starting today, all of it would be his.
"Ahh."
Even her moan sounded pretty. The breathy sounds she tried to suppress came out involuntarily, and they caused shivers to run down his spine. His erection was painful, but since she told him to do well, he wouldn't recklessly take her.
After his lips chewed on her nape and the petal, they slowly moved down her body.
It passed the dips of her collarbone and returned to her breasts to suck on them. His lips then moved to her smooth waist and hips, crossing the delicate line of her behind, before nibbling between her soft thighs.
"Uhuu..."
She flinched and closed her legs, and even that excited him. To praise her for her cute groan, he took her legs and opened them back up.
She was already wet. Her pale petals were closed. A clear drop of fluid dripped from her crevice onto the sheets. How did it feel inside? Jun Shang opened her entrance with his finger.
Her swollen clitoris stood out, and her inner lips were even wetter. It was all a lovable, soft pink.
He lowered his lips. He felt her body shrink back with a gasp. The sweet, tempting fragrance flared out and called to him. He swept his tongue from bottom to top as he licked her. As she let out breathy moans, Xiao closed her thighs around his head.
"Don't..."
"Shh..."
The best kind of pleasure always started from this place. He licked her again. He licked her entrance, her peak, and her inner folds. He licked them deeply, tenaciously, and slowly.
"Ahh."
Xiao pulled Jun Shang's hair as she moaned.
"Enough. Please, that's enough."
But stopping here would be wrong.
Jun Shang grabbed Xiao's wrist as she pulled his hair. He then proceeded to lick her deeply before sucking and nibbling. Suddenly, her entrance quivered and he felt her pleasure gushing out. As her heady fragrance filled the air, her swollen petals trembled.
Jun Shang had never thought of licking a woman's sex before. But he felt that he had to have a taste of such a sweet flower. Deeply, completely, perfectly, and mercilessly...
A cry filled the room. His wife had become stiff and was trying to escape.
"Don't..."
She looked pitiful as she tried to go against him.
Jun Shang ruthlessly devoured her sex. Her love juices wet his lips. Before she could help it, her entrance began to twitch again. This was the first time she had experienced something so wonderful. Jun Shang continued to lick her through her orgasm.
He finally raised his head and looked down at her. Her cold expression had long crumbled away. She looked shocked and ashamed, her face flushed with pleasure. Her eyes were closed shut to hold back her tears, and she was biting her lips.
This was it.
Feeling oddly satisfied, Jun Shang's lips curved into a smile. He couldn't forgive those daring lips that asked him whether the first day of the honeymoon meant anything. With his lips still covered in Xiao's essence, he lowered his head and plundered her mouth.
"Nnnng."
She struggled as if she was trying to block him, but she couldn't win over his strength. Jun Shang further lowered himself into her embrace. He fit perfectly into her curves. Jun Shang felt as if he was going insane in her suffocating softness.
Fuck. Jun Shang thought to himself.
What the hell is this?
He inserted his finger into her trembling body. Xiao shrunk back with a flinch.
Why?
"It hurts."
It hurts?
Surprised, Jun Shang raised his head. He searched her face through her tangled hair and saw her embarrassment. Does it hurt? His wife was twenty-six years old. Was she...
"Are you a virgin?"
Her eyes hardened in response.
"I'm not saying that it's bad. You need to let me know. Your first time will be a bit difficult for you."
Even though he talked like this, he couldn't stop the spurt of joy in his heart. She's never had anyone else. For this woman, he was her first man.
It was laughable. It was such a primitive feeling, but he couldn't help it. It was like taking the first step in a clean patch of snow.
"I just didn't have the chance."
"Yes, how unfortunate."
Unlike his words, Jun Shang was happy that she wouldn't get another chance. He chuckled softly.
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