180: Chapter 180 Shang Youya

Aftermath

Before long, everything returned to tranquility.

Tina curled up in Cao Kun's arms like a satisfied cat.

Her hair was spread messily across the pillow, her face still flushed from moments ago, with a satisfied smile playing on the corners of her lips.

Cao Kun held her, his hand gently stroking her back.

"Does it hurt?" he asked.

Tina shook her head. "No, it feels good."

She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. "Brother Kun, you know, I've never been like this before."

"Like what?"

"Like..." She thought for a moment. "Like being cherished by someone."

She leaned against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

"I've been in relationships before, I've dated, and I've had men."

"But those people either wanted my money or my body."

"No one has ever truly treated me like I mattered, like you do."

Cao Kun gently stroked her hair. "You deserve to be treated like you matter."

Tina smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.

"Brother Kun, I have a question."

"Hmm?"

"Do you... like me? Even just a little bit?"

Cao Kun was silent for a second. "I do."

"Really?"

"Really."

Tina smiled, a radiant and satisfied smile.

"That's enough then," she said. "I don't ask for anything else. You have a girlfriend, I know."

"Tian Ningning likes you, White Lotus Flower likes you, I know that too."

"I won't compete with them, and I won't make trouble for you."

"As long as you can come see me occasionally... and hold me like this occasionally, I'll be satisfied."

Cao Kun looked at her, his gaze complex.

"Are you silly?"

"Silly," Tina laughed. "But because I like you, I'm willing to be silly."

She closed her eyes and found a comfortable position in his arms.

"Go to sleep," she whispered. "Tomorrow, you'll belong to others again, but tonight, you're mine."

Cao Kun didn't say anything; he just held her tighter.

Outside the window, the city lights were flickering out one by one.

The night was still long.

...

At three in the morning, Tina woke up.

Cao Kun was still asleep, his breathing steady, sleeping soundly.

She quietly watched his face, which she had peeked at countless times before—on her phone, in videos.

Now, he was right in front of her.

In the pitch-black darkness, she gently traced his face. His eyebrows, eyes, the bridge of his nose, his lips...

Every inch of him was so handsome.

Cao Kun stirred and opened his eyes.

"You're awake?"

"Yeah." Tina felt a bit embarrassed. "Did I wake you?"

"No." He pulled her close. "Can't sleep?"

"I wanted to look at you," Tina said honestly. "I was afraid that when I woke up tomorrow, you'd be gone."

Cao Kun was silent for a second. "I won't disappear."

"I know," Tina leaned against his shoulder. "But you'll leave. You have your own life, your own work, your own girlfriend. I can't possess you forever."

She smiled, a bit bitterly. "So, I want to look at you more, to remember you better."

Cao Kun didn't speak; he just held her tighter.

Tina felt his body heat, and a sense of satisfaction welled up in her heart.

This was enough.

At least for this moment, he was here.

...

Early Morning

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting golden spots on the floor.

Tina woke up first.

When she opened her eyes, Cao Kun was still asleep. His arm was around her waist, his breathing steady.

She smiled softly and pressed a kiss to his lips.

Cao Kun stirred and opened his eyes.

"Morning," he said, his voice raspy.

"Morning." She blushed.

The two looked at each other and suddenly both started laughing.

"Are you hungry?" Cao Kun asked.

"A little."

"I'll go buy breakfast."

"No need." Tina held him down. "I'll make it. Let you have a taste of my cooking."

She got out of bed, threw on a nightgown, and walked into the kitchen.

Cao Kun leaned against the headboard, listening to the sounds coming from the kitchen.

The refrigerator door opening, the sound of running water, eggs being beaten, the sizzle of the frying pan.

It felt like home.

Ten minutes later, Tina came in carrying a tray.

Fried eggs, bacon, toast, milk, and a small plate of fruit.

"It's a bit simple, so just make do," she said with a smile.

Cao Kun sat up, took the tray, and tasted the fried egg.

"Not bad."

Tina smiled, climbed onto the bed, sat opposite him, and began to eat as well.

And so, the two of them ate breakfast in bed.

The sunlight shone in, feeling warm and pleasant.

Tina looked at Cao Kun, a strange feeling welling up in her heart.

It wasn't desire, nor was it a need to possess; it was a peaceful satisfaction.

Being with him, even just eating breakfast, was so beautiful.

...

Just as Cao Kun and Tina were lost in their affection for each other...

...at another Residential Complex less than three kilometers from Tina's apartment.

In the old Hongqi Residential Complex in the East District, a scene of domestic violence was unfolding.

Hongqi Residential Complex, Building 7, Room 402

This was an old building constructed in the nineties; the exterior walls were mottled, and the corridors were dim.

The security door of Room 402 was tightly locked, and the windows were covered with thick curtains, blocking out all light.

The living room was a complete mess.

The coffee table was overturned, and glass shards were scattered everywhere.

Fragments of a vase lay in the corner, and the fake flowers from inside had rolled into a pool of blood.

Those weren't real flowers bought from a florist; they were cheap artificial flowers that the lady of the house, Shang Yuya, had bought online to decorate the home.

At this moment, Shang Yuya was curled up in the corner of the sofa, her hands tightly clutching her head, her body balled up like a startled hedgehog.

She was 24 years old, with an exquisite small face, soft features, and fair skin.

If not for her current wretched state, she would have been a striking beauty.

But now, her lip was bleeding, her eye was bruised, and there was a long bloody gash on her forehead.

Her light pink loungewear was torn, revealing purple bruises on her shoulders.

Her husband, Lou Dong, stood before her, reeking of alcohol and looking hideous.

"You bitch! It's all because of you!" Lou Dong kicked her. Shang Yuya let out a muffled groan and curled up even tighter. "I lost money, and it's all because I fucking married a jinx like you!"

He kicked her several more times.

Shang Yuya desperately protected her head and abdomen, not making a sound.

She knew that speaking now would only make him crazier.

Let him hit her; when he got tired, he would stop.

This was the survival rule she had learned in two years of marriage.

Lou Dong panted heavily, paced around the living room a few times, then suddenly rushed into the kitchen and grabbed a kitchen knife.

Shang Yuya's pupils contracted, and her body began to tremble violently.

"Lou Dong... don't..." she finally spoke, her voice raspy and full of terror.

Lou Dong held the knife and walked up to her, pointing the tip at her face.

"You fucking dare to speak?"

Shang Yuya closed her eyes, waiting for the pain to arrive.

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

The knife did not fall.

Lou Dong suddenly threw the knife on the floor, fell to his knees in front of her with a thud, and began to wail loudly.

"Youyou... Youyou, I'm sorry... I'm not human... I'm a beast..."

He hugged her legs, his face covered in snot and tears, looking like a completely different person.

Shang Yuya opened her eyes and looked at the man kneeling before her.

She was all too familiar with this scene.

Every time after he beat her, he would be like this.

Crying bitterly, repenting and apologizing, swearing and vowing never to hit her again.

And then, the next time, he would do it all over again.

"Youyou, hit me, hit me back!" Lou Dong grabbed her hand and slapped it against his own face.

"I'm a bastard, I'm not human! I just felt bad about losing money, and I couldn't control myself after drinking too much... Hit me!"

Shang Yuya looked at him, her tears falling silently.

She wanted to do as he said and slap him back hard.

But she didn't have the strength.

Her body hurt, and her heart hurt even more.

"Get up," she said hoarsely.

Lou Dong looked up, his face streaked with tears. "You've forgiven me?"

Shang Yuya closed her eyes and nodded.

Lou Dong immediately turned his tears into a smile, scrambled up, and hugged her like a child. "Youyou, you're the best! I knew you cared about me most! I'll go get the medicine for you, wait here!"

He scurried off to rummage through the medicine cabinet.

Shang Yuya leaned against the sofa, watching his back, her tears flowing uncontrollably.

It was like this again.

It was always like this.

She wanted to hate him, wanted to divorce him and get far away from him.

But she didn't dare to divorce him.

As for the reason, it went back two years.

...