Chapter 19: Peeling a Pomegranate

Xie Bo and Lin Yiwei stood before the entrance of a place called "Youlai Hotel." After wandering around and comparing several lodgings, this was the only one that looked even remotely legitimate.

Earlier, at a small guesthouse, the young man at the front desk who was playing a game had glanced at Lin Yiwei and casually remarked, "She’s not a working girl, is she?" Xie Bo had pinned him to the floor and slapped him several times, his eyes filled with viciousness. "Who are you calling a working girl, huh? Say it again."

Lin Yiwei had dragged him out of the hotel before the man could call the police. His expression remained grim throughout the journey; he seemed particularly sensitive to that word. Lin Yiwei remembered Xu Qianxi mentioning that Xie Bo’s mother had been a sex worker in the red-light district. That term was his forbidden zone. It turned out he wasn't entirely fearless; he had his own triggers too.

When checking in, Lin Yiwei handed over her ID and specifically requested two separate rooms. Xie Bo smiled and did not object, taking his room card and heading upstairs. The hotel was nearly empty. The two rooms were side-by-side, and as soon as Lin Yiwei entered hers, she locked the door. Xie Bo clearly heard the "click" of the deadbolt. She was guarding against him as if he were a thief.

The room was clean and tidy. Upon entering, Lin Yiwei immediately checked the electrical outlets to ensure there were no pinhole cameras before she felt at ease. She had been filmed before—not at a hotel, but in a fitting room. Lin Xie had been furious, arguing with the shopkeeper and even calling the police, but the result was that nothing could be done; there were too many customers coming and going to ever trace the source of the camera. Girls from her background had to be extra cautious and protect themselves.

A moment later, there was a knock at her door.

"Who is it?"

"Who else could it be?" Xie Bo’s deep, magnetic voice came through.

"What is it?"

"Going out to buy some things. Come along."

Lin Yiwei opened the door and looked up at the man who was a head taller than her. "Buy what?"

"Bed sheets and shampoo."

"Don't they already have those?"

"I don't use things other people have touched."

Fine. He was a man with very particular tastes.

Lin Yiwei walked out of the hotel with Xie Bo to the town’s bustling main street. It was only ten o'clock in the evening, so there were still many pedestrians, and the shops remained open, brightly lit. Xie Bo wanted to buy everything: toothpaste, toothbrushes, bed sheets, duvet covers, shampoo, body wash... everything he needed had to be brand new.

Lin Yiwei took the opportunity to buy several daily necessities for herself as well. She bought a duvet cover and sheets too, though... she bought them in the size for a school single bed. She only had one set of sheets on her own bed and nothing to swap them out with, so while Xie Bo was footing the bill, she bought them all. She even bought a large supply of sanitary napkins.

Xie Bo could see she was trying to take advantage of the situation, but he didn't call her out on it, afraid that if he did, the young girl would be too embarrassed to buy what she needed. Her self-esteem was incredibly fragile, and she was prone to getting angry out of shame. She lived too frugally and didn't even have a decent set of clothes. If it weren't for the limited options in this small town, Xie Bo would have dragged her to a designer clothing store to properly dress her up.

...

Inside a convenience store, Lin Yiwei saw Xie Bo grab a box of condoms while checking out. The girl was quick; she snatched the box, put it back on the shelf,