Spring Dream: I Am No Temptress (First Subscription Requested)

From his vantage point, the man could clearly see the parting of the girl’s hair as she spoke in a low voice in the corner. He let out a self-deprecating chuckle—imagine, a mere slip of a girl, not yet grown, could prompt all these thoughts in him. He no longer spared her a glance, and left on his own.

When Lin Xia finished her call and turned around, there was no sign of him. She gazed at the empty corridor, relief flooding her heart, tinged with an unexpected sense of loss. Rubbing her forehead, she muttered, “What are you thinking? You’re only fourteen, and that man must be in his twenties. Why would someone like him be interested in a little girl like you?” She glanced down at the flat expanse beneath her camisole and felt a wave of discouragement. She hadn’t developed at all; there was even less reason for him to notice her.

Today, Lin Xia was dressed lightly—a camisole under a short-sleeved knit top, a skirt that fell to her knees. She looked fresh and sweet. Pushing aside her thoughts, she slipped her phone into her bag; she still hadn’t gone to the restroom. Afterward, as she emerged into the main hall, she caught sight of a group gathering around that same man, escorting him toward the elevators. Through the murmur, she caught the words “President Jing.”

President Jing? Who would call such a delicate-looking man by that name?

Lin Xia found it odd. Then she remembered the platinum Constantin watch on his wrist—truly, a man of means. Born with a silver spoon, she mused, shaking her head with a smile. It was just a minor incident; no need to make such a fuss.

“Xia Xia.” Lin Xia walked over to Lin Jia Gui, who was holding a brochure of apartment layouts. “What do you think of this one? Your cousin says this location is ideal—sunny and with an open view.”

Lin Xia glanced at it and nodded. “If Cousin chose it, it must be good.”

Her cousin had studied environmental architecture at a prestigious university, so naturally he had a better eye than she, a dabbler at best. What mattered to her wasn’t the apartment itself, but its future value; as long as it wasn’t too outrageous, there would be no problem. Besides, once she turned eighteen, she was determined to buy a place of her own and decorate it just as she pleased.

And who knew if she or Lin Hui would ever live here in the future? She recalled that her cousin eventually moved to a coastal city—Guangzhou—where he did quite well, certainly better than W City. When it comes to property, one must think long-term.

“Since that’s settled, let me show you the apartment,” the sales agent said, seeing no objections.

Lin Xia nodded, and the three of them followed the agent out of the sales hall and toward the residential complex behind. The apartment they were viewing was an unfinished unit, which made sense since the Lin family wouldn’t be living in W City for the next six years. If Lin Xia or Lin Hui ended up attending university here, they could renovate it then. Otherwise, they could always sell.

Initially, Lin Xia’s father only half-believed her arguments, but Lin Bing had been working in the city for years and knew well how property values soared. His own apartment had appreciated nicely. Now, with some surplus funds, he planned to borrow a bit from Lin Xia’s father, combine it with his savings, and buy another apartment. The rental income from this location alone would be substantial.

That was why he’d brought Lin Jia Gui here. This developer was well-known in the industry—expensive, but worth every penny. Lin Xia’s father was willing to buy largely because of Lin Bing’s involvement. This time, he’d brought almost all the family’s savings—enough to buy one for themselves and for Lin Bing to buy one too. Just yesterday, he’d transferred half a million yuan into Lin Bing’s account.

In their county, half a million was more than enough for an apartment, renovations, and property management fees.

But in the big city, such a sum barely covered an unfinished apartment. It was hard for him to accept.

Now that her cousin was also buying, Lin Xia felt relieved. If convincing her father alone to buy such an expensive place had fallen to her, who knows how it would have turned out? The fact that her cousin’s family, already owning an apartment, was buying another spoke volumes—more than any amount of persuasion.

After viewing the apartment, Lin Xia was more than satisfied. The landscaping in the complex was excellent—far better than in Rongcheng. Their chosen unit was on the twelfth floor, with wonderful light and a sweeping view. Standing on the balcony, looking out at the nearby park, she had to admit—it was a prime location. A five-minute walk to the bus, with direct lines to the hospital; kindergarten and elementary schools were also close, just a fifteen-minute bike ride away. Next to the complex was a large shopping street, with clothing stores, a Walmart, and a bank all within easy reach.

It was a hot spot, sure to remain popular for years to come, with the average price per square meter already over twelve thousand.

Lin Jia Gui planned to pay in full—just the ID and the money were needed. Lin Bing, with his financial savvy and respectable job in W City, intended to take out a mortgage and had other plans for his remaining funds.

The Lin family was delighted with the purchase; Lin Bing also bought a spacious, over-one-hundred-square-meter unit in the complex. Two big sales, both large apartments—the sales agent was ecstatic, her face all smiles, compliments flowing like a river, leaving Lin Xia in awe. With skills like these, Lin Xia thought, she couldn’t hope to compete—truly, every field has its master.

The purchase went smoothly; Lin Jia Gui had originally planned to stay at Lin Bing’s for the night, but now it seemed unnecessary. Since they paid in full and the developer’s paperwork was all in order, with fees settled, they would receive the property deed in a year.

Leaving the sales center, it was still early.

Lin Bing urged Lin Xia and her father to stay the night, but both were uncomfortable imposing on others and politely declined.

After seeing them to the station, Lin Bing drove off.

At the station, they bought some local snacks, then boarded the bus home.

On the way back, Lin Xia leaned against the window and fell asleep. In her dream, vast fields of reeds stretched before her. In the setting sun, Chen Zi Mo’s profile and the swaying reed plumes merged, his face blurred by the backlight. It seemed she had never really seen his face clearly.

The scene stilled; birds flew across the sky—one, two, three, twelve…

Then dusk fell, and his face grew even more indistinct, until only a faint impression remained.

Desperate, Lin Xia tried to run, to wipe away the darkness, but her body wouldn’t obey.

The scene shifted. Suddenly, she was in a room, grand in style, its tones dark and masculine. She was in a man’s bedroom—the king-sized bed faced a huge floor-to-ceiling window. The pale gray curtains were drawn open; it was night, and nothing could be seen outside. Beyond, she was certain, lay the sea.

The sound of waves filled her ears, soothing as a mother’s embrace, as intimate as a lover’s whisper.

The bedroom door turned; the click of leather shoes on the floor. Above them, sharply pressed suit trousers; her gaze rose—an immaculate suit jacket.

The man’s hands were clean and slender, with well-shaped joints and neatly trimmed nails—the very hands Lin Xia found most attractive.

Those hands began to move, and her eyes followed. They reached for the jacket’s buttons, unfastened them, and tossed the coat onto the sofa. Then he pulled off his tie, and started undoing his cufflinks.

At this, Lin Xia felt her face grow hot—if she looked in a mirror, surely it would be crimson. Yet she couldn’t suppress a secret delight.

Was she truly this shameless at heart, with a voyeuristic streak?

While her mind raced, the cuffs were undone and the hands moved to his collar. The first button opened, revealing his neck—restrained desire melting into something heady and ambiguous.

The second button revealed a finely shaped collarbone.

A thunderous heartbeat roared in her ears; the sound of swallowing seemed magnified. Heat rose in her body.

Was this the seduction of a beautiful man?

Or perhaps the temptation of a beautiful man’s—

The third button came undone, and what had only been hinted at was now clear before her eyes.

Poor thing—though she’d dated a few times, she’d never seen a man’s body up close like this.

Wait—she still hadn’t seen his face.

Forcing herself, Lin Xia tried to drag her gaze from those rosy points upward—move, move!

But her eyes refused to obey; she kept staring at his chest.

While she struggled, the man had already unbuttoned his shirt entirely, exposing chiseled abs beneath.

Who would have thought? He was so well built—she was practically drooling.

Even without seeing his face, a man with such a physique was enough to fuel the wildest fantasies of any single woman.

But wait—where were those hands going now?

The belt…

Was he about to take off his pants?

Had she lost all her restraint?

Lin Xia panicked. What was happening? She didn’t even know this man, yet she was ogling him.

Wasn’t this a crime?

Finally, as his hand undid the belt, Lin Xia’s gaze slid up to his face.

When she finally saw it clearly, a cold sweat broke out all over her. With a cry, she woke up.

Opening her eyes, she was still on the long-distance bus, her father beside her enthusiastically recounting the day’s events to her mother over the phone.

Outside, familiar scenery rolled by—they were already nearing Rongcheng County.

Her stiff body relaxed, and she realized she was drenched in sweat, beads gathering on her forehead.

She dug a tissue from her bag, wiped her face, and checked the time—just half past six.

Summer nights were slow to fall; though it was already past six, the sun hung high, and the droning of cicadas drifted in and out of her consciousness.

Staring blankly out at the familiar landscape, Lin Xia was lost in thought until the chime of a text message startled her.

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First subscription, please… (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please subscribe, tip, and support me—your encouragement is my greatest motivation.)