Peach blossom luck? Looking at Stein's lewd expression and then at Chloe, I immediately understood what he meant.
Stein tactfully said, "You two talk," then returned to the tattoo parlor and closed the door, making it obvious he expected me to spend the night at Chloe's.
"I missed you."
As soon as Stein left, Chloe shyly approached and took my hand.
I scratched my head and laughed awkwardly, which made Chloe giggle. "You're a grown man," she said. "Why are you so shy? We've already... you know."
"'You know'? Know what?" I asked teasingly.
"You're terrible!" Chloe playfully swatted at me, and this lighthearted banter continued all the way back to her place.
After our first time together, we'd become much less reserved. The moment we entered Chloe's home, we embraced and kissed.
But something felt strange. As we kissed, I noticed a slight tingling sensation on my tongue. I abruptly pushed Chloe away and stared at her suspiciously.
"Did you drug me?" I asked, frowning in disbelief.
This made no sense - Chloe would never hurt me!
Chloe's lips curled into a smug smile as she grabbed a tissue and wiped the lipstick from her mouth.
Suddenly I understood - the lipstick was the problem. I'd been affected the moment we kissed. This had been premeditated.
Would Chloe really harm me? I refused to believe it. What could she possibly want?
Then it hit me. My expression darkened as I demanded, "You're not Chloe. Who are you really?"
The woman before me looked identical to Chloe, but there were subtle differences. The real Chloe had a more voluptuous figure and was slightly shorter.
Chloe stood about 5'8", while this woman was at least 5'7". Those two centimeters normally wouldn't be noticeable, but now the discrepancy was obvious.
"Impressive detection!" the woman said. "You know, you and your grandfather are completely different. I don't know what that old man was thinking, only teaching you the Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts. But I've discovered one advantage you have - your mind might be even sharper than your grandfather's."
As she spoke, she reached for her chin and began peeling at the skin.
After a few moments, she grabbed the flesh beneath her chin and - with a sickening tear - ripped away an entire layer of skin.
"Transfiguration? You're Nuwa's Forsaken Shade?" I exclaimed. I hadn't realized such techniques truly existed outside of novels and television.
"Correct," Nuwa's Forsaken Shade replied with a sinister smile. "Fortunately, I knew all about you and that little bitch. Otherwise, capturing you wouldn't have been so easy."
Despicable! This vile woman is truly despicable. I should have found a way to eliminate her when I had the chance.
"What did you do to Chloe?" I gasped, struggling to speak. Whatever drug this wretched woman had given me was taking effect - my limbs felt numb, my speech slurred, and a burning sensation seared through my eyes and chest like fire.
Was I going to die here? How careless of me to fall into this bitch's trap. Only because it had appeared to be Chloe had I let my guard down. With anyone else, she might not have succeeded in poisoning me.
"Don't worry, your precious is right here." Nuwa's Forsaken Shade opened a cabinet to reveal the real Chloe lying unconscious inside.
"I won't kill her - I don't need to. So rest easy," Nuwa's Forsaken Shade continued.
I stared at her suspiciously. "What do you really want?"
With a sneer, Nuwa's Forsaken Shade began removing her clothes one by one.
I quickly shut my eyes as she stood completely naked before me, exposing everything.
"Well? What do you say?"
Even with my eyes closed, I could feel her hot breath as she lay down beside me.
"Fuck off!" I tried to roar, but the words came out weak and trembling, my tongue nearly numb.
"Can't escape. Mr. Lam is abroad on business. I've finally gotten free from his control and removed the ring from my body. That old man wants a child? I'll give him one." Her seductive laughter sent chills down my spine.
My heart clenched as I realized her plan - revenge against both me and Mr. Lam. Getting pregnant with my child would torture us both simultaneously. What a ruthless, two-pronged attack.
This woman's mind was truly twisted - what kind of person devises such scorpion-like schemes?
"If I carry your child, will you tattoo Qiongqi for me? Refuse, and I'll kill the baby." She pressed closer, resting her head on my chest.
"I told you - a Qiongqi tattoo means certain death. That ancient beast's power is unstoppable. Do you want to die? Fine. Give me the antidote, and I'll tattoo you now."
If she wanted death, I'd oblige. Better than being forced into her bed.
Truth be told, Nuwa's Forsaken Shade wasn't unattractive - her mature charm could stir any man's desire. But I wanted nothing to do with this poisonous woman, let alone sleep with her.
"The tattoo can wait. Tonight... you belong to me," Nuwa's Forsaken Shade whispered.
I was puzzled. Why? If this Nuwa's Forsaken Shade really wanted a man, with her skills and appearance she could easily find one. Why go through all this trouble to target me? Was it about tattooing Qiongqi? I could have helped her with that.
Nuwa's Forsaken Shade chuckled softly in my ear and, without another word, rolled over and pressed down on me.
...
When I fully woke up, it was early morning. Nuwa's Forsaken Shade sat on the edge of the bed, fully dressed, watching me with interest as she buttoned her shirt.
"Last night... we..." I clutched my head, struggling to remember clearly. The drug had taken effect, making my memory fuzzy... There was definitely something wrong with whatever she had given me.
Had I actually talked with this woman last night...?
Nuwa's Forsaken Shade said, "I enjoyed last night. Your grandfather had quite the sense of humor - getting that funny tattoo on your... there."
Me: "..."
Was something wrong with this Nuwa's Forsaken Shade? What nonsense was she saying? I'd never gotten a tattoo there. What tattoo?
"Compared to you, that old man was complete trash. Still, I could only take advantage of you this once. How about teaming up with me to kill Mr. Lam? Then I'll be yours forever." Nuwa's Forsaken Shade suddenly tried to recruit me.
I scoffed. "Who cares? It's still taking advantage. Get lost - I won't work with someone like you."
Besides, Mr. Lam didn't need killing. After tattooing him with the Child-Bestowing Guanyin, he had at most a year to live - something Nuwa's Forsaken Shade didn't know.
"Oh... don't worry. I'll be back. After all, men with your... special qualities are rare." Nuwa's Forsaken Shade finished dressing and, instead of using the door, leaped toward the window.
This was the fifth floor. A jump like that would cripple if not kill me. But when I looked out the window, she was already gone.
I frowned, at a loss for words. This woman was seriously creepy.
After Nuwa's Forsaken Shade left, my mind was in chaos. Things were complicated now. What if she really got pregnant?
Should I...? Maybe...? Just once - it couldn't be that easy, could it?
Next time she showed up, I couldn't let myself be drugged again. Getting pregnant wasn't that simple.
I got dressed, then carried Chloe out from the closet and slapped her awake.
Chloe opened her hazel eyes and looked at me confusedly, scratching her head. "How did you get here?"
Of course I didn't tell her what happened. Instead I made up an excuse: "I missed you and came to check. Your door was open and you were passed out on the floor."
Chloe scratched her head again. "That's weird. I was live streaming and suddenly passed out. Don't remember anything."
"You were probably too tired," I said. "Get some rest. I'll come back to see you when I can."
Just then, Chloe suddenly hugged my arm, her face shy. "Since you're here... don't leave tonight. Stay with me."
What the hell!