My head... hurts so much...
My body feels like it's falling apart... and there's a familiar scent...
Why does it feel... so warm down there...
Lin slowly propped himself up, poking his head out from under the covers. The dim room before him was filled with double vision. He sat on the bed for a moment, bewildered and lost.
"Mmh..."
A soft moan made Lin freeze instantly. A flood of frantic memories rushed into his mind. His face lost all color as he looked toward his side in terror.
A mane of long hair, as fragrant as aged red wine, gave off a sweet scent. A satisfied smile played on a serene, beautiful face. The eyes that had been watching Lin since they opened narrowed with pleasure. Upon seeing that Lin had noticed her, she revealed a mischievous smile that would never appear on a screen anywhere in the world. Her golden pupils, full of noble aura, watched Lin as she gently moved her body under the covers.
Shiver—
Lin trembled, but not from the cold. He frantically pulled the covers up and retreated, but his heart nearly stopped when he saw the state of things beneath the blanket.
Attached to the burgundy stockings—the only thing she hadn't taken off—were many colorful "balloons" filled with the "fruits of labor." And on the bed, there were many more identical "balloons," some not even tied properly, letting their contents leak out.
Lin chaotic brain finally finished organizing the memories of the frantic, runaway-train-like events from yesterday to now. The elegant and magnificent lady also rose and pulled her hair back. She picked up an empty box from the bedside table and shook it at the terrified Lin with a smile, speaking with the heavenly voice that her fans adored:
"They're all used up, my friend... you know what needs to be done, right?"
All of this started from yesterday, from his reunion with this "childhood playmate."
...
Lin arrived at the hospital's hot water station to get a cup of hot water for Yama. He was in a very cheerful mood. Now, he had not only escaped the shadows of the past but also had a girlfriend and could live a normal life. And the two of them shared some small interests... cough cough... but it was much better than before. Perhaps it was a case of the person being right even if the actions were questionable.
Click, clack, click...
The sound of high heels on the hospital floor was very familiar. Lin glanced casually, but that one look made him turn his head back in shock, unable to look away.
"Eden?"
That graceful, walking figure shouldn't be here. Eden gave Lin an intoxicating smile. "Long time no see, my friend."
A flash of vigilance and suspicion crossed Lin eyes, but he masked it well. He also put on a familiar smile. "What are you doing here? Don't you have a tour this month?"
"A friend of mine is hospitalized. I came to visit her. I didn't expect to run into you. It really has been several years since we last met."
Eden's flawless answer left Lin unable to find a fault. He thought so too; Eden hadn't seen him in years. Ever since she decided to pursue the path of a singer, she had been busy all over the world. There was no reason for her to be a threat to him. But Lin still kept a guard up.
"What a coincidence. My girlfriend is also hospitalized. I'm here taking care of her."
"Girlfriend?" Eden was slightly surprised, then smiled composedly. "Congratulations. You used to complain to me over the phone about how you were so handsome yet had no girlfriend. This time, you've gotten your wish?"
Lin saw no abnormality in Eden's expression. Her sincere blessing for her friend's happiness didn't seem faked.
"Which ward is your friend in?" Lin breathed a sigh of relief, secretly cursing himself for being paranoid. How could a friend like Eden, whom he hadn't seen in years, be like those other people? Eden smiled and gave him a number.
Lin expression froze when he heard that number. Because that was Yama ward.
"Did you remember it wrong?" Lin asked the composed Eden with a dry laugh. "That one is..."
"I hired her to save you."
Lin felt a cold sensation surge from his tailbone up to his head. He instinctively took a step back, feeling terrified of Eden's elegant smile. It was happening again. This time, Lin feeling was not a mistake, and Eden didn't bother hiding it either. She "licked" Lin from head to toe with her gaze, as if admiring a work of art.
No... here... she couldn't make a move here. This was a hospital, not one of those previous times where they were alone and vulnerable. He didn't need to be afraid.
So Lin calmed himself and said coldly, "Thank you. As for Yama reward, I'll decline it on her behalf. She shouldn't need it anymore."
He had to sever the connection. Lin believed he had no weaknesses this time; the previous situations where he was helpless wouldn't happen again.
"Is that so? But I still want to thank her properly." Eden slowly stepped forward. Lin immediately retreated warily, but she acted as if she didn't see it, taking out her phone from her pocket.
"Don't come any closer. I have intermittent explosive disorder right now. If you get closer, I can't guarantee what will happen next."
"Don't worry. I just want you to see something. Believe me, you'll want to talk to me after you see it." Eden's magnanimous manner made Lin want to flee even more.
"Don't even think about it." Lin turned to leave, leaving even the cup behind.
But the next second, the words from Eden's cherry lips made him stop dead in his tracks. "This is related to your little girlfriend too~ Is it okay even if these things are spread on the internet? She is still a girl, after all."
Don't look, don't look, don't look...
Lin wanted to leave without looking back, but the familiar voice from the phone forced him to turn around—
Watching Lin stunned expression with satisfaction, Eden toyed with her hair, her lips curling into a smile. "Unless I promptly send a message to about forty people worldwide, these things will be circulated and reported by websites and media across the globe."
"So, are you willing to 'talk' with me now, my friend?" The drawn-out ending sent Lin falling into the abyss.
...
"Hm? Lin, you're back?"
Yama was sitting on the hospital bed flipping through a book. She was a graduate student, so she still read professional books and completed some projects in her spare time. Looking up to see Lin walk into the ward, she gave a warm smile, like a wife welcoming her husband home.
Seeing her like this, Lin pale face lost even more color.
"Eh? Who is this?" Yama looked at the woman who came in with him. That outstanding appearance made her think for a moment, then she said in surprise, "Are you... Eden?"
This was a global superstar; why was she here?
"Yes, hello. I am a friend of Lin. We met by chance and I came to visit his girlfriend." Eden's polite and approachable smile easily won Yama favor.
"He's actually friends with you? That's great! Could I get an autograph? A good friend of mine is a fan of yours."
"Of course, no problem... however, we have some business and need to head out for a bit."
"Business?"
Behind Lin back, where Yama couldn't see, Eden placed her hand on Lin waist and slowly slid it down. He trembled as it reached inside his clothes, but he could only give Yama a strained smile. "Yes, some... very important business. But I'll be back tomorrow."
"Okay, I'll wait for you." Yama smile pierced Lin heart.
...
When they reached the underground parking lot, Eden hugged Lin from behind. She leaned her head on his shoulder, took a deep breath, and let her hands wander over him recklessly. Lin gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, remaining silent.
"It's okay, I won't force you. It doesn't matter even if you walk away right now." Eden's finger, as beautiful as a sculpture, brushed across Lin chin. "But... you don't want her reputation to be ruined and for her to lose everything she needs to stand in society, do you?"
Lin fingers relaxed. He let Eden drag him into the car, comforting himself in his mind. It's okay, it's okay. Just think of it as sleeping and it'll be over... this is just a deal...