ATLAS TRANSLATES

Despite some hiccups in the afternoon, the filming was completed smoothly. The crew had reserved several private rooms at a famous restaurant in Shen City for a gathering, celebrating the start of “Breaking Dawn”. Besides the production team, main cast, and investors’ representatives, there were also high-ranking officials from the Publicity Department, all people of status and position.

This private restaurant wasn’t too remote, located in a famous alley next to Lin City Road. The buildings there were slightly old, with red Western-style houses of varying heights, and narrow streets lined with many hidden, exquisite small bars. The key point was that there were many high-end establishments, with the right grade, style, and atmosphere, unaffordable for ordinary people. It was frequented by celebrities and dignitaries, so the security around was very strict, rarely leaking customer information.

Tang Xin leaned close to Fu Xueli’s ear and whispered, “See that? At the main table over there, the people Director Wu is entertaining, they’re all government officials.”

Fu Xueli nodded, saying “Oh” softly, picking at her fruit salad. In the center seat was a slightly plump middle-aged man who, despite being a bit overweight, looked very capable overall, not the type with a fat head and big belly. Next to him sat Bureau Chief Zhao, and next to him were several executives from Xing Entertainment in suits.

The dishes were delicious, and the big bosses were all eating with great enjoyment. The servers attending to them were mixed-blood from Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, making for quite a luxurious atmosphere.

After several rounds of drinks, Tang Xin nudged Fu Xueli’s arm, poured her a glass of wine, and gestured for her to go toast with the main cast of the crew.

“I’m not going,” Fu Xueli said languidly, resting her chin on her hand. After speaking indifferently, she slowly took another sip of wine.

Tang Xin pinched her thigh, “Now is not the time for you to play diva.”

“Ouch, easy,” Fu Xueli winced, shaking off her hand.

Her carefree and unhurried manner made Tang Xin close her eyes and take a deep breath, “I’m not lecturing you, this is just a normal courtesy activity, what are you throwing a tantrum about?”

“Not in the mood, wait a bit.”

“Forget it,” Tang Xin waved her phone, not bothering to manage her anymore.

There was a time when the internet was flooded with negative comments about Fu Xueli, accusing her of being a diva, ill-mannered, bad-tempered, and other negative remarks. But she didn’t care at all, continuing to do as she pleased. After a while, Tang Xin learned about Fu Xueli’s family background, which allowed her to be so willful.

Such an unyielding personality, never compromising, required substantial backing.

The atmosphere had become very lively. The second female lead was from Hong Kong and didn’t speak standard Mandarin very well, so she stayed close to Jiang Zhixing. Starting from the head table, they went around toasting one glass after another. Due to her young age, she gradually began to sway as she walked, her body unable to handle the continuous drinking.

After toasting half the circle, the work formalities were mostly done. Under Tang Xin’s suspicious gaze, Fu Xueli casually picked up a glass of wine and naturally joined the toasting group, following them towards a corner in the northwest.

“We outsiders are really grateful for the guidance of you insiders today, thank you very much,” Jiang Zhixing led the way, poised and graceful, naturally filling a glass of wine.

As the private room door opened, Liu Jingbo and his group all stood up. His eyes quickly scanned the room, briefly pausing for a few seconds on Fu Xueli, who was leaning against a carved wooden rack.

She was really thin, even smaller in person than on TV or in photos. Her bones were delicate, her chin pointed, her earrings were hard, cold jade, a deep green. Very feminine, but with heavy dark circles under her eyes.

The arrival of the big stars made these burly men feel honored. These were all big shots long in the public eye, and they, as ordinary people, had never had such face. They downed half a glass of white wine in one go.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Jiang Zhixing let them sit down. As the two groups were chatting, just about to leave, a lazy female voice came from the side, “—Wait.”

Fu Xueli paused for a while, waiting until everyone’s eyes were on her before speaking slowly, “Officer Xu, right?”

Someone patted Xu Xingchun’s shoulder, and he tilted his head slightly, hearing a whisper, “Fu Xueli is looking at you.”

Fu Xueli and Xu Xingchun locked eyes across the lively dinner table. She had drunk a bit, her face slightly flushed, her skin glowing like mutton-fat jade under the lights. She swayed gracefully, elegant and alluring, her gaze fixed directly on him, one hand supporting herself on the table. “Thank you for this afternoon’s matter. Give me face and have a drink?”

After she spoke, there was a moment of silence. Some people’s expressions froze, others looked dumbfounded.

Not knowing how much he had drunk before, Xu Xingchun’s gaze was deep and reserved, but unusually revealing a bit of lazy nonchalance. Watching her, though his expression was indifferent, it gave off a kind of relaxed sexiness.

To outsiders, Xu Xingchun seemed to have an agreeable temperament. Although he was quite cold inside despite his warm exterior, at least when his bottom line wasn’t crossed, he was easy to get along with and talk to.

Being so unfriendly as today was quite rare.

But to remain so calm when being toasted by such a beautiful woman was also truly admirable.

Seeing he didn’t move, Fu Xueli laughed coldly and walked over. She picked up a bottle of wine from the nearby table, holding the bottle in one hand and a glass in the other. In front of him, she tilted her head slightly and poured the wine.

The clear liquid flowed out steadily, slowly filling the glass. As the foam was about to overflow, she didn’t stop, until a bit spilled onto his clothes and pants.

Xu Xingchun’s cold hand quickly and accurately gripped her wrist, and he stood up, pushing back his chair.

“Are you going to drink or not?” Fu Xueli shook off his hand, staring at him intensely.

Someone came to support her, saying, “Xueli’s drunk and getting worked up.”

“Haha, you’re quite lucky with the ladies, Xingchun.” The brief commotion ended lightly with someone’s joke.

Back at her own table, Fu Xueli was seething inside, feeling both wretched and angry, so she started drinking one glass after another.

From the next table came the incessant low chatter of two young women.

Someone was crying softly.

“Don’t cry, you’re not worth it. You were so good to him back then, and he didn’t cherish it at all. He’ll never find another fool who treats him as well as you did. He’s the one who should be crying.”

“You just wait, he’ll come begging on his knees for you soon enough.”

This made Fu Xueli laugh out loud. But the frustration in her chest was stifling.

She had deliberately drunk too much at the table, and soon her stomach started to react. Fighting the nausea, she went to the bathroom to throw up once. When she came out, her feet felt like cotton, and she staggered a few more steps. Stumbling, she rushed to the side of the main hall, leaning against a tree trunk, continuously dry heaving, her whole body shaking.

Her body felt like it was on fire, but there was a block of ice in her heart.

Gradually feeling her strength leaving her, unable to control her body from sliding down, she was suddenly supported from behind, someone holding her arms.

Even in her dizziness, she could feel the pain from the strength of the grip.

It was so tight her bones hurt.

Fu Xueli’s ears turned red, her mind foggy. After searching for words for a long time, she couldn’t come up with anything to say. Only one thought echoed in her mind.

—She knew Xu Xingchun couldn’t resist.

This was also her last conscious thought before blacking out.

In the sweet air of early summer, the night breeze rustled, softly stirring, slowly wafting the scent of fruit wine. Outside the long corridor was laid with bluestone slabs, with dark, flowing lights all around.

The moonlight was pale and faint. Not far away at a street corner, an inconspicuous Audi was parked.

The car’s engine was off. Fu Xueli’s gaze was unfocused, her cheeks hot. Lying on the seat, her crepe silk spaghetti strap dress had slipped down, revealing a hint of her chest line, her eyes unconsciously coquettish. Her hair was fragrant, unintentionally seeming like a tease.

Fingers slowly and gently brushed across her lips.

Her mind separated from her body. She closed her eyes, knowing she would fall asleep, not caring who was beside her.

She hadn’t slept well for the past few days. The heavy drowsiness mixed with the effects of alcohol made her feel sleepy and dizzy.

Her senses remained blurry, not knowing how much time had passed. As consciousness gradually returned, Fu Xueli felt groggy, but vaguely sensed something was not right.

Both her arms were unnaturally twisted, entangled, unable to break free.

It hurt a bit.

This awkward position was maintained for quite a while.

She suddenly woke up with a start—

She had been handcuffed!

The cold touch of silver, flashing with a chilly gleam. Not a sex toy, but real handcuffs.

Raising her bound wrists, confirming with her eyes, her mind exploded.

What the fuck?!

What’s going on?!

It was pitch dark, with no one around, and she didn’t know where Xu Xingchun had gone, leaving her alone in the passenger seat, not to mention handcuffed. She was so scared she sobered up instantly. Struggling, Fu Xueli broke out in a cold sweat, only then realizing the car door wasn’t fully closed. She kicked it open with one foot, using too much force, her high heels flying off.

Just as her foot touched the ground, she turned her head and met Xu Xingchun’s gaze. In the vast darkness, with fading light, he sat on a bench not far away, half his face immersed in unfathomable darkness, his nose straight, his lips pale red. His expression was silent.

Their eyes met, and she first felt relieved, her body unconsciously retreating half a step. For a moment, she didn’t know what to say, anger and questions stuck in her throat.

He watched her intently. His gaze didn’t move a bit.

In the dim night, blending with the faint neon lights, it was hazy. Xu Xingchun looked docile, but his eyes were sickly, like a quietly, faintly burning dark fire. Ordinary people would find it oppressive, so he only revealed this to her when no one else was around.

Fu Xueli gave up struggling, the feeling in her heart indescribable.

Xu Xingchun’s current gaze and expression were too familiar to her.

So familiar that when she thought about it, her heart skipped a beat, and she dared not move.

Xu Xingchun was on the edge of losing control.

She watched as he stood up.

Step by step, he approached.

Fu Xueli remained obedient, not daring to breathe.

Xu Xingchun crouched down, gripping her bare calf. His other hand held her ankle tightly as he knelt on one knee. Despite his usual germaphobia, he didn’t seem to mind the dirt at all as he helped her put on the high heels that had fallen to the side, his movements gentle and meticulous, excessively careful.

His fingertips, as if they had just been immersed in crushed ice, slid from her ankle over her foot, across the beads and sequins on the shoe’s surface.

This scene, when it met her eyes, had a somewhat violent and erotic feel to it, making her shudder.

“Fu Xueli, how drunk are you, really?” he asked in a low voice. Just one sentence, in the enduring silence, seemed to have been chewed over and over between his lips and teeth.