Forced Possession

Xu Nuo had lived abroad for five years, and had always known that Tangren Street had a local kingpin, a Chinese man everyone called Mr. Shan.

They said Mr. Shan commanded countless forces, and wherever he went, everyone treated him with respect and fear. Rumor had it he was bloodthirsty, wearing the face of a bodhisattva while doing the work of a demon.

Then Xu Nuo met him once.

That night, rain poured down. One of his men had suffered a knife wound, and a crowd of his people swarmed into the little clinic where she worked, demanding in menacing tones that she come treat the injury.

Xu Nuo was a little frightened. It was then that the man appeared:

A cigarette between his lips, he walked in from outside, holding a large black umbrella. His finely tailored cashmere coat made him look tall and slender.

The clinic had been in an uproar, but once the man entered, everyone fell silent of their own accord.

He seemed completely unassuming. Smiling, he walked over and looked Xu Nuo up and down.

A moment later, a warm, amused voice sounded beside her ear. "This little monkey's tough as nails, Doctor. Stitch him up without worrying about a thing."

At the time, Xu Nuo didn't know he was the feared Mr. Shan from the rumors. She just thought he was affable, with a lovely smile.

Later, on another rainy night, the man appeared at the clinic again.

He was carrying bags and bags of premium baby formula and all kinds of baby supplies.

With her back to him, Xu Nuo made tea. Before long, his deep, mellow voice sounded behind her. "Have you thought about what I asked you before?"

Xu Nuo's hands froze. For a long moment, she didn't answer.

The man seemed to sigh. In an instant, his tall figure loomed over Xu Nuo, almost completely enveloping her from behind.

"You know what I'm like. I'm best at quietly clipping other people's wings. If I wanted to, I could make you accept your fate in any number of ways."

His hand covered hers as it trembled faintly, and his voice remained as elegant and gentle as ever:

"Don't make me do it."

-

[Bonus Scene]

After they became a couple, Zhou Shanting's friends invited him to go out drinking again later that night.

He smiled, fiddling with Xu Nuo's fingers as he replied carelessly, "No. I've been learning some new things lately, so I'll need to set aside some time tonight to practice."

Xu Nuo instantly thought of the man's cool, pale fingertips, damp every night lately, and her cheeks warmed.

"Shameless."

She muttered it very quietly, but he still heard.

"What do I need a face for?"

He smiled and kissed her fingers, then leaned toward her ear, unhurried. "All I need is you."

Beautiful, honest woman × beast in human skin, cunning old fox

Coercive romance, an old flame rekindled

Theme: Live well