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nTranslator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

n“I came from a poor family, where my parents hardly cared about me and just simply left me to my devices. I was also bad at studying, so I stopped schooling and started working as a dishwasher at an early age. It was by chance that I met a man who claimed to be a talent scout and asked me if I wanted to sign on their modeling agency with my good looks. I agreed right away the moment I heard about the attractive pay. I felt out of place in that industry, though. My impression of models are those who catwalk on a traverse stage internationally, but the models from my agency are more like high-class social escorts with clearly stated prices.”

nWhat the ladycop heard rendered her speechless. “Clearly stated prices?”

n“That’s right. Dining, accompanying, and sleeping with a client have their respective prices. Those with better looks and figures will get chosen by the rich clients, while those with passable looks will be forced to have cosmetic surgery under the agency’s arrangements. Isn’t that as good as wh*ring oneself?”

n“What happened to you, then?” she probed. “Did you escape?”

n“I didn’t dare to do so.” Meng Qingxue laughed. “My foolish self signed a contract with the agency, so I’d be facing a huge penalty if I were to flee or break the contract. Besides, the modeling agency is backed and controlled by the mafia. There’s this model, two years older than I am, who tried to escape from the company but was eventually caught and brought back by the mafia. Word has it that her limbs were broken, making her a cripple.”

nAn inexplicable surge of fury rose within the policewoman. “That’s too much of them!”

n“Yeah. A foul heart lies beneath their skin, and I was too naïve for my own good. I met him for the first time at a meal gathering… To tell you the truth, he’s tall and handsome with a good figure and looks better than many other male celebs. I kept sneaking glances at him throughout, and he, too, noticed me. That’s how we eventually got together.”

n“What happened next?”

n“At that time, I didn’t know who he was. All I knew was that he’s a very capable man; it took him only a phone call to free me from the control of the modeling agency after he found out that I had financial commitments with them. I basically worshipped him like a hero. Perhaps, I’ve already been hopelessly in love with him back then, too. I initially thought that he’s just a rich man’s son, and it’s only much later that I came to know his true identity. After a relentless, passionate pursuit from him, I agreed to become his girlfriend, hoping that we could be together forever. At that time, I was an avid reader of romance novels, so I thought love in the real world is as simple as how it is in stories—as long we love one another, we will be lovers for life—but…”

nHer voice trailed off as disappointment surfaced on her face. “His gentle and considerate treatment did not apply only to me. I have the simplest dream about love and relationship, whereas he has his views. Being a possessive man, he prefers women who are docile and obedient, so I’d always try my best to behave, not making things difficult for him or acting all unreasonable. Sometimes, when he got busy, I wouldn’t receive any calls from him for several days in a row. All I did was patiently wait until he’s free to give me a call, but… I later found out that he has other women besides me.”

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