"You mean the villa in the western suburbs?" Feng Hao's expression shifted slightly, and he silently cursed that surnamed Wang for being bewitched by lust. The man hadn't even gotten his hands on her yet, and he'd already given away a villa. Sure, it was on the outskirts, and sure, it was in a development from over a decade ago, but it was still a three-hundred-square-meter townhouse. Even now, it was worth at least five or six million—truly a lavish, extravagant gesture.
Thinking this, a fierce jealousy rose in Feng Hao's heart. But then he reconsidered: Mayor Wang's family had died tragically, and he himself was locked up in a mental hospital. Why bother competing with him?
What good were wealth and power if you couldn't enjoy them?
With these bitter thoughts, a smug smile crept uncontrollably across Feng Hao's lips. If Mayor Wang were still in power, he wouldn't dare harass Qu Jiaojiao. But alas, heh, a madman couldn't compete with a sane man.
Seeing Qu Jiaojiao nod, Feng Hao's mind grew even more active.
Why is she bringing this up to me? Could it be she wants me to go with her...
As if reading his thoughts, Qu Jiaojiao gave a charming smile. "Speaking of which, that villa's been empty for over a year. I've been thinking of tidying it up lately, and if the heat dies down, I'd better sell it off. I was planning to take the day off today and ask Manager Feng to come with me to check it out. If you think it's bad luck, then Jiaojiao will go alone."
With that, she stood up, making as if to leave.
Feng Hao had been playing hard to get and couldn't bear to let her actually go. He immediately rose, putting on a serious face. "I'm a grown man, what do I have to fear from bad luck? Besides, that place is so remote—how could I let you go alone? It's too unsafe. What if something happens!"
He pretended to ponder. "How about I drive you over?"
"How could I impose like that?" Qu Jiaojiao feigned shyness, but inwardly she cursed, "Liar!"
"Between colleagues, helping each other is only right. What's there to be shy about?" Feng Hao was thrilled. Seeing that Qu Jiaojiao hadn't refused, he was overjoyed and his mind raced with guesses. Could it be that, having lost Mayor Wang as her sugar daddy, this little beauty was looking for a new patron?
That's it—this woman wants to find a new backer, and she'll need me to make introductions. Qu Jiaojiao, Qu Jiaojiao, you think you can hide your little schemes from me?
Come to think of it, wasn't it me who set things up when Mayor Wang first took a liking to her?
As long as I hold onto that, how can she not give in?
Just as Feng Hao was secretly gloating, Qu Jiaojiao changed the subject. "But there's one thing I have to be honest about. That neighborhood isn't just unlucky—there've been rumors of hauntings lately."
"Hauntings?" Feng Hao was momentarily stunned. Gazing into Qu Jiaojiao's beautiful big eyes, he felt a surge of blood rush to his head and couldn't help thumping his chest. "Jiaojiao, what are you getting at? Are you testing me? Your Hao Ge has never known the meaning of fear."
"Hehe, I just thought of it and mentioned it casually. Hao Ge is so brave, how could a few rumors scare you? I'll go get ready. Hao Ge, I'll wait for you to get off work tonight."
That last coquettish remark nearly made Feng Hao lose his composure. "A beauty that ruins nations"—that's exactly the kind of woman this is, he cursed inwardly, but his face was all smiles. "No problem."
As soon as she left the manager's office, Qu Jiaojiao's expression turned icy. She went to the restroom and scrubbed hard at the skin Zhang Hao had brushed against, whether intentionally or not.
Taking a deep breath, she saw in the mirror a face full of resentment, like a beautiful grim reaper.
--
Caressing her own lovely face and delicate skin, Qu Jiaojiao couldn't help sighing. She remembered when she first came to Haicheng, barely seventeen. A few naive young girls, dreaming of making big money and snagging rich men, were easily tricked by sweet talk into this place that devoured people without spitting out bones. They ended up as what people scornfully called "hostesses." Back then, they naively thought the job was just drinking and singing with clients, raking in piles of cash effortlessly, then returning home in triumph.
It wasn't until one of her sisters, drunk and crying, was shoved into a black business van that Qu Jiaojiao suddenly sensed something was wrong. After three anxious days of waiting, the girl was sent back, trembling all over. No matter how much Qu Jiaojiao and the others pressed her, she just shook her head with tears in her eyes, refusing to say a word.
Later, they heard that when she was bathing, they saw bruises and scars all over her body.
Qu Jiaojiao was sharp-witted. While the other girls were still confused and guessing, she already knew what kind of place she was trapped in. In front of clients, she read their moods and maneuvered cleverly. Over time, her reputation grew, and among the wealthy, she became something of a star. As her fame rose, her clients became increasingly rich and powerful. The more aloof she acted, the more obsessed her suitors became.
Feng Hao and Mayor Wang were just two of them. Different in status and position, but essentially no different.
And Qu Jiaojiao gladly accepted their lavish gifts. Things she once thought she'd never attain in a lifetime were now easily within her grasp.
If not for one later incident, she might never have gotten drawn into the Creepy Radio and become one of its listeners.
"Jiaojiao, is this the place?"
A voice beside her pulled Qu Jiaojiao back to reality. Looking up, she saw a row of low buildings nestled against the mountain. One of them was the "sincere gift" Mayor Wang had given her.
Pulling out the key and opening the door, the two stepped into the spacious yet somewhat chilly house. It had three floors, each over a hundred square meters. Qu Jiaojiao turned on the lights as she went, and the long-dark garden villa finally blazed with brilliant colors under the night sky.
The dazzling lights, the vast space, and the high-end decor left Feng Hao stunned. He could never earn a house like this in his lifetime, yet now Qu Jiaojiao was its owner.
Even though its previous owner had met a violent death, a fierce jealousy still surged in Feng Hao's heart.
He had made up his mind: he would use every trick in the book to win over this beautiful woman before him!
To get both the money and the girl!
--
PS: Still typing away at the hotel, updating a bit late.