Cruel Romance - Chapter 3.2

He reached his hand out and pulled, Jin Xiu couldn’t react in time, falling deeply into his arms.

“Like this, face to face and stand properly, left hand on me, right hand around my waist.” He taught her step by step, “Don’t look down. Take a step forward, and another, then one step back. Right, just like this, even if you don’t know it’s fine, just go with the flow.”

Jin Xiu was at a loss, “So this is considered dancing?”

Zuo Zhen had fully shown his patience. “Basically, you can say so. But the man you’re facing is not me, if he likes to pinch your butt or thighs or even fondle your chest, usually this is also considered part of dancing.”

Jin Xiu’s face turned pale.

Zuo Zhen let go of her, as she looked as though her soul had left her, omitting some of the even more ugly truths. “Go back and practice in front of the mirror. And, this set of clothes, they might be suitable for visiting your relatives but don’t wear it to the dance hall. After you wash your face, at least put on some rouge and powder, don’t go around with a pale face, which man would be interested in you?”

Jin Xiu’s face turned even more green. She needed to arrange for clothes, accessories and makeup? Gosh, she hadn’t even earned a cent.

“There are many ways of dealing with men, I’m not an expert but I can teach you two things, “One, if he touches or fondles you, you cannot retaliate, maintain a smile on your face; if you spoil of the mood of the customer, the reputation of Bai Le Men will be soiled by you. Second, if he doesn’t fancy you, don’t throw yourself at him, if you wish to be the most popular at Bai Le Men, knowing how to leave a man hanging is of utmost importance.”

Saying this, Zuo Zhen couldn’t keep his laughter in anymore, “I really don’t know if you’re the one working as a dancer girl, or me. To think that in this lifetime, I can teach someone about this.” The way he was acting now, was no different from a pimp, sending Jin Xiu to Bai Le Men, was definitely a mistake. To think that she still looked so tenacious.

Zuo Zhen sighed again, while pulling Jin Xiu to her feet, “Let’s go and dance downstairs. I’ll help you make an appearance.”

****************

The first dance in Jin Xiu’s life was this very one with Zuo Zhen.

Instead of calling it a dance, it would be more accurate to say that Zuo Zhen took her on a stroll. Totally disregarding the steps and styles, only moving about on the same place, even so, Jin Xiu still perspired.

For some reason, all eyes were on them, and Jin Xiu felt goosebumps raising all over her body. She thought that it was probably because of Zuo Zhen, those people must have recognized him. Raising her head to look at Zuo Zhen, he was so calm and collected, so comfortably at ease, as though there was no one around, Jin Xiu’s panic and distress also seemed to fade away.

Zuo Zhen cam down for this dance, was purely to help Jin Xiu make an appearance. He didn’t like such stuff, he usually visited Bai Le Men for liquor, gambling and women, very rarely did he go to the dance floor. With regards to take advantage of women during dancing, he only felt disdain. It wasn’t as though he had no money to get women, why take take advantage of these ladies?

In his arms, Jin Xiu felt so nervous that she became very stiff. Like a puppet, even her legs could not bend, not even daring to breathe loudly. Her head was so low that it was already buried in his chest. Occasionally she raised her head to take a look at him but fearfully like a thief. What exactly was she afraid of?

“You’re about to rip my clothes.” While smoking, Zuo Zhen casually reminded Jin Xiu, “Relax your hand, alright?”

“Oh, sorry sorry.” Jin Xiu kept apologizing.

The ash, fell in sync with Zuo Zhen’s words, fell off Jin Xiu’s sleeves, scalding her hand that was placed on Zuo Zhen’s arm.

“Aiyo!” Jin Xiu got a shock, her steps were a mess and she stepped on Zuo Zhen. The anger she felt at her stupidity almost drove her to the grave.

Zuo Zhen instead hurriedly lifted her hand and blew off the ash, “Did you burn yourself?”

Jin Xiu replied, “It’s fine. But I stepped on you again, really…”

Jin Xiu rubbed the scaled spot, “Thankfully, it didn’t hurt you.”

After letting go, Zuo Zhen realized that when he touched Jin Xiu, her skin was smooth and a little cool, that soft and cool feeling, stay in the heart of his palm, causing an unexpected slight twinge in his heart.

Zuo Zhen threw away the half smoked cigarette, stepped on it to put it out, place his hands around Jin Xiu again, the song was not over yet. But upon getting close to her again, he realized that she was practically enveloped in his arms, it was just too intimate. Jin Xiu still lowered her head, Zuo Zhen could see the back of her snow white neck when he looked down, her supple skin, smooth black hair, the light scent drifting from her…Zuo Zhen suddenly loosened his hands, backing away.

This was the woman that he had sent to Ying Dong, in fact she so innocently believed in him, relying on his aid. But what was he doing now, and at her most vulnerable. To treat a naive and silly girl this way?

“What’s wrong,” Jin Xiu looked at him uneasily, “I made a mistake, right?” Zuo Zhen’s expression looked bad.

“Just take your time, slowly.” He forced his words out, “I have something on, I’ve got to leave.” He turned and only after taking a few steps, walked back again, “I’ll ask someone to send some items to you, you’re not familiar with Shanghai, don’t got out by yourself to shop.”

Jin Xiu looked at his back view, depressingly lowering her head. Looked like Zuo Zhen no longer had the patience to deal with her. What could he have on, it must be to go upstairs, back into the arms of those ladies. Ever since she arrived in Shanghai, Jin Xiu realized how stupid and old-fashioned she was. Looking at all the Shanghai beauties, indifferent like cats, charming like silk, why was she awkwardly in the middle? But she was so anxious, was earning money to support herself so difficult? To let Ying Dong notice and acknowledge her existence was a far and unreachable extravagance. Only a day had passed and Zuo Zhen’s underlings had already sent those items over, his so called “a little” something. Gosh! Was this just “some” things? That could fill two large boxes? It was not as though it was her dowry, just some clothes to wear in front of Ying Dong, was it necessary to go to such lengths, poplin, satin, brocade, velvet, dress, dresses, evening dresses, jackets, and coats as well as cloaks, all sorts of colors and styles, plus entire sets of makeup and perfumes, western rose creams, lipstick pencils and several expensive jewellery.

Jin Xiu was surprised, the beds and covers were covered with clothes and the measurements were perfect, as though they were tailor made for her. How on earth did he do it? Spending so much that she was worried she could not afford to pay him back. And a few of those evening gowns, she wondered what they were made of, soft and silky, beautifully colored, low cut and off shoulders, dear lord, how could she wear them out? The qipao slit was so high, as though afraid others could not see her thighs.

But, these things, how could they be so gorgeous? As though bringing with them melodic dance notes, bringing the scent of the night, seducing Jin Xiu to reach out and feel them.

Changing into her clothes and combing her hair, Jin Xiu saw herself in the mirror, flower printed beige satin qipao, loose and wavy long hair, ivory like skin, irises like stars, vibrant red lips, black subtle eyes and lashes expressing desire, as though there were limitless thoughts in her mind.

So she could look like this too.

Jin Xiu observed the mysterious stranger in the mirror, so pretty and far away, as though it was a another woman she never knew, dark brows and lowered eyes, bringing with her a touch of competitiveness.

She felt as though she saw Ming Zhu’s shadow.