Extra 2.1

In this era, for a woman to achieve what Jiang Xue had accomplished, she could be considered to be one in a million.

She was beautiful and elegant, with an extraordinary grace. Years of dance training and performing experience gave her every gesture and movement a captivating allure. Her beautiful eyes never hid her sophistication, telling the stories of a mature woman in her thirties.

Where there were many women, gossip was inevitable, and the art troupe was such a place. Some, whether out of jealousy or malice, would secretly call her a spinster or a seductress. But in reality, Jiang Xue was misunderstood. At least in matters concerning men, her experience did not match her looks and age, nor the labels people put on her. Except for Han Cheng, she had never had feelings for a man; she didn’t even spare them a second glance.

She had a car, a house, a career; she lacked nothing except love.

Men might have been able to give her many things, but they couldn’t give her love. So what was the point?

Not many people had seen her smoke, but those who did were usually captivated by her charm. In those days, there were too many simple and pure women, so when a woman like Jiang Xue displayed her charm, most men couldn’t resist.

At a banquet held to thank overseas Chinese for their outstanding contributions to the domestic economy, several performing artists from the art troupe were invited to put on a show.

Gu Zhanwang, a high-quality investor, was naturally an honored guest.

However, he was not very interested in socializing, but he also respected the domestic drinking culture. After a few rounds of drinks, he had exchanged greetings, made small talk, and said the necessary formalities. He was already thinking about leaving early, preferring to pack some food and go back to play with his godson, Xiao Roubao.
Gu Zhanwang excused himself by saying, “Sorry, I need to go to the restroom,” and got up to leave.

He walked to the window and lit a cigarette, gazing at the less-than-bustling traffic below while reflecting on certain people and events. The slightly cool evening breeze drifted in through the window, causing the tiny ember between his fingers to flare briefly.

“Can you give me a cigarette?”

A slightly low and husky female voice came through, and only then did Gu Zhanwang notice how clear the sound of high heels on the floor could be.

Gu Zhanwang smiled faintly. This was a scene he had encountered countless times abroad. He was aware of his appeal—mature, charming, famous, successful, and attractive. It was perfectly normal for him to draw the attention of the opposite sex.

But this was not a foreign country. During the early and mid-1980s, a period of reform and opening up, although the strict separation between men and women from the 1970s had eased, society remained conservative. Whether it was engaging in late-night conversations with a male comrade after a few rounds of drinks or the act of smoking itself, it seemed improper for these behaviors to be associated with a female comrade.

“Sorry,” Gu Zhanwang said, bringing the cigarette to his lips for a quick puff before releasing it. He half-squinted as he exhaled the smoke. I don’t have any lady’s cigarettes.”

Just as he finished speaking and was about to turn away, the corner of his eye caught a glimpse of a captivating figure, and he froze.

The figure in the wine-red qipao continued to move forward, her high-heeled shoes of the same color stopping in front of Gu Zhanwang. She bent slightly, took the cigarette butt from his hand, and brought it to her lips. With her flaming red lips, she took a light puff from the spot where Gu Zhanwang had just smoked. Mimicking Gu Zhanwang, she exhaled a smoke ring, then bent down to place the cigarette back in his hand. “Sorry, had a craving. Thank you.”

After Jiang Xue finished speaking, she gave Gu Zhanwang a slight smile, and swayed her slender waist as she turned and left.

Gu Zhanwang stood frozen, staring at the lipstick-stained cigarette butt. After a few seconds, he quickly stepped forward and grabbed Jiang Xue’s hand. His deep eyes fixed on her. He curled his lips into a cold smile and said, “You think you can just leave like that?”

Jiang Xue glanced at his hand holding hers, then raised her eyes to meet Gu Zhanwang’s gaze without saying a word.

Gu Zhanwang’s hand shifted to her waist, pulling her entire body against his. The smooth texture of the qipao and the woman’s perfect curves felt as if they were made just for him, fitting tightly against him. “Do you have a partner?”

Conversations between mature men and women were always straightforward, without much romance. Loneliness, alcohol, and cigarettes, combined with a specific environment and atmosphere, sometimes made two people who had known each other for decades without ever clicking suddenly want to seek comfort in each other. It was not about love or romance but just a momentary desire for some soul or physical solace.

Gu Zhanwang’s desire for Jiang Xue was not a secret; he and she knew it.

Jiang Xue was never short of admirers but had never thought about indulging recklessly. Firstly, it was a matter of morality; secondly, she feared the consequences. She was certain she no longer liked Han Cheng and wasn’t even sure if she ever had. She didn’t know why, but just a moment ago, seeing Gu Zhanwang’s lonely profile as he smoked by the window, she suddenly felt a strong interest in this man, who in her mind belonged to the “Han Cheng’s brother” category—someone she absolutely shouldn’t get too close to. It was as if a mysterious force had driven her to snatch the cigarette from his hand, and the mature scent lingering on the cigarette butt captivated her in an instant.

At the end of the corridor, no one was coming or going, but the sound of traffic drifted in from outside the window. Jiang Xue clasped her hands around Gu Zhanwang’s neck, lightly bit her lips, and said bluntly, “No, what about you?”

Gu Zhanwang pulled her even closer to him, guiding her to a darker corner of the back stairwell. His hands roamed over her qipao, and his voice was low and husky: “No, I’ve been waiting for you.”

Jiang Xue didn’t bother to discern the truth in the seasoned businessman’s words, figuring that “no” was true, but “waiting for you” was probably a lie.

Jiang Xue thought she might have had a bit too much to drink, the alcohol making her laugh as she said, “Congratulations, your patience has paid off. Do you dare to marry me?”

Gu Zhanwang thought he was hearing things. The girl he had thought about even before going abroad and still thought about after returning had been cold as ice during their last encounter. When Jiang Xue teased him earlier, he thought he would be satisfied even if it was just a fleeting romance. He’d accept anything, may it be a night or a lifetime with her.

Gu Zhanwang pinched her face, staring directly into her eyes, gritting his teeth, “Jiang Xue, do you know what you’re saying? Do you even know who I am?”

Jiang Xue smiled, her eyes misty as she nodded slightly, “Gu Zhanwang, I’m not drunk. We can get the marriage certificate tomorrow if you dare to marry me. I don’t care what you do after; we can consummate first and get the certificate later if you want, but we must have the certificate.”

Enchantress—Jiang Xue was simply an enchantress.

Gu Zhanwang bit her lip hard, and through the dim light of the corridor, he saw a drop of blood. Jiang Xue seemed unaware of the pain, extending her tongue to touch the wound, still smiling, “Gu Zhanwang, you don’t dare.”

Gu Zhanwang narrowed his eyes slightly and said, “Jiang Xue, remember that you started this. If you try to back out of this when you’re sober tomorrow, I’ll tie you up and drag you to the Civil Affairs Bureau!”

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

T/N: I told you they are spicy