“Sis, let me help you take a bath.” Chen Xi started to undress, but Chen Qian remained seated, a sad look on her face. Chen Xi felt a pang of sympathy. “Sis… let me help you.” She reached out, but as soon as she touched her sister’s shoulder, Chen Qian covered her face and squatted down, her shoulders twitching as she silently cried.
Chen Xi quickly squatted beside her. “Sister…” When she touched Chen Qian again, the woman recoiled violently, their arms colliding. The sisters sat on the floor facing each other. Chen Qian’s face was etched with fear, her legs kicking weakly as she scooted backwards until she hit the bathroom door. She clutched her arms to her chest, pleading with tear-filled eyes, “Please… don’t touch me… please… let me go… let me go…”
“Sister, sister,” Chen Xi knelt between Chen Qian’s legs, grabbing her shoulders tightly and shaking her gently. “Sister, it’s me, Xi, calm down, look at me, I’m your sister, Xi.”
“Xi… Xi…” Chen Qian wiped her tear-blurred eyes. “Xi.” She hugged her sister tightly, tears streaming down her face.
Chen Xi knew her sister’s pain was immense. Though not blood-related, they had grown up together and shared a deep bond. Seeing her sister like this filled her with sadness and guilt. If it weren’t for her, Chen Qian wouldn’t have met Shi Long, and this wouldn’t have happened. Her nose tingled, and tears welled up. “Wuwuwu…” The two women embraced, crying bitterly for several minutes.
Chen Xi was the first to regain composure. She knew she had to be strong. She stopped crying and stroked Chen Qian’s hair. “Sis, take a bath, you’ll feel better. What’s done is done. We have to move forward. So many people care about you: Uncle, Aunt, Dad, Mom, me, and Tao… Hou Longtao. Don’t let one man ruin your life.”
Chen Qian understood the logic, but her dreams of twenty-three years had been shattered. How could she not be devastated? She looked at her sister. “Xi… you don’t understand… no good man will want me now. I’m not pure anymore. I always dreamed of giving myself to my beloved husband on our wedding night and living happily ever after, but now… now it’s impossible…”
“Sis, don’t say that,” Chen Xi gently brushed hair from her sister’s face. “A woman’s worth isn’t determined by her virginity. A man who truly loves you won’t despise you for what you’ve suffered; he’ll cherish you even more.”
“Really?” Chen Qian struggled to believe that a woman who had lost her virginity could still find true love, but a part of her desperately wanted to believe it. “Of course, I wouldn’t lie to you.”
Chen Xi helped her sister up. She was certain that if Chen Qian’s future husband was even half as good as Hou Longtao, her words would ring true. “Sis, let’s take a bath.”
“Okay…” Chen Qian began to unbutton her clothes. “Xi, go out, I can do it myself.”
“Sis, I… let me wash with you.”
“No need.”
“Sis…” Chen Xi couldn’t leave her alone. After Hou Longtao’s warning, she didn’t feel safe leaving Chen Qian alone in the bathroom. “You don’t have to worry about me,” Chen Qian said with a bitter smile. “I won’t do anything stupid. I don’t have the courage.”
“That’s not what I meant, Sis…” Before Chen Xi could finish, Chen Qian stepped into the shower and closed the glass door. Chen Xi couldn’t insist. The water was running, so she slowly backed out, leaving a crack in the door, just in case.
Chen Qian closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and let the warm water wash over her. Her pale skin trembled. “Wuwu…” She frantically scrubbed her skin with shower gel. The dirt could be washed away, but the humiliation in her heart couldn’t. Chen Qian slumped down, tears and shower water mingling on her cheeks.
Hou Longtao returned with two bags of clothes and fast food, finding Chen Xi staring blankly out the window. “Xi, where’s Qianqian?”
“Ah! She’s taking a bath.”
“You left her alone?”
“It’s okay, the door’s unlocked. I can see her shadow through the glass.”
“Sigh,” Hou Longtao sighed. “How is she?”
“A little better,” Chen Xi said, shaking her head. “Shi Long is such a pervert.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Didn’t you see the bloodstain on her forehead?”
“Oh… that…”
“That must be her blood. He smeared it on her forehead…” Chen Xi clenched her fists.
Hou Longtao pulled her into his arms. “I won’t let him get away with this.”
“Brother Tao, what are you going to do?”
“I’ll make sure he can’t move an inch in Beijing.”
“Don’t cause trouble.”
“Don’t worry.” He kissed her. “Take the clothes to Qianqian.”
“Okay.” Chen Xi took the bag and went to the bathroom.
Ten minutes later, the sisters emerged. Hou Longtao rushed to meet them. “Qianqian, how are you?”
“I… I’m fine…” Chen Qian’s face was pale. She answered distractedly, then walked to the window and stared at the gloomy sky.
Hou Longtao stood behind her. “Qianqian, I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?” She didn’t turn around.
“Aren’t you wondering why Xi and I showed up?”
“This…” Chen Qian realized it was strange. “Why? How did you know I was there?”
“I rented the villa.”
“How could it be…” Her voice trembled.
Chen Xi, hearing her sister’s tone, quickly interjected, “Shi Long has been extorting Brother Tao using his mother’s influence. This time, he said it was to celebrate your birthday and promised he wouldn’t force you to do anything you didn’t want to, so Brother Tao agreed to pay for the villa.”
“I see, Longtao, it’s not your fault.” Despite her trauma, Chen Qian understood. Hou Longtao wasn’t to blame. Thinking of her initial joy at the villa and how different it was now, she said, “It’s my fault. I misjudged him. I can’t blame anyone else.”
“Sis, don’t say that. It’s Shi Long’s fault. He deceived you.” Chen Xi hugged her from behind.
“Xi, you warned me he wasn’t a good person, but I didn’t listen. I asked for this. It’s my fault.”
“Sis…” Hou Longtao pulled Chen Xi aside. “Don’t talk now. She can’t process it. I’ll prepare the food. Let’s eat.”
“Okay.” Chen Xi walked to her sister and held her hand. “Sis, don’t think so much. You must be hungry. Let’s eat.”
“Okay.” Chen Qian allowed her sister to lead her to the table. She picked up her bowl and chopsticks and put rice in her mouth, but half of it fell back into the bowl. She only ate rice, ignoring the dishes. Chen Xi, on the verge of tears, glanced at Hou Longtao, signaling him to intervene.
Hou Longtao sighed, put down his bowl, propped his elbow on the table, and rubbed his forehead. He had expected Chen Qian to cry and make a scene, which he thought he could handle. He thought his heart was hard, but seeing her so sad and pitiful, trying to hold back tears, broke his heart.
He had planned to delay his confession to avoid overwhelming her, aiming for three days later, before February 14th, but he couldn’t wait. Everything had to be brought forward. “Brother Tao, what’s wrong?” Chen Xi asked, seeing his pained expression.
Hou Longtao leaned back and looked up. “Qianqian, I’m sorry.”
Chen Qian looked up, tears finally escaping. “Longtao, I told you, it’s not your fault.”
“No, you don’t understand. Qianqian, Shi Long didn’t rape you. You’re still a virgin.”
“Pa Ji.” The sisters dropped their bowls and chopsticks, shattering them on the floor.
“Hmm, hmm, hmm…” Shi Long sat up. “Ah, ah, ah…” He stretched, his muscles aching. “Damn it, where am I?” He rubbed his neck and remembered knocking Chen Qian unconscious. He couldn’t remember anything after that.
“Chen Qian! Where’s Chen Qian?” He realized the bed was empty.
He saw bloodstains on the sheets, torn underwear, a bra, and a white dress on the floor, along with a used condom. “Did I deflower her? How could I not remember something so great?” Shi Long’s head throbbed. He jumped out of bed, opened the door, and searched the rooms, shouting Chen Qian’s name. She was gone. The leftover food on the table was cold. He returned to the bedroom.
Shi Long figured he must have had sex, more than once. His anus was sore. Could Chen Qian have given him a rim job? “Ah! Why!?” He was going crazy, his memory blank.
He picked up the underwear and smelled it. “So fragrant.” The jasmine scent was tempting. Shi Long licked the crotch of the underwear, then grabbed the bra and pressed it against his face, using the underwear to masturbate. Hou Longtao would be furious if he knew his beloved woman’s clothing was being used like this.
Shi Long rubbed himself until he came. He dressed, went downstairs, took out his phone, and called Chen Qian, but it was off. He called her home, but no one answered. “Damn it, where did she go?” He didn’t know if she was blaming him. He called Hou Longtao, but no one answered.
“Fuck,” he glanced at his watch. It was almost 2:00. He couldn’t find anyone. “If it’s a blessing, it’s a blessing; if it’s a curse, you can’t avoid it.” He put on his coat, left, and drove away. Spoiled young masters like Shi Long don’t consider the consequences.
“Brother Tao, what… what did you say? How is that possible?”
“Longtao, really… really?” The sisters stood up, disbelieving.
“Xi, come here.” Hou Longtao whispered to Chen Xi, who blushed. Chen Qian was confused. She couldn’t believe his words.
Chen Xi walked to her sister, her face flushed. “Sis, come with me.” She pulled her into the bathroom and locked the door. “Xi, what did Longtao tell you? I really wasn’t…”
“Sis, take off your pants.”
“What!? What do you mean?”
“Brother Tao said if we don’t believe it, we have to check. He said your hymen must still be intact.”
“This… this…” Chen Qian blushed. She knew how to check, but it was embarrassing. But proving her virginity was crucial. “Xi, can you just watch me?”
“Oh, right.” Chen Xi hurried out.
Hou Longtao sat on the bed, elbows on his legs, fingers crossed, thumbs supporting his chin, lost in thought. “Brother Tao, what’s going on?” Chen Xi asked.
“Ah.” Hou Longtao pulled her down and kissed her.
“Hmm… hmm…” Chen Xi was startled, but as his tongue entered her mouth, she softened. She couldn’t refuse him. “Huff…” Hou Longtao licked from her face to her ear. “Xi, I love you, I love you, I love you…”
“Ah…” Chen Xi stroked his hair, forgetting Shi Long. “Brother Tao, I love you too, husband…” Hou Longtao kissed her again, licking her mouth. He knew this was the last time for a while.
Chen Qian lowered the toilet lid, unfastened her pants, and pulled them down, revealing her legs. She found herself dazzling. She shifted forward, and reached between her legs.
Besides shyness, she felt confusion. She had never touched herself internally, feeling it was her future husband’s privilege. Though she had rubbed her clitoris, she had never penetrated herself. She would have to break the rule today.
“Ah! Hmm…” Chen Qian cried softly. Her dry vagina was tight. She pressed on her clitoris, rotating her fingertips. “Ah… hmm… hmm…” Her breathing quickened, her eyes blurred, her face glowing.
“Ah… ah…” Her other hand trembled and touched her vagina. It was moist, and she should be able to check, but her right hand didn’t listen, and her left fingers pressed into her vagina. Her legs opened and closed, pleasure stimulating her brain.
“Hmm… no… ah… Longtao… and Xi are… are outside… no… ah…” She bit her lip, stopping her lewdness. Her fingers went further. “Hiss…” She felt a membrane, and it hurt to insert further. “This should be the hymen, right?” But she wasn’t sure.
Hou Longtao was kissing Chen Xi’s neck, and her hands reached inside his collar. “Ah… Brother Tao… don’t… sister… she… hmm… Brother Tao…”
“Ya!” Chen Qian opened the door, saw this, and lowered her head. “…Xi, come in, I want to ask you something.” She closed the door.
“Ah!” Chen Xi woke up and pushed him away. “You… I said don’t, what if sister sees? What time is it? You’re so bad.”
“Xi…” Hou Longtao grabbed her hand. “You.” Chen Xi kissed his face, straightened her clothes, and went to the bathroom.
“Sis, how is it?”
“Xi,” Chen Qian turned awkwardly. “Do you know what that looks like?”
“Which one?”
“The hymen.”
“The… I… wait.” Chen Xi ran out and returned. “Brother Tao said it’s a membrane in your body.”
Chen Qian was worried. If she had paid attention in physiology class, she wouldn’t be so embarrassed. She worried Hou Longtao was lying. “Xi, can you let me…” Chen Qian whispered.
“Ah? This…” Chen Xi blushed again. “Okay… okay.” She bit her lip, took off her jeans and underwear, and closed her eyes. “Sis, be gentle.”
“Okay.” Chen Qian reached out a finger. “Xi, do you want to… first… let it flow… water?”
“Oh my, Sis, don’t say that, I’m embarrassed.” Chen Xi stomped her feet. “Oh, okay, I’m sorry.” Chen Qian supported her waist and inserted her finger. She realized her vagina was moist, but didn’t know Hou Longtao had done that.
“Ah… Sis… hmm…” Chen Xi frowned. Though they were close, they had never done this. The feeling of being entered by her cousin was indescribable.
“What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable?” Chen Qian asked. She didn’t know her sister looked pained. “No… no… hmm… Sis… you… you hurry up…”
“Ah.” Chen Qian inserted her finger further. The feeling of being wrapped made her face redder and her breathing heavier.
“Hmm… Sis…” Chen Xi trembled, wrapping her arms around her neck. “No more… ah… haven’t you finished? Can’t go further…”
“I know.” Chen Qian withdrew her finger, covered with mucus.
She stepped back, tears in her eyes. Her sister’s vagina was delicate, elastic, and powerful. But unlike her own, she had never touched that membrane.
“Huff, huff…” Chen Xi tried to calm down. “Sis, are you sure?”
“Wuwu…” Chen Qian hugged her, shedding tears of joy. “Xi, he didn’t lie… I’m still a virgin…”
“Really!?” Chen Xi hugged her tightly, excited. They cried. They didn’t know how long, but they calmed down. Chen Qian was exhausted. It seemed like a nightmare, but since it was just a dream, there was nothing to be sad about. But how did Hou Longtao…(Golden scales are not things in a pond)