Chapter Four: Being a Little Vulgar Is Not So Bad

Could you turn off the light?

Why?

Wasn’t that enough already?

All right, I’ll do as you say.

In truth, Chen Hong had already intended to switch it off earlier.

Her fingers had even brushed the switch.

Unfortunately, Ma Xun had caught her hand in time.

She made two more attempts after that, and both failed.

Of course Ma Xun had done it on purpose.

He wanted to properly admire this greatest beauty.

Especially the changes in her expression.

It was clear that Chen Hong had looked down on him at first.

So when that exquisite face of hers first flashed with shock,

Ma Xun felt immensely pleased.

As for everything that followed—fear, resistance, the repeated shaking of her head, even tears—

she put on a full melodramatic performance.

Ma Xun had never cared much for such tearful romances, but seeing one unfold before his eyes...

It was exhilarating.

With a crisp click, the room sank into darkness.

Not total darkness.

A trace of moonlight slipped in, casting a cold sheen over her delicate body.

Still perfect, as ever.

Ma Xun could not help thinking: what a pity, such a beauty.

Why? he asked, though he did not look at her.

Beyond the two hundred thousand, there was also a stunning beauty thrown in.

It was thrilling, truly thrilling.

But he also wanted to understand.

You’re a little like him.

That answer... No, I really don’t think I look like that guy at all.

So when technical means failed, you chose the primitive route.

No wonder you ended up clinging so tightly around my waist.

She must have planned to get herself pregnant first.

As for the medical side of things, she would just pay to have the proof forged.

Overseas, most of those places were private clinics; with money, anything could be arranged.

He could not help thinking of a friend from the future who had gone to America.

A good-hearted American doctor charged him five thousand six hundred and seventy dollars just for touching his waist.

While he was lost in thought, he was suddenly asked a question.

Where did you hear about this?

Chen Hong did not look at Ma Xun when she asked, sounding almost offhand.

If you want to keep a secret, you should not have done it in the first place, Ma Xun naturally could not tell the truth.

As though she had expected that answer all along, Chen Hong said nothing more.

Then it was Ma Xun’s turn to ask. Why go through with in vitro fertilization?

Why do you have so many whys? Chen Hong sounded a little impatient.

If you don’t answer, maybe I’ll find an opportunity later to expose what happened today, Ma Xun said lazily, his head resting in his hands, still not looking at her.

Can’t you have some bottom line? Chen Hong also did not look at him.

Which one of us, exactly, lacks a bottom line more?

Mr. Ma, you’ve eaten your fill, gotten what you wanted, and there’s still that two hundred thousand. Isn’t that enough?

The way she said it made it sound like some rich man’s plea for an heir.

For an ordinary man, that might have been enough. But you... I don’t think so.

Ma Xun’s words were downright roguish.

In the darkness, Chen Hong rolled her eyes. What else is there not to understand? It’s just that... it’s hard to deal with.

At that, Ma Xun seemed to think of something.

He has no feelings for you? You’re this beautiful, and he still...

Enough, she said.

Understood.

The two fell into silence.

In truth, Ma Xun was thinking.

What should he do in the future?

He had such a complicated relationship now with the greatest beauty.

Should he keep developing it?

Or... suddenly.

Ssss—

In the darkness, a spark was born.

Then something was lit by it, and its life was extinguished along with it.

People said that a cigarette after sex is better than a living immortal.

Ma Xun did not know whether it was better than an immortal, but he wanted to try.

Give me one.

Chen Hong gave him a sidelong glance.

Ma Xun grinned shamelessly.

Truthfully, he had not really wanted one. After all, just moments ago...

The two of them had been intensely worked up.

Now, the tension between them had eased considerably.

Asking for a cigarette was a way of testing the waters.

Chen Hong handed one over.

She did not light another, which surprised Ma Xun greatly.

But he also understood the implication beneath her silence.

Without a word, he took it and drew on it once.

Hiss... ahhh...

It really did feel quite good.

But then Chen Hong snatched it back.

Do you really like Sister Ni?

The question seemed abrupt, but Ma Xun understood he had to answer seriously.

Of course I was lying to you.

You really are a liar! There was still anger in her voice.

He could hear it, so he rested a hand lightly on her lower abdomen and said with a grin, But I can’t say I dislike her entirely. After all, Sister Ni is a very outstanding woman, isn’t she?

Just teasing her a little.

Chen Hong could not help rolling her eyes. Not a single true word comes out of your mouth.

Ha... Ma Xun continued to tease her. At the very least, I got somewhere no one else has ever gotten to.

After all, she was already shaped to me.

The beauty rolled her eyes again, though this time it was aimed at him. You’re nothing but a villain!

That word, in a man-woman context, can also be used as flirtation.

For a moment, she said nothing.

Ma Xun looked at her.

Why insist on marrying him?

That question made Chen Hong meet his eyes.

You really have to get to the bottom of everything, don’t you?

Since we’ve already had such deep exchanges, yes, we are friends, aren’t we?

Friends?

You don’t have to think of it that way. Pretend I said nothing.

He truly wanted the answer to that question, but he also had another purpose.

Ma Xun and Chen Hong were now in a very peculiar situation.

As they talked, their relationship seemed to keep changing.

At first they were enemies; then they had begun to understand each other.

Now he had even brought up the word friends.

Even Ma Xun himself had felt the word come out strangely when he said it.

But perhaps that was simply how things were between men and women.

Once something had happened, it would never be the same again.

So would Chen Hong answer that question?

If she did, would that mean they were friends?

I’m an actress who’s almost thirty. Many people praise my beauty, but after all these years of acting, I know I’ve reached the end of the road.

Xiaoqing, Gong Li—I can’t compare to them. Even He Qing can outshine me, let alone the stars from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

He has his problems, but he is still a famous director.

He has resources, connections, and can give me what I want.

She really answered him.

Ma Xun suddenly remembered a line from Eileen Chang:

That is the fastest path to a woman’s heart... Lust, and for a moment he felt as though he could almost hear the whispered title of that novel.

But they probably still were not friends.

Ma Xun was certain of that.

Isn’t this method a bit excessive?

Sister Ni would not accept this approach, and he wants an heir. If someone found out about it and quietly interfered... Fine, I’m just a wretch not even as good as a whore.

Satisfied now?

Ma Xun frowned slightly. It seems you are not very important in this matter.

The greatest beauty gave a bitter smile. The world lacks nothing but people. There is always someone younger to replace you.

They fell into another long silence.

Until the cigarette burned down.

What happens after this?

If you want to expose me, then go ahead.

I mean, what about this film?

What?

Sister Hong, am I still doing the photography? Or...

At the words Sister Hong, Chen Hong moved closer and met Ma Xun’s gaze.

Though it was dark, neither of their eyes were affected in the least.

Why didn’t you choose to ruin me?

That would bring me no benefit. I’m only after money.

Vulgar.

Isn’t being vulgar a little better?

Chen Hong laughed, and the laugh was exceedingly alluring. Fine, of course it’s fine! People ought to be a little vulgar to be proper!

When Ma Xun had mentioned continuing as the photographer, he was actually sending her a signal.

What happened between us can end here.

You can marry that great director, and I won’t interfere.

In short, let us part with no grievance.

But at that moment, Chen Hong raised a very real issue.

What if it doesn’t work out this time?

She still wanted aftercare.

Then what do you plan to do? Ma Xun returned to his shameless, easygoing manner.

Chen Hong smiled. How about this: let’s just be friends from now on. After all, you’re the photographer for this shoot, so that’s how we met.

As if nothing ever happened?

If it doesn’t succeed, then we can...

That’s not the issue. The issue is that I don’t think it’s secure enough.

How can I make it feel secure to you?

By this point, Ma Xun had already understood Chen Hong’s meaning.

They were the same kind of people.

Both struggling through the mortal world for fame and profit.

So being friends was not a bad thing.

He could tell that if anything came up in the future, they might still be able to help each other.

Not bad.

Ma Xun sat up and turned on the light.

Chen Hong looked utterly puzzled.

A moment later, Ma Xun took out that F3.

Sister Hong, since we’re friends now, then...

He pointed at the F3.

Chen Hong understood instantly. You really are a complete bastard...

He had not expected that even the greatest beauty would curse when angry, and her language was rather filthy too.

Ma Xun remained unhurried and smiled. I’m very fair. I’ll be in the photos too. If you want, I can have a set sent to you as well.

Chen Hong was furious.

But she also knew this was a sign of sincerity.

Friends like them needed something like this.

Soon, the sharp clicks of the shutter blended with the sound of their breathing.