Ghost Stocks

Chapter 46

Just then, footsteps echoed from the foot of the mountain. Feng Junzi peered down from the grass and saw Chang Wu carrying several large and small bags, heading in the direction where Xiao Yunyi and Lin Zhenzhen had disappeared. Not long after Chang Wu passed, Yuan Xiaoxia and Xiao Zhengrong walked up side by side. The two stopped abruptly at the foot of the mountain. Yuan Xiaoxia said, "There are two horses tied up here. It seems someone has gone up the mountain. Shall we go up and see?"

Xiao Zhengrong: "Don't go too far. There might be danger in the wilderness."

Yuan Xiaoxia laughed, "What am I afraid of with you here? Come on, come on." With that, she reached out and pulled Xiao Zhengrong up the hillside, facing the direction Feng Junzi and the others were heading. Feng Junzi tried to dodge, but it was too late. Tao Muling seemed to understand him perfectly; she leaned down and gently nestled into Feng Junzi's arms. Feng Junzi lowered his head and buried his face in her thick, black hair. The footsteps faded into the distance. Feng Junzi looked up, the faint scent of Tao Muling's hair still lingering in his nostrils. He felt his heart pounding, took a deep breath, and said, "Let's go back; it's getting late."

...

It was late that night, and both Feng Junzi and Tao Muling were still awake, lying on their respective beds, fully clothed. Tao Muling had always been very interested in the final outcome between Feng Xingzhi and Yazi, repeatedly asking how Yazi had died at Feng Xingzhi's hands. Feng Junzi recalled a dream he had, which he felt perfectly recreated the scene. He said to Tao Muling, "Do you remember that nightmare I had one night? In that dream, I seemed to become Feng Xingzhi and experience everything. However, in the dream, I was an observer; my body wasn't under my conscious control, and I was just passively playing the role of Feng Xingzhi."

Peach Bell: "Is there such a strange thing? Shall we do an experiment? Don't think about anything right now, try to recall this dream, and look into my eyes at the same time."

Feng Junzi knew what Tao Muling wanted to do, so he did as she said. Tao Muling used her unique method of spiritual communication to perceive the scene in Feng Junzi's mind (Feng Junzi's dream has been introduced earlier and will not be repeated here). After a long time, Feng Junzi's memories in his dream had long since ended, but neither of them spoke, their eyes still locked, still in this strange state of telepathic connection. After a while, Feng Junzi suddenly let out a soft gasp, then exclaimed, "I remember everything!"

Peach Bell also paused, looked away, and asked, "What did you remember?"

Feng Junzi: "When Li Xiaoyao saw Zhao Ling'er on the Demon Locking Tower, he remembered everything!"

Peach Wood Bell: "Li Xiaoyao? Zhao Ling'er? What are you talking about?"

Feng Junzi: "Haven't you played The Legend of Sword and Fairy?"

Peach Bell: "No, I've never heard of it."

Feng Junzi: "I regained my lost memories, what I saw in your eyes. What were you thinking just now? Were you thinking about what happened the first night you came to my house?"

Peach Bell: "Yes, I was indeed thinking about that just now, but how is that possible? How could you possibly know what I was thinking?"

Feng Junzi: "I don't know mind reading, nor do I understand your psychological techniques. But I have had a special ability since I was a child, which is to borrow other people's abilities, such as your ability to see through people's hearts. When you use it on me, as long as I concentrate and can sense it, I can use the same ability on you."

Peach Bell: "This is truly an amazing talent; I've never heard of it before."

Feng Junzi: "Is it amazing? But it seems useless and often doesn't work, only bringing me strange experiences. But now I finally understand its benefits, and I finally know what happened that night."

Part Four: A Pair of Chopsticks, Chapter 34: Things have no heart, yet people worry.

Before updating, let me answer a few questions.

This is truly a rare gem of a book; I read it in one go and couldn't put it down. It has a touch of urban fantasy; I wonder if Mr. Xu's books have ever been published in print? (Old Logic <7-27 15:49>)

A: There isn't a novel yet, but there is a book about stock market operations. Do you read it? It was published in 2000, but it's probably not available now.

Which came first, "Ghost Stock" or "Wandering in the Spirit"? I think it was "Ghost Stock," but I'm not sure if I'm right. (The Man Walking in the Night <7-26 21:52>)

A: You guessed right. I started conceiving of "Ghost Stocks" in 2004, and I only thought of writing "Wandering in the Spirit" in 2006.

The third part feels unsatisfying, as it doesn't fully explain everything. For example, who was the female ghost who led Feng Junzi out of the mine? (Pighead A <7-26 19:34>)

A: The incompleteness stems from the theme of the work itself; supernatural novels are not detective novels. This one is about a mining disaster; do you think it should have a complete ending?

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Now let's rewind to a month ago, to the night that Taomuling had just arrived at Feng Junzi's house—

At the dining table, the girl named Tao Muling looked up at Feng Junzi and slowly recounted a story that sounded both legendary and true. Feng Junzi gazed intently into the girl's eyes, finding them captivating, their shimmering light possessing an indescribable charm. He even wondered, why is there such a difference in the eyes of women? Compared to Tao Muling, the eyes of many so-called beauties were simply lifeless bubbles! He was lost in this clear, bottomless pool of autumn water…

(This is where Feng Junzi's memory of that night began to fade. Although he couldn't regain his own consciousness from that time, he did regain Tao Muling's memories.) Tao Muling slowly told Feng Junzi, "My mother was an orphan of World War II. Before she died, she told me that I must come to Northeast China to find out about my origins and what happened to my parents. My childhood memories are not very clear. I only know that my mother, who is also my maternal grandmother, left behind a pair of chopsticks and told me that these chopsticks were the clue and that I must not lose them. Behind these chopsticks lies not only her origins but also another great secret. And the whereabouts of her parents are related to this secret. My mother also warned me that there may be many other people investigating this secret, and that I should be careful not to show these chopsticks to anyone, especially the Tao Muling family."

Sitting opposite him, Feng Junzi asked with a blank look, "What secret do these chopsticks hold? May I take a look?"

Peach Bell: "I know you're not a bad person, you genuinely want to help me, and I can't refuse your request. But after you read this, you'll forget everything that's happening now." Peach Bell's voice grew increasingly ethereal; clearly, she was telling this story while hypnotizing Feng Junzi. Feng Junzi, already on guard, feigned a dazed expression but wasn't hypnotized by Peach Bell.

After examining Tao Muling's identification, Feng Junzi suspected she might be skilled in hypnosis and couldn't possibly be unsuspecting of the then-unfamiliar Tao Muling. However, while he was wary of Tao Muling, he was completely unprepared for something else entirely: the chopsticks she held in her hand. As soon as Tao Muling opened an antique-style wooden box and took out a pair of exquisitely crafted ivory chopsticks, Feng Junzi's previously dull eyes suddenly brightened, becoming clear and deep, even subtly gleaming with a sharp light. Tao Muling was clearly startled by Feng Junzi's change. Before she could speak, Feng Junzi said in a slightly unfamiliar accent, "You're not her, but you look very much like her. You've finally found your way here, and I've finally found the right person. I can only say this once, so listen carefully..."

Peach Bell was a little bewildered: "Who exactly are you? Why are you talking like that?"

Feng Junzi seemed to ignore Tao Muling and continued, "I don't know who I am either. Maybe I'm just a projection, a projection of a wish, which has remained in these chopsticks. You should trust the person sitting in front of you now and rely on his help. He might help you find the answer you're looking for."

Peach Bell: "Isn't that you, the person opposite me?"

Feng Junzi: "The person speaking to you now isn't the one sitting in front of you, but this person's aura is very similar to someone from sixty years ago. His way of thinking and his habits of speech and behavior are strikingly similar to that person. Therefore, I can leave a shadow on him—the shadow of that person from back then. I am originally a projection, and this is all I can do. I hope the shadow I left on him will stay with you until all the mysteries are solved..."

Peach Bell: "Whose projection are you, exactly?"

Feng Junzi: "I am not a projection of any one person. My existence and appearance are caused by the strong intentions of many people. Just think of me as the soul of these chopsticks."

Feng Junzi finally remembered the bizarre experience that happened the first time he brought Tao Muling home. When he recalled that he had claimed to be the soul of the chopsticks, he couldn't help but say angrily to Tao Muling, "I was careful and didn't fall for your tricks, but I was ambushed by a pair of chopsticks."

Tao Muling asked curiously, "At that time, it seemed like your consciousness was being controlled by something else. At first, I thought it was due to my hypnosis, but later I found that the situation was very unusual."

Feng Junzi: "Do you know? Whether it's Buddhist meditation, Taoist sitting meditation, or yogic meditation, there's a method to seal off the five aggregates and six senses, putting yourself in a state that's very much like unconsciousness. I hoped to use this method to deceive you and make you think that I had been hypnotized by you. I never expected that it was precisely because of this that those damned chopsticks took advantage of the situation."

Peach Bell actually laughed: "You seem very angry. Are you angry at those chopsticks? If those chopsticks really have a soul, I believe they meant well. They appeared to help me."

Feng Junzi said, "Chopsticks are just chopsticks. They don't even understand what they are. Even if chopsticks become sentient, they're still just chopsticks! To be honest, even if those chopsticks became sentient, they couldn't affect anything around them, let alone control a person. Only under my special circumstances could those ghostly chopsticks possibly succeed. What good were their actions? At most, they made people mistake one person for another!" While saying this, Feng Junzi was also thinking to himself: Grandpa Xiao and Aoba Yako both mistook him for Feng Xingzhi the moment they met. It seems those chopsticks were behind it all; otherwise, he wouldn't have had so many experiences later.

Peach Bell: "Now that you remember, I don't need to say anything more about what happened next."

Feng Junzi: "You never wanted me to remember this, so you didn't tell me what happened back then, right?"

Peach Bell: "That's not how it is. I wasn't familiar with you back then, and I didn't know what kind of person you were. How could I explain this to you? I was afraid you would think I was crazy."

Feng Junzi tilted his head and said, "So you understand me now? Why didn't those chopsticks tell you about Feng Xingzhi and Yazi's experiences?"

Peach Bell: "Just like you said, chopsticks are chopsticks after all; they can't know anything more. What did you mean when you said chopsticks became spirits? Is that a uniquely Chinese saying?"

Feng Junzi: "The so-called 'becoming a spirit' refers to something that shouldn't have consciousness gaining self-awareness, or something that suddenly acquires wisdom and abilities it didn't originally possess, such as the legendary fox spirit."

Peach Bell: "I know the legend of the fox spirit. By the way, after Yako and Feng Xingzhi parted ways at Binghe Valley, did they meet again before they both perished at Longwangtang? What exactly was the story behind those chopsticks?"

Feng Junzi: "Let me tell you, do you know why the Peachwood family is interested in these chopsticks? It's a very old story, actually. The chopsticks are actually a map, reminiscent of the treasure map stories in movies."

Peach Bell: "Map? Where is it?"

Feng Junzi: "The chopsticks are engraved with very fine flowing cloud patterns on the handle. Actually, those are not decorations, but contour lines and landmark outlines from a military map. The chopsticks were made by Masako and her father, Mr. Aoba, and the material used was a piece of ivory from which Feng Xingzhi had once dripped blood."

Peach Bell: "Who ordered them to process it?"

Feng Junzi: "The person who commissioned Aoba and his daughter to make these chopsticks was Momoki Kenjiro. He provided the design and required Aoba and his daughter to make the chopsticks in complete secrecy. After the chopsticks were made, Mr. Aoba heard from somewhere that Momoki was going to kill all the people who knew about it. So he reminded Masako to take her young daughter and find a way to go to safety."

Peach Bell: "So, did they manage to hide?"

Feng Junzi: "Yako's youngest daughter is your mother. If she hadn't escaped, you wouldn't be here now. At the time, Feng Xingzhi somehow heard about this and appeared in time to save Yako's daughter, while also stealing the chopsticks. Later, Momoki Kenjiro used the lives of Yako and the entire Jinsha Village in Binhai Longwangtang to force Feng Xingzhi to show up and hand over the chopsticks. You should know what happened after that. There's one more thing I need to tell you: your mother's name is Honda Aoyuki, but she is not Honda Taro's daughter. Note that her name Aoyuki is the 'Ao' of 'green leaf' and the 'zhi' of 'Feng Xingzhi'."

Peach Bell: "Actually, I already guessed it."

Feng Junzi: "Only today did I realize that I wasn't the reincarnation of Feng Xingzhi or possessed by him, but rather that I was made of those chopsticks. Otherwise, I would have become your grandfather, which would have been really frustrating!"

Peach Bell: "I should be the one feeling down. What do you have to be upset about?"

Feng Junzi: "I'm not going to say anything more. It's almost dawn. I'm sleepy. I'm going to sleep!" Tao Muling opened her mouth to say something, but Feng Junzi had already fallen asleep on the pillow.

Part Four: A Pair of Chopsticks, Chapter 35: Once Known for Lingering Love, Water Still Warm

Before updating, please answer one question.

The story of 5,000 pairs of shoes is interesting, but isn't it a bit exaggerated? 5,000 pairs of shoes of the same size and model? How big of a store would that be? (unugy <7-28 01:31>)

A: The article doesn't state that all 5,000 pairs of shoes have the same size and model. Theoretically, if the number of boxes containing each model and size of identical shoes is even, the scam described in the article could be successful. And if the number of boxes containing each model and size of identical shoes is a multiple of four, then Feng Junzi's switcheroo scheme would succeed. Also, this batch of goods was mainly wholesaled to smaller cities further north; 5,000 pairs isn't a large quantity. I didn't expect you to be so observant!

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The next day, Feng Junzi and Taomuling took a different route, heading towards the East Valley of Binghe Valley. The mountain path to the East Valley was rugged. The two rode in sedan chairs to see the main attractions on the tourist map, then dismounted and walked. The mountain air was incredibly fresh, filled with the fragrance of grass and trees. They walked from a pool into a deserted path in the valley, unknowingly straying far from the main tourist route. Feng Junzi didn't know how he had gotten there; he had only subconsciously found himself in this remote mountain area.

After crossing a not-too-steep valley entrance, a small flat area nestled among the mountains appeared, surrounded by lush greenery—a truly secluded paradise. Standing amidst the mountains, one felt a sense of isolation from the world. A large rock in the valley faced Feng Junzi and his companions, and behind it, wisps of white steam rose. Feng Junzi and Tao Muling turned around the rock, and a hot spring came into view. The water was crystal clear, only waist-deep, and the steam obscured the view, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

Tao Muling bent down and tested the spring water with her hand, exclaiming in surprise, "This is a hot spring, and the water temperature is just right." She then turned to Feng Junzi and said, "It seems like no one comes here. I want to take a hot spring bath. I haven't taken a bath for several days, and I feel a little itchy. I can't resist this hot spring."

Feng Junzi knew Tao Muling's habit of bathing every day, but for the past four or five days, he hadn't had time to bathe due to various other matters. He hadn't expected Tao Muling to want to bathe in the hot spring here. Looking around, he advised, "Why don't you go back to your room to bathe? Aren't you afraid someone will spy on you in the wilderness?"

Peach Bell: "There are no roads around here, and there's a rock blocking the way from the direction we came from. Besides, nobody comes here anyway, so you're probably the only one who could be spying."

Tao Muling always obeyed Feng Junzi's every word, like a docile lamb, but this time she wouldn't listen to reason and insisted on bathing in the hot spring. Feng Junzi had no choice. He knew that Japanese people had a fondness for hot springs, and Tao Muling was probably recalling past memories, so he had no choice but to let her have her way. Feng Junzi sat down behind the large rock, essentially guarding the way into the valley for Tao Muling. He could hear the rustling sound of Tao Muling undressing behind him, followed by the sound of water from the hot spring.

Birds chirped in the valley, sunlight shone through the lush green trees, the sky was a clear blue, and even the wind seemed gentle. Peach Bell had been soaking in the hot spring for a long time, and Feng Junzi wasn't in a hurry, simply sitting there quietly waiting. The rocks close to the hot spring seemed to be slightly warm, and Feng Junzi felt his face getting hot as well, while something at his waist felt slightly burning. He reached down and touched it; it was the jade pendant he always carried. Just then, he heard Peach Bell's voice behind him: "Feng Junzi, aren't you going to come down and bathe? You haven't had a bath in days."

Tao Muling's voice wasn't loud, but it seemed to echo in Feng Junzi's ears, reverberating throughout the valley. He already knew that mixed-gender bathing was a custom in Japanese hot springs, but hearing Tao Muling's words made his heart pound. Actually, he had greatly admired Tao Muling's body the moment he first saw her, but now, having the opportunity to face her, he felt a long-lost shyness. Feng Junzi didn't speak, suddenly feeling a sense of disorientation, and almost unconsciously, he took off his clothes and turned to enter the hot spring.

Steam rose from the hot spring in the valley, and it took Feng Junzi a while to adjust to the scene before him before he saw Tao Muling sitting opposite him. Tao Muling's long, wet hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her snow-white skin, flushed slightly from the hot spring, had a delicate, rosy glow. This was the first time Feng Junzi had admired Tao Muling so closely. Her features were beautiful and delicate, and her full breasts floated on the surface of the water. With the gentle ripples, small waves spread across her deep cleavage, and her alluring, rosy nipples were faintly visible in the mist. He felt as if he had seen this scene somewhere before!

Feng Junzi was momentarily stunned, his gaze fixed, unable to look away, a quiet, uncontrollable urge rising within him. A strange connection seemed to exist between them; as Feng Junzi felt this, Tao Muling's face flushed. Tao Muling didn't speak, but sighed softly, rising from the waist-deep hot spring and walking towards Feng Junzi with open arms. Everything happened so suddenly. Feng Junzi, still in the water, embraced Tao Muling's waist, burying his face in her breasts. Tao Muling's hands instinctively wrapped around the back of his head. They remained quietly embracing for five minutes, perhaps ten, until almost simultaneously, they broke the silence. Feng Junzi suddenly stood up from the water, forcefully lifting Tao Muling's waist and hips. Tao Muling's hands slid down from behind his head to hook around his neck, her legs wrapping around his waist, her body suddenly transforming into a writhing snake…

After a long while, the two calmed down from their intense activity and lay quietly in the hot spring. Tao Muling nestled in Feng Junzi's arms and gently wrote words on Feng Junzi's chest with her finger. As she wrote, she asked, "Feng Jun, do you think this might be the hot spring that Feng Xingzhi and Yazi visited back then?"

Feng Junzi seemed a little dazed about what had just happened, and his reaction was much slower than usual. Hearing Tao Muling's words, he finally came to his senses and looked around: "If there wasn't snow around, I would really think we've walked into a time tunnel. It's not impossible to find out; we just need to look around and see if we can find the cave from back then."

The return journey was different from the way there. Peach Blossom Bell remained nestled softly beside Feng Junzi, her rosy cheeks still glowing. Feng Junzi, his arm around Peach Blossom Bell's waist, walked through the valley, still feeling somewhat dazed about what had just happened. He and Peach Blossom Bell had shared a room for over a month, and he considered himself a gentleman of propriety, always treating her with complete honesty. How could their relationship have taken such a dramatic turn today, right after arriving at this hot spring? This was something he hadn't anticipated. However, despite this doubt, the feeling from just now was still a wonderful memory, and thinking of this, he tightened his embrace.

Perhaps guided by some unknown force, Feng Junzi indeed found a cave at the foot of a hill not far from the hot spring. The cave wasn't deep, and the light inside was dim. The withered branches and leaves blown in by the mountain wind emitted a musty smell, indicating that no one had been here for a long time. Tao Muling asked softly, "Feng Junzi, do you think this might be the cave?"

Feng Junzi released Tao Muling's waist and squatted down at the cave entrance, turning over the ground with a small stone. After a while, he looked up and said, "It seems we've found the right place. There are ashes at the cave entrance from a long time ago, indicating that someone once lit a fire here."

Before Feng Junzi could finish speaking, voices came from the other side of the hillside outside the cave entrance. Feng Junzi was somewhat surprised but not overly astonished; after all, this was a scenic area, and it was normal for tourists to come here. However, Tao Muling's reaction greatly surprised him. Upon hearing the voices, Tao Muling's previously rosy face suddenly turned deathly pale, her body stiffened, and her hands seemed to tremble slightly. Feng Junzi quickly got up and gently embraced her, asking what was wrong. Tao Muling didn't speak. Feng Junzi also sensed something was amiss and listened intently to the voices outside. From the voices, he recognized one of the people—it was none other than Tao Muling, the one who had challenged him to a duel!

Part 4: A Pair of Chopsticks, Chapter 36: Love, Hate, and Murderous Intent

The conversation coming from afar was a mix of Chinese and Japanese. Feng Junzi recognized Momoki Shinobu's voice and also caught a few fragmented phrases such as "returning to an old haunt... Mr. Momoki... investment intentions." Hearing the voices approaching, Feng Junzi, though surprised to see Momoki Shinobu there, didn't want to meet him and quickly took Momoki Rin's arm and left.

On the way back, Momok Rin remained relatively silent, and Feng Junzi didn't ask any further questions. He wondered: Was Momok Ninja there to follow him, or was she also searching for clues left behind by Feng Xingzhi sixty years ago? If she was following him, she must have already discovered his relationship with Momok Rin. If she was searching for clues from sixty years ago, then things were more complicated, because it meant that Momok Ninja already had enough information and wasn't far from her target.

Back in their room at the Bingyu Hotel, Tao Muling was still emotionally unstable, her breathing rapid, and she clung tightly to Feng Junzi's arm, unwilling to leave his side. Feng Junzi couldn't tell if it was because of the experience in the hot springs or the unexpected encounter with Tao Muling, so he softly asked, "Lingdang, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Would you like to rest for a while?"

Tao Muling turned slightly and looked up at Feng Junzi. Her eyes were a little dazed, and her face was flushed as if she were drunk. "Feng Junzi, I'm a little scared. Will you protect me?"

Tao Muling's face was very close, her warm breath brushing against Feng Junzi's face as she spoke, her full, firm breasts pressed tightly against his arm. Feng Junzi smelled Tao Muling's unique fragrance, and gently reached out to pull her into his embrace. The same urge he had felt in the hot spring quietly rekindled in the air. Feng Junzi composed himself and replied, "Don't be afraid. We are good people, not afraid of bad people. Bad people should be afraid of good people."

Feng Junzi's tone was like coaxing a nagging child, but Tao Muling seemed quite willing to listen to such words. She nodded and whispered, "Yes, you're right, you're a good person, my good person..." As she spoke, one arm was already hooked around Feng Junzi's neck, her body softly pressed against him, and she slightly closed her eyes.

Having already savored the wonderful experience at the hot springs, Feng Junzi was now eager to seduce her. With the arrow already on the bowstring, how could he resist? Feng Junzi lowered his head and met Tao Muling's lips in a kiss; their tongues intertwined like two fish starving for air. The two embraced and walked towards the room, stumbling along the way, their clothes constantly falling onto the carpet as obstacles. They seemed to have forgotten the world outside the room, quickly becoming immersed in wave after wave of desire and pleasure.

In Feng Junzi's memory, Tao Muling had always been gentle and compliant, but her behavior today was unexpected. Tao Muling was very proactive, even slightly crazy, with a kind of intoxicated mood. This intoxicating atmosphere also infected Feng Junzi, arousing the rough side hidden within him. The bed, the chair, and even the table became their battlefield of passion. Until finally, Feng Junzi lifted Tao Muling from the windowsill and gently placed her back on the bed. The tension in the air gradually subsided, and both of their skin was covered with fine beads of sweat.

When it was completely dark, the two who had been embracing in bed finally felt hungry. They got up, dressed, and ordered food. Feng Junzi had a good appetite, after all, the day's "intense" activities had taken a toll, but Tao Muling ate very little, seemingly having little appetite. As Feng Junzi ate, he said to her, "Papaya, why aren't you eating? Aren't you hungry? You didn't eat lunch."

Tao Muling's expression had returned to normal, but her eyes were shifty, making it impossible for Feng Junzi to discern her thoughts. Hearing Feng Junzi's question, she looked up and asked in a strange tone, "Feng Junzi, do you know why I suddenly felt afraid today?"

Feng Junzi also noticed that Tao Muling's tone was off: "Is it because you ran into Tao Muren?"

Peachwood Bell then said something even stranger: "You know, this isn't my first time."

Feng Junzi was stunned for a moment before he understood what Tao Muling meant by "first time." He hadn't expected her to bring up such a thing. Contemporary Japan is a country with very open, even distorted, views on sex, and many girls' so-called "first experience" happens surprisingly early. Growing up in that environment, it wasn't surprising that Tao Muling had already had sexual experience. Besides, at her age, it would be normal even in China if it wasn't her "first time." He didn't understand why Tao Muling would say something like that. So he cautiously asked, "Is this important? I haven't either. Do you mind? You won't, will you?"

Tao Muling's eyes became unfocused again, filled with sorrow: "My first experience was with the Tao Mu family."

Feng Junzi was taken aback: "Who? Someone from the Momoki family? Momoki Shinobu?"

Momoki Rin: "Not just Momoki Shinobu, but the Momoki father and son."

Feng Junzi nearly jumped out of his chair. He finally understood why Tao Muling reacted so strangely every time the Taomu family was mentioned. The psychological trauma was something that could never be erased, even for someone like Tao Muling, a psychology PhD. Feng Junzi didn't know what to say, so he got up and went to Tao Muling's side, gently cradling her head against his chest and stroking her cheek to comfort her, saying, "It's all over now. No one can hurt you anymore."