Xu Jing climbed into the car and said, "Take me to the hotel. I won't stay at Liangshan tonight because I'm going home. Don't want my sisters gossiping about secret meetings between us."

I felt reluctant as Xu Jing pulled my hand. "You were already exhausted in the afternoon," she whispered. "I fear you'll torment me again tonight. Let me go, or you won't be able to face those two girls tomorrow."

"I'm being completely honest," I said earnestly. "Nothing happened between Ning and me. She was just trying to provoke Lanfeng. I did explain our relationship to her but she didn't believe me at all - still thinks I'm joking around. Otherwise, she wouldn't have acted that way in front of you."

Xu Jing chuckled, "Do you think I'd be angry? You're such a fool. I don't even want to bother getting mad. Go on then - Yun Yao is a really nice girl. Don't miss your chance."

Having such a considerate wife was definitely my good fortune. After kissing Xu Jing passionately, I dropped her off at the hotel and handed over both her and my car to Xu Wenchang. With a quick tidying up, our eight Flying Dragon cars left Liangshan County and soared through the sky toward Beijing.

Upstairs in the government building, I first listened outside Yun Yao's door - no sobbing or sounds of distress before knocking. "Come in," Ning Shixuan called from inside, "the door isn't locked."

Yun Yao sat hunched at the bed corner, head bowed silently. Ning had a terrible expression but was trying hard to contain her pain. I addressed Yun Yao gently, "Yun Yao, there are many things about me you don't know yet - sorry for that. I wanted you to accept them gradually, but now maybe it's time for full disclosure."

"Master Zhao," she stammered anxiously, "don't say anything more. Sister Ning already explained everything to me. It was wrong of me to be so easily deceived by the secretary and caused you trouble. Sorry."

I had intended to share some secrets with Yun Yao since we'd shared a bed (though nothing physical happened yet), but now it seemed she'd misunderstood my meaning. Since she appeared fine, maybe keeping quiet would actually make acceptance easier later.

"Since everything's settled then," Ning Shixuan turned and left the room, slamming her door shut behind her.

Looking toward Ning's room I muttered, "Ning really is pitiful. Why is Lanfeng avoiding her feelings? Could it possibly be because of Xu Jing?"

Yun Yao whispered an analysis, "Probably not - isn't Lanfeng convinced you two are dating? Would he even dream about winning Xu Jing's favor?"

I replied, "On the surface, I don't have advantages over Lanfeng. Until we marry, he won't give up."

"You wouldn't consider pretending to get married with Xu Jing?" Yun Yao worriedly asked.

In my mind - was pretense necessary? Marriage between Xu Jing and me was inevitable.

"I think Xu Jing would never prefer Lanfeng, so in the end he'll lose everything twice over."

Yun Yao mused, "All these troubles stem from men's fickle hearts. If one were truly devoted to his girlfriend..." Her voice trailed off as she clung to my sleeve with trembling fingers, "Would you be faithful to me Master Zhao? If... if you ever left me I don't know what I'd do without you."

I wasn't against such dramatic displays of affection from women - it showed deep feelings. But allowing only her to express this intensity would get complicated.

"Master Zhao won't leave your side," I assured, "I've promised to make you one of the happiest girls in the world. Trust me on that."

"Oh no!" she suddenly gasped, "Sister Ning must be heartbroken right now! It's all my fault for provoking her earlier. Let me check on her."

Yun Yao rushed out and tried opening Ning Shixuan's room but found it locked from inside. "Sister Ning! Sister Ning! Please open the door," she pleaded, "It was wrong of me to anger you - please forgive me!"

Cries came through the door, "Don't blame yourself Yun Yao. Just leave me alone to think."

I pulled Yun Yao back, "Let Ning calm down by herself first. We shouldn't disturb her now."

Back in my room, Yun Yao silently made up the bed while neatly arranging two pillows at the headboard. Then she lowered the mosquito net - I knew tonight she still wouldn't leave. This kind of emotionally dependent girl was exactly what I liked most. No matter what, I had to conquer this fortress. That would make seven out of nine golden flowers under my Zhao family's umbrella. How amazing!

"Master Zhao," she said after a while sitting by the bed, "I'm still worried about Sister Ning. Maybe you should talk to her - male words often help more than female ones at times like these."

Thinking it made sense (maybe three sentences could cheer her up), I agreed, "Alright, let me try. Seeing her cry makes my heart ache too."

"I'll wait here," Yun Yao said.

I kissed her forehead softly before leaving,

"If you're tired just go to sleep first. I've already sent people looking for the mustache man and long-haired guy. As soon as we have news I'll take you to kill them!"

Yun Yao nodded, removed her slippers, got into bed, and lovingly watched me leave toward the other room through the mosquito netting.

I knocked lightly on Ning Shixuan's door but received no response. "If you don't open it soon," I threatened, "I'll kick it in - then you'll have to pay for repairs yourself."

With a loud *thud*, the door opened and Ning threw herself onto her bed sobbing uncontrollably.

Closing the door behind me I said gently, "Ning, everything was fine earlier. You're my girlfriend right? Look at you, you haven't lost anything yet - why cry so much?"

Finally speaking through sobs, she declared, "This 'boyfriend' is fake! Sorry about kissing you earlier but don't mind it. It wasn't my first kiss though only Lanfeng and I kissed before."

I touched my face while thinking internally, *The only woman who kissed me was her - not receiving her first kiss is a pity, but when does life ever give perfect things?*

"Of course I won't mind," I smiled, "all in all it's me getting the better deal. Holding two women at once felt great earlier. All thanks to that evil secretary Duan - otherwise we'd still be continuing right now."

"Continue my foot!" Ning hurled a pillow at me,

"Just be faithful to Yun Yao and don't make her cry like I did. Also thank Xu Jing for you - she paid dearly with kisses and hugs this time."

I replied, "What's there to thank? A kiss or bed sharing is as common as breathing between us. We've been close so long now that I trust you completely. And you have an open mind too. Let me tell you something - our trip to the hotel room at noon was just an excuse. The real reason was..."

Silence followed, and indeed this had immediate effect. Ning not only stopped crying but pulled me onto her bed,

"Are you joking around to cheer me up? She's... she's president of Peach Blossom Financial Investments!"

I nodded, "Right, I know that too - didn't Xu Jing herself just say in front of me that for her it was just being a woman with no pretenses at all? My charm is astonishing isn't it?"

Ning ignored my smugness,

"That explains why some of Xu Jing's words earlier sounded strange. You're just an ordinary government office graduate student - what on earth is going on here?"

I said solemnly, "Love, pure and simple love power. You couldn't reach this level with Lanfeng because there was no real love between you two. Now that you've escaped his emotional prison we should celebrate."

Ning slapped my head,

"Stop talking nonsense! I'm too upset to go out for drinks right now. Tell me the full story of how you met Xu Jing - if I catch you teasing me I won't let it slide!"

I reclined on Ning's bed, unbothered by any sexual tension (with Yun Yao already sharing my bed and having recently released some energy at noon). Opening my phone I displayed a picture,

"Take a look yourself but don't say anything to Yun Yao or else I'll be in trouble."

"Naked photo of Xu Jing!" Ning's voice was loud. Afraid Yun Yao next door might hear, I quickly covered her mouth.

"Quiet! Otherwise I stop talking and go back to sleep."

"No!" she grabbed my wrist tightly. All women were the same - insatiable curiosity.

"At least let me speak quietly? And isn't it obvious how upset I am right now? Just keep me company for a while?"

"Then wipe your tears first," I warned, "and no more sobbing from now on or else I won't stay with you."

Ning complied by quickly washing her face and sitting beside me.

"You're not computer edited are you?" she asked suspiciously of my sudden mood shift. "You look like a pervert to me."

I replied, "Are you sure this is just after heartbreak? You've switched moods too fast for that."

Ning pinched me twice, "Did I not tell you to behave yourself? Difficult man!"

Her cute pouting face was enchanting - truly the most adorable expression of displeasure I'd ever seen. That's why I often said heaven treated women fairly by giving them one special charm to attract men or else the world would be overwhelmed with spinsters.

"Looking what?" she scolded when I caught her staring, "Never saw a woman before? Actually, I've accepted reality now. Before that I was just fantasizing too much about things impossible between us. Remember how we had an argument during Chinese New Year at his home and he wanted to sleep with me after drinking alcohol? For some strange reason I fiercely refused him then only allowed kisses. He got angry and broke up with me. I stormed out of his apartment in the middle of night and came to Liangshan next day after packing my things. Even though later he apologized for being drunk and impulsive, and we still talk by phone and text messages, since that moment I felt deep inside our love was gone."

I asked, "So why did you refuse him? You once told me it's important to give men some sweetness occasionally - otherwise making them chase endlessly without even a consolation prize is cruel."

"I had no reason but fear. When he tried taking off my clothes I couldn't control myself and resisted violently, so nothing happened between us."

I analyzed, "You've developed a sexual anxiety disorder. Though I'm just a skin doctor, treating this kind of condition should be within my capabilities."

"Pf," she scoffed, "I don't need you to cure me! All those quack doctors are frauds anyway. I'll remain an old maid for life. Actually before dinner I already decided - Lanfeng is too ambitious so he's not suitable for me."

I asked, "Then why cry just now!"

She lifted her eyebrows defiantly, "Do you think I can't?"

"Okay," I sighed, "next time please keep your crying quieter or else Yun Yao will send me to comfort you again."

Suddenly Ning lay next to me and took deep breaths.

"A woman's heart is strange - not only do you men never understand it sometimes even myself doesn't. Yun Yao has so much happiness while I'm jealous of her."

I wrapped my arm around her, "Then be my girlfriend too. I don't care about your past or pressuring you into sexual intimacy with me. Just being able to talk with you is the greatest joy for me."

To my surprise she didn't resist but leaned closer, burying her face in my chest.

"Your embrace gives such a sense of security," she murmured, " this place doesn't belong to me. Zhao Qian, you're a good man."

Those exact words were once Yun Yao's exclusive statement about me. I replied, "I've said it ten thousand times before - whether I'm good or not is up to others to judge, but one thing for sure - I'm definitely a pervert. Hey look at your chest! Half of your breast is exposed now."

Summer clothes were thin anyway and Ning had specifically chosen this pretty V-neck blouse to meet Lanfeng. Lying in my arms, her large breasts were fully visible through the neckline.

"See," she said, "since no man will ever love me again why bother keeping any restraint? I have no fear around you - you're really good at charming girls. Show me that photo quickly! I bet it's computer edited."

Passing her my phone I explained, "Actually these aren't truly naked photos since she wore a transparent veil. Some wives take them themselves to send me, some exchange with each other while posing in provocative ways. This one of Xu Jing is actually quite ordinary - mainly because she's naturally shy so only under others' influence would she possibly pose like that."

"Are you sure it's not computer edited?" Ning asked once again.

"I've told you a hundred times already! Should I call Xu Jing to confirm now?"

"Good!" she replied, "then do it quickly since I don't believe you!"

So reluctantly I really did call Xu Jing but the screen showed Zhou Ni!

"Master Zhao," Zhou Ni said cheerfully, "Sister Jing just got home and is taking a shower. Did you miss her already after parting for so short time?"

Seeing Zhou Ni on camera I quickly covered Ning's mouth who was about to speak (luckily she wasn't visible in the angle). To Zhou Ni I joked, "Haha yes, missed you too."

Zhou Ni giggled,

"Wait a moment while I hand her your phone."

Suddenly the showering Xu Jing appeared through the phone camera. This dramatic entrance shocked Ning so much that she bit my hand.

"Master Zhao," Xu Jing asked in bathrobe with wet hair, "haven't you finished resting yet? Are those two okay?"

Xu Jing adjusted the phone to a suitable position and casually wrapped herself in a towel before scrubbing her body. To me she said, "Everything's fine now. After my persistent persuasion Ning has decided to start anew. I just wanted to check if you've arrived home safely - good thing you did so now I can rest easy. Remove the towel please let me kiss your chest."

Blushing deeply she exposed her large breasts through the camera,

"Ugh, didn't we have enough fun at noon? Finish quickly and go home. It's too cold without you at home."

"I'm almost done," I replied, "almost done. Goodbye now!"

Tossing my phone aside I grabbed Ning by the neck,

"Ning Shixuan! You're just a shameless hound! You nearly bit off my finger!"

Ning proudly showed me her bitten thumb while saying, "Who was covering my mouth when I saw this shocking revelation? Impossible to believe - Peach Blossom Financial's president is actually your girlfriend! You... you even took advantage of her! You..."

I said, "What what what. Haven't I already conquered more than just Xu Jing for my charm? And isn't she now in my arms?"

"Pfft," she waved dismissively, "of course I know my own worth. Who was that pretty girl who answered earlier? She seemed so warm and down-to-earth - looks familiar too like someone I've seen before."

I replied, "She's Zhou Zhuan's younger sister named Zhou Ni."

"Oh!" she exclaimed recognizing the resemblance, "Originally they are siblings! So what is your relationship with her?"

"One of my future wives at least," I said, "though we haven't engaged in any sexual activities yet."

"Ah that explains it - so she's your big sister-in-law? That's why you were so familiar earlier. Zhao Qian who exactly are you? Confess now!"

"My family has been poor for eight generations and my political status is clean," I joked, "feel free to check yourself if you don't believe me."

Then came the inevitable question: "How did you even meet them in the first place? Why do they fancy you?"

"Charisma!" I answered confidently. "It won't be long before you fall for me too."

"Pretentious!" though she scolded this way, she still didn't leave my arms,

"But if you already have two girlfriends why bother with Yun Yao? It's unfair to her and will hurt her feelings eventually."

I was momentarily speechless - indeed it did seem that way.

"I'll try slowly making Yun Yao accept the situation. Surely there must be a solution somehow."

Ning asked, "Even if Yun Yao accepts having you as two boyfriends at once, what then? Two people have to leave since modern law doesn't allow three wives."

I replied defiantly, "Why should anyone leave? They all want me as their husband! Why do we need marriages when the law prohibits it? Isn't living together just fine?"

Ning blinked in surprise before asking, "Are you saying you want all three girls for yourself? That's impossible! Love cannot tolerate even a single grain of sand let alone two!"

I countered, "Who said that? Haven't you seen how close Xu Jing and