Chapter 4 — Love Begins Under the Magnolia Tree

Speculating is one thing, witnessing it with your own eyes is a feeling that is extremely difficult to describe. The elevator stops at the top floor. I followed Hua Chi into a large room — a monitoring center. On the opposite wall, a series of electronic screens are close together, projecting images from another world of mythical luxury. In the middle of the splendid hall, there is a small stage where a daring 18+ performance of the "training" type is taking place. The audience stood around the stage, everyone wearing masks of all shapes and sizes, hiding their identities. Hua Chi explained in a low voice in my ear: "Those who come here voluntarily, the performances are completely free of coercion." “You know, there are people who look serious on the outside, but on the inside they hide hobbies that are difficult for others to know about.” Hua Chi said, handing me a file of documents. “Members' personal information is strictly confidential, I cannot reveal too much to you.” “The person you want to look up, the highest ranking member, the number of people like that is extremely rare.” “The person who gets this class card is definitely acquainted with my uncle.” “But… although I can't say much, I can break the rules and show you his check-in history and spending situation.” “It's limited to that.” I took the file and started flipping through it. The frequency of Giang Mo Trach coming here is not high, about once a month. Each time, they just sit in a private room to watch the performance, then immediately leave after watching, without any other requests or interactions. “Does the VIP room have cameras installed?” I asked. Hua Chi replied: "Yes in the living room, but not inside the bedroom." “Can I watch?” I continued to ask. Hua Chi looked awkward: "Luong Nhac Am, after all, this is my family's property, but it is under the management of my uncle." "If I broke the rules today, I would be scolded no matter what I go home." I sighed and said in a sad voice: "When you were young, you were cowardly and weak and were often bullied. Who always protected you? It was me!" "To save you, I fought with other boys and almost got destroyed!" "In middle school, you didn't know how to swim. You ran into the river to catch fish on your own. You almost drowned. Who discovered and rescued you? It was me!" "You used to secretly love Tam Nhiem, but Jiang Mo Than beat you until you couldn't raise your head. Who carried you to the hospital? It was still me!" I meticulously recounted each past story. Hua Chi held his head and repeatedly admitted his mistakes: "I was wrong, I was wrong! Okay okay, I give up, don't mention it again!" "See, see! My uncle's business is my responsibility!" I immediately smiled smugly and patted his shoulder. "Good friend." Hua Chi said as he helped me open the image from Giang Mo Trach's room. The living room is decorated in a classic style. He wore a black mask that covered half of his face, lazily leaning back on a wooden chair covered with soft cushions, holding a glass of wine, leisurely enjoying. If it weren't for the one-way glass wall behind him that reflected the scene he was watching, I'm afraid anyone looking in would think he was enjoying some elegant art performance. Giang Mo Trach like that, to me, is too strange. During the day he is a gentle and elegant gentleman, at night he enters a place of sensual indulgence. He is both quiet and dangerous and mysterious. Like the bottom of the deep ocean, or area The forest is dense and lush but cold. I stared at Giang Mo Trach's image, suddenly wanting to hear his voice right now. So, I took out my phone and called him directly. On the screen, the man looked down at the phone, thought for a few seconds before pressing the answer button. A cold, deep male voice rang through the receiver: "Hello." “Jiang Mo Trach.” I call your name. “…Um, what's wrong?” "What are you doing?" I asked. “Watching a show.” "What performance is that? Please let me go with you next time!" I happily suggested. Giang Mo Trach did not answer immediately, but asked again: "Is there something wrong?" Clearly you don't want to, or can't, answer my question directly. But I'm stubborn: what if I keep asking? “You haven't answered me yet, what show are you watching?” There was only silence on the other end of the line. On the surveillance screen, I saw Giang Mo Trach holding the phone, his index finger lightly tapping on the phone case, his movements were slow and controlled. Just when I thought he wouldn't respond, Giang Mo Trach suddenly opened his mouth, his tone was calm, without ripples: "Performing S.M." "Huh?" I tilted my head, stunned. You just... bluntly admitted that! There was no hiding it, not even bothering to use euphemisms to cover it up. Just openly, openly admit it. Leaving me completely unsure of how to react. I stammered and asked: "You, you, you really like... those things?" Giang Mo Trach answered, but didn't get straight to the point: "Recently, I've had a lot of surgery." I didn't have time to react, I didn't understand what he was saying. He slowly continued: "Continuously maintain high concentration, facing blood, internal organs..." On the screen, I saw him raise one hand in front of his face, look at it for a moment, then slowly clench it and let it go. Giang Mo Trach paused for a few seconds, then ended with a gentle sentence: "Psychological pressure needs to be relieved." His voice was very calm from beginning to end, without any confusion or hesitation when letting me know about the dark side of his heart. I got it. My feelings right now are extremely complicated. Surprise, panic, worry, pity... All intertwined, chaos. However, in the end, I felt a vague sense of joy. Because — Jiang Mo Ze didn't hide it from me, he told me the deepest secret in his heart. Oh my God, do I have a problem... While I was still in silence, Giang Mo Trach took the initiative to speak, returning to the original question: "You called me, is something wrong?" I stared at his image on the screen, my voice softly said: "I just want to tell you, the moon is beautiful tonight." "Today is not the first day, it's not raining, the sky is clear, I want you to look at the moon with me." On the screen, Giang Mo Trach stood up, walked to the window, and opened the glass door slightly. He leaned over and looked up at the night sky, half of his face under the mask appeared, his chin line was sharp and perfect. He said in a low voice: "I see, the moon is very beautiful." 8 When I got home that day, I tossed and turned and thought all night. Humans sometimes have slightly strange interests. Like me, I also like to secretly read erotic novels. Giang Mo Ze just has a heavier taste bit. In my mind are two opposing images: A cold, serious Giang Mo Trach in everyday life, and a mysterious, dangerous Giang Mo Trach in the dark world. Obviously the same person, yet it's like two completely separate personalities. He admitted that he watched it, but what about the actual action? No, I can't accept it. Tossing and turning until morning, the next day I texted him and asked: 【Are you S?】 Giang Mo Trach: 【No.】 【So you are M?!】 【No.】 【So what are you?】 【Person.】 … Me: …… After a while of chatting, I also realized a little. Although Giang Mo Trach is serious, sometimes he has a cold, hidden sense of humor. He's still single, perhaps he hasn't really determined his orientation yet, or hasn't really tested it yet. I pursued him for two months, and the greatest achievement was - knowing his dark secret that no one knew about. Based on that, I can guess: maybe he also has some feelings for me? Hateful, guessing back and forth, tiring to death. No more guessing! Ask directly! I called Giang Mo Trach directly: "Do you like me?" The other side was silent for a long time — My heart gradually cooled down, I pursed my lips and said: "Okay, I understand." Having finished speaking, I decisively hung up the phone. I'm so angry I can die! This type of "flower high on the mountain top" is what I hate the most! Okay, it's the final stage. If I keep pursuing it and still don't see results, then I'll quit! I composed a text message and sent it: 【Doctor Giang, from now on I won't like you anymore.】 【I'm tired of chasing you, if you don't like me, then I won't bother you anymore.】 【Thinking carefully, you're older than me, there's really a generation gap.】 【I'll go find someone else to love.】 【Goodbye.】 Sent finished. message, I immediately blocked and deleted contact with Giang Mo Trach.