Walking into a trap

The moment I changed into the gown, I froze.

The fabric was so thin it was almost translucent, and the back was almost completely bare, open from my shoulder blades all the way to my waist, barely held together by a slender tie.

The dress was extremely narrow, hugging every curve of my body and cinching my waist tight. Under the lights, the long skirt gleamed dark red, as bewitching as fire.

I looked down at myself in the mirror and almost didn't recognize myself.

How was this a gown for a "goddess contest"? It was clearly...

It was my first time wearing anything like this, and my palms grew slightly damp.

Heat rose from my throat to my collarbones, and my heart beat uneasily.

I hesitated for a long time before reaching out, easing the door open a crack, and peering outside.

Shen Yanchuan was actually right outside the door.

He leaned against the wall, one hand in his pocket, the other toying with a lighter, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

I asked tentatively, "Isn't this... a little too revealing? Is there anything else I can change into?"

Shen Yanchuan looked up. "This is already the most conservative one."

"The most conservative?" I frowned, half believing him.

He tipped his chin toward the hallway. "Take a look outside if you don't believe me."

I pushed the door open and glanced down the corridor, nearly choking.

Several girls walked past the changing room.

Some wore maid outfits, others swimsuits. One even wore nothing but a few sequins and feathers.

The scene looked exactly like an upscale "adult masquerade."

For a moment, I couldn't speak. I only felt blood rushing to my head. "What kind of competition is this, exactly?"

Shen Yanchuan's smile deepened. "There's still time to back out. But... you can forget about that five-million prize."

Five million.

In an instant, reality crushed all my hesitation and shyness.

That's right. Nothing mattered more than five million.

I pushed the door open, straightened my back, and walked out.

My heels clicked crisply against the floor. At that moment, I felt like a woman clad in armor.

Only this armor was so thin that a gust of wind could tear it apart.

Shen Yanchuan's hand paused over the lighter he had been playing with.

His gaze traveled slowly along the contours of my body, burning with undisguised heat.

His stare made me a little uncomfortable, but I forced myself to remain composed.

Wasn't everyone who came here doing it to be looked at, anyway?

Having him look was no big deal.

If I was going to be a whore, I shouldn't put up a chastity arch.

The corners of Shen Yanchuan's mouth lifted slightly, his tone half serious, half joking. "Yu Han, if Gu Hansheng finds out about this, he might tear me apart. When that happens, you'll have to clear things up for me. I'm helping you, after all."

I smiled faintly. "Don't worry. He won't care about me."

The moment the words left my mouth, even I froze.

There was an unmistakable note of resentment in those words, one that could easily cause a misunderstanding.

Shen Yanchuan's expression briefly faltered. He asked no more questions, only beckoning a makeup artist over. "Do her makeup. Make it refined."

As I sat down in front of the mirror, I knew all I could do now was grit my teeth and give it everything I had!

If I really won that five million, I could pay off half the loan-shark debt!

Once my makeup was done, I was assigned a spot in the waiting area.

Time ticked by.

Shen Yanchuan came over with a list and casually handed it to me. "You're last."

I scanned it. There were twenty-seven people in total, and I was number twenty-seven.

That meant I would have to wait for over an hour.

"If I'd known, I would've changed later," I couldn't help grumbling under my breath.

The dress was far too tight. Every movement made the fabric rustle faintly, and it was so constricting I could barely breathe properly.

A smile played on Shen Yanchuan's lips. "Changing early has its advantages. You can warm things up early, too."

I rolled my eyes at him and ignored him.

Seemingly worried that I would get bored, he specifically had someone arrange a seat for me in a corner, saying I would be able to see the stage.

I sat down and crossed my legs, trying hard to maintain a dignified posture.

The lights suddenly dimmed a little, and then thunderous music erupted.

The "Goddess Night" showcase officially began.

The venue was lavishly decorated, the lights cutting shafts through the air,

The audience seats were packed. Among them were many people I knew, people I had dined, drunk, and gone clubbing with back in my glory days.

Now, however, we stood in entirely different positions.

Most of them wore finely tailored suits and held wineglasses, while I sat backstage, waiting to go on and be ogled by them.

As the beat kicked in, the first girl took the stage.

She was striking, but clearly had little professional training. She merely swayed a couple of times to the beat onstage, yet the applause from below nearly lifted the roof.

The second, the third...

One act followed another.

After watching so many, I began to yawn.

These so-called "contests" were less a competition,

And more an extravagant display.

Every woman who stepped onto the stage was like an ornament on display,

Gleaming beneath the lights, and being chosen beneath them, too.

I leaned back in my chair, smiling bitterly to myself.

Perhaps this was just the way the world worked...

As long as you had money, even appreciation could come with a clearly marked price.

The lights dimmed again, and the host announced my name.

"Next up-Yu Han."

My chest suddenly tightened.

It was my turn.