How To Polish A Pearl

Chapter 9 - Unwrapping

A/N: This chapter contains non-con. Please don't continue reading if this is something that makes you uncomfortable.

Also, I have decided that Wen Ke Xing will not be called Chief. I find that I think about him more as the Guzhu.

Guzhu = 雇主 or gùzhŭ, English translation is Master, owner, employer.

The man we all know as 鬼谷雇主 or guǐgǔ gùzhŭ, Master of the Ghost Valley, or Ghost Valley Chief.

I have gone back through the chapters and updated to Guzhu – so you don't get confused.

⊂ (▀▿▀) つ

Though he had never been to a wedding before, the groom felt that this had to have been the wedding of the century. Massive iron candelabras, each with sixteen candles gently swaying, illuminates the enormous stone chamber which had been chosen to host the wedding banquet. He leans back against his 'granite throne', which is raised high above the others, as he watches the vulgar creatures feast on the prepared dishes.

Sure, the majority of the ghosts had been forced to be here. Their smiles fake and congratulatory toasts oozing with insincere adulation. However, he was pretty sure the same could be said for any wedding out in the man's world. All people were fake anyway, no matter if they were men or ghosts. Ironically, the only real thing in life, is death.

He wouldn't say that he had been careful, really, but since he wanted to fully appreciate and experience his new bride and subsequent wedding night, he had still been mindful about the amount of wine he had drank throughout the evening. Four bottles had been enough before he left the banquet, the ghost howling crude words behind him. Their own distasteful way of wishing him a prosperous wedding night with his bride. Animals.

Seeing as this was his wedding and one of the rarest occasions in his so far non-existing life, he takes the opportunity to walk along the fully decorated stone path towards Hua Men, rather than his usual 'flying down the mountain side'-style of travel. Carrying a wooden box under his arm, he walks the same path the bride had walked earlier in the day. Red ribbons and bows are hanging on each side of the walkway, illuminated in the darkness by thousands of lanterns. Each lantern exquisitely painted with golden shuangxi symbols, are now shimmering like warm moonlight.

He hasn't seen Zhou Xu since the ceremony had ended. The bride had been 'assisted' back to the Hua Men and prepared for the wedding night. Likely sitting on the bed, still with that red delicate veil covering his face.

Though Wen Ke Xing had watched the bruises and cuts heal over the past two weeks, as he participated in the morning bathing routine up until that night, he hadn't fully seen Zhou Xu's face. It was always partially hidden beneath the blindfold or sheltered by the darkness. He had a feeling that this man, whom he now legally owned every part of, had an exceptional face just begging to be bullied. He had already tasted the curve of that mouth and had plans for all the things it would do to him. However, he hadn't been able to combine his fantasies with those anticipated brown eyes, not able to imagine seeing all the fear, pleasure, guilt, pain and inevitable climax. He could already feel his erection twitching in anticipation.

He had never had to wait this long to take a man before. To be honest, he had never had to wait at all. Thinking about those strong shoulder blades moving under the red wedding robe, his breath catches in anticipation, his steps unconsciously speeding up.

Arriving below Hua Men, he realizes that he has been almost half running the last distance. Closing his eyes for a moment to reset and focus, he opens them, his usual expressionless face imprinted once again.

Lanterns hang in rows along the twenty odd steps up to the pavilion entrance. On every second step, guards are standing on each side in formal greeting of their Guigu Guzhu. They are immediately dismissed with a single wave of his hand. He waits, as they uniformly walk down the stairs and continue past him, one column of guards on each side, until they have cleared out.

Soundlessly, he walks up the dimly illuminated steps. He doesn't even stop at the top of the stairs, instantly opening the doors not able to suppress the anticipation he had just suppressed a moment ago.

Zhou Xu is sitting at the center of the bed, his red wedding robe flowing like bloody waterfalls around him, the veil still hiding his face like a well-kept secret.

Stepping over the threshold, he ignores the maids as he walks to one of the tables that has been arranged inside with various drinks and food. Picking up a cup of the tea that has been kept warm, waiting for his arrival, he walks to stand in front of the bed. His eyes fixed on the veil, he puts the cup and wooden box down on the side table and squats in front of Zhou Xu.

Unceremoniously, he takes off the veil and smirks at the slightly stunned bride as he blinks. He had been right about the walnut-colored eyes. Behind that expressionless front, they are fierce yet inviting and perfect within that jade white face. Surprisingly, not as hostile as he would have thought.

Sweeping his eyes over every inch, he is satisfied that not a single scar is noticeable. The healers had done their job and would get paid rather than pushed off the cliff. They would likely be needed shortly again anyway.

Taking the cup off the table, he holds it between his slender fingers towards Zhou Xu, "Ah-Xu, may I call you Ah-Xu now that we are married?"

Keeping his lips closed, he looks coldly at his new husband.

"Do not choose the one you don't trust and trust the one you chose." (1) Tilting his head to look into those walnut-colored eyes, Wen Ke Xing continues, "Ah-Xu, I will have some first." Raising the cup in a subtle but pointed toast, he takes a small sip and makes a show out of swallowing it. Suspicious but for some reason obedient, Zhou Xu takes the cup out of his hand and drinks it, all whilst keeping those eyes fixed on his. It will probably take about thirty minutes before the binding medicine wears off now.

Standing him up, Wen Ke Xing starts to unwrap his own wedding present, too occupied and too arrogant to take notice of the maids slipping out from the room, blushing and giggling as they hurry down the steps.

What the hell. What do I do? Now that they have been left alone, Zhou Xu tries to remember what tools in the room he might be able to use. However, as his mind is absent trying to find a solution, layer after layer is patiently removed.

Wen Ke Xing's heart begins to pump faster as more and more of that bright skin is revealed. He had specifically ordered that no perfume or makeup was to be put on his bride for today's occasion. He wants him raw and real.

"Why are you so quiet?" Wen Ke Xing asks as he raises an eyebrow to look at Zhou Xu's blank expression. He is trying hard to act cool. Amusing.

"..." Having been pulled out from his thoughts, Zhou Xu realizes that he has been completely disrobed with nothing but the golden jewelry left. He stands in silence, mind completely blank. The humiliation of standing naked in front of this man gives his cheeks an involuntary rose color and burns his skin against the cold air.

"Ah-Xu, no need to be shy. You are really remarkably beautiful. I always pick the best for myself."

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