Aromatic Flesh

Gu MingYue’s anticipation grew as she sat on a chair close to the vanity, as she heard the door being pushed open, she looked up eagerly towards the door.

Qian YunSheng gracefully approached, adorned in a subtle and refined theatrical attire. The embellished headpiece shimmered under the ambient lighting, while his meticulously applied makeup enhanced his flawless complexion. His eyes, akin to stars, exuded both allure and charm.

A man whose beauty surpassed that of most women, he directed his gaze solely towards the dressing table, disregarding all distractions. Methodically, he began to remove his costume, hanging it upon a nearby rack. With utmost care, he sat before the mirror and delicately untied the headdress, moistening a corner of a piece of cloth with warm water from the basin.

He removed the makeup from his face with gentle strokes, unveiling his natural radiance.

Qian YunSheng possessed a perfectly oval face, with fair and radiant skin that was as smooth and lustrous as exquisite jade. His well-groomed eyebrows were thick and long, with a gentle and broad arch, and when paired with his mesmerizing phoenix eyes, they resembled dazzling gemstones, exuding an enchanting and captivating allure. The depth and gracefulness of his autumn-like gazes, flowing endlessly from those dreamlike and radiant eyes, left an unforgettable impression, captivating one’s soul.

His nose had a refined and high bridge, complemented by delicate nostrils, while his thin and supple lips displayed a tender pink colour reminiscent of blooming peach blossoms. The soft contours of his features were harmoniously defined, as if intricately carved yet inherently natural. Even in the midst of mundane tasks such as cleaning up and changing attire, his movements exuded a graceful fluidity and elegance. His serene countenance carried a subtle and ethereal poetic essence, evoking a sense of transcendent allure beyond conventional gender boundaries.

Gu MingYue quietly observed the male protagonist of this mission world, who was seemingly oblivious to the presence of a woman in the room as he changed his clothes without any concern. He donned a light shade of aqua silk robe, its subtle textured pattern adding an air of understated luxury.

A long and wide white silk scarf draped down from his neck, adding a touch of intellectual refinement. Qian YunSheng’s hair was lustrous and black, casually styled with a side parting. The hair at the crown was brushed back, blending seamlessly with the rest of the voluminous and flowing strands. The soft and fine texture of his hair exuded a natural charm.

No wonder Tang YingShao was willing to lavish him with money. No wonder Xue HeZe had no hesitation in her affection for him.

Gu MingYue sat poised in the chair, resembling a precious and exquisite foreign doll, her gaze seemingly enthralled and distant, as if focused entirely on Qian YunSheng. However, her mind had long since wandered into the nostalgic scenes of the original plot’s storyline.

As the male protagonist in this mission, set against the backdrop of an era marked by foreign powers and warlord conflicts, Qian YunSheng’s personal history was not particularly fraught with hardships. The first half of his life followed the clichéd tale of an orphan without parents, who were then taken in by a benevolent theatre troupe master who diligently passed down his expertise. The old master’s demands were stringent, and young Qian YunSheng endured scoldings and punishments for his lack of proficiency, a routine occurrence during his formative years.

Enduring arduous training and the sting of admonishment left an indelible mark, yet Qian YunSheng harboured no resentment toward the old master’s disciplinary actions. The old master provided him with sustenance and taught him the skills needed to secure a livelihood. The privilege of having enough to eat and wear was hard-won, rendering the hardships and scoldings insignificant in comparison.

The old theatre troupe master was a kind-hearted person who treated Qian YunSheng like his own. And Qian YunSheng, being an orphan with exceptional intelligence, was not an ignorant and idle individual. Since a young age, he had nurtured a dream of becoming a successful actor, earning substantial wealth to support the old master and ensuring his comfortable retirement.

Regrettably, the purity of his aspirations was soon shattered. When Qian YunSheng reached the age of twelve, the old master fell victim to a malicious scheme concocted by a senior disciple. This led to a change in leadership within the troupe, marking the beginning of Qian YunSheng’s dark days. He suffered through beatings, humiliation, and confinement without food or water, all because of his striking appearance. The new troupe master aimed to control him, planning to sell him as an object of desire to affluent merchants who were willing to pay exorbitant sums. He intended to exploit Qian YunSheng as a long-term source of profit.

Despite the new troupe master’s cruelty, he possessed some foresight. He recognized Qian YunSheng’s potential as a talented performer and saw numerous opportunities to capitalize on his skills in the future. Thus, he refrained from inflicting torment that would prove fatal, understanding the value of nurturing him for long-term financial gains.

So, amidst Qian YunSheng’s desperate struggle, enduring wounds all over his body and on the verge of starvation, he was temporarily spared. As a twelve-year-old boy, powerless and lacking the means to escape from the theatre troupe where he grew up, he found himself subjected to intimidation, threats, and enticing offers. Reluctantly, he succumbed to signing a contract, agreeing to sell himself from the very day he would make his stage debut.

From that moment on, Qian YunSheng dedicated himself even more tirelessly to mastering the art of theatre. The pure and innocent dreams of his youth were now a distant memory, replaced by haunting visions of infernal flames that flickered behind the stage.

No longer did his dreams offer solace and tranquillity; instead, they unleashed a tempest of restlessness and vengeance upon his psyche. He yearned to avenge the old troupe master and inflict upon the new one the same humiliation he had endured. However, unable to rely solely on his own strength, he sought the power and wealth of others. Having already committed to the path of selling himself, he saw no harm in utilizing every resource available to achieve his goals. He was willing to sacrifice anything and everything to exact his revenge.

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