The Queen of Masks

Chapter 1: The Big Shot’s Second Chance at Life

“Slap!”

A hand landed on the cheek, and Nancy Gu was instantly awakened.

Opening her eyes, she saw a stern man’s face before her.

“Nancy Gu, you are not worthy of being my Mo Jiang's woman. My heart only belongs to Xena; she is a thousand times kinder and better than you. What do you have to compare with her?”

“Xena treats you so well, yet you deceived me into coming to this hotel behind her back. With a sister like you, I truly feel sorry for Xena.”

“Even if you use all your tricks, I won’t spare you another glance. You’d better keep your inappropriate thoughts to yourself.”

The man's words were full of contempt and mockery, his gaze filled with indifference and disgust.

The girl frowned slightly.

Strange images surged into her mind like a movie.

The original owner of this body was also named Nancy Gu, the second daughter of the Gu family in Pingcheng.

The man before her was called Mo Jiang, the original owner's fiancé.

When the original owner was still in her mother’s womb, the old master of the Mo family promised that if Mrs. Gu gave birth to a daughter, he would betroth his grandson Mo Jiang to her; thus they were childhood sweethearts.

However, when the original owner was born, her mother died during childbirth, and her father Tim Gu abandoned her in the countryside for eighteen years until last year when he finally brought her back home.

Now that her mother had passed away and the Ye family's fortunes had declined, the Mo family’s attitude towards this engagement was also ambiguous.

From the moment she saw Mo Jiang for the first time, Nancy Gu liked him very much; however, Mo Jiang's heart only belonged to her sister Xena Gu.

Nancy Gu pulled back from her thoughts and shot out a cold glare before slapping him back hard across the face.

“Slap!”

Mo Jiang staggered from the slap as his whole body shook. “Nancy Gu, do you dare hit me? Who gave you such courage?”

He stared fiercely at the woman beneath him as if realizing something; he tightly gripped Nancy Gu's wrists. “Woman, are you playing hard to get? Ha! Do you think such lowly tricks can catch my attention? Dream on; this will only make me hate you more.”

Looking at this arrogant and narcissistic man before her, Nancy Gu scoffed without saying another word; she suddenly raised her right leg and struck him hard in his most vulnerable spot. “Hiss! Ah…”

A wave of intense pain hit him as he gasped sharply and flipped off Nancy Gu's body while clutching his legs tightly in agony with his handsome face twisted in discomfort. “Nancy Gu, have you gone mad?

”

Nancy Gu slowly got up and leisurely adjusted her dress. With a slight smirk on her lips: “Playing hard to get? You’re not worthy.”

Leaving behind a mocking remark, she no longer glanced at him but walked proudly out of the room. The long corridor was exceptionally quiet as Nancy Gu curiously looked around. To her surprise, the hotel decor imitated Western-style architecture with several famous Western oil paintings hanging on both sides of the walls. As she passed by one famous painting, Nancy Gu suddenly stopped in place. It was a world-renowned painting titled "The Fortune Teller," created by an artist named Eric. In this oil painting set within an ancient dim room sat a tall Eastern woman dressed in noble attire from ancient Western times; she sat sideways at a table lit by candles while holding between two fingers of her left hand a card depicting strange patterns. Due to poor lighting conditions in the painting itself only revealed that she had an attractive figure and beautiful features but lacked clarity regarding specific details about appearance. This haziness enveloped the entire piece with an air of mystery that evoked involuntary feelings of fear within viewers.

This hotel painting was merely a replica; its genuine counterpart resided within France's Louvre Museum. Next to it was an introduction about Eric’s life which stated: 1579—1658 under his birth-death years section. Nancy Gu found herself captivated by this painting because it depicted someone who looked just like… herself! Hundreds of years had flown by since then; who would have thought she'd see here Eric’s work painted specifically for her? That art-obsessed madman Eric truly succeeded after all! Although people around them claimed he was insane at that time; she knew well enough that he wasn’t mentally ill but rather deeply immersed within creative depths impossible for anyone else to fathom or escape from entirely. However genius often stands apart alone amidst society's norms—she felt fortunate being recognized as that madman's sole friend.

“Tap tap tap!”

Sudden hurried footsteps approached rapidly.

Nancy turned around only to find two tall middle-aged men leering maliciously at her.

“Hey girlie! It’s dangerous running around alone at night—let big brother protect ya!”

“My room is right next door—I’ll take good care of ya!”

One man eyed Nancy up and down hungrily especially fixating on exposed collarbones along with fair arms causing wicked images flashing through his mind making his throat dry up quickly.

He licked his lips extending thick arms toward Nancy's slender waist intending to grab hold.

With narrowed eyes upon noticing their intentions approaching closer—she swiftly seized hold onto one man's throat while delivering powerful kick sending him flying three meters away.

Since awakening within this body—she realized how severely weakened abilities became estimated possibly reduced down merely one percent compared previously held strength levels.

Nevertheless dealing with these two scoundrels proved more than sufficient!

Both burly men were taken aback surprised realizing this little girl possessed martial skills?

Embarrassed after being knocked down—the injured man climbed back up furiously.

“You little brat! Do know who I am? You’re finished! If you're smart—you’ll come along quietly otherwise forget ever living peacefully hereafter!”

“Hmph! If I don’t deal with ya today—I swear my name will be written backward!”

Nancy displayed disdainful expression across face.

“That last part—I’ll ensure happens just as intended!”

“This is all self-inflicted trouble—you wait till I show ya what real punishment feels like,” said muscular thug revealing lewd grin tightening fists charging directly towards Nancy while accomplices rushed forward too.

At corner ahead stood two figures observing closely.

One young man radiated charm glancing over intrigued watching helplessly attacked situation unfolding against poor girlie caught amidst chaos surrounding them.

“This little lady seems bound for trouble,” remarked handsome youth beside whom leaned casually against wall exuding nonchalance yet hinting traces lethargy evident throughout demeanor exhibited effortlessly maintaining relaxed posture whilst raising cigarette hand bringing it close mouth inhaling deeply showcasing effortless elegance combined slight air disinterest surrounding presence altogether creating captivating allure drawing attention naturally towards himself effortlessly commanding respect without uttering single word spoken aloud whatsoever!

His long fingers appeared delicate pale skin contrasting sharply against dark background emphasizing every detail exquisitely crafted resembling divine artistry sculpted perfectly showcasing flawless beauty embodied therein!

His cold gaze flickered briefly toward young girl standing nearby seemingly youthful clad red spaghetti strap gown accentuating snow-like complexion highlighting alluring curves accentuated further enhancing graceful neck appearing particularly slender elegant overall impression conveyed radiating undeniable charm captivating everyone present instantaneously leaving lasting impressions etched forevermore upon minds witnessing scene unfold before them now unfolding dramatically right here right now!

Eyes lowered slightly falling upon torn hemline skirt revealing glimpses soft white thighs barely concealed beneath fabric prompting fleeting thoughts cross mind: “So fair…”