Golden Temptation – A Yuri Story - Chapter 14

“When my adoptive father brought me to Singapore, he had no idea I was a girl. My identity was an extremely well-guarded secret. If anyone found out the truth, it could cost me my life. At the time, I was torn—unsure whether to confide in him. So, I kept it hidden. I dragged things out, wrestling with fear and hesitation. I didn’t trust anyone, and the constant pressure made it hard to even breathe.

But then, something happened—something that no girl can avoid. Two months later, I got my period.

I was terrified. I didn’t understand what was happening. I thought I was dying. I treated it with such care, thinking that maybe death wouldn’t be so bad. It’s almost laughable now—hahaha…”

Lan Qing lay silently beside Jing Xuan, listening. As she looked at Jing Xuan’s lighthearted smile, her heart ached unbearably. She had endured so much at such a young age—pressure, fear, solitude—all while tiptoeing through life. She was just a child.

She remembered her own first period. The nuns at the monastery would warm her bedding, prepare sweet soups to nourish her, and when the pain became too much, she could lie in bed and listen to the gentle voices of the head nun and sisters explaining everything. But Jing Xuan? She had no one.

Lan Qing’s eyes welled up again.

Jing Xuan continued in a quiet voice, “No matter how careful I was, I had no experience. It didn’t take long before my godfather noticed something was off. He was concerned, and I felt guilty. In the end, I took a gamble and told him the truth. If he could be trusted, he would protect me. If not… I was prepared to let fate decide.

To this day, I still don’t know who hates my family enough to want us all dead. But I know one thing—someone is out there who would kill me the moment they find out. That’s what Movis reminded me every time we met.

Luckily, I won the gamble. My godfather accepted me. He even loved me more deeply after knowing the truth. But he was honest too—he said they could hide me for now, but not forever. So, they made arrangements. I was sent to Thailand for body modification.”

“Body modification?” Lan Qing asked softly.

“Yes. It’s similar to s3x reassignment surgery, but less invasive. They used bone setting to make me taller, injected me with male hormones to develop muscle and coarsen my features. They gave me medication to stop my period—everything to help me pass as a man.

It was brutal. My body rejected the changes. The side effects were agonizing. At times, it felt like being stabbed all over or burning up with a never-ending fever. It was like a drug addict going through withdrawal—except I had no escape, no comfort, nothing but pain. I would faint from the intensity. But somehow, I survived.

Even now, some female traits remain. I don’t have an Adam’s apple. My throat is slightly prominent, but if you look closely, you can tell. I stay thin, because if I gain weight, my chest develops. So, I train constantly—fitness, martial arts—just to keep the illusion intact.

At 17, I joined the U.S. Marine Corps to toughen myself up. I had to become strong enough to protect myself and the people I care about. At 19, I got into Princeton’s MBA program. Then I took over my godfather’s business. That’s the life I’ve been building since.”

As Jing Xuan finished, Lan Qing could no longer hold back her tears. She wished she could take on her suffering so she wouldn’t have to. It was no wonder no one had found her after all these years—she had changed completely.

She was also filled with questions. Who had been hunting her all this time? Right now, perhaps the only clue left about Jing Xuan’s origins was her gender.

Lan Qing wiped her tears, but Jing Xuan beat her to it, gently brushing them away.

“Xuan,” she asked softly, “with such a special identity… haven’t you faced danger over the years?”

“I was hidden away in a monastery when I was a child because of the danger. My godfather protected me so well that life was peaceful—for a while. But I know… I might have to live like this forever.”

Jing Xuan gave a wry smile. It broke Lan Qing’s heart all over again. She leaned in and kissed her—full of care, love, and fierce resolve.

This kiss carried a vow.

She would never let Jing Xuan be hurt again. She would carry her pain and protect her from the world.

The kiss grew deeper, leaving them both breathless. Jing Xuan laughed softly, “Qing, are you trying so hard… do you want to go again? Hahaha~”

Lan Qing ignored her teasing and looked into her eyes with solemnity. “Xuan, come back to Japan with me. From now on, I’ll protect you.”

Jing Xuan shook her head gently. “I came to City C to uncover the truth behind all these grudges. Too many people have died for me—I can’t just walk away. And I don’t want to be seen as a man who lives off his lover. When it’s all over, I’ll go with you. Whether it’s Japan or anywhere else… I’ll follow you.”

“Xuan…” Lan Qing whispered, her eyes brimming with tears. How could anyone not love someone like her?
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Meanwhile, across the globe in Los Angeles, USA…

In the dark basement of a secret organization’s prison, a middle-aged man hung from the ceiling in chains. His body was bloodied, his wounds festering. His head drooped low, sweat and bl00d dripping to the cold floor.

—Squeak—

The door creaked open. A sharply dressed man, likely in his early forties, stepped inside. His eyes were cold, like a hawk eyeing its prey. He walked around the man slowly, his voice mocking.

“I didn’t think you’d be this tough. Still hanging on? Let’s see how much longer you can endure. Tell me where the child is, and I’ll give you a quick death. For old times’ sake.”

Movis forced himself to look up and offered a weak smile. “Give up. I truly don’t know. If you have any mercy left, just kill me.”

Jing Cheng sneered. “You think death is that easy? Even if you don’t talk, I’ll find the truth myself.”

He paused dramatically. “I know the child was once hidden in St. Ann’s Monastery in City C. From there, the trail goes cold. But I’ll find them. Soon.”

With a cruel laugh, Jing Cheng turned and left the cell.

Movis was stunned. Someone had leaked the truth.

He silently prayed, May heaven protect that child. Let them live in peace…