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墨書 Inktalez
Tajikuli came from a county beneath the Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, located at the northwestern edge of the border, in the heart of the Eurasian continent. Surrounded by mountains on the west, north, and south, it has a continental arid climate typical of the northern temperate zone.
In this vast land with a sparse population, goji berries, beets, and cotton are abundant, along with wheat and corn. Cattle and sheep farming is also widespread. Tajikuli's family was not poor, but when she arrived in this bustling provincial capital thousands of miles away from her distant home at the Northern Frontier, she was astonished by its prosperity.
She no longer wished to return to the hometown that had nurtured her for nearly twenty years. She vowed to stay in this city through her own efforts, to take root and flourish here, desperately trying to blend in with its vibrant life. Her family sent her a monthly allowance of two hundred sixty yuan, which was much higher than what most students at Jiangcheng University received. Yet for her, it was always insufficient; she longed for better clothes, food, and experiences that she had never encountered or enjoyed back at the Northern Frontier.
As a result, not only did her allowance fall short each month, but she also had to borrow money from classmates and dormitory sisters to make ends meet. However, most of her classmates were in worse financial situations than hers; even if they were willing to lend her money, it was only small amounts that did not match her spending habits.
"Desperation breeds change." She saw an advertisement in the newspaper for part-time singers wanted by Tian Shang Ren Jia and decided to apply. The border region has long been known as a "land of song and dance," where many are celebrated for their musical talents. Tajikuli was hired due to her outstanding appearance and graceful dance style.
On the day of her official performance, accompanied by the sounds of the dombra, Tajikuli's folk songs were melodious and soaring. Her dance was lively and energetic, winning applause with moves like "shoulder shimmies" and "horse stance." During the audition, they had agreed on a payment of twenty yuan per performance, settled daily. However, after the show ended that day, Zhao Yingying from the public relations department and Qin Xiaolu from human resources both approached her directly. They handed her a fifty yuan note and praised her talent.
Zhao Yingying said, "Miss Tajikuli, you are exceptional! Our general manager appreciates you greatly; he said you are the most charming performer since Tian Shang Ren Jia was founded! He specifically inquired about you in human resources and decided to raise your pay to fifty yuan per show!"
Qin Xiaolu added smoothly, "From now on when you perform here, we will have someone drive you to and from; you won't need to rush for public transport anymore."
As days turned into weeks, accustomed to extravagant spending and surrounded by opulence, this girl who had little experience in the world but sought pleasure gradually fell deeper into temptation. The first time was when a middle-aged man known as President Hou sent a bouquet of blood-red roses after one of her performances; the second time he rewarded her with two flower baskets... These gestures made Tian Shang Ren Jia pay even more attention to her, increasing her salary until she could earn over one hundred yuan per performance!
She worried at times and even felt afraid; however, those thoughts quickly faded in light of the cash before her.
Later, President Hou suggested taking her out for a meal. She hesitated about whether to go or not when Zhao Yingying appeared just in time: "Sister, here you are free; it's up to you whether you go or not. Just a reminder—someone like President Hou doesn't just look at any performer..."
So she went to Jiang City’s most luxurious establishment—the Century Hotel—where it was just her and President Hou. They dined on monkey head mushrooms, bird's nest soup, sea cucumber, shark fin... drinking Lafite from 1982—the kind that had long since expired—served in crystal glasses while seated on yellow rosewood chairs...
From astonishment to delight, she became enraptured by it all. She even believed that this was what she truly wanted and pursued...
After their sumptuous meal, President Hou suggested showing her his presidential suite that he often used.
This presidential suite served not only as a resting place but also for receiving guests and dining. Its decor, furniture layout, and art pieces were all top-notch; made from high-quality natural materials with exquisite craftsmanship reflecting rich cultural characteristics. The interior decorations were elegant and unique with taste. The bathroom featured separate wet and dry areas equipped with sinks, toilets, bidets, showers, massage bathtubs, saunas... There were also dressing rooms and makeup areas; extending from the master bedroom were a study and living room forming an independent area; while the dining room connected with a pantry and reception area created another zone.
Life could be so luxurious!
Tajikuli became intoxicated by it all until President Hou suggested she stay longer; she couldn't think of any reasons or courage to refuse...
Life is like this: not all mistakes come from others; it also depends on whether you can hold onto your true self.
After six months of extravagant living where she received thousands of yuan monthly without needing to perform at Tian Shang Ren Jia anymore...
Until later, when President Hou suddenly went missing, Zhao Yingying said that President Hou had been sent abroad by the organization... In reality, Tajikuli saw related news in the newspaper: a certain state-owned enterprise's president, Hou, was under investigation for massive embezzlement and a corrupt lifestyle... She didn’t know his real name, but she recognized the face in the newspaper.
No one forced her to return to Tian Shang Ren Jia; she sought out Zhao Yingying and Qin Xiaolu herself, requesting to come back and continue her "entertainment career." It wasn’t long before she rose to fame again at Tian Shang Ren Jia.
Later, Zhao Yingying and Qin Xiaolu approached her, suggesting that she could do even better!
"You can bring your classmates together to form a team; it would help them as well, and the company can provide you with substantial 'subsidies.'"
The two of them believed she understood their intentions...
Tajikuli also understood what they were implying...
Yet she still took action. First, under the guise of celebrating her birthday, she invited seven or eight female classmates who had "good conditions," especially targeting Aiyashamu as her ultimate goal. Since the three individuals with surnames Cui, Shui, and Zhao had met Aiyashamu, the higher-ups at Tian Shang Ren Jia ordered: no matter the cost, they must secure her!
But Aiyashamu was not Tajikuli.
After a long time without success, the higher-ups at Tian Shang Ren Jia issued another command: "By any means necessary, we must capture her!"
Thus, the "kidnapping incident" occurred.
Tajikuli initially believed that capturing Aiyashamu would be easy, but as events unfolded, she finally awakened from her fantasy—everyone's pursuits and dreams were different!
Previously, she had never doubted Tian Shang Ren Jia's "operational capabilities" or "public relations skills," but she never expected to fail at Jiangbei University.
Realizing she could no longer face Aiyashamu or those classmates she had once invited, she chose to drop out.
Whether during her time with President Hou or while working in entertainment at Tian Shang Ren Jia, she believed life was simply like this—there was no right or wrong.
Moreover, through these days of "social practice," she convinced herself that she could still live the life she wanted and considered beautiful without attending university.
Thus, Jiangbei University lost a minority student named Tajikuli, while Tian Shang Ren Jia gained a star known as the "Pearl of the Frontier."
What is gained and lost is merely a matter of perspective.
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