Dirty Pleasures

In 1980, in the luxurious Johnson family mansion perched on the hills of Cloud City, Evelyn Snow pushed open the green glaze door to the balcony and gently closed it behind her, shutting out the noise from the French-style banquet hall.

Leaning against the carved railing, she gazed at the view below in a trance.

The Johnson estate, situated on a hillside, was priced at a premium. A glance over the railing revealed the entirety of Cloud City, a city by the public sea, affluent and bustling. Even at nine oclock at night, the office buildings were still brightly lit. It was the best of cities where an ordinary civilian could transcend social classes through hard work, yet also the worst, with not only a vast wealth gap but also concerning womens rights. In this era, men in Cloud City could take concubines, and their children by these concubines had inheritance rights as well.

"Maam," a maid hurried over, "Weve been looking for you. Sir has been searching for you."

Evelyn turned her head. She was past thirty, her health worn down by long-term illness, making her pale and thin. Yet, one could still catch a glimpse of the stunning beauty she must have been in her youth.

She smiled gently, "Ill be right there."

The maid opened the glaze door, and the noise surged back in.

Under the grand French chandelier, Marcus Johnson, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, dressed in a black tuxedo, and looking cultured, spotted Evelyn. He walked over, took her arm, and asked tenderly, "Whats wrong? Are you feeling unwell again?"

Evelyn shook her head, "Just too many people."

Marcus chuckled, "You used to love socializing."

"That was before," Evelyn replied indifferently, "Now, crowds give me a headache."

As they spoke, Marcuss concubines approached, all young and beautiful, with the fourth one sharply remarking, "I told you, sister is used to quiet nursing and shouldnt have attended tonights banquet."

The third and fourth were the most at odds, and she retorted, "Tonight is the celebration of Johnson Crown Groups listing. Such an important occasion, would sir attend without his principal wife?"

The fourth snapped back, "Anyway, its not your turn."

The second, the most scheming, said without changing her expression, "Enough, were all family here. Lets not bicker in front of sir and sister."

They played the good and the bad, making her, the principal wife, feel invisible.

Evelyn didnt want to bicker with them. Instead, Marcus laughed and said, "Tonight is an important occasion; lets all behave and not give other guests a show."

The other concubines responded with a "Yes," except for Evelyn, who remained silent.

Marcus, knowing she was upset, paid her more attention and gave her enough face in front of other guests.

Amidst the clinking of glasses, someone suddenly mentioned, "The Seventh Young Master has arrived."

Another asked, "Is it the Seventh Master of the Johnson family?"

"Indeed," came the response.

Marcus put down his wine glass and excused himself from the foreign female guest he was conversing with, "My seventh uncle has arrived; please excuse me."

The foreign female guest followed Marcuss gaze and saw, under the lights, a young man in a top hat and a long black overcoat entering. He was tall, and the high-quality wool overcoat made him even more imposing. He entered the hall, took off his coat and top hat, handing them to a servant, revealing a grey waistcoat and black trousers that perfectly accentuated his golden body ratio. His face, unveiled after removing his hat, was so handsome it was captivating. It seemed heaven favored the Johnsons, not only with immense wealth but also withs more attractive than the last.

Compared to Marcuss gentle and cultured demeanor, this man had a much colder aura, with dark, deep-set eyes that sent a chill down ones spine. The female guest couldnt help but say, "Mr. Johnsons seventh uncle has an even greater presence than he does."

"Thats right," another male guest said, "He is the legitimate heir of the Johnson family. More than half of Cloud City belongs to them."

"But isnt Mr. Johnson also from the Johnson family?" the foreign female guest asked.

"Havent you heard of the Johnson familys rules?" the male guest said, gossiping with relish, "Only children of the principal wife are eligible to inherit the family business. Children of concubines can never engage in commerce; otherwise, they lose their share of the family trust. Mr. Johnsons grandfather was born to a concubine, so he can only be considered a vassal of the Johnson family, without the right of inheritance. This Mr. Marcus Johnson, the Seventh Young Master, is the true crown prince of the Johnson family."

"But if others in the Johnson family cant engage in commerce, how did Mr. Johnson start Johnson Crown Group?"

The male guest lowered his voice, "Originally, it wasnt allowed, so Mr. Johnson was a dentist. But after he married his current wife, Evelyn Snow, whose family is also one of the top ten tycoons in the city, he started Johnson Crown Group with the Snow familys backing. Now that Johnson Crown is thriving, the Johnson family has given Mr. Johnson a pass, after all, theres no need to make an extra enemy."

The female guest nodded in realization. She looked at Evelyn and Marcus, with Marcus surrounded by a bevy of beautiful concubines, full of vigor, while Evelyn was pale and haggard. For some reason, the female guest felt a sense of discomfort. She muttered, "God, may the Lord bless poor Mrs. Johnson."

—

Evelyn exchanged a few pleasantries with Marcus and then retreated to a corner by herself. Marcus gazed at her for a while before turning his attention to Marcus, saying, "Evelyn doesnt look well."

"Her health has been poor since she gave birth to."

"Pity," Marcus said, "The last time I saw her was at your wedding, its been ten years, right? She was very lively back then."

"Misfortunes never come singly. When she was pregnant with Kai, her parents passed away one after another. She was very close to them and couldnt accept it at the time," Marcus sighed, "I dont know if it was because of this that she was too sad during her pregnancy, leading to Kais congenital deficiencies."

Marcus took a sip of red wine, "Ive heard about Kais condition; autism may not be incurable."

"But its not easy to treat," Marcus shook his head, "Let it be."

As they were speaking, suddenly there was a commotion in the banquet hall. A child of about ten years old, holding his head, wailed and knocked over red wine and cake, causing the female guests to scream and dodge. Marcuss eyes froze, "Kai? Who brought him here?"

A maid hurried over and bowed, "Im sorry, sir, the young master was insisting on finding his mother, so I brought him here, but I didnt expect him to rush into the banquet hall..."

Marcus was furious, "Youre fired. Go settle your wages with the housekeeper tomorrow!"

Then he barked at the other maids, "Cant you take the young master away?"

Before the servants could approach, Evelyn had already rushed over, holding Kai in her arms and softly comforting him, "Its okay, mom is here."

Trembling, Rong Kai gradually calmed down in his mothers embrace.

The whispers of Marcuss concubines reached Evelyns ears:

"How could that maid be so careless, knowing Kai has mental problems and still bringing him out to disgrace us."

"If I had a child like that, I wouldnt have the face to stay in the Johnson family and would have gone back to the countryside long ago."

"Fortunately, my Kai is innocent and lovely."

Evelyn couldnt bear to listen any longer. She bit her teeth, held her son in her arms, and quickly left the banquet hall.

—

In the black Cadillac, Evelyn held her son as the driver secretly watched her from the rearview mirror, "Maam, where are we going?"

"To the Snow residence on Lan Mountain."

The driver was surprised, "Maam, didnt you forget? The Snow residence was sold by sir last year."

Evelyn was taken aback. She pressed her forehead and laughed bitterly, "Im sorry, I forgot."

"So, where are we going now?"

Evelyn hadn