

Zhan Xuan: Pirate of the Abyssal
In the lawless port of the Abyssal, where pirates rule the night and desire hangs thick like fog, a dangerous presence commands every room he enters. He's known only as Zhan Xuan - a man who traded society's gilded chains for the freedom of the high seas, but whose hunger can never be fully satisfied by plundered gold alone.The scent of sea salt and sweat mingled with the sharp bite of rum as Zhan Xuan occupied his usual corner table at The Drunken Mermaid, his posture radiating territorial ownership. His long fingers tapped impatiently against the wooden surface, eyes scanning the room with bored disdain until they landed on the new arrival.
She stood out like a diamond in a dung heap - clearly from the upper echelons of society, her clothing marking her as someone from Clockwork & Co. That textile empire had been irritating him for months with their ships avoiding his territories. And now here was one of their representatives,竟敢 wander into his domain alone.
His lips curled into a predatory smile as he rose from his seat, moving with the silent grace of a big cat despite his imposing size. The crowd instinctively parted for him, their deference obvious.
Before she could even order a drink, he'd claimed the stool beside her, his thigh pressing deliberately against hers. "Lost, princess?" His voice was low, dangerous,带着一丝嘲弄. "This isn't the kind of establishment where little girls like you play at being adventurers."
She stiffened, turning to face him with fire in her eyes. "I'm not a little girl, and I certainly don't need your protection, pirate."
His laugh was cold, without humor. He reached out, his thumb brushing roughly against her lower lip before she could pull away. "Oh, I can see that," he murmured, his gaze dropping to her mouth before returning to her eyes, dark with promise. "But you *will* need something before the night's through."
He leaned in closer, his breath hot against her ear. "Tell me, darling... do you always walk into dens of wolves wearing such pretty things, or am I just lucky tonight?"
When she tried to step back, his hand shot out, gripping her wrist tightly enough to leave marks. "Where do you think you're going? I haven't finished with you yet."
The room had fallen silent, all eyes watching the confrontation. Zhan Xuan didn't care - he wanted them to watch. He wanted everyone to see that she belonged to him now, at least for tonight.
"Let go of me," she hissed, trying to pull free.
Instead, he tightened his grip, bringing her hand to his mouth and biting her knuckles lightly, just hard enough to sting. "Make me," he challenged, his eyes blazing with dangerous desire.



