Su Nian frowned. What was Zhou Beiming doing here?
This spelled trouble.
He had told her: once she belonged to him, she was to think of no other man.
Su Nian tried to twist free from Gu Yinchen’s grasp. But the moment Zhou Beiming appeared, Gu Yinchen’s grip tightened his voice low and confused. “What does he mean…?”
As Su Nian struggled, the faint, telltale marks scattered across her fair neck were exposed.
The answer was written plainly for anyone to see. Gu Yinchen’s expression shifted.
Zhou Beiming had stepped up beside them. He did not so much as glance at Gu Yinchen. His narrow eyes curved into a smile cold, sharp, and mocking.
With the hand holding his cigarette, he tapped one finger lightly against Su Nian’s temple. “Your friend seems to have something wrong in here. Can’t he understand simple words?”
The scent of tobacco drifted toward her on the breeze. She knew Zhou Beiming smoked but the one time he had done so in her presence, her asthma had flared up. He had not touched a cigarette around her ever since.
Gu Yinchen instinctively pulled her closer to his side. “Nian… is he your boyfriend?”
Boyfriend?
He was giving her too much credit.
They were nothing more than lover and mistress.
Su Nian found the words caught in her throat. She remained silent letting Gu Yinchen believe whatever he chose.
Suddenly Zhou Beiming’s large hand pressed firmly against the back of her head, guiding her gently but firmly back into his chest. Gu Yinchen’s arm closed on empty air and the half-smoked cigarette fell, landing against his sleeve. The fine fabric was no match for the glowing ember; a tiny, burnt hole appeared. He shook it off in alarm.
Zhou Beiming’s tone carried a rough, ruthless edge. “Next time you touch what belongs to me… I’ll break your hand.”
Gu Yinchen brushed the ash from his coat. “Nian… how can you be with a man like him? Do you have any idea what he is?”
Of course she knew. Zhou Beiming was utterly, irredeemably disreputable.
She stayed silent still, hoping Gu Yinchen would simply leave.
Zhou Beiming saw her ignore the other man and chuckled low in his throat. “Not going to explain?”
Su Nian had no idea what he expected her to say or to whom. She turned to him instead. “Gu Yinchen is an old acquaintance. I used to like him. I don’t anymore.”
Zhou Beiming cupped the back of her head in his large palm, tilting her face upward to meet his gaze. Amusement danced in his dark eyes. “Mmm…” He drew the sound out slowly, as if turning her words over in his mind. He studied her clear, unadorned face and added, “I don’t believe you. Not until you give me a kiss to prove it.”
Su Nian felt certain he was teasing her. There were passersby, if not many still, this was hardly the place. She lowered her voice, embarrassed. “We can talk about this later.”
Zhou Beiming showed no sign of letting it go. “Guilty conscience?”
Gu Yinchen had heard every word. He knew Su Nian’s character better than anyone. She had always been careful, modest, and pure it was impossible that she would choose someone like Zhou Beiming. Everyone in Imperial City knew of his endless string of women. The Gu family themselves had once tried to win business from Yongtai by offering women to Zhou Beiming.
Gu Yinchen spoke sharply. “Zhou Beiming, Nian is not your possession. Let her go.”
Zhou Beiming did not even bother glancing his way. He simply lifted Su Nian’s chin between his fingers and looked down at her. “Are you my plaything?”
Wasn’t she? Su Nian thought it but aloud she said, “No.”
Gu Yinchen seized her wrist once more. “Nian… I was wrong about what happened back then. I never meant to humiliate you. But I had a girlfriend leading you on would have been unfair to you. You don’t have to do all this… just to get back at me.”
So what?
Now that he was free, he expected her to amuse him? To come running when he called? She had long since moved on why must he return only to stir everything up again? Could they not simply leave each other in peace?
She had no strength left for vengeance. Her heart felt heavy, worn thin.
Everyone said Zhou Beiming was reckless and wild but at least he was simple. Beyond claiming her body, he asked nothing of her. And because of their connection, her father no longer allowed her stepmother to criticize her; he had bought this apartment, giving her a space that was truly hers. Her mother held shares in the company and visited her often. These past two years had been the only peaceful days she could remember. Before that there had been only her parents’ fighting, then the cold disapproval of father and stepmother, and her mother’s new husband complaining of hardship. She had been passed back and forth like a discarded ball her whole life.
Su Nian sighed, ignored Gu Yinchen, stood on tiptoe and pressed a light kiss to Zhou Beiming’s lips. “Believe me now?”
Her lipstick left a faint red stain upon his mouth. Zhou Beiming lifted a hand and brushed his thumb slowly over his lips, wiping the colour away. He glanced at the crimson smudge on his skin and clicked his tongue. “After all this time… do I still have to teach you how to kiss?”
Su Nian looked away in distress. She was afraid someone with a camera might capture them.
Zhou Beiming seemed determined to make things difficult. His eyes, still smiling, burned with a fierce, possessive hunger. He bent his head and kissed her deeply, tangling his tongue with hers.
As they stood locked in that embrace, Su Nian heard Gu Yinchen’s footsteps heavy, hurried, and retreating.
Anger? Disappointment? Disgust? She no longer cared. Her heart was still as stagnant water unmoved.
Then she felt something cool and smooth slide onto her ring finger.
Zhou Beiming pulled back from the kiss and lifted her hand, admiring the new ring glinting there. “Do not cross the line. I do not care where your heart lies. But you you are not free to wander. I wear no rival’s mark.”
Su Nian stared at the ring. It was as if he had marked his territory staking his claim, so that she would never forget who she belonged to.
“I understand,” she said quietly.
Eager to turn the conversation away from Gu Yinchen, she asked, “Did you need something from me?”
Zhou Beiming brushed a smear of lipstick from the corner of her mouth with his thumb. Her lips glistened soft and pink. “I came to catch you in the act.”
His tone dripped with mockery. Su Nian did not believe a word of it. She retorted coolly, “Ye Wanzhen says you are insatiable. If you have so much free time to come chasing after me… perhaps you should leave work early and visit her. Moments of passion are precious, after all.”
Zhou Beiming’s eyes gleamed with interest. “Are you jealous?”
Su Nian gave him a weak, withering look. “Why are you really here?”
Zhou Beiming lifted a sealed envelope and set it gently atop her head. “If you refuse to marry me… then you will help me deal with the old man. Come to the Zhou residence with me one of these days. My relatives are many and vicious. Everything inside this envelope is confidential information meant to keep you alive. Show it to no one.”
It was all stated as fact leaving Su Nian no choice.
Zhou Beiming reached out and ruffled her hair. “As your boyfriend… this is all the help I can offer. Good luck.”
With that, he took the envelope from her head, turned, and walked away.
Su Nian opened it and read the first page…
It was a dossier detailing scandalous secrets on each of his relatives.
And what secrets they were. Every member of the Zhou family was prominent and respected yet the contents of that single page alone would have been enough to extort millions. Was this how Zhou Beiming had secured his position as Chairman of Yongtai and why no one dared move against him? To have such relatives… was nothing short of a nightmare.
Meanwhile, in the quiet luxury of his car, Zhou Beiming’s phone chimed. A message arrived from Huo Jiuyan.
Why haven’t you arrived yet? Your uncle has been speaking nonstop for half an hour listing eleven crimes against you.
Zhou Beiming did not reply.
Another message came.
What are you doing?
Zhou Beiming frowned and typed two words.
Catching adultery.
Back at the meeting hall, Huo Jiuyan nearly dropped his phone. If anyone was to be caught in a compromising position it ought to be Zhou Beiming. Just yesterday five actresses had been linked to him two of them married. And he was out catching someone else? Besides… who on earth would dare steal Zhou Beiming’s woman? Were they tired of living?
Huo Jiuyan knew Zhou Beiming was not telling the truth. He would never delay important business for a woman. Something far more serious was at play.
They are all plotting to remove you as Chairman. If you do not return soon, your uncle will have turned everyone against you.
Mm.
Zhou Beiming powered off his phone and tossed it casually aside. His pale fingers tapped thoughtfully against the armrest as he gazed out the window.
After a moment he spoke to the driver. “Axuan… send someone to collect my mother’s jewelry set from the bank and have it brought to my office.”
Bai Xuan glanced back in surprise. “Sir… those were Madam’s heirlooms, meant for the future wife. Are you preparing to marry?”