In the afternoon, the sun was blazing and scorching.
Wen Ling diligently handled the partnership application matters for the aircraft collaboration at the studio, while Nan Yin spread out her design drafts to create promotional images for Fu Shi’s aircraft products.
To apply for the partnership, she needed to prove her capabilities to make him take notice.
Once the design sketch was completed, Nan Yin tossed aside her sketching pen and took out her phone to send a text to Fu Shi.
She had saved his number in the morning but had been too busy until now to flirt with this man: [Fu Shi, it’s me, Nan Yin.]
[Class reunion, are you going?]
After sending the message, Nan Yin hugged her phone and sat on the rocking chair, quietly waiting for his reply.
But after ten minutes, there was still no response.
Nan Yin frowned. It seemed he really didn’t want to engage with her. No matter, she wouldn’t be discouraged.
Back in high school, she had held back because she was worried about affecting his college entrance exams and military enlistment.
If she gave up now, she would never have another chance.
Nan Yin lowered her head and sent him another message: [Alright, you’re not going, are you?]
[You’re spineless, a coward. You don’t even dare to chat with me, right?]
A provocation tactic.
After sending it, she continued to wait.
Meanwhile, the man who was busy at the company inspecting the newly launched search-and-rescue aircraft during a meeting glanced at his phone screen as it lit up with another message. The corner of his lips twitched imperceptibly as he reached for his phone and opened it.
He thought she was still inviting him to the class reunion.
But instead, the little woman had called him a coward? Hah? No one had ever called him a coward before.
Fine.
Fu Shi felt a sudden surge of aggression, his tongue pressing hard against his teeth, his eyes darkening with a sinister glint. He abruptly stopped discussing the aircraft issues.
Lowering his head, he replied to Nan Yin’s message.
Of course, the moment he paused, the subordinates waiting for his instructions fell silent, holding their breaths as they watched him. What was wrong with the boss?
Why did his expression suddenly turn so grim?
He looked like he wanted to devour someone.
Who had provoked him?
Please don’t let it be them, or else the designs for this batch of aircraft would have to be revised.
On Nan Yin’s end, she leisurely waited for Fu Shi’s reply. This time, she was mentally prepared for him not to respond, but then her phone dinged—a message had arrived. Nan Yin instantly swiped open the screen to check.
Seeing it, she curved her lips into a smile.
Had the lion lost his temper?
The message read: [Trying to provoke me? Have you played with cowardly men before?]
Nan Yin tapped the screen with her fingertip: [Haven’t played with any, but I want to play with you. P.S.: Tongue-out () emoji.]
This playful flirtation made Fu Shi’s eyes darken: [Can you handle it?]
[Not afraid of being played to death?]
If Nan Yin were afraid, she wouldn’t have provoked this lion in the first place. With such a cold temper, who would dare to provoke him? Only she dared, because she was a lioness, a perfect match for him.
[Mr. Fu, that sounds a bit suggestive. What are you hinting at?]
The conversation gradually veered into risqué territory, crackling with tension.
[Oh, by the way, who have you played to death? You sound so experienced.]
Fu Shi was truly captivated by her, left without any words to counter. He looked up and swept his gaze over the subordinates at the conference table, who were watching him nervously.
Realizing he had lost his composure, the man waved his hand dismissively at them. “Leave for now.”
“Next week, we’ll test the first batch of search-and-rescue aircraft at the stadium.”
Relieved by his instructions, the subordinates quickly grabbed their laptops and hurried out.
The boss’s expression had been off earlier.
Why is he suddenly exuding a chilling aura like an angry lion?
With the subordinates gone, the conference room instantly fell into complete silence. Fu Shi rubbed his tense brow, his eyes dark and unreadable as he glanced at his phone: [Never played.]
[Nan Yin, don’t provoke me, understand?]
Nan Yin didn’t care: [What’s wrong? Can’t I even pursue you? Are you really that stingy, old classmate?]
[Am I not beautiful enough, not hot enough, not to your taste?]
Hah—quite the opposite. Every part of her was exactly to his taste.
She had been since high school.
But he knew she was never short of men around her and loved to play around.
Fu Shi had an extreme cleanliness complex when it came to relationships. He couldn’t stand women who played games, nor could he tolerate her lack of sincerity. That was why he had always restrained himself and avoided engaging with her.
Besides, they hadn’t been in touch for years, and she suddenly came back and sought him out.
Fu Shi didn’t believe she genuinely wanted a boyfriend.
[Yes.] Fu Shi replied.
Nan Yin raised her brow. Damn, did her looks really not match his aesthetic?
Nan Yin felt a bit sour and bitter.
[What kind do you like?]
Fu Shi didn’t want to continue the conversation, easing his tense brow: [I’m a bit busy.]
Meaning, a polite refusal, no answer.
Don’t bother me.
Nan Yin didn’t care. She was used to being unrestrained and insisted on pressing further: [Tell me?]
[So I can give up.]
Fu Shi wouldn’t answer that question because his aesthetic taste was her. Saying so would be slapping himself in the face: [What’s your purpose for coming back?]
Unable to get an answer, Nan Yin gave up and stopped pushing him.
[I want to find a boyfriend, so I’m pursuing you.]
[How about it? Let me chase you?]
Fu Shi thought for a moment before replying: [If you need a man, there are plenty in Su City, Nan Yin. Just like you said, go to a class reunion and casually beckon—countless men will flock to you. Why bother provoking me?]
[Let me say it again, I’m not a casual man.]
Nan Yin knew that. He didn’t fool around, had impeccable conduct, was clean in every way, and had a strong physique—clearly a man with outstanding qualities in all aspects.
She cherished him immensely.
That was why she had been fixated on him all these years, never liking anyone else.
Nan Yin propped her chin on one hand, swiped the screen, fell silent for a moment, and replied: [Because you’re Fu Shi… the one and only Fu Shi.]
A simple sentence.
It was actually quite plain, but somehow, when it landed in Fu Shi’s heart, it felt like a thin silver needle dropping into a calm, undisturbed lake.
Instantly, it stirred a ripple, silent yet undeniable…
Hah, she really knew how to get to him.
Fu Shi lowered his gaze, a dark tide surging in his eyes. He gripped his phone tightly, exited the chat interface, and decided not to reply, lest he fall into her trap.
When Fu Shi didn’t reply again, Nan Yin knew he wouldn’t.
She put down her phone, curled her lips as she fantasized about her plan to win him over, then got up to work on her design drafts again.
Even if he didn’t like her type.
She would force him to like her anyway! That was just how domineering she was.
Evening, after work.
Wen Ling dragged Nan Yin to stroll around downtown Su City. As a native of Su City, Nan Yin naturally had to fulfill her duty as a host, taking her to eat, drink, and have fun.
The two first browsed nearby shops. Wen Ling loved the lively atmosphere here and bought many trinkets in the stores, while Nan Yin stood by her side, keeping her company.
After shopping, they went to eat.
Wen Ling was satisfied and content, but Nan Yin was restless, her thoughts constantly drifting to that man.
After dinner, passing by a convenience store, Nan Yin remembered that the beer in the fridge was gone, so she went in and bought a dozen. After buying it, she dropped Wen Ling off at the studio and returned to the Oriental Gate herself.
Once home, she placed the beer in the freezer.
She removed the clip from her hair, took off her dress, and went to take a shower first.
After showering, she glanced at the time—it was past 8 p.m., and there was still no movement from next door. Had the man not returned yet? Nan Yin raised her hand to tidy her long hair, then turned to the wardrobe to find clothes.
She found a very form-fitting camisole and hot pants.
Without a second thought, she changed into them.
She had a good figure.
Curvaceous and alluring, now entering her early maturity, this outfit accentuated her entire body like the delicate, blooming stamen of a rose.
Any man would be moved at the sight.
She didn’t believe that if she tried to charm this man, he wouldn’t be tempted.
Nan Yin didn’t want to take the conventional route, slowly trying to please him. He wasn’t the type to fall for that—she preferred to be direct.
Straightforward and aggressive.
Her fingertips lightly hooked the thin strap of the camisole. She glanced at herself in the mirror, satisfied.
Turning around, she walked out of the bedroom, opened the fridge, took out two chilled beers, opened the door, and stood quietly in the hallway, waiting for the man to return.
Time passed slowly, minute by minute. At 8:10, there was movement from the elevator.
Fu Shi was back.
He held a roll of blueprints in his hand, answering a phone call with the other as he hurried out of the elevator. In his haste, he didn’t notice the woman standing in the hallway, dressed seductively and waiting for him.
It wasn’t until he was almost upon her that a slender, pale arm reached out to block his path. He looked up and saw the woman leaning against the wall.
She held a beer can, smiling at him with captivating charm.
And that wasn’t all. When the man’s gaze inadvertently shifted from her face to the revealing front of her camisole, his eyes darkened, as deep and unfathomable as the night outside the apartment.
He even forgot to respond to Grandmother’s words on the other end of the phone. The surroundings fell into silence, only the sound of Grandmother’s angry voice coming through the phone: “You brat, are you listening? If you don’t bring a girlfriend home this month, you’re going on a blind date!”
“If you don’t go on a blind date, I’ll fight you to the death!”