The moment the words left Qin Yu’s mouth, the car braked violently. The tires screeched sharply against the asphalt, a sound piercingly loud on the deserted road in the dead of night.
The figure in the driver’s seat turned around. He was handsome, looking completely unlike the assistant who usually trailed behind Qin Yu. Yan Ji narrowed her eyes slightly, realizing in an instant that this trap had been meticulously prepared in advance.
“Sister Yan, the thing I hate most in this world is people stealing my spotlight. And the second thing I hate most is people stealing the men I care about. You managed to do both.” Qin Yu smiled darkly, the sheer malice in her voice enough to make anyone shiver. “Tell me then— if you don’t go to hell, who should?”
Yan Ji remained entirely unfazed. Lazily leaning back against the seat, she replied casually, “Isn’t it just returning the favor? You stole Xue Yang and splashed dirty water all over me. I merely turned your own methods back against you. Why get so worked up?”
Qin Yu hadn’t expected Yan Ji to be completely devoid of fear, let alone calmly counter her. Stunned for a fraction of a second, she snorted coldly. “If you can’t keep a man, then losing him just means you’re incompetent. If you have the ability, steal him back.”
“Exactly. And since you don’t have the ability to hold a man’s interest, don’t blame this elder sister for stealing your spotlight.” Yan Ji threw Qin Yu’s own logic right back in her face with a sweet smile, nearly causing the latter to choke on her own rage.
Qin Yu’s gaze turned utterly sinister. She snapped her head toward the front seat and barked furiously, “What are you just sitting there for?! Hurry up and deal with this b*tch! Yan Ji…… if those kinds of videos of you actually found their way online, do you think any of those men would still look at you?”
Hearing that, Yan Ji suddenly leaned in close to Qin Yu. A cold glint flashed in the dim interior light as she pressed a razor-sharp blade directly against Qin Yu’s neck. “If you let him touch me,” Yan Ji whispered, a brilliant, terrifying smile on her face, “I’ll send you to hell first. How about that?”
Qin Yu froze, completely blindsided by the sudden turn of events. The icy sensation of steel against her skin snapped her back to reality. She reached out, attempting to wrench the blade from Yan Ji’s grip, but Yan Ji simply pressed it deeper. Pain instantly flared across her throat, terrifying Qin Yu so badly that she froze completely still.
“Why won’t you believe me? I really will kill you.” Yan Ji sighed softly before turning her eyes toward the driver. “Can you send me home now?”
The man didn’t move.
Yan Ji drove the blade a fraction deeper. Qin Yu hissed in a sharp breath from the pain, her eyes burning with icy rage as she commanded, “Lin An!”
The man slowly shrank back into the driver’s seat, but in the next heartbeat, he suddenly whipped around with a small canister and sprayed it directly into Yan Ji’s face. A strange, heavy scent instantly filled the confines of the car.
In her mind, 052 immediately shielded her senses, warning, 〖It’s an aphrodisiac!〗
“I know.” Yan Ji replied internally.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she raised her hand and delivered a vicious slap across Qin Yu’s face. The sheer force of the blow made Qin Yu’s head buzz violently, leaving her completely incapacitated. Simultaneously, Yan Ji lunged forward, grabbing the driver’s wrist and twisting it with brutal precision. The sickening sound of a dislocating joint echoed through the car.
“Ahhh—!” The man screamed in agony, the spray bottle slipping from his useless fingers and dropping to the floor.
Yan Ji picked it up, examining it under the dim light for a few moments before letting out a soft laugh. She turned the nozzle and sprayed a generous mist directly at Qin Yu.
“I know exactly what you were planning.” Yan Ji said, cruelly pinching Qin Yu’s chin. The latter’s eyes glared back like they had been steeped in pure venom— enough to make anyone shudder— but Yan Ji couldn’t care less. Smiling beautifully, she whispered, “Qin Yu, do you want to experience what it feels like to lift a rock, only to drop it right on your own foot?”
The sudden rumble of an approaching vehicle echoed down the silent countryside road. By now, Qin Yu’s face had begun to flush with an abnormal, feverish redness, her limbs turning completely limp and powerless.
Yan Ji stepped out, opened the driver’s side door, and dragged the groaning man out of the vehicle. With a swift, practiced strike to the back of his neck, she instantly silenced his irritating cries. After tossing his unconscious body into the roadside tall grass, she returned to the car, pulled a miniature surveillance camera from her bag, and seamlessly installed it inside.
“Since you went through the trouble of preparing a gift for me, it’s only polite that I return the favor.”
Qin Yu glared viciously at Yan Ji, a murderous frenzy surging wildly in her heart. If she hadn’t lost her powers, how could this mere mortal have ever humiliated her like this?
Yan Ji…… Yan Ji! I will absolutely make you pay with your life!
Yan Ji narrowed her eyes at the silent threat, casually knocked Qin Yu unconscious with a precise blow, and then stepped out of the car to melt into the shadows of the nearby brush.
Not long afterward, a van pulled up to the scene. Four burly men stepped out, exchanged knowing glances, and climbed straight into the car.
Yan Ji gave the violently shaking vehicle one final, indifferent glance before turning around and silently walking away into the night.
……
Just as Yan Ji was approaching her house, Meng Yiming’s name flashed across her phone screen. She answered the call and switched it to speakerphone while safely tucking the razor blade back into her purse.
“Hello?”
“Did you make it back safely?” Meng Yiming’s voice poured through the speaker, laced with residual worry.
“I’m already home. Don’t worry.” Yan Ji replied with a reassuring smile. Her feet were aching from the long walk, so she slipped off her high heels and carried them loosely in one hand.
The two chatted for a few more casual moments before Meng Yiming, finally satisfied, hung up.
〖You shouldn’t have taken such a risk.〗 052’s voice resonated in her mind. Somehow, Yan Ji could detect a distinct trace of disapproval cutting through the system’s ordinarily emotionless, electronic voice.
She pulled out the keys and unlocked the front door, smiling faintly as she kicked it shut. “There’s no need to stress. Qin Yu’s petty little parlor tricks aren’t nearly enough to catch me off guard.”
Yan Ji poured herself a glass of water, took a slow sip, and continued, “Though I must admit, I didn’t expect that little brat to be so impatient. Trying to ruin me with a cliché stunt like that? How terribly uninspired.”
052 was silent for a long beat before noting, 〖You sound disappointed.〗
“I am. If I wasn’t worried about leaving a trail for the authorities, I would have loved to stay behind and watch the live show in person.” Yan Ji sighed regretfully.
〖052: ……〗
The system realized it probably should have kept that observation to itself.
────ρя
News that 《Twins》 had officially wrapped production spread rapidly across the entertainment circle. Fans and critics alike were eagerly anticipating the drama’s release, all of them desperate to see how Yan Ji’s performance would hold up.
But before 《Twins》 could even secure an air date, the promotional campaign for Red Moon’s newly launched fragrance, Mermaid’s Tears: Pure Allure, dropped— and instantly caused a massive sensation across the entire internet.
Featured prominently in the campaign was a striking, midnight-black mermaid. Her expression carried the innocent, wide-eyed sweetness unique to a young girl, yet the shimmering black scales coating her skin injected a dark, wicked, and intoxicating charm.
The comment section beneath the official announcement had completely erupted.
【Oh my gosh, ahhhh! Is this really a mermaid?! She’s clearly a mythical fairy! How can anyone be this breathtaking?!】
【Yanyan has shattered the limits of beauty once again! Wuuwuuwuu, she doesn’t even look real!】
【Isn’t it just a high-end luxury perfume? For my goddess, buy, buy, buy!】
【When does it drop? My wallet is ready!】
【Anything for my goddess! I’m buying it!】
……
Sitting in his office, Chen Jin’an stared at the photo set on Weibo and silently pressed the save button.
He had only met Yan Ji twice. By all logic, once their business interactions concluded, she should have faded from his mind. Yet, the exact opposite was happening— she occupied his thoughts more and more frequently, her image growing increasingly vivid. Even the number of times he found himself zoning out at his desk was steadily rising.
Was he sick? Chen Jin’an frowned deeply at the thought.
Just then, the phone on his desk rang sharply, cutting through his drifting thoughts. He picked up the receiver to hear his assistant reminding him that the banquet hosted by a major corporate partner was about to begin, and that they hoped he could arrive ahead of schedule.
Chen Jin’an gave a calm affirmation, packed up his materials, and left the office.
────ρя
This translation is by Pocketrobbin at S h a n g h a i f a n t a s y . c o m
052 looked down at Yan Ji, who was currently sprawled lazily across the bed binge-watching dramas, and couldn’t help but prompt her, 〖Host, have you forgotten something important?〗
“Hm?” Yan Ji froze briefly. Then, it clicked. Tonight was the exact moment in the altered timeline where Chen Jin’an would be drugged with an aphrodisiac at a banquet, only to be picked up and taken away by a passing Qin Yu.
She clapped her hands together. “Ah, I almost let that slip my mind.”
Tossing the tablet onto the mattress, Yan Ji quickly changed out of her loungewear and hurried out the door, racing toward the banquet venue.
────ρя
Chen Jin’an stumbled out of the restroom, his handsome face burning with an abnormal, feverish heat. Waves of a strange, intoxicating sensation continuously rolled through his body, forcing a low curse from his lips, “Damn it!”
Recalling the drink someone had pushed onto him earlier, a lethal, icy gleam flashed through his eyes.
The sheer nerve of these people, actually daring to scheme against him.
Just as Chen Jin’an leaned against the wall, trying to pull out his phone to summon his assistant, a pair of sleek black leather boots suddenly stepped into his line of sight. Lifting his heavy gaze, he met Yan Ji’s visibly startled expression.
“CEO Chen? Why are you out here?” Yan Ji asked, her face flooded with immediate concern as she stepped closer. “Your face is incredibly flushed…… You don’t look well at all. Should I get you out of here and send you home first?”
Watching her lips move as she spoke, Chen Jin’an swallowed hard. An unbearable, scorching thirst clawed at the back of his throat. Hypnotized by the sensation, he found himself sliding his phone back into his pocket and nodding blindly.
Yan Ji steadied him, supporting his weight as they stepped into the elevator and descended to the underground parking garage. She opened the passenger door, guided him safely into the back seat, and then slid into the driver’s seat to navigate the car out of the building.
“CEO Chen, could you please tell me your address?” Yan Ji asked, glancing at the rearview mirror.
Consumed by the raw heat of the drug, Chen Jin’an was already drifting into delirium. Her voice sounded faint and distant, and he didn’t process a single word.
It was simply too hot.
Muttering incoherently, Chen Jin’an yanked violently at his tie, tearing it free before stripping off his restrictive suit jacket.
“If you don’t give me an address, I can’t exactly take you home.” Yan Ji spoke up again. When met with only heavy, ragged breathing, she couldn’t help but sigh softly.
Eyes flashing with anticipation, she lightly licked her lips.
The feast was finally about to begin.
……
Chen Jin’an felt as though he were drowning, trapped beneath suffocating waves of heat. But just as the darkness threatened to swallow him entirely, a pair of cool hands suddenly cupped his face. He trembled at the soothing contact and forced his heavy eyelids open.
The first thing that materialized in his hazy vision was Yan Ji’s face.
His gaze instinctively dropped to her pink lips. Driven by a sudden, feral impulse, he surged forward, flipping their positions to pin Yan Ji beneath his weight before crashing his lips down onto hers.
Instead of soothing the fever inside him, the contact only made the fire burn hotter, turning it into an agonizing, insatiable hunger. Chen Jin’an desperately craved more. His rationality had been completely devoured by the chemical, leaving nothing but raw instinct to dictate his movements.
Yan Ji hadn’t anticipated that Chen Jin’an would be quite this fierce. He devoured her lips until the skin split, the metallic tang of blood instantly blooming between their mouths. Tilting her head slightly, she watched him struggle clumsily with his remaining clothes. She let out a soft, breathless laugh and reached up to help him.
The instant they connected, a numbing shockwave of pure pleasure rippled straight up Chen Jin’an’s spine. The dim, amber light of the room washed over them, illuminating a scene of wild abandonment. Beneath him, Yan Ji looked like a seductive succubus, stealing his very soul with every ragged breath she drew.
Her body was soft, fragrant, and entirely yielding, her low moans unbearably enticing. Chen Jin’an’s gaze darkened to a pitch black as he lost himself in her once again.
────ρя
Chen Jin’an was ultimately awakened by the rich, savory aroma of food.
Opening his eyes, his gaze met an unfamiliar, beige-colored ceiling. He froze in confusion for a fraction of a second before the fragmented, chaotic memories of the previous night came rushing back like a tidal wave.
Throwing back the duvet, he noticed a set of brand-new clothes neatly laid out on a stool beside the bed. He dressed himself efficiently, stepped into a pair of slippers, and pushed open the bedroom door.
In the dining area, Yan Ji had just finished setting the table for breakfast. Hearing the door click, she glanced up, a radiant smile gracing her lips.
“CEO Chen, you’re awake? Your timing is perfect, breakfast is served. Care to join me?” As she spoke, Yan Ji blew on a spoonful of delicate white porridge and slipped it into her mouth, her eyes narrowing comfortably in sheer enjoyment.
Chen Jin’an stood frozen in the doorway, observing her silently for a long beat before finally walking over. He pulled out a chair and sat down opposite her.
After a long silence, he finally cut straight to the point, “What is it that you want?”
“Hm?” Yan Ji raised her brows slightly, though comprehension dawned on her face a second later. Her sparkling eyes locked onto Chen Jin’an as she leaned back, a thoroughly lazy, amused smile playing on her lips.
“CEO Chen, when a purely physical connection gets transactional with money, it completely strips away all of its charm.”
Chen Jin’an’s brow furrowed tightly. “What exactly are you trying to say?”