Jiang Yan’s hand paused mid-motion as he unbuttoned his shirt.
He hadn’t realized just how deadly that move was to a woman.
Now, he finally understood why Secretary Shen’s face had turned red.
He cleared his throat and said, “Go make me a cup of tea.”
“Okay, sure!” Shen Qing responded quickly, flustered as she hurried off to the tea room.
Jiang Yan glanced at her retreating figure and said nothing. He picked up the air conditioner remote from the table and switched it on.
“Tsk,” he muttered. “Why didn’t I notice it before? Is it that my observation skills are poor? No… it’s probably because Secretary Shen has never shown it before!”
Shen Qing was always competent and professional at work—meticulous, never making mistakes. But this time, they were in Jiang Yan’s private home, outside of the work setting. With Jiang Yan drunk and looking especially attractive, she thought showing a bit of emotion wouldn’t be noticed.
She still failed to control herself.
But who could’ve known that such repressed emotion, once cracked, would flood like water breaking through a dam?
Some things just couldn’t be controlled by will alone.
…
Meanwhile, Yu Youwei hadn’t been drinking. She drove herself, with Bai Luo sitting beside her.
Originally, Bai Luo had ordered two bottles of Lafite. But whether it was because Yu Youwei was deeply upset or for some other reason, she had the waiter cancel the wine.
Bai Luo’s plans were ruined. Though inwardly annoyed, he still kept a gentle smile and said, “Weiwei, I haven’t found a place to stay yet, so tonight…”
“Sorry, I’m not in a good mood today. I’ll book you a hotel.”
Bai Luo’s expression changed instantly.
Damn it, rejected again.
He should’ve taken Yu Youwei five years ago. But back then, the father of a girl he was dating in high school reported him to his university, forcing him to transfer abroad to the so-called Berklee College of Music.
Oh right, it wasn’t the real Berklee—it was a private university that let you in as long as you paid. Still, using that name to bluff people back home worked just fine.
What he hadn’t expected was that in those five years, Yu Youwei had picked a stand-in for him.
That was fine if she was just playing around.
But now, it was clear Yu Youwei had fallen for that Jiang Yan.
That ruined everything for him.
Now was when Yu Youwei was at her most vulnerable—his best chance to take her for himself. He couldn’t let this go to waste.
“I really can’t sleep in hotels. You know how thin the walls are and how noisy they can be—I never get any rest.” As he spoke, he reached over the center console and placed his hand on Yu Youwei’s thigh.
Startled by his action, Yu Youwei slammed on the brakes.
The driver behind them had to brake suddenly too.
As the car behind passed by, the driver rolled down the window and cursed them out. Even though the words weren’t audible, the contorted face visible through the side window said enough.
Yu Youwei shot a glance at the scene but kept her focus on the road. Unhappy, she said, “Bai Luo, take your hand back. I’m driving.”
“Ah, sorry, Weiwei. I just wanted to show I care,” Bai Luo said sincerely—but his hand didn’t move.
He continued, “You’re too upset today. I’m afraid you’ll do something impulsive. Let me stay with you tonight. I’ll be there for you, help you vent and feel better.”
Yu Youwei said flatly, “Thanks, but no need. I have a company to run and a family to protect. I’m not going to fall apart so easily.”
Her rejection was direct and firm.
She did need someone by her side right now, but oddly enough, none of Bai Luo’s words touched her heart.
And that hand, still wandering over her thigh, filled her with a growing sense of disgust.
This Bai Luo, who once was her white moonlight, now made her feel greasy—disgusting, even.
Startled by her own thoughts, Yu Youwei turned to look at him.
Still the same gentle and handsome face as always.
Thanks to the filter she had in her mind, she managed to suppress her disgust… a little.
“If you touch me again, don’t bother showing up at my company tomorrow.”
That warning worked. Bai Luo quickly withdrew his hand. Hidden from her view, however, his face turned even darker.
But when he looked back at her, his expression reverted to his obedient, harmless self.
“I’m sorry, Weiwei. I was wrong. Please don’t be mad. I just wanted to comfort you. Becoming an idol has always been my dream, and you said you’d support me.”
Yu Youwei glanced at him, her tone softening a bit. “I know your dream, and I will support it. But please—don’t touch me without permission again. I’m not used to it.”
This time, Bai Luo nodded obediently. He sat quietly in the passenger seat and didn’t mention staying at her place again.
But under the seat, his hand was clenched tightly into a fist.
Because of Jiang Yan, Yu Youwei was no longer under his control.
That damn woman. She’s already slept with Jiang Yan—what’s she pretending to be all pure for?
I’m going to get her one way or another.
Even if the two of them try to get back together, I’ll make sure they suffer.
…
Her house was a luxury villa in a wealthy neighborhood.
She lived there alone.
She didn’t like the old Yu family mansion. Whenever she returned there, her parents and uncle always greeted her with cold indifference.
Her parents still held a grudge against her over things that happened in her childhood, and her uncle wanted to steal her assets so his foolish son could inherit everything.
Of course, she wasn’t going to let that happen.
She would live well—and firmly grasp control of HuanYu Media.
After entering the villa, Yu Youwei first took off her elegant gown, went to the bathroom to wash off the exhaustion from her body, then changed into loose, comfortable loungewear.
Finally, she curled up on her bed to rest.
Too many things had happened today.
Her mind could no longer process anything else.
Her body and soul were both utterly drained.
She had originally wanted to talk things through with Jiang Yan, but it all happened so suddenly.
She hadn’t expected him to be at Yunjin Pavilion too.
Her anger had flared up uncontrollably.
Why her? Of all people, why did he choose that woman?
To spite her, he went so far as to be with Mu Wanzhou—the one who had once suppressed the Yu family!
Why?!
Her head… it hurt so much!
Yu Youwei clutched her head in pain.
In the silence of the room, her phone rang.
“Hello…”
On the other end was her best friend Su Yu’s concerned voice.
“Weiwei, are you okay? I saw that post on Moments—damn it, Jiang Yan is really trash! He already has you, yet he still dares take pictures with other women. I’ve told you before—men can’t be trusted. Just dump Jiang Yan already.”
Yu Youwei pressed her fingers to her aching forehead and asked, “What photo…?”
“Jiang Yan and Mu Wanzhou’s photo, obviously! That eldest daughter of the Mu family—she’s the one who targeted you before. Hmph! Sure, the Mu family’s huge and powerful, not people we can mess with, but that damn Jiang Yan is no man at all!”
After hearing Su Yu’s words, Yu Youwei’s whole body went stiff.
…