Chapter 10 - Chapter 10

Guo Qiang was stunned, saying awkwardly, "I bought her medicine already."

A fool is a fool. Yu Xi prompted him, "Assistant Guo, for women, just medicine isn't enough. You have to send other things too, like a bouquet of vibrant red roses..."

"Are roses effective for a hot cold?"

Yu Xi's eye twitched. She thought Guo Qiang was Gong Youqi's capable assistant at work, but when it came to chasing women, he was like a block of wood.

She crooked her finger, and he reluctantly leaned over. She continued to instruct, "Not just roses, but new perfumes, gold and silver jewelry, and so on are all good medicine for sick women. In short, you must express your feelings with love as the principle and romance as the method. Within a month, Sister Mi will obediently fall into your arms."

Guo Qiang nodded, half-understanding, and sighed that women indeed understood women best. He looked up and saw the Vice Chairman standing by the wall, contemplating the teacher who was lecturing him. He quickly made an excuse and left.

Yu Xi saw Gong Youqi and stood up with a smile, greeting him, "Young Master Gong, you're back."

These past two days, he had suddenly stopped coming to her apartment, and she rarely even saw him at the company. She never figured out what she had done to upset him. Without his exploitation, she secretly relaxed and enjoyed the free time to rest.

This morning, he went to discuss business and didn't ask her to come along. Although she enjoyed the leisure, she realized that Young Master Gong hadn't taken her to any social events recently. Could it be that he had a new public relations manager with better skills than hers? Or was he finally starting to be cold to her and terminating their contract?

She suddenly felt a little tired. Being a freeloader here was fine, but not too boring. If it weren't for her lingering fascination with the hunk and the fact that she hadn't quite dealt with Mr. Passerby yet, she would have wanted to end this game long ago. Besides, the hunk's true love had also returned.

That "Crystal Heart," no matter what Gong Youqi was thinking when he handed it to her, she was glad she didn't accept it. Otherwise, how vexing would such an entangled ambiguity be?

A fine sword chooses a hero, and a diamond suits a beauty. She imagined Gong Youqi and Su Yingran standing together, indeed a golden couple. Although there were many difficulties now, she had no interest in guessing how their relationship would develop. Hadn't the ending in fairy tales always been written already?

"And they lived happily ever after."

Just like the meaning of "Crystal Heart," his first sight of Miss Su had captivated him, and his love for her was eternal.

It was almost time for her to make a graceful exit, wasn't it? In this game, they used each other and got what they needed. He used her as a shield against the media's gossip and vented his excess energy through her body. In return, she experienced a taste of ambiguous affection and received enough money as compensation.

She firmly believed that between them, it was just like that.

Perhaps she wouldn't find such an excellent contract partner in the future, which made her feel a little reluctant. But her principle had always been to leave resolutely when it was time, with no lingering attachment. All she needed was to complete this play smoothly and subtly, then gracefully retreat.

Gong Youqi glanced at her indifferently and then, at the office door, suddenly said, "Come in."

She entered after him, puzzled, wondering what the hunk wanted now. She also thought, "Anyway, I won't be here much longer, so I'll just bear with it."

Half her body had just gone in when she was pulled forcefully, then roughly pressed against the door, her hands pinned. He didn't even look, eagerly lowering his head, accurately finding her lips, turning, sucking, and biting, as if kissing a lover separated for many years.

Yu Xi, as usual, had been actively responding to him. Only when she gradually felt out of breath did she realize his kiss had no tenderness, purely like an angry outburst. She couldn't figure out what she had done wrong to make him hate her so much that he wanted to murder her in such a sweet way.

This kiss was no longer a joyful indulgence but a painful endurance. She struggled in vain, suffocating, even biting his tongue. He only frowned and continued to fiercely steal her air.

When she fainted, she thought that if she died, she would engrave this epitaph on her tombstone: "Died at twenty-four, succumbed to a certain hunk's wolf-like kiss."

Gong Youqi looked at the woman limp beneath him, his eyes distraught. He gently lifted the unconscious Yu Xi onto the sofa, standing tall and slender, staring blankly at her delicate, doll-like face in her coma.

What was wrong with him?!

For over ten days, it felt as if a demon resided within him. Ever since returning from the orphanage that day, it had controlled his consciousness, directing him to do absurd things he couldn't explain. First, he became obsessed with her body, wanting her endlessly night after night, but then, when reason returned in the daytime, he didn't want to see her and avoided her. He deliberately sought out Yingran and gave her his eternal promise. Yet, as Yingran, barely concealing her joy, calmly accepted the "Crystal Heart," a strange thought suddenly arose: Why hadn't that vixen accepted that diamond earlier!

Later, he finally forced himself not to step into her apartment again, but he parked his car downstairs every night, lost in thought, until that familiar window darkened, and then he quietly drove away.

He knew he was punishing her body due to a hidden anger. That gold-digger made him feel very frustrated. On one hand, she had rejected the priceless diamond, but only for the low reason of not knowing its value. On the other hand, she coveted his money – she indulged his favor simply to get more money.

Her gold-digging suddenly made him hate her so much – because he couldn't accept that he could actually be moved by such a vulgar woman!

When did he start to savor her ever-changing makeup, to miss her unadorned purity, to covet her fair and soft skin, to become captivated by her seemingly affected yet genuinely budding shy moans... He was enchanted, hating the temptress who confused his mind, yet after avoiding her for three days, he couldn't resist wanting to see her again, wanting to fiercely kiss her and devour her!

She was a femme fatale, a fox spirit, an addictive poppy fruit, a siren luring men, a Medusa who turned men to stone with a single glance.

His heart was stirred without any warning, yet she only played along with him, without any genuine emotional investment, which made him unwilling to accept that he was the first to violate the rules of this ambiguous game.

He was moved, but what could he do? He preferred to believe that he was only obsessed with her flawless body, and that her attraction to him stemmed from his primal physical reactions, not emotion.

Because he had long determined that Yingran was the true love he had been pursuing. Hadn't his two years of waiting proved his feelings? He had given her the "Crystal Heart" he had bought long ago, comforting himself, but he found that when he was with Yingran, he only felt complete protectiveness, without a single improper thought.

He couldn't help but recall taking Su Yingran home last night. When she got out of the car, she almost stumbled. His long arm wrapped around her slender waist. With the beauty in his arms, her eyes full of affection, he remained as proper as Liu Xiahui, without the slightest desire. But when he held the gold-digger, he always involuntarily wanted to forcefully push her beneath him the next second.

He explained the difference in these two states of mind by saying that he always cherished Su Yingran too much, while the vixen was merely a bedmate to satisfy his physical needs.

He stared at her for a long time, his body motionless.

Her thick eyelashes moved slightly. He instantly cleared the unspoken complex emotions from his eyes, replacing them with a cold expression. Hearing her murmur softly, she slowly opened her eyes.

"Young Master Gong..." She wasn't dead. Indeed, heaven has a benevolent heart. She looked around, then quickly sat up, feeling a burning pain on her lips. This executioner, if he wanted to kill her, he should at least let her die understanding why!

But she didn't know why her heart was pounding so much. She was even afraid to look up and meet the ice-faced man's gaze, even though he was the one who had done wrong.

Yu Xi stood up, her head bowed. Escaping was the safest option: "Uh... if there's nothing else, I'll go out first."

Just as she turned, he was quicker, blocking her path, causing her to bump directly into his arms. Her chin was then clamped between two fingers and lifted.

"It hurts..." Her bright eyes were watery, and she frowned as she looked at him. His dark eyes were dim and cold, making her uneasy.

His warm thumb gently caressed her swollen lips. She didn't quite hear his low murmur: "Does it hurt?... You know it hurts too?"

Her slender waist was pressed from behind by his large hand, and her body immediately fit closely against his. His moist, long tongue gently licked her swollen and painful lips. Noticing a slight recoil from her, he said mockingly, "Later I'll give you a credit card you can swipe freely. Does it still hurt then?"

Yu Xi looked directly into his ruthless, cold eyes, finally understanding the root of his absurd actions. Was he blaming her for deliberately pleasing him for money? Was he dissatisfied that she accepted gifts shamelessly and greedily?

This man was strange. Hadn't he personally handed her those jewels? Wasn't that the "he pays, she sells herself" fair trade he had always adhered to? He gave, she took, and she hadn't actively demanded anything from him. Why was he now regretting and feeling bad about giving her so much?

Too bad gifts given couldn't be taken back. Hmph, she wouldn't do a losing business. Moreover, all her actions were subtly influencing his perception of her. That's right, she wanted him to gradually get tired of her so the game could end perfectly.

Once the contract was dissolved, she and he would be strangers.

Yu Xi gradually relaxed her body, actively hooked her arms around his neck, and smiled faintly, "It's just Young Master Gong, you were too rough, so it hurt a little. It would be fine if you were gentler." Meaning, "Do as you please, just don't torment me to death. Of course, that gold card must eventually end up in my pocket."

Gong Youqi's eyes flashed with a cold light. Her chin was almost crushed. She endured the pain, continued to smile, and fluttered her large eyes, letting him do as he pleased. In her heart, she couldn't help but curse: "Bastard, if my jawbone is crushed, I'll demand ten more gold cards for medical expenses!"

Suddenly, she felt a lightness. He had released her, and he spat out coldly and fiercely, "Get out!"

He must have eaten a bomb today, so unpredictable and moody. Yu Xi didn't argue with him. If he told her to leave, she would, saving her from an unbearable storm.

Her lips twitched slightly, wanting to smile, but the swelling and pain kept her from it. She silently complained that she would have to go without food today with her "sausage lips," and then she walked towards the door without hesitation.

The hunk had no demands today, so she would find her own rest.

As she neared the door, she heard a low curse behind her, and an arm instantly wrapped around her waist. Before she knew it, she was lifted like a chick and tucked under the hunk's side. Her blood immediately rushed backwards, and her head felt dizzy. She screamed, "Put me down! What are you doing..."

Robbery and murder? But he was richer than her. Was he so angry that he would rape and then kill her?

Wuwu... She hadn't fully experienced the good life of socialism yet. She didn't want to die so young...

Indeed, the enraged hunk kicked open the rest room door in the corner and tossed her onto the large bed, then began to tear off his clothes.

Yu Xi had just scrambled up from the bed when his strong body leaned down, pinning her. In a few quick movements, he ripped her thin gauze shirt, then used the torn fabric to tightly bind her hands. He then tore off her short skirt, his actions so rough it was as if he was a different person.

She saw a raging anger in his eyes she had never seen before, and she was so shocked she forgot to resist. Only when he spread her legs did she realize what he was about to do. She twisted her body and screamed, "Stop! You can't!" Did he want to hurt her to death? She would rather suffocate from his wolf-like kiss than endure such humiliating abuse.

Gong Youqi held her arms with one hand to keep her still, while with the other, he lifted her waist, pressing his burning hardness against her still-dry and tightly closed opening. His eyes were like ice pillars burning in a fiery blaze. He pressed his nose against hers, looking at the terror in her eyes: "Are you scared too? Think about the gold card you'll get. Isn't everything worth it then?"

"No... I don't like this..." She didn't recognize this Young Master Gong. She had never seen such a crazy person. Even when he was cold, he had never forced her. Had she misjudged him? Had she never truly seen this man for who he was?

He lowered his lips, lightly brushing over her two red and swollen lips that he had ravaged, and whispered, "Whether you like it or not, shouldn't it only be up to me to decide? You're taking my payment; it's enough for you to just let me do whatever I want." Then he suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with hatred: "Since everything is just a transaction, why should I be gentle with you!"

Without waiting for her to argue further, he lowered his head and swiftly blocked her opening mouth, while simultaneously pressing her waist firmly against him, forcing his way into her body. He coldly watched the momentary, unbearable pain in her eyes, swallowing her whimpers.

Yu Xi felt that moment was even more painful than her first time. Yet, she couldn't move or cry out. All her pain and grievances liquefied into tears, overflowing from the corners of her eyes with his every movement.

Bastard, don't think she'll forgive him!

It was the first time he had seen her tears. The warm liquid, cool against his hot arm. He couldn't help but press his lips to the corner of her eye, sucking them into his mouth before they could fall. Salty and slightly bitter, was it her feeling or more like his own state of mind?

Why was he treating her like this?! Why did she force him to treat her like this?!

Not wanting to see her pathetic expression anymore, he quickly finished and released her. His gaze flickered at the red marks on her slender wrists. Unwilling to look at her injuries, he practically dressed himself in a panic and left.

As he left, he threw something down. When Yu Xi slowly regained consciousness, she found a brand new, gleaming gold card on the pillow.

She trembled as she reached out, taking the thin, hard card into her palm, gripping it so tightly she wanted to cut her own hand. After a while, she slowly relaxed her grip, and a slow smile spread across her painful lips.

This was good too.

She pulled the blanket over her broken body, her eyes, staring at the ceiling, had regained their composure.

What was the reason for Gong Youqi's behavior today? He certainly didn't care about a few bucks. Was she really too greedy? He hadn't complained when she didn't give him anything. It must be that this arrogant man regretted the money he'd given her just a second after giving her the gift. Yes, it must be. Didn't they say the richer people were, the stingier they became? He must have spent a huge amount of money buying that "Crystal Heart" for Su Yingran and couldn't bear to spend any more on her. What a stingy Scrooge! And she had even liked and been infatuated with him, reluctant to leave.

Wait a minute... did she like him? Her infatuation with his good looks was undeniable, but did she really like him? No, she was just greedy for money and lustful. The reluctance was also because he was indeed very cunning and charming.

Ugh, too lazy to think anymore. No clothes to wear, unwilling to move, hurting all over. Let her satisfy her need for rest first, then make plans... Before she could even doze off, there was a knock at the door.

"Miss Yu, it's Tian Mi. May I come in?"

Her face flushed. She knew Tian Mi must have been instructed by someone to dare to come over. She pulled the blanket tight to cover herself, then replied, "Please come in."

The stunning beauty saw the temptress who had relied on tricks to become the Vice Chairman's secretary now curled up on the bed, only her head visible outside the blanket, her hair disheveled, and her perfect makeup smudged around her eyes. Tian Mi stood there, dumbfounded, until Yu Xi had to remind her if she could hand over the clothes.

Tian Mi still didn't understand why the Vice Chairman had personally called her just now, asking her to buy a set of women's clothes. Her eyes glanced at the pile of torn fabric beside the blanket, and her pretty face also flushed. She handed the clothes to Yu Xi but didn't leave.

"You can go now," Yu Xi said, lowering her head. Tian Mi now had some good gossip to spread.

"The Vice Chairman wants me to look after you," Tian Mi indicated she wanted to help her to the bathroom.

Yu Xi shrank back into the blanket, her face burning, "I'll do it myself."

Tian Mi looked at her and sighed softly, "You're really impressive. No one else has ever been in the Vice Chairman's rest room." Seeing Yu Xi's disheveled state, their past rivalry faded. Besides, she had just received a bouquet of fresh roses, overjoyed and thinking Guo Qiang, that blockhead, had finally learned. But after three sentences, the blockhead revealed that Yu Xi had taught him the method, making her feel a little grateful.

Yu Xi didn't feel it was glorious to be able to enter. She never wanted to step foot in this room again.

"It's clear that the Vice Chairman treats you very specially." Tian Mi, like other women, had once envied Yu Xi and secretly waited to see her become another Lin Zhiye, driven away by Gong Youqi. But Young Master Gong seemed very satisfied with this secretary. Almost everyone in the company knew Gong Youqi doted on her, commuting with her and staying overnight at her apartment.

For this temptress, envied by so many women in the company, to end up like this today, either the Vice Chairman had a special fetish, or she had angered him over something.

And Gong Youqi's gloomy voice just now clearly belonged to the latter.

"Special enough, alright," she thought sarcastically. He almost murdered her twice today. Should she be grateful that he finally only raped and not killed her?

"You must have done something wrong to make the Vice Chairman angry." Tian Mi helped her analyze. The two of them didn't really have any major grudges. Out of consideration for Guo Qiang, they had more or less buried the hatchet.

Yu Xi, wrapped in a blanket, limped towards the bathroom, lowering her head to thank her, "Thank you for your concern. I'll go reflect on myself." At the bathroom door, she turned and smiled, "I'm also really curious, Sister Mi, why would you like Assistant Guo, that unromantic blockhead?"

Tian Mi's face showed a shy blush. Seeing that Yu Xi didn't need help, she made an excuse and left first.

Yu Xi's mood brightened slightly. Love was indeed something one couldn't choose, wasn't it? Seeing a perfect couple was always a beautiful sight in life.

She hadn't eaten lunch. The anti-inflammatory cream on her lips had reduced the swelling, and her body no longer ached after a bath. Yu Xi sat at her desk, lost in thought, still feeling hazy about the morning's events.

Guo Qiang walked over, stammering, unable to express his thanks, only saying that Tian Mi's cold was much better.

Yu Xi found the wooden man quite endearing and thought about finding one for herself someday.

"You... can go home and rest this afternoon," Guo Qiang said, getting to the point.

She raised an eyebrow, "Young Master Gong said so?"

Guo Qiang nodded.

Yu Xi just wanted to leave, so she picked up her small bag and walked out.

"The Vice Chairman said the driver can take you."

Yu Xi paused, turned back, and scoffed, "Tell him I'm not so weak I'm crippled." Why the fake kindness? If he knew he would hurt her body, why was he so forceful then? If he wanted her, she wouldn't refuse, but she couldn't stand his ruthless violence, which made her feel like a humiliated little girl, submitting to a cruel tyrant.

Leaving the company, the bright sunlight stung her eyes. She originally planned to furiously swipe that gold card until it was maxed out to vent her anger, but the hot weather diminished her desire to shop. She turned into a small supermarket nearby to find something to eat.

She remembered that Mr. Passerby had snatched her shredded pork floss at this very store last time, and her heart felt a little sour. She wondered how he had been doing these past few days. She hadn't wanted to answer his calls, and he probably got angry and stopped calling. After all, he was a proud man who had always been pampered by women. For him to humble himself and confess his feelings to her, only to be ignored, any self-respecting man would know what to do.

She subconsciously looked at the shelf where the shredded pork floss was last time, and to her surprise, she found several bags of her favorite brand. She unceremoniously put them all into her shopping basket, glad that she had a good appetite these days.

At the checkout, the cashier smiled at the packages and said, "This product was out of stock from the manufacturer, but then, for some reason, they personally contacted our supermarket to resume cooperation."

Yu Xi smiled back. She didn't care about anything else, only that she had something delicious to eat again.

She slowly walked towards the subway station along the shaded side of the commercial street. At the intersection, she spotted Su Yingran, who was also waiting for the red light, walking out of the mall across the street. She wanted to turn around, but Su Yingran had already seen her and smiled faintly across the street.

A beauty's smile could topple a city, and then a nation. Yu Xi felt this was truly apt. When the light turned green, she saw Su Yingran walking towards her, so she couldn't avoid greeting her. Looking closer, she was stunned again—the tall, thin man walking alongside her was none other than Liang Qingshan, who had called out her name that night!

That woman had two sons and one daughter. Liang Qinglin and Liang Zirui were her half-siblings, while Liang Qingshan was the child that woman had with someone else before marrying Yu Xi's father, Liang Ye. Liang Qingshan was only three years old when he entered the Liang family and was barely sensible. Liang Ye, finding him intelligent, had him change his surname to Liang and treated him as his own.

Yu Xi could still recall her childhood memories of Liang Qingshan. How could she forget? It was that day, six-year-old Liang Qingshan still held Liang Yuxi's small hand, wanting to buy her jelly pudding from the small shop on the street corner. He told her to wait under a tree by the street, and he ran happily away, his small leather shoes clicking "da da da."

Those footsteps were Yu Xi's last impression of him.

Su Yingran greeted Yu Xi politely and gracefully. Liang Qingshan, beside her, just stared at Yu Xi, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Yu Xi's mood was extremely bad today because of Gong Youqi. She casually greeted the two of them, wanting to turn into the nearby mall.

However, Liang Qingshan stubbornly blocked her way again: "Are you really named Yu? Do you have a twin brother?"

"Cousin, why are you asking Miss Yu that?" Su Yingran felt Liang Qingshan was being inappropriate and quickly apologized for him.

Yu Xi looked at Liang Qingshan and smiled faintly: "Mr. Liang, I am indeed named Yu. As for whether I have a brother or if I'm a twin, that's my private information, and I apologize but it's not convenient to disclose."

Her loss of control the first time didn't mean she would be flustered again when they met. Even if they could confirm she was Liang Yuxi, what then? All her previous records had been destroyed; only her identity as Yu Xi was real.

Liang Qingshan still stood in her way, unwilling to give up. When he was a child, his favorite wasn't his biological sister, Zirui, but the chubby little princess of the twins. Yes, he had always believed Liang Yuxi was the cutest little princess, who liked to stick behind him calling him "gege," and liked to snuggle in his frail arms, sleeping soundly.

Regarding the sudden disappearance of the twins back then, his mother's explanation was that they had been taken by their maternal family for a while, and that "while" had stretched for twenty years. That day, when he brought a big bag of jelly to present to the little princess, the tree was empty. She had just vanished from his life.

"Miss Yu, would you be willing to leave your contact information?" He felt he had to confirm her identity to be at ease. If she wasn't Liang Yuxi, he wouldn't bother her again. But if she was—if she was, what should he do? Take her back to the Liang family? Let her acknowledge him as her brother?

"Not convenient." Yu Xi answered bluntly, abandoning politeness. She said "goodbye" to Su Yingran and pushed open the glass door to enter the mall.

Liang Qingshan ignored his cousin's reproaches beside him. After a moment of愣, he turned again: "Yingran, you said she's Young Master Gong's secretary? Can you do me a favor..."

She wandered around the mall for a long time, not knowing what to buy. Three sets of clothes were delivered weekly from a fixed boutique to her apartment, and two pairs of shoes. She had two boxes of jewelry and accessories, but she was too lazy to wear them. Suddenly, she realized she wanted to swipe her card but had nothing to spend it on.

She only bought a cup of milk tea that afternoon—she couldn't possibly swipe her card just for a cup of milk tea, could she? She suddenly remembered that many of the children's beds at the orphanage were too old last time. A thought struck her, and she ran to a children's store, immediately ordering a hundred sets of ordinary children's beds in different sizes, calculating in her mind a rough estimate of over fifty thousand.

Fifty thousand, that was two and a half months of her commission. Gritting her teeth, she swiped the card! He said she could swipe it freely; hopefully, the card wouldn't be maxed out before the first transaction even went through.

Unexpectedly, the shop owner's attitude towards her became increasingly humble after seeing the card. She asked and found out that this gold card was just a supplementary card; if there wasn't enough money on it, it would automatically transfer from the main card. And such a globally valid VIP main card required a minimum of five million to obtain.

She could only gape in astonishment. Gong Youqi was actually so generous as to let her freely dispose of several millions? Her lips curled into a smile, her eyes narrowed. Anyway, it was free, so why not use it? She might as well contribute more to boosting domestic demand for society.

So, a month later, Daishan Orphanage received a total of 200,000 yuan in donated supplies. The "donor" column was left blank. In reality, if Director Liang had simply inquired at the furniture store, he could have found out the name associated with that gold card's purchases. These are later events, so we'll omit them for now.

Yu Xi sauntered back to her apartment complex with a cat-like stride. Women really were born shopaholics! When she was in a bad mood, swiping her card made all her worries disappear. Today, she had splurged hundreds of thousands of Gong Youqi's money, and she reveled in the pleasure of venting. She looked at the bags in her hand with satisfaction.

A woman's ways to vent were threefold: crying, shopping, and binge eating.

She disdained crying her eyes out. Shopping she had already done. And with binge eating, she'd complete the set. She bought chicken wings from Fuxiangzhai and even ruthlessly bought a limited edition 1995 Moët, naturally on the card. She decided to get completely drunk tonight. Her phone had been off all afternoon. Later, she'd lock the door. Although she knew Young Master Gong wouldn't come, she also wanted to prevent any outside disturbance.

Since she planned to get drunk, she didn't want anyone to see her. Yu Xi had a good tolerance for alcohol and rarely got drunk, but when she did, her drunken behavior was endearingly amusing. She didn't curse or sleep soundly. If she got drunk, she would forget all her relatives and have zero IQ. At that point, if someone gave her a candy, she would obediently follow a human trafficker.

Fortunately, only Chuchu knew this secret. Tonight, it was just her, so it didn't matter if she got drunk.

Downstairs at her apartment building, the figure sitting in the lobby stood up and looked at her.

She felt a little uneasy: "Senior, why are you here?"

Lu Renjie's face was somber, looking somewhat dejected, but his captivating eyes were even more enchanting. "Not welcome?" He thought she didn't want to answer his calls and had even turned off her phone.

Yu Xi looked at his noticeably sunken cheeks and felt a slight pang in her heart, knowing that she was one of the reasons for his憔悴. She couldn't bear to refuse: "Welcome, haha, warmly welcome."

Lu Renjie looked at the heavy food bags in her hand, and his lips curled into a smile: "Did you know I hadn't eaten dinner? You're so considerate."

He took the heavy bags from her hand, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "You bought alcohol?"

Yu Xi quickly smiled: "I was just looking, just looking." Seeing the fox's face darken, she immediately changed her words: "I also wanted to smell it... uh, just a small sip occasionally."

Mr. Passerby had always disapproved of her drinking. A glass of draft beer or low-alcohol wine was acceptable, but a strong champagne like this, if discovered by him, would likely be confiscated. For her plans to get thoroughly drunk tonight, she absolutely had to find a way to save that expensive champagne.

He silently walked alongside her into the elevator and then into the apartment, heading directly into the kitchen. Yu Xi followed him, watching him find a corkscrew and open the expensive bottle of wine. She thought, "Could he actually be a drunkard who can't wait any longer?" The next second, she saw him lift the bottle and tilt it into the sink.

"Ah..." A scream indeed stopped the fox's actions. The moment he turned around, Yu Xi felt like she flew towards him, snatching back the bottle of Moët in a flash. She leaned against the wall, clutching the wine bottle tightly to her chest, glaring at him with hostility: "You dare!"

Lu Renjie slowly approached her: "You tell me if I dare."

You... dare. Okay, she changed her battle strategy, put on a glum face and said, "Senior, this wine really can't be poured out. Young Master Gong told me to buy it."

He clearly didn't believe her: "He told you to buy this kind of champagne for a two-person evening party at home?"

Huh? Why hadn't she thought of that reason? She quickly put on an expression that said "you're a genius": "Senior's IQ must be over three hundred now! You know Young Master Gong likes a little romance, occasionally having a candlelight dinner or something, a small drink is also romantic."

Lu Renjie's eyes darkened, and he turned and walked out of the kitchen.

Yu Xi quickly capped the wine and hid it, then arranged the bought food onto plates and made shredded pork floss sandwiches, bringing them out to honor a certain person.

Lu Renjie ate her food, his expression gradually softening. He then brought up old issues, asking her why she hadn't answered his calls.

She was silent for a moment, not wanting to drag it out any longer, and spoke frankly: "Senior, I know your feelings, but you also know mine."

The long fingers holding the bread trembled slightly: "This pork floss is indeed good."

Yu Xi sighed softly, "I know you're good to me, but how can a woman like me be worthy of you? Senior, I don't want to say that hurtful thing myself, so please don't make any more mistakes."

"That supermarket didn't have this product before, did it?" He spoke nonchalantly about something else: "Do you know why that Australian company started supplying it again?"

She was stunned, suddenly remembering that one of Mr. Passerby's distant relatives seemed to operate a food processing factory in Australia... It couldn't be such a coincidence, could it?

"You know my feelings, but do you know how deep and persistent they are!" He suddenly stood up, beginning to accuse: "You know I care about you, but do you know how much I care! I gave up further studies in Australia and the job offer in America to come back with you, yet you turn a blind eye to my feelings; I helplessly watch you play those ridiculous ambiguous games with other men and still have to pretend to cooperate with you. Have you thought about my feelings?"

"You clearly know he likes Yingran, yet you indulge yourself, preferring to be used by him rather than turn your thoughts to me. Why is that! He doesn't understand you like I do, he doesn't care about you like I do. Why are you staying by his side!"

Yu Xi kept her head down, staring at the carpet, expressionless and silent. This must be the darkest day of her life, wasn't it? Destined to endure so much. Gong Youqi hurt her body, and Lu Renjie now condemned her heart. Since it would come sooner or later, ending it all at once was also good.

Curse, curse hard. She deserved to feel guilty for his kindness, and being scolded was her due. She only hoped that after he finished cursing, he would no longer pester her. His resentment, hatred, and disregard for her were all better than his caring.

"Say something!" He stood in front of her, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her up: "Give me a reason, tell me!"

She slowly raised her head, looking at him with calm self-control, forcing herself to say the cruel words: "I just don't like you. Senior, I have no feelings for you."

Lu Renjie's body swayed slightly, his eyes suddenly cold. He looked into her eyes and said, "Then do you have feelings for Gong Youqi? Why don't you find other men, but specifically chose him?"

She didn't understand what he meant and answered casually, "Because I like him."

"You're lying!" He pushed angrily, letting her fall heavily back into the sofa, just staring at her: "You want revenge, don't you! You've known all along that Gong Youqi and Yingran had feelings for each other, and you want to break them up, don't you! I always thought you were pure and kind, but I never imagined you were so scheming!"

Yu Xi became confused: "I don't understand what you're saying."

"Don't understand? If you knew the relationship between Yingran and the mistress of the Liang family, if your identity were restored to Liang Yuxi, wouldn't everything become clear?!"

Hearing that name, her face paled, "You investigated me?"

Lu Renjie's eyes showed undisguised pain: "Why drag Yingran into your grievances with the Liang family? She has always been a sweet, good girl."

"You think I want to break up Gong Youqi and Su Yingran to get revenge on the Liang family?" She sneered, her heart aching from his accusation: "Su Yingran is just that woman's niece. Is she worth all my trouble? If I wanted revenge, wouldn't it be more direct to go after her, or her children?"

Great! He had already dug up her past. So, did Mr. Passerby also investigate what role his own father played in that feud? As for Su Yingran, when she signed the contract with Young Master Gong, she didn't even know such a person existed. It was only at Su Yingran's inauguration banquet that she learned about her relationship with that woman.

He actually thought she was such a devious woman, he actually didn't trust her like that! Even though Gong Youqi treated her that way today, it only hurt her body and didn't make her overly sad. But Mr. Passerby's accusation actually made her so upset! After knowing each other for over a year, was this how he finally saw her?

If he thought she had planned all this from the beginning, didn't he think it was too unconvincing? If she had such a meticulous mind, she would have acted years ago to reclaim Liang's if she wanted revenge.

Lu Renjie was very surprised after investigating her identity and couldn't help but wonder if her relationship with Gong Youqi had another purpose. After her reminder, he also felt that this method of revenge was too circuitous and far-fetched. However, she had always hidden her past, which made him feel there was something hidden, naturally leading him to overthink.

He calmed down and began to blame himself for wrongly accusing her without knowing the facts. He reached out to caress her face: "Xi Xi, I'm sorry. I was impulsive..."

Yu Xi turned her face to avoid his hand, thinking, and decided to cruelly use his apology: "Senior, haven't I disappointed you? Good, you've also disappointed me. I hope you won't come looking for me anymore."

Let it end. Let her use this opportunity to cut off Mr. Passerby's feelings, so she wouldn't be troubled in the future.

His hand froze a few centimeters from her face, then clenched into a fist and pulled back, somewhat hurt: "It was my fault for not investigating clearly, but isn't your decision a bit severe?"

"Anyway, it's already a fact. No matter what, I won't accept you. A man like you who can have any woman he wants, why bother with such deep affection?" She didn't want to get involved in any more grievances. She didn't want him to be troubled or regret it one day.

Lu Renjie laughed self-deprecatingly: "Can have any woman I want? Then why are you so disdainful of me!"

She avoided answering, not even looking at him, afraid she wouldn't be able to hold back her tears. It turned out she wasn't as strong as she imagined.

She took a deep breath, stood up, and sent him away: "Senior, I'm tired today."

Lu Renjie gave her a helpless look, then turned and slowly walked out. As he closed the door, he left a soft but firm statement: "I don't want to give up on you just like that."

Inside the door, her tears inexplicably and uncontrollably streamed down.

She mocked herself, who had never shed a tear, for crying today, for the first time, because of two men.

She hugged the bottle of wine and took two gulps. The spicy taste stimulated her tear ducts to secrete more liquid. She curled up on the sofa, drinking and crying: "Yu Xi, you're useless! If someone bullies you today, you bully them back!"

"Is this even wine? Why am I not drunk yet?!"

She took another gulp, sniffing and wiping her tears. Although she wasn't sobbing, today she had tasted all three ways a woman vents, but why did she feel increasingly miserable inside?

She washed her face with cold water, feeling slightly more sober. Looking at her red eyes in the mirror, she pointed at the mirror and cursed loudly, "What are you crying about? Useless! Men are all no good!"

Her footsteps became unsteady, and she floated to the sofa to continue guzzling. A large bottle of expensive champagne was drunk to the bottom as if it were cold water. She grabbed a chicken wing, held it in front of her eyes, and after staring at it for a long time, still felt it was swaying.

She squinted and smiled contentedly, "Ha, I'm finally drunk!"

The doorbell rang.

She impatiently yelled, "Nobody's home!"

The doorbell continued to ring.

"Can't you hear me? Nobody, nobody!"

The doorbell kept ringing.

She grabbed the wine bottle and stumbled over, ready to smash it down as soon as she opened the door. Who dared to ruin the atmosphere and cause trouble?

Before she could find the doorknob, the door suddenly opened on its own.

She gripped the door: "Are you drunk too?"

A pair of calm, composed dark eyes appeared outside the door.

Seeing her in such a state, his expression changed, from calm to surprise and reproach, then to hesitation and tenderness, finally sighing softly. He stepped in, supported her, and kicked the door shut.

A pair of calm, composed dark eyes appeared outside the door.

Seeing her in such a state, his expression changed, from calm to surprise and reproach, then to hesitation and tenderness, finally sighing softly. He stepped in, supported her, and kicked the door shut.

Yu Xi vaguely smelled a familiar scent. She buried her face in his embrace and sniffed, then looked up. It took her a few seconds to recognize the person she so detested today.

She frantically squirmed out of his arms, reaching out to point and curse, but seeing the wine bottle in her hand, she giggled, raised it, and smashed it, slurring, "Who are you?"

The bottle was stopped mid-air. Gong Youqi held her wrist, his gaze complex. Her appearance was unexpected. In the afternoon, Guo Qiang said she had left alone. He couldn't focus on work, sitting in the messy rest room, thinking of her tearful eyes, a subtle ache growing in his heart.

He had always been looking for a contract mistress who was only greedy for money and lacked emotion. What right did he have to blame her now? He had developed feelings for her, betraying Yingran, so why had he impulsively vented on her? That unprecedented brutality must have hurt her. In the evening, he subconsciously drove over again, staring blankly at the light in her window, then suddenly saw Lu Renjie coming out of the building. His heart grew anxious.

Was she hurt and seeking comfort from Lu Renjie? Even though he knew he was in the wrong, he still wanted to blame her for finding other men. His thoughts were chaotic, and he stayed there for a long time. He realized it was past her usual bedtime, but the lights were still on. After much hesitation, he decided to go up and check.

The moment he opened the door, her swollen eyes, confused expression, and the strong smell of alcohol in the room hit him hard.

"Let go! Don't touch me! There's a robber! Catch the thief!" she shouted wildly.

Gong Youqi, fearing he would attract neighbors, covered her mouth with his other hand and whispered, "Don't make noise."

She continued to make muffled sounds. The wine bottle in her hand, too slippery from her struggles, fell and landed with a not-too-light, not-too-heavy thud on her bare toes.

Her mind wasn't completely muddled yet. A sharp pain in her foot sobered her up a bit, making her feel like she had indeed lifted the bottle only to drop it on her own foot. Today's calendar was definitely black! She couldn't help but lift her foot, hopping and crying out in pain.

Gong Youqi couldn't hear clearly, but seeing her expression, he knew it was a painful hit. He reached out, scooped her up, and carried her to the sofa, then picked up her fair, delicate foot to examine it. Two of her beautiful toes were bright red. He frowned and gently massaged them, then looked at her gasping expression to gauge the severity of the injury.

"Does it hurt much?" Seeing her eyes gradually moisten, his brows furrowed deeper.

Yu Xi stared blankly at him, feeling wronged when she thought of his evil deeds today. But now, his meticulous demeanor gave her a strange feeling, like she had only drunk a little wine, slightly tipsy, yet comfortable and floating.

She pulled her foot back, tilted her head, and whispered, "Fake kindness. Weren't you trying to kill me?"

His eyes darkened: "Did I say that?"

"You directly acted on it." Did he think she was muddled just because she drank? Don't try to cover up the facts, it was twice he tried to kill her!

His gaze shifted to the empty wine bottle on the carpet, and he said nothing more.

Yu Xi felt her head start to ache. Champagne always had a strong kick. At first, she only felt dizzy but was still sober, but once the aftereffects hit, she would basically be unconscious. Suddenly remembering her ridiculous drunken behavior, she feared that Young Master Gong might casually ask her something she shouldn't reveal. Worried, she suddenly stood up.

Ugh, the world was spinning... Plus the foot pain, she swayed and almost fell. A strong hand immediately wrapped around her shoulder: "How much did you drink?"

"None of your business!" She steadied herself on the sofa, shaking her head as she looked for the direction of the front door.

Gong Youqi glared at the wine bottle: "You drank an entire bottle?" Did this woman want to get drunk to death or die of alcohol poisoning? He probably couldn't drink three-quarters of this high-concentration champagne before collapsing.

"Feeling bad about the money, huh?" Yu Xi pushed his arm away, mocking him, "Didn't you say I could swipe freely? You're already reluctant over just one bottle of wine."

She staggered a few steps. Gong Youqi watched her lean against the wall and pull open the bathroom door, then she pouted at him, "You go out. I'm going to sleep."

He sighed again, walked over and pulled her, "That's not the front door."

She poked her head into the room, giggled, feeling her mind almost completely fall asleep. She patted her head, trying hard to stay awake: "You find the door and leave. This, the bathroom, is where I need to go."

She softly pushed him away, hobbled and swayed into the bathroom, closed the door, and then knelt by the toilet and started to vomit. She hadn't eaten lunch or dinner, so she only vomited some sour bile, and her stomach felt extremely uncomfortable.

Gong Youqi stood outside the door, listening to the splashing water, waiting impatiently. Suddenly, a scream came from inside. His heart seized, and he twisted the doorknob and rushed in, immediately freezing.

She was probably leaning over the bathtub, washing her face, but the floor was slippery. She accidentally plunged headfirst into the tub, with only her two fair, slender legs flailing at the edge, flapping helplessly like a clumsy duckling learning to swim.

He couldn't help but smile, then quickly composed himself and rushed over to pull her up. He saw her completely drenched, clutching his arm desperately like a drowning person grabbing a lifeline, her eyes closed, whimpering softly.

"It's alright now," he said, gently patting her back, tenderness overflowing in his heart. He pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly. At this moment, she was merely a fragile woman, and he was merely a strong man she could lean on.

When Yu Xi opened her eyes, he had already carried her to the bedroom. Dazed, she sat upright on the bed, letting him gently wipe the water from her face and hair with a towel. After drinking the milk he brought, her stomach slowly stopped hurting.

He remained expressionless, but when his gaze swept over her wet clothes clinging to her body, outlining her alluring figure, the flames in his eyes flickered.

She didn't know if she was still conscious, only staring blankly at the indescribably elegant and handsome face before her. She couldn't help but reach out and touch him: "You're so beautiful."

Gong Youqi's face stiffened. He pulled down her hand, remaining silent.

"Beauty, give your lord a smile." She was persistent, extending her "demonic" claw again.

He glared at her, holding back his temper, reminding himself that she was just acting drunk.

Yu Xi, seeing he didn't respond, cupped his face with both hands: "Not smiling? Then, your lord will smile for you." With that, she truly smiled sweetly, her eyes like silk, her face like a blossoming flower.

Gong Youqi was stunned, and actually let out a laugh. He grabbed her wrist, checking for any red marks, and whispered, "I'm sorry, it was my fault today."

She asked, puzzled, "Sorry? Why are you apologizing? What bad thing did you do? Oh right, money! I just smiled for you, give me money!" She held out a small, fair palm in front of him.

His expression subtly changed. So, even when she was drunk, she couldn't break her gold-digging habit. He took out a few banknotes, placed them in her hand, and looked at her coldly.

Yu Xi happily held the few pink papers and waved them in front of her eyes, then looked at him: "Do you want it? You smile for me, and I'll give you one."

He said with a hint of mockery: "Only one?" Besides, wasn't this money his to begin with? Would he sell his smile because he was short on cash? This woman's brain was so silly when she was drunk.

She tilted her head, suddenly understanding: "Oh, you think it's too little, you should've said so earlier! If you serve me well tonight, I'll give you a gold card, and you can swipe it freely!"

Gong Youqi's face changed again. He stood up, looked at her for a few seconds, then sat back beside her, lifting her chin to ask, "Who am I?"

"How would I know who you are?" she asked confusedly. "You don't know who you are either? How pathetic. Don't be scared, beauty, just follow me from now on. You'll have good food and drink, and I'll even pay you a salary."

This was how she acted when she was drunk? Completely a feminist with kindergarten IQ! She was truly a completely different person from her usual docile self. Gong Youqi pulled the blanket and handed it to her: "Sleep."

Yu Xi thought he was leaving, so she quickly grabbed his clothes, using the leverage to kneel beside him and hug his arm: "Don't go, wuwu, I'm scared tonight."

His hand was nestled against a soft spot on her chest, and his whole body stiffened. He asked hoarsely, "Scared of what?"

"Someone bullied me today," she said, rubbing against his arm, just wanting to confide, "It hurt so much I cried. He was a really bad person, I don't want to see him again, I'm scared he'll come back tonight and kill me."

Gong Youqi's expression shifted. He didn't know he made her feel so terrified. He closed his eyes and whispered, "He won't come to kill you."

"I'm still scared, I know he's very angry with me." The idiot started talking without thinking.

"Why is he angry with you?" Did she know everything?

Yu Xi felt wronged again: "He's just stingy, blaming me for taking a lot of his money, but he was the one who gave it to me. Since he couldn't get it back, he wanted to kill me to vent his anger."

Was he... that kind of stingy thug who would kill to get back money he'd given away?

"Isn't he very rich?" Drunken truth. Gong Youqi felt that whether she was telling the truth or not, he needed to pry for information.

"You don't know," she said, her hazy eyes revealing to him, "He spent a lot of money to buy a very expensive diamond for the woman he likes. He must have spent all his money, that's why he wants to get back what he gave me."

His dark eyes gleamed: "How do you know that diamond is very expensive?"

She smiled mysteriously: "Of course I know that's a flawless diamond. He even pretended to give it to me, luckily I didn't take it."

His muscles instantly tensed: "Why didn't you take it?"

Yu Xi, however, stared blankly at him, her small hand climbing around his neck, giggling foolishly, "Beauty, you're so handsome, I really like you."

Gong Youqi still wanted to elicit that answer. So, she really did know about that diamond. But if she was so materialistic, why didn't she take it then? What was she really thinking? This woman, who confused him, he felt he understood less and less.

Before he could ask further, the idiot had already acted on her fan-girl instincts. Yu Xi wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her damp body against his, effectively pushing him down. She grabbed a few banknotes from the bed and stuffed them into his shirt pocket, muttering, "This is a tip. If you perform well, I'll really give you a gold card."

His dark eyes strained to hold back: "You'd part with that gold card?" Should he say she was more generous than him? Wasn't she all about money? He also thought angrily, "Has she been drunk like this before? Does she just sleep with men so casually when she's drunk?"

Her fingertips slowly caressed his sculpted face. She squinted and smiled: "If I like it, I'll part with it."

Gong Youqi paused slightly, then slowly asked, "Then, do you like the person who bullied you today?"

She stopped her movements, as if seriously recalling who had bullied her today. After thinking for a long time, she leaned her head tiredly against his neck, muttering, "I don't know."

Gong Youqi's eyes darkened. Perhaps this was a disappointing answer for him, but her next sentence, he didn't know if it counted as offering him comfort again.

She propped her head up, looked at him, and said, "If he looks as good as you, then I like him."

Then her two small hands began to busy themselves with the buttons of his shirt. He loosely encircled her slender waist, watching her small face, which was sometimes bewildered, sometimes frowning, and sometimes triumphant as she stared at his clothes. He smiled gently, "Do you want me to help you?"

Yu Xi nodded busily, praising him naively, "You're really a good person."

Gong Youqi helped her up, and in a few swift motions, stripped her of her clothes. Seeing the lingering bruises on her chest from his assault that morning, he lowered his face in self-reproach.

Yu Xi subconsciously pulled the blanket around herself, shivered, and then, feeling unfairly treated, asked, "Why aren't you taking off your clothes?"

He pulled her closer, touching her cool, wet skin, his eyes flickering. He blew into her ear: "You answer one question for me, and I'll let you take off one piece of clothing. How does that game sound?"

"Good, haha, good." The idiot stared at the hunk's toned chest, half-unbuttoned, and carefully pressed and caressed it. Her big eyes sparkled like two shining diamonds.

Gong Youqi took a breath, seized her hand, fearing he would be tempted by her before he even asked the question.

After thinking for a moment, he asked his biggest concern: "Did you really sign the mistress contract just for money?"

The idiot looked at him and nodded, "Because that contract was very interesting, and I got money." After saying that, she pulled her hand away and happily unbuttoned him. Gong Youqi finally waited until she had unbuttoned all of them, then he automatically took off his shirt to prevent her "demonic" hands from setting his body on fire first.

Second question: "What's your relationship with Lu Renjie?"

She was drooling, her gaze fixated on his bare chest. She hesitated for a moment, then honestly replied, "He's my senior. He used to bully me too. I want to stay far away from him."

His handsome face became serious. Indeed, their relationship was not simple; she still had things she was hiding from him. Looking at the idiot, whose eyes were fixed intently on his belt and zipper, his ears couldn't help but flush slightly. He frowned slightly, then smoothly took off his trousers himself, saving her the effort.

The idiot's infatuated eyes instantly shone brighter than diamonds.

She looked down and saw that she only had one last piece of clothing left. She regretted not wearing two more, and she also regretted taking off her socks in the bathroom earlier, otherwise they could have counted as a piece of clothing.

He lifted her face, leaned in, and used his last opportunity: "Why didn't you want that 'Crystal Heart'?"

Her big eyes, uninhibited in their desire, looked at him. She licked her cherry lips and smiled softly, "That, it's too valuable." Perhaps, if she had known at the time that the gold card could be used to spend at least five million, she wouldn't have accepted it either. She understood that she should be paid according to her work; excessive greed could be counterproductive.

Gong Youqi's dark eyes were deep like black holes, contemplating her sly answer, even suspecting she was faking her drunkenness. But her charmingly naive appearance was indeed different from usual, and under her overtly lustful gaze, his logical thinking also declared itself on strike. With one hand, he uncovered her blanket; with the other, he removed his last obstacle. His hot body pressed against her cool skin, a mix of hot and cold, further stimulating his primal instincts. '

Yu Xi subconsciously pushed him away, her body trembling, wanting to curl up. Though her mind was hazy, her instincts remembered how cruelly this familiar body had treated her this morning.

Gong Youqi was startled, regret and heartache flashing in his eyes. He slowly approached her, straightened her little by little, gently kissing the bruises on her body. Only when she gradually relaxed did he hold her tightly in his arms, whispering in her ear, "Forgive me, okay?"

Though she didn't understand why, her body no longer resisted. She automatically hugged him back, murmuring against his hot chest, "You're so hot."

He lightly curved his lips, tempting: "So you need to help me cool down."

She giggled, then suddenly said, "Beauty, I want to be on top tonight."

His dark eyes flickered: "Be good, next time."

"No, I must be on top." She was like a stubborn child, unyielding.

"That would be very tiring."

She actually didn't give up: "How much do you want? I'll give you the gold card."

His dark eyes narrowed slightly. He simply and skillfully sealed her mouth with his lips, while his large hand already roamed over her delicate body.

"Mm... I... on top..." Her protests were gradually suppressed by the tingling sensation on her body.

"Good girl, I'll be on top of you." His slender body completely covered her small frame, and he compensated for the morning's harm to her in the gentlest way.

He admitted, he was truly moved.

She must have woken up hungry.

Drinking on an empty stomach was already bad for the stomach. She hadn't eaten two meals yesterday, and then she was drained last night. If she wasn't hungry now, she would basically be an immortal and wouldn't need to eat anymore.

She opened her eyes and saw the sleeping face of a god. Yu Xi curved a smile, automatically leaning closer to the god, ignoring her stomach's demand for food, and closed her eyes again. Let's sleep a little longer. It would be a shame to wake up from such a wonderful dream.

After a while, she opened her eyes again, and the god was still there. How nice. She closed her eyes again. The protest from her stomach grew louder, and as her consciousness cleared, her head started to ache. A hangover, how terrible. Then, all the pain in her body woke up. Was it sleep paralysis? It must be a dream. She struggled to turn over. The stinging pain, especially at the base of her thighs, jolted her completely awake.

What was draped over her waist? She touched it, and it was still warm. She opened her eyes, and the god was actually awake, looking at her with tender affection. She gave a silly smile back, then suddenly felt that this god looked very familiar—how could it be so much like the tyrannical king she had hated so much yesterday?

"Why are you up so early today?" the god spoke.

She stared wide-eyed, one, two, three—then finally sprang up like a reanimated corpse, only to fall back down, dizzy, propping herself up on the bed: "You, you, you, you!"

She instinctively retreated three feet, naturally falling off the bed. Enduring the pain, she scrambled up, pulled the blanket around herself, and huddled by the wall, looking at the naked man on the bed: "You abused me again?"

Gong Youqi watched her silently. Upon hearing her words, his dark eyes brightened then darkened again. Ignoring her, he "ho"ed up and went into the bathroom to wash up. Two minutes later, he came back and pulled open the wardrobe to find clothes. Since he often stayed overnight, his change of clothes was kept in the closet.

Yu Xi took the opportunity to lift the blanket and check herself for any injuries left by the naked man. Besides the usual "strawberries," everything was fine, which relieved her slightly. However, her lower body was still sore, probably because he had vented on her again like an aroused beast.

Resentment surged. She bit her lip and condemned, "How dare you stay overnight without my permission?" Then she thought sarcastically, "Ah, when did he ever ask for her permission?"

The neatly dressed man in tailored trousers stood before her, seemingly with good reason: "You didn't object last night."

"I... I was drunk, how could you believe me?"

His long legs bent down to meet her gaze: "You knew you were drunk? Then do you know what you said?"

Yu Xi was startled: "What did I say?" She knew her drunken behavior best; she would answer anything and everything, even if her enemy asked. Could it be that Gong Youqi took the opportunity to ask everything clearly?

"Did you forget?" His cold eyes narrowed slightly. Was she trying to deny the answers from last night?

She clutched the blanket, convinced that she must have revealed many secrets last night. She regretted it. Why didn't she find a more secluded place to get drunk last night?

He suddenly smiled, cupping her chin and making her look at him. He felt her body's wariness and his heart tightened. He said slowly, one word at a time: "You said, you, like, me."

Yu Xi felt her head explode and immediately objected, "You're lying! I don't like you!"

"You don't?" He continued to smile playfully, "You were unprecedentedly proactive last night, almost overwhelming me. While I don't condone your drunkenness, getting drunk like that occasionally is indeed more attractive."

Her face was already flushed. She pushed his hand away and lowered her head, looking at the carpet, her heart pounding. Had she really said that? Did she really like him? How could that be! Although she had always thought he was a good game partner, she had never considered falling for him. How could she have so confusedly confessed to him last night?

Moreover, ever since he did that thing yesterday, the slight desire she had to continue playing with him had been completely destroyed. She wished she would never share a bed with him again and could end the game and escape as soon as possible.

But she couldn't remember anything she said while drunk. Rack her brains, and she only vaguely remembered one thing: last night, she had indeed kept asking to be... on top of him.

Could it be that all the soreness in her body was her own fault? Drunken promiscuity, if she could do something so scandalous, then a mere "I like you" would certainly be trivial. Although drunken ramblings were baseless, he insisted on holding it against her, and she could only suffer in silence... Regret, why did she get drunk here last night? How did she not think he had a key?

She irritably hugged her head and knocked it against the wall twice with a "dong dong." A large hand stopped her, slightly angered: "What are you doing?"

Couldn't she just sober up? She didn't hit his head!

After bumping her head, a flash of inspiration struck her. She suddenly looked up at him, "Did I really say I like you?"

"I don't doubt my own ears."

She feigned sadness, but her eyes were firm as she said, "Young Master Gong, since I've already violated the rules of the game, why don't we terminate our contract from now on?" She just happened to be looking for an excuse to break the contract.

His dark eyes immediately turned cold. Gong Youqi suddenly realized if he had been counterproductive. He said that merely to seek some self-comfort. Although he also realized he had developed feelings for her, he also wanted to probe her true thoughts. If she had also fallen, it would at least make him feel more balanced. But she was actually using that statement to end the game, which he absolutely would not allow.

His voice was cold: "Are you tired of playing so soon? Satisfied with just one gold card? Aren't you greedy for money? You're giving up the chance to earn a lot of money every day?"

Yu Xi ignored his mockery. Since she had clarified things with Mr. Passerby, she no longer needed Gong Youqi as an excuse. For her, like for him, it was purely mutual utilization. Otherwise, just based on how he treated her yesterday, Yu Xi would have been heartbroken and demoralized.

The person who can hurt you must be the person you care about. She understood this deeply, and her quick recovery proved that she hadn't cared much for Gong Youqi. Moreover, his beloved Su Yingran was related to the Liang family, and she didn't want to get involved anymore, to avoid being labeled as "sowing discord between Gong and Su" later.

Having made up her mind, she leaned against the wall and stood up, saying with a "credit is paramount" expression: "Although I'm also reluctant to part with Young Master Gong, since I spoke out of turn last night and revealed my true feelings while drunk, there's nothing I can do to deny it. I still couldn't resist your charm. Alas, since I'm inevitably destined to be driven away by you, I might as well say it myself now." Her words were sincere and helpless, but to the other person, they sounded unspeakably sarcastic.

If, if she had clearly admitted to liking him last night, perhaps he wouldn't have been so angry, but she couldn't even express her feelings clearly while drunk, which made him annoyed and anxious. Now, she was clinging to this excuse to leave him, making him wonder if she had planned all along to get away from him.

His cold eyes turned to ice, and he countered, "Do you really, truly like me?" She was truly damn professional; she fell in love and thought of terminating the contract?

Yu Xi feigned a sorrowful expression, sighing with her head down: "Didn't you hear my confession with your own ears last night?" Oh, she wondered again, did she really say that?

Gong Youqi almost hated her clarity and cunning. Was she pushing everything onto him? Fine! He wouldn't let her have her way: "I understand your admiration. Since you're so sincere," he lifted her head, his tone comforting, but his eyes complex and sinister: "I'll make an exception and keep you."

"Uh? Young Master Gong, it's enough that you're sincere, you really don't have to force yourself..."

"No force," he said, looking at her tender skin beneath the blanket, his expression ambiguous: "Your performance last night satisfied me greatly. Your body... I haven't explored enough."

So, he was just still infatuated with her body? Yu Xi felt disgusted. She never thought she could be so enchanting when drunk. Could it be that, hmm, he liked women to be on top to be truly wild?

Gong Youqi raised his wrist and checked his watch. He gently helped her pull the blanket up: "Do you want to sleep more or come to the company with me after breakfast?"

Under his concern, she endured her hunger and chose to continue resting rather than be alone with him, but her stomach, uncooperative, rumbled in response to the word "breakfast."

He pulled her closer, his voice suddenly softening: "Go wash your face, eat breakfast, then go back to sleep."

His tenderness made her feel a little flustered. She casually said, "Okay," and stumbled away from his arm, rushing towards the bathroom.

His embrace, she rejected. She had said it, yesterday's events, he shouldn't expect her to forgive him. Even if she was drunk last night and couldn't resist his charm, actively responding to him, she was very clear about her thoughts after regaining sobriety. She probably couldn't accommodate him as she usually did anymore.

Gong Youqi watched her refusal from behind, clenching his fists and half-lowering his eyes. She truly, still couldn't forgive him. For a moment, he actually missed her charmingly naive demeanor from last night. If she was truly as innocent as she was when drunk, then he really couldn't let go of her.

It was almost time for her to shamelessly beg Guo Qiang for work. Yu Xi carried several appraisal documents, waiting for the elevator to take them to the project department downstairs. Recently, there had been no banquets, and she wasn't involved in negotiations. Her work was becoming as dull as Old Zeng in meditation. If Gong Youqi didn't let her go, she would have to figure out how to cause some trouble in the company herself.

The elevator opened, and Gong Youqi and Su Yingran gracefully stepped out. Seeing Yu Xi to the side, he remained composed, and Su Yingran also paused, politely greeting her and saying she was there to discuss business with Gong Youqi.

Yu Xi smiled, giving Gong Youqi a meaningful glance, inwardly scoffing: This morning he was still intimately and thoughtfully feeding her porridge, and this afternoon he already had a new beauty by his side, rekindling old flames under the guise of work.

But she suddenly remembered the refined, gold-rimmed glasses next to Su Yingran last time. Did he truly not sense anything about his fiancée's intentions?

Gong Youqi received her gaze, ignored it, and casually asked about her destination before entering the office with Miss Su.

She made a face at the closed door and then hopped into the elevator. If Gong Youqi didn't let her go, she would have to find a way to leave herself.

She contacted Chuchu this morning. Chuchu and Gong Da were also in a chaotic period recently. Yu Xi was very happy to help her friend at a crucial moment. As for a domineering man like Gong Youkai, she understood his sincerity, but it was necessary to remind him that he should think more from Chuchu's perspective.

Project Department Manager Fang Hao was said to be particularly fond of Yu Xi. From the day she joined the company, he paid close attention to her. When she was in the public relations department, Fang Hao invited her to dinner several times, but she always found excuses to decline. The beauties in the public relations department had a very good impression of the gentle and refined Young Master Fang, and they even more despised Yu Xi, secretly fabricating vivid stories about her damaging Fang Hao's sincere feelings to climb up to the Vice General Manager.

She actually admired the gossip monger who spread the rumors, for even a small detail like Fang Hao holding open the glass door of a fast-food restaurant for her was described as "meticulous care," making her believe that there were hidden informers everywhere in the company, and everyone was a camera.

But rumors usually don't last long, and she never cared about them. She continued to act as she pleased, and Gong Youqi never warned her, perhaps disdaining them like her or simply not having heard them. Neither of them ever mentioned those rumors.

Fang Hao was indeed pleasantly surprised to see her personally deliver the documents. As for why he was so captivated by Yu Xi, it was thanks to the deep impression she made two years ago at Xinyue, where she performed a light dance accompanying Xiao Chuchu's song "Farewell to the Past." Although she wore a veiled hat at the time, her body language perfectly conveyed the sorrow of parting in the song, which struck him deeply at first sight and he could never forget.

Although two years later, he learned that the Vice Chairman's new mistress was one of Xinyue's "Double Beauties" from back then, he firmly believed that Yu Xi had mistakenly fallen into this life, possessing the purest heart, and becoming a mistress was forced upon her. Thus, he always thought he understood her best and wanted to rescue her from this worldly entanglement.

Yu Xi, of course, was unaware of these things, only not understanding why the fairly popular Manager Fang was so particularly interested in her. She put down the documents, conveyed some suggestions from Guo Qiang, and was about to leave when Fang Hao called out to her from behind.

"Xiao Xi, why do you have to be so hard on yourself?"

Yu Xi turned around, not sure when she had allowed him to call her that. She smiled brightly at him: "I'm not being hard on myself, I'm doing quite well." With food, sleep, and money, if it weren't too boring, life was quite comfortable.

Fang Hao stood in front of her, his face pained: "Although the Vice Chairman doesn't have many scandals, he's not suitable for you."

She blinked, not sure how much Fang Hao knew about her, and continued to smile, "Then what kind of person does Manager Fang think is suitable for me?"

"You should be well taken care of," Fang Hao seemed to have seen right through her. "You appear strong on the outside, but you actually need someone to protect you. There should be a man who understands you and cares for you carefully."

Yu Xi narrowed her eyes, a slight tremor in her heart from his words. Interested, she leaned closer to him, hooking her finger around his tie, and cooed, "Manager Fang truly understands me so well."

Fang Hao frowned and took a step back. He really disliked her overly sweet voice. He grabbed her wrist and said sincerely, "Don't be like this."

She batted her eyelashes: "Manager Fang, what do you think I should be like?"

She never thought she'd meet a man who claimed to understand her. It seemed heaven couldn't stand her boredom anymore. Should she cultivate Fang Hao to be a game substitute? But she always had principles. First, Fang Hao was from MJ, and she didn't want to have any contact with anyone associated with Gong Youqi after she left him. Second, she always avoided men like Fang Hao who clearly seemed like devoted romantics. Otherwise, either she would compromise, or she would hurt the devoted romantic and blame herself, which was never a good deal. However, it would be good if she could befriend him, but she was afraid he wouldn't agree.

Weighing her options, she still felt it was best not to provoke him.

Fang Hao pulled her closer, his gaze serious: "I hope you can be your true self, don't wear such a hypocritical mask anymore. Not all men are insincere."

This one in front of her seemed to be of very high quality, unfortunately, not suitable for her. Yu Xi peeled away his grip, still smiling seductively: "Manager Fang, you're joking. How could I be wearing a mask? And the Vice Chairman isn't insincere either."

Fang Hao's emotions were a little agitated, and he held her even tighter: "Do you owe him something? If you need help with anything, just tell me. I'll figure it out for you."

Tsk tsk, such a devoted hero truly stirred her heart. Yu Xi was about to put on a mischievous expression to fabricate a tear-jerking hidden story when she heard a cold voice from the doorway: "Manager Fang, let go of her hand."

Tsk tsk, such a devoted hero truly stirred her heart. Yu Xi was about to put on a mischievous expression to fabricate a tear-jerking hidden story when she heard a cold voice from the doorway: "Manager Fang, let go of her hand."

Fang Hao was startled. He saw the Vice Chairman personally standing at the door, emanating a cold and authoritative aura that compelled him to let go: "Vice Chairman, I..." Had he heard everything?

Yu Xi's face was even more ashen, as if she had swallowed gold. She never expected Gong Youqi to appear here. Shouldn't he be busy enjoying sweet moments with Miss Su? Where would he find the time to come and stop her from embracing a new spring?

"Is the project department very leisurely lately? The contract with 'Jiahua' hasn't been finalized, has it? Mr. Chu's project also has unresolved issues, and you've just taken over the 'Huantai' cooperation project. I don't think Manager Fang has so much free time to chat in the office."

Fang Hao's face flushed. The projects Gong Youqi mentioned were indeed the pressing issues that needed to be resolved.

Yu Xi couldn't stand Gong Youqi so arrogantly scolding Fang Hao. Even if Fang Hao was derelict in his duty, he shouldn't be blamed in front of others.

Her kindness, however, was overly impulsive and righteous. She didn't know that a jealous man should not be provoked, especially when she was defending the other party.

So, when she stood in front of Fang Hao and said that it was her fault for accidentally disturbing the project manager's work, and that it had nothing to do with Fang Hao, Gong Youqi's face became extremely ugly. He curtly dismissed Fang Hao to the conference room where President Su of "Huantai" was waiting for him to discuss details, then fiercely closed the door and glared at Yu Xi.

She was so intensely stared at that cold sweat broke out. She immediately thought of yesterday. In her perception, Gong Youqi was now definitely a brutal master, constantly making her think of violence. Her fingers gripping the edge of the table trembled uncontrollably. Although she was certain that with Miss Su here today, he wouldn't do anything excessive, his gaze was truly sinister, making her shiver just looking at him. She really hadn't expected the seemingly elegant and gentle Young Master Gong to be so deeply hidden, not only cunning but also possessing a tyrannical possessiveness. It was best to stay as far away from him as possible.

Gong Youqi instantly noticed her fright and tried to calm himself. It was infuriating that she would let him witness such intimacy with another man. He had dismissed earlier rumors about Fang Hao's feelings for Yu Xi, but today, her daring to smile at someone else like that truly infuriated him.

"He's really good at being considerate of you," Gong Youqi walked up to her, looking at her sharply: "Wants to help you escape from your misery?"

Yu Xi flinched, "We were just joking."

He caressed her smooth, delicate face, but then inexplicably sighed, "Has our game truly become a torment for you?"

She didn't react to his touch, merely looking at him earnestly and asking, "Young Master Gong, two years ago, even though you knew Miss Su was engaged, you didn't give up. Now that she's back, you're even less likely to give up, right?"

His hand stopped. He looked at her and said nothing.

That was an unspoken affirmation.

She asked more directly, "Do you love Miss Su very much?"

Gong Youqi frowned, "That's not for you to ask."

He avoided answering, which she again took as an unspoken affirmation.

Yu Xi suddenly smiled: "Since you love her, go for it. Let's also terminate our contract."

Hearing "contract" again, his face became very unpleasant: "You want to terminate the contract so badly?"

She remembered a very humane clause in the contract: The female party has the right to terminate the contract if she has reasonable and justifiable grounds.

Yu Xi nodded straightforwardly: "I want to. Because Young Master Gong, your intentions are very clear. You love her, and you won't drag it out forever. And you also know that I like you, so I can't be her shield anymore. Please, set me free."

Whether she really said she liked him while drunk or not, this game was no longer fun. Neither side was as unattached as they were at the beginning; continuing would only become troublesome.

Did he think she couldn't see the complexity in his eyes? He said she liked him, yet he so easily wanted to keep her. Whether it was just an obsession with her body, or if he also felt a slight spark, she didn't want to find out. She only knew that since he was in love with Su Yingran, he shouldn't provoke her anymore.

Speaking of stubbornness, she was even more so than him. She hoped that his two-year persistence for Miss Su would finally have a good ending, and that it wouldn't diminish her belief that true love still existed in the world.

Gong Youqi grabbed her shoulder, once again puzzled by her thoughts, yet his heart was clear: he still didn't want to let go of her.

He leaned down, almost pinning her to the desk, and whispered to her clear eyes, "Sometimes, I truly don't understand what kind of woman you are."

Yu Xi smiled playfully and indifferently, "If you understood everything, wouldn't you lose interest? You can also think of it this way: everything I do is just a trick to get your attention. Now that I've confessed, you can be lenient."

Such a generous confession? He pressed closer, speaking nonchalantly: "Is Manager Fang your next target? Why have your demands suddenly lowered? Can he satisfy your high commission?"

Yu Xi bit her lip: "He didn't do anything, you can't use public office for personal revenge."

"Your defending him makes me even more suspicious." He pecked her sweet lips: "Actually, you're cuter when you're a bit silly. Don't worry, I still trust my instincts."

She was stunned, not understanding what he meant.

Gong Youqi rested his head on her collarbone, gently nibbling her fair neck, his breathing heavy: "For now, you can't leave. Stay by my side obediently." He needed more time to sort out how he truly wanted to handle this unexpected surge of emotion.

She trembled slightly from the current he brought, but then she scoffed softly, "Stay by your side, waiting for the day you personally cast me out?"

"Xi Xi." His voice was cold again, implying she shouldn't test his limits further.

Yu Xi was about to try the feeling of playing with fire and getting burned when the unusually busy office door opened again. First to appear was a bewildered Guo Qiang, but Yu Xi's eyes were fixed on the pale, seemingly fragile beauty standing behind Guo Qiang.

"Vice President, I knocked but no one answered just now..." Guo Qiang said awkwardly. President Su had been waiting for a long time and only saw Fang Hao enter the conference room with a dejected face. She suddenly secretly pulled Assistant Guo downstairs to check, saying only that she had angered the Vice President and feared he would take it out on Yu Xi.

When Guo Qiang came to look, Su Yingran actually followed him. Guo Qiang had only recently learned that she was the Vice President's long-standing emotional entanglement, so he didn't stop her. If the Vice President got angry, Miss Su might be able to help persuade him.

But when they knocked, no one answered. Upon pushing the door open, they saw such an ambiguous scene. Guo Qiang's face was awkward, but Su Yingran stared wide-eyed, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing, her lips trembling as she tried desperately to control herself.

Gong Youqi turned, his gaze fixed solely on Su Yingran's dim eyes. Yu Xi was very close to him, feeling his entire body stiffen, his hand at his side tightly clenched, his fingernails surely digging into his flesh.

Her big eyes scanned the changes in both their expressions, a smile perpetually on her lips.

"Yingran..." he called softly, his tone gentle, reluctant, and apologetic.

Su Yingran managed a strained, bitter smile, her voice trembling: "I... I'll wait for you both in the conference room first."

"Wait..." Gong Youqi couldn't help but call out to her, but he didn't know how to explain.