Volume One, Chapter 14: Taking a Small Taste…

His intention in doing this was actually to make her give up and force her back into the family—just be a good housekeeper and take care of her mother. But none of this could stop Ji Yao. Although Xie Huaijin had ostensibly given her the card, in reality, he monitored every expense and even had the linked phone number under his control.

She had long grown tired of living at someone’s mercy.

She took the bank card from her bag without a trace of hesitation and handed it to him. “Here’s your card back.”

Xie Huaijin watched her walk upstairs without so much as a glance back, his face flushed with anger. Li Fengying choked back her words, placing her hand on his arm. “Huaijin, what do we do now? You just heard the doctor’s advice—my leg is broken and I need someone to care for me. You have work, and she won’t look after me. You’re not seriously thinking of leaving me alone at home, are you?”

Xie Huaijin took a deep breath and forced himself to say, “Taking care of you isn’t just her responsibility.”

Judging by Ji Yao’s attitude earlier, it seemed as if the whole family demanded things from her. She had already spoken plainly; if they didn’t support her going to work, it would make him seem unreasonable and narrow-minded. The only way now was to make her understand that this family didn’t revolve around her whims—that things could go on just fine without her.

After some thought, Li Fengying understood: “You want Zhenzhen to take care of me? At home?”

Bringing Qin Zhenzhen into the house would be tantamount to admitting infidelity, and in a divorce, the unfaithful party holds no advantage.

Xie Huaijin, always pragmatic, explained clearly, “No. She works during the day and only comes back at night. By then, Zhenzhen will already be home and can continue taking care of you in the evenings. She wants to use work as an excuse to avoid family duties—impossible.”

“You’re right! We have to keep pushing her, or else she’ll think she can freeload off us forever.”

Li Fengying fully agreed with Xie Huaijin’s approach.

…

A week later.

The old house had been completely transformed into a neat and clean office space. She had thought He Yancheng would just do a simple setup, since it wasn’t a branch office but just a small studio. She never expected the decoration to be so warm and inviting, with the workspace feeling like a private garden, occasionally filled with the faint aroma of creamy coffee that lifted the spirit.

In just one week, the small studio had gathered five people. Three women were newly hired, and the other one, Gu Yanzhe, was sent from He Yancheng’s company.

The first time Ji Yao met Gu Yanzhe, she thought he looked delicate and refined—tall and slender, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, with narrow eyes and rosy lips. Unquestionably handsome.

They had worked together for three days and everything went smoothly. Gu Yanzhe had no airs of leadership and took excellent care of her. He personally ordered lunch and dinner, never letting her worry about meals.

…

For three consecutive days, Ji Yao was the last to leave work. Having been away from society for so long, she was not very proficient at work, especially with computers. One mistake led to overtime until late evening. She shut down her computer and looked up—half past eight.

As she reached the door, a biting cold wind blew fiercely, snowflakes swirling wildly around her. She quickly closed the studio door and checked her phone, just in time to see the weather forecast warning of a blizzard tonight.

She hurriedly tried to book a ride with Didi, but no drivers accepted the order, and nearby taxis had long stopped running.

With no other choice, she called Gu Yanzhe to see if he could arrange a car to pick her up, but he said it was impossible—no driver dared venture out in this weather. Instead, he gave her the address of the closest accommodation and told her to spend the night there.

Following the navigation through the snow, she soon found the place.

Upon entering the elevator and then the apartment, she realized it was a genuine mansion. To afford a three-hundred-plus square meter flat in this location, the owner must be extremely wealthy—far richer than even Xie Huaijin’s villa.

The only downside was the place was deserted, not a soul living there, and the heating was off. The cold bit into her as she took off her shoes. She texted Gu Yanzhe to let him know she had arrived safely and thanked him. He replied with a simple “OK” emoji.

At that moment, the front door clicked open with a code.

A man stepped in wearing a long black coat. His cold, handsome face couldn’t hide his magnetic allure. His ebony eyes were deep and intense, exuding pressure. Just back from outside, his thin lips breathed out a faint mist, white smoke curling around his stunningly striking features, radiating an ethereal and mysterious beauty.

He Yancheng… it was him again!

Coincidence?

No—there’s no such thing as sheer coincidence.

Ji Yao took a deep breath and silently watched him close the door. After changing into slippers, he strode over and, with a forced calm, asked, “Is this your place? Did you have Gu Yanzhe send me the address?”

He Yancheng didn’t focus his gaze on her but went to the bar, poured a glass of strong liquor, and spoke with a low, hoarse voice, “If I hadn’t told him to send it, would you have been able to get back?”

Ji Yao clenched her fingers, feeling unsure. When Gu Yanzhe sent the address, she hadn’t asked if it was his home—she’d just assumed so. It wasn’t Gu Yanzhe’s fault, nor He Yancheng’s. She lowered her head, silent and unsteady, feeling she had no right to speak.

He Yancheng poured another glass and took a crystal cup from the cabinet—a pair with the one in his hand. Under the warm yellow light, the crystal sparkled like a pearl set in jade, clearly valuable.

“Want a drink?”

Ji Yao steadied herself and frowned, “No, I don’t drink.”

The first time she came to He Yancheng’s villa was for an injection; the second time here was to drink. It all felt strange—and who goes to a man’s house alone to drink? Besides, she was married.

He took a sip of his whiskey, his voice deepening with the rich burn of the drink. “The heating won’t turn on for a while. A drink will warm you up.”

Was he trying to explain?

Outside the floor-to-ceiling window, snowflakes fell as the cold wind howled. The freezing air seemed to solidify the space. Her feet trembled slightly despite the warm boots—it was like standing on ice.

She shivered, her gentle eyes softening. “Then… just pour me a little?”

He was drinking whiskey—a strong liquor. She wasn’t much of a drinker, so just a sip to warm up would suffice. He poured a small amount and handed it to her.

She took the glass and sat on the sofa. He Yancheng’s tall figure also settled nearby, leaning against the couch with one hand draped casually over the chair’s back. His long, clean fingers holding the glass gave off a relaxed air.

The quiet was so deep that she couldn’t help but turn on the TV with the remote. The screen flickered to life, showing a passionate Western drama. The leads were in an intimate scene, and the excellent sound system filled the room with a subtle, strange tension.

Her body shuddered, muscles tightening. She didn’t dare stay longer. Downing the rest of her drink, she reached for the remote to change the channel, but his slender fingers hooked hers lightly, fingertips brushing hers. A shock of electricity shot up her arm, throwing her heartbeat wildly out of rhythm.

Her heart leapt into her throat, nearly forgetting how to breathe, her eyes filled with panic and helplessness.

Suddenly, her nerves tightened to the breaking point. Setting down the glass, she tried to flee. “The blizzard… it’s over now. I have to go.”

At that moment, He Yancheng’s phone rang—it was his secretary Jiang Rang. He didn’t stop Ji Yao but calmly answered, holding the phone to his ear. “President He, Xie Huaijin just contacted me. He wants to meet you tonight. Is that convenient?”

His voice was low and melodious, carrying a lazy, roguish charm. “I’m at West Jiuyue. Tell him to come now.”

After hanging up, Ji Yao was already changing her shoes. He downed the rest of his drink in one go, stood, and walked around the sofa to her. Gently grasping her arm, he lifted her feet off the ground and held her in his arms. Carrying her to the bedroom, he laid her on the bed, his imposing figure pressing down upon her…