Jiang Zhi had forgotten—he'd married her to fulfill Grandpa's wish.
He was so close, his warm breath fanning her face with every inhale.
Her breath hitched. After a moment, she said, "I'll have your child… but give me half a year to get used to being 'Mrs. Shang.'"
Shang Chi's eyes darkened. His jaw clenched, but he nodded. "Fine."
After she left, Shang Chi summoned Zhou Xu.
Zhou Xu waited, sensing the boss's foul mood—never a good sign.
Shang Chi lounged in his chair, bony hand swirling a glass of amber liquor. In the sunlight, it glowed like liquid gold.
A chill flickered in his eyes. "Find Jiang Qinian some… suitable work."
Zhou Xu smirked. "On it."
He reached for the door—then, "Wait."
Zhou Xu turned. "Yes?"
Shang Chi sipped his liquor, eyes half-lidded. "Assign the wife a new artist. Cover the penalty from my account."
Zhou Xu's lips curved. "Understood."
He left, closing the door.
Shang Chi stared at his glass, expression unreadable.
In one gulp, he drained the liquor, slamming the glass onto the desk.
His fingers tightened—crack—the glass shattered, slicing his palm.
Blood seeped between his fingers, dripping onto the desk, then the carpet.
He watched the blood flow, eyes as still and dark as a dead lake.
No matter her games, he'd play along to the end.
Jiang Zhi had no "games" in mind.
Her "preparation" was flimsy—she just needed time. Time to adjust, to understand him.
In half a year, secrets would come to light, whether she liked it or not.
Her only "scheme"? If he strayed in six months—if he reunited with his "moonlight"—she'd ask for divorce.
Agreeing to children was her gratitude: he'd helped her uncle's company, so she'd grant his family's wish.
Cruel as it was, if divorce came, she'd love the child fiercely.
When she left his office, curious eyes followed—no longer mocking, but pitying.
She remembered: she'd shed her "ugly" disguise. They didn't know she was "Jiang Zhi the Ugly."
Lin Yanyan rushed over, hugging her. "Cry if you need to—my shoulder's yours."
Jiang Zhi blinked. Did they think Shang Chi had yelled at her?
She touched her lips, recalling his office kiss—dominant, relentless, nothing like Jiang Qinian's fleeting pecks.
That kiss had unraveled her mind, leaving her dazed, willing to follow his lead.
And she didn't hate it—she'd sunk into it, helpless.
Was this the "sensory collision" people talked about? The thrill?
"Cat got your tongue?" Lin Yanyan elbowed her.
Jiang Zhi snapped back, dropping her hand. "No."
Lin Yanyan frowned. "Let it out—bottling it up's bad."
Walking to her office, Jiang Zhi said, "Really, he's… not so bad. Mostly, he caters to me—for Grandpa's sake. Never yelled, just… firm."
Lin Yanyan stared. Rumor vs. reality? Or was Jiang Zhi being PUA'd?
At her office door, a familiar voice called, "Hi… are you looking for Sister Jiang Zhi?"
Xiao Ran stood a few steps away, hesitant, starstruck.
Jiang Zhi smiled awkwardly. "Xiao Ran, it's me—sorry for hiding."
Xiao Ran knew her history with Jiang Qinian, but not her beauty beneath the disguise.
Only Lin Yanyan and Jiang Qinian knew her true face at Tianheng.
Lin Yanyan and Jiang Qinian clashed: she found him fake, he found her "seductive."
Once, during a shoot, Jiang Zhi—then "ugly"—had been drenched, makeup ruined. Lin Yanyan, returning to touch up, had seen her real face.
Lin Yanyan, a beauty enthusiast, was instantly captivated—they became friends.
Lin Yanyan often teased her: "Wasting beauty and talent on Jiang Qinian—sin!"
Xiao Ran's eyes widened. "Sister Jiang Zhi! You're gorgeous!!"
Her shout echoed through the department.
Everyone turned, shocked.
The air froze.
A male colleague gaped. "You're that Jiang Zhi? The ugly one?"
Lin Yanyan rolled her eyes. "100% real—eat your doubts."
A female colleague approached, sneering, "Wow! Where'd you get 'fixed'? Seven days and you look natural."
Even the deaf could hear the implication: plastic surgery during your leave.
Jiang Zhi recognized her—Zhu Xiao, Wen Nian's assistant.
Before she could speak, Lin Yanyan snapped, "Fixed in the womb, you ape—missed evolution day? Can't you tell natural beauty?"