The voice was familiar, but he couldn't place it. Fang Tianzhuo chuckled, figuring it was a wrong number.
"Sorry, miss—I think you dialed the wrong person." He kept it polite.
"Is that so? You've already forgotten our night together? How quickly men forget." The voice dripped honey, sweet enough to rot teeth.
"Ah—you're… Chen Yuqi?" Recognition hit.
"Bingo. Took you long enough. So you work at Donghua?" She cut to the chase.
Her question sent a cold sweat down his back. One-night stands were supposed to fade, not track you down at work. Panic coiled in him—what did she want?
"Don't look so scared. I saw you lunching with the chairman's secretary today. You think I'd blackmail you? Please—your salary's pocket change to me." Her tone turned icy.
"Meet me at the same bar at 10 PM. I have something to say. Don't stand me up—I'll find you at the office. Relax. See you soon." She hung up, leaving him reeling.
He waited nervously for the end of the workday, mind a jumble. Li Xiaochan was complicated enough; now Chen Yuqi? Their night together was a secret he'd buried. His phone rang—Xiaochan.
"Tianzhuo, off work? You should at least see the place. I'll be at work later, won't have time to show you." Her voice was soft.
Right—Gao Tianwei had moved his stuff, but he didn't know Xiaochan's exact unit.
"On my way." He jotted down the address, said a quick goodbye to Rui Jie, and drove over.
As he left, he noticed Rui Jie staring into space, looking drained. His earlier question must've upset her. Guilt pricked him—he'd have comforted her if he wasn't already tied up.
At Xiaochan's building, he knocked. To his surprise, both Xiaochan and Tianwei waited inside. Tianwei grinned, acting like it was his housewarming. The two-bedroom was spacious, furnished, far nicer than his old place. His room was spotless, thanks to them.
"This is great! I love it. My treat—let's eat out!" Fang Tianzhuo smiled.
"Nah. Xiaochan cooked. We'll stay in." Tianwei interrupted.
Xiaochan brought out dish after dish—chicken, fish, veggies, eight in total. More than three people could eat, a sign of her joy.
"So much food…"
"I'm here, remember? Leftovers tomorrow." Tianwei joked.
Fang Tianzhuo sighed. Quiet nights were history. At least it was a two-bedroom—if it were three, Tianwei would've moved in. The man was smarter than he looked, rough edges hiding a sharp mind.
Xiaochan, beaming, poured red wine, setting a romantic mood. Her smile—bright, unguarded—was one he hadn't seen in years.
Dinner was easy, no awkwardness. They laughed like old times, though Xiaochan's eyes lingered on Fang Tianzhuo, her chopsticks constantly piling food into his bowl. Tianwei noticed, his smile tightening.
Afterward, Tianwei shocked them by volunteering to wash dishes. Xiaochan left for work, and Tianwei plopped on the couch to watch TV, showing no signs of leaving.
It was 9:30 PM. Fang Tianzhuo glanced at his friend, anxious.
"Aren't you needed at work? Don't you have to shadow your boss?"
"Nah. The CEO's got plenty of bodyguards. He's a homebody—hardly goes out. Once he's home, we're off the clock."
Fang Tianzhuo thought—if he didn't know about the Tianfu attack, he might admire the guy. Luo, by contrast, was always on the move, dragging him to meetings at all hours. Tianwei had it easy.
Tianwei's phone rang—his boss. He jumped up, mumbled a goodbye, and bolted.
Fang Tianzhuo thanked his lucky stars. Chen Yuqi would've tracked him down at work otherwise. Still, he wondered—was Wang Zhenhai making a move? Maybe the public pressure was working. Luo's plan might actually work.
He skipped his car—too risky; someone might recognize it—and took a taxi to the bar.
At 10 PM sharp, he spotted Chen Yuqi in a corner, dressed to kill, her cleavage leaving little to the imagination. Men stared, drooling. Had he really slept with her? Desire flickered, unwanted.
She noticed him, pulled out her phone, and dialed. His rang.
"Don't come over. Meet me at Xinyi Hotel. Now. And don't bail—I will find you." She hung up, ignoring him.
He groaned, flagging another taxi.
Xinyi Hotel was out of the way, small but luxurious. The lobby was quiet. What does she want? Another round of sex? He'd been celibate since Yanran left—no shame in that. But Chen Yuqi knew too much about Donghua. Friend or foe?
Thirty minutes later, she appeared, gesturing for him to follow. She got in an elevator; he watched it stop at the top floor. A text popped up: 8018. He hit the button.
At the door, she yanked him inside, her lips crashing into his before he could speak. The secrecy, the danger—it turned him on. He slid his hands up her skirt, lifting her onto the bed, tearing off her clothes. Pale skin, dark curls—she was a vision.
She panted, clawing at his shirt. He stripped, kissing her neck, her breasts, her stomach, his fingers teasing her thighs. She moaned, loud, needy.
He parted her legs, gripping her hips, and thrust—she screamed, a sound that sent shivers down his spine.