Chapter 1 Privately
The rapid, crisp sound of high heels pounded on the gleaming hotel lobby floor, each screech like a death knell.
Yan Shuang lifted the hem of her mint green gauze skirt and almost ran.
The monthly family dinner, held together with business partners, is ostensibly a gathering, but in reality, every word and gesture is a business transaction, with countless subtle witty remarks hidden beneath the cheerful atmosphere.
She was originally just a minor supporting character, but being late was a different matter, especially since her father, Yan Zhenye, hated people who weren't punctual.
The elevator's metal doors are slowly closing, the gap getting narrower and narrower.
"Wait!" She didn't care about her image and squeezed through to the side.
The sedan chair was not empty.
Shangqiu Zhu stood right in the center. He was so tall that he almost blocked out most of the light from the elevator walls.
He wore a well-fitting dark suit, which accentuated his broad and straight shoulders and made him stand tall and straight like a pine tree. Just by standing there, he exuded an imposing aura.
The cold white light from the elevator ceiling lamp fell on his well-defined face, outlining his almost perfect features: prominent brow bones, a high nose bridge, and thin lips pressed into a cold, straight line, every feature exuding nobility and aloofness.
The sound of the elevator doors opening made him glance up slightly, his gaze sweeping over her cheeks, flushed from running.
She couldn't stop in time, and the hem of her skirt brushed against the gleaming toes of his shoes, causing her to lean forward slightly.
His dry, warm palm quickly gripped her upper arm with a steady, firm touch, stopping her from staggering.
Shangqiu Zhu's indifferent voice fell from above, devoid of any discernible emotion, "What's the panic?"
"President Shang." Yan Shuang quickly lowered her eyes and called out softly.
Yan Shuang silently broke free from his still loosely clenched hand and retreated to the innermost corner, trying to create as much distance as possible.
Silence suddenly filled the cramped space.
The smooth, mirror-like interior of the elevator clearly reflected the figures of the two people standing in one corner.
"Ding." The elevator doors slid open to both sides.
Yan Shuang took the first step, but after two steps, she suddenly stopped and turned around.
Shangqiu Zhu walked out unhurriedly.
Yan Shuang's lips curved into a sly smile as she winked at him: "President Shang, please walk slowly, be careful of the slippery ground, don't fall."
After saying that, without waiting for his reaction, she lifted the hem of her mint green skirt, stepped into her high heels, and ran quickly down the thick carpeted corridor, hurrying to be the one who wasn't the last one to arrive late.
Only a lingering, captivating scent of gardenias remained in the air, slowly drifting back to the elevator entrance.
Yan Shuang gently pushed open the heavy door of the private room, and warm lights and whispers immediately poured out.
The huge round table was almost full.
Yan You was wearing a limited-edition dress from the latest season, adorned with jewels. At that moment, she looked up, her beautiful eyes filled with displeasure.
Her father, Yan Zhenye, was talking quietly with the merchant's father beside him. Hearing the noise, he glanced at her, but his expression remained unchanged, before turning back to continue talking.
The mother, Zhou Yaqin, immediately furrowed her carefully drawn eyebrows.
"Shuangshuang!" Zhou Yaqin's voice was clearly displeased. "How can you be so rude? Making everyone wait for you? What were you dawdling about on the way?"
Mrs. Shang sat on the other side of Mr. Shang, her well-maintained face bearing a kind smile.
"It's alright, it's alright," Mrs. Shang said, trying to smooth things over. "Kids are bound to get stuck in traffic sometimes. Besides," she smiled and gestured to the empty seat next to the head of the table, "our Qiu Zhu hasn't arrived yet either, has he? Perfect, they're both late."
Yan Shuang quickly lowered her eyelashes and made a docile, apologetic gesture. "Mom, I'm sorry, I won't do it again next time."
Just as Zhou Yaqin was about to say something, Mr. Shang raised his glass and suggested having some tea first. In the brief moment that the attention was diverted, Yan Shuang quickly pulled out the chair next to Yan You and sat down.
I had barely settled in when the door to the private room was pushed open again.
Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to it.
Shangqiu Zhu stood at the door, his expression as usual, even more composed and aloof than when he was in the elevator.
"Sorry, there was a slight delay on the way." He said succinctly, giving a slight nod to his two fathers in the main seats.
"Work is important, please sit down, Qiu Zhu," Yan Zhenye said with a smile.
He stepped in and naturally sat down in the only empty seat, to the right of the host, Mr. Shang.
"Brother Qiu Zhu!" Yan You's displeasure vanished instantly, replaced by a bright smile, her voice several degrees sweeter, "Why are you only arriving now? We've been waiting for quite a while."
"Something's up."
The waiters began serving the dishes in an orderly fashion, and the conversation naturally turned to the two companies' collaborative new energy vehicle project.
Yan Zhenye put down his wine glass, his tone carrying a hint of discussion: "Qiu Zhu, recently there have been some dissenting voices from the board regarding the investment proposal to expand the battery recycling network. The main concern is that the initial setup costs are too high and the payback period will be longer than expected."
All eyes were focused on Shangqiu Zhu.
He didn't answer immediately, but instead gracefully wiped his hands with a wet wipe, his movements unhurried and deliberate.
He then leaned back slightly in his chair, saying, "Uncle Yan's concerns are very practical."
His voice was steady and deep. "Cost is indeed the first hurdle to overcome. However, the existing recycling model relies too heavily on third parties, which not only makes costs uncontrollable, but also poses risks to core technical data and battery flow. This initial investment is not just about buying recycling channels, but also about gaining absolute control and a voice in the future energy closed-loop ecosystem."
He was articulate and, in just a few words, elevated what seemed like a cost issue to a strategic level.
“We can proceed in phases,” he continued, each word carrying weight. “First, we will establish self-operated demonstration centers in core areas to validate the model with data. Then, we will introduce strategic investors to share the costs of subsequent expansion. The investment in the first phase is expected to be covered within two years by reducing external procurement costs and increasing the premium for recycling high-grade materials.”
He even casually recited several key financial projections and market growth expectations. Yan Zhenye listened intently, his eyes shining, and the doubt on his face gradually replaced by admiration. He couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh, "Excellent! Qiu Zhu's analysis is truly enlightening! It shows foresight, clear steps, and even considers the subsequent financing pace! Old Shang," he turned to Shang's father, "you've raised a fine son, surpassing his father in every way!"
The father couldn't hide his pride, but he still waved his hand and said with satisfaction, "This kid is only good at this much. Brother Zhenye, you flatter me."
Yan You, on the other hand, was already overjoyed.
She slightly raised her chin, her face beaming with a proud smile, her gaze fixed on Shang Qiuzhu as if he were radiating light.
"Dad, you can rest assured now, right? Brother Qiu has already considered all the possibilities, and he definitely won't let the company suffer losses!"
Yan Shuang picked up a crystal shrimp dumpling and ate it in small bites.
She tried her best to shrink herself into the background.
Then, Mrs. Shang suddenly smiled at her and said in a kind tone, "Shuangshuang, have you been particularly busy with work lately? You look a little thinner. At Qiu Zhu's company, he hasn't been bullying you, has he?"
The topic was unexpectedly thrown at her.
Yan Shuang subconsciously looked up and met the gaze of Shang Qiuzhu, who was diagonally opposite her.
He held his teacup, his eyes unfathomable, revealing no emotion.
She forced a smile: "No, no, Mr. Shang takes good care of me, and the work isn't tiring at all. It's just that I've been messing around with dieting lately."
Zhou Yaqin added from the side, "Shuangshuang, you're just being fussy."
Mrs. Shang was amused: "Why lose weight? Girls are lucky if they're a little plump. Qiu Zhu, help out at the company and take good care of Shuangshuang. We're all family now."
Shangqiu Zhu put down his teacup and looked at Yan Shuang's face.
“Of course,” he said in a completely businesslike tone, his voice devoid of any emotion. “Secretary Yan is an outstanding employee, and the company will certainly not mistreat any valuable employee.”
Yan Shuang smiled and politely replied, "Thank you for your recognition, President Shang. I will continue to work hard."
The bowls and plates were cleared away and replaced with fruit platters and tea. The adults sat and chatted for what felt like an eternity before finally coming to an end.
The group walked together to the hotel entrance. The night breeze was cool, and the waiters were busy arranging vehicles.
The Yan family's car slid over first.
Yan Zhenye and Zhou Yaqin got into the car first. Yan You tugged at Shang Qiuzhu's sleeve and was still saying something in a sweet voice, as if she wanted him to take her home.
Shang Qiuzhu withdrew his arm indifferently and said to Yan's father and Shang's father, "I still have some things to take care of at the company, so I won't be joining you."
Yan You's face immediately fell, but she couldn't show it in front of her parents, so she could only glare at Yan Shuang reluctantly, as if it were all her fault, before bending down and getting into the car.
After Zhou Yaqin settled down, she seemed to only then notice Yan Shuang still standing outside. She leaned out of the car and asked, "Shuangshuang, what about you? Are you going home together or back to your little apartment?"
Yan Shuang stood under the lamp, the night breeze causing her skirt to flutter slightly.
"Mom, I'm going back to the apartment. I have a meeting to prepare materials for tomorrow morning, and it's closer from there."
Zhou Yaqin nodded upon hearing this, "Okay."
Yan Shuang watched the taillights of the Yan family's car disappear into the traffic and breathed a long sigh of relief.
The merchant's car arrived shortly after, and the merchant's parents exchanged a few more quiet words with Shang Qiuzhu before getting into the car and leaving.
The hotel entrance quickly became deserted, leaving her alone standing in the night wind.
She rubbed her cheeks, which were stiff from smiling, and turned to walk towards the open-air parking lot on the side of the hotel.
She hadn't taken more than a few steps when a blinding white light shone from behind, illuminating the path ahead.
A black Bentley Mulsanne silently glided to her side and came to a smooth stop.
The driver's side window was lowered halfway, revealing Shangqiu Zhu's cool and aloof profile.
He kept his eyes on the road ahead, not looking at her, his long, slender fingers casually resting on the steering wheel.
Yan Shuang abruptly stopped, quickly glancing left and right, her gaze sweeping eagerly across the hotel entrance, the driveway, and the distant, shadowy green belt.
It is absolutely confirmed.
Everyone has left.
She quickly opened the passenger door, ducked down, and slipped inside; her movements were lightning fast.
The engine gave a deep roar, and the car smoothly drove out of the parking lot and merged into the night traffic.
The black Bentley silently drove into the underground parking garage of Cuihu Tiandi, and the elevator smoothly ascended to the upper floor.
As the front door opened, a cool breeze, maintained by a constant temperature and humidity system, wafted in, mixed with her familiar crisp fragrance.
Yan Shuang skillfully turned into the open kitchen, opened the double-door refrigerator, and took out a bottle of chilled fresh milk.
She tilted her head back and took a few sips, slightly suppressing the restlessness that had accumulated during the banquet.
Holding the milk bottle, she walked up the spiral staircase to the master bedroom on the second floor.
The sound of running water came from the bathroom; he was already taking a shower.
Yan Shuang walked to the enormous gray bed and sat down without any expression, placing the milk bottle on the bedside table.
She took out her phone and replied to a few unimportant text messages.
The sound of water stopped.
After a while, the bathroom door was opened.
The first thing to emerge was a cloud of steam, followed by Shangqiu Zhu, who was wearing a loosely tied dark gray silk robe. The ribbon was loosely tied, and water dripped from the ends of her hair. Water droplets rolled down the lines of her bulging chest muscles and disappeared into her taut abs and V-line.
Hearing the noise, Yan Shuang lazily raised her eyes.
The first thing that caught the eye wasn't his great physique that would make countless people blush and their hearts race, but rather the several unusual red marks on his body.
Shangqiu Zhu seemed oblivious as she walked to the wardrobe to get her pajamas.
Yan Shuang looked at him and pursed her lips.
It's laughable to talk about feelings between them, and even more absurd to talk about loyalty.
But she has her own obsession with cleanliness and concerns. If it gets inflamed and infected, and things get complicated, she'll end up suffering along with them.
After a few seconds of stalemate, she finally resigned herself to her fate, put down her phone, and got out of bed.
A first-aid kit is always kept in the second drawer of the bedside table.
She took out a tube of ointment specifically for scratches and bruises, walked behind him, and squeezed out a small amount of the white ointment.
Shangqiu Zhu had turned around at some point and stopped her.
Yan Shuang was taken aback, then looked up. "Hey, let me put some medicine on you..."
“Save your breath,” he said, his voice slightly hoarse and magnetic from his recent shower. “Applying it would be a waste of time.”
Shangqiu Zhu's eyes were misty with moisture, the corners of his eyes slightly upturned, deep like whirlpools, churning with undisguised desire.
He lowered his head, and Yan Shuang subconsciously turned her head away, trying to avoid him.
Instead of letting go, Shangqiu Zhu took advantage of her tilted head and kissed her deeply.
His gaze was fixed intently on her glistening lips, then slowly moved upwards to meet her misty, unfocused eyes.
“Why bother?” he paused deliberately. “Won’t you just leave me with new ones soon?”
As soon as he finished speaking, he tightened his grip on her wrist and gently pulled her into his wet embrace.
The tube of ointment slipped from Yan Shuang's hand and rolled silently onto the thick carpet.
"That's what you deserve!" she snorted in dissatisfaction, trying to get away from him by pushing against his warm, firm chest.
He wouldn't let her escape, and bowed his head again.
It landed on the corners of her lips, her cheeks, her eyelashes, and finally returned to those two soft lips.
The zipper of the skirt was unzipped and piled up at her feet.
Her phone must have been bumped somewhere; the screen lit up briefly and then went dark again...
-
The next day, Yan Shuang woke up first. The man beside her was still asleep. His handsome profile, bathed in soft light, lacked the sharpness he possessed when awake, instead exuding a rare tranquility.
She glanced at it only once before quietly getting up.
As she stood in the living room, wearing a well-fitting business suit and holding a tablet computer, Shangqiu Zhu also came out.
He wore a perfectly tailored dark bespoke suit, his hair was impeccably styled, and his eyes held the usual aloofness and authority of a superior. There was no trace of the alluring, wet charm of the previous night.
Their eyes met briefly in the air, without any extra meaning, just like the most ordinary superior and subordinate.
He walked straight to the door.
Yan Shuang lagged behind him by half a step, maintaining a just-right distance to keep up.
The elevator mirror reflected the two figures: one tall and aloof, the other capable and elegant, their boundaries clearly defined.
As the elevator descends, the numbers keep changing.
Yan Shuang's gaze calmly fell on the jumping red numbers.
To her, the man beside her was nothing more than a boss who paid her salary and a bed partner with whom she occasionally shared body heat.
They were greeted with a busy Monday.
The two walked out one after the other, instantly blending into this cold and efficient world. The events of last night seemed like a distant memory.
During the lunch break, the rooftop terrace of the office building becomes a small outdoor area for people to relax.
Yan Shuang and several familiar female colleagues came up to get some fresh air.
The wind was strong, making people's clothes flutter.
Everyone leaned against the railing, watching the ant-like flow of cars below, chatting idly, complaining about difficult partners and endless reports.
Somehow, the conversation veered towards the top boss.
Secretary Yang nudged Yan Shuang, who had been silently gazing downstairs, with her elbow, her tone a mix of envy and teasing: "Shuangshuang, this is truly a happy occasion! I'm so envious of you!"
Other female colleagues echoed this sentiment, their eyes all focusing on Yan Shuang.
Upon hearing this, Yan Shuang's face quickly lit up with a bright, proud smile, and she said in a light voice, "Yes, things are being prepared at home."
"Ahhh! It really is true!"
"Oh my god, all the good men are definitely not someone else's!"
"President Shang's face, his physique, he looks so handsome in a suit it's breathtaking! Shuangshuang, tell us, is he even more handsome in private? Does he have any hidden charms?"
Yan Shuang still smiled and said, "I don't have much contact with him in private. Besides, with President Shang's icy face, how much warmer can he be in private than in the office?"
Her playful tone drew laughter from the crowd.
in private?
When I see him in private, he's always in bed.
His physique... is indeed impeccable, with well-defined muscles and a powerful presence.
But after seeing it so many times, it just becomes the same.
Yan Shuang smiled, leaning against the cold railing. The bustling street scene in front of her gradually blurred, and her thoughts were uncontrollably pulled back to a month ago.
At that time, the name Shangqiu Zhu was clear, simple, and distinct to her.
He is the "General Manager of the Chamber of Commerce".
He is the boss who is high and mighty in the company, whose word is law, and whose single glance can silence the entire management team.
She was one of his secretaries. Although they had frequent contact at work, every conversation and every document exchange strictly adhered to workplace rules and boundaries.
She respected and feared him, and in private she would complain to her colleagues about his almost obsessive strictness and perfectionism, but there was absolutely no romance between them.
On an even more important level, he was the fiancé that Yan You kept mentioning, boasting about.
There is nothing else.
One month ago.
She still lives in the oppressive mansion of the Yan family.
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