And this big shot was handsome, fit, rich, and powerful— sleeping with a man like this was no loss!
She just didn’t know if this kind of man had any strange preferences… Li Yaru looked at Zhuang Qiting, hesitantly nodding her head.
“Have you decided?” Zhuang Qiting rested his hand on his knee, his finger tapping lightly.
Li Yaru felt like she’d fallen into a trap, her back cold with dread. “Do you… have any other girlfriends?”
“I don’t like multiple relationships, Miss Li, you can rest assured.”
Li Yaru fiddled with her skirt, asking softly, “How long is the term?”
Zhuang Qiting narrowed his eyes gently. “That I can’t say for sure. Miss Li, you may want to consider the risks again.”
At most a year, maybe two, Li Yaru thought. She was pretty and cute, but the freshness for this kind of big shot never lasted long.
She’d planned to repay the bank loan in two years anyway, so there was no real difference.
She wasn’t the type to cling to pride or refuse to bow to reality. She was pragmatic, knowing how to escape trouble and maximize her own benefit.
“What do I have to do?” She took a deep breath.
“Listen to me. Be obedient. The details will come with time. There’s something I should say upfront, Miss Li— I’m not an abstinent man. I have a strong physical need, so I hope you can cooperate.”
Li Yaru’s face turned bright red, as if scalded by boiling water.
Though she’d peeked at Third-Rate Films and had plenty of theoretical experience, she was a typical virgin— curious but inexperienced. She stammered, “You don’t have any… weird preferences, do you?”
Zhuang Qiting smiled faintly. “That I can’t say for sure, either.”
After all, he’d only know if he had any oddities once he’d tried.
Li Yaru’s face alternated red and white, and she closed her eyes in resignation, mourning her pitiful fate.
She’d just gone from one tiger’s den to another wolf’s lair.
Still, it was better than acting in a Third-Rate Film, she comforted herself.
“Any other questions?” Zhuang Qiting checked his watch. Half an hour had passed already. He needed to return to the Zhuang Residence— his father wanted to see him.
Li Yaru: “The money…”
“I’ll arrange everything. Don’t worry.”
Li Yaru let out a breath, temporarily relieved to have dodged this disaster. She knew more trouble was waiting for her, though she didn’t know what.
But… when soldiers come, use generals; when water comes, use earth. That’s all she could do.
She could only choose the best option in front of her. As for the future, she was too tired to think about it anymore. Let her future self deal with it.
Zhuang Qiting saw she had nothing more to say, looking every bit the obedient Housewife, relying entirely on him.
He was very satisfied and curled his lips. He stood up, reaching out to touch her glossy, curly hair— like a poodle’s, or black spider silk.
He’d wanted to touch it since seeing her dance at Emperor Haocheng that night.
It felt just as he imagined.
“By the way,” he suddenly changed the subject, looking at Li Yaru with a gentle expression, “who is that Mr. Zhong?”
Li Yaru didn’t dare shake off his hand, just kept her head down and let him touch, the sensation raising goosebumps all over her. “Oh… He’s a leader at one of your group’s branches. I was originally going to ask him for help with the Loan…”
A trace of displeasure flickered in Zhuang Qiting’s eyes. So it was a coincidence she’d come to him.
If Li Yaru had found that Zhong and he’d gotten greedy and set conditions to possess her… He suppressed his anger.
“In the future, don’t go to anyone else. It’s easy to run into bad people. Understand?”
“Oh…” Li Yaru didn’t understand why he could say such a thing. He wasn’t a good person himself.
“I can take you home, or if you want to stay here tonight, there’s a suite upstairs.”
Li Yaru jumped up— no way! Things weren’t settled yet; there was no way she’d sleep with him in advance!
“I’ll go home.”
“All right.”
Li Guanjia had already prepared the car. Li Yaru followed behind Zhuang Qiting, keeping pace with him.
He had long legs and walked quickly, her heels clicking on the spotless marble floor.
Zhuang Qiting didn’t like revolving doors and headed for the side door instead, where a bellboy in a red uniform respectfully opened it.
The car was parked right at the hotel entrance— a Rolls-Royce Silver Spur with the license plate “1,” its luxurious glow shining beneath the lights.
Li Yaru’s eyes widened slightly. Wasn’t this the luxury car she’d seen at Emperor Haocheng that night? So it really was him.
At eighteen, she’d been bold and boastful, claiming she’d make a fortune and ride in a Rolls-Royce.
At nearly nineteen, she was a sickly cat battered by life, but she’d finally gotten in one— just not with her head held high.
“What’s wrong?” Zhuang Qiting saw her staring at the car.
Her once-vivid face dimmed in the light, and she shook her head listlessly.
The man was a gentleman. He personally opened the car door for her, and she ducked inside at once.
Zhuang Qiting didn’t know what she was thinking, but it wasn’t hard to guess— she was just anxious, worried, full of sorrow, lamenting how fate had played tricks on her.
He smiled, unconcerned. Kids were kids— simple-minded, not yet understanding what staying by his side really meant.
What was 1.5 million? He’d give her more than she could ever imagine. Fate would always treat her kindly.
The driver started the engine, and the Rolls-Royce drove away as the bellboy bowed. Li Yaru said nothing the whole way.
This was the most spacious and comfortable car she’d ever ridden in— her legs could stretch out completely— but she sat stiffly, maintaining her ladylike posture, not enjoying it at all.
The night was bustling. This city of lights and nightlife whistled past her ears. They passed Nathan Road, and Emperor Haocheng’s Nightclub was as dazzling as ever.
She occasionally snuck a glance at Zhuang Qiting. He lounged against the seat, long legs crossed, eyes closed as if resting.
His tall, strong body was hidden in the shadows, like a coiled python— full of unpredictable danger.
Her courage in making a deal with a man like him was pure youthful recklessness, fearless of anything.
Li Yaru looked away, gazing out at the night, not realizing that the moment she turned away, the man opened his eyes and silently watched her for a long time.
The car drove into the residential complex where Li Yaru lived and stopped downstairs.
“We’re here, Mr. Zhuang.” She called to him softly.
Zhuang Qiting slowly opened his eyes, rubbed his brow, and said in a low voice, “Go on up. Rest well tonight.”
“Oh, right, Mr. Zhuang, I have one more favor to ask you.”
“Go ahead.”
“Please help me find someone— my cousin, Li Chengxiang. Our family owes Hei Shehui money all because of him.” At the mention of Li Chengxiang, Li Yaru gritted her teeth unconsciously.
She still didn’t know where that bastard was enjoying himself— she wished she could grind his bones to dust.
“All right. I’ll let you know when he’s found.”
Li Yaru received his promise and obediently wished him good night. Before she could open the car door, Zhuang Qiting suddenly stopped her.
She turned around, puzzled. “Is there something else?”
“Yes.”
In the darkness, the man’s eyes were blazing and intense. He stared at her for several seconds, then pulled her into his arms, his thumb caressing her cheek.
Then he lowered his head and, without warning, kissed her rosy, full lips.
A surge of masculine scent flooded her nose, like being forced to gulp down a shot of strong liquor. Li Yaru almost suffocated, unable to resist.
He pried open her teeth and swept his tongue fiercely through her mouth, as if savoring the night’s rich reward.
He was showing her with his actions that he was neither abstinent nor slow and gentle. He couldn’t wait to get a taste.
Li Yaru struggled briefly, then gave up, letting him kiss her and hold her waist in his strong hands.
Maybe she’d been bitten by a dog— but…it actually felt good, making her hot and dizzy, sticky and weak, breathless.
Fan Zizhuo had never kissed her like this. The boy only dared to give her shy pecks on the cheek.
Even their scents were different. Fan Zizhuo was light and gentle; Zhuang Qiting was so hot he nearly melted her, everything aggressive and dominating.
No idea how long it lasted, but finally Zhuang Qiting pulled back, satisfied, a silver thread still connecting them.
He looked at the obedient, flushed little girlfriend in his arms. His natural possessiveness was satisfied, and the kiss made him certain of his choice— she was the one he wanted for life.
It was a curse written in his bones and blood— Zhuang Family men were always like this, searching for their one true mate. Once decided, they never changed.
He wiped the lipstick from her lips and soothed her in a low voice, “Go home, take a bath, get a good night’s sleep. When you wake up tomorrow, everything will be better.”
Li Yaru blinked, his scent still lingering in her mouth. “You promised me, I trust you. You can’t lie to me.”
At this moment, she could only bet on trusting him.
Zhuang Qiting gently stroked her hair. “Good girl. From now on, you don’t have to worry about anything. As long as you stay by my side and listen, you’ll have anything you want.”
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