Volume One, Chapter Nine: Jin Yao Consumed by Desire

Jin Yao glanced down at his watch, explaining the reason for his tardiness in a tone that betrayed no apology. “Have you been waiting long? There was a problem with the company’s financial statements.”

Shen Chaowu didn’t mind. Just as she didn’t care for the overpowering scent of the car’s air freshener—cloying and pungent—yet she never said a word. After all, Jin Yao belonged to Jiang Yao.

She had no reason to judge him by the standards of a boyfriend.

A polite smile graced her lips. “Work comes first.”

Jin Yao admired his fiancée’s understanding and thoughtfulness. He was a workaholic; had Shen Chaowu been a hysterical, nitpicking woman, he couldn’t imagine how unbearable things would be.

They arrived at the reserved Western restaurant.

Jin Yao explained the reason for inviting her, “My company is in need of a product designer. You were the first person I thought of, Chaowu.”

Shen Chaowu merely smiled. “Such a small matter, does it really require President Jin to seek me out personally?”

“Of course. Talent must be courted,” Jin Yao replied, unfazed by her perceptiveness. “Graduate of the top art academy in the capital, winner of multiple gold awards in design competitions during your studies—your credentials speak for themselves.”

Shen Chaowu had no patience for his high-sounding flattery. Those so-called design competitions were all superficial; the truly prestigious contests would never be open to a student.

Bringing her coffee to her lips, she asked, “Besides wanting to recruit me, is there something else?”

Jin Yao replied, “I want to live with you.”

“Excuse me?” Shen Chaowu nearly spat out her coffee, coughing. “What did you just say?!”

Jin Yao’s expression did not waver. “I think cohabitation as an engaged couple is hardly illegal.”

But, brother, you’re the one who’ll cheat behind my back later…

Shen Chaowu let out a dry laugh.

It wasn’t illegal, but it certainly wasn’t moral.

Jin Yao had recently been plagued by several nights of erotic dreams, all starring Shen Chaowu. In them, the girl’s clothes slipped from her shoulders, revealing smooth, white skin that seared itself into his vision. His gaze traveled lower, catching glimpses of curves that made his blood surge.

The sheets had been dampened more than once.

He was, frankly, at a loss.

That was why he had sought her out.

Jin Yao believed there was no reason for the girl to refuse him. In Haicheng, women who admired him were as numerous as the fish in the river. That night at Ten Miles of Southern River, Jiang Yao’s ambition was all too obvious in her eyes.

Even if Jiang Yao appeared fragile and harmless, soft as a twining vine—

She was far from innocent.

If he wished, Jiang Yao would strip herself bare and appear in his bed tonight, offering herself to his whims.

But he hadn’t done so, had he?

Jin Yao believed he had shown his young fiancée ample respect.

Sitting with perfect posture, elegantly carving his steak, he looked at his fiancée as if she were the dish before him—her very existence meant to please him, to be under his control.

He waited for Shen Chaowu to accept his proposal to live together.

A faint, arrogant curve played at his lips.

Across the long table, the young woman rested her chin in her hand, the white candlelight dancing across her brow, making her look like a fairy from a painting, a siren from a dream.

He watched as she finally spoke, slowly.

A victorious smile flickered on Jin Yao’s face—

But in the next instant, it froze.

“You’ve got some nerve,” Shen Chaowu clicked her tongue, her expression sincere. “Jin Yao, with this level of shamelessness, there’s nothing you can’t achieve. Truly.”

Reality struck him like a slap.

There was a sharp crack, the sound of a glass shattering in her grip.

Jin Yao’s face turned cold. “Shen Chaowu, I’m not joking with you.”

Shen Chaowu blinked, poised to taste the foie gras but setting it down again. If it weren’t for those half a billion yuan, she wouldn’t have bothered with him today.

“I’m not joking either. You have needs, right? Just looking for someone to warm your bed?” She smiled, lips curling with mockery. “I’m not sure my delicate frame could withstand President Jin’s nightly exertions.”

Thinking she was concerned about his excessive demands, Jin Yao reassured her, “I’ll show restraint.”

A sudden idea flashed through Shen Chaowu’s mind, and she broke into a bright smile. “All right.”

Satisfied, Jin Yao didn’t even mind the metaphorical slap she’d just dealt him. “Then it’s settled.”

“Wait—hold on.”

“What is it?”

“They say that after living together, a woman is as good as remarried. If you lose interest and abandon me, I’ll have nowhere to cry, and I can’t exactly weep at your grave ahead of time, can I?”

Is that really how one puts it? Jin Yao thought.

“I get a physical every year and am in excellent health. No need to weep at my grave.”

“I just want some assurance for myself…” The girl’s nose turned pink, tears gliding down her cheeks, scalding Jin Yao’s heart. “A man’s heart is the most fickle thing in the world; you can’t promise to love me forever. I’m a traditional woman—if we live together, I must marry you…”

Moved, Jin Yao’s expression softened, his heart nearly hooked out of his chest.

He gazed at her as though she were his dearest love. “You’re right.”

“So, here’s my condition.”

“If, within three months, you sleep with another woman, our cohabitation agreement is void, and our engagement is over.” Shen Chaowu’s eyes sparkled with mischief, her sly fox’s tail finally revealed, her voice sweet and lingering. “It’s only three months, A-Yao. Surely that’s not too much for you…?”

Jin Yao felt a tingling at his heart, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he prepared to agree.

But the sharp instinct of a businessman made him pause—

Something was off.

But thinking that Shen Chaowu had set this test only because she wanted to marry him, all out of love, Jin Yao agreed readily. “Fine. I promise you.”

Three months of abstinence—he was confident he could manage it.

Shen Chaowu was nearly bursting with laughter inside.

She’d been looking for an excuse to break off this wretched engagement, and Jin Yao had just delivered the perfect one himself.

With Jiang Yao’s initiative, even if Jin Yao wanted to resist, he’d eventually be coaxed into bed. Having two children in three years was no fantasy—it was inevitable!

Her laughter was so unrestrained that Jin Yao simply chalked it up to her deep affection for him.

His gaze softened—he would never let his wife suffer. Even if he didn’t love Shen Chaowu, she would have all the dignity and respect she deserved.

The meal was not yet finished.

A phone call came in.

Shen Hanchuan’s icy voice crackled through the receiver. “Shen Chaowu, where are you?”

“…I’m having dinner with Jin Yao.”

“Oh, so you’re still in the mood for dinner,” he sneered, anger simmering beneath his words. “Now—get back here, immediately!”

Shen Chaowu hung up without hesitation.

She mused to herself; for him to be so furious, what kind of trouble had Jiang Yao stirred up this time?

A sudden realization dawned.

Her lips curved into a meaningful smile.