《Melt into You》

The hotel suite was dim and airtight. A floor lamp emitted ambiguous warmth in the corner. A woman curled beneath a man, her eyes brimming with tears. She trembled slightly, like a pitiful kitten drenched in rain. "Director Ji, I'm sorry... I was wrong... Could you let me go?" Xiao Tongyu's trembling voice carried a sob. The more she cried, the more it ignited the beastly desires within the man. Ji Yunze idly twirled the stray hairs at her temple: "Too late." He roughly tore open the woman's clothes, ripped off his own tie, bound her slender wrists, and unleashed scorching kisses like a storm. Then... Xiao Tongyu closed her eyes with lifeless resignation. ...... The next morning, sunlight piercing through the curtain****** Xiao Tongyu. The sound of rushing water came from the bathroom. She struggled to get out of bed, every movement sending aches through her body as if her bones were disintegrating. The water stopped. Ji Yunze emerged wrapped in a towel. Water droplets fell from his short hair, trailing from his temples down his sharp jawline, finally dripping onto his perfect abdominal muscles. Ji Yunze's pale, slender fingers deftly operated his phone. The next second, Xiao Tongyu received a bank notification. "One million for you. What to do next – choose yourself." "Thank you, Director Ji." She pocketed her phone, hastily threw on her coat to cover her gaping shirt. Outward composure couldn't conceal inner collapse. Xiao Tongyu, what stupid thing have you done? "Today's schedule?" Ji Yunze's voice was frost-clear. "Director Ji, today: 9:30 meeting with Finance Minister, 12:00 business lunch with Consul Joshua from the embassy, 3:00 PM video conference with UK branch. Evening – your parents request your presence for dinner, but Young Master Han and Young Master Luo also invited you. You haven't decided yet." Ji Yunze nodded indifferently. "Be at work by nine sharp. I want..." "I know. Americano at 60°C, Geisha coffee beans from Emerald Manor." Xiao Tongyu answered respectfully, fully restored to her professional secretary demeanor. "I'll take my leave first, Director Ji." She bowed slightly and exited. Ji Yunze gazed at the woman's slender waist, porcelain-straight legs, and the faint red stain on the sheets, falling into contemplation. ...... Returning to her apartment, Xiao Tongyu stripped and plunged into the shower, letting hot water cascade over her body. She scrubbed herself violently with a towel while tears streamed down. Her entire face was drenched, indistinguishable between water and tears. Exiting the bathroom, she glanced at the clock – nearly 8 AM. No time for grief. After blow-drying her hair, she sat at the dressing table to apply makeup. This apartment was purchased last year. After her parents' accidental death when she was eleven, they left her a substantial sum. She hadn't touched it, using instead her two years' savings from working at Ji Corporation for the down payment. Graduating from Imperial Capital University (nation's top-ranked), Xiao Tongyu joined Ji Corporation with outstanding grades and credentials. Within a year, she rose from an ordinary administrative clerk to become Ji Yunze's personal secretary. Ji Yunze was a god-like figure in the capital's business world. Handsome, aloof, untouchable, his ruthless business tactics terrified major corporations. Yet nearing thirty, he showed no interest in women. Countless women who tried climbing into his bed were thrown out. One even got stripped naked and kicked into a hotel corridor, sitting there weeping. Thus, Xiao Tongyu becoming his secretary wasn't due to beauty. Was it her boldness? Truthfully, she didn't know either. That day in the company's underground parking lot, encountering Ji Yunze waiting for his driver, she impulsively approached: "Director Ji, I'm Xiao Tongyu from Administration." Ji Yunze glanced at her with disgust, as if seeing garbage. "I want to be your personal secretary." Ji Yunze remained silent, anger evident. "Please give me a chance." "Leave before I fire you." Most would flee from his murderous aura. But Xiao Tongyu stood firm. She'd already resolved herself. She licked her lips, clenched her fists: "Give me one month's trial. If unsatisfactory, I'll resign immediately." Ji Yunze's Rolls-Royce arrived. The driver opened the door. He entered without looking back. Xiao Tongyu thought all hope was lost. Yet next morning, she was transferred as his secretary. That month, she served diligently. Memorized daily schedules before work, learned Ji Yunze's every habit. Tidied his office after rage-induced destruction, tactfully blocked unwanted visitors, smiled gracefully when his friends teased her. Perhaps Ji Yunze found her competent, so kept her. Recalling this, Xiao Tongyu's chest constricted. Her own fault – blinded by vengeful desires, she began plotting to seduce Ji Yunze. Knowing his aversion to touch, she boldly approached – "accidentally" brushing his hand, adjusting his tie, wiping coffee stains from his lips. "Secretary Xiao, do you want to lose that hand?" "Of course not, Director Ji. You wouldn't***" She smiled sweetly. Despite zero romantic experience, Xiao Tongyu pretended to be a seasoned seductress. "Secretary Xiao assumes I won't touch you?" "Director Ji, I'm not afraid." She never truly intended to dethrone the celibate god – knew her limitations. Just wanted to see pain on that couple's faces. That's all. Yet she was naive. For petty revenge, she provoked the capital's most terrifying man. Applying light makeup, Xiao Tongyu studied her reflection: Petite oval face, cherry lips, delicate nose, large blinking eyes, fair skin. She knew she wasn't ugly. Yet this same girl was mocked in high school for being chubby and bespectacled by the Lin family heir she'd adored since childhood: "She's so dowdy and ugly. Who'd like her?" Xiao Tongyu sighed. A new message arrived: "Tongtong, coming home for dinner? Aunt Wang made your favorite dishes." Home? What home do I have? Xiao Tongyu set down her phone, changed clothes, grabbed her bag for work. En route, she bought emergency contraception from a pharmacy.