Chapter 3: When Shall I Collect You Again
730 Words
After Qin Mengyan left, Xiao Tongyu returned to her seat.
Now truly defeated - face throbbing, abdomen cramping - she felt utterly lifeless.
"Tongtong, want painkillers?" Su Rou handed her warm water.
"No need. It'll pass. Thanks Rou-Rou." Xiao Tongyu gulped the water.
Su Rou fumed. "Why's that Qin woman so arrogant?"
"She's a popular actress and Qin Group's heiress. Of course she's domineering." Xiao Tongyu pressed a cooling wipe to her scarlet cheek.
"Popular? More like has-been! Thank goodness Director Ji taught her a lesson. Did she really think she could snag him?"
"Hmm..." Xiao Tongyu responded absently.
Why did the notoriously heartless Ji Yunze help her? Guilt over last night's brutality?
Su Rou studied Xiao Tongyu's injured face. Qin's "high school trash" comment suggested prior acquaintance.
But this girl before her - luminous skin, doe eyes, delicate features - resembled a campus belle. How could she be "trash"?
Yet Xiao Tongyu volunteered nothing, so Su Rou didn't press.
"Tongtong, spicy hot pot for lunch? My treat!"
"No, the smell would make Director Ji toss us out with the bowls."
Su Rou pouted, conceding the logic.
The Finance Minister and assistant Wu Yan emerged from the office.
"Secretary Xiao, Director Ji wants you."
"Understood."
......
Ji Yunze looked up from documents as Xiao Tongyu entered.
"Come here."
She approached obediently.
"Director Ji's instructions?"
Ji Yunze's eyes narrowed dangerously.
What's wrong with her? Before last night, she'd flirt brazenly when alone. Did I scare her off?
Noticing the vivid handprint and bloodied lip corner, rage surged unexpectedly.
"Tell PR to buy a hot search."
"Understood. What content?"
"Qin Mengyan assaulting staff."
Xiao Tongyu startled. "No need! I'm fine!"
"Did I say it's for you?"
"Oh..."
She flushed. Of course Ji Yunze had ulterior motives. The man who built Ji Corporation's empire wouldn't waste resources on her.
"Any other instructions?"
Without looking up: "Took the morning-after pill?"
Xiao Tongyu's heart raced.
How can he ask such things so casually?
"Rest assured, Director Ji. No complications."
Ji Yunze smirked. "Called me a garbage collector earlier. When shall I collect you again?"
Her high heels wobbled dangerously.
A second round? The celibacy-obsessed demon king?
If faking abstinence, why target her specifically? Wealthy playboys could have anyone.
Seeing her panic, Ji Yunze taunted: "Too cheap at a million per night? Or dissatisfied with my performance?"
Xiao Tongyu nearly crumbled. She was "satisfied" to the point of abdominal spasms and trembling legs.
After hesitation, she bit her lip. "Director Ji, perhaps I'll return the million. Let's pretend nothing happened?"
Terrifying fury flashed in Ji Yunze's eyes. He gripped her chin. "You think Ji Yunze's bed is a revolving door?"
Fresh pain from Qin's slap combined with his grip brought tears.
"S-sorry... Director Ji."
Her pitiful expression inexplicably softened him. He released her abruptly.
Damn it. Why does this woman affect me?
Long-suppressed desires erupting?
"Get out."
"Yes, Director Ji."
......
Xiao Tongyu fled to the restroom.
Tears held since morning cascaded freely now.
Regret consumed her.
After her parents' fatal car crash at eleven, she'd been fostered by the Lin family - business partners. Their son Lin Xiao, two years older, became her childhood crush.
Lin Xiao - the perfect golden boy - had childhood marriage jokes with her. She genuinely believed they'd wed.
Until high school, when Lin Xiao dated campus belle Qin Mengyan. Qin's bullying escalated with Lin's indifference.
On Lin Xiao's 18th birthday, Xiao Tongyu arrived early with gifts, only to overhear behind fake rocks:
"Xiao Tongyu's so dowdy and ugly. Who'd like her?"
She fled, abandoning her present.
Later, returning early from graduation ceremony, she accidentally witnessed Lin Xiao and Qin Mengyan in bed. That day, she left the Lin household.
Years later as a senior, she saw Qin Mengyan - now rising star - accompanying Ji Yunze at a mall opening.
Though Ji Yunze remained ice-cold, Xiao Tongyu knew Qin had discarded Lin Xiao for richer prey - the untouchable Ji heir.
Thus began her ill-advised revenge scheme: Seduce Qin's desired man.
She knew her chances were nil. Even Qin failed. Yet she needed this petty victory - just to trouble Qin momentarily.
But on her "successful" night, terror overwhelmed her.
She wanted intimacy with mutual love, not transactional surrender.
Her pleas went unanswered.
No undoing this mistake.
Xiao Tongyu understood - she'd boarded a pirate ship with no escape.
- Writer
