《Melt into You》

Chapter 9: You Want to Run Away? Keep Dreaming

The sudden commotion drew the attention of everyone nearby, who turned to look at Zhuang Shufei.

Xiao Tongyu quickly stood up to help her friend, fearing she might be recognized and cause a scene.

Once they sat back down, Zhuang Shufei still couldn’t calm herself. She gulped down the juice in front of her, then fixed a serious gaze on Xiao Tongyu.

"What’s going on?"

Xiao Tongyu hesitated briefly before confessing everything to her best friend.

When she finished, Zhuang Shufei looked as though five thunderbolts had struck her head. "Xiao Tongyu! Are you an i***t?! Do you really think someone as terrifying as Ji Yunze would let you walk away so easily?! Why would you go this far for someone like Qin Mengyan?! Even if you did nothing, Ji Yunze wouldn’t spare her a glance!"

Xiao Tongyu grimaced. "I didn’t think he’d actually take the bait. I’ve worked by his side for a year, and he’s never been with a woman."

Zhuang Shufei’s almond-shaped eyes widened. "Of course he took the bait—he’s hooked! How many times have you slept with him?"

"Just this morning, and last night, and the night before… probably over a dozen times…"

Zhuang Shufei felt her vision darken. "Holy s**t! That bastard Ji Yunze really treats you like an object! No wonder you were in so much pain you had to see a doctor!"

"Here’s the plan: quit your job immediately and come work at my dad’s company. Or didn’t you always want to start your own design studio? Use the money your dad left you, or I’ll cover it if you’re short!"

Xiao Tongyu bit her lip, silent.

She had considered resigning, but the problem was—would Ji Yunze even let her?

"I need to think about it…"

"Stop thinking! If you keep dragging this out, you’ll end up dead! With the way he’s going, the birth control pills alone could poison you to death!"

Cough. Poisoning from birth control pills… That would be a novel way to die.

Zhuang Shufei pierced through the heart of the matter. "If he actually cared about you, he’d use a condom instead of making you take pills!"

Xiao Tongyu nodded. "I know. He doesn’t see me as a person."

"And why the hell did you return that two million to him?! Who in their right mind throws away money like that?!" Zhuang Shufei was practically fuming.

Looking at Xiao Tongyu’s soft, delicate face—even her own aloof brother had fallen for it—how could her clueless best friend not realize her own appeal?

If her brother ever found out about this, he’d probably explode on the spot.

"By the way, Tongyu, my brother’s coming back to the country."

The gloom in Xiao Tongyu’s eyes instantly lifted. "Shujie’s returning?!"

Zhuang Shufei’s older brother, Zhuang Shujie, had been sent abroad by their father, Zhuang Yang, to expand the Zhuang Group’s overseas operations. After nearly two years, with the branch now stable and reliable management in place, he was finally coming home.

Zhuang Shujie had liked Xiao Tongyu for years, but the latter—with her negative EQ—seemed utterly oblivious. He’d forbidden Zhuang Shufei from revealing his feelings, letting things drag on in silence.

Zhuang Shufei pressed, "So quit your job! Come back as my brother’s secretary, start your studio—anything’s better than dying on Ji Yunze’s bed! If you die in that man’s bed, he could make you vanish without a trace. Not even your corpse would be found!"

Xiao Tongyu shuddered, cold sweat breaking out on her forehead.

"Okay," she finally resolved.

Returning to the office after lunch, Xiao Tongyu quietly asked Su Rou, "Is Mr. Ji in his office?"

"Yes. He ate lunch there and hasn’t left since."

"Alone?"

Su Rou nodded. "Yes. Why?"

"I’m going to resign."

"What?!"

Xiao Tongyu knocked and entered. Ji Yunze was lying on the large sofa in his office’s private restroom, eyes closed.

She walked to the coffee table beside the sofa and began clearing away the lunch dishes.

Since becoming Ji Yunze’s personal secretary, she’d handled all his meals. Xiao Tongyu knew his favorite restaurants and seasonal dishes, tailoring his meals to the freshest ingredients. Over the past year, he’d never once thrown a plate in dissatisfaction.

She deliberately slowed her movements, but Ji Yunze showed no sign of waking.

Maybe I should bring this up later…

As she picked up the dishes to leave, Ji Yunze suddenly seized her wrist.

"What is it?" His eyes opened.

"Nothing, Mr. Ji."

"Speak."

"Really, it’s nothing."

"Dragging out the cleanup and glancing at me repeatedly—nothing?"

Ji Yunze hadn’t been asleep. He’d observed her every move.

Xiao Tongyu set down the dishes and subtly edged backward. "Mr. Ji… I want to resign."

A dangerous glint flashed in Ji Yunze’s eyes.

"Why?"

"I studied architectural design in college. I’ve always wanted to start my own design studio, and now’s the perfect time…"

Ji Yunze’s voice turned icy. "Who gave you this ‘opportunity’?"

"Huh?"

"I asked who gave you this opportunity."

"I found an office space in a good location at a reasonable price."

"Give me the address. I’ll buy the building."

"……" Xiao Tongyu froze.

This was exactly the kind of thing Ji Yunze would do.

"Secretary Xiao, do you think I’d let you open a studio in the Imperial City without my permission?"

Xiao Tongyu felt as though a thunderclap had exploded above her, shattering her resolve.

Why won’t Ji Yunze let me go?

"Get out and send me the itinerary for the upcoming business trip."

Having steeled herself, Xiao Tongyu refused to back down. "Mr. Ji, can’t you just let me go? I’m suffering work-related injuries!"

Ji Yunze stared at her, a wicked smirk curling his lips.

Xiao Tongyu knew that smile—it meant disaster.

"Oh? Let me see where you’re ‘injured.’"

Before she could react, Ji Yunze yanked her into his arms, flipping her onto the sofa and pinning her wrists with crushing force.

Xiao Tongyu struggled fiercely, but the man above her didn’t budge.

"Mr. Ji, this is the office!"

"Secretary Xiao didn’t seem to mind when she put her hands on my leg earlier."

As he spoke, Ji Yunze pushed her skirt up to her waist, exposing her pale, slender legs.

His Adam’s apple bobbed violently. He’d only meant to scare her, but now his own desire roared to life.

He felt consumed by fire.

Xiao Tongyu bit her lip angrily, tears misting her eyes.

In front of Ji Yunze, she wasn’t even granted the dignity of being human.

"Mr. Ji, aren’t you afraid I’ll stop taking the pills and get pregnant with your child?"

Hah. This woman’s grown bold, threatening me?

He sneered down at her. "Do you think I’d let you keep something I don’t want?"

A knock interrupted them.

"Mr. Ji, it’s time to leave for the consulate," Wu Yan called from outside.

Ji Yunze stood. Xiao Tongyu hastily pulled down her skirt and smoothed her disheveled hair.

"Enter."

Wu Yan walked in. Xiao Tongyu grabbed the dishes, nodded at him, and hurried out.

As she passed, Wu Yan clearly saw the red marks on her neck and the unshed tears in her eyes.

"See everything?" Ji Yunze adjusted his tie.

Wu Yan feigned ignorance. "See what, Mr. Ji?"

"Nothing. Just make sure you did see."

Wu Yan was stunned. Was Mr. Ji openly acknowledging his relationship with Xiao Tongyu? And from her state, it looked non-consensual…

Ji Yunze had been CEO of the Ji Group for seven years, from age 22 to 29. In all that time, Wu Yan had never seen him with a woman. So this was…

His first time?!

Wu Yan: "Don’t worry, Mr. Ji. I’ll keep this confidential."

"Mn." Ji Yunze lit a cigarette, staring pensively out the window.

Xiao Tongyu, you want to run? Keep dreaming.