Chapter 2: A Slap Across the Face
773 Words
The president's office at Ji Corporation.
It wasn't even 9 AM yet. Ji Yunze's pale, slender fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk, his sharp gaze fixed on the door.
Soon, Xiao Tongyu entered carrying a coffee cup.
"Director Ji, your coffee."
"Hmm."
Uncharacteristically, Ji Yunze reached out to take it. When his fingers brushed hers, he felt her body tremble slightly.
Damn it. She used to flirt so boldly, but now acts like a rabbit facing a tiger. What's this woman thinking?
Ji Yunze looked up and noticed red marks peeking above her unbuttoned collar.
"Button up," he ordered coldly.
Xiao Tongyu flushed crimson, hurriedly fastening the buttons. "My apologies, Director Ji."
Due to childhood trauma, she'd always hated buttoning shirts fully - it made her feel suffocated. She'd applied foundation to cover the marks before leaving home, but clearly missed some.
"Director Ji, I'll excuse myself now."
"Hmm."
Watching her retreating figure, memories of last night surged. Ji Yunze's lower abdomen tightened involuntarily, his Adam's apple bobbing.
He prided himself on self-restraint. Over years dominating the capital's business world, countless women had been thrown at him. But those heavily made-up socialites only repelled him.
When his assistant Wu Yan took marriage leave, this Xiao Tongyu had inexplicably mustered "bear’s heart and leopard’s courage" to volunteer as his personal secretary.
Ji Yunze knew she was another bed-climber. Yet he wondered - what gave this merely pretty-faced woman such audacity?
He wanted to see how long she'd last.
As predicted, she soon began "accidental" touches, even daring to rest her hand on his thigh.
Had it been anyone else, Ji Yunze would have broken their wrist. But with her... he couldn't bring himself to act.
Last night after a banquet, she'd escorted him to his hotel suite.
He suddenly scooped her up and pinned her to the bed.
Expecting eager compliance, he instead found her trembling like storm-battered pear blossoms, tears streaming.
"Wanted my bed, didn't you? Scared now?"
"Director Ji... please... let me go..."
"Too late."
He lost count of their couplings, each more intoxicating than the last. She'd fainted eventually.
She'd actually been a virgin.
What game is she playing?
......
Xiao Tongyu sat at her desk outside the president's office, lower abdomen throbbing.
Her period wasn't due. Could it be...
Last night's overexertion?
She only remembered begging through tears until pain claimed consciousness.
That beast.
"Tongtong, stomachache?" Colleague Su Rou noticed her pallor.
Su Rou, Ji Yunze's assistant secretary (three years Xiao's senior at Ji Corporation), had always defended her against office gossip about "climbing the ladder".
"Director Ji approved Xiao Tongyu's competence. Unrelated parties should shut up."
Xiao Tongyu pressed a hand to her abdomen. "I'm fine. Some hot water will help."
Staccato heels interrupted. A flustered receptionist trailed behind an intruder.
"Sorry Secretaries Xiao/Su, Miss Qin came without appointment—"
Qin Mengyan sneered. "Since when do I need appointments to see Ji Yunze?"
Xiao Tongyu stood. "Miss Qin, Director Ji is in a meeting. After it concludes, I'll inquire—"
"Who gave you authority to block me?" Qin's heavily made-up face twisted with rage.
That face - the one that writhed with Xiao's first love in bed. Unmistakable.
But more vividly, this face led wealthy schoolgirls in bullying teenage Xiao - stolen textbooks, hair-pulling, "fat ugly duckling" taunts.
Orphaned Xiao never fought back. No one would help.
"Miss Qin, neither of us wants Director Ji's wrath. You know his temper."
Qin's eyes bulged. "You're saying he won't see me?!"
The spoiled heiress swung hard. A thunderous slap echoed.
"Xiao Tongyu! You trash! Think becoming Ji's secretary elevates you?!"
Su Rou shot up. "Miss Qin! This is Ji Corporation!"
Xiao Tongyu cradled her burning cheek. "If I'm trash, does that make Director Ji a garbage collector?"
Qin's rage exploded. "You—!"
She raised her hand again, but a steely grip intercepted.
Ji Yunze materialized silently.
"Which hand hit her? This one?"
His crushing grip turned Qin's wrist purple. She screamed.
"Director Ji! Our companies collaborate!"
"I asked: This hand?"
Ji Yunze's demonic aura chilled the air - an unchained beast.
Xiao Tongyu grabbed his arm. "Director Ji, she didn't mean it!"
She feared bones snapping - having witnessed his strength firsthand.
Ignoring her, Ji Yunze kept tightening his grip.
"Director Ji!" Xiao's desperate grip became silent plea.
Suddenly, last night's memories surfaced - this woman clutching his clothes, begging mercy.
He released Qin with a growled "Scram!"
Qin massaged her wrist, tearful and humiliated. Fear rooted her to the spot.
Ji Yunze turned to assistant Wu Yan. "Call security. Terminate all Qin Corporation collaborations."
"Yes, Director Ji."
- Writer
