“No,” Zhou Yang replied. “Why?”

 

He stepped closer, resting his arm above Su Hao’s head against the pillar. His gaze was bold and unrestrained.

 

A faint scent of tobacco mixed with a trace of perfume lingered on him. Pressed against the pillar, Su Hao said nothing—she simply looked at him.

 

Under her gaze, Zhou Yang held her eyes for a moment, then lowered his lashes. He took the cigarette from his mouth and flicked it into the nearby trash bin.

 

There weren’t many people in the hotel lobby at this hour. A cool breeze drifted in, and the lighting was dim. Su Hao’s eyes held neither accusation nor emotion, yet the longer he looked at her, the stronger a strange sense of shame rose in him.

 

This was the first time a woman’s gaze had made Zhou Yang feel that way.

 

Instead of retreating, he lowered his head slightly, his breath drawing closer. He deliberately avoided her beautiful eyes and moved toward her softly flushed lips, stopping just inches away.

 

She didn’t resist.

 

Zhou Yang leaned in and kissed her. The softness of her lips made him bend even lower, his tall frame folding toward her.

 

The kiss began gently—tentative, exploratory. She didn’t pull away. Encouraged, Zhou Yang grew bolder, deepening the kiss. His narrow eyes stayed fixed on her face. Su Hao’s lashes fluttered a few times before finally closing.

 

The moment her eyes closed, Zhou Yang wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her tightly against him, lowering his head and kissing her fiercely.

 

This kiss—

 

Even if she fled to the ends of the earth afterward, he would still chase her down.

 

People passed by the hotel entrance. Some paused, watching the scene as if it were a drama unfolding. The woman’s face was mostly hidden, but the man’s lowered brows and long neck were unmistakable.

 

Su Hao struggled to breathe and pounded his chest several times.

 

Zhou Yang licked her upper lip and loosened his hold slightly, still watching her intently.

 

She lowered her head, catching her breath, and said softly, “Let go.”

 

He loosened his grip but didn’t step back, his gaze unwavering. Deep down, he was still a little afraid.

 

Su Hao lifted her eyes.

 

Zhou Yang raised an eyebrow—and immediately released her completely.

 

Freed, Su Hao walked toward the lobby in her heels, heading for the elevators. Her hair was slightly messy. Several people who had witnessed the kiss—including the front desk staff—couldn’t stop staring at her.

 

Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes tinged with faint allure.

 

Stunning.

 

She stepped into the elevator. Just as the doors were about to close, a large hand stopped them.

 

Zhou Yang walked in, glanced at her, and pressed the button for the 18th floor.

 

“Want something to eat?” he asked quietly as he adjusted his shirt cuffs.

 

“I’m not eating,” Su Hao replied, standing straight.

 

“Alright.”

 

She showed no resistance at all. Zhou Yang relaxed his fingers slightly. Just then, his phone rang.

 

He glanced at the screen.

 

Wen Zeli: You bastard! My brother-in-law just gave up on that beauty—what the hell did you do? I won’t let you off!

 

Oh?

 

Gave up?

 

That fast?

 

Zhou Yang turned off the phone and looked at Su Hao again.

 

Then what was that hug earlier?

 

A farewell hug?

 

A few strands of hair had fallen beside her ear. Zhou Yang reached out and brushed them back. Su Hao glanced at him lightly. He pressed his lips together and smiled wickedly.

 

The elevator reached the 18th floor.

 

Su Hao stepped out first. Zhou Yang released the strand of hair, letting it fall back against her cheek.

 

She took out her room card and opened the door.

 

Just as she was about to go in, Zhou Yang pressed his hand against the door and leaned down. “Good night.”

 

She looked at him coolly. “Get lost.”

 

Zhou Yang laughed. “Alright.”

 

“I’m leaving.”

 

Bang.

 

The door closed.

 

Su Hao set her small bag aside, tied up her hair, and walked toward the bedroom to get her pajamas. Just then, her phone buzzed.

 

She glanced at it casually—

 

It was Li Yi.

 

Two videos.

 

The first showed the night Zhou Yang had supposedly been drunk. After Su Hao entered the room, his drunken act vanished—he stood smoking, perfectly sober, waiting for Assistant Lu to bring documents.

 

The second video was from last night. After Su Hao got drunk, a man entered her room—it was Zhou Yang. No one knew how long he stayed, but when he came out, there was a clear slap mark on his face.

 

This man had been lying from beginning to end—acting drunk, acting innocent.

 

Su Hao watched the two videos, then recalled the scratches on the cars earlier that day.

 

Zhou Yang had done it all.

 

He had never given up—circling, scheming, using indirect tactics.

 

Despicable.

 

She typed.

 

Su Hao: Aren’t you Zhou Yang’s friend?
Li Yi: Yeah. But I can still help you.
Su Hao: How did you get these videos?
Li Yi: The hotel belongs to Wen Zexin. Shen He is Wen Zexin’s brother’s brother-in-law. He provided the videos.
Su Hao: Thanks.
Li Yi: You’re welcome.

 

She put down her phone and went to shower. Hot water cascaded over her body, but her mind kept spinning.

 

Her mother.
Tang Rui.
Zhou Yang.

 

Hadn’t he said he’d never been dumped?

 

Didn’t know what that felt like?

 

Then he should experience it.

 

She tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and let the water wash over her.

 

After showering, she dried her hair and lay on the bed. She opened WeChat and removed Shen He from her pinned chats.

 

Then she fell asleep.

 

---

 

Early the next morning, after washing up, there was a knock at the door.

 

Su Hao opened it to find the same hotel attendant pushing a cart.

 

“Good morning, Ms. Su. This is your breakfast.”

 

On the cart was a large bouquet of red roses and an exquisitely prepared meal.

 

“Ordered by President Zhou. He hopes you’ll have a good day.”

 

The attendant wheeled the cart inside. Su Hao stepped aside without refusing, watching quietly.

 

After setting everything down, the attendant left.

 

Su Hao closed the door, walked over, sat down, and began eating.

 

After finishing, she didn’t even glance at the roses before heading out.

 

Her phone buzzed.

 

Zhou Yang: Have you eaten? Was it good?
Su Hao: It was okay.
Zhou Yang: I’m heading out to deal with some things. Don’t eat dinner at the company tonight.

 

She didn’t reply.

 

Crossing the intersection, she headed to Feijie. Even early in the morning, the place was busy. Wherever she went, people looked at her.

 

She felt puzzled and entered a small meeting room.

 

Before the door even closed, she heard whispers outside.

 

“She looks so gentle.”
“Not Zhou Yang’s usual type.”
“But she’s really attractive—probably light makeup. Her skin’s amazing.”
“She actually calmed President Zhou down. What kind of goddess is she?”
“If only she worked here—we’d have a permanent get-out-of-jail-free card.”
“Who says President Zhou doesn’t like her type?”
“Standards can change.”

 

Once the door shut, the cashier came in, eyes bright. “Sis, do you know President Zhou?”

 

Su Hao opened the ledger. “No.”

 

“Shall we start?”

 

“Sure.”

 

Gossip spreads wherever people gather. Zhou Yang’s fury the day before had been intense, and the young marketing manager—newly promoted by Zhou Yang—had never seen it before. Curious and slightly admiring, people discussed it all night.

 

Today, Su Hao was the center of it all.

 

At lunch, people watched her openly. Even after hearing that Zhou Yang’s temper in the meeting room had only cooled because of her, Su Hao remained calm.

 

Gossip wasn’t worth overthinking.

 

The accounts were finished quickly that afternoon. The Kyoto branch was well-managed—clear, efficient. The procurement department had even switched suppliers this month, saving a significant amount.

 

Despite having more staff, expenses here were lower than in Haishi.

 

Zhou Yang clearly knew how to run a company.

 

Around four, Su Hao left the office. Golden light still bathed the city. She glanced at the surrounding skyscrapers and headed back to the hotel.

 

She didn’t feel like shopping.

 

Back at the hotel, she showered, changed into pajamas, and sat on the sofa reviewing notes on her phone.

 

Around 6:30, the sky darkened.

 

There was another knock.

 

The same attendant appeared. “Good evening, Ms. Su. This is dinner.”

 

A large lobster and an extravagant spread filled the cart. Su Hao frowned.

 

After the attendant left, she stood by the door briefly, then sat back down, staring at the food.

 

A moment later, the door clicked open.

 

Zhou Yang walked in carrying a bouquet of roses, jacket draped over his arm, eyes smiling lazily. “Why are you staring? Eat.”

 

She didn’t move.

 

He placed the roses in her arms. “Do you like them?”

 

“Not really.” She pushed them away.

 

Zhou Yang raised an eyebrow, smiling as he placed them beside the morning bouquet.

 

“What do you like? Lilies? Baby’s breath?” He rolled up his sleeves, went to wash his hands, and came back drying them.

 

She looked at him. “When are you returning my room card?”

 

He glanced at her. “Not returning it.”

 

Shameless.

 

He smiled, took off his watch, cracked open the lobster, and brought the meat to her lips.

 

She lowered her eyes to look at it.

 

They held there for a few seconds.

 

Zhou Yang laughed. “Should I feed you?”

 

She looked at him, opened her mouth. He fed her.

 

His finger pressed lightly against her lips.

 

She bit him.

 

Zhou Yang raised an eyebrow and chuckled.

 

He continued peeling lobster, collar loose, utterly carefree and flirtatious.

 

Both of them knew—he was afraid she’d avoid him again. Everything he was doing now was pursuit, careful and deliberate.

 

She neither dodged nor resisted.

 

That alone satisfied him.

 

Last night’s kiss had been intoxicating.

 

Everything she did today was under his watch.

 

And she pretended not to notice.

 

She had her own plan.

 

“Still some left,” he said, leaning back. “Finish it.”

 

“I’m full,” she replied, turning away.

 

“Full?” His gaze dropped briefly.

 

She pushed him. “Get lost.”

 

He laughed softly. “Not going.”

 

“Your accounts are almost done, right?” he said, calling the front desk to clear the plates.

 

She hummed in response, scrolling her phone.

 

“I’m heading back to Li City in a few days. Want to go somewhere?”

 

“No.” She glanced at him, then back to her phone—lazy, relaxed, undeniably feminine.

 

Zhou Yang bent down and kissed her again.

 

She froze, gripping her phone. After a moment, she relaxed—and he deepened the kiss.

 

A faint sound came from the door.

 

She pushed him away. “Leave with the empty plates.”

 

Meaning: once they’re gone, so are you.

 

She went into the bedroom and closed the door.

 

Zhou Yang leaned against the sofa arm, thumb brushing his lips, smiling as he stood to open the door.

 

As the attendant cleaned up, he typed:

 

Zhou Yang: Sleep early tonight.
Su Hao: Leave.
Zhou Yang: Tsk. Okay, I’m leaving.

 

He wasn’t in a hurry.

 

As long as she didn’t avoid him, everything was negotiable.

 

He left with the attendant, closing the door behind him.

 

In the bedroom, Su Hao read, her cheeks still flushed.

 

He really was good at kissing.

 

She sneered silently.