Volume One, Chapter 19: How Could I Bear to Die Before Receiving My Share?

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Zhou Jinghuai led Ye Wu, pushing open the door to the hotel suite.

It was their first time staying in a hotel.

The lights inside were off, and all senses became heightened. Before Ye Wu could regain her composure, she was pressed against the hard door, forced into a kiss by Zhou Jinghuai.

He carried a faint scent of aftershave mixed with fresh tobacco, all invading her body through the frenzied kiss, causing her legs to tremble and lose their strength.

The two stumbled toward the sofa. Zhou Jinghuai shrugged off his coat, then peeled off Ye Wu’s stockings. Her slender legs pressed against the black fabric of his trousers, trembling uncontrollably.

The man caressed her face, demanding, “Say you don’t like Gu Jiuci.”

How could Ye Wu agree?

She held no romantic feelings for Gu Jiuci, but she also refused to show loyalty to Zhou Jinghuai. Since he openly kept mistresses, why should she explain baseless accusations? Besides, she was planning to divorce him.

Ye Wu deliberately provoked him.

Mimicking his manner, she gently touched his sharp, lean face and whispered huskily, “Maybe I do like him.”

Zhou Jinghuai’s gaze hardened, as if laced with poison.

Then, he lifted her up.

The power difference between man and woman was stark; she couldn’t break free from his grasp. She turned her face aside and spoke coldly, “Zhou Jinghuai, when did you become so tasteless? There are plenty of women willing to sleep with you outside. Why force me? I won’t spend the night with you.”

“Force?”

“Ye Wu, do you think a husband and wife sharing a bed is forcing?”

…

Zhou Jinghuai paused.

He stared intently at her face, noticing the beads of sweat on her pale skin. Then he cupped her face and kissed her again, mumbling, “Ye Wu, don’t you have any physical needs?”

Ye Wu closed her eyes softly. “I can manage anywhere.”

She was really something!

Zhou Jinghuai instantly lost interest.

He turned over and sat on the sofa, lighting a cigarette. Ye Wu, fixing her disheveled dress, prepared to leave, but Zhou Jinghuai reached out and stopped her. “I have something to discuss.”

Ye Wu still wanted to go.

Zhou Jinghuai gripped her hand tightly and, with one forceful pull, she stumbled beside him. Her delicate body was held back, her mouth and nose covered tightly.

Only after making it hard for her to breathe did Zhou Jinghuai relent, humming softly, “Might as well suffocate you.”

Leaning against the sofa, Ye Wu gasped, “I haven’t gotten my share yet; how could I die now?”

Zhou Jinghuai’s voice was cold. “Don’t dream about divorcing.”

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Ye Wu smiled faintly. After the intense struggle, a hint of languid charm softened her brows and eyes, alluring to any man. As for Zhou Jinghuai’s words, she took them as mere scheming.

The night was calm.

Zhou Jinghuai stared across. The floor-to-ceiling glass reflected their loneliness. He spoke softly, “The Meiya project isn’t finalized yet. I can’t divorce now. After four years of marriage, Ye Wu, don’t you feel any attachment?”

“No.”

Ye Wu left no room for negotiation.

Leaning on the sofa, she spoke hoarsely, “The humiliation I suffered that day is unforgettable. I think you shouldn’t forget either. Every time you remember, it should mean we’re done. Any attempt to hold on just looks pathetic.”

Zhou Jinghuai looked at her—

“Then let’s talk about money and cooperation.”

“Ye Wu, I could agree to divorce, but not now. Two years from now.”

“You want twenty percent of Rong’en’s shares? That’s too much. Ten percent. I’ll transfer five percent I own to you now as a gesture, the other five will be settled on the divorce day. You know what ten percent is worth—at least thirty billion. I doubt you could win that even in court; we signed a prenuptial agreement.”

…

Ye Wu knew it well.

So she didn’t outright refuse. Who would turn down money?

But she wasn’t a fool; Zhou Jinghuai’s fat offer wasn’t free. She smiled faintly. “What obligations do I have to fulfill?”

Zhou Jinghuai looked at her and bluntly said, “Cooperate with the Meiya project, and sleep with me.”

“Zhou Jinghuai!”

“I have a man’s physical needs.”

Ye Wu didn’t agree outright but said coolly, “I’ll think about it.”

Zhou Jinghuai pulled a document from his pocket and handed it to her. “This is the agreement. You can have a lawyer review the details. If you have other conditions, we can discuss.”

“Ye Wu, there’s no love between us, but at least we’re family.”

“Think it over.”

…

Ye Wu agreed to consider but still wanted to leave. She refused to stay overnight.

Zhou Jinghuai didn’t stop her.

He had other matters to attend to tonight.

When Ye Wu went downstairs, it was late and quiet. Most city neon lights had gone out, leaving only a few stars. As she opened her car door, something caught her eye unexpectedly.

A man and woman were entangled; the woman was blocking the man from leaving.

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Ye Wu recognized them—

Zhou Jingyao and his girlfriend Su Qihong. Su Qihong was the head of public relations at Rong’en Group, a proud and capable woman. Yet now, she clung humbly to Zhou Jingyao, refusing to let him go. Clearly, their relationship was in trouble.

But a man determined to leave cannot be stopped by a woman.

In the scuffle, Zhou Jingyao accidentally pushed Su Qihong to the ground. Wearing a winter skirt and high heels, her calf scraped against the cement, tearing the skin painfully. Blood immediately welled up.

Zhou Jingyao seemed stunned for a moment.

But he didn’t stay or help her up. Instead, he glanced back once, then opened the car door and left. The black Cullinan started instantly and sped off.

Su Qihong cursed loudly. “Zhou Jingyao, you bastard!” Her voice broke as her eyes reddened. She sat dazed on the cold ground.

Ye Wu witnessed the entire scene clearly.

She knew Zhou Jingyao’s fickle and passionate nature all too well. No matter how beautiful or capable Su Qihong was, he would never be tied to her alone. Right now, he was probably with his number two.

Thinking about it, the Zhou men really were cut from the same cloth.

Ye Wu hesitated, then walked toward Su Qihong. She sighed softly, “Let me take you to the hospital to treat your injury. If you get tetanus, it’ll be serious.”

Su Qihong looked up, surprised to see Ye Wu.

“Ms. Ye.”

“Don’t call me Ms. Ye anymore. I won’t be returning to Rong’en Group.”

…

Ye Wu’s voice was calm as she helped Su Qihong into her car and drove her to the hospital.

As a woman herself, Ye Wu understood Su Qihong’s plight—

Three years of a relationship, and Su Qihong still hadn’t gained entry into the Zhou family. Compared to Su Qihong’s abilities, Zhou Jingyao needed a bride for alliance purposes. This relationship was doomed from the start.

Along the way, Su Qihong wept silently.

Ye Wu’s heart grew heavy; in Su Qihong, she saw a reflection of her own past—

All in, burning with fierce love.

In the dark night, Ye Wu’s voice was a little hoarse: “Marrying into the Zhou family doesn’t guarantee happiness. If the person isn’t good, no amount of wealth can buy joy.”

Su Qihong was stunned: Was Ms. Ye unhappy?