Ye Shengsheng woke up from sheer hunger.
Her mind weighed down with worries, she had drifted in and out of sleep until her stomach’s vehement protests forced her eyes open.
August nights arrived late, and the amber hues of the setting sun seeped into the room, casting a glow even on the Yoshitomo Nara sketches adorning the wall.
A faint scratching sound came from the door. She called out, "Model."
A Shih Tzu darted into the room in a flash, leaped from the cream-colored carpet onto the bed, and planted its front paws on her, panting excitedly, its tail wagging furiously. Sister Juan hurried in right after, tugging at the dog’s hind legs to pull it off the bed, but Model nimbly dodged and took refuge behind Ye Shengsheng.
Sister Juan grew anxious. "Get down now, you’ll ruin your sister’s clothes!"
Ye Shengsheng’s silk pajamas were expensive, though she usually paid them little mind. But the thought of torn fabric exposing the red marks beneath made her toss a pink bell-shaped rubber ball toward the door. Model immediately dashed after it, clamped the toy between its teeth, and trotted back, panting eagerly for a reward.
She patted its head, then threw off the covers and headed downstairs.
The villa’s lights flickered on one by one, and the outdoor pool shimmered with blue reflections. Glancing at the grandfather clock by the fireplace, she noted the hour hand pointing at seven.
With little appetite, Ye Shengsheng distributed the prepared fish maw soup among the servants and asked the chef to make her a bowl of vegetable noodles instead.
The broth was fragrant and comforting. Curled up on the chair, she absentmindedly scrolled through her phone while sipping it.
Online, the scandal about Zhu Ze’s affair with Gao Xueying had completely faded, replaced by news of a celebrity’s drunk-driving accident.
But Ye Shengsheng wasn’t in the mood for gossip. She was busy searching for information on contraception, scrolling through page after page, her unease growing with each click.
Truly, searching symptoms online was a bad idea.
Whether it was psychological or not, her lower abdomen had been aching faintly. Spoiled all her life, this was the first time she’d suffered such a humiliating setback—and she couldn’t even confide in anyone. She had no memory of whether Bian Che had used protection last night; it was as if that part had been erased from her mind.
Anticipating the awkwardness of buying emergency contraception herself, she cursed Bian Che silently from head to toe, her noodles suddenly tasting bland.
Model reappeared, likely drawn by the smell of food, its big round eyes fixed on her, waiting expectantly.
"You want some too?"
Ye Shengsheng chewed a mouthful of noodles and stared blankly at the dog, now sprawled inelegantly on its back.
Her lashes fluttered briefly as an absurd thought wormed its way into her mind, untangling the chaos in her head.
After studying Model’s round belly for a moment, she lifted her gaze to Sister Juan. "Has Model gained weight recently?"
"No, we just weighed her today." Sister Juan, not wanting to disturb her meal, pulled out a milk bone and effortlessly lured Model away.
"How’s she doing in class? Made any new friends?"
"Our Model is the prettiest—she’s the school’s top beauty. That Maltese named Black follows her around all the time..."
Finally steering the conversation where she wanted, Ye Shengsheng frowned. "I’ve seen too many videos lately of dogs getting pregnant accidentally. Even though Model’s been to obedience school, she’s at that rebellious age—easy prey for some playboy mutt."
"Huh?" Sister Juan had never heard such a thing but immediately grew vigilant. "Don’t worry, Miss. Model’s always supervised by two people at school. We never let her out of our sight."
Ye Shengsheng set down her chopsticks, as if deep in thought, then suggested casually, "Maybe we should keep some emergency contraception at home. I don’t want Model to be a single mom."
She said it as naturally as ordering a coffee.
"No way!" Sister Juan reacted strongly. "Any dog owner must get our permission before courting Model!"
Ye Shengsheng thought to herself—what if it’s just a fling? Maybe Model doesn’t want a relationship, let alone a belly full of puppies.
But Sister Juan’s protective instincts were unstoppable. Drawing herself up, she declared, "From now on, no other dogs will be scheduled an hour before or after Model’s classes. And during walks, she stays leashed. If we see another dog, we avoid it. No chances!"
"Fine."
Her scheme foiled.
Oblivious, Model kept gnawing on her milk bone, unaware she’d just lost both her suitors and her freedom to roam.
Left with no choice, Ye Shengsheng retreated to her room, her mind heavy.
For half an hour, she ignored even the fruit tray a maid brought in.
When her phone rang, Ye Shengsheng was putting the final touches on her eyeliner at the vanity. A refined socialite like her couldn’t afford even a single flaw—not even when picking up takeout.
By now, it was eight in the evening, the stifling air finally yielding a hint of coolness.
She wore a long-sleeved silk dress, her flat shoes tapping lightly against the bluestone path, the sound crisp and delicate against her slender, pale ankles.
The guard spotted her and hurriedly pressed the gate open.
As the wrought-iron doors slid apart, a pitch-black Lamborghini abruptly came into view.
Bian Che leaned against the car, phone pressed to his ear.
His brow was furrowed, his expression dark as he listened in silence.
The orange streetlight draped over his shoulders, stretching his shadow long behind him. A cigarette dangled between his fingers, its tip glowing, while his other hand held an incongruous blue paper bag.
Ye Shengsheng’s gaze swept the empty surroundings—not a trace of the delivery guy. That’s when she knew for sure: Bian Che was holding her emergency contraception.
The realization dried her throat, her steps slowing involuntarily.
That delivery rider had no professionalism—her extra tip was wasted. This app would soon receive a one-star review and a scathing 500-word anonymous rant.
Bian Che noticed her too. Stubbing out his cigarette, he strode toward her, ending the call when three steps away.
"You sick?" he asked first, voice laced with suppressed irritation.
"None of your business." Ye Shengsheng crossed her arms, lips pressed into a flat line, looking even more displeased than him.
Bian Che smirked, then shook the bag deliberately, the crinkling noise startling her in the quiet.
"What are you looking at?"
The bag was sealed tightly, its contents unreadable. Ye Shengsheng lifted her chin, compensating for her lack of height with sheer attitude. "Illness is private. Ever heard of boundaries?"
This jerk had clearly grown taller since high school. She cursed herself for wearing flats—now she barely reached his chest.
The breeze tugged at his collar, carrying with it the faint scent of tobacco.
"Give me back the medicine." She held out her hand.
His gaze shifted from her delicate palm to her face. Bian Che lifted his eyes to meet hers. "Get in the car. I have something to discuss with you."
A suffocating frustration lodged in her chest. Ye Shengsheng refused. "We’re not on terms where I should be getting into your car."
"Then are we on terms to share a bed?"
Her ears rang. The air seemed to freeze. The back of her neck stiffened—was that a question or a statement?
Under the heavy cloak of night, his expression was unreadable. His sharp gaze bore into her, searching for any crack in her composure.
Ye Shengsheng instinctively looked away, holding her breath for three or four seconds before barely regaining control over her erratic heartbeat.
She said, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Fine. Then let me see what medicine you bought first."
Bian Che played dirty. Guilt gnawed at her, and she reflexively reached to snatch it back, but he dodged.
She glared at him from the corner of her eye. "If you're sick, buy your own medicine. Why steal mine?"
Bian Che remained silent, his well-defined fingers teasing the sealed edge of the paper bag threateningly before nodding toward the Lamborghini.
Ye Shengsheng huffed and got in the car.
The doors locked. The engine roared to life. Bian Che turned the wheel, merging onto the main road.
Her face stiff, she demanded, "Where are you taking me?"
Bian Che glanced sideways. "You want everyone to see us lingering suspiciously at the entrance?"
Typical him—his mouth still running on a steady diet of poison.
Less than ten minutes later, the car pulled over on a wide stretch of road. Ye Shengsheng’s patience finally snapped. "What the hell do you want from me?"
The moment the words left her mouth, a stack of photos landed on her lap. The anger in her eyes flickered the second she saw the contents.
The photos resembled the blackmail material stored in her phone—except these were taken from the subject’s perspective.
A man lay asleep in bed, his bare torso marked with scratches. Another man reclined beside him, gazing suggestively at the camera.
Outwardly calm, Ye Shengsheng’s mind spiraled into chaos. What the hell had Luo Ziming done after she left?
Her slender fingers flipped through each photo until the last. With deliberate composure, she said, "So your preference is men. Don’t worry—society’s pretty accepting these days. No need for shame. I’ll keep your secret."
Bian Che nodded, appearing even more unfazed than her. "Thanks for the reassurance. But right now, I’m being blackmailed for seventy million."
"What?" Her sharp inhale echoed in the car.
"This person is extorting seventy million from me using these photos. I need to know what really happened."
"Then go find him!" The words burst from Ye Shengsheng’s lips. She’d been tormented enough lately—why was everything spiraling further out of control?
In the dim light, her face looked pale, her tea-colored eyes glazed with unshed tears, as if she’d reached her breaking point.
Bian Che watched her in silence, offering no concession.
Ye Shengsheng knew his capabilities. He’d already traced everything back to its source—and now he was here to settle the score with her, the instigator.
Her eyes reddened as she sniffed. "Fine. I’ll pay the seventy million."
"Let’s get married."
The abrupt statement left Ye Shengsheng stunned. She blinked, dazed. "What did you say?"
