Chapter 2

Breakfast passed in silence. I didn’t think much of it and left for work as soon as I finished eating.

It was evening by the time I got home. Exhausted after a day of being worked like a mule, I went to my bedroom, shedding clothes on my way to the bathroom.

I pushed open the door in my camisole and froze.

Shen Qingyan was soaking in the tub. At the sound of the door, his eyes opened and turned warily toward me.

He was completely naked in the water, and he was even in human form.

Droplets slid down his collarbones, over his full chest and perfectly defined abs, then followed the V of his hips farther down…

An impressive sight. Magnificent, even.

Having used it before was one thing. Seeing it laid out quite so frankly was another.

Apparently, he hadn’t expected me to walk in. He sat up at once and drew his knees to his chest, hiding the important bits.

I came to my senses and hastily turned away.

“Sorry! Sorry! I didn’t know you were in here. I didn’t mean to!”

This time, I really was flustered.

Behind me, he was silent for quite a while before he spoke.

“The shower in my bathroom is broken. That’s why I came in here. You know I have to soak for two hours every day…”

“Of course. I understand.”

I wiped away an entirely imaginary nosebleed.

The comments chose that moment to appear.

[The shower is broooken. Does this man have no shame about lying?]

[Just another attempt at seduction. He deliberately stayed in human form! Whatever could he want her to see? Such a mystery!]

[He looks so aloof, but he’s a closet flirt. Where did he learn all these courtesan tricks?]

His voice came from behind me again.

“I’ll need to soak for a while longer. Do you need to shower right away? If you do…”

He paused, then stammered, “W-we could wash together. It’s not as though we haven’t before. Don’t get the wrong idea. I just don’t want to hold you up. I’m the one borrowing your bathroom, after all.”

Wow. What an exquisitely crafted excuse.

I imagined his expression: embarrassed, with just a hint of hope. It took everything I had not to laugh.

“No need. Didn’t I tell you last night? I’ll never force you again! Don’t worry. I could never bring myself to hurt a man’s feelings!”

I straightened and thumped my chest with righteous conviction. Then, under Shen Qingyan’s shocked gaze, I shut the door and left without looking back.

The moment the door cut off his view, I braced one hand on the table and slapped my thigh with the other, throwing my head back in silent laughter.

When Shen Qingyan came out, I was propped against the headboard, reading files on my computer.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his bare torso and the white towel wrapped loosely around his waist. It looked ready to slip at any moment.

I calmly looked away and pretended not to notice.

He spoke first.

“Thank you for letting me use your bathroom. It’s getting late. I’ll go back to my room.”

“Mm.”

My reply was brief. Shen Qingyan faltered, then had no choice but to turn toward the door.

At the threshold, he couldn’t resist looking back at me.

“I’m really leaving.”

This time, I finally raised my head.

Joy and expectation lit up his eyes when he saw me look at him. A second later, both vanished.

“All right. Get some rest. Good night.”

I gave him my most polite customer-service smile.

His mouth fell. His face even went a little pale. Then he gritted his teeth and stormed out.

Tsk, tsk. Right where I wanted him. Again.