Chapter 2: Looking for Answers

“What do you need me inside for?” Chen Ye asked.

“I need a favor.”

“What kind of favor?”

“Come in first!” Han Qiuya pulled him through the door.

The curtains were drawn, and only a small ceiling light was on, leaving the apartment dim. Even so, the glittering furnishings suggested a luxurious renovation. Snacks and wineglasses sat on the dining table, and a lovely fragrance filled the air.

“Over here!”

Han Qiuya beckoned him into the bathroom. Everything inside was white. As he entered, his head bumped against something. He looked up.

A simple clothes rack hung overhead, holding a scattering of garments: white ones, black lace, thongs, and risqué lingerie. He had bumped into a bra.

His face flushed, and he lowered his head.

Han Qiuya opened a small cabinet and pointed to a valve on a water pipe. “This fitting is loose. I can’t tighten it, and it keeps leaking. You’re strong. Could you turn it for me?”

“Sure.”

Chen Ye gripped the valve with both hands and gave it a gentle twist.

Crack. It snapped clean off.

Water gushed from the pipe like a fountain, soaking him.

“Quick, get a towel!” he shouted.

“Right!”

Han Qiuya hurried off and returned with a white towel. Chen Ye wrapped it around the broken fitting, slowing the spray for the moment. He picked up the valve from the floor.

“It wasn’t loose. The valve was rusty and broken.”

“Oh, I see!” She brushed back her hair and looked at him with wide, concerned eyes. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.”

He wiped his face. He was soaked through.

“Buy a new valve and I’ll replace it for you. Otherwise it’ll keep leaking.”

But Han Qiuya was staring at his chest. His wet clothes clung to his body, outlining his solid chest and abs through the damp fabric.

She licked her lips and laid a hand on his collar, fussing with it as if by chance. “You’ll catch a cold like this. Take those clothes off. I’ll find you something else to wear.”

“There’s no need.”

“There is.”

“Really, there isn’t.”

“I say there is!”

Her eyes flashed. She rose on tiptoe and gripped his collar in both hands, holding his gaze for a few heated seconds before kissing him.

“Mm! Jie…”

Chen Ye froze, the valve still in his hand, stunned by her sudden kiss.

His coworkers at the delivery station had joked that wealthy Shanghai women were bold and passionate, never hiding their interest when they liked a man. He had always thought they were talking nonsense. Today had opened his eyes.

The scent of wine mingled with her fragrance, leaving him a little light-headed.

Han Qiuya finally drew back. Breathless, she gazed at him. “My name is Han Qiuya.”

“I’m Chen Ye.”

“Do you think I’m pretty?”

“Yes.”

“Do you like me?”

“Yes.”

“Then what are you waiting for?” She took his hand and placed it on her waist. “Carry me to the living room.”

The warmth of her skin stirred a desire Chen Ye had suppressed for years. He swept her into his arms and carried her through the door.

Moments later, the sofa began to creak rhythmically.

Outside, the sun shone brightly. A Mercedes-Maybach drove back into the complex and stopped downstairs. It had left that very morning, carrying Han Qiuya’s husband, Zhou Mingshan.

Zhou Mingshan opened the car door, intending to go upstairs. The heat immediately brought sweat to his forehead.

“Damn, it’s hot enough to kill you!”

He climbed back into the car and called Han Qiuya.

“My husband!” she exclaimed, stopping Chen Ye. Then she answered the phone.

“Hello, darling!”

There was a languid softness in her voice. Zhou Mingshan paused. Why was his wife suddenly being so gentle?

“What are you doing?”

“I had a little wine. What is it?”

“Drinking in broad daylight? And what’s with your voice? Are you in heat?”

“Shut up! What do you want? Don’t interrupt my drinking!”

“I’m signing a contract this afternoon. I brought the company seal home last night and left it on the coffee table. I forgot to take it. Throw it down to me, will you? It’s too hot to come up.”

Han Qiuya felt a flicker of alarm. She hadn’t expected him to be downstairs. She peered through a gap in the curtains and saw his car parked below the window.

“All right. I’ll throw it down now.”

She found the small bag containing the seal, stood behind the curtain, and tossed it out the window. Zhou Mingshan’s driver got out, picked it up, and hurried back to the car to hand it over.

“You know that little punk from this morning?” Zhou Mingshan said with satisfaction. “I filed a complaint against him. His company just called to say they’d dealt with him. He won’t be delivering to our place again. That idiot dared to talk back to me. I’ll make him regret it!”

“Zhou Mingshan, you’re the head of a corporate group. Why are you picking on a deliveryman? What’s wrong with you?” Han Qiuya said angrily.

“I don’t like the look of him. So what? Anyway, drink less, darling. I’ll come home early tonight and keep you company.”

“Who wants your company? Go keep your random hangers-on company!”

She cursed him and hung up.

Zhou Mingshan frowned and turned to the driver. “Ah, a man can be as successful as he likes, and his wife will still look down on him. That’s a man’s fate.”

The driver gave an awkward smile. “She was speaking in anger. Spend a little more time with her, and it’ll be fine.”

“Forget her. To the office.”

“Yes, sir.”

Upstairs, Chen Ye came over and put his arms around Han Qiuya from behind, holding her close.

“You heard that?” she asked. “I didn’t realize he was petty enough to complain about you. What happened? Did it cost you anything?”

“Nothing much.” Chen Ye smiled. “Just my job.”

“What?”