Chapter 1

Halfway through the coming-of-age ceremony.

I walked straight out of the banquet lounge.

Lifting my skirt, I slipped into Jin Beiyan’s office.

Facing the gleaming glass of the floor-to-ceiling window, I added another layer of lip gloss, pressed my lips together, and nestled contentedly into the wide office chair.

Footsteps sounded unevenly outside the door.

Taking a deep breath, I swept my long hair, which had fallen over my chest, behind my back.

I’d altered my dress into a strapless design, outlining the perfect curves of a young woman.

The hem was cut much shorter, trimmed with lace, accentuating my snow-white thighs.

Jin Beiyan, how could you not fall for this?

But the moment the door opened, I was stunned.

A whole crowd followed Jin Beiyan inside.

Jin Beiyan’s dark eyes grew cold. He strode over and spun the office chair one hundred eighty degrees, turning my back to everyone.

Several middle-aged men in suits joked loudly.

“Oh, President Jin is hiding a beauty in a golden house!”

“We were just wondering why you suddenly interrupted the meeting. Looks like you were eager to see Miss Shen.”

“President Jin hasn’t settled down all these years-turns out he’s been waiting here!”

Jin Beiyan glanced at them and cut in directly: “Out.”

The air fell abruptly silent.

No one dared make another sound, and they all fled with forced smiles.

The spacious room was left with just the two of us.

Jin Beiyan gripped my chin and lifted it, his voice icy.

“Shen Nanyu, you’re getting bolder.”

“Leaving hundreds of guests behind, just walking out.”

I bit my lip and, gathering my courage, reached for his hand.

“Who told you not to come to my coming-of-age ceremony? You’re busy, so I had to come find you myself.”

Jin Beiyan’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his gaze dropping, emotions unreadable in his eyes.

“Who allowed you to dress like this?”

His warm hand brushed my thigh, his fingertips tracing the edge of my skirt.

His eyes were dark, impossible to read.

I hooked his pinky and swayed it gently, blinking at him.

“Jin Beiyan, don’t you think it looks good?”

Jin Beiyan took off his coat and wrapped me in it, his words devoid of warmth.

“What should you call me?”

“What’s wrong with calling you Jin Beiyan? We’re not related by blood anyway. I don’t want to call you Little Uncle anymore!”

When I was very young, my parents died in the line of duty.

Grandpa Jin took me in and raised me.

But Grandpa Jin was already quite old at the time, so Jin Beiyan handled most things concerning me.

In a way, Jin Beiyan raised me single-handedly.

Later, Jin Beiyan refused to follow the family’s arrangements, had a huge falling out, and left to start his own business.

When he left home, he didn’t take any property or cars-he only took me.

I thought I must be special to him.

The silent standoff was agonizing.

All at once, I threw caution to the wind, hugged his lean waist, and tackled him onto the sofa.

“Jin Beiyan, I want to sleep with you.”

As soon as I finished, I straddled him, fumbling with his belt.

“Nan Yu, get down.”

Jin Beiyan gripped both my wrists in one hand, the other hovering behind my waist to keep me from falling.

His tone was still calm, but his voice was tinged with an unnatural huskiness.

“No.”

I’ve always been rebellious, and now, with the arrow on the string, I was more defiant than ever.

As I spoke, I twisted my waist, trying to break free.

With no support under my legs, I slipped down unexpectedly.

I brushed against something hot and hard.

I froze, my lashes trembling.

Before I could react, Jin Beiyan gripped my waist and lifted me up.

His expression turned completely cold, and for once he gave me a stern look.

“Get down.”

“Do you really want me to get down? But you’re already…”

I wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing closer, teasing.

All these years, Jin Beiyan had indulged my every whim, making me more and more unruly.

I blocked the light,

Half his face was hidden in shadow, his sharp brows and eyes even more striking.

His tie was askew, a shirt button torn off, exposing a sliver of collarbone.

So forbidden, so tempting.

I couldn’t help but swallow, then kissed him forcefully.

Inexperienced, I blindly explored.

Jin Beiyan’s body stiffened, and he turned his face away, gripping the back of my neck.

The veins on his neck bulged, as if he were struggling to restrain himself.

There were a few seconds of silence.

Jin Beiyan’s breathing grew heavy, his whole body tense.

Blushing, I stammered,

“Jin Beiyan, are you… not up to it?”

He gazed at me deeply, tilting his head slightly.

“Behave. Don’t provoke me.”

“Jin Beiyan, you really aren’t up to it, are you?”

I raised my voice to cover my uncertainty.

But suddenly, Jin Beiyan’s large hand tightened, pulling me hard against him.

The distance vanished, the air in my mouth completely stolen.

His kiss was fierce, leaving me breathless.

His burning body pressed tightly against mine, making my neck flush with heat.

The zipper on the back of my dress was pulled all the way down.

My muddled mind snapped clear, and I instinctively shrank back.

“You-what are you doing?”

Jin Beiyan seemed to see right through my bluff, letting out a brief, mocking laugh.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to sleep with me?”

“Do you prefer to undress yourself?”

Looking into his cold eyes, I belatedly realized Jin Beiyan was being sarcastic.

His joke was harsh and sharp, a sign of his anger.

No matter how outrageous I’d been over the years, Jin Beiyan had never said a harsh word to me.

In Beijing’s upper circles, there’s a widely circulated joke: you’d rather offend the King of Heaven than Shen Nanyu.

Because if anyone upsets Shen Nanyu, Jin Beiyan will make them cry so hard their parents won’t recognize them.

Maybe it’s because he’s spoiled me too much that I forgot he’s famous for being ruthless and cold-blooded.

A chill crept up my back, and my fingers clutching his collar stiffened.

But I still stared at him, unwilling to give up, and whispered, “Jin Beiyan, do you really not like me?”

If it’s not love,

Why would he willingly take care of a burden like me for so many years, and remain unmarried to this day?

“Shen Nanyu, get down.”

“Don’t make me say it a third time.”

The courage I’d finally built up collapsed in an instant.

Ashamed and angry, I ran out of the office without even putting on my shoes.