Chapter 17: An Unexpected Encounter

She really contacted me? Zhang Cheng thought. Yan Wenxia must have seen Su Qing’s post and known she was away.

“I’m free. What’s up?”

“I’m working late and nearly finished. It’s almost ten, and it isn’t safe for a woman to go home alone. Could you pick me up?” She sent the location of her foreign company’s downtown office, along with a pleading emoji.

Remembering her beauty, Zhang thought it would be good practice. “Sure. I’ll be there soon.” He drove Zhou Mingyuan’s Mercedes downtown.

Yan waited outside the glass-fronted building in a white dress. Seeing the car, she hurried over and hugged him, her arms around his neck. He had held himself back for a long time, and her embrace kindled his desire.

“You got here so quickly!”

“Traffic held me up a little,” he said, trying to steady his voice.

In the passenger seat, she smiled at him. “Su Qing’s in Shanghai? Her photo was lovely. You two seem so happy.”

“Yes, she’s seeing an important client and taking a couple of days to enjoy herself. Her job pays well. We’re planning to marry next year.” He lied without blinking or feeling anxious. His training seemed to be paying off.

Yan’s smile stiffened briefly. “You’re well matched. Is she busy? Does she have time for you?”

“She makes time.”

They arrived at her upscale apartment building. Zhang was about to leave when she took his arm. “It’s late. Come up for some water. I’m a little scared alone.”

Nervous and excited, aware of what might happen, he followed her upstairs. Her apartment was warmly lit and tastefully furnished. She set down her bag. “Sit down. I’m sweaty, so I’ll shower, then we can talk.” She left the bathroom door slightly ajar.

The sound of water distracted him. He went to the door and glimpsed a blurred figure through the frosted glass. Soon the water stopped, and Yan Wenxia emerged wrapped in a white towel, her hair dry and fragrant. She switched off the lights, leaving only moonlight.

Standing close behind him, she murmured, “I could tell you’re interested in me too, aren’t you?”

“Don’t. I have a girlfriend.” He pretended to pull away.

“I’m every bit as good as Su Qing. I know how to take care of a man. I won’t disappoint you.” She held him tighter. His heart raced; she was as beautiful as Su Qing.

“I can’t betray my girlfriend. I love her,” he said, pretending to struggle. He knew Yan Wenxia wanted the rich heir she thought he was. He also didn’t want to make the first move or be responsible for her; he couldn’t afford to.

“That’s all right. You’re handsome, and you must be lonely. I just want to keep you company. You don’t have to take responsibility. Think of it as friends helping each other.”

That broke his resistance. He was trying to become a playboy, after all. He turned, held Yan Wenxia and lost himself in the moment.

He spent almost all of the next two days at her apartment. He thought she’d probably never met a man with his stamina; that, together with his supposed wealth and his status as Su’s boyfriend, seemed to captivate her. She treated him tenderly. But he knew it was based on a lie. If she learned he was only a driver, she’d turn on him.

At dawn on Monday he dressed. Yan held his waist. “Stay another day? I’ll take time off.”

“No. Su Qing comes back today; I have to pick her up.” He removed her hands, his voice matter-of-fact. “We shouldn’t contact each other again. I don’t want her to misunderstand.”

Her expression changed, though she forced a smile. “All right.”

He took the keys and left. Outside, he marveled that a poor nobody like him had spent two days with such a beautiful woman and that she was reluctant to let him go. He felt no reluctance himself. Had he mastered the art of being a playboy?