Chapter 2: Pretending Becomes Real

She’s ruthless. How are we supposed to keep up the act now? Sweat beaded on Zhang Cheng’s forehead.

Yet beneath his nerves was an inexplicable thrill, and even gratitude. This meant he could spend a little longer in bed with Su Qing. A scene like this belonged in his dreams, but here it was, happening to him.

Su Qing struggled with the decision too. Then determination flashed in her eyes. If the boss’s wife discovered the truth—that she was pretending with Zhang Cheng while Zhou Mingyuan hid in the wardrobe—she might disappear without a trace. To fool someone as clever and formidable as Lin Wanshu, she would have to go all the way.

She pulled Zhang Cheng back under the covers and whispered in his ear, “Zhang Cheng… will you help me?”

“Yes. I will.” He agreed without thinking.

…

Much later, when it was over, Lin Wanshu finally stood. Her legs had gone numb from sitting. She was astonished. She had never seen a man quite like him. If only Zhou Mingyuan had the same stamina.

Her gaze passed over the discarded clothes and tangled sheets before settling on Zhang Cheng. He awkwardly pulled the covers up, his bare shoulders revealing firm muscle. Only now did she notice how handsome and strong the usually meek, obedient driver was. He had far more vitality than Zhou.

Something stirred in her, like a stone sending ripples across a lake.

“I’ve interrupted you.” Her voice revealed nothing. She glanced from Zhang Cheng’s flushed face to the alluring woman curled up at the edge of the bed, wrapped in the covers. An ambiguous smile touched her lips. “Driver Zhang, treat Secretary Su well.”

She cast a teasing glance at the partly open wardrobe door, then walked out in her ten-centimeter heels, closing the door almost soundlessly behind her.

The moment she left, Zhou Mingyuan kicked the wardrobe door open with a bang. He stormed out, hair disheveled and shirt badly rumpled. Trembling with rage, he pointed at Zhang Cheng, unable to get a coherent word out until he finally roared, “You son of a bitch! I told you to pretend, not make it real!”

Spittle sprayed Zhang Cheng’s face. He didn’t dare dodge. Head lowered like a chastened child, he said weakly, “Boss, Secretary Su started it. I couldn’t control myself. My hands and feet wouldn’t listen, and my mind went blank. I barely knew what I was doing.”

Zhou nearly choked with anger, but he believed him. Su Qing was so seductive that any man could lose his head over her; Zhou himself had fallen for her at first sight. Under the circumstances, it was hardly surprising Zhang Cheng hadn’t been able to refuse.

Understanding him didn’t mean forgiving him.

“Mr. Zhou, Driver Zhang is innocent. I was the one who started it.” Su Qing spoke coaxingly. “You saw the boss’s wife. If we hadn’t actually slept together, she’d have spotted the lie and dragged you out of the wardrobe. Imagine the humiliation. We both made sacrifices for you, so please don’t be angry.”

“Boss, I was wrong! Please forgive me this once!” Zhang Cheng bowed low. “I depend on this job. Please don’t fire me!”

In ten years of diligent work, he hadn’t made a single mistake. He couldn’t afford to lose his job, especially with the economy in crisis and work so hard to find.

Zhou turned away with a snort. “I am firing you! Get out! Go back to your hometown!”

“Mr. Zhou!” Su Qing’s voice turned serious. “Don’t be hasty. Your wife left, but she must still suspect us. She could check on us again.”

Zhou paused. “What do you mean?”

Su Qing sat up, holding the covers around herself, her bare shoulders gleaming in the light. “Think about it. If she’d believed Zhang Cheng and me, why would she have stayed in the room for two hours? She was testing us. She believes us now, but if you fire him, will she still believe it?”

She glanced at Zhang Cheng. “Keep him on as my pretend boyfriend. Whenever you want to see me, he can cover for us. If she sees how ‘close’ we are, she’ll never suspect you and me.”

“A pretend boyfriend? A cover?” Zhou was tempted. He couldn’t bear to give up Su Qing, and he dreaded Lin Wanshu’s relentless checks. Besides, Zhang Cheng was an exceptionally steady driver. In ten years he hadn’t had an accident or even scraped the car. Drivers like that were hard to find.

At last Zhou clenched his teeth, looking as if he’d swallowed a fly. “He can stay. But Zhang Cheng, listen carefully.”

He kicked him. “Don’t you dare touch another finger of Su Qing’s! No, not even a hair! If you do, I’ll break your legs and throw you to the dogs. Understand?”

“I understand! Thank you, boss!” Relief flooded Zhang Cheng. At least he still had his job.

“Then get out!” Zhou glared at him.

“I’m going. Get some rest, boss.” Zhang Cheng hurried toward the door. The place he’d been kicked still hurt, but inside he was delighted. He’d been with the woman he’d dreamed about and somehow kept his job. It was unbelievable.

He was about to open the door when Su Qing called, “Wait, Driver Zhang.”

She stepped to Zhou’s side and laid a hand on his arm. In a low, intimate voice, she asked, “If Zhang Cheng leaves for the night, what happens if your wife comes back?”