Chapter 2: When Pretence Becomes Real

Lin Chen lay frozen, his head buzzing.

With Su Ya straddling him, it certainly looked as though they were about to do it for real.

But his body was rigid. He didn’t know where to put his hands, his eyes kept darting away, and even his breathing was uneven.

Liu Shuang noticed every bit of it.

She gave a cold snort, then spoke at her leisure. “Lin Chen, are you shaking?”

“Is that how a man reacts when his girlfriend climbs on top of him?”

“Tell me the truth. Are you two actually dating?”

“I’ll give you one more chance. Think carefully about what happens if you lie.”

A chill ran down Su Ya’s back.

She knew how much influence Liu Shuang wielded.

If this woman decided to act, no one in Linjiang’s business circles would dare take on any of Su Ya’s projects.

She had worked herself to the bone for years to keep her company going. Only she knew what it had cost her.

Now, just as she was finally getting somewhere, a single word from Liu Shuang could send her back to square one. All those years of hardship would have been for nothing.

Su Ya glanced at Lin Chen.

To save her company, she gritted her teeth and tore open his shirt. “Ms. Liu, send your bodyguards out.”

Liu Shuang turned toward the men behind her and lifted her chin.

“Wait outside.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

They left, closing the door behind them.

“There.”

Liu Shuang leaned against the arm of the sofa by the window, her tone casual. “Go ahead.”

Su Ya had come too far to back out.

She drew a deep breath, pulled away the covers, and, with her back to Liu Shuang, reached for the zipper at her side.

Lin Chen’s breathing grew heavier.

His arousal intensified, his pulse pounding at his temples. It was becoming harder to think clearly.

Su Ya was so close that he could smell her perfume, and her nearness only made his agitation worse.

He told himself to calm down.

She was Zhao Qiang’s woman. If he touched her, losing his job might be the least of his problems. He could lose his life.

Yet he couldn’t control his physical reaction.

Su Ya turned her head and shot him a fierce look.

It plainly said: Just pretend. Don’t even think about taking advantage of me.

Lin Chen understood. He swallowed and nodded.

Although Su Ya had prepared herself to endure the pretence, she couldn’t keep the distaste off her face.

A moment later, she met his eyes.

The sexual intent in them was unmistakable.

She instinctively tried to draw back, but Lin Chen had already gripped her waist.

“You—”

Before she could finish, her eyes widened in shock.

He had genuinely meant to keep it an act.

But the deep contempt and disgust in her look had dealt the last blow to his pride.

Why?

Why could she use sex to buy connections and a future, yet look at him as though he were repulsive?

He abandoned his restraint and forced intercourse on her.

Su Ya was stunned.

She had never imagined he would actually go through with it.

She tried to push him away, but Liu Shuang was sitting only three paces from them.

If she screamed and fought him now, everything would be ruined.

She bit down on the edge of the quilt, digging her nails into his shoulder.

After a little while, her grip loosened.

Her own physical response surprised her. It was different from her previous experiences.

She decided to give way to that response.

Liu Shuang had been watching with a sneer, as though enjoying a show.

Within less than a minute, her smile froze.

What she could see and hear left no doubt that they were actually having sex.

This could not be an act.

Her expression shifted several times. Finally, she stood, turned her face away, and walked toward the door without a word.

No amount of acting talent could make a scene that convincing.

Even if it was a performance, she conceded defeat. It was more convincing than the film *Lust, Caution*.

She still didn’t believe they were really a couple. But they had actually gone through with it. What else could she say?

Bang.

As the door closed, Lin Chen sagged, utterly drained, sweat covering his forehead.

Su Ya lay beside him, breathing hard, her eyes red. For a long time, she said nothing.

Silence settled over the room.

She spoke first, her voice a little hoarse. “You’ve… got some nerve.”

Lin Chen didn’t dare look at her. His throat was dry. “I’m sorry.”

Su Ya stared at the ceiling without speaking for a while.

Honestly, she didn’t know what to make of her own reaction.

Could an experience really feel so different?

Were those accounts on Little Green Book more than embellishment?

“Forget it.”

She slowly sat up and smoothed her dishevelled hair.

Her gaze happened to pass over Lin Chen’s bare upper body, and her eyes widened slightly.

That physique…

Su Ya had known plenty of men, but none with proportions like his.

Her gaze lingered on his waist and abdomen for two seconds. Then she gave a small laugh.

“Well, look at you.”

She tilted her head, studying him. “You’re a driver. Who are you trying to impress with a body like that?”

Her scrutiny made him so uncomfortable that he hurriedly grabbed his clothes and put them on.

“What happened to all that nerve? Now you’re shy?”

“You did well just now. I’ll ask Zhao Qiang to give you a raise.”

“And I’ll give you ten thousand yuan for your trouble.”

Lin Chen finished dressing in a few quick movements, took out his phone, opened his payment QR code, and held it out to her.

“Ten thousand. You said it.”

Su Ya’s expression turned cold at once. She glared at him.

“Lin Chen, money really is all you care about.”

“No wonder you’ll spend your whole life driving for other people.”

Despite her insults, she took out her phone and scanned the code.

After transferring the money, her voice grew colder. “You take what happened today to your grave. If a single word gets out, I’ll make you regret ever meeting me.”

“And remember, we’re not from the same world. Don’t start getting ideas.”

“Understood.”

Lin Chen pocketed his phone and left.

Ten thousand yuan was more than two months of his wages.

It would cover his sister’s chemotherapy drugs for the next month, with enough left to buy her something new to wear.

He stepped into the corridor and let out a long breath.

He never wanted to be alone with that woman again. She would be the death of him.

…

Early the next morning, Lin Chen arrived at the office as usual.

He had barely sat down when Zhao Qiang called.

“Come to my office.”

Lin Chen knocked and went in. Zhao Qiang sat behind his desk, visibly anxious.

“Lin Chen, how did it go last night? Did you fool her?”

“Yes. Mrs. Zhao believed it. She thinks Su Ya and I are dating.”

He took the phone from his pocket and offered it with both hands. “Your phone, sir.”

Zhao Qiang accepted it with a long sigh of relief. Then he fixed his eyes on Lin Chen again. “You and Su Ya… nothing happened, did it?”

“No.”

Lin Chen’s expression didn’t change.

“We just put on an act. She’s your woman. I wouldn’t dare touch her, not if I had eight times the nerve.”

Zhao Qiang studied him for a few seconds, then nodded and relaxed.

“Good. You handled this well. Later, I’ll—”

Bang!

Before he could finish, someone pushed open the office door.

Liu Shuang walked in on high heels, smiling at Lin Chen.

“Where’s your girlfriend? Get her over here. I need a word with you both.”