Chapter 3

My first encounter with Li Zemu was three years ago.

He donated two teaching buildings to our school.

Upon completion, he was invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

I was working part-time as a ceremonial hostess at the time.

Because I was distracted, I accidentally spilled champagne on him.

The school leaders looked displeased and urged me to apologize to Li Zemu quickly.

After stepping off the stage, I learned from a senior just how powerful a figure I had offended.

As the richest man in Jing City, if Li Zemu stomped his foot, the sky would fall.

After the event, I caught up with his car at the school gate.

He was sitting inside, wearing sunglasses, his emotions unreadable.

I cautiously explained my intention: “Young Master Li, I’m terribly sorry for dirtying your clothes. Could you please tell me the brand? I’ll buy you a new one.”

After I finished speaking, his assistant laughed.

“Do you know how much Young Master Li’s clothes cost per piece?”

After stating an astronomical figure, the assistant added, “Also, his suits are custom-made in Italy, not available outside.”

At that moment, I wished I could find a hole to crawl into, ashamed of my ignorance.

In extreme embarrassment, I saw Li Zemu take off the jacket and casually say, “Since it’s dirty, just throw it away.”

The car window closed in front of me, like a door separating our two different worlds.

I thought our interaction would end there with such a person.

Who knew, a few months later, my mother’s illness relapsed, urgently needing a large sum for surgery.

Our relatives had been borrowed from over the years.

The school had helped me many times.

This time, I was almost in despair.

Watching my mother’s painful appearance, I gritted my teeth and rushed to Li Corporation headquarters.

For some reason, he was willing to see me.

When the assistant brought me up, Li Zemu was sitting behind a wide, luxurious desk, legs crossed.

After hearing my intention, through the rising smoke, he asked meaningfully, “If you want me to help you, Ms. Xia, what are you willing to exchange?”

“I can write you an IOU, with interest set by you. Once I graduate and start earning, I promise to repay you in full.”

But he laughed.

His scorching gaze invaded every inch of my body.

After a long wait, he finally spoke.

“Money, I have plenty. What I want, Ms. Xia is a smart person, why not guess for yourself?”

After speaking, I was sent out.

Before leaving, his assistant gave me an address.

“Eight o’clock tonight, be punctual. Young Master Li said he won’t wait.”

At twenty-two, besides a clean body, I had nothing.

That night, I wore a white lace nightgown and climbed into his bed.

The nightgown was torn to shreds by him, along with my pitiful self-esteem.

Such days have passed for three years.

We agreed that I would accompany him for five years.

During these five years, I must be available at any time and cannot refuse any of his requests.

Once the time is up, he will set me free.

But my mother didn’t last that long.

In my second year with Li Zemu, my mother still passed away.

Fortunately, she didn’t know that her most proud daughter had long sold her body for money.