Chapter 007: Schemes

Stepping out of the hotel, even though it was already two in the morning, the entrance of the Imperial Capital Grand Hotel was still bustling with cars and people coming and going. Zhou Qi still had to socialize at the banquet, and since she was bored, Song Wan left ahead of him.

She hailed a taxi and was about to leave when she caught, quite by accident, a glimpse of Jin Youqian sitting in the back seat of a sleek, low-key black Maybach—the very man she had been unable to find.

He seemed to be waiting for his driver, the car's front door on one side elegantly opened like a fin.

Song Wan gave up her taxi to others waiting and, without sparing a glance elsewhere, walked straight toward Jin Youqian’s car.

For the wrap party tonight, she wore a strapless little dress. With each step, the skirt fluttered around her, accentuating her graceful curves, her figure enticing and alluring.

Jin Youqian, sitting in the back, had already noticed her. As she approached, his heart skipped a beat, though his brow furrowed tightly. Wasn’t she cold, dressed in so little?

Unaware of his thoughts, Song Wan steeled herself as she neared the car. With calculated carelessness, she hooked the hem of her dress on the sharp edge of the door and strode forward with a bright smile. The fabric tore with a loud, grating rip.

Not only was her dress ruined, but from Jin Youqian’s angle, he could see the pale swells of her chest—and the flesh-colored adhesive covering.

He swallowed hard, his gaze darkening.

Song Wan crouched down in a hurry, carefully tugging at what remained of her dress to cover herself.

Her head lowered, a sharp glint flickered through her eyes. Tsk, she had no intention of letting anyone else take advantage.

The commotion drew attention from others at the hotel entrance—a bellboy even rushed over, calling out as he ran, “Miss, is something wrong?”

Embarrassment flushed Song Wan’s cheeks, though she couldn’t help but silently give him a thumbs-up.

Clutching the remnants of her dress, she darted into the driver’s seat of the car, slamming the door shut behind her. Curling up tightly in the seat, she looked so pitiful that anyone would want to scoop her up and comfort her.

Jin Youqian’s heart itched, as if scratched by a cat, but he sneered, “You’re putting on quite the show, aren’t you?”

Song Wan turned around, her face openly surprised. “President Jin?” Then, turning back, tears shimmered in her eyes as she pleaded, “President Jin, could you… could you send that bellboy away?”

Seeing her on the verge of tears, Jin Youqian wondered—had she not even seen him when she walked over? And tearing her own dress apart… was that something ordinary women would do?

With that in mind, when the bellboy nearly reached the car, Jin Youqian’s cold voice cut through. “What’s the matter?”

The bellboy, recognizing his voice, grew flustered. “Just now, this lady seemed to need help…”

Jin Youqian lounged in the back seat, his tone cool and slow. “Oh?” He glanced at Song Wan, holding back his discomfort. “I’m sitting right here. My woman needs help from someone else?”

His words were sharp as knives. The bellboy quickly wilted, apologizing profusely. Noticing Song Wan’s disheveled state and her mortified attempt to hide herself, he grew even more anxious.

So the boss and his lover were indulging in some playful games, and he’d blundered in and ruined their fun…

President Jin was his biggest boss, and now he’d spoiled his mood. The bellboy felt utterly hopeless.

Jin Youqian had no patience for him and snapped, “Get lost, now!”

Once the bellboy retreated, Jin Youqian shot a cold look at the “trembling” woman in the driver’s seat. “He’s gone. Get out of the car.”

Song Wan looked back, her exquisite face full of pitiful appeal—a fatal blow to any man.

Jin Youqian’s heart thudded wildly, and he barked, his sternness a thin disguise, “Hurry up and get out!”

Song Wan slowly shifted to the space between the seats, lifting the tattered fabric, her eyes rimmed red, voice trembling. “President Jin, do you want me to run naked down the street?”

Jin Youqian looked closely—her dress was shredded beyond repair, nothing but scraps barely covering her. She hugged the fabric to her chest, but her waist, belly, and thighs were exposed in flashes of pale skin. If she stepped out like that…

Wasn’t he just sending her out as bait?

For reasons he couldn’t explain, the thought of other men seeing Song Wan this way made Jin Youqian distinctly uncomfortable.

Still, he had his doubts. Could one careless tug really destroy a dress so completely?

At that moment, his driver returned.

Hearing footsteps, Song Wan quickly curled up in the footwell.

Jin Youqian’s brow furrowed in concern—and annoyance. Alarmed that the driver might see her in such a state, he snapped as the man reached for the door, “Stop right there!”

The driver froze. “President Jin?”

Jin Youqian’s face was dark, his chest tight. “I don’t need you to drive tonight. Take a cab home.”

The driver panicked, going around to the back door. “President Jin, I didn’t mean to be late, I—”

“Didn’t you hear me?” Jin Youqian’s voice was icy. “I said you’re not driving tonight. Do I have to teach you reading comprehension as well?”

The driver’s face went pale and he hurriedly backed away.

Jin Youqian pressed, “Are you deaf? Go home!”

The man spun around, flagged down a taxi, and hurried off.

Song Wan poked her head up from the seat, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, her voice soft and sweet. “Thank you, President Jin.”

Jin Youqian nodded, frowning, his mood sour.

Ordinarily, he would have tossed anyone out of his car, never caring if they were clothed or not, or if bystanders were watching. It wasn’t his concern.

Women, honestly.

But with Song Wan… he hated to admit it, but he felt a twinge of pity.

“Come to the back,” he said with a sigh, stepping out and carefully closing the door before moving to the driver’s side. “I’ll block the view. Hurry.”

Song Wan nodded eagerly, inching toward the back seat.

Because of the awkward position, when Jin Youqian glanced back to check on her, he caught sight of her smooth, pale back, the delicate dance of her shoulder blades, and her slender, supple waist—enough to make anyone want to grab her and never let go. Not to mention the enticing curve of her hips and her long, snowy legs…

He cursed under his breath, but the image kept replaying in his mind.

He didn’t notice Song Wan, after he turned away, flash a secret, feline grin at his broad back—a look of smug triumph.

After a long while, Song Wan spoke up timidly, “President Jin, I’m ready.”

Jin Youqian’s heart stuttered again, and he silently berated her for being such a temptress. Still, he turned back with an expressionless face and got into the driver’s seat. “Where do you live?”

Song Wan’s eyes widened in panic. “President Jin, I… I…”

He was impatient. “What is it now?”

She bit her lip, cheeks burning. “If I go home like this… my neighbors will think I’m shameless. What if…”

“So you do know?” Jin Youqian retorted with a smirk. “Weren’t you ten feet tall and fearless before? Trying to seduce me, hoping I’d sleep with you?”

Song Wan mumbled, “President Jin would never let anyone find out… Besides, with your looks, you could debut as a celebrity. Even if something happened between us, no one would think twice.”

This, too, was part of why Song Wan had dared to take her chances—Jin Youqian was too handsome, and she was beautiful herself. If the two of them were seen together, people would only assume they were a perfect match, simply dating.

In this world, appearances are everything.

Now that she’d been given a second chance, she wouldn’t let anyone get a hold over her.

Hearing her praise his looks, Jin Youqian couldn’t help feeling pleased.

He gave her a long, searching look, and for reasons unknown, he silently drove her to his own villa.

On the way, he bought her a new dress.

With her card, of course.

It was a rather uncharacteristic move for someone as rich as he was, but Song Wan just assumed it was due to their lack of familiarity and thought nothing of it.

After coming of age, Jin Youqian had moved out of the Jin family’s ancestral home and lived alone in a hillside villa complex.

These villas were known for their sky-high prices, breathtaking views, top-notch management, and tight security. Many public figures lived there—famous actors or successful business people with connections.

As far as Song Wan knew, Tang Su and Han Sen lived in this very neighborhood.

“What’s the matter?” Jin Youqian asked coldly, glancing back at her. “Aren’t you coming? Planning to sleep in the car?”

Song Wan lowered her head and cursed him inwardly, but she spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito, “President Jin, may I borrow your jacket?”

He frowned. “So troublesome.” But he still took off his suit jacket and tossed it to her.

The villa’s interior matched Jin Youqian’s personal style—mostly cool-toned furnishings, many of them the latest in high-tech, exuding a distinct metallic chill.

Yet here and there were small, heartwarming ornaments.

Carrying her dress and clutching the jacket tightly, Song Wan thought Jin Youqian was just the same—cold on the outside, but with a warm heart hidden within.

That was why he was so easily ensnared…

Her heart softened.

Jin Youqian turned, puzzled. “What now? Standing at the door, are you here to guard it for me?”

…So, everything before had just been an illusion, right? A man this cold and sharp-tongued—how could he possibly be soft-hearted?

“This is my bedroom,” he said, pointing to the master on the second floor, then to the adjacent guest room. He paused and added, “You’ll sleep here tonight.”

Song Wan blinked. “President Jin, are you sure?” Leaving a beauty like her alone in a guest room?

Jin Youqian frowned—was that too close?