Han Yanyan turned over in bed, wanting to steal a glance at the man beside her, but her movement startled him awake. The man kicked at her slightly with the blanket, saying, "Get up and take a shower, you’ve made me smell like you all night."
It was indeed Yao Chen.
The alcohol from the night before still weighed heavily on her body. Han Yanyan felt weak and soft, struggling to sit up as she glanced at Yao Chen beside her. He had been awakened by her movements, rubbing his eyes and frowning, his expression far from the sharp and cunning demeanor he usually displayed.
She glanced down, lifting the blanket to see her state. The overwhelming smell of alcohol rising from her body almost brought her to the point of vomiting again.
Finally, Yao Chen opened his eyes and turned his head to see her frail back, the slimness of her waist catching his attention in a way that made him feel uneasy. Last night, she had been slurring her words, softly murmuring "don't" while her hand had playfully wandered toward his throat. She appeared to be a delicate fairy, but in reality, she was a cute little demoness in disguise, the kind that could lead one to ruin!
Just as Yao Chen's throat began to rise and fall at the sight of this little demoness, her eyes suddenly widened in wakefulness. Sensing something was wrong, he sprang up and pulled Han Yanyan toward the bathroom, just as she leaned over and lost her stomach’s contents right at the door.
Yao Chen could only shake his head, feeling unlucky, as he prepared to clean up after her.
At this moment, as he turned to look at her diminutive waist again, he recalled how much fun he had with her last night and decided to tease her by reaching out to grasp her waist.
Han Yanyan turned her head sharply toward him.
“There’s no grudge between us, so don’t look at me like that,” Yao Chen replied as he sat up, the blanket sliding off, revealing a solid chest with defined abs.
Lighting a cigarette, he gave the impression that they had just spent an intimate night together, and he was now enjoying a post-coital smoke.
“Alright, hurry up and go take a shower. Don’t worry—your chastity is still intact,” Yao Chen said with a cheeky grin. “I didn’t sleep with you.”
In truth, Han Yanyan felt nothing at all. Yao Chen hadn’t fully undressed her; her underwear remained.
She didn't know whether to feel relieved or concerned. She had gambled on the belief that some men, who prided themselves on their charm, wanted more than just a woman's body; they desired her heart. To her surprise, she woke up to find that he hadn’t touched her. A mix of gratitude and trust swelled within her. The truth was, for men, it often made little difference if they slept early or late.
The game was about stirring up feelings.
But Han Yanyan always felt she might be overestimating Yao Chen. His restraint could simply be that—
“Just hurry up and wash. It stinks in here,” he said with a look of disgust.
At his words, she felt queasy again.
A used towel lay piled up on the stool at the foot of the bed. Han Yanyan grabbed it to cover herself, stumbling toward the bathroom. After heaving for a while, she finally steadied herself. After taking a shower, while drying her hair, she discovered that her work uniform, along with her bra, had been thrown away by Yao Chen, leaving her with an unpleasant odor. Fortunately, there was a bathrobe in the bathroom, which she wrapped around herself as she stepped out.
Yao Chen was propped against the headboard, on the phone dealing with business matters. He gestured for her to remain silent as she emerged. Han Yanyan halted, standing there watching him.
After he quickly ended his call, he turned to her and said, “Come here.”
Advancing meant compliance, while retreating signified fear. Han Yanyan remained still.
“Thank you for rescuing me last night. It was an accident, and luckily, nothing happened. I... ah!”
Before she could finish her rehearsed speech, Yao Chen threw off the blanket, stood up, and pulled her into his arms, sitting down at the edge of the bed.
Han Yanyan instinctively struggled, but Yao Chen clutched her tightly; she couldn’t move an inch. Just as she was about to speak, he whispered in her ear, “Stop pretending.”
Han Yanyan paused and turned to look at him.
His nose was almost touching hers, and a knowing smile crept onto his lips. “You know what kind of person you are. Don’t pretend with me.” The clash of wills they had last night was a secret understood only between the two of them.
Han Yanyan’s heart skipped a beat, and her expression turned serious, “What do you mean?”
Yao Chen just laughed. “You seem prim and proper, but deep down, you’re a little demoness.”
Han Yanyan felt a wave of relief wash over her.
Yao Chen asked, “Did you break up with your boyfriend?”
Han Yanyan’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Yao Chen picked up the phone from the bedside table and tossed it onto her lap, “Are you dumb? You deleted all the photos of you two showing off your affection. You must have broken up, right?”
After Xiao Xu left, Han Yanyan had emptied her photo album of "Han Yanyan," not wanting any evidence of him left in her life. Yao Chen, without shame, was rifling through her photo album.
“It’s none of your business,” she replied sharply.
Han Yanyan tried to wriggle free, but Yao Chen’s arm was as tight as a steel band around her waist, anchoring her to his leg.
“Don’t move; if you do and I get hard, don’t come crying to me.” He exhaled smoke right in her face.
She coughed from the smoke, but from beneath her, she could feel Yao Chen had indeed become aroused, so she ceased her struggles.
With one arm still wrapped around her, Yao Chen flicked the ash from his cigarette and said, “The offer I made earlier still stands. Just as I said, stay with me, and you won’t have to worry about money. Your brother’s medical bills are a little thing. Now that you don’t have a boyfriend, think it over properly.”
As he spoke, he stubbed out the cigarette, sliding his hand under the hem of her bathrobe and up her leg.
Han Yanyan squeezed his hand, looking up at him defiantly and asked, “Yao Chen, do you want to hear the truth?”
Yao Chen raised an eyebrow, “Speak.”
“I do have financial difficulties right now, mainly due to my brother’s treatment costs. But more importantly, I’m still a student, without a formal job or stable income. Although I’m working for you now and making some ‘extra money,’ once I graduate and get a real degree, I will secure a proper job, a stable life, and a legitimate relationship.” Han Yanyan emphasized with, “Everything in my life will be straightforward and orderly. I cannot accept a relationship that isn’t aimed at marriage, nor can I accept a casual relationship.”
Yao Chen grimaced as if he had a toothache.
“Are you saying I’m not straightforward?” he questioned.
Han Yanyan’s eyes were deep and firm.
“You? You’re ‘Yao Chen.’ While I haven’t worked at Jin Hao for long, I’ve heard quite a bit about you. Yao Chen, you and I are from different worlds; what you want and what I seek are poles apart. I just want to lead a simple life, so please let me go, okay?”
Yao Chen locked eyes with her, grinding his teeth before finally releasing her.
Han Yanyan got to her feet and adjusted her bathrobe, asking, “Where is this?”
“Jin Hao, fifth floor,” Yao Chen replied lazily.
“Do you have any clothes here?” she continued.
“Nope,” he replied with a cheeky grin.
Han Yanyan, momentarily speechless, finished with, “Thank you; I’ll take my leave now.” She bent down to pick up her locker key.
“What are you going to do?” Yao Chen asked.
Han Yanyan answered dryly, “I’m a student. I need to go to school.”
“Oh,” he replied, seemingly having an epiphany.
Realizing that they were still in Jin Hao, Han Yanyan walked out of the room, wrapped in her bathrobe. After she left, Yao Chen lit another cigarette, taking a few puffs and blowing smoke up at the ceiling, scoffing lightly: “A good girl.”
It was still daytime, morning to be precise. Jin Hao was not open for business, but there were still a few people on duty inside. Han Yanyan braved their curious glances as she made her way to the staff changing room to put on her own clothes, not caring about her embarrassment.
What was there to be embarrassed about? In a world like this, even love or hate held no meaning, let alone shame.
Just as she stepped out of the parking lot, a sports car drifted to a stop in front of her. The vehicle almost brushed against her clothes, and if the driver made one wrong move, he could knock her aside.
The window rolled down, and Yao Chen raised his chin, commanding, “Get in.”
Han Yanyan didn’t move. Yao Chen raised an eyebrow, and she finally surrendered, opening the door to sit in the passenger seat.
“Do you need something else from me?” she asked.
“Nothing much. Just giving you a ride to school,” Yao Chen replied. “S University, right? Buckle up.”
“No need to—” Han Yanyan began, but before she could finish her sentence, the car roared to life and shot out of the parking lot, forcing her to buckle her seatbelt.
“If you really want a proper life, don’t hang around Jin Hao,” Yao Chen said as they drove.
“I’ve met plenty of girls like you who rely on their looks to earn some pocket money. But they soon realize they can earn much more with just one night than by working hard for an entire month. They see others living lavishly, and when they encounter a couple of rich boys trying to woo them, it muddles their minds. Before long, they end up tossed aside, and within a year, you’d see familiar faces among the princesses—each one initially believing they could stay pure and untainted.”
“Are you firing me?” Han Yanyan shot back.
“I’m suggesting you change jobs,” he clarified.
“I’m still a student and can only work part-time. This is the job that pays the best,” Han Yanyan replied, “Trust me, I’m fully aware.”
“Just the way I like you—clear-headed.” Yao Chen smirked. “I have a job for you. Want it?”
“What kind of job?” she inquired.
“I need a girlfriend,” he said with a straight face.
“Seriously? But don’t you want a serious relationship? This one comes with a title,” Yao Chen insisted earnestly.
S University was not far away, and while speaking, they spotted the tall library building. Han Yanyan rubbed her temples and said directly, “Could you drop me off at the North Gate?”
The car came to a stop at the North Gate. Han Yanyan opened the door to get out, but Yao Chen called after her, “What time do your classes end?”
“What else do you want?” Han Yanyan asked.
Yao Chen grinned, “To pursue you, of course. Isn’t that your plan? I’ll pick you up for your job.”
Han Yanyan was speechless. “Please, can’t you stop this?”
“Not happening,” he replied, grinning.
Han Yanyan had no choice but to reply, “I’ll take the bus to work after class. Even if you come looking for me, you won’t find me.”
“Don’t be hasty; don’t speak too soon,” Yao Chen said as he stepped on the gas, driving off into the distance.
As Han Yanyan watched the sports car disappearing, a smile crept onto her lips.
Today had gone surprisingly well. All her rejections of him were part of a skirting strategy. She played it cool while positioning herself as the good girl, presenting him with a straightened front. Yao Chen was clearly baited.
During her classes, Han Yanyan contemplated how to control the situation when Yao Chen picked her up later and how to effectively proceed. She forgot that Yao Chen was not an ordinary man; he did not follow traditional dating scripts.
When classes ended, a text message from Yao Chen arrived: "I'll be waiting for you at the North Gate."
Along with the message was a photo of Han Yanyan.
This world’s goal felt like pure trash, and Han Yanyan laughed heartily.