This was a jewelry store under the Shen Group, so the staff naturally fawned over Chen Jing—after all, she might become their Second Young Madam in a couple of days!
Chen Jing took off her sunglasses, looking haughty. "Go refill Miss An's tea. She's our big client, so make sure to treat her well."
Wow, she really thought of herself as the future Second Young Madam of the Shen family!
Then, the store manager personally handed over the gemstone necklace Chen Jing had custom-ordered.
The colors, the packaging...
An Qing's eyes turned green with jealousy. "I'm buying this necklace."
"Miss An, I'm sorry, but this necklace isn't for sale unless you place a custom order in advance."
"What if I insist?"
"Then I'm afraid we'll have to revoke your VIP status."
"... "
Chen Jing covered her mouth with a smile. "Miss An, it's not worth getting upset over a custom necklace. If you really want one, you can order it ahead of time." Then, her tone turned sarcastic: "But my high-end custom piece goes through internal channels—it's not easy for just anyone to get their hands on."
An Qing was fuming. She was used to getting whatever she wanted by any means necessary.
"Miss An, another day I'll treat you to some premium tea—the kind money can't buy." Chen Jing pretentiously tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Second Young Master is taking me to his private restaurant for dinner. I'll be off now. Bye-bye."
An Qing: "..."
After she left, a few of her girlfriends gathered around.
Sourly, they said, "What's she so smug about? Just because she used her looks to climb into Young Master Shen's bed, she thinks she's the Second Young Madam?"
"Exactly. Her face isn't even one ten-thousandth as pretty as Qingqing's. Young Master Shen is just playing with her. Once he gets bored, we'll be waiting to watch the show."
"Everyone in Shen City knows Young Master Shen is a notorious playboy with girlfriends everywhere. There's no way he'll settle down for her."
"Qingqing, you're so beautiful, and your An family has business ties with the Shen family. Why don't you... test the waters with Young Master Shen?"
"Right. The Shen Group has been run by Second Master Shen all along. Young Master Shen might be the future heir. If you win his favor, you could rise straight to the position of Shen family matriarch!"
An Qing's resolve wavered at their words.
The eldest Shen少爷 was practically a vegetable, and Old Master Shen didn't have many years left. Wouldn't the Shen Group eventually fall into the second branch's hands?
Remembering Chen Jing's smug demeanor, An Qing hatched a plan.
-
At dawn, the blue-tiled, white-walled villa was bathed in the warm sunlight rising over the sea, looking like a crystal ball—dreamlike and enchanting.
An Ruo woke up groggily, and the first thing she saw was a strikingly handsome face. She froze for a moment, then, while the man was still asleep, gently pulled back the silk quilt and tiptoed to get out of bed.
But the moment her feet touched the floor, her waist was suddenly pulled tight. The world spun, and she was back on the bed. When she looked up again, she met the man's dark pupils.
A wave of distinctly masculine energy washed over her.
An Ruo stared at him, stunned. "Good morning, First Young Master Shen."
"What are you sneaking around for?"
"I need to get up for work. I didn't want to wake you."
The man's voice carried the unique huskiness of early morning, slightly raspy. "What time is it?"
"Six..."
"You get up this early every day. Aren't you tired?"
An Ruo answered honestly, "No."
"I am." Without waiting for her reply, the man reached out and pulled her into his arms, his chin resting in the hollow of her neck. His warm breath hit her cheek, making An Ruo tense up instantly.
"It's still early. You go back to sleep. I'll go wash up first."
She tried to break free from his embrace, but he was incredibly strong. After a few futile struggles, he only held her tighter.
An Ruo was terrified of his closeness. For one thing, he was a grown man, and it was early morning. Their relationship was already awkward and sensitive—she had only agreed to marry him in An Qing's place to take care of him, not to lose herself in the process.
Besides, she hadn't forgotten his earlier malicious warning.
In his eyes, wasn't she supposed to be a scheming woman trying to get pregnant with the Shen family's heir? So why was he being so gentle with her now?
Shen Xiaoxing's expression didn't change. He moved his chin to the top of her head and rubbed it gently, his voice magnetic and tender. "Stay with me a little longer."
"But I'll be late..."
"After breakfast, I'll have Han Chong drive you. You won't be late."
"It's really not necessary..." An Ruo tried to wriggle out of his arms.
"Don't move." His voice suddenly turned husky, and he swallowed awkwardly. "If you keep moving, you might have to take the day off today."
"?" An Ruo frowned in confusion.
A hot palm pressed against her lower abdomen. An Ruo instantly became alert, both embarrassed and angry as she glared at him. "You—"
"Shh!"
His warm breath brushed against her ear. "Be good, and I promise you won't be late."
An Ruo grumbled inwardly. Had this man taken the wrong pills?
It wasn't even spring yet—why was he suddenly acting so amorous without warning?
But she couldn't afford to provoke him, so she bit her lip and endured it.
Gradually, her eyelids grew heavy, and she ended up falling asleep nestled in his arms.