Chapter 3 A Deal

Lin Rui’s eloquence made him seem like a completely different person from the self-contained, meditative figure he’d been that morning. In his eagerness to prove himself, he didn’t notice the slight upward curve at the corner of Zhou Lichuan’s mouth. But Jiang Zao saw it—not only Zhou Lichuan’s, but also Manager Gao’s.

Manager Gao kept his eyes glued to the floor, his head bowed as if listening intently to Lin Rui’s discourse. No one would have suspected anything unusual. Yet, Jiang Zao, having sketched countless human figures and mastered the subtlest expressions, was keenly attuned to every nuance. Even the slightest movement could not escape her gaze.

Piecing together the events that had brought her to Zhou Lichuan’s side, a chilling suspicion crept into her mind. Could Zhou Lichuan’s injury have something to do with Lin Rui?

Zhou Lichuan seemed quite satisfied with Lin Rui’s speech. “I didn’t expect you to have such insight. Not easy. Let’s do as you suggested—cooperate with Manager Gao and produce results within two days.”

Lin Rui, flushed with pride, was immediately unsettled at the thought of leaving Zhou Lichuan’s side for two days. “Director Zhou, you really need someone by your side now. Why don’t I let Manager Gao handle it alone? I’ll stay here and continue to look after you.”

Zhou Lichuan, for once, was in a genial mood. “No need to be so polite; you see, Zao Zao’s here. She’ll take good care of me. Go on, don’t worry.”

Suddenly called upon, Jiang Zao straightened at once, flustered, glancing at Lin Rui for reassurance.

Lin Rui seemed to relish her discomfort, smiling before he replied, “Very well, then. I’ll accompany Manager Gao to the factory. Miss Jiang, I’ll leave Director Zhou in your care for the next couple of days.”

Jiang Zao rose, her eyes seeking out Zhou Lichuan’s. Seeing no displeasure from him, she nodded, “Of course. I’ll do my utmost to care for the young master.”

Shortly after Lin Rui and Manager Gao departed, Zhou Lichuan instructed his smart speaker to play music and drew all the blinds in the CEO’s office.

In an instant, the vast office was cut off from the outside world, transformed into a private sanctuary.

“Young master…” Jiang Zao stammered, instinctively stepping back. The sofa behind her nearly caught her as she almost fell.

Irritated, Zhou Lichuan tugged at the collar of his tie, the tendons standing out on the back of his hand as he shook it off in frustration.

“Come here. Untie the ribbon on my face.”

With utmost care, Jiang Zao approached from behind and gently unfastened the knot.

As she brought one end of the scarf around to his front, her hand was suddenly gripped tightly.

With a single pull, Zhou Lichuan drew her onto his back.

“Young master! This is the office!” Jiang Zao cried out, terrified he might do something outrageously inappropriate.

Zhou Lichuan let his hand wander up her arm, his fingers slipping into her sleeve.

She tried to pull away, but his strength left her no choice.

Feeling along her wrist, he found her watch, deftly unclasped it, and, after confirming the location of the teacup, tossed the watch into it with a distinct “plop.”

That watch was one Lin Rui had handed her earlier that morning, saying it would be more convenient than a phone while attending Zhou Lichuan. Jiang Zao had accepted it without a second thought.

Now, Zhou Lichuan’s actions left her frozen in shock.

She realized she might have stumbled upon secrets she wasn’t supposed to know.

As the black ribbon slipped away, Jiang Zao saw Zhou Lichuan’s face for the first time. His eyelashes were long and thick, his nose high, his features strikingly defined—his face was all strong lines and bold spaces, exuding a steely resolve.

“Scared?”

Without the ribbon, his voice had shed much of its earlier coldness.

Summoning her courage, Jiang Zao replied, “Not enough to frighten me off. I’m not that timid.”

He chuckled, a teasing note in his voice. “You’re not stammering now, are you?”

She narrowed her eyes, biting back, “Not as talented an actor as you, young master.”

He nodded. “You’re clever. Tell me, how much have you guessed?”

Jiang Zao rose, resting her hands on the chair, still weighing her options, desperate to buy herself more time.

Though his sight was poor, Zhou Lichuan’s mind was clear. “No need to think it over—you have only one choice now, and that’s me.”

Swallowing hard, Jiang Zao finally spoke. “There’s a listening device in that watch.”

“Good. Go on.”

She no longer held back. “Your injuries weren’t just caused by Jiang Zheyan and his men. Lin Rui is involved too—he conspired with my father to set you up. And there’s someone else behind them… someone inside the company. Manager Gao is your man, and you sent Lin Rui away deliberately to have a chance to speak to me alone—to ask for help.”

Again, Zhou Lichuan tugged at his tie, as if it truly tormented him.

“I’m asking you for help? Why should I trust you? You’re Jiang Jingyuan’s daughter.”

Jiang Zao fell silent, then replied, “Because you have no other choice.”

“And you?” he pressed.

She reached out, adjusted his tie, loosening the knot and sliding it down a fraction before retying it.

“I have no choice either.”

Zhou Lichuan took her hands in his, smiling. “Straightforward. Name your terms.”

Bending to his will, Jiang Zao wrapped her arms around him from behind. “Before my mother died, she left behind a house. It’s in Jiang Jingyuan’s name now. I want it. Once this is done, I want one million yuan and the freedom to leave this place.”

Zhou Lichuan stared blankly at the desk before him, weighing the costs and benefits. “That’s all?”

“That’s all.”

“I thought you’d ask for more.”

He was right—she had considered more. But compared to her mother’s last remaining property, everything else seemed insignificant.

Zhou Lichuan reached up, tracing her cheek with a lingering touch. “I thought… you might want to be Mrs. Zhou.”

Jiang Zao leaned down, whispering in his ear, “No woman would ever fall for a pervert who tried to violate her. Not even you, young master.”

Zhou Lichuan hung his head, finally conceding. “About yesterday—I’m sorry. Lin Rui was listening in next door. If I hadn’t put on a convincing show, he might have forced his way into your room that night… But I know apologies are useless, and I can’t offer you anything right now. All I can give is a promise—whenever you need it in the future, I’ll honor it.”

Jiang Zao lowered her gaze, thinking for a moment, then nodded in agreement. “Deal.”