Chapter 3: From Allies to Enemies

In the quiet, the man’s cool voice fell into Song Yanzi’s ears with a hint of settling accounts after the fact.

His beguiling voice was pleasing to the ear, yet it sent a chill down one’s spine.

Song Yanzi felt a little guilty, but she forced herself to remain calm. “Business is a battlefield. Surely President Shen won’t be a sore loser?”

She lifted her chin and met his gaze, showing no trace of shame, only open and unashamed composure.

Shen Yichi curved his lips. “I can afford to lose. I just hate being plotted against.”

In other words, he would not let this go.

He had always been like this, vindictive to the core.

Knowing all too well what it meant to provoke him, Song Yanzi softened her tone. “The matter with the contract was indeed handled badly on my part. Another day, I’ll treat you to a meal and apologize properly. Or if President Shen ever needs help with anything in the future, I’ll do my utmost without hesitation.”

He released her hand, lifted her chin, and sneered, “President Song, your skills have improved. Flattery in the business world, empty promises, and sweet talk — you’ve learned them all rather well.”

At such close range, his clear, cool scent mixed with a faint trace of alcohol drifted over her.

Enchanting, yet oppressive.

“It must be because I had a good teacher,” Song Yanzi said calmly, gazing at him with an inscrutable look.

After all these years of struggling and clawing her way through the business world, she had learned quite a bit.

His tone remained even and steady. “Did the person who taught you never tell you that you should not cross the bridge and then tear it down, nor repay kindness with ingratitude?”

The remark carried a double meaning, implying that she had used him and then made off.

Song Yanzi replied softly, “He just taught me that a moment ago. I’ll keep it firmly in mind and study hard.”

At her words, Shen Yichi’s eyes turned cold.

The woman before him wore no makeup, yet she was still dazzlingly beautiful.

After a moment of silence, Shen Yichi said coolly, “It’s only a contract worth one hundred million. I don’t care. Consider it the fee for your services last night, for how hard you pleased me.”

His words were openly mocking and harsh.

Song Yanzi did not take offense. She curved her lips in a self-mocking smile. “One night for one hundred million. Looks like I’m very expensive.”

His expression remained composed, though a faint, almost imperceptible darkness flashed in his eyes.

Song Yanzi reached out again to push him away. Having a conversation at this distance made it hard to breathe.

But she was no match for his strength. He did not budge; instead, he pressed even closer.

The two years they had spent together had been intimate and unreserved. They knew each other’s bodies all too well.

She could clearly feel the change in him.

He leaned close to her ear and whispered a threat, “Move again and I’ll take you right here, right now.”

At that, Song Yanzi stiffened all over and immediately dared not move.

“Say it. What exactly do you want?”

Shen Yichi spoke lazily, “The agreement has not expired yet. If you breach it without permission, do you know what the consequences are?”

Two years ago, Song Yanzi had signed a secret agreement with him.

Only the two of them knew about it.

By the calendar, it would expire in two more months.

Song Yanzi looked up. “But you’re already about to get engaged. I can’t...”

“Has it been decided yet?” Shen Yichi cut her off. “Since it hasn’t, the agreement continues, and none of the obligations you owe can be omitted.”

Song Yanzi understood perfectly well what sort of situation she would face if she violated the agreement.

The man before her could bring down the Song family with ease.

“Yanzi, are you all right?”

Worried that Shen Yichi might hurt Song Yanzi, Xu Yaqi, panicked and anxious, opened the car door.

Looking at the two of them facing off in an atmosphere thick with gunpowder, she could not help drawing in a sharp breath.

Shen Yichi let go of her and tossed out one sentence: “Take care of yourself.”

Then he turned and left with unhesitating grace.

Under the night sky, the man stood tall and straight, his retreating figure impossibly alluring.

On the way back, silence spread through the car.

Xu Yaqi glanced over, worried. “Yanzi, are you okay?”

She had seen that scene clearly in the parking lot just now.

Shen Yichi had been threatening her.

The couple who had once been the envy of all were now at each other’s throats, like fire and water. It was truly a bitter sight.

“I'm fine.”

Those were the only words Song Yanzi spared.

After sending her sister-in-law back to the Li Garden, Song Yanzi was about to leave.

Xu Yaqi spoke up. “It’s so late. Don’t make the trip back and forth. Stay here tonight.”

Song Yanzi refused. “No. Mom will be unhappy if she sees me.”

Once her mother started making a scene, chaos would follow and no one in the family would have peace.

For the sake of family harmony, she had not returned for some time.

Hearing this, Xu Yaqi said nothing more and turned to leave.

Looking at the magnificent villa before her, Song Yanzi felt hollow inside.

It was almost laughable. This was clearly her home, yet she had no home to return to.

If not for what happened four years ago, everything would have been completely different.

After a brief daze, she composed herself and drove away.

She had slept late the night before, and the nightmares had come one after another, leaving Song Yanzi badly rested.

The next morning, she looked especially exhausted.

At work, she relied on coffee to stay alert.

After finishing her work, she was about to return to her apartment and rest when she received a call from Shen Yichi.

Last night, after his warning, she had had no choice but to pull him out.

As soon as the call connected, he went straight to the point.

“Come to the old place.”

After the call ended, Song Yanzi did not drive. Instead, she took a taxi to the destination.

She had no right to refuse.