Chapter 6: What Identity?
Song Yanzi first caught the faint, crisp, and sweet chill in the air before noticing the man’s strikingly refined face.
The door to the cubicle clicked shut, and he locked it behind him.
Taking a step back to put some distance between them, Song Yanzi kindly reminded him, “This is the women's restroom.”
His pursuit didn’t surprise her in the slightest.
Shen Yichi looked at her leisurely. “What’s your relationship with that man?”
Previously, Xu Jingcheng had repeatedly tried to collaborate with him but was consistently turned away.
His reputation was poor.
Song Yanzi tucked her hair behind her ear and asked, “May I know in what capacity you’re asking, Mr. Shen?”
The man lifted the corner of his mouth. “Is that the important part?”
She raised an eyebrow lightly. “Of course, because it determines how I should phrase my answer.”
Shen Yichi reached out, pulling her close, wrapping her tightly in his arms. “We’re more than just one kind of relationship.”
Their bodies pressed together; the warmth from his skin seeped through the thin fabric, making Song Yanzi stiffen.
His breath spilled onto her face—clear, sharp, and intoxicating.
Understanding the implication, she replied truthfully, “To answer your question, Mr. Shen, he is my blind date. We’ve known each other for less than three hours. That’s all.”
The man before her was the client; she couldn’t afford to offend him.
Shen Yichi’s hand rested on her slender waist, the other gently lifting her chin.
“In such a hurry to find the next one, huh?”
The proximity was overwhelming, his presence oppressive. Song Yanzi tried to push him away.
But he wouldn’t relent; instead, he held her tighter.
She smiled calmly. “Naturally. As a lone woman trying to establish herself in the business world, I need to find a sturdy tree to lean on.”
Not wanting to argue, she went along with his words.
Shen Yichi sneered, “And you chose a crooked tree?”
His tone was playful yet disdainful, clearly mocking Xu Jingcheng.
Song Yanzi remained composed, unfazed. “Didn’t I just say I found one? Or shall I ask you to introduce someone to me, Mr. Shen? I… um…”
Before she could finish, her lips were covered.
The kiss was forceful and commanding; Song Yanzi didn’t even bother resisting.
After all, she knew him well.
He was angry, venting his frustration.
The reason behind his anger was nothing more than the possessiveness of a man.
The deep kiss ended.
Their foreheads pressed together, breaths ragged.
Song Yanzi’s heart raced, and with uneven breath, she warned, “Your fiancée is still outside. Isn’t this behavior inappropriate?”
This man was utterly reckless, doing as he pleased without restraint.
Shen Yichi lightly kissed her lips again, emphasizing, “She’s not my fiancée yet.”
Song Yanzi spoke with righteous firmness, “Shen Yichi, there’s still over a month left. Once the contract expires, it will be over for good.”
Even if it was merely a contractual relationship, this situation was unpleasant.
She felt like an immoral woman.
Shen Yichi spoke lazily, “You remember so clearly. Seems like you’re eager to end this.”
Before she could respond, he claimed her lips once more.
This time, more fiercely, with a hint of punishment.
Feeling uncomfortable, Song Yanzi bit him—not too hard, but enough to make him release her.
The man licked his lips, silently glaring at her.
After steadying her breath, she said bluntly, “Don’t you find this all rather disgusting?”
Instead of replying, he asked, “Are you bothered by it?”
She was about to speak when the sound of high heels approached from outside.
Growing nearer, she immediately fell silent.
The woman beside him was on the phone—it was Sheng Zhiyi.
Their eyes met briefly. The man remained unruffled, looking at her with a meaningful gaze.
With just that look, Song Yanzi guessed his intentions.
Her instinct was to retreat.
In the confined space, she soon found herself with nowhere to go.
Once again, he pulled her into his embrace, unleashing a barrage of kisses.
Nearby, Sheng Zhiyi boasted to a friend on the phone about Shen Yichi.
Her words were full of praise; it was clear she was very satisfied with him.
Only after Sheng Zhiyi left did Shen Yichi reluctantly release her.
“Come find me tonight,” he said before departing.
Song Yanzi waited a while before stepping out.
When she appeared, only Xu Jingcheng remained at the table.
Shen Yichi and Sheng Zhiyi had already gone.
In the car, Sheng Zhiyi noticed a faint, intimate mark at the corner of Shen Yichi’s mouth.
It hadn’t been there before; it must have happened while he was outside taking a call.
They were adults; she understood well enough what the mark meant.
After a moment’s thought, she chose to ignore it.
After the dinner ended and goodbyes were exchanged, Xu Jingcheng offered to drive Song Yanzi home, but she politely declined.
They exchanged WeChat contacts and left separately in their own cars.
Back at her apartment, her mother, Su Xijin, called.
Without preamble, she immediately began lecturing her.
Because Song Yanzi had outright refused Xu Jingcheng.
Her mother continued to nag on the other end.
Used to it, Song Yanzi set the phone aside and fetched a bottle of water from the fridge.
When her mother finally paused, Song Yanzi spoke firmly, “I can handle my own affairs. Please don’t interfere.”
Su Xijin, furious, hung up abruptly.
Not long after, another call came in.