"Does that mean that you disagree?" Jian Yi had not been expecting this at all.

"It"s up to you who you show these to. You can give them to Song Yu"s parents and even provide them with your kind explanation," Qi Chengzhi said, "I"d never intended to hide this from them their whole lives.

"If they come to hate me for it, or force me to divorce Song Yu, then I"m willing to do whatever it takes to earn their forgiveness. I am the man their daughter loves. No matter how much they hate me, they won"t disregard Song Yu"s feelings. As she loves me, I am confident that our journey together will continue as such."

"You"re that sure that Song Yu won"t grow to hate you, too? You know she despises deceit. In the face of your lie, mine seems insignificant, yet she still holds it against me. She won"t even look me in the eye. Do you really think she"d forgive you and continue loving you after learning of all you"ve done?"

Qi Chengzhi arched an eyebrow, his deep-set, ebony eyes staring into Jian Yi"s. If he put it like that, did it mean he had yet to tell Song Yu?

"Regardless, I already said it"s up to you. If you want to let Song Yu and her parents know, go right ahead." He placed a distinguished hand atop the doork.n.o.b, preparing to leave.

"But, Jian Yi, don"t expect that you will continue to hold your post as the vice-president- nor even that of a lowly manager. You"ll be demoted to a common employee, and you"ll suffer through your remaining days at the company. A person as egotistical as you would definitely quit, right? Nevertheless, no company would dare to hire someone from the Qi family, even if they were only a son-in-law.

"Perhaps you intend to start your own business, then, since you, in your insurmountable arrogance, never wanted to work beneath someone, anyway." Qi Chengzhi took a breath and stared straight at Jian Yi, his dark eyes smoldering. "From what I"ve gathered, though, your current relations.h.i.+p with Qi Chengyue is not at a stage where she would support the notion of you owning a start-up. Am I wrong?

"You married Chengyue because of her status and money. What can you do without financial support from the Qi family?" Qi Chengzhi looked disdainful. "Jian Yi, let me remind you that everything you own as of now was given to you by the Qi family. The Qi family can bring you glory, but, just as easily, we can cause your greatest humiliation. Success or destruction, we are capable of granting you either. You have to understand that, in these circ.u.mstances, where the Qi family has made you the man you are today, you are a fool to come and attempt to threaten one of their own, much less the next head."

Qi Chengzhi scoffed, giving him a perfunctory, derisive glance as he did so.

Jian Yi"s chest grew tight and his breath came out in short and shallow heaves. He could not understand how Qi Chengzhi had intimidated him, when he was the one with the upper hand!

He wanted to punch the smug look off Qi Chengzhi"s face.

Before he could say or do anything, however, Qi Chengzhi opened the door and left.

The door was left swinging on its hinges, unshut. His expression unchanging, Jian Yi hurled his fist at the frame, a loud, metallic clang resounding throughout the room.

Song Yu had just finished eating when Qi Chengzhi rang the doorbell. Aunt Yang was busy cleaning in the kitchen.

She ran to open the door, preparing a pair of house slippers for him before he stepped inside. As she waited for him to change his shoes, she took his bag.

"Weren"t you going out tonight? Why are you back so early?"

"I just went there to show my face. I didn"t feel like staying." Qi Chengzhi lowered his head to study her expression, uncertain as to whether she had learned the truth regarding the Song family"s bankruptcy.

Even though he had behaved in such an a.s.sertive manner toward Jian Yi at Shengyue, he still had his fears.

Song Yu looked as she always did, the way she tilted her head to gaze up at him as tender as always.

"You haven"t eaten then?" Song Yu asked, brus.h.i.+ng her cheek. "Is there something on my face? You keep looking at me as if there"s something on it."

Qi Chengzhi chuckled and bent to peck her lips. "Not yet."

"Why don"t you say so earlier? I just finished eating. If you had called while you were on the way, I could"ve waited for you." Song Yu"s brows curved into a frown.

Qi Chengzhi lifted his hand, his bony, slender fingers rubbing the area between her eyebrows as if trying to ease out their crease.

Song Yu burst out laughing and grabbed his hand.

"I was worried about traffic. I didn"t know when I"d reach. In all honesty, I hadn"t expected to leave so soon after arriving, but the opportunity presented itself and I took it." His mellow voice was light and harmonious, abating her concerns.

"What do you want to eat? I"ll cook for you," Song Yu announced.

"What did you eat?"

"Since it was only Aunt Yang and me, we mixed cuc.u.mber with bean curd skin and had stir-fried gai-lan."

"I"ll have the same thing then. Cook me a plate of gai-lan," Qi Chengzhi said.

"Okay." She let him get changed into more comfortable clothing while she prepared the vegetables.

At this point, it was too late to steam rice, so she switched the main dish to fried noodles.

After Qi Chengzhi had changed and come down, he caught sight of Song Yu cooking and leaned against the doorway to observe her. She was alternating between frying the vegetables and checking on the bubbling pot of noodles beside her.

Stealthily, he approached her.

Song Yu did not notice him. Aunt Yang, however, did and had the good sense to exit the kitchen in silence.

Song Yu was about to ask Aunt Yang where she was headed all of a sudden, but, as she turned, her eyes landed on Qi Chengzhi.

She blushed. "What are you doing here? I"m cooking; don"t fool around!"

Qi Chengzhi said nothing. He wrapped both arms around her waist and lowered his head to rest his chin on her shoulder. Then, his head tilting, he pressed his lips to her exposed neck.

Although she was rather calm, her skin, from the back of her neck to the tips of her ears, was bright red.

She turned her head and saw Qi Chengzhi"s half-lidded eyes, his pupils almost completely hidden by his long, thick lashes.

"What is with you today?" She asked, sensing his peculiar state of unrest.

"Nothing," he mumbled into her neck, his voice low and raspy. His emerging stubble, invisible to the eye, tickled her and she nearly laughed.

"I just feel like it"s so nice to have you waiting for me at home to cook me dinner."

She smiled, a blissful, buoyant feeling expanding in her chest.

Song Yu turned her head and kissed his forehead. "Me, too. I feel very happy to welcome you home and cook for you."

Qi Chengzhi pressed his palm to her abdomen. He ma.s.saged it for a moment, then, unconsciously, moved lower, his fingers brus.h.i.+ng the hem of her pants.

"Qi Chengzhi!" Song Yu blushed violently and hissed, "I"m cooking for you here. Told you not to fool around! Aunt Yang may enter at any time."

"Aunt Yang left when she saw me. She won"t come in if I"m here," Qi Chengzhi said while peppering kisses to her skin.

Song Yu grabbed his probing hand and ordered, "Go get me a plate for the vegetables."

Qi Chengzhi remained stationary. She snapped, "Hurry up!"

Qi Chengzhi gave her a deep kiss before he did as she asked.

Song Yu plated the vegetables and strained the cooked noodles. Then she put them into a pan and stir-fried them briefly.

After placing them in front of Qi Chengzhi, she said, "If you"re coming home without eating, remember to give me a call. I"ll wait for you."

He mumbled a wordless response.

Song Yu chuckled. She knew that sentimentality was not something that came easy to him. She sat down beside him and watched him eat.

"Oh, right. Remember Grandmother told me yesterday to introduce her to someone who"d be compatible with Chenglin?" Song Yu rested her chin on her hands and gazed at him.

"You found someone?" Qi Chengzhi ate another mouthful of noodles.

"I actually thought that Ruan Danchen might be rather suitable. She has a good personality and character. Chenglin is also not the kind of person who cares about a girl"s family background and status. But, when I mentioned it to Ruan Danchen, she rejected me outright," Song Yu laughed.

"You told her that you wanted to introduce her to Chenglin?" Qi Chengzhi paused.

"I didn"t specify who it was. I thought that, if she didn"t hit it off with Chenglin, I"d just introduce her to someone else. Anyway, she said that she wants to find an ordinary guy, not a rich one."

"Her thinking is rather unique. It"s different from the other women in this era," Qi Chengzhi said with a grin.

"Yeah, that"s why I felt that she was a good candidate. By the way, is there anyone in your company that would suit her?" Song Yu asked, "She"s single now and the same age as me. I think it"s time for her to start looking for a partner."

"Why is it that married women like to play matchmaker? Could it be that you don"t feel the pressure anymore, since you"re already married, and have now made it your personal mission to solve this issue for all the single young ladies around you?" Qi Chengzhi mused, amused.

"What are you saying?" Song Yu flushed. "It"s only because I think that Danchen is a really good girl. It"s a rare opportunity, especially since you have such remarkable connections. Yan Beicheng and his group of friends are all taken, but you still have many young talents in your company. Danchen is not a girl who prioritizes money. Previously, Yang Yunshu asked me to introduce her to some rich guys, but I ignored her."

"You noticed that our company has many young talents? When did you notice them? Which ones are you interested in?" Qi Chengzhi arched his eyebrow as he interrogated her.

Song Yu had not expected him to focus on that one sentence out of the barrage she had said.

"No, I didn"t notice anyone. The only ones I know of are Cheng Dongge and Chang Lai. Oh, and Manager Luo, but he"s a bit too mature," Song Yu said carefully, fearing that she would stumble into an argument born from his insecurity.

It appeared that Qi Chengzhi had guessed her thoughts and he chuckled. "You don"t have to worry about Chenglin. Don"t take Grandmother Qi"s words too seriously. She knows that she"ll never find a suitable candidate, herself. I"ll keep an eye out for Ruan Danchen."

Song Yu stared at him as he returned to his food, picking through stalks of gai-lan.

She could not remember the last time she had seen Qi Chengzhi eat quietly like this. It had become a habitual thing, and she did not feel nervous or amazed anymore. She liked their mealtime conversations, but the silence was companionable.

Her mind wandered back to their conversation, her eyes following his motions. He still ate with his usual etiquette and polished demeanor, even at home.

The scene of him wearing casual house clothes and eating a simple home-cooked meal was so down-to-earth, that his aristocratic features almost seemed out of place.

"What is it?" Qi Chengzhi asked suddenly, snapping her out of her daze.

"What?"

Qi Chengzhi scrutinized her. "What were you thinking so deeply about just now?"

"I"m just watching you eat," Song Yu replied, realizing that he was even more unsettled than she had previously thought. "What is going on with you tonight? Has something happened?"

His eyes darted across her face, as if trying to discern hidden answers and secrets from it.

However, his expression was not one of fear, but closer to worry. There was a fleeting moment when she caught a glimpse of uncertainty in his eyes, one that mirrored that of an insecure child.

Song Yu did not know why she did what she did next. Instinctively, she grabbed the hand resting on top of his thigh.

"What are you doing? I"m eating," Qi Chengzhi said, chewing on his vegetables.

Song Yu blushed, not knowing what universe this man"s thoughts came from. He even managed to tease her through mouthfuls of food.

She had probably been mistaken. There was not a shred of uncertainty to be found in the man in front of her- not even a bit! Annoyed, she pulled away, but he turned his hand over and clasped hers.

"Where do you think you"re going after doing that?" Qi Chengzhi caressed the back of her hand. "You want it?"

"No, I don"t…" Song Yu widened her eyes and glared at him, her cheeks glowing scarlet. How did he come to such conclusions?

Even so, he slurped down the rest of his noodles and wiped his mouth clean startlingly quick. Then, he pulled Song Yu up as he, too, stood. "Let"s go. I"m ready."

She half-ran up the stairs, towed along behind his thumping slippers.

Song Yu yanked her hand out of his in embarra.s.sment and insisted in a low voice, "That was not what I meant!"

As the final word pa.s.sed her lips, she was lifted off the ground, two strong arms wrapping around her waist. Firmly, he kissed her.

She did not attempt to shun his advances, knowing it was pointless to attempt to escape. The more she pulled back, the closer he pressed to her, his lips growing insistent.

After a few minutes, he pressed her up against a wall, his body crowding around her as he hitched her leg up.

When his hand slipped down the front of her pants, though, she lurched away and yelled, "Qi Chengzhi!"

They were at the entrance of their bedroom, and, while it may have been her home, Aunt Yang still lived here. She felt exposed, uneasy.

"I"ve always wanted to take you in a corner of the house," he murmured against her lips.

"What if Aunt Yang comes up? Go- go inside…" Song Yu lowered her voice, her skin burning.

Qi Chengzhi took a deep breath, practically quivering with desire. His pants hung loose around his waist, but he forced himself to stop, restraining himself.

Aggressively, he kissed her again, then breathed, "Let"s try it when Aunt Yang is on leave. I want to try every possible corner."

Song Yu fell silent, her mind spinning with the implications of his statement.

"You… Are you sure it"s safe for you to continue at this pace?" Compared to the bevy of exquisite women he was surrounded by every day, she knew she was hardly worth a second glance. What did he find so alluring about her?

"You can test me. See if my body can take it," he responded in a throaty voice before carrying Song Yu into the bedroom.

His burning palm roved her body, and she contorted and shook beneath his touch.

Her skin felt silken underneath his hands, and he kissed her from her lips to her neck, before moving lower and turning her over. His hands found her behind, and he knew she was ready.

Qi Chengzhi crashed his lips against hers, pressing a pathway of earnest, light kisses from the corners of her mouth to her ears.

She leaned into him, her hands mapping his taut, smooth skin.

Suddenly, he pushed into her, emboldened by some unspoken desire to prove his vitality. His hold around her was almost stifling, and he moved with great force, as if trying to embed himself into her bones.

She looked at him through misted, half-lidded eyes, beguiled by the tenderness she read into them.

He looked at her like she was something he might lose at any given moment, his ardent love burning in his gaze. Impossibly, he held her tighter, still, and buried his face in the crook of her neck.

She combed her fingers through his hair and pulled his head up so he would look at her. Without hesitation, she kissed him firmly.

Her kiss was deep and pa.s.sionate, filled with all the emotions she could not put into words..

She felt Qi Chengzhi tense at her forwardness, but he quickly reciprocated with equal vigor. His kiss was so fervent, it left her gasping for air.

Just like that, their bodies twined together, and she was taken.

Song Yu"s fingers tangled in his hair and clung at his shoulders as his name fell like a litany from her lips.

Qi Chengzhi gently swiped away the strands of hair that were stuck to her forehead and cheeks. Faced with her heavenly beauty, his chest ached with longing.

He had loved her for nearly his entire life, and here she was.

Song Yu used her delicate fingers to trace the outline of his stern and taut features. He had been pa.s.sionate tonight, and she knew he was true, but she could not shake the feeling that something was wrong. Inexplicably, she felt hurt.

Qi Chengzhi recalled the day they got their marriage certificate, and those fateful words she had said to him. His deep-set eyes looked into hers gently, and he quietly remarked, "You said that you would never leave me, no matter what happens."

Song Yu nodded her head solemnly. He said, "Tell me once more."

"Qi Chengzhi, no matter what happens, I will never leave you," Song Yu said seriously, staring unflinchingly at him. "No matter what."

Qi Chengzhi"s mouth curled into a smile.

Yu Zidong had been quite frustrated these past few days. The cause for his frustrations was that all of the company"s investors were losing money.

He had been unconcerned when it had only been a handful of them that faced losses, as that was natural and had happened before. They had simply compensated them as they had done before, using excess funds from other customers.

Once they earned enough profit, they would just reimburse them accordingly.