Chapter 20 Stay With Me Tonight

Her initiative instantly awakened certain primal instincts in Zhou Ci. On the not-so-spacious sofa, the two were locked in a passionate embrace, overwhelming desire simmering between them. The thin blanket draped over Gu Shenshen was completely cast aside in their entanglement. Their bodies pressed together seamlessly, each feeling the heat of the other.

Yet at the final moment, Zhou Ci abruptly withdrew, hastily extracting himself and heading straight for the dressing room without so much as a backward glance.

Gu Shenshen was left sprawled in disarray on the sofa, humiliated and flustered by his abandonment.

Zhou Ci quickly reemerged, already changed into his work clothes. Gone was the heat of a moment ago; he looked at the woman on the sofa with cold indifference, not a trace of tenderness in his eyes.

“You have thirty minutes before work. If you’re late, you’ll be penalized.” With those words tossed her way, he turned and left.

The sound of the door opening and closing finally brought Gu Shenshen back to her senses. She sat up, gathered herself as best she could, and hurried to the bathroom.

Inside, a black business suit and essential cosmetics were already prepared.

She stared at her reflection—her neck unmarked, her body pristine—and felt a wave of confusion. Having been with him for so long, she understood both his tastes and his dominance, yet now, there wasn't a single trace left on her.

Her mind, still foggy moments before, seemed to clear.

By the time she finished getting ready, Zhou Ci was gone. This place was up on the mountain, so she could only order a car online.

Naturally, she didn’t make it to work on time. After completing her onboarding paperwork, it was already eleven.

Then came a flurry of handovers from the assistants and other secretaries—tasks that extended well beyond the scope of her position.

When the assistant handed Zhou Ci’s schedule over to her, they reminded her that he would soon arrive and went over his drink preferences and other habits in detail.

Zhou Ci arrived to find Gu Shenshen in her tailored suit—she looked strikingly good, professional yet with a hint of restrained allure.

“President Zhou,” Gu Shenshen greeted him with a slight bow.

At work, the man’s aura was sharp and unyielding; it was as if he were a completely different person from the one she knew privately.

“The company starts at nine. You arrived at ten. Copy the employee handbook by hand fifty times to reinforce your memory. Submit it to me tomorrow morning.” He stood before her with one hand in his pocket, his tone casual.

“Understood. Would you like green tea or coffee today, President Zhou?”

“Da Hong Pao,” he replied.

Without waiting for her response, he entered his office. Gu Shenshen’s gaze shifted toward the executive tea room.

She’d already checked—there was no Da Hong Pao tea there. The assistant had made it clear he usually drank green tea.

Soon, she brought a cup of green tea into the office.

Zhou Ci looked up at her. “I said Da Hong Pao.”

Gu Shenshen stood properly before his desk, the picture of composure. “You don’t usually drink Da Hong Pao, and there’s none prepared in your private tea room. I’m sorry, but I can’t conjure it out of thin air.”

Her words, though polite enough, lacked the deference Zhou Ci expected.

“So you think I’m making things difficult for you?”

“I hope you won’t take it personally, President Zhou. That wasn’t my intention.”

Zhou Ci narrowed his eyes slightly. This was something he admired about her—her ability to adapt, no matter the situation.

“You’ll accompany me to tonight’s engagement and see me home afterward.”

The mention of copying the employee manual made Gu Shenshen’s hands unconsciously clench into fists. She longed to land a punch on his infuriating face.

She didn’t participate in such engagements; as the driver, she could only wait outside like a chauffeur.

By eleven, Zhou Ci finally called.

In the large private room, only Zhou Ci remained. His cheeks were flushed, eyes slightly unfocused—he appeared to have drunk heavily.

Gu Shenshen went to help him up, but he seized her wrist instead.

Drunk, he leaned in, breath heavy with alcohol, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Do you know where I live?”

“I do,” she replied.

“Will you stay with me tonight?” His words were slurred, but his tone toward her remained indecent.

Unwilling to indulge a drunk, Gu Shenshen firmly hauled him to his feet, ignoring his protest, and dragged him away.

He wasn’t putting all his weight on her—clearly, he was faking much of his drunkenness.

Gu Shenshen didn’t say a word on the drive, delivering Zhou Ci straight to his private residence.

At the entrance, Zhou Ci looked down at the woman crouched to change his shoes, breathing shallowly.

“It’s late. Don’t go back tonight.” There was a veiled suggestion in his tone.

“When will you take back the hotel?” Gu Shenshen straightened, meeting his gaze.

“If I clear up all your troubles, what’s to stop you from running away?” Zhou Ci shot back with a cold laugh.

“There’s still the Gu family, and besides, I’ve always been responsible—I won’t run. Those creditors will soon return to Haicheng.” By the end, her tone carried a hint of pleading.

Zhou Ci let out a mocking laugh. “Are you afraid?”

Looking at him—suddenly very sober—Gu Shenshen replied seriously, “If I fall into their hands, I’ll either become someone’s mistress, or be sold into some underground den, never to see daylight again, maybe even lose my life. I know I have no way to escape. All I can do is beg you.”

Zhou Ci had never seen such raw fear on her face before—this was the first time.

After a long pause, he turned and walked deeper into the apartment, saying nothing.

Frowning, Gu Shenshen had no choice but to follow.

“Ah Ci.” Her voice was soft and gentle.

Hearing the tenderness in her voice, an inexplicable frustration surged within Zhou Ci. He spun around to find her right behind him, staring coldly at her for a long moment before cupping her face and pressing his lips to hers.

Gu Shenshen neither resisted nor responded, simply letting him claim her lips.

He kissed her with near-obsessive intensity, only releasing her when her breath grew ragged.

His rough fingertips traced her now-swollen lips. “So you do know fear?”

She gave a helpless half-smile. “I’ve always been afraid of death.”

“Stay with me tonight, and tomorrow I’ll reclaim your hotel.” His voice was low, demanding.

“All right,” she agreed.

When it’s a matter of life and death, dignity means little.

Though she’d yielded, Zhou Ci took no satisfaction from it. In an instant, his desire vanished.

“Go home,” he said.

“Ah Ci…”

Zhou Ci’s temper flared abruptly—like a man possessed—shoving her away. “Get out!”

Stung by his sudden outburst, Gu Shenshen fought to keep her composure. Though unwilling, she could only turn and leave.

Inwardly, she cursed him for being insane. After finally convincing herself to compromise, he reacted like this—he really deserved a beating.

Once Gu Shenshen was gone, Zhou Ci staggered to his bedroom, fumbling through a drawer to find a box of medicine.