Chapter 37: Sooner or Later, She Would Uphold Justice

Most of the time, in front of him, she was as docile as a tamed housecat. Her instincts for survival warned her not to confront him head-on; at least for now, life had settled into a precarious calm, and she wasn’t willing to lose even that small measure of peace.

The man’s grip tightened suddenly around her waist, making her wince in pain. “I want you now,” he murmured against her neck, his voice low and hoarse, yet brooking no argument.

“Did I do something at dinner with the clients just now to upset you?” she asked quietly as he pulled her thin sweater down from her shoulder.

Zhou Ci paused, then let out a low laugh. “Seduction has always been your talent. Men like to look at you because of that face; you’re alluring enough.” As he spoke, his fingertips traced her profile, scrutinizing her.

His deep voice always carried a biting edge, never letting her feel at ease.

“They’re very interested in signing the contract with you. Isn’t that all that matters?” she replied.

Without warning, Zhou Ci seized her chin in a painful grip. “I don’t like it!” To him, even if those men at dinner had merely glanced at her a few extra times, it meant she was flirting with them.

She opened her mouth, but no words came. Suddenly, she felt ridiculous—what was the point of arguing with a madman?

“Forget it, have it your way.” She slumped her shoulders in resignation. She was exhausted tonight, too tired to keep arguing. She only hoped he would finish quickly so she could get a few hours of sleep.

Seeing her look of indifference, Zhou Ci turned her around.

The next morning, Gu Shenshen woke from aches that radiated through her body; Zhou Ci was already gone. She sat up, pulled a blanket around herself, and walked barefoot to the bathroom.

Staring at the marks and bruises scattered across her skin in the mirror, she cursed Zhou Ci’s ancestors under her breath. What kind of family could raise such a monster?

One day, she swore, she would rid the world of this menace. Damn him.

When she called, Zhou Ci’s tone was impatient, as if he was busy with something. “There are still some contract details you need to handle. Send them to me when you’re done, then come back.”

“Is there anything else you need, President Zhou—?” Before she could finish, the call was cut off.

She stared at her phone, expressionless, muttering curses.

No sooner had Zhou Ci hung up than Pei Wan approached, her small hand slipping around his arm. “Ah Ci, if you’re busy, you don’t have to worry about me.”

He looked down at her, his gaze gentle yet distant. “I just wanted to tell you that we should postpone our wedding.”

Pei Wan froze, clearly not expecting him to say something like that out of the blue. “Why?”

Zhou Ci smoothly withdrew his arm, regarding her for a long moment without a hint of emotion. “It’s hard for me to adjust—from being a sister to a wife, I’m not sure I can do it right away.”

Pei Wan’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. Zhou Ci was cold by nature; though he wore a gentle face, his entire being radiated an unapproachable chill. Still, she wanted to take her chances.

To him, it didn’t matter who became his wife—he loved no one.

“Ah Ci…” she began.

But his oppressive gaze silenced her at once.

After dinner, Zhou Ci stood in the small garden in front of the Zhou family villa, smoking beneath the night sky.

“What do you plan to do with Gu Shenshen?” Qin Ying’s voice drifted over from behind him.