Chapter 29: The Crown Prince Likes Being Kept

After she finished speaking, he was already standing before Jiang Ciyou.

He wrapped his arm around her slender waist as naturally as breathing.

Though Jiang Ciyou didn’t push him away, she turned her face slightly. “I have a few questions.”

“Go ahead.”

“Why did you conceal your identity?”

Bo Jinxi gazed calmly into her eyes. “You’ve never asked about who I am.”

Jiang Ciyou pressed her red lips together. It was true—over the past three years, she’d never cared, nor had she ever been curious about him.

Although they often shared a bed, she knew nothing of his daily life.

“You knew all along that Yan Feng and I weren’t truly married?”

Bo Jinxi played with a lock of her hair, speaking indifferently, “I have no interest in another man’s wife.”

“When did you find out?”

“That night at the Black Horse Club. You were drunk and noisy the whole night—I couldn’t help but hear.”

Jiang Ciyou was a little surprised. “That night, nothing happened between us?”

Bo Jinxi shook his head. “Nothing at all. You complained until you were exhausted and fell asleep on my shoulder.”

Jiang Ciyou was utterly speechless.

“Why didn’t you tell me nothing happened that night?” she asked, suddenly a little annoyed.

Bo Jinxi smiled. “Would you still have kept me if you’d known?”

Indeed, for her, keeping Bo Jinxi was a way to rationalize things—a kind of ‘since it’s come to this, I might as well let it be.’

Jiang Ciyou suddenly felt she’d been played.

“So you, a crown prince of the capital’s elite, have such peculiar tastes?” She eyed him, incredulous that he’d enjoy being kept.

Bo Jinxi’s hand tightened slightly around her waist. “Doesn’t everyone have a little hobby?”

Of course, she had no idea—on that night at the Black Horse Club, he’d recognized her at a glance.

Yet to this day, she still hadn’t recognized him.

Jiang Ciyou rolled her eyes, but with her naturally alluring gaze, it looked almost as if she were flirting.

“Have you finished your questions? If so, can we begin?” The man leaned in, about to kiss her.

Jiang Ciyou pressed her fingers to his lips. “Times have changed. Your status isn’t what it was. Since we’re choosing to stay together, we need some ground rules.”

He caught her delicate hand, bringing it to his lips for a kiss, his demeanor patient. “Ground rules?”

“First, we talk only of pleasure, never of love. We mustn’t fall for each other.

“Second, respect each other’s privacy and independence—the second floor is yours, the third is mine.

“Third, while we’re together, neither of us can have anyone else. I have no intention of sharing my man. If you find someone better, tell me ahead of time—I’ll leave on my own.”

He nodded in agreement. “I’ve never had the habit of sharing a woman, either. Deal.”

Jiang Ciyou caressed his flawless face, her eyes luminous. “If you have any requests, you can state them now.”

Bo Jinxi leaned toward her reddened lips, his voice tinged with desire. “I have only one: this time, when it ends is for me to decide.”

Jiang Ciyou smiled.

This man was rather petty after all.

So he still bore a grudge from when she’d been the one to end it last time, wounding his pride.

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “As long as you play by the rules, you decide. But if you break any one of them, our relationship ends—immediately.”

His eyes darkened, his handsome face grave, as though he were weighing her words.

But the next second, his kisses fell upon her, swift and countless.

That was his answer.

The night unfolded as always, yet it was somehow different.

What remained the same was the way the kept man made her feel—the same heat, the same inexhaustible need, from coaxing to insatiable desire.

His body’s warmth, his every movement, the habits she’d come to know, the throaty groan when he was satisfied, the way he held her close afterward—all of it was achingly familiar.

What changed was his status.

He was no longer the kept man she’d supported for three years, but the unattainable crown prince of the capital’s elite.

Psychologically, it was indeed a different matter.

Jiang Ciyou’s sleep had always been poor.

But perhaps she was simply too exhausted—this time, she slept right through to morning.

When she woke, the bed beside her was empty.

She thought Bo Jinxi had left, only to find him in the kitchen.

He’d made a sumptuous breakfast again.

Jiang Ciyou didn’t hold back her praise, then sat down at the table and tucked in without ceremony.

Bo Jinxi wore tailored trousers and a white shirt, the buttons fastened all the way to his throat, making him appear aloof and ascetic.

Jiang Ciyou couldn’t understand it. With such an innately cold, refined face, why had she once thought him a rake?

“Were you satisfied last night?” The man’s gaze suddenly locked on hers.

“What?” Jiang Ciyou hadn’t caught his meaning.

“Flirting with me first thing in the morning—I thought you weren’t satisfied. Shall we go for another round?”

There was a glint of mischief in his captivating eyes, his lips curving into a faint smile.

With his ethereal looks, he possessed the air of a deity—yet somehow, there was a hint of rogue in him.

So that was it. The rake was still the same rake.

Jiang Ciyou went to the television station.

That morning, everyone gathered around, offering congratulations on her becoming the new prime-time host.

Soon after, Vivian emerged from Director Tang’s office.

As she passed Jiang Ciyou, her face twisted with hatred. “Jiang Ciyou, I won’t let you get away with this.”

Then she left.

The crowd began to gossip. “Vivian and the boss from Hengli were found out by Mrs. Li. Yesterday, Mrs. Li had someone strip her in public, and it went viral— even the police were involved.”

“How could she blame Sister Ciyou? She brought this on herself.”

“She’s ruined the station’s reputation—one bad apple spoils the barrel. How can she show her face here?”

The station was always quick to turn on the weak—once, these same people had spoken the same way about her.

Jiang Ciyou simply smiled, unconcerned.

At the morning meeting, Director Tang spoke up. “There are two announcements today. First, Vivian has resigned due to health reasons.”

Of course everyone knew she’d actually been fired—resignation was simply the station granting her a final shred of dignity.

“Second…” Director Tang looked at Jiang Ciyou, his expression complicated.

Zhang Xiaoxia, a news editor who got along well with Jiang Ciyou, piped up, “The second announcement must be that Sister Ciyou is now the prime-time host, right?”

Everyone else chimed in, ready to offer their compliments.

Only Xia Lingan sat quietly in a corner.

A look of difficulty crossed Tang Fei’s face. “I did say whoever got the interview with the Crown Prince would become our prime-time host. But this morning, Xia Ling secured a five-year advertising contract with the Yan Group. Both Ciyou and Xia Ling have made invaluable contributions to the station, so I’ve decided you’ll compete fairly for the position. Whoever proves themselves through professional merit will earn it.”