Volume One, Chapter Four: Marry Me

Beneath a loosely tied bathrobe, Bo Xingzhou emerged from within, damp hair tousled and glistening, exuding an undeniable sensuality. Droplets of water trailed down his skin, vivid reminders of the night before. In a fleeting instant, she recalled the image of the man pressing her beneath him, his hips moving, sweat dripping into the hollow of her shoulder—a searing heat that seemed to burn her even after the passage of a night.

His physique was an artist’s masterpiece—neither too rugged nor too lean, a perfect balance of strength and masculinity.

What on earth was she thinking?

A flush crept up her cheeks, and she ducked her head, flustered.

Bo Xingzhou roughly toweled his hair, his voice deep and laced with a curious undertone. "What do you need the money for?"

Fu Yuting had intended to brazenly test his character, but his offhand question left her feeling as if she were the one in the wrong, guilty of some unspeakable act.

And who was Bo Xingzhou, after all? For a man like him, last night was nothing but a game; how could she ever expect him to marry her?

Ridiculous. What was she thinking, sleeping with just anyone, blind to reality?

She could only find herself an excuse.

Her words came out haltingly. "Um... this is to buy you cigarettes. You worked hard last night."

As she spoke, Bo Xingzhou drew near, and Fu Yuting's nerves tightened.

"Did you enjoy it?"

His low, raspy voice pierced her ears.

Fu Yuting’s breath caught, disbelieving that he would ask her such a thing.

"Well..."

She supposed she had enjoyed it?

"So this is my tip for pleasing Miss Fu last night?" he asked again, voice husky and laced with seductive mischief.

The money in her hand suddenly felt like it was burning her, unbearably hot.

How was she supposed to answer that?

At that moment, a shrill ring broke the tension.

Bo Xingzhou glanced over.

His phone was ringing.

The oppressive atmosphere finally eased.

He answered. Whatever the caller said, he only responded with a curt acknowledgment before hanging up.

Fu Yuting gathered her thoughts, searching for a reasonable explanation. "Mr. Bo, we’re both adults. About last night..."

"Tomorrow morning, bring your household registration documents to the civil affairs office."

"What?" The abrupt statement stunned her. "Why the civil affairs office?"

Bo Xingzhou took up his suit jacket, shedding the bathrobe with matter-of-fact ease and slipping into his suit.

Fu Yuting blushed furiously and turned away at once.

Don’t look. Don’t look!

His deep voice sounded behind her, "Marry me."

Just two words, but spoken with absolute authority.

Fu Yuting, shocked, spun around to look at him. He had already fastened his suit, white shirt open at the collar, exuding a clean, unstudied allure.

She suppressed her thoughts. She had indeed wanted to marry, to lawfully take over her parents’ company, but marrying a man like Bo Xingzhou had never crossed her mind.

She could only decline gently. "Let’s just consider last night a bit of fun. There’s no need to take it so seriously."

Bo Xingzhou was already knotting his tie, gazing down at her, no emotion in his eyes but a slight, sensual curl of his lips. "I am a man who takes things seriously. Besides..."

He glanced at the cash on the nightstand, then fixed his gaze unflinchingly on her lips. "Last night was my first time. Cigarette money can’t possibly cover that."

Fu Yuting was speechless.

As if she wasn’t in the same boat!

Bo Xingzhou arched a brow. "It’s a matter of principle."

Looking at his handsome face, Fu Yuting gradually regained her composure.

In truth, marrying Bo Xingzhou—becoming the wife of a business titan in Country M—was hardly a misfortune.

Yet she’d heard much about him: raised in Country M, a prodigy who broke into the elite market as soon as he came of age. Now, at twenty-seven, he had built his own business empire overseas. His business tactics inspired awe and fear.

Though she had never met him before, stories abounded—decisive, vengeful, ruthless.

Marriage to him might reassure her uncles, and his support could make avenging her parents easier, but it would also be fraught with peril.

After all, a man at such heights could be her stepping stone—or the mountain that crushed her.

She ventured cautiously, "Aren’t you afraid I’m approaching you with ulterior motives?"

He smiled, entirely unconcerned. "We’ve already slept together. If you have motives, you’re the one at a loss."

She had to admit: his charm was difficult to resist.

He picked up his watch and slipped it on. "Tomorrow morning. I’ll wait for you at the civil affairs office."

There was no question in his tone—it was pure notification.

Fu Yuting still hadn’t decided if she should marry him. "And if I don’t show up?"

Bo Xingzhou’s brow lifted, his lips curled in a predatory smile, voice thick with menace. "Then I’ll drag you there myself."

She stared, appalled.

Madman!

She couldn’t help but retort, "Is this your idea of a proposal?"

"If you’re dissatisfied with my proposal, I can do it again."

She was at a loss for words.

A proposal could be redone?

Just then, a call from Lu Jingyan interrupted her thoughts. She seized the excuse to leave, but not before leaving the cigarette money behind.

Not long after she left, Su Han entered.

"Master Bo, I’ve looked into it. The woman you spent the night with is named Fu Yuting, formerly the eldest daughter of the Fu family in Bin City. Her parents died in a car accident five years ago. She later became the executive secretary for the second young master. Rumor has it she recently signed an agreement to hand her family’s business to him and merge with Jiahe, because..."

Bo Xingzhou was counting the cigarette money, but looked up when Su Han trailed off. "Continue."

Su Han wiped sweat from his brow. "Because she has already agreed to the second young master’s proposal. She’s currently his fiancée—your future sister-in-law."

Bo Xingzhou’s hand stilled, money slipping through his fingers. He turned, eyes narrowing. "Say that again."

Su Han dared not repeat himself, sensing that a single word more might spell his doom. But given the gravity of the matter, he pressed on, voice trembling. "Master Bo, you came back this time precisely for the second young master’s engagement party. She is his fiancée—you..."

"Not anymore," Bo Xingzhou interrupted, his gaze dark as ink.

Su Han was stunned. "What?"

Bo Xingzhou’s eyes were fathomless as he handed over the money. "Deposit this separately at the bank."

Su Han took the cash, feeling its heat scorch his palm.

It was odd—Master Bo had never cared about such a paltry sum; why go to the trouble of making a separate deposit?

Who would have thought that the famously aloof Master Bo would fall for such a pure romance?

Well, perhaps not so pure.

After all, the commotion last night had been... considerable.