Half a year later

  Ji Xiaoli glanced at her phone, 6:20, and the drawing was barely finished, only completing the first draft.

  Knock off work.

  Went to the restroom to touch up her makeup, simple yet elegant, put away the makeup box, and walked out of the company gate.

  The peach-colored woolen coat I'm wearing today was prepared by my mom. Before leaving the house, she reminded me of what my mom said: "Xiao Li, you're already 25 years old, your younger sister is two years younger than you and has a boyfriend. This time, no matter what, we can't let things drag on like this anymore. Aunt Zhang from Mom's company introduced you to an excellent man who is a returnee from overseas, so be sure to seize the opportunity!"

  "Mom, I don't want to talk!"

  "This is non-negotiable, I've already agreed! Today's Friday and there's nothing going on tonight, the guy will be waiting for you at 'Jane Eyre' at 7 o'clock sharp, don't be late!"

  There was even my sister's giggling voice beside me: "Sis, I'm going to get engaged with Qin Zong at the end of the year. You won't go on blind dates because you still have feelings for Qin Zong, will you? He's already with me, he's my man, you can't keep thinking about him, got it?"

  "If you still want to get back with him, then you're just a mistress!"

  She compromised.

  "Never mind, I'll go tonight!"

  Ji Xiaoli sighed softly, unable to tell whether her heart was more bitter or disappointed, this was her family.

  It's actually right.

  An adopted child is never as good as one's own flesh and blood.

  Her mother hastily married her off just to prevent herself from ruining Qin Zong and Ji Xuewei's relationship. A daughter who has been married off is like spilled water, and in the future, she will be the one who tries to seduce Qin Zong.

  I'm afraid there won't be such an opportunity!

  But everyone ignored one thing, six months ago, she and Qin Zong were a legitimate couple, but now everything has turned upside down.

  "Miss, that's 15 yuan in total."

  His brother saw her unresponsive and loudly quoted a price.

  Ji Xiaoli awkwardly came back to her senses, took out 15 yuan from her purse and handed it over.

  She arrived at the coffee shop and was led by the waiter to the designated table number. The other person had already arrived, tall and thin with a flat head, square face, and wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses.

  It's neither good nor bad.

  "Miss Ji, I am Yuan Zhigang."

  "Ji Xiao Li."

  Ji Xiaoli looked at the cup of mocha on her desk, the rich aroma of milk filling her nostrils. She raised her head and glanced at the man opposite her, somewhat puzzled.

  "I did some homework before I came, Auntie doesn't like plain coffee, only likes Mocha, so I ordered that." The man smiled, but the smile hid a hint of inexplicable weirdness.

  Ji Xiaoli didn't say anything else, just thanked him.

  "What does Miss Ji do?"

  Ji Xiaoli took a shallow sip of her mocha, the rich milk flavor filling her taste buds, and she breathed in deeply with satisfaction.

  Work as a fashion designer in a design company.

  The man faintly forced a smile: "It's a pretty trendy profession, but isn't it true that unknown designers are both miserable and poorly paid... Miss Ji doesn't ask what I do for work?"

  Ji Xiaoli: "......"

  She actually really didn't want to ask.

  "I work as a group consultant for a multinational investment company, and I just returned to China last year. Previously, I studied at Oxford University, and my annual salary is at least seven figures, so I will have more than enough to support my family in the future. For someone like me who is a successful man, what I need most is a virtuous wife and good mother. You don't need to work, but you must take care of me and make me comfortable... I can give you a small portion of my salary for household expenses, but the main part will still be managed by me. You know that men are the ones who truly build great careers, and putting money in a woman's pocket is just a waste..."

  Mr. Yuan spoke eloquently about his own excellence and grandeur, afterwards.

  Ji Xiaoli's silence made him think she was consenting to his words, so he continued talking nonstop.

  "There are not many elders in our family, after marriage, my mother will come to live with us, she is also old, just waiting for a daughter-in-law to let her enjoy the happiness!"

  Implicitly, his wife has to serve him as well as his mother!

  Ji Xiaoli reluctantly took a sip of coffee and dryly interrupted him, "Mr. Yuan, isn't it a bit too early to say these things? We've only just met once."

  "Isn't flash marriage popular these days? My conditions aren't bad at all, don't you like me?"

  Ji Xiaoli suddenly felt a bit hot and dry, the air conditioning in the coffee shop was set too low, it shouldn't have given her this feeling...

  But

  That strange feeling is very strong.

  There seems to be a surge of heat emanating from between my legs.

  She clenched her legs together in discomfort, using her hands to rub the exposed skin, feeling that something was off, but couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.

  The man's hand was somehow placed on top of hers.

  "She was startled and said, 'Mr Yuan, what are you doing?'"

  "Miss Ji, I've liked you since the first time I saw you... Can we try developing something deeper between us? How about it?"

  Yuán Zhì Gāng's phrase "deepen" development is especially meaningful.

  Ji Xiaoli hadn't noticed anything wrong yet, but the heat in her body was getting stronger and stronger, as if countless small ants were crawling on her skin. The unusual feeling in her lower abdomen made her feel an inexplicable sense of shame.

  "Let go of your hand...... um......" She blushed and her ears turned red, the sound in her throat came out unknowingly, she quickly withdrew her hand to cover her mouth.

  What's going on?

  The heartbeat is getting faster and faster, as if the body is yearning for something...

  "Miss Ji, are you feeling unwell somewhere? Your face is so red, could it be a fever? If Auntie finds out about this, I'll really become someone who doesn't know etiquette. Let me see, I'd better take you to the hospital for a check-up."

  Ji Xiaoli shook her head and forced herself to stand up while leaning on the table.

  The man did not comply with her wishes, but instead stretched out his hand to grasp her wrist, the cool touch rubbing against her skin, and even for a moment, she felt a tremble.

  She was startled.

  The man's eyes swept over, pushed his glasses, and a strange smile spread across the edge of his lips.

  "Don't touch me!" The woman in his arms suddenly shouted, and with a strength that was beyond her, she shook off his shackles. Yuan Zhi Gang was caught off guard and was startled by her actions.

  Everyone in the coffee shop turned around.

  Yu Zhi Gang had a moment of embarrassment, and soon adjusted his expression, pretending to be angry: "I've already said that this time it's my fault, what are you still arguing with me about? You don't want to get married now, I respect your opinion, what else are you being stubborn about?"

  After finishing speaking, he went to pull her arm.

  Ji Xiaoli's entire rationality seemed to have been burned away, and she was in a daze, unable to struggle free.

  To others, they were just a young couple who quarreled because of their marriage.

  Yuan Zhi had just dragged him to the front of his car, ready to stuff him in, when Ji Xiao Li felt a sudden drop in temperature around her and narrowed her eyes.

  "I don't want to go in! Where are you taking me?"

  "Of course... of course I'll take you to see a doctor!"

  Yuán Zhì just wanted to stuff people into the car, and the woman was fine just now. At this time, she refused to cooperate and bit him as soon as he approached her.

  "You're a dog! Get in!"

  He grabbed the woman's hair and forcibly pushed her into the car, at which point a black handgun was inserted into the back of his head.

  "Put him down!"

  Yuan Zhi Gang never thought things would turn out this way, holding up his hands and laughing: "Brother, is this a toy gun?... I'm asking you, isn't my family's business being taken too far?"

  The man behind him furrowed his sword-like eyebrows tightly, his eyes cold and deep, a hint of playful sneer flashing at the corner of his lips: "So, you want to try?"