Chapter 12 Pulled Back from the Edge
It wasn’t until seven that I finally slipped out of Chen Yinian’s arms.
“I have to go talk to the Client about the Project. I need to get up.”
His fluffy head stayed buried in my neck, his body pressed flush against mine, refusing to let go.
So close I could feel the faint ridges of his abs.
“Don’t go. I’ll support you.” He kissed my collarbone.
I shook my head.
“Lin Fei said your parents kicked you out. Let me support you instead.”
Chen Yinian stiffened for a few seconds, then laughed, low and pleased.
“Fine. You support me.”
...
By the time I actually left, it was already seven forty-five.
He wanted to drive me.
His Maybach was too conspicuous. I talked him out of it after a long struggle.
I endured the sharp ache in my waist and the soreness between my legs, went downstairs, and hailed a cab.
On the ten-minute ride to Guanyue Restaurant, I felt a happiness I couldn’t put into words.
So happy that even drinking with the Client didn’t feel repulsive anymore.
My smile hadn’t fully faded when I reached my colleagues.
Outside the Private Room, two or three of them lingered, looking uneasy.
I frowned. “What’s wrong?”
After a pause, the team leader spoke. “The leaders from the Client’s side are inside. They asked to see only you.”
A female colleague added, “Su Mian, we worked so hard on this Project…”
I glanced at the “Quiet” sign on the door.
They wanted only me?
The chain had good security cameras.
I thought it over for a long time, then nodded.
The team leader relaxed. “The door can’t be locked from inside. Safety first.”
I nodded again.
I pushed the door open and walked in.
The door closed slowly behind me.
Jiang Wujie sat there.
He had chased me for a while back then, even after knowing I had a boyfriend.
He once drugged my drink at the Bar. Chen Yinian nearly beat him to death for it.
“Remember me? I still like you. You and Chen Yinian are done, right? Want to consider me now?”
He sat with his legs crossed, looking down at me.
“Come with me, and this Project is yours. Every Project you handle from now on, I’ll approve directly.”
I bit my lip, searching for the least damaging way out.
“Your previous contact said the company valued this Project. Do you really want to sabotage yourself? I can leave the team and take nothing. Keep work and personal matters separate.”
My voice stayed as calm as I could manage.
Jiang Wujie threw his head back and laughed like I’d told the funniest joke.
“Fine. Personal matters it is.”
“I heard you went back to that small town with your Fiance, got pregnant, then miscarried?
“Three months, according to the report. That wasn’t Chen Yinian’s kid, was it? Tsk.”
My breath caught. My body trembled.
“How do you know?”
He shrugged. “Saw you when I took my ex for an abortion. That drunk cursing guy—wasn’t that your dad?”
He smirked again.
“Trying to climb into the Chen family now? Not afraid of dirtying their doorstep?”
The familiar pain flooded back, needles twisting into my bones.
My thoughts blurred.
Self-loathing rose again, unstoppable.
“Sleep with me once, and I’ll give you five hundred thousand.
“Chen Yinian wouldn’t want you anymore.”
His voice sounded like it came from hell.
Breathing hurt. I opened my mouth for air.
My gaze locked on the wide-open window.
That terrifying thought felt like salvation.
Fifth floor.
It would be quick.
My heel had just lifted when the door was kicked open behind me.
A cold hand seized my wrist, slid down, fingers interlocking tightly.
Chen Yinian’s voice was ice.
“Su Mian, are you trying to drive me insane?”
He didn’t spare Jiang Wujie a glance.
He pulled me out.
We passed my stunned colleagues. He moved fast, anger radiating off him.