Chapter One: Finally Divorced

Inside the president's office of Luo Corporation, Luo Yichen closed the file in his hands and looked at the woman sitting across from him. “How much longer must I wait?” he asked.

Shang Qi glanced up at him, a faint smile curving her lips as she refused, “You’re married. Please have some self-respect.”

Luo Yichen smiled slightly, a glimmer of triumph in his eyes. “I’m divorced. Signed the papers just this morning.”

Shang Qi stared at him in disbelief. “Yin Guizhen agreed? Your grandfather had no objections?”

Luo Yichen rose from his seat and walked behind Shang Qi’s chair. Bending down, he spoke slowly by her ear, “Does any of that really matter? What matters is that I am free now.”

His warm breath brushed against the delicate skin of her neck, making her shiver. Her heart grew chaotic. Luo Yichen’s kisses fell lightly upon her, leaving faint traces of red on her pale skin. Shang Qi’s cheeks bloomed with color as her body froze, electrified.

Luo Yichen was pleased by her reaction. His eyes brimmed with desire, his palms burning. He had loved this woman for three years, forced to restrain himself because of his marriage. Now, finally, he was entitled to her—no more secrecy, no more hiding.

Shang Qi gazed at him, confusion clouding her eyes.

Luo Yichen lifted his head and caught her gaze. In a gentle voice, he said, “Don’t be afraid, alright? Leave everything to me. All you need to do is be my woman.”

Before Shang Qi could reply, his searing kiss descended upon her once more. She was terrified—she didn’t know if she ought to love this man. Since graduating three years ago and joining the company, she had become Luo Yichen’s “prey,” unable to escape no matter how she tried.

This married superior was as intoxicating as a poppy—dangerous, forbidden. Shang Qi began to struggle in earnest. Yet to Luo Yichen, her resistance only signaled coy acceptance. He held her tighter, biting at her ear and lips.

Suddenly, Shang Qi wrenched herself free and shouted, “Let me go!”

Her voice was so resolute that Luo Yichen’s actions came to an abrupt halt.

“Why?” he asked.

Shang Qi dared not look at him, and forced herself to say, “Because I don’t love you.”

Luo Yichen’s gaze grew sharp, cutting straight through her pretense. He coaxed, “Come now, don’t be stubborn. Tonight, I want to take you somewhere.”

Shang Qi began to fear this side of Luo Yichen. Driven by his desire, he seemed to be losing reason. She wasn’t sure if he would force himself upon her. Tears shimmered in her eyes, her face pale. Seeing her fear, Luo Yichen’s heart ached. He was tender with Shang Qi only because he loved her deeply, but she seemed to understand it differently.

He released her and soothed, “Don’t be afraid of me. Have I ever forced you to do anything these years? If you’re not ready, I won’t touch you.”

Just then, the door burst open. Yin Guizhen stormed in, hysterical. “Luo Yichen, did you divorce me for her?”

Though nothing inappropriate had happened, Shang Qi shrank back as if caught in the act.

Luo Yichen’s expression remained calm. He shielded Shang Qi with his body. “What happens between us has nothing to do with her.”

Yin Guizhen’s face twisted with rage. She had done anything to marry Luo Yichen, but from the day they wed, he had never touched her. Five years—no matter what she tried, he ignored her.

She continued, “Who are you trying to fool? I’ve caught you both red-handed. Let’s see you on tomorrow’s headlines!”

Luo Yichen was unafraid, but he worried about how this would affect Shang Qi. “If you dare spread rumors, I’ll have her examined immediately. Then you’ll have to explain how I, of all things, cheated with a virgin.”

Yin Guizhen knew Luo Yichen meant what he said. She had sensed for years that his heart belonged elsewhere, but never found out who it was, nor could she gather evidence. After years of endless waiting, she had finally agreed to the divorce. Ironically, she hoped that after signing, Luo Yichen would return to her. Instead, she was met with his pursuit of his beloved.

Her eyes glistened with tears as she glared at Shang Qi behind Luo Yichen. “Luo Yichen, you are truly heartless. I left my family for you, only to spend five years alone.”

There was no pity in Luo Yichen’s eyes. “Wasn’t it for your family’s sake that you came to me? You brought this on yourself—no one else is to blame.”

Yin Guizhen was utterly devastated. She vowed to make him suffer.

With a loud bang, the door slammed shut. Shang Qi looked at Luo Yichen and asked, “Did you really divorce her?”

Luo Yichen’s gaze darkened. “Have I ever lied to you since we met?”

Shang Qi shook her head and went on, “I’ve always wanted to ask—why did you fall in love with me?”

“Because you never lied to me,” Luo Yichen replied earnestly.

A trace of disappointment flickered in Shang Qi’s eyes. “Love with a reason isn’t true love. You’re just lonely—you noticed me because you’ve been alone for too long.”

Luo Yichen tasted her words and was left speechless…

Taking advantage of his distraction, Shang Qi quickly got up and left. Such a man was not someone she could provoke, but she could avoid him. If not for the tempting salary at Luo Corporation, she would have left long ago. Thanks to Luo Yichen, her position and pay had soared year after year. In just three years, Shang Qi had become vice president in charge of legal affairs and HR at Luo Corporation—a role many spent a lifetime striving for but never attained.

After leaving the president’s office, Shang Qi hurriedly composed herself. Yet the marks on her neck could not be concealed. She carefully avoided everyone’s gaze. In truth, no one believed the swiftly promoted vice president had nothing to do with President Luo.

Shang Qi returned to her own office, slightly embarrassed. The events that had just occurred replayed in her mind, leaving her unsettled. It was all Luo Yichen’s fault—he’d called her in to discuss the new labor contract draft, but instead… Images of Luo Yichen flashed through her thoughts, and her face grew hot.

Meanwhile, Luo Yichen sat in his office, smoking endlessly. Shang Qi’s decisive departure had extinguished the fire he’d ignited. Now he was irritated beyond measure. He couldn’t fathom what she was fussing about—why did she never take him seriously? With that, Luo Yichen resolved to test her.

He dialed her number.