Chapter Twenty-Two: His Desire

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Luo Yichen replied, “It’s going well! I contacted several shareholders of the Xi family to exert pressure on Xi Jingpeng simultaneously. I expect we’ll have results in the next couple of days.”

“Don’t overwork yourself!” Shang Qi said with concern.

Luo Yichen stood up and pulled her into his arms. The subtle fragrance in Shang Qi’s hair gradually eased the tension that had gripped him tightly. He had truly been exhausted these past few days. A man, when weary, most needs the comfort of a woman. Yet Shang Qi was pondering whether they should continue like this. If nothing came of it, it would be best to stop before it was too late.

Luo Yichen’s seductive voice broke the silence: “Tonight, why don’t you come to my apartment with me?”

That night, Shang Qi took the initiative, largely due to the influence of alcohol. Now sober, she truly did not want to go through with it. She quickly sat up from his embrace and retorted, “Didn’t you say the most precious moments should be saved for the wedding night?”

At that moment, Luo Yichen deeply regretted his words. He cursed himself inwardly: Why did you have to show off back then? Now Shang Qi was holding this against him. Though not lustful by nature, he had normal physiological needs. He had been living apart from Yin Guizhen, and Shang Qi forbade him from touching her. So in the past few years, only when he truly couldn't resist did he occasionally seek out other women.

Now that he knew Shang Qi loved him sincerely, he no longer dared to casually pursue other women. But with such a beauty in his arms, being denied was agonizing. Luo Yichen reached out to hold her, intending to kiss her. Having already experienced his forcefulness, Shang Qi quickly stood up, determined to leave before he could grab her.

How could Luo Yichen let such an opportunity slip away? He lifted her into his arms with a swift motion. Shang Qi twisted her waist, trying to get down. Luo Yichen’s strong hands firmly imprisoned her against him. Angrily, she said, “Is this how you act every time we’re alone?”

Luo Yichen kissed her lips as he walked toward the suite. Once inside, he locked the door and pressed her onto the bed with force. His voice was thick with desire as he said, “Who told you to be so tempting? Qi Qi, men have needs like this. Can’t you understand?”

“No!” Shang Qi pushed him away and tried to leave.

Suddenly Luo Yichen said, “Do you want me to find other women to satisfy those needs?”

Shang Qi stopped struggling immediately. She was aware of Luo Yichen’s past with other women. However, since she had never officially accepted his pursuit, she felt she had no right to make demands. She recalled a year ago when they were attending a conference out of town. After a night of entertaining clients, Luo Yichen returned to the hotel heavily drunk.

After helping him lie down, Shang Qi tried to leave but was caught in a flurry of kisses. Terrified, she pushed him away with all her strength. Luo Yichen knew his behavior was excessive and let her go. The next morning, Shang Qi knocked on his door to summon him to the meeting. When he opened the door and invited her in, she hesitated and didn’t enter.

Luo Yichen said bluntly, “I was drunk last night, but now I’m sober. I can have any woman I want; there’s no need to force you. Come in.”

Shang Qi was pulled inside against her will. She saw the bed in disarray, clothes scattered on the floor — his shirts and underwear, her dress and bra. Anyone could guess what had happened there the night before. Her face flushed and her heart ached. She wanted to question Luo Yichen but felt she had no standing.

Luo Yichen’s sharp eyes immediately saw through her thoughts. He deliberately said, “The woman last night was very passionate. I didn’t expect her to mess up the room like this.”

Shang Qi couldn’t bear it and snapped, “I don’t care who or how you sleep with others!”

“Is that so?”

Luo Yichen stepped closer, lifted her chin, and said, “Qi Qi, do you know how hard it was for me to let you go last night?”

“Then you just casually find other women?” Shang Qi suddenly forgot the difference in their identities and confronted him directly.

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Luo Yichen was secretly pleased. The woman from last night had already left, and he hadn’t asked the staff to clean up, deliberately leaving the mess for Shang Qi to discover. Sometimes, a little shock was needed to get her to be honest. He couldn’t stand her indifferent attitude. Even if it meant having a big argument, he wanted to see her reaction.

Luo Yichen said, “If you don’t agree to my request, why can’t I look for someone else?”

Shang Qi realized she had misspoken. Seeing Luo Yichen’s composed demeanor, she felt she’d been outplayed. She glanced at the mark of a woman’s kiss still faintly visible beneath his chin, anger rising once more — but this time she held her tongue.

“I’m sorry! I will remember my place,” Shang Qi said, preparing to leave the room.

Seeing the situation had gotten out of hand, Luo Yichen immediately feigned disappointment. “Do you really not care about me? Or can you accept me being close to other women? I was driven mad by you last night, that’s why I acted that way.”

Shang Qi had no idea of his inner turmoil. She thought Luo Yichen was simply desperate. Innocently, she said, “I can’t agree to your demands. If seeing me makes you this miserable, then maybe I should resign! It hurts me to see you like this.”

A faint, almost imperceptible wicked smile curled at the corner of Luo Yichen’s mouth. He gently took her hand and pleaded, “I don’t want to let you go! I understand your principles, but please, don’t be so cold toward me.”

Shang Qi gave no reply. Luo Yichen took that as consent. From then on, they became somewhat more intimate. Though Shang Qi was reluctant, she no longer resisted Luo Yichen’s advances as fiercely as before.

In the office suite, seeing Shang Qi distracted at a crucial moment, Luo Yichen was irritated. He punished her with a kiss. At that moment, Shang Qi was truly afraid he might seek other women and stopped resisting. Luo Yichen felt her lying stiffly beneath him but for some reason didn’t dare to go further.

He cherished Shang Qi deeply. She was the woman he wanted to marry, very different from the casual affairs he had outside. Suppressing his desire, he let her go and lay beside her. Shang Qi saw him panting and asked, “Can’t take it anymore?”

“What do you think?” Luo Yichen replied irritably. “What kind of era is this? Why are you so prudish?”

Shang Qi wasn’t being prudish. Though Luo Yichen treasured her, he hadn’t given her enough security or trust. She always sensed that he held something back from everyone, including her. Shang Qi feared that once he had her, he might no longer treat her so tenderly. She didn’t have the confidence to handle such a man. But Luo Yichen couldn’t always be the “gentleman.” If he lost control, he would still seek other women.

“Why don’t you come over then?” Shang Qi said.

“Really?” Luo Yichen said as he flipped over and pinned her down. Just as he was about to undress her, he saw fear in her eyes. He stopped. Turning to hold her, he kissed her softly while satisfying himself alone. Shang Qi, inexperienced in such matters, flushed deeply, wishing she could disappear.

After the passion faded, Luo Yichen held Shang Qi close in bed. He was tired and wanted to rest, but Shang Qi was uneasy. After all, this was the CEO’s office suite—what if someone walked in? How would she explain? She stood to leave but was pressed back into his arms.

“Can you tell me what you’re worried about?” Luo Yichen asked.

He was no fool. He sensed Shang Qi’s ambivalence. She wasn’t scheming; she certainly wasn’t trying to provoke him. He wanted to know the real reason.

Shang Qi shrugged it off, “I want to save the most precious for my husband.”

Luo Yichen didn’t doubt her. He had always seen Shang Qi as a little girl and overlooked how much she had grown in his three years by her side. He never imagined she was no longer so innocent, but increasingly aware of men.

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Luo Yichen said, “Alright. I will definitely wait until that day.”

Now awake, he got up and tidied his clothes. Shang Qi’s heart fluttered wildly, her body burning hot. The desire Luo Yichen had stirred in her had not yet faded, and her cheeks still glowed. Seeing this, Luo Yichen smiled mischievously and said, “I should take a picture of you like this. Or maybe I’ll just satisfy you once.”

Shang Qi glared at him and promptly opened the door to leave. Luo Yichen chased after her. “It’s late. Let me take you home.”

“Are you done with work?”

“No. I’ll come back later.”

“Don’t bother. I’ll take a taxi myself.” Shang Qi didn’t want to trouble him.

“What do you mean bother? I don’t feel comfortable letting you go alone! Hurry up!” Luo Yichen grabbed the car keys and went outside. Shang Qi had no choice but to follow.

He drove quickly. He still had much to do tonight and wanted to get back soon. When they reached Shang Qi’s apartment building, she said, “Don’t work too late!”

Luo Yichen smiled softly and kissed her cheek. “I’m taking you upstairs.”

“Stop worrying. It’s not that late.” Shang Qi said firmly.

Luo Yichen had no choice but to say, “Alright. Call me when you get home, then I’ll leave.”

Shang Qi got out and entered her home. She immediately saw her mother looking out the window.

“Mom, what are you looking at?”

“Oh! You’re home already. Was it President Luo who brought you back again?”

Seeing her mother’s suspicious gaze, Shang Qi quickly covered up, “No, it’s the company car. It was late, so the driver just gave me a ride.”

“Really? But the Rolls-Royce is still parked there!”

Shang Qi silently cursed Luo Yichen’s meticulousness. She said quickly, “Mom, I’m going to the bathroom. I’ll talk to you when I come out.”

No sooner had she spoken than she dashed into the restroom. She feared Luo Yichen might open the car door for some fresh air, which would expose the lie she just told her mother. She called Luo Yichen softly, “I’m home. You should go now!”