chapter 3

The music from the next stall startled Yin Ranran so badly that she hurried out of the restroom.

I waited a while longer. Once I thought everyone had gone, I finally emerged.

If they discovered that I knew about their “affair,” would they have me silenced? Rich people’s lives always seemed full of danger and excitement.

The instant I stepped out, someone grabbed me and dragged me onto the balcony.

It was Shen Xiao.

I glanced down. We were only on the second floor. If he pushed me, I probably would not be permanently crippled.

While I tried to pretend nothing had happened, he spoke first.

“Impressive fart.”

I stared at him.

He was complimenting the fart instead of asking how much I had overheard. Apparently he truly had no interest in Yin Ranran.

The problem was, the fart had not been mine. How could I steal someone else’s glory?

“That wasn’t me,” I muttered.

He did not seem to care. “Do you really love Xu Chen that much?”

Our contract required us to tell the same story in public and act like I adored him, so I could only nod.

Shen Xiao studied me, then laughed. “What an idiot.”

“Excuse me?”

He let go and started away, only to turn back at the last moment.

“People in our circle shouldn’t give away their hearts. Take as much money as you can, then get out.”

I watched him leave, deeply moved.

At last, someone who understood my soul. How had he known that I planned to run the instant I had collected enough money?

When I returned to the private room, one of their friends had to remind Xu Chen to remove his hand from the back of Yin Ranran’s.

Then I watched him push the steamed egg and shrimp from my place toward her.

I sat down and glared.

His hand paused halfway through serving her food, surprise flickering over his face.

On the drive home, he pulled over and lit a cigarette. After exhaling a cloud of smoke, he said, “Su Ruan, ours is only a contractual relationship. We agreed not to fall for each other.

“I’ve loved Yin Ranran for years. If my family hadn’t interfered, I would have proposed to her long ago.”

I had eaten too much, and the car was warm. Half asleep, I watched his lips move while my mind supplied only one thought.

What the hell was he barking about now?

Xu Chen turned to me. “Su Ruan, don’t look at me like that. I don’t owe you anything.”

Was something wrong with his brain?