Chapter 19: Negotiation

The man finally kissed the cherry lips he had longed for day and night, growling with suppressed desire.

The kiss quickly devolved into biting, as he lost control.

The girl whimpered in pain, but the man refused to let her go.

He turned and lifted her onto the wide desk. The cold surface pressed against her warm skin, making her shiver uncontrollably.

“Mm—”

Li Qingqing clenched her teeth, trying her best not to make a sound, suddenly aware—they were still in Lu Yan’s office.

It wasn’t until night began to fall and Li Qingqing was utterly exhausted that Lu Yan finally carried her into the bathtub. As she lay in the warm water, her fatigue gradually faded.

Wait a second—something felt off.

Wasn’t this Lu Yan’s office?

Why was there a bathroom here? And a bathtub?

Li Qingqing turned her head and realized… wasn’t that a bed in the adjoining room?

This man actually set up a full suite in his office?

Stunned, Li Qingqing looked up at the man who was now showering. “Why… is there a suite in your office?”

Lu Yan had his back to her as water ran down his muscular chest, defined abs, and V-line. The sight made Li Qingqing’s face flush red.

He casually replied while lathering up, “Sometimes I work late and rest here.”

After his shower, Lu Yan changed into a clean white shirt, crisp collar, and a tailored black suit. He now looked aloof and refined—completely different from the man who had been consumed by desire just moments ago.

Wrapped in a towel, Li Qingqing stepped out of the bathroom, awkwardly saying, “Um… my clothes are ruined…”

Only then did Lu Yan remember he’d torn them apart earlier.

He picked up the phone. “Shen Xing, buy a full set of women’s clothing—inside and out.” He glanced at Li Qingqing. “Sizes?”

Li Qingqing awkwardly shifted in place. “…168 cm, 45 kg…” The rest, she couldn’t bring herself to say.

Noticing her discomfort, Lu Yan said directly into the phone, “Height 168, weight 45. Get every bra size in a full set.”

Then he hung up briskly before Li Qingqing could even stop him.

This man was ridiculous with money.

While they waited for the clothes to arrive, Li Qingqing got straight to the point. “Can you transfer the money now? I really need it.”

Lu Yan glanced at her, crossed his arms, and leaned against the desk. “I haven’t finished stating my conditions.”

Li Qingqing’s heart tightened. “What… other conditions?”

Lu Yan looked straight at her and spoke slowly: “First, starting today, you’re moving in with me.

Second, no contact with other men without my permission.”

Li Qingqing hesitated. “Normal coworker interaction is fine, right?”

Lu Yan let out a snort. “What? Can’t bear to be apart from Mu Xingyi?”

“I told you already—Mu Xingyi and I are just colleagues. Stop overthinking it, will you?” Li Qingqing was tired of explaining.

“I can give you money and help you find a better job. You don’t have to keep working at Mu Xingyi’s hospital.”

“That’s different,” she refused firmly.

There it was again—that phrase. Lu Yan was starting to get angry. “Can’t you stop being so ungrateful?”

Li Qingqing’s gaze grew cold. “Then forget it. No deal.” She grabbed her torn clothes and prepared to put them back on.

She could just borrow the one million from Mu Xingyi. She really didn’t want him to know how desperate she was, but there was no other choice.

Seeing her act so decisively, Lu Yan panicked. “…Fine, I’ll drop the second condition.”

Li Qingqing paused, then looked at him coldly. “I want to add one more.”

Lu Yan realized he was completely at her mercy now. “Say it.”

Right now, he needed her 100%, while she probably only needed his money.

“You’re not allowed to interfere with my job,” she said firmly.

Knowing he had no leverage, Lu Yan nodded. “I agree.”

Li Qingqing dropped the tattered clothes and held out her phone. “Then transfer the money.”

Lu Yan glanced at her, took her phone, and tapped it skillfully—pulling up her WeChat QR code, scanning it, verifying, and adding her as a friend.

“Sorry, I deleted you in a fit of rage earlier.”

Li Qingqing rolled her eyes, thinking: This guy is so childish. Acts all domineering, then pulls immature stunts like blocking and deleting people.

As he exited the screen, Lu Yan’s eyes caught a line of text on her phone wallpaper:
“Chasing the sun and moon, unfettered by mountains and rivers.”

The all-black wallpaper featured that simple line in small font. The last time he had her phone to add her on WeChat, he didn’t notice it—just thought it was a plain black background.

Back then, he wondered what kind of bright, youthful girl would use such a deep and minimal screen.

Now he realized—it actually matched her cold, distant demeanor quite well.

Li Qingqing took her phone and glanced at WeChat—there was no transfer.

She frowned and looked at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Lu Yan raised an eyebrow and replied slowly, “Ruian Hospital. Emergency room. Xie Ze. That’s right, isn’t it?”