Chapter 18: Say It—Say You Regret It

“You’re Miss Li, right?”

Li Qingqing turned around and found the person looked somewhat familiar.

After thinking for a moment, she suddenly remembered—he seemed to be Lu Yan’s secretary. That night, it was him who had driven them back to the Wanhua apartment.

“…Yes, I am. You’re President Lu’s secretary, right? I remember your name is Shen Xing?” Li Qingqing said, trying to recall.

Shen Xing smiled. “That’s me. I didn’t expect you to remember my name. Are you here to see President Lu?”

Li Qingqing nodded. “Yes… I need to talk to him. Can you take me to him?”

“Of course. Miss Li, this way.”

He led her toward the elevator, and Li Qingqing quickly followed.

Inside the elevator.

Shen Xing looked at her curiously. Based on their past interactions, this Miss Li seemed to have an unusual relationship with their president.

“Is there something specific you need from President Lu?” Shen Xing made small talk.

Li Qingqing lowered her head in embarrassment, replying in a small voice, “Just… something personal…”

Realizing he might be prying, Shen Xing wisely fell silent.

He brought Li Qingqing up to the 27th floor. They walked through a long hallway and finally stopped outside the CEO’s office.

Shen Xing knocked on the door. A familiar voice came from inside.

“Come in.”

He pushed the door open and gestured for Li Qingqing to wait a moment.

Li Qingqing stood outside the CEO’s office, glancing around.

Everything was clean, tidy, bright, and spacious—worlds apart from her modest home. The stark contrast made her feel a sharp sense of disconnect. Just this morning, she had been scrubbing floors in her dingy, broken house. Now, she was standing outside the office of Fengze Group’s president.

The dark wooden door exuded a sense of strength and authority, while the gold-plated nameplate shimmered with the sheen of wealth.

So this is where he works?

Li Qingqing had never seriously thought about the class divide between her and Lu Yan—but now, it felt like she was staring directly into that reality.

She looked down at her clothes, cheap pieces bought online for less than twenty yuan, and her worn-out pale sneakers she’d had for years. A heavy wave of inferiority surged up in her chest.

But that feeling passed quickly—she couldn’t afford to dwell on shame now. Something even more humiliating awaited.

Soon, Shen Xing emerged and signaled her to go in.

Li Qingqing took a deep breath and stepped into Lu Yan’s office with stiff, uneasy steps.

At the moment, Lu Yan was still looking down at some documents, not even sparing her a glance.

He wore a custom-tailored black suit today, his hair neatly styled, cold and handsome features focused on the papers in front of him. His slender hands lightly brushed the pages, producing a soft rustling sound in the otherwise silent office.

Li Qingqing’s throat felt dry, and her heart thundered. She stood on the pristine floor, awkward and unsure what to do.

Was he still mad at her? Had he changed his mind?

Clearing her throat, she asked hesitantly, “That offer… is it still valid?”

The moment the words left her lips, a hot flush surged through her. The closed room, the man’s indifference—it all made her feel an overwhelming sense of shame.

Lu Yan finally put down the documents and looked up at her.

His gaze held coldness, amusement, and a touch of contempt.

“You regret it now?”

His voice was chilly and devoid of warmth.

Li Qingqing stiffly nodded, biting her lip without responding.

He let out a cold snort and ordered in a voice that was like ice:

“Say it. Say. You. Regret. It.”

His expression was dark, tinged with anger.

“…I… regret it,” Li Qingqing forced out the words with great difficulty, like submitting to some sort of training.

Lu Yan rose from behind the large mahogany desk, propping his hands on its surface.

He watched her quietly, like he was admiring prey about to step into a trap.

“Come here.”

His voice was still cold, with a commanding tone.

Li Qingqing walked slowly to stand in front of him, eyes cast down, never looking at his face.

Lu Yan studied her carefully. He could still see faint tear streaks on her cheeks, her hair was a bit messy, and her complexion unusually pale—clearly, something had happened.

But Lu Yan had already investigated her family background. Growing up in such an environment, it was no surprise she’d be weighed down by it. That was exactly why he had been certain she would come back to him—just not this quickly.

He gazed at her face and let out a mocking smile. “Didn’t you say you’d never be with me? Regretting so soon?”

Li Qingqing lifted her eyes slightly, her expression dim. She didn’t care how he mocked her now—as long as their deal could continue, she’d endure it.

After a moment’s pause, she spoke calmly, “One year. Like you said. I’ll stay for a year, and you give me one million.”

Her eyes no longer held the earlier shame or panic—she looked like someone making a routine transaction.

Lu Yan was silent for a few seconds, then sneered. “One million? Li Qingqing, do you think that little of me? I could pay ten times that just to sleep with someone once. A whole year? Just one million? Don’t you think you’re selling yourself short?”

“Whether I’m shortchanged or not is my business. It has nothing to do with you.”

Li Qingqing’s gaze was resolute, her posture straight. She didn’t flinch at his derision.

Lu Yan fell silent. Was this woman stupid? When she had the chance to make a real fortune, she chose to act all aloof and proud?

She’d already sold herself—yet only asked for one million?

Did she not understand who he was? He was Lu Yan of the Lu family, president of Fengze Group! One million for a year? That was an insult!

Lu Yan scratched his head, momentarily at a loss for words.

Would being with such a foolish woman make him stupid too?

Seeing him remain silent for so long, Li Qingqing thought he was backing out.

She nervously stepped closer, tugging on the hem of his jacket, looking up at him with soft, pleading eyes.

“Will you agree…?”

Her voice was soft and sweet, her teary apricot eyes wide and innocent, gazing into his.

Lu Yan’s heart skipped a beat.

He stared at her, those few messy strands of hair stuck to her pale cheek, and her trembling pink lips looked utterly tempting.

Since the last time he slept with her, it had been nearly a month. He was already at his limit.

The girl leaned in even closer, and her sweet scent flooded his senses.

Suddenly, Li Qingqing felt his arm tighten around her waist.

And then—his kiss fell on her, heavy and fierce.

…