---

I glanced at the address and twitched the corner of my eye.

That night, Shen Jinzhou appeared, saying he came to check the samples.

It was rare to see him in a turtleneck sweater with a scarf wrapped tightly around his neck.

I knew what was underneath.

I stared directly at his neck, my mind replaying last night’s scene.

Shen Jinzhou met my gaze and turned his head away somewhat unnaturally.

The boss, unusually excited, began showing off all his skills.

The boss was full of energy, saying, “President Shen, how about we have dinner together tonight? Xiao Lu will come too!”

I declined, “I have to work as a designated driver tonight. Sorry, I’m not free.”

The boss scooted closer to me and said, “Didn’t we agree to have hotpot at my place tonight?”

Shen Jinzhou jumped at the opportunity, “If I join, would the boss mind?”

Of course, the boss wouldn’t mind—he would love to treat this god of wealth like a king.

After the boss brought out the hotpot base, Shen Jinchou’s pupils quivered.

It was a spicy hotpot, covered in chilies.

The boss slapped his forehead, “Ah, I forgot to ask. Can President Shen handle spicy food?”

Shen Jinzhou hesitated and said, “I can handle it.”

Throughout the meal, the boss kept piling food onto his plate.

His smile grew stiff as he ate the food bit by bit.

I ignored his pleading gaze and focused on my own meal.

After dinner, the boss repeatedly reminded me to make sure I sent President Shen home.

I walked briskly ahead, while the footsteps behind me dragged on.

When I turned to look, I saw Shen Jinzhou’s unsteady steps.

I instinctively wanted to help him, but forced myself to turn in the opposite direction.

Suddenly, he squatted down, burying his head in his knees, his shoulders gently shaking.

Outwardly, I remained expressionless, but I couldn’t hide the anxiety creeping up inside me. “What’s wrong?”

His voice was hoarse and weak, “My stomach hurts.”

Last night, he cried and complained about pain, but it turned out he was just a liar.

I waited a while but heard nothing more, so I reached out and pulled him up.

Despite it being winter, his face was drenched in sweat.

I touched him—his skin was ice cold.

My voice, now tinged with nervousness, broke out, “I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Shen Jinchou looked at me and suddenly smiled, “You still care about me.”

---

Acute Gastroenteritis.

He huddled quietly in the corner, getting an IV drip.

I snapped at him, “If you can’t handle spicy food, don’t eat it! Don’t waste medical resources!”

He blinked innocently, “But you seemed to enjoy it. I didn’t want to ruin the mood.”

While fetching his medication, I overheard him on the phone, catching bits of the name Xu Fangtong.

Maybe he was telling the truth. Perhaps his future with Xu Fangtong would be in name only.

But what difference does it make?

Grinding my teeth, I reminded myself that I’ve always been a person who repays kindness with gratitude and revenge with action.

Shen Jinzhou gave me money, and I gave him loyalty.

Once the contract ends, we owe each other nothing.

I’m not one for magnanimity.

Without the contract, I don’t have to play the “obedient dog” anymore.

Without that constraint, I am nothing but a mad dog driven by desire.

That night at the hotel unleashed the demon within me entirely.

I can’t tolerate anyone getting close to him.

I don’t care if he loves me. I just need him by my side.

If necessary, I’ll use any means to keep him with me.

My father always suspected the people around my mother had impure intentions, constantly fearing she would run off with someone else.

A simple act of kindness toward someone else would trigger violence.

In the end, his behavior only pushed my mother further away.

Back then, I thought he didn’t trust her and was simply paranoid.

Now I understand.

Maybe I’m a lunatic too.

But at least I’m self-aware.

The sound of the pillbox creaked as I squeezed it in my hand.

I coldly placed the medicine in front of him.

He looked at me, puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

I stood over him, looking down.

I hate him.

Others might want to dismember their enemies; I want to break his legs and lock him away.

So no one else can provoke him ever again.

I took a deep breath. “Shen Jinzhou, don’t come near me again.”

This is your last chance to escape, Shen Jinzhou.

The sound of high heels echoed through the hall.

I pulled down my cap and brushed past Xu Fangtong, who had hurried over.

From behind, I heard her panicked voice, “Stop moving! You’re still getting an IV! Sit down!”

Shen Jinzhou chased me down the hallway, grabbing me. “There’s nothing between us!”

I gripped his hand, still bleeding from the IV.

“I don’t care.”

His eyes reddened, and he accused, “You don’t care? Then what was that just now? Cutting all ties with me?”

I thought of Xu Fangtong’s worried face. “She cares about you. She’s a good girl. Take care of her.”

Shen Jinzhou, frustrated and furious, shouted, “I told you I’m not interested in her! I don’t feel anything for her! Do you understand?”

I pinched his cheeks to quiet him down. “Aren’t you going to marry her?”

His brow twitched. “It’s just a business deal.”

I responded calmly, “Right. You don’t understand anything. You don’t understand marriage, you don’t understand love.”

He struggled, gripping my collar tightly, “A Xuan, I don’t understand! But do you?”

Seeing that I didn’t respond, he slumped as if drained. “So you’re really done with me? Then what was that night at the hotel?”

Shen Jinzhou bit his lip, staring at me intently, his eyes glistening.

I ran my thumb over his lip. “Let go.”

He obediently opened his mouth, revealing deep teeth marks that looked like they might start bleeding.

No matter what, he shouldn’t end up in this pit.

One of us in the mud is enough.

I forced a smile. “The hotel? That was just to get back at you. I was just playing with you.”

His eyes went blank, staring into the distance as if lost.

---

Shen Jinzhou hadn’t shown up for days.

When I saw the car parked at the entrance, I thought I was seeing things.

He rolled down the window, revealing half his face, eyes bloodshot.

I pretended not to notice and kept walking forward.

The car followed slowly, and the sound of a honk broke the silence.

He called out, “I have something to tell you.”

I ignored him and turned into an alley.

Not long after, there was a loud crash outside.

The sounds of screeching tires, engines, and a loud bang filled the air.

I rushed out and saw Shen Jinzhou’s car, heavily deformed, parked nearby.