Chapter 7 – I’m Not Interested in You

Song Kexia rushed to the teahouse by bus. Standing at the entrance, she took several deep breaths before stepping inside.

There were quite a few patrons—some elderly men gathered around chessboards. As she looked around, she noticed a man gazing in her direction.

The moment she saw that face, her limbs went cold. The scenes from her nightmare surged back into her mind.

It was him—the man who had imprisoned and tortured her.

She wanted to turn and run, but she couldn’t. She knew that if she showed even a hint of fear, this devil would only become more aggressive.

She inhaled deeply and walked toward Zhao Yinqiu.

She didn’t notice that in a corner, another person had been watching her all along.

Across from Qin Muye sat a young man. Seeing Qin Muye staring at the entrance, he turned to look and spotted Song Kexia.

“Pretty girl. Sixth Brother, interested?”

Qin Muye withdrew his gaze lightly. “No interest.”

“If you’re not interested, why were you staring at her?”

“Less nonsense.”

“Alright, alright.”

That young man couldn’t help glancing at her again from the corner of his eye, watching as she took a seat opposite a male comrade.

A boyfriend? Well, even if he were interested, that’d be a dead end.

Song Kexia walked up to Zhao Yinqiu, digging her nails into her palm just to suppress the urge to flee.

Still, she couldn’t bring herself to smile. Pretending not to know him, she greeted, “Hello, I’m Song Kexia. Are you Comrade Zhao Yinqiu?”

Zhao Yinqiu’s gaze swept over her slowly. She was even younger and prettier than when he’d seen her before.

She wore a dress and small leather shoes—clearly she had taken this blind date seriously.

Perhaps she’d hurried over just now; her face was a little pale. But her delicate demeanor was captivating—she didn’t have to do anything, just standing there was enough to draw the eye.

No wonder she’d occupied his thoughts for so long. Even if it had taken effort to see her in person, it was worth it.

“Comrade Song, I’m Zhao Yinqiu. Please, sit.”

He stood and politely pulled out her chair.

But Song Kexia felt no warmth or gentleness from him—only a sickening, snake-like clinginess that made her want to vomit.

When he came closer, she instinctively took a step back, her heart tightening, her body trembling.

Zhao Yinqiu’s brows lifted slightly. “Am I that fierce, to scare you so?”

“I… no, I’m just not used to being so close to male comrades,” she forced herself to answer calmly.

“Comrade Song, don’t worry. I’m not a bad person.”

He smiled in a refined, gentlemanly way—if not for the dream, she might have been fooled by the façade.

She said nothing and sat down.

The waiter brought two plates of snacks and poured tea.

“I didn’t know what you like to eat, so I didn’t order on my own. See if there’s anything you’d like,” Zhao said.

“No need, I’m fine. Director Zhao, this is enough.”

The waiter left, and Zhao began his self-introduction:

“I’m the deputy director of the steel plant, thirty-one years old, divorced, with a son and daughter—but you don’t need to worry, they’re with my parents. I also have a married younger sister. My parents are retired steelworkers with savings, so no need to worry about their retirement. I live in a three-bedroom apartment in the plant’s housing compound. Anything else you’d like to know?”

“I don’t have questions, but you might want to know about me. I just graduated high school. My requirement is that my partner be no more than five years older than me, so you’re out. I’ve never dated, so I won’t consider someone divorced, and especially not someone with children—I won’t raise another person’s kids. My partner must have good character and be responsible.”

As she spoke, his smile slowly faded, his face darkening. Every condition she listed excluded him.

“In that case, why did you even come?”

“My mother told me to first keep you appeased, have you help my second brother settle a matter, and then deal with other things later. But I think you seem sincere, Director Zhao, so I don’t want to deceive you.”

Zhao’s eyes turned cold. “Your mother really told you that?”

“Yes.”

“Comrade Song, has anyone told you you’re terrible at lying?”

He had spoken with Li Yunmei before—an extremely calculating woman, easy to control. Promise her enough benefits and she would obey.

He believed that if he said the word, she’d force Song Kexia to marry him tomorrow.

Her refusal must be her own idea.

Ever since he’d first seen her, he had been captivated. She resembled his first love—not just in looks, but in gentle, soft-spoken temperament.

Back then, they had been ready to marry, but she died in an accident—a lifelong regret.

So from the first moment he saw Song Kexia, he was interested. Learning more about her only made him more determined.

He liked clean, pure women like her. And yet, she had rejected him.

With his current status and wealth, countless women chased after him, throwing themselves into his arms for a good job and stable life. He dismissed them all.

Her rejection made him angry—she didn’t know what was good for her—but it also made his desire to conquer her stronger.

The more indifferent she was, the more satisfying it would be to make her yield.

Song Kexia could see it in his eyes—like a poisonous snake. A chill ran down her spine.

“Director Zhao, I’ve said what I wanted to say. How you take it is none of my concern.”

“Comrade Song, anything I set my eyes on, I get. I’ve never failed.”

He smiled, but his eyes were like shards of ice.

Her hair stood on end, a primal reaction to extreme danger.

The images of him tormenting her in her dream flashed again in her mind—this man was a devil wearing human skin.

With a clink, her trembling hand knocked over a glass of water. It fell and shattered on the floor.

Zhao looked at her with interest—prey’s fear was always delightful to watch.

She dug her nails deeper into her palm to keep from shaking, but the fear still flooded in. She didn’t know what to do.

Just then, a tall figure leaned down, casting a shadow over her.