The assistant left with a smile, and Jiang Yuyan sighed silently. Just as she was contemplating what to do with the bouquet on her desk, a dialog box suddenly popped up on her computer screen!

Did that guy send flowers again?

Her heart raced, and she quickly typed a response.

Yes.

Did you not agree to his date?

No.

Why not?

My boss doesn’t allow it.

Why doesn’t he allow it?

I have to work late today.

Working late again? Your boss seems to really enjoy torturing you.

You just realized that!

He should reconsider.

He won’t.

Why not?

Because he’s a workaholic too.

Really?

That’s unfortunate. Don’t talk about me; why aren’t you asking her out? You haven’t even called to check in.

How do you know?

I got her call today.

What? Don’t you have anything to say?

You come in.

After the last line of text jumped into her view, Jiang Yuyan closed the chat window, stood up gracefully, and walked towards the general manager’s office. As she pushed the door open, a pair of strong arms swiftly pulled her into an embrace, and the door closed behind her. Jing Rui’s icy lips captured hers with a fiery urgency.

He kissed her fiercely, as if declaring his sovereignty like a domineering king, his tongue savoring every nuance of her lips, gently licking and sucking.

A jolt of electricity coursed through her body, igniting every fine hair on her skin, while her calm blood boiled, craving the pulse of passion.

Finally, when he seemed to have had his fill of kissing, he slowly pulled back, but she remained weak in his arms, momentarily dazed. Noticing her dazed look, he held her cheek in his hand, stroking it tenderly. “Did I scare you?” His deep eyes gleamed with a mischievous, wild light.

She took a deep breath, forcing her scattered thoughts to return to reason, and glared at him cautiously. “This is the office! Didn’t you say we should keep public and private matters separate?”

He smirked slightly, neither apologizing nor explaining, and traced his thumb along his lips, erasing the evidence of their passionate encounter.

She awkwardly straightened her slightly disheveled hair and adjusted her suit collar.

Once both had regained their composure, Jing Rui picked up the half-cold coffee on the table, took a sip, and casually asked, “What did he send you today?”

“Huh?” she was momentarily taken aback.

“Flowers.”

“You mean the ones from Yuanhong?” Understanding dawned on her, and a teasing smile appeared on her lips. “I never knew you were interested in flowers. He was less creative today; he sent red roses.”

Red roses! He curled his lips in disdain. She studied him intently. “You’re not jealous, are you?” He remained silent, leaning against the window, drinking his coffee with an indifferent expression, as if he didn’t care at all. But she knew he did care; otherwise, he wouldn’t have suddenly been interested in messaging her on MSN or kissed her without hesitation as soon as she walked into the office.

“What did Hu Liying say to you on the phone?” he changed the subject.

“She said Mrs. Fang told her that Mr. Fang found a good job at ‘Taiya Group.’” She paused. “Did you recommend him?”

“Mm-hmm.” He admitted.

“I knew it.” The corners of her lips curled slightly, harboring a bitterness even she found hard to distinguish.

“What did you know?”

She shifted her gaze to his face. “To win over Hu Liying’s heart, you finally left a way out for Mr. Fang. Otherwise, no matter who pleaded, you wouldn’t have shown mercy, right?”

Jing Rui smiled slightly but said nothing.

In fact, he had already done this before she suggested it could soften Hu Liying, but there was no need to tell her.

“Hu Liying said she misunderstood you.” She continued. “She feels very sorry and asked me if she should invite you to dinner to express her apology. I can tell she really hopes to meet you but is awkward about how to ask.”

“Is that so?” He didn’t respond directly.

“Why don’t you call her?” She looked at him intently. “Are you playing that ‘wanting to catch but letting go’ game again?”

“If you already know, why ask more?” His eyes locked onto hers, deep and unfathomable, as if holding ancient secrets.

Even though she was used to facing him, her heart still raced. She could imagine how Hu Liying would be unable to resist his magnetic charm.

“Dealing with such a rich young lady requires a sense of distance. Being too proactive will only make her feel your pursuit is cheap and unworthy of her attention.” He sneered, his expression like a leopard zeroing in on its prey.

“I don’t think Hu Liying is that kind of scheming woman; she’s different, she!”

“How is she different?”

“She’s not Ke Caiting.” Jiang Yuyan stared at the man before her, and as she mentioned that long-forgotten name, his indifferent face seemed to crack slightly. “She can’t play your kind of game.”

“Why?” He adjusted his expression and narrowed his eyes at her. “You seem quite protective of Hu Liying. Are you worried I might bully her?”

“She’s a good woman. You’ve talked to her; you should be able to tell.”

“She is indeed good.” He acknowledged this. Compared to many women corrupted by the mundane world, she could be considered a pure little lily. “But she is still a rich young lady, accustomed to being pursued, so she should occasionally experience the taste of waiting for someone to ask her out.”

She was speechless for a long moment, shaking her head in exasperation. “You’re really a devil.” Even when faced with a kind angel, he still insisted on treating her with malice.

“That’s why you call me ‘Demon King,’ isn’t it?” He was nonchalant.

She fell silent, a thousand words trapped on her lips, unable to speak.

“Say what you want to say.” He noticed her hesitation.

“Have you ever thought about it? Rui.”

“Thought about what?”

“Perhaps Hu Liying…” She took a deep breath. “Is very suitable for you.”

“Oh?” He raised an eyebrow.

She gazed deeply at him, her eyes like a spring pool, reflecting his handsome face. “Didn’t you say that your marriage is valuable?”

He suddenly understood the implication behind her words. “Are you suggesting I consider her as a future marriage partner?”