Zhou Yi looked at Liang Xianzhang calmly and said, “No, he can’t find out about our relationship.”

“Why?” Liang Xianzhang’s expression darkened, his voice low and dangerous. “Do you still like him?”

Zhou Yi’s gaze shifted slightly, and the corner of his eye twitched. Given that Liang Xianzhang had clearly investigated him, he must have known about his past. This was clearly a test for an Alpha like him, someone who was extremely jealous. If Zhou Yi didn’t handle this carefully, he felt he might never leave this room.

Thinking quickly, Zhou Yi looked Liang Xianzhang straight in the eyes and answered, word by word, “I have never liked him.”

Liang Xianzhang’s eyes betrayed doubt, and with intensity, he pressed on, “Then why can’t he find out about us?”

Zhou Yi almost laughed at the absurdity of the situation. He gritted his teeth, then replied, “Can we have an open relationship now? I’m his kept lover, and we’re having an affair behind his back!”

“If you want, I can help you get rid of him right away,” Liang Xianzhang said in a voice that was eerily calm, as if he were discussing the weather.

Zhou Yi’s heart skipped a beat. Liang Xianzhang’s words felt like a threat, cutting straight to the core of his livelihood. He closed his eyes, trying to steady his breathing. When he opened them again, he managed to speak, “You can’t do that. I’m with him for the money. If he finds out, how can I make money from him? He hasn’t even paid me alimony for this month yet.”

Liang Xianzhang seemed taken aback by Zhou Yi’s response. The weight of his words seemed to have calmed him, and his demeanor shifted slightly. He asked quietly, “Is everything I do for you just about money?”

Zhou Yi nodded, his voice firm, “Then what else is there? I’m not sick. I don’t like someone like him. If he didn’t give me a lot of money, I would’ve left a long time ago.”

Liang Xianzhang paused, a thought lingering in his eyes. “Then… can’t I take his place?” His tone was sincere. “I have a lot of money.”

Zhou Yi blinked, utterly speechless.

Liang Xianzhang was truly a man who couldn’t be reasoned with.

Zhou Yi turned over in his arms, now thoroughly frustrated. “I don’t want your money.”

Liang Xianzhang gently pulled him back against his chest, his voice a whisper. “Why?”

Zhou Yi, still angry, muttered sullenly, “Why so many questions? I just don’t want it.”

His reasons were simple: growing up poor had made Zhou Yi value money more than anything. It was the only thing that could guarantee survival—a full stomach, a roof over his head. Love and relationships were secondary. But when it came to Liang Xianzhang, he didn’t want to get involved with money. Not in this context.

Liang Xianzhang sighed, helplessly. “Then how long do you plan to keep this up with him? Can you give me a rough time?”

Zhou Yi hesitated before replying, “Until the contract expires.”

Liang Xianzhang raised an eyebrow. “How long is that?”

Zhou Yi, already growing annoyed, turned to glare at him. “When his ‘white moonlight’ comes back from studying abroad, I’ll break up with him. Until then, our relationship can’t be discovered by him. Can you manage that?”

For a moment, Liang Xianzhang said nothing. His gaze was intense, and a fleeting emotion flickered in his eyes—so fast that Zhou Yi could hardly catch it. After a beat, he nodded. “Alright. I won’t let him find out.”

Just as the words left his mouth, the phone on the bedside table buzzed several times. Liang Xianzhang reached for it and glanced at the screen.

Zhou Yi felt a strange tension in the air and asked, “He’s coming back?”

Liang Xianzhang didn’t confirm or deny it. Instead, he simply told him, “Save my number.”

Zhou Yi, not wanting to argue, took his phone and saved the contact. He even added him as a WeChat friend, earning a satisfied nod from Liang Xianzhang.

Liang Xianzhang then stood up and pulled several handbags from the closet. He placed them in front of Zhou Yi. “Wear these. They’re all washed and ironed.”

Zhou Yi stared at the various brand logos on the shopping bags, feeling slightly dizzy. “Where are the clothes I wore yesterday?”

“I threw them away.”

Zhou Yi blinked in surprise. “Why throw them away?”

Liang Xianzhang replied nonchalantly, “I don’t like the things he bought for you.”

Zhou Yi had no response to that. He was helpless. And with the thought that Shang Yichen might return at any moment, he didn’t want to continue the conversation. He picked up the nearest bag and went to the bathroom to change.

Liang Xianzhang stood in the same spot, watching Zhou Yi. He took a new box from the bottom drawer of the bedside table, opened it, and took out a necklace. He shook it lightly in front of him, his eyes betraying an unclear emotion.

Zhou Yi quickly changed into the clothes Liang Xianzhang had prepared. The design was simple, with no overt logos, and they fit his style well.

Liang Xianzhang tucked the necklace into his trouser pocket and walked over to Zhou Yi. He buttoned the unfastened buttons on his shirt and looked at him with a satisfied smile. “It suits you very well.”

Zhou Yi hesitated but then said, “Then I’ll leave.”

Liang Xianzhang didn’t budge. “I’ll take you.”

Zhou Yi waved him off, “It’s just a few steps away. I can go by myself.” As he turned to leave, Liang Xianzhang followed.

At the door, Zhou Yi noticed the shoes he had worn the day before were missing. He assumed they had been misplaced and reached for the door handle, preparing to leave.

But before he could turn the knob, Liang Xianzhang pushed him against the door.

Zhou Yi startled, about to protest, but Liang Xianzhang pressed the back of his head and kissed him roughly. The intensity of the kiss stole his breath away, the heat of it leaving him dizzy.

When they finally separated, Zhou Yi’s legs went weak, and he collapsed into Liang Xianzhang’s arms, his cheeks flushed and his lips swollen.

Liang Xianzhang looked down at him with a sense of satisfaction only he could feel. Zhou Yi’s expression was one that Shang Yichen would never see—only Liang Xianzhang could claim such a sight.

After spending the night together and talking, Zhou Yi had a better understanding of Liang Xianzhang’s feelings. His behavior, especially his jealousy, was intense—an Alpha’s possessive nature that Zhou Yi couldn’t fully comprehend.

Liang Xianzhang reached into his pocket and pulled out the necklace again. “If you don’t want to wear the watch, wear this.”

Before Zhou Yi could refuse, Liang Xianzhang slipped the necklace over his head, tucking it into his shirt with a deliberate, final movement.

Zhou Yi, understanding there was no use in arguing, swallowed his words. It was best to keep quiet; the necklace could be easily hidden, and Shang Yichen would never notice it.

Liang Xianzhang touched his face gently, his voice calm yet with an edge. “Contact me immediately if you have any problems.”

Zhou Yi nodded, agreeing, but his thoughts were still clouded by the emotions he couldn’t shake.

“Also,” Liang Xianzhang whispered, kissing him on the lips with a tenderness that barely concealed the coldness in his voice, “Don’t let him touch you. If he does… I don’t know what I’ll do.”