Volume One, Chapter 20: Who Could Be As Vile As Him?

The car came to a stop at the entrance of the resort.

As he led her to the front desk to check in, Wen Yang finally understood what he meant by pushing for sales performance.

The receptionist couldn’t help but let their gaze linger a little longer on Wen Yang—after all, it was the first time they’d seen their boss arrive with a woman to stay.

They even followed the proper procedure to book the room.

What was more surprising was that this beautiful woman was paying for the room herself.

The receptionist glanced again at the man whose appearance and demeanor were exceptional.

They began to doubt their own eyes, wondering if they had mistaken him for someone else…

Wen Yang opened her payment code, and when the confirmation tone for the deposit sounded, a sharp pang of regret pierced her.

The room cost four digits per night. Only now, having boarded this “pirate ship,” did she realize that Yan Chuan deliberately did this!

Even though his business deal had fallen through, he still wanted her to “bleed” on his turf.

Meanwhile, Yan Chuan stood leisurely behind her, his posture relaxed.

Who else could be so cruel?

As the “President Yan,” this shameless man had not a hint of embarrassment on his face. Instead, he sarcastically said, “Even a fly’s leg is meat.”

“Thank you, Miss Wen, for contributing to our resort.”

At his words, Wen Yang forced a smile and replied, “President Yan, you’re too kind.”

She took the room card handed over by the receptionist.

Coincidentally, the room was right next to the one she had stayed in the previous night.

Yan Chuan casually glanced at the room card in her hand and, seeing the number, drawled in a teasing tone, “Don’t come barging in to molest me again tonight…”

Wen Yang: …

After leaving that remark, he walked away.

Feeling defrauded, Wen Yang was led by the staff to her room.

She swiped the card and entered. The layout was familiar, and beyond the floor-to-ceiling window, a delicate courtyard lay quietly spread out.

Wen Yang sank into the soft sofa, and after that little episode, her mood was not as sour as when she left the police station earlier.

Gathering herself, she began shopping for disposable items on her phone.

After more than ten minutes of browsing, just as she was about to place the order, a sudden knock sounded at the door.

Wen Yang went to open it and found the butler, Fang Yi, standing outside.

“Miss Wen, hello. Considering you may need these, our hotel specially prepared some disposable items for you. We hope this adds to the convenience of your stay.”

Fang Yi spoke with warmth and courtesy, carrying two bags emblazoned with the resort’s logo.

Wen Yang’s eyes briefly scanned the two large bags, surprised, then politely took them. “Thank you.”

Back in her room, she opened the bags. One contained disposable bath towels, toiletries, and some skincare samples.

The other held disposable underwear, a shirt dress, and a healing ointment for the face…

The thoughtfulness was astonishing.

…

“President Yan, the items have all been delivered.”

When Yan Chuan received Fang Yi’s message, he was just pushing open the door of a private room.

Inside, several men were chatting on the sofa—old acquaintances, mostly working at Guangyu Technology.

The wine in their glasses swayed, mingling with the soft laughter of female hostesses nearby, painting a vivid picture of nightlife.

Han Ting’s eyes locked onto Yan Chuan as he entered. He was drunk, cheeks flushed faintly red, and even his complaints were tinged with alcohol.

“You’re really so unloyal! You left me all alone here; I almost got drowned by those old men!”

Yan Chuan, seeing he was clearly drunk, didn’t bother arguing. Instead, he strolled casually to a sofa, throwing his legs up on the coffee table, exuding a rebellious aura.

He pulled out a cigarette and lit it.

The red light in the room cast a wild and alluring shadow across his features.

One of the most striking hostesses had been sneaking glances at him since he arrived. Seeing him sitting alone in the corner smoking, she couldn’t resist approaching to pour him a drink.

Yan Chuan didn’t even look at her, utterly disinterested.

Han Ting got up and plopped down beside him, finally venting his frustrations without restraint.

“You say you don’t care, but your heart says otherwise.”

“I’m only now realizing you’re just a stubborn hopeless romantic.”

Yan Chuan wrinkled his nose at the smell of alcohol on him and shifted slightly away, lazily retorting, “I’m only now realizing you actually look better after drinking.”

Han Ting was stunned, surprised to hear a compliment from him for once.

Curious, he asked, “Really? Could it be that the alcohol releases some male pheromones?”

Qi Jingci, sitting nearby, came over. He had just opened a law firm and was also the head of legal affairs at Guangyu. Part of the trio with Han Ting and Yan Chuan, they had been friends since childhood.

Both waited expectantly for Yan Chuan’s next words.

Yan Chuan’s sharp eyes flicked over, sneering, “It’s a kind of beauty born from a missing brainstem.”

Han Ting: …

Qi Jingci laughed aloud. Usually cold-tempered, it didn’t stop him from enjoying watching Han Ting get put in his place by Yan Chuan.

Han Ting immediately slapped himself, realizing he shouldn’t harbor any illusions about this young master.

He took a sip of his drink but remained restless, continuing to gossip, “Was she touched? You even personally sent her back?”

Yan Chuan lazily raised the corner of his eyes, annoyed by the noise. “You talk too much already; now that you’re drunk, it’s even worse.”

Qi Jingci, having heard bits and pieces, finally figured something out. He shifted past Han Ting and sat beside Yan Chuan.

“So, the reason you called me to set a trap for Wen Yiqian was because of Wen Yang?”

Yan Chuan didn’t answer but tapped the half-smoked cigarette on the ashtray, tacitly confirming.

“He’s still in the hospital. It’s hard to set a trap there—we have to wait until he’s out. We still need to be careful.”

The reason caution was needed was obvious.

Qi Jingci was reliable, but even this cold, indifferent lawyer couldn’t resist asking, “So, what’s the status between you two now?”

What status?

Yan Chuan thought of Wen Yang, who had been persuaded to stay at the resort, the reddened eyes she showed in the convenience store, and her accusations at the police station.

Those few “pearls” she had dropped seemed to fall into his heart again, stirring ripples.

He said nothing, only clinking his glass against Qi Jingci’s, replying simply, “Thanks.”

Han Ting, feeling ignored, sniffed out a hint of “secrets” and leaned in, “What are you two talking about? Don’t keep me out.”

Yan Chuan dropped the topic and lazily asked him, “Has the design draft for the company been finalized yet?”

Mentioning work, Han Ting let out a drunken hiccup and looked disheartened.

He was adept at socializing and networking, but by evening, staring at draft after draft, his eyes glazed over.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t choose, but none quite hit the mark. The established design firms, wary of making a misstep and ruining the big project, all submitted rather conventional proposals.

Excluding the draft of someone he had liked from the start, it was complicated.

Yan Chuan saw the meaning behind Han Ting’s drooping face, toying with his glass as if pondering seriously.

After a few seconds, he said, “If you can’t decide, go with hers.”

Go with who?

Han Ting’s alcohol-addled brain was slow to process.

When his eyes met Yan Chuan’s, he finally grasped the implication.

“…Are you messing with me on purpose?” Han Ting couldn’t help but curse.

Yan Chuan tilted his head slightly in response, his voice lazy, “Prepare the contract for tomorrow.”