Li Nanxun knocked on the door. "Come in," called a cool, clear voice from inside.
She opened the door. "Chairman Shen, Secretary Song is here," she announced flatly to Shen Chi Yan, who sat absorbed in his work.
He barely acknowledged the interruption with a soft "mm," not even bothering to look up.
Song Qi Nian had been in Shen Chi Yan's office before, but its grandeur never failed to take her breath away. The space was a study in minimalism—black, white, and gray throughout—yet the premium materials and expert decoration transformed what could have been stark into something undeniably majestic.
Several black and white paintings adorned the walls, each one a prized acquisition from various art auctions. Not one had sold for less than 500,000. The contrast between them as a married couple struck her anew: Shen Chi Yan swimming in wealth, while she scraped by.
Her eyes drifted to her husband. Today he wore a black suit with a crisp white shirt and black tie.
A black tie.
Her heart skipped a beat. While others might miss its significance, Song Qi Nian knew better.
Shen Chi Yan's ties were a window into his mood. When content, he favored colors—usually red or blue. But black? Black meant danger. Black meant she needed to tread with utmost caution, her guard up beyond one hundred percent.
Yet thinking back, she realized something. Since their marriage, he'd worn nothing but black ties—except for that one blue and white striped one, a gift from Lin Qiu Tong. Had he truly not known a single moment of happiness in all these three years?
When Shen Chi Yan finally finished his work, he looked up to find Song Qi Nian with her head down, absently picking at her fingernails. He couldn't see her expression or guess at her thoughts.
"Do you know what will happen if I find your nail clippings on the floor?"
At the sound of Shen Chi Yan's voice, Song Qi Nian startled and quickly hid her hands behind her back, as if he might actually follow through on his threats to chop them off.
Shen Chi Yan's frown deepened.
He rose from his desk and approached her with measured steps. The pressure built with each one, forcing Song Qi Nian to retreat instinctively.
"Take one more step back and I'll throw you from the eighteenth floor!"
Song Qi Nian froze, too terrified to move. Why was he always like this, threatening to mutilate her or toss her from the building?
Seeing her compliance, his expression softened marginally. "Do you know why I called you here?"
Song Qi Nian shook her head. She wasn't a mind reader—how could she possibly know what he was thinking?
"I want you to pretend to be my wife."
Song Qi Nian stared at him, baffled. Pretend? She already was his wife.
Now standing directly before her, Shen Chi Yan spoke with cold precision, as if anticipating her confusion. "I need to secure an important business deal, and for that, I need a wife who appears deeply in love—someone who can project harmony and affection. Yes, you're my wife, but there's no love between us. We need to pretend. Understand?"
His words pierced her heart like a blade. He felt nothing for her. Nothing at all. While she—she loved him desperately.
When she remained silent, eyes downcast, Shen Chi Yan's handsome features darkened. "If you're unwilling, you can leave now."
Song Qi Nian's head snapped up. She gestured frantically,
[I'll do it. But I have one condition…]
The corner of his mouth twisted into a mocking smile.
"How clever of you, trying to negotiate at a time like this."
Song Qi Nian bit her lip. Under his penetrating stare, she forced herself to continue,
[I want to transfer to the planning department.]
"Oh?"
He studied her with narrowed eyes. Wasn't she the one who'd fought to be his secretary, leveraging his grandmother's support just to stay close to him every day? What was this sudden interest in the planning department?
"The planning department... pays better!" she blurted out.
Shen Chi Yan remained silent.
It was true—despite being his personal secretary, her salary was the lowest in all of Dingsheng Group. She knew she needed to establish herself in a proper department to gain any real standing. Besides, she'd majored in Business Administration—she knew she could handle the work.
Shen Chi Yan's mood soured visibly.
Though suspicious of her motives, he reasoned she couldn't cause much trouble under his watch. "Fine," he sneered. "Help me secure this deal, and you can join planning. I'll even throw in a bonus."
At the mention of a bonus, Song Qi Nian's eyes sparkled. To Shen Chi Yan, she might as well have had "money-hungry" stamped across her forehead.
Disgust flickered across his features. "At least 100,000."
100,000!
Song Qi Nian's heart raced, her blood rushing with excitement. Trust Dingsheng Group to offer such generous bonuses. With that money, she could pay off half of Qin Qin's debt. The rest? Between careful saving and maybe more opportunities to play the loving wife, she might clear it all within a year or two.
Shen Chi Yan watched her expressive face with growing irritation. "Remember," he cut in coldly, "both the department transfer and the bonus depend on securing this deal. Don't count your money yet."
Song Qi Nian nodded eagerly, then hesitated. She gestured to Shen Chi Yan:
[I can handle my part, but you…]
Being deeply in love required both parties—she'd always loved him, but he barely tolerated her. Could he really convince anyone he cherished her as a wife should be cherished?
Her worries proved groundless.
This was Shen Chi Yan's idea, after all, tied to Dingsheng Group's critical expansion into international markets.
Like it or not, he knew what mattered most.
Still, since her job and bonus were on the line, Song Qi Nian felt she needed everything spelled out clearly.
Shen Chi Yan had always seen her as nothing but a compliant mute who bent to his will. Watching her suddenly become particular—and all because of money—soured his mood for reasons he couldn't quite name.
"If the deal falls through because of my behavior, you'll lose the bonus, but I'll still honor your transfer to planning."
Song Qi Nian brightened at this news—succeed or fail, her salary would improve either way.
"But," he added sharply, "if you're the reason it fails, you lose both the bonus and any chance of joining planning. Ever."
The weight of responsibility settled heavily on Song Qi Nian's shoulders.
But pressure bred determination. She nodded firmly.
Then another thought struck her, and she gestured with careful deliberation:
[Words aren't enough. We need this in writing.]
Shen Chi Yan stared at her.
This woman actually didn't trust him?
Fine. A written contract would keep things purely professional—it might stop Song Qi Nian from getting any wrong ideas.
He ordered Li Nanxun to draft an agreement immediately. As he signed it, Song Qi Nian's eyes tracked every movement of his hand.
Only when she saw "Shen Chi Yan" inscribed on the paper did she finally let out the breath she'd been holding.
Shen Chi Yan tossed the contract her way. "Satisfied?"
Song Qi Nian clutched the document like a treasure, bobbing her head up and down rapidly.
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