Gao Kunlun read the atmosphere perfectly and raised the privacy partition without a word.
"Fifth Master, should I pull over?" he asked delicately.
Song Qi Nian's face burned at the suggestion. She wanted to disappear into thin air, but knowing Shen Chi Yan's impulsive nature, she caught his eye and shook her head frantically.
That look of hers was Shen Chi Yan's undoing. She was irresistible like this—cheeks flushed pink, eyes bright and pleading, lips still tender from their kiss. One thought consumed him:
He needed to tease her more.
Much more.
But then a conversation he'd overheard while leaving Xianting Club crashed into his thoughts:
"She can't have children anymore? Ever?"
"What did she expect? Taking all those birth control pills just to please that worthless man. Now she's paying the price—she'll never be able to conceive."
"God, that's awful. Watching other women become mothers while knowing you never can... I can't imagine anything more painful."
Shen Chi Yan jerked away from Song Qi Nian, his expression hardening. "Stop at a pharmacy."
The request caught both Song Qi Nian and Gao Kunlun off guard. Was something wrong? Was he sick?
Song Qi Nian studied him intently, searching for any sign of illness or injury.
Without warning, Shen Chi Yan's hand slid behind her neck, drawing her close. As his face neared hers, Song Qi Nian's eyes fluttered shut, anticipating another kiss.
"Heh..."
Shen Chi Yan's low chuckle made her open her eyes. When she realized he hadn't been planning to kiss her at all, mortification washed over her, coloring her face and ears scarlet.
His voice dropped to a whisper near her ear. "When we reach the pharmacy, go buy condoms."
Condoms?
For a moment, her mind went blank.
"You should know my size well enough by now. You know which ones to get, right?"
Even with her usual slow uptake, the meaning hit her instantly. Her face burned so hot she thought it might catch fire.
"Fifth Master, we're at the pharmacy. What did you need to purchase?"
Before Shen Chi Yan could answer, Song Qi Nian had already bolted from the car.
Watching her practically run away, Shen Chi Yan's lips curled into a smirk. "Your young madam knows what to get."
Inside, despite the blast of cool air conditioning, Song Qi Nian's face remained on fire. That insufferable Shen Chi Yan—why this sudden interest in protection? He'd always refused before.
"Miss, can I help you find anything?"
Song Qi Nian shook her head, preferring to browse alone. When she finally reached the right aisle, she grabbed several boxes of the largest size without looking too closely and rushed to check out.
That night.
Shen Chi Yan used what Song Qi Nian had bought.
"So... peach flavor and ribbed texture. That's what you like?" His smirk was unbearable.
Song Qi Nian: "......"
After that, Shen Chi Yan insisted she carry protection with her constantly—all the better to corner her whenever the mood struck him.
Lin Qiu Tong's debut drama featured her opposite Gu Zhiyan. Though not the lead, she'd landed a major supporting role—and frankly, she couldn't have been happier to support Gu Zhiyan.
She also secured her first endorsement deal: spokesperson for QUESEE, a collection under TINSLO (Tianshilu), one of Ding Sheng Group's luxury jewelry brands.
For years, TINSLO's global ambassador had been Gu Zhiyan herself. Their series endorsements went exclusively to Best Actress winners, leading ladies, and A-list stars. Their choice of an unknown newcomer set social media ablaze.
"Who even is this Lin Qiu Tong? First Star Emperor Entertainment signs her, then she's working with Film Queen Gu, and now she's got the QUESEE deal without paying her dues?"
"Word is she's Ding Sheng's President Shen Chi Yan's 'one that got away.' She just woke up from a three-year coma—no wonder he's moving heaven and earth for her."
"So that's why President Shen never dated. His heart belonged to Lin Qiu Tong all along. 'I waited while you slept, and now that you're back, I'll give you everything.' What is this, a fairytale?"
"Here I am, jealous of someone else's love story again."
"When's the wedding? I'll donate a month's salary to their gift!"
Meanwhile, Song Qi Nian's manga was taking off. Her editor kept pressing for new chapters, keeping her too swamped to follow Lin Qiu Tong's rise—until office gossip made it impossible to ignore.
Lin Qiu Tong's jewelry ad played on loop in the lobby. Song Qi Nian saw it every morning and evening, and it crushed her spirits each time.
Shen Chi Yan was clearing every obstacle from Lin Qiu Tong's path. He seemed determined to make her the next Gu Zhiyan.
But Gu Zhiyan had earned her crown. Lin Qiu Tong was being handed hers.
Song Qi Nian hadn't seen Shen Chi Yan in two or three days since that night. That morning, heading to work, her heart felt especially heavy.
She had just reached her desk and was about to grab her phone when Miao Ziai tapped her shoulder.
"Niannian..."
Song Qi Nian's grip slipped, and her bag hit the floor. Her phone tumbled out—along with a small box.
The box landed right beside a pair of gleaming leather shoes.
"President Shen..."
After greeting him, Miao Ziai quickly scooped up both Song Qi Nian's phone and the box.
Song Qi Nian scrambled to collect her bag. As she was straightening up, Miao Ziai spoke.
"Niannian, are you on medication?"
Miao Ziai's eyes caught the text on the box—and her face instantly flushed.
"This... this isn't medicine... Why are you carrying... this?"
Song Qi Nian's stomach dropped as she realized what had fallen out. Her mind went blank, ears ringing as if she'd been struck.
This was a nightmare.
How had that gotten loose? And of all places to land—right at Shen Chi Yan's feet, with Miao Ziai as witness?
Her face burned hotter by the second. She couldn't look at either of them. She snatched the box from Miao Ziai and shoved it deep into her bag, like a criminal destroying evidence.
As Song Qi Nian stood there dying of shame, Shen Chi Yan's cool voice cut through the air.
"Secretary Song, is this how you handle items I specifically requested? Dropping them on the floor?"
Understanding dawned on Miao Ziai's face—this was something Shen Chi Yan had ordered Song Qi Nian to prepare.
Song Qi Nian bit her lip and ducked her head.
"Go buy a new box."
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