Addicted after marriage - CHAPTER 2:
The first workday after National Day felt unusually relaxed.
Most people had already slipped into vacation mode.
But not everyone. Some hardworking souls were still chained to their desks like Luo Shu.
She didn’t let Shen Yan drop her off at the company entrance.
After all, it was her boss’s car. If someone saw them, there’d be no way to explain it away.
So she got out a few blocks away, then slipped into a pharmacy to buy morning-after pills.
She wasn’t even sure if he’d taken precautions last night, but better safe than sorry.
Just as she stepped out, her phone started ringing.
It was her current boyfriend, Qin Heng.
Luo Shu’s lips curled into a mocking smile the moment she saw that disgusting name.
They had been together for five years, ever since college.
She’d been a prodigy skipped grades, graduated early
that’s how she met him, three years older.
Two years ago, Luo Shu went abroad with her mother to study.
The long-distance relationship hadn’t survived Qin Heng’s wandering hands.
He’d ended up entangled with one of her so-called best friends.
She hadn’t confronted them yet. No she was planning something better.
Why waste energy on a fair fight when she could drop a bomb instead?
She declined the call and was about to lock her screen when
she noticed a new WeChat friend request.
Yu Zhan.
Her hand froze midair. She stared at the screen for several seconds,
convinced her eyes were deceiving her.
Under what identity was he adding her? Boss? Or… something else entirely?
Grinding her teeth, she hit decline.
Luo Shu was a fashion designer, just one year into her job at Yuse Apparel.
Other than her direct supervisor, she had barely spoken to any higher-ups.
Yuse was the largest clothing company in City A, their designs even sold overseas.
A man like Yu Zhan the company’s elusive president was someone
you only ever saw on magazine covers or in corporate newsletters.
Last night had been a complete accident. He’d attended the
fashion show only because this year’s National Day event had broken sales records.
A message popped up in the team chat: Meeting in ten minutes.
Luo Shu bolted toward the building.
Inside Yuse Tower.
In the elevator, she ran into her best friend, Ye Li.
Shu, you’re the one who hates business suits the most. What’s up with the pencil skirt today?
Ye Li eyed her from head to toe, teasing.
It was true. Luo Shu normally avoided suits because with her figure,
they made her look like one of those models from certain websites.
She pulled at her collar, feigning composure.
Gotta show off the assets if I want my hard work noticed.
Ye Li snorted, then gave her a firm slap on the rear.
Whoever marries you is the luckiest man alive!
Ow— that actually hurt.
Luo Shu bit her lip but said nothing.
Just before the doors closed, a hand slid between them, forcing the elevator open.
Shen Yan stepped in first, followed by Yu Zhan tall, sharp, dressed head-to-toe in black.
Luo Shu and Ye Li instinctively moved aside.
Her pulse spiked. The elevator suddenly felt smaller, the air heavier.
She could feel him beside her tall, composed,
radiating a quiet dominance that made her breath hitch.
A blush crept up her neck.
She didn’t dare look up. The faint sandalwood scent on him was the same as last night clean,
steady, devastatingly intoxicating.
Don’t think about it, she told herself. Don’t think about last night.
The doors finally opened on the 28th floor, and the two women practically ran out.
My god, that was terrifying, Ye Li whispered, hand pressed to her chest.
After the party last night, I saw a woman in President Yu’s car!
She was hanging all over him, kissing him nonstop and he didn’t even push her away!
Can you believe it? The company’s resident monk might finally have broken his vows!
Luo Shu’s face turned scarlet. Normally she’d be all ears for gossip,
but now that she was the gossip she could barely breathe.
Is that so, she muttered.
I even texted Shen Yan about it, Ye Li said, pinning her name badge to her blouse.
But that man’s lips are sealed tighter than a vault. Didn’t say a word.
Ten minutes later, the meeting began.
Because of the holidays, only a handful of staff were present.
The head of design, Nan Huainan the department’s self-proclaimed heartthrob led the meeting.
He was confident, almost smug, basking in the praise.
Everyone said he’d be taking home the biggest bonus this year.
To Luo Shu, though, it felt like his speech had less to do with
reflection and more to do with fishing for compliments.
Finally, his gaze landed on her.
And the biggest thanks goes to Miss Luo, he said.
Her designs were the highlight of this year’s collection our best-sellers, in fact.
Luo Shu forced a polite smile. She’d already heard enough of his flattery last night to last a lifetime.
Nan Huainan was talented, sure. But his easy charm and
casual flirtations made her uneasy. It was no secret he wanted her
and wanted her to fall for him, hard.
The meeting ended soon after. Just as everyone began to relax, there was a knock on the door.
Shen Yan stepped in.
Miss Luo, President Yu would like to see you in his office.
The room went dead silent.
Luo Shu, who had been half-asleep moments ago, felt every eye turn toward her.
The president’s office was on the 30th floor a place most employees had never set foot in.
Meetings usually stopped at the 29th. The 30th was… another world.
People called it Hell.
The last department head who’d been summoned up there came back with his arm dislocated.
His assistant? Carried out on a stretcher.
That was how young Shen Yan had gotten promoted so fast.
Assistant Shen, any idea why she’s being called up? Nan Huainan asked, protective but curious.
Every eye in the room turned to Shen Yan.
No one expected him to answer, but everyone tried to read his face.
No idea, he said simply. His tone was granite.
Got it, Luo Shu replied. Her cheeks were still flushed they had been all morning.
Her mind kept betraying her with flashes of last night his eyes, his hands, the way he looked at her.
Miss Luo, you don’t look well, Nan Huainan said kindly. Maybe you should take the day off?
No need. If I don’t make it back, consider my design drafts your inheritance.
She sighed, gathered her notes, and left the room.
Inside the elevator, Shen Yan scanned his face to access the 30th floor.
The elevator began its slow, quiet ascent.
No one’s around now, Luo Shu said. Can you tell me what he wants with me?
He didn’t say, Shen Yan replied. But he seemed to be in a pretty good mood.
Of course he was.
After all, last night had given him plenty of reasons to be.