Empire of Desire: An Alpha’s Financial Reign - Chapter 32

Jiang Shutong had just stepped outside the sleek, high-rise apartment when her phone buzzed. Han Zaijing’s message was succinct: “Come downstairs.”

Ever since the company’s IPO was announced, Han Zaijing had poured her energy into building X Future Investment Co., Ltd., a new firm specializing in tech investments. Using capital raised from the listing, she aggressively acquired struggling assets in sectors like semiconductors, cloud computing, and the increasingly vital lithium and silicon supply chains.

Her bold contrarian strategy—buying during valuation troughs—made waves in the industry, drawing both admiration and skepticism from investors and analysts alike.

Yet with great ambition came crushing pressure. The capital markets were unforgiving, and skepticism weighed heavily on Zaijing’s shoulders. To stabilize performance and manage market expectations, she often crossed time zones to trade cryptocurrencies, making daring speculative moves that many wouldn’t dare attempt.

It worked—just enough to hold investor confidence and preserve her autonomy. For someone like Han Zaijing, responding to every doubt was a waste of time; what mattered was staying ahead, seizing the moment before it vanished.

But the tension didn’t end with the trading floor. After a heated moment with Ni Jia earlier in the evening, Zaijing still felt restless. So, on impulse, she drove to find Jiang Shutong.

Jiang answered her call with a surprised laugh. “You? The workaholic herself, picking me up at this hour? Didn’t you say you’d be with your girlfriend?” There was a hint of mischief—and perhaps something else—in her voice.

Zaijing didn’t respond directly. When she slid into the car, she noticed her delicate makeup. She leaned closer, voice low, teasing, “With that kind of makeup… you were planning to meet someone, weren’t you? Guess I’ll be the one enjoying it.”

Caught off guard, Jiang Shutong barely had time to react before she pulled her into a kiss, pressing her gently into the seat. The car’s soundproofing and tinted windows offered privacy, and the vehicle was engineered to reduce even the slightest vibrations.

Yet as their intimacy grew, a slight bump at a red light caused Jiang to flinch. She buried her face in her neck, arms wrapped tightly around her, stifling a quiet gasp. The car moved slowly, the journey stretching to twice its usual time.

Once they reached the destination, Han Zaijing adjusted hers tie and stepped out. “I’ve got a meeting with the Xindong Securities group,” she said. “We’re talking partnerships tonight. It’s at the nightclub.”
Jiang raised an eyebrow. “Do you want me and the driver to wait for you?”

Zaijing chuckled, waving her off. “No need for the full escort. I’m just there to socialize, not to get married. I’ll meet you after.”

Inside the club, the mood was already rowdy. Executives from Xindong Securities, including President Wang, were entertaining guests in a private room filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and dancing. The air was thick with smoke and perfume. Women flirted openly, perching on the arms of chairs and whispering into ears.

As the head of the newly founded X Future, Zaijing couldn’t afford to appear aloof. She raised her glass, sang a few songs, and made small talk to blend into the crowd. Yet she kept her distance from the women, careful not to cross any lines. The others, however, were far less restrained.

President Wang eventually brought over a young woman named Xiaorou. She was bold, flirtatious, and clearly familiar with her role. As she leaned into Zaijing, she knocked over a glass of beer, soaking her shirt.

The incident seemed accidental, but her lingering closeness was not. Her hands slid where they shouldn’t have, and she whispered into her ear, breath hot against her skin.

“Ms. Han, you’re so tense. Want to relax a little?”

Zaijing quickly stepped back, forcing a polite smile. “Apologies, Mr. Wang. My girlfriend runs a tight ship. I’d be sleeping on the couch for a month if she found out.”

Wang laughed heartily, slapping h on the back. “Next time, we’ll find somewhere more discreet. You’re always welcome.”

Zaijing nodded, made a few more farewells, and left the room. In the restroom, she splashed cold water on her face and looked at h damp shirt in the mirror with a sigh.

Returning to the car, she was startled to find Jiang Shutong waiting inside. “You? I thought I told you not to wait.”

She looked her over, taking in the stained shirt and slightly ruffled appearance. “So, this is what you meant by a harmless business meeting?”

She gave her a sheepish grin. “A misunderstanding. It got out of hand.”

As the driver handed over a clean shirt, Zaijing began to unbutton the soaked one. Jiang, watching from the corner of her eye, suddenly turned away, her face flushing. The confined car, now soundproofed with a flick of a switch, seemed to shrink in silence.

“You didn’t think I’d start something again, did you?” she teased, catching her glance.

Jiang rolled her eyes, trying to hide her reaction. “You wish.”

But when she called her “Assistant Jiang,” she nearly melted. The formal tone wrapped in flirtation made her heart pound. And when she called her name—“Shutong”—it sounded too intimate, too real. Like a promise. Like a threat.

She reached for her. “Give it to me,” she murmured, voice trembling with desire.

Her breath caught. She began to undo her shirt, and the last of her control slipped. The heat of their closeness stirred emotions deeper than either had admitted before.

Afterward, Jiang tucked her hair behind her ears and looked out the window, pretending to be composed. She didn’t dare glance at Zaijing again. If she did, she might ask her to stay. She wanted her beside her, wanted to fall asleep in her arms like couples do—not like two people pretending their connection didn’t mean anything.

Zaijing remained quiet, watching her in the dim reflection of the car window, wondering if she felt the same weight she did. Neither of them spoke the words lingering between them.
But they both knew.

This wasn’t just an open relationship anymore.

It was something far more dangerous.

And far more real.