The Mother-In-Law's Embrace - Chapter 3

From a jewelry designer, she became Li Han Ye’s secretary. “Xiao Lin” became “Lin Secretary.” But Lin Wancheng would rather be called Xiao Lin. People whispered and sneered behind her back –

“Always pretending to be so pure and innocent, using that act to seduce men, I bet.” 

“I always thought there was something off about her. You haven’t noticed how all her designs get praised?”

“Look at her, dressed like she’s poor, everything together probably doesn’t even cost two hundred yuan! Mr. Li must be hungry for a change of pace.”

“Just wait and see, it’s only temporary. She’s just trying to appease him, that’s all.”

Lin Wancheng stood outside the tea room, her shirt crumpled, her usually sharp hearing made painful by their words.  They were tearing her apart, limb by limb. Every breath felt like swallowing bitter poison.

Finally, she simply let go of the corner of her shirt, devoid of any desire to defend herself. 

In their eyes, Li Han Ye was a prize, and she, an ordinary woman, became the target of malicious speculation. Everyone was supposedly highly educated graduates from top universities, yet they all lost their reason when it came to Li Han Ye, blindly spewing vitriol without a shred of judgment. It was absurd.

She didn’t understand. 

Other executives would often ask her about Li Han Ye’s transfer and what it meant for the company’s future.  When she confessed ignorance, they’d wink suggestively, hinting that she should “work on whispering sweet nothings in his ear.” It was disgusting.

The mere change in her status had exposed her to a barrage of malice. The judgmental stares, the accusations of promiscuity felt like invisible shackles constricting her throat, stealing her breath. She’d never felt this suffocated even when she’d stayed late into the night working on designs. 

At least then, there was freedom and focus. Being Li Han Ye’s secretary felt more like being a personal servant, constantly summoned, stripped of her dignity, forced to complete ridiculous tasks.

Li Han Ye had undoubtedly transferred her here with the intention of punishing her for daring to challenge his authority, he wouldn’t let her have an easy life. 

He wanted this woman who challenged him to suffer physically and mentally, drowning in regret and despair. He wanted to see tears streaming down her face, hear her pleading voice, feel her tremble as she surrendered to him. 

She was afraid, terrified. She wanted to distance herself from anything that triggered these feelings, but reality forced her to stay.  

Thinking of the pale, fragile face of her younger sister on the hospital bed, Lin Wancheng reminded herself to endure.  The paycheck, the hefty medical bills, they were all worth it for her little sister’s sake.

She had to be strong. She couldn’t afford to crumble. 

This humiliation, this torment, was nothing compared to what she endured when she lost her parents and sister in that accident. She wouldn’t let fate break her again. 

For now, she had to endure. 

Li Han Ye’s behavior over the past month was oddly restrained. He hadn’t tried anything inappropriate at work since that day, which gave Lin Wancheng a brief reprieve from the constant fear that gnawed at her.  But the restraint only fueled his inner fire.

He craved her even more.

 Seeing her endure his games, her calm demeanor despite his manipulation, ignited a thirst in him.  Her strength was infuriating, yet it also sparked a perverse desire within him to possess her completely. 

“Woman,” he said, breaking the silence with a smirk, “Prepare yourself for a dinner party tomorrow night.”