Chapter 38: A Room Key

Liang Jinshang’s back collided with a familiar chest.

He carried not only the faint scent of tobacco, but also a strong trace of alcohol.

At the venue earlier, Liang Jinshang had already spotted Shang Yucheng from afar. Surrounded by industry elites, toasted by powerful figures, he was distinguished and aloof, high above the crowd—a striking presence. Liang Jinshang was nothing more than a mere intern; at such a grand summit with thousands of attendees, unless she deliberately sought an opportunity, their paths would never cross.

Since their last parting on the hospital rooftop, Shang Yucheng had vanished from Liang Jinshang’s life for more than half a month. If he wanted to trouble her, it would take no more than a flick of his finger—but perhaps he couldn’t even be bothered with that. After all, he had already seen through her. Someone harboring such wicked intentions was best kept at a distance.

“Mind your own business!” Shang Yucheng’s grip was strong, pinning Liang Jinshang between his arm and chest, his voice cold and cutting. “You let them get away, but the one who should have run most—why didn’t you? Hmm?”

Rumors had surely circulated these days, the kind of slander that, even if no one dared utter it before Shang Yucheng, stung all the more when whispered behind his back. And she was the cause of it all.

Liang Jinshang couldn’t see his expression, but the pressure of his mood was already transmitted through the force of his hand.

“Will you let go of me, please?” She didn’t dare provoke him further, her voice soft and gentle.

Tonight, she wore a sheer, lightweight dress she’d bought online. Because of its price, the fabric was used sparingly—it looked lovely, but offered little real coverage. Shang Yucheng held her so tightly that the thin fabric felt almost as if it were glued to her skin.

Liang Jinshang didn’t want to be entangled with him in a place where anyone could pass by at any moment. She struggled to pry his hand away.

But the man caught her waist and spun her halfway around in his arms, leaving them face to face.

The old-fashioned streetlights reflected on the lake’s surface, and in Shang Yucheng’s eyes, deep and unfathomable.

Meeting his oppressive gaze, Liang Jinshang couldn’t help but take a few steps back.

She retreated, he advanced—soon she felt her heels hanging over empty space.

Beside her, a sign read, “Danger: Deep Water. Do Not Approach.” Behind her was the lake!

Shang Yucheng was like a hunter driving his prey into the hunting grounds; seeing the prey had nowhere left to escape, he instantly leaned in.

A sense of crisis flooded Liang Jinshang; she arched backward, wishing she could bend herself into a bow.

But in this posture—face-to-face, man and woman—it was perilously suggestive.

It was a silent signal, like drawing a bow ready to shoot.

But she had nowhere left to retreat. At this moment, if Shang Yucheng loosened the hand around her waist, she’d tumble straight into the lake!

In that life-or-death moment, Liang Jinshang was utterly engulfed by Shang Yucheng, her breath stolen away.

There was nothing tender about it—almost violent, a ruthless plundering.

Liang Jinshang began to tremble, trying to straighten herself.

But this was always a forceful invasion; Shang Yucheng was relentless.

From her throat, Liang Jinshang let out muffled sounds of surrender, shaking uncontrollably.

Shang Yucheng’s eyes remained open, clear and sharp, and in that clarity, Liang Jinshang suddenly had a terrifying thought—

He would let go. Shang Yucheng would release her!

Let her fall into the lake, punishing her for the feelings she’d harbored toward Gong Xueyuan.

He wanted her to feel the threat of death herself!

Her pale fingers clutched at his shirt, futilely hoping to grab a lifeline if he let go.

Just then, Shang Yucheng’s phone rang. His actions slowed, ending the joyless battle of lips and tongues.

Liang Jinshang guessed he was reaching for his phone, but in her panic, she felt he would release the hand at her waist!

“No!” she cried, tongue thick, arms suddenly wrapping around Shang Yucheng’s neck.

Taken by surprise, he was pulled close, and for a moment, they nearly tumbled into the lake together, just as Liang Jinshang had feared!

Fortunately, Shang Yucheng’s sturdy waist and abdominal muscles weren’t just for show. He tensed, pulling Liang Jinshang back a few steps—she finally felt solid ground beneath her feet!

Only then did Shang Yucheng release her waist, his expression cold and distant. “I can swim. That trick doesn’t work on me.”

Still shaken, Liang Jinshang realized she had misjudged him.

He hadn’t meant to throw her into the lake.

From his words, it sounded as if he thought she was planning to do to him what she’d done to Gong Xueyuan before.

“I…” Liang Jinshang began to explain, but saw Shang Yucheng’s assistant approaching from the shadows—he’d probably been nearby all along.

“Mr. Shang, in ten minutes it’s your turn to speak on stage.”

Shang Yucheng glanced at his still-ringing phone and scolded, “You’re right here—why are you calling?”

The assistant cast a brief glance at Liang Jinshang behind him, eyes down, face composed, pretending to see nothing.

…

Liang Jinshang lagged far behind, following Shang Yucheng back to the main hall.

A woman in a fiery red gown approached—a striking figure. It was Liang Jinshang’s supervisor, the director of the third branch of the Architecture Design Department, Yuan Xi.

Yuan Xi wasn’t coming for Liang Jinshang; her dazzling eyes were fixed solely on Shang Yucheng. Without a care for anyone else, she stepped forward, reaching out to smooth his shirt collar—the one Liang Jinshang had crumpled.

Shang Yucheng offered no resistance.

The two seemed intimately close, at least closer than Liang Jinshang, who had shared countless close encounters with him.

Within Lehai, rumors abounded: Yuan Xi, so young and beautiful, must have a man backing her to become director. Such talk was revolting, as if pretty women could never rise through merit alone.

But tonight, Liang Jinshang felt she might have met the “man behind the curtain.”

She slipped away, not even listening to Shang Yucheng’s speech, only noting that the applause lingered long after he finished.

The launch ceremony was nearly over. Liang Jinshang was about to return to her hotel room to sleep when a waiter approached, handing her an envelope.

She accepted it, uncertain, and felt its shape.

Palm-sized, neat and square.

A room card.

She looked up in the direction from which it came, peering through the throng and perfume, and saw that remarkable man.

He didn’t even glance her way, but Liang Jinshang knew—the room card had been sent at his command.

Recalling his predatory demeanor by the lake, she deeply suspected his room contained some dreadful instruments of punishment.

Holding the room card, she didn’t hesitate long before heading toward Yuan Xi.

“Director Yuan.”

Yuan Xi smiled with red lips, recognizing her as the new intern.

Liang Jinshang slipped the envelope with the room card into her hand, murmuring, “Mr. Shang asked me to give this to you.”