Chapter 15: Zhou Ci, What I Owe Is to You, Not the Gu Family

When it came to work, Gu Shenshen was both serious and earnest.

Zhou Ci narrowed his eyes as he looked at her. He knew she must have prepared a backup plan—no wonder she was a woman who had been immersed in the cutthroat business world for so many years.

“You always manage to leave yourself a way out,” Zhou Ci remarked after a moment, his tone cool and indifferent.

“I only hope that the terms of our deal are equal. Although I’ve hit rock bottom, I can’t get used to obeying like a dog.” After all, she had always been a staunch feminist.

Bowing her head to a man was something she simply could not do.

Zhou Ci let out a light snort, then began to mock her. “You want me to save someone for you just because you’re helping me with this one thing? On top of that, you want me to take over that run-down hotel of yours and pay off your debts. You’re calculating so shamelessly, your abacus beads are practically flying into my face.”

Gu Shenshen looked at him for a long while, studying the man before her with genuine seriousness.

Back then, he’d been suffering from amnesia, so she had never truly known the real Zhou Ci.

Now, he set traps for her, forced her into desperate straits, used underhanded methods, and acted with reckless willfulness.

Yet, when it came to business, he could be utterly rational—a quality that seemed to define a truly outstanding businessman.

Gu Shenshen considered for a moment, then smiled. “If you think I’m asking too much, you can add another condition.”

It was the first time in two years that the two of them had sat down and spoken so calmly, even if it was only because Gu Shenshen had forced the issue.

In the depths of Zhou Ci’s obsidian eyes was the reflection of her beautiful face. She was alluring, but never overly so; sometimes, she even seemed innocently beguiling.

All in all, in the eyes of any man, she had a figure and face to stir desire—she was the kind of woman a man couldn’t help but want.

“I happen to be short a secretary. Why don’t you take the job?” In the end, he chose to take a step back.

Gu Shenshen raised an eyebrow at him. “What kind of secretary?”

A hint of mischief flickered in Zhou Ci’s eyes. “If you’re willing to add ‘bed companion’ to the job description, I won’t object.”

Gu Shenshen wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but it was certainly better than him forcing her into bed by other means and then humiliating her.

After that, Zhou Ci gazed at her for a long time, his stare making Gu Shenshen’s heart pound with unease.

“Don’t you want to relive the past with me, even a little?” he suddenly asked.

Gu Shenshen paused, her smile faint as she looked at him.

Back then, he had been her kept man, someone she toyed with as she pleased. Now, their roles had been reversed.

“You’re so fixated, you’d better be careful not to fall in love with me. You know, aside from myself, I could never love anyone else.” Her voice was light and airy, her words and expression filled with utter detachment.

Zhou Ci slowly stood and walked to her, reaching out to carelessly lift her chin.

At that moment, he showed no anger, no hostility; only those eyes of his remained icy as ever.

“Let’s hope you live long enough to leave my side alive.”

The words were so casual, yet Gu Shenshen felt as if she’d been struck hard in the chest, her whole body suddenly overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness.

She swallowed involuntarily. “Then let’s take our time.”

Zhou Ci withdrew his hand, turned, and walked toward the door. “Come to the company tomorrow and sign the contract.”

Gu Shenshen grabbed her bag, quickly got up, and chased after him, catching him by the arm. “Since I’m signing my life over to you, let our grudges remain between us. Don’t drag anyone else in, especially the Gu family.”

Zhou Ci glanced down at her. “If you perform well, I’ll give you a raise. With the Gu family involved, I doubt you’ll try to run away, right?”

It was the first time in her life that someone held her so firmly by the throat.

Her face turned pale. “Zhou Ci, what I owe is to you, not the Gu family.”