The implication in his words turned ambiguously suggestive.
The sudden shift in Xu Zhi's gaze—a lecherous once-over—made Shen Shuang's whole body lock up; her earlier anger was swallowed by deeper wariness and revulsion.
What the hell does Xu Zhi think he's doing??
Is he drunk out of his mind or what??
She looked up at Xu Zhi.
Shen Shuang lurched backward until her spine struck the cold wall, widening the suffocating distance between them.
Every trace of color drained from her face, leaving only icy vigilance. "Xu Zhi, stay away from me!"
Seeing her braced for battle, the playful curve of Xu Zhi's lips deepened.
He temporarily forgot about pressing her for news of Love Book—or rather, at this moment the question no longer seemed important.
The prickly, fire-eyed Shen Shuang in front of him felt like a fresher, more intriguing target begging to be "conquered."
He flashed what he believed was a devastating smile and took another half-step forward.
"Your family and Daheng Group have been negotiating a partnership lately—how far along is it?"
By now the alcohol lent his eyes not only menace but also an undisguised, playful appraisal.
"Here's the deal—spend one night with me," he murmured, voice lower, breath laced with tobacco and liquor brushing her face, "and I'll make sure that deal sails through. What happened tonight… I can also overlook."
She saw his small eyes brim with a predator's amusement.
Shen Shuang realized at once: her irritation hadn't scared him off; instead it seemed to have awakened something even nastier.
Crap—her pupils shrank, blood rushed to her head then ran ice-cold.
Fighting down the nausea, she clutched her phone so hard her knuckles whitened.
Only after several ragged breaths did she force out a hiss: "Xu Zhi… who do you think I am?"
"Who? Miss Shen, we're all adults—stop playing innocent. You know exactly what straits your family's in. One night with me in exchange for sailing through the crisis—sound like a bad deal?"
The corridor light was harsh and white, turning Shen Shuang's face even paler.
Looking at that boozy, self-assured face, her stomach churned with fresh disgust.
Had she not known how petty Xu Zhi was—how the slightest offense would make him spread play on words rumors—Shen Shuang would have spat in his face by now.
When she stayed silent, Xu Zhi assumed she was wavering and softened his tone—making it more nauseating still.
"Don't worry, just one night. Afterward the partnership proceeds as usual, and I won't breathe a word to anyone. You'll still be the dazzling Miss Shen…"
At the mental image Shen Shuang jerked back another step, her shoulder blades slamming against the cold fire-door.
She lifted her head; humiliation and fury rimmed her eyes with red, yet her gaze was sharp as frost.
Honestly, if the face in front of her had been Jiang Cheng's—even if Xu Zhi were still scum—Shen Shuang might have hesitated, telling herself she'd simply been nipped by a pig.
But accustomed to Jiang Cheng's handsome looks, the instant drop to Xu Zhi's ordinary mug was too steep.
For the moment she simply couldn't stomach it.
"Xu Zhi, let me make this clear: I know nothing—nothing—about Love Book. And as for you… even if the Shen family goes bankrupt tomorrow, I won't spend a single minute in bed with a disgusting man like you!"
Though he admitted she'd struck a nerve a moment ago, the expression on Shen Shuang's face now enraged him.
To him, his interest in her should have been her honor.
In charm she couldn't rival the top beauties of his own dance troupe—women who, if he fancied, would queue to please him two at a night.
Yet the woman he'd deigned to favor was quibbling and rejecting him.
"Shen Shuang, don't be ungrateful. If your family crashes, guess whether your old man will hurry to deliver you to my bed and have you lick—"
Before he could finish, Jiang Cheng's figure appeared from the stairwell.
In an instant Xu Zhi's unfinished threat froze on his lips.
Noticing the change in Xu Zhi's expression, Shen Shuang turned her head as if sensing something.
The moment she saw Jiang Cheng she froze.
Her heart nearly stopped.
Why was Jiang Cheng here?
A trip to the restroom? A coincidence—or…? A surge of indescribable warmth mingled with the safety of rescue, washing away her anger and humiliation.
When Jiang Cheng's eyes settled on Shen Shuang, Xu Zhi's face turned spectacularly colorful—shock, embarrassment, the fury of being exposed, and an instinctive dread of Jiang Cheng mixing like a knocked-over palette.
He had never expected Jiang Cheng to appear at this moment.
What sank his heart even further was the natural, protective familiarity in Jiang Cheng's stance and gaze toward Shen Shuang.
What on earth was going on?
Wasn't Jiang Cheng with Jiang Churan?
Had Shen Shuang also hooked up with Jiang Cheng?
Seeing Jiang Cheng, Shen Shuang felt an odd calm settle inside her.
She drew a deep breath and forced herself to steady her nerves.
Judging by the situation, she didn't want to turn things uglier than necessary.
After all, her relationship with Jiang Cheng wasn't solid enough for her to count on him to fight her battles.
Avoiding Xu Zhi's blazing stare, Shen Shuang walked casually to the sink.
She turned on the tap and, using the rushing water and the mirror, quickly tidied her ruffled emotions and appearance.
While she washed her hands Jiang Cheng had already come to her side.
A faint, half-smiling expression on his face, he glanced between Xu Zhi and Shen Shuang, finally resting on her slightly pale face.
Then, with natural yet unquestionable strength, his long arm slipped around her shoulders.
Startled by Jiang Cheng's sudden embrace, Shen Shuang's body stiffened.
Her hands stilled under the running water.
She looked up in surprise and met Jiang Cheng's gaze in the mirror.
Reflected there, he towered over her.
Leaning slightly, his posture casual, he exuded an unspoken air of control.