Zou Yang spoke without turning back. She found her gloves, gathered the tools and other necessary items, and began her first attempt.
"The person you drove away was you."
"Manager Zhou really has a lot on his mind; that beautiful lady was driven away by you."
It had nothing to do with her!
Zou Yang was skilled with her hands; she quickly ignited the wood and carefully placed kindling into the fireplace. The fireplace burned oak and some fruit trees, which emitted a faint fragrance when burning, creating a warm atmosphere. Zou Yang took off her loose down jacket.
The cotton dress she wore was loose-fitting, making her figure appear particularly slender.
She had her back to Zhou Qianyi, looking obedient and harmless. Zhou Qianyi had checked her out.
On the surface, she seemed like a bookworm, someone who buried herself in work in the lab, quiet and easily overlooked.
But in reality, she was quite different behind the scenes; he had seen her dressed in punk attire, dancing street dance with like-minded friends on the street, enjoying music.
She wore a cropped denim jacket over a black crop top that revealed a slim, fair waist, paired with rolled-up straight-leg pants and black combat boots—cool and youthful.
In that outfit, she was lively and flamboyant, a stark contrast to the dull and boring person in the lab.
Even if her own mother passed by her side, she wouldn't recognize her.
He sat in the car, watching her remove her black-framed glasses; with makeup enhancing her features, she appeared more wild and untamed. He had a fleeting thought of wanting to present her to her parents' colleagues or record this moment to share with his own parents and colleagues.
That thought vanished quickly, but somehow that scene frequently replayed in his mind.
At first, it was her overall image; later, only her slender waist remained in his thoughts.
He ran an entertainment company and had seen many pretty girls; he had also witnessed plenty of good dancers.
Yet none seemed as captivating as her amateur moves.
"Manager Zhou, it's ready."
Zou Yang saw that the fire had stabilized; she wiped the sweat from her nose and turned around.
Unbeknownst to her, Zhou Qianyi had appeared behind her. As she turned around, her face collided with his leg.
Zou Yang stepped back but tripped over the hem of her dress, losing balance and falling backward.
Behind Zou Yang was the fireplace, where the fire blazed brightly; if she fell into it, not only would she risk burns, but her hair would likely be caught as well.
Zou Yang realized the danger and hurriedly reached out to grab Zhou Qianyi's pant leg. Zhou Qianyi pulled his leg back slightly.
Zou Yang thought, "What a heartless guy!" She could already envision the scene that would follow. Fear appeared in her eyes. In the next moment, her waist was encircled. Zhou Qianyi lifted her up, and she fell into his arms, the faint scent of alcohol wafting into her nose.
In her panic, Zou Yang tightly grasped the front of Zhou Qianyi's shirt, her breaths coming in quick gasps from what had just happened. Their bodies pressed together, and Zhou Qianyi could feel her softness against him. Once again, he caught sight of her slender, fair waist that was almost blinding in its beauty. His throat moved slightly as his hand on her waist instinctively tightened.
He lowered his gaze to Zou Yang. The firelight cast a warm hue on her back. Her hair was casually tied in a low ponytail, and from his angle, he could see her neck glowing red in the firelight.
Although Zou Yang was not an exceptionally stunning woman at first glance, if she weren't deliberately trying to appear plain, she would still draw attention in a crowd. Such a girl didn’t rely solely on her looks; she maintained an ordinary facade while freely indulging in what she loved.
She pretended to be obedient to him but could change her attitude in an instant. Once she calmed down, she would treat him the same as before. He knew that her docility was all an act, and he couldn't help but tease her, watching her react with frustration. That process brought him immense satisfaction.
She was the first girl like Zou Yang he had ever met; she became one of the joys of his life. Now that he was close to her for the first time, he realized there were so many places he wanted to touch—her delicate earlobes, her slender waist, and her cheeks that looked so inviting to the touch...
Zhou Qianyi didn't understand why these thoughts were surfacing; he forced himself to push away those chaotic ideas.
"Be careful," Zhou Qianyi said as she began to breathe more steadily and he released her. "If you get taken away by an ambulance from here, even if you didn't chase that woman away, someone will make you one of the leads in a love triangle tomorrow."
"Are you saying I’m in a love triangle with you?" Zou Yang pointed at her own face. "Manager Zhou, don’t joke around! You've seen more beautiful women than I've eaten salt; how could I possibly be lucky enough to be your love interest?"
Her lifelong motto was to remain unmarried and childless for peace of mind. She had put in a lot of effort to make herself look unattractive. With her fair skin, smooth and delicate, she stood out in a crowd. To avoid being the center of attention, she deliberately applied foundation several shades darker and even dotted her face with freckles, transforming her once pretty face into that of an ugly duckling.
Sometimes her mother would look at her and sigh, reminiscing about how she used to be such a cute and beautiful little girl, wondering how she ended up looking like this. To spare her feelings, her mother would quickly add, "Our darling relies on talent, not looks."
Zou Yang was indifferent to her mother's words. In her view, being good-looking was a burden. Just like Zou Mu, who became an idol and had his life scrutinized by fans. The life she envisioned was one where she could focus on her research during work hours and enjoy gatherings with like-minded friends in her free time, engaging in projects that interested them. She dreamed of a life free from the worries of marriage, family, and children—a life without constraints.
Since she started hiding her appearance, she had been insulated from rumors. Even if reporters had poor eyesight, they couldn't possibly link her to Zhou Qianyi, who was known for his flirtations.
"From the way you speak, it seems that becoming your rumored partner would be my great fortune," she said sarcastically. The idea of being his rumored partner was an honor! How could she refuse so boldly?
In the entertainment industry, countless female artists sought to connect with him for resources. "Manager Zhou, please stop teasing me. You are President Zhou; you have your own entertainment reporters and connections. Even if someone tries to write nonsense about you, you would suppress it. I have confidence in you on this matter."
Zou Yang was sitting close to the fireplace, feeling flushed. She shifted slightly and waved her hand in front of her face. "Manager Zhou, let’s discuss the project."
Perhaps it was the warmth from the fireplace that made the living room feel cozy; Zou Yang felt as if she were melting from the heat enveloping her body.
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