"What would Mr. Xiao like to hear?" Jiang Li showed an innocent smile, looking like a docile lamb with no intention of resistance.
Xiao Yanzhi folded his arms across his chest and looked at her casually. His voice was deep: "Aren't you good at pleasing men? Do I need to teach you?"
He leaned in very close. Just a bit lower and his nose would touch hers.
The scorching breath surged between them.
It was on the verge of breaking out.
Jiang Li gave a charming smile. Her gaze lingered on his lips. Her tone was full of implications: "Any condition is okay?"
"Of course."
He answered briskly: "Bring out your chips to exchange, just like you exchanged for this high - end custom - made evening dress on you."
He was a businessman, always emphasizing resources and benefits.
Sometimes he could be really generous.
Under certain circumstances.
"I don't want any negative scandals with Chen Siqi," Jiang Li said straightforwardly. "I don't want all my efforts to go to waste."
"I don't want people to mention me and only talk about how I'm a starlet who climbs the social ladder by relying on rich men instead of talking about my works and acting skills."
Even more exaggeratedly, they might directly call her a starlet who would sleep with anyone for money.
Xiao Yanzhi had already guessed this.
Jiang Li, who cherished her reputation, would never allow such a thing to happen.
That was exactly why he knew how to use this to make her obedient.
Jiang Li looked aggrieved, as if she was accusing something: "Besides, I've said many times that I've only been involved with you. No one knows this better than you."
"Even if a scandal breaks out, it should be between you and me."
Xiao Yanzhi was stunned for a moment. A flash of surprise crossed his mind.
When did she become so submissive and obedient?
Jiang Li's voice was soft, with just the right amount of coquetry and complaint: "Even if you have a new lover now, you shouldn't always pick on me."
Xiao Yanzhi was caught off - guard by her soft - toned complaint. He squinted his eyes and his voice was hoarse: "Lili, are you blaming me?"
"Of course I am," Jiang Li lowered her eyes. Taking advantage of the fact that there was no one around, she gently placed her palm on his chest and playfully tapped and circled with her fingertips.
She knew how to arouse a man's impulse and pity.
She let out a faint sigh: "You said you'd never let me be wronged again."
"But you broke your promise."
Xiao Yanzhi's eyes softened a bit. He pressed one hand on her waist and used the other's finger pad to lift her chin. He looked at her intently: "Why didn't you say these things earlier?"
Jiang Li didn't know what he meant.
Jiang Li bit her lip. Her eyes were teary, glistening with moisture: "What exactly does Mr. Xiao want to hear?"
Xiao Yanzhi's finger pad gently rested on her lips and kneaded them for a while.
"Maybe this mouth of yours is more suitable for doing other things."
His kisses rained down densely.
Xiao Yanzhi's kisses were always as domineering as his personality. His hands weren't content to stay on her back.
They gradually moved to her waist. He used so much force that Jiang Li could feel red marks being pinched on her waist.
It was full of possessiveness.
Fortunately, the waist of the dress wasn't hollowed out. Otherwise, it would surely be noticed later, she thought distractedly.
The man was dissatisfied with her distraction and kissed her deeper and more passionately.
It seemed like a punishment and also like a demand.
...
When Sister Chen came to the restroom to look for Jiang Li, she was the only one leaning against the wall. Her evening dress was a bit messy, and the detachable train of the dress was also thrown aside.
"My dear!" Sister Chen exclaimed. She rushed over and quickly picked up the train from the ground: "If this gets dirty, we'll have to pay a fortune."
Jiang Li calmly smoothed the wrinkles on her chest and the fabric around her waist. She said nonchalantly: "Xiao Yanzhi has plenty of money. He'll pay for it."
Only then did Sister Chen notice the smudged lipstick on her lips and the slightly ravaged marks.
The glistening lip bead was still a bit swollen.
"Quickly touch up your makeup. There'll be a group photo later," Sister Chen quickly took out a lipstick from her bag and held it out to her.
"Was Mr. Xiao giving you a hard time again?" Sister Chen sighed, feeling very sorry for her.
"Why would I be unhappy?" Jiang Li pursed her lips and didn't care. She just took the lipstick from Sister Chen and touched up her makeup in front of the mirror: "Isn't this how it's always been?"
She had always been at his mercy, at his beck and call.
Sister Chen looked at her with mixed emotions. She opened her mouth but hesitated to speak.
Jiang Li was right.
In the past four years, the relationship between Jiang Li and Xiao Yanzhi had indeed always been like this.
But she was completely different from before.
Before, she was willing.
Now, she was being two - faced.
Sister Chen couldn't even say which state was better.
"Lili, if you're unhappy, talk to Sister Chen more. Don't keep it all inside," Sister Chen glanced at her. "When I was young, I had a newbie under me. She was sexually harassed by the boss but didn't dare to tell me. Later, the emotional stress was too much for her, and she suddenly jumped off a building."
"She was a silly girl. I don't want you to go down her path one day. Do you understand?"
Jiang Li nodded, hugged Sister Chen, and stuffed the lipstick back into her hand.
"I know. Don't worry."
She and Xiao Yanzhi had experienced some unforgettable years.
But now, it was like the disappearing sand, gradually worn away without her noticing.
She had once been smitten, but now her heart had returned to calm.
He was a businessman who emphasized interests, the only son of the Xiao family, an untouchable flower on a high mountain. A person like her could never have a future with him in her entire life.
What right did she have to long for a simple, stable, and happy life?
It was an unrealistic fantasy.
—
By the end of the award ceremony, Jiang Li lifted the train of her dress and quietly slipped back to her seat through the back door when no one was looking.
Since Qin Yaoyao was a newbie and didn't have any works, she wasn't on the invitation list for this award ceremony.
So, naturally, Jiang Li and Xiao Yanzhi unconsciously stood next to each other.
In the final group photo, Jiang Li naturally stood in the center, with an elegant and calm smile. Beside her was the expressionless Xiao Yanzhi.
The image of the two of them was frozen in the photo.
...
After the ceremony, the celebrities, stars, and directors all left one after another.
Xiao Yanzhi looked cold. His eyes lingered on her for a moment, then he turned around without looking back.
"Go back and rest early."
He opened the car door and bent down to get in.
Jiang Li just stood by the roadside, looking straight at him. Her voice was sweet and obedient: "Have a smooth journey, Mr. Xiao."
The man had a deep - set face and calm eyes.
Watching the car gradually drive away, Jiang Li withdrew her gaze. The obedient side of her gradually faded.
Isn't it just acting obedient?
If she wanted to, she could outshine Qin Yaoyao by miles.