Chapter 4: Bound by a Fragile Contract

“This is my decision.”
His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority that brooked no argument.

The car stopped at Fu Boyun’s private villa. Before Jiang Yu could react, he swept her up into his arms and strode into the house.

She struggled fiercely, but his grip was unyielding. Frustrated, she snapped, “Fu Boyun, are you insane? Put me down!”

“Be quiet.”

His voice was low and commanding.

Jiang Yu was tossed onto the soft bed. She glanced around; the room was stark and cold, decorated in shades of black and white.

Fu Boyun stood beside the bed, looking down at her from above. Suddenly, he reached out and lifted the hem of her dress, revealing the long underwear beneath.

He paused, momentarily taken aback. The corner of his mouth twitched despite himself.

“Jiang Yu, you… wore long underwear to walk the red carpet?”

Jiang Yu pressed her lips together and muttered defensively, “It’s January. It’s freezing outside. Would you rather I caught my death from the cold?”

He chuckled softly, straightened, and turned to pick up his phone. Barking at Song Zhinning, he said, “If she wears this kind of thing again, dock everyone’s bonus!”

Jiang Yu rolled her eyes at his audacity.

“President Fu, aren’t you being a little too controlling? Do you intend to meddle in everything I wear?”

Fu Boyun glanced down at her, his tone slow and careless. “As long as you’re still under contract with me, I make the rules.”

His matter-of-fact attitude left Jiang Yu speechless with anger. She could only wrap herself in the blanket, refusing to acknowledge him any further.

He stepped closer, draped an arm around her shoulders, and bent to whisper in her ear, “Jiang Yu, however many days are left on our contract, don’t even think of running away.”

Jiang Yu looked up at his near-perfect face, her emotions a tangled mess.

She took a steadying breath, regaining her composure. “President Fu, I’ve fulfilled my part of this three-year contract. From now on, I hope we owe each other nothing.”

Her words made Fu Boyun’s gaze harden. He straightened, turning his back to her, voice cold. “Nothing owed? Jiang Yu, do you think too highly of yourself?”

A sharp pain stabbed at her heart, yet a faint smile curved her lips. “Fu Boyun, at least I’m cleaner than you.”

Silence fell between them, broken only by the sound of her quickened breathing.

Fu Boyun turned, fixing her with a cold, inscrutable stare.

“Very well. You’ll regret what you said today.”

The dim room grew heavy with an oppressive atmosphere, suffocating in its tension.

Suddenly, Fu Boyun hauled her to her feet.

He pinned Jiang Yu in the corner; his tall frame loomed over her, a hunter closing in on his prey—there was no escape.

She braced her hands against his chest, trying to put distance between them.

“Fu Boyun, calm down!”

His eyes met hers, and a cold, ambiguous smile played at his lips.

“Calm down? What do you think?”

His voice was low and hoarse, edged with danger.

Jiang Yu bit her lip, refusing to yield. “Don’t forget, our contract is almost up!”

“Contract?” Fu Boyun leaned in, his nose almost brushing her cheek. He scoffed, “Jiang Yu, to me, you stopped being just a contract long ago.”

He pinched her chin between his fingers, forcing her to meet his gaze.

Fury and wariness flashed in Jiang Yu’s eyes, but his were deep and unreadable, hiding emotions she could not fathom.

“Let me go!”

Jiang Yu pushed him with all her might—every fiber of her being resisting the pressure he brought to bear.

But her strength meant nothing before him.