Ever since that dinner, the way Zhou Wanqing looked at me had changed.
Her gaze now held a probing quality, a sense of intimacy she took for granted.
The next morning, she emerged from the bedroom, still wearing my shirt. Barefoot, she walked over to me, intending to wrap her arms around me from behind.
Holding my coffee, I sidestepped, a subtle but deliberate movement.
Her arms froze in mid-air, a flicker of awkwardness on her face.
"Mingqian, what's wrong? Are you not feeling well from the drinks last night?"
I didn't look at her, keeping my eyes fixed on the window. "No," I said, my voice flat. "Just tired."
The atmosphere chilled instantly.
My coldness was an invisible wall, shutting out all of her warmth. She bit her lip, her face an unconcealed mask of disappointment and hurt. In the past, that pitiful look would have made my heart ache, would have had me pulling her into my arms.
But now, all I felt was disgust.
The arrival of Lin Jingxuan broke the stalemate.
He was carrying breakfast, letting himself in with the keypad code as if he owned the place. "Wanqing!" he boomed the moment he stepped inside. "Come and eat! Fresh soup dumplings!"
The gloom vanished from Zhou Wanqing's face. Beaming, she rushed to him, taking the breakfast. At the dining table, they began to act sickeningly sweet, completely oblivious to my presence.
He would pick up a dumpling, blow on it to cool it, and offer it to her lips.
She would lean in with a smile, her eyes locking with his in a smoldering gaze.
They were so lost in their little performance, they seemed to have completely forgotten about me, her "husband," in the living room.
I watched silently, sneering inwardly.
*What an intimate couple. A match made in heaven.*
I set down my coffee cup with deliberate slowness and cleared my throat.
"The company's annual gala is next week. I'm planning on taking you with me."
Both Zhou Wanqing and Lin Jingxuan froze. Their heads snapped toward me in unison.
I ignored the flicker of displeasure in Lin Jingxuan's eyes and continued, speaking directly to Wanqing. "I hear CEO Zhao from Dianguang Media will be there. Rumor has it he's preparing a major project."
"Dianguang Media? CEO Zhao?"
Her eyes lit up instantly, gleaming like a predator that has spotted its prey—a look of naked ambition and desire.
I nodded, my face a mask of earnest concern. "Isn't it your dream to be a famous actress? I may not have much influence, but I can at least introduce you to the right people. The kind of resources CEO Zhao commands could save you a decade of struggle."
At my words, her breath hitched.
She practically threw herself at me, her arms hooking tightly around my neck. She planted a firm kiss on my cheek, her voice cloyingly sweet. "Darling, you're the best! I knew you cared about me the most!"
Lin Jingxuan's expression soured instantly.
He looked as if he was about to say something, but a single glance from Wanqing silenced him.
I let her press against me, feeling the softness of her body, smelling her perfume, as my stomach churned violently.
I looked up, my gaze meeting Lin Jingxuan's. His eyes were simmering with ill-concealed jealousy and resentment. Inwardly, my cold smile widened.
*Patience.*
*This is only the beginning.*
*The grand stage I have prepared for you both has only just been set.*