A Pawn in His Game

The morning after the gala, Zhao Liyun could barely concentrate.

She replayed everything in her head—the way he’d pulled her close, the fury in his eyes when another man looked at her, and most of all…the kiss. That dangerous, aching kiss.

Her fingers brushed her lips unconsciously.

“Stop it,” she muttered under her breath. “He doesn’t care. He made it clear.”

But her racing heart refused to listen.

In the office, Li Wei was the picture of composure. His hair perfectly in place, his voice steady as he gave instructions. It was as though nothing had happened.

Liyun swallowed her frustration. Does he really expect me to forget it? Pretend it didn’t happen?

“Miss Zhao,” his deep voice snapped her from her thoughts.

“Y-yes?”

He glanced up, eyes unreadable. “Cancel my afternoon meeting with Minister Chen. Instead, schedule dinner with the Zhao family.”

Her blood turned to ice. “My…my family?”

“Yes.” He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled. “Your father and I have business to discuss.”

She froze. “But…why me?”

“You’re my assistant. You’ll be there.”

Her stomach twisted. He wanted to meet her parents. No—he wanted to get close to them.

Something about the cold calculation in his tone made her uneasy.

That evening, they arrived at an exclusive restaurant. Private dining rooms, velvet curtains, the air thick with wealth.

Her parents greeted them warmly, her father shaking Li Wei’s hand.

“President Li,” her father smiled. “An honor to finally meet you.”

“The honor is mine,” Li Wei replied smoothly, though his eyes glittered with something darker.

Liyun watched, unease clawing at her chest.

Her father poured wine. “I hear you’ve built an empire already. Impressive for someone so young.”

Li Wei gave a polite smile. “Hard work. Sacrifice. And knowing who my true enemies are.”

The word enemies made Liyun’s heart skip. She glanced at him sharply, but his expression remained flawless.

Her parents laughed lightly, unaware of the weight behind his words.

But Liyun knew. She felt it. His gaze lingered on her father too long, too sharp.

He hates them, she realized, dread pooling in her stomach. Why?

After dinner, as they walked to the car, she finally snapped.

“What was that?” she demanded, her voice low but sharp.

Li Wei slid his hands into his pockets. “What was what?”

“That look. At my father. Why do you hate him?”

He stopped walking, turning to her slowly. His eyes were cold, but there was fire beneath them.

“Do you really want to know?” he asked softly.

She swallowed. “Yes.”

His lips curved into something between a smirk and a sneer. “Then earn it.”

Her heart dropped. “E-earn it?”

“Stay by my side. Don’t question me. Do what I ask. Maybe then…” His gaze darkened, “…I’ll tell you the truth.”

Her breath caught. He was using her. She knew it.

But the worst part?

A part of her still wanted to stay.

The next few days were torture.

Li Wei was colder, more demanding. He worked her to exhaustion, making her organize files until midnight, attend endless meetings, even memorize company reports.

“Too slow,” he muttered when she stumbled over a presentation draft.

She clenched her fists. “You could at least—”

“Don’t argue,” he cut sharply. “If you can’t handle this, leave.”

Her throat tightened. “Is that what you want?”

For the briefest second, something flickered in his eyes. Pain. Conflict.

Then it was gone. “Yes.”

Liar.

One night, she collapsed on the office couch, too tired to move.

Li Wei entered, pausing when he saw her. He should have walked past. He should have ignored her.

Instead, he walked over, crouching down.

“You’ll make yourself sick,” he muttered, almost irritated.

She blinked up at him. “Maybe then you’ll give me a break.”

Something softened in his gaze. Without thinking, he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Her breath hitched.

“Let me take care of it, alright? You need to rest.” His voice was low, almost gentle.

Her heart ached. This wasn’t the enemy. This wasn’t the cold man who wanted revenge.

This was someone else. Someone broken.

She whispered, trembling, “Why are you like this? Cruel one moment…kind the next.”

He froze. His hand lingered for a second longer, then pulled away.

“Because,” he said hoarsely, standing abruptly, “I can’t afford to be weak. Not with you.”

That night, Liyun couldn’t sleep. His words echoed in her mind.

Not with you.

Did that mean…he was afraid of her? Or afraid of what she was making him feel?

Meanwhile, Li Wei sat alone in his penthouse, staring at an old photograph. His parents, smiling, holding him as a child.

His fists tightened.

“Zhao family,” he whispered through clenched teeth.

But when he closed his eyes, it wasn’t his parents’ faces he saw.

It was hers.

Her trembling lips, her soft eyes, the way she had looked at him when he brushed her hair back.

He buried his face in his hands.

“Damn it,” he muttered. “Why does it have to be you?”

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