Plunder

Zhou Jin'an had just left when the room erupted into chaos.

"Aunt Zhou."

An Kexin threw herself into Mrs. Zhou's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Mrs. Zhou felt pained and gently patted her back, soothing her in a warm voice, "Kexin, your aunt promises you, if Jin'an gets married, the bride will definitely be you."

These words were meant for An Kexin to hear, and, of course, for Qiao En to hear as well.

She was taking a stand to dispel any improper thoughts in Qiao En's mind,

telling her that only someone of noble birth like An Kexin was a fitting match for Zhou Jin'an.

Qiao En tactfully stood up and poured a cup of hot tea for An Kexin.

"Miss An, with your beauty and wit, you are sure to find a fine match with Director Zhou. He's been under a lot of pressure at work recently and has taken it out on you. Please be more understanding."

The words fit her role as a secretary.

An Kexin stopped crying, received the cup of hot tea but didn't drink it.

"Secretary Qiao, I was rude just now, please don't take offense."

"Not at all."

Qiao En replied candidly, with an air of integrity that feared no accusations.

An Kexin wiped away the tear stains from her face and said to Mrs. Zhou, "Aunt Zhou, I'll be going home now. I'll come to visit another day."

After saying this, she bid farewell to Mrs. Zhou.

Qiao En also stood up to leave, but Mrs. Zhou stopped her.

"Secretary Qiao, stay a moment."

"Yes, ma'am," Qiao En replied obediently and stayed.

The door to the private room closed again, and Mrs. Zhou sat at the head of the room in silence.

She remained seated while Qiao En stood, and the atmosphere in the room wasn't pleasant.

Mrs. Zhou was upset, something Qiao En knew had to do with her recent interaction with Zhou Jin'an.

She was now just a dropped piece on the gameboard, absolutely not a stumbling block.

"Qiao En, do you know what I like about you the most?"

Mrs. Zhou asked soberly, without looking away.

"My intelligence."

Qiao En answered as expected.

Mrs. Zhou gave her a sharp look, her shrewd eyes full of reprimand.

"But I'm afraid your intelligence might backfire on you."

Her voice was heavy, carrying a sense of oppression.

Qiao En understood what she wanted to express. She took a deep breath and replied, "Madam, I've parted ways with Director Zhou. There will be no further contact."

She had brought up parting and had gone through with the resignation.

From now on, things would go their separate ways.

She had fulfilled her role as a pawn according to Mrs. Zhou's wishes and was resigned to the fate of a discarded piece.

"What if he doesn't let go?"

Mrs. Zhou countered.

Qiao En found herself at a loss for words, "Director Zhou isn't that kind of person, and furthermore, I'm not worth it."

She was very self-aware.

But Mrs. Zhou was not reassured and took an envelope out of her bag and handed it to Qiao En.

Inside was a card and a plane ticket.

"Qiao En, you're a smart person; there are things I don't wish to spell out. Jin'an didn't grow up under my wing, but he's my only son. Which mother wouldn't plan for her son's future? I may have left the Zhou family, but Jin'an is still part of it. Do you know how much he has given up to be where he is today?"

Mrs. Zhou said, her voice choking up.

When Zhou Jin'an was three years old, Mrs. Zhou was driven out of the Zhou family due to a "scandal," a sensational event in Rong City. However, less than a year later, Zhou Zhendong remarried, and the new Mrs. Zhou bore the family more sons, two in a row.

As the eldest son, Zhou Jin'an, affected by his mother's scandal, lost the affection he once had.

These old events were never mentioned to Qiao En by Zhou Jin'an.

Affairs of the wealthy were foreign to Qiao En, but who doesn't experience hardship just by being human?

Although she couldn't empathize with Zhou Jin'an, she understood.

"Madam, rest assured, I will leave Rong City as soon as possible," she promised, giving Mrs. Zhou some peace of mind.

"You're a sensible girl. Jin'an was lucky to have met you. But he has his own path to follow. As his mother, there is only so much I can do for him. Kexin has the An family backing her, which can help him reach greater heights and go further. Qiao En, you also wish to see Jin'an do well, don't you?"

"Yes, ma'am. Director Zhou will surely achieve what you wish for him," Qiao En replied.

Mrs. Zhou stood up, grasped Qiao En's hand, and patted it.

"You're still young; see more of the world out there. I've made arrangements with a school for you. Leave for abroad as soon as you can, and remember, don't let Jin'an find out."

"Okay."

Qiao En was still very obedient.

After leaving Qingxiang Pavilion, she wandered aimlessly down the brightly lit streets.

The road was long, and the lights were bright, but Qiao En still couldn't see what was ahead.

Where was her future?

Clutching the plane ticket, she felt as if it weighed a ton.

"Enya, when are you coming back? Your dad has almost fallen asleep on the sofa; he refuses to go to the bedroom and insists on waiting for you," her mother called again to urge her.

A twinge of sorrow hit Qiao En.

The lights before her eyes became nothing but a blur of halos.

"Mom, you guys go to bed first, I have to work overtime, so I won't be coming home tonight."

It was late when she finally returned to her own small apartment.

She entered, turned on the light, kicked off her shoes, and headed straight for the bathroom.

Halfway through her shower, the door opened.

Zhou Jin'an stood there, tall, clothed in white and black, leaning against the door, gazing at Qiao En's smooth back with interest.

With her eyes closed, she was washing her hair, bending over, her slender back arching and bones protruding, and his gaze wandered from her back to her side waist, to her chest.

Qiao En had a petite figure, with narrow shoulders and waist, a typical southern girl.

Her skin was pale and exceptionally translucent, flushed with a hint of peach against the steam.

Though thin, she was curvy in all the right places.

Zhou Jin'an was enjoying the view when Qiao En suddenly opened her eyes.

"Mr. Zhou, what are you doing here?"

Qiao En panicked, her hands quickly crossing to hug her shoulders, but she couldn't cover both top and bottom at once.

Zhou Jin'an crossed his arms in front of his chest and shrugged.

"Stop covering up. It's not like I haven't seen it all before."

As he spoke, he began unbuttoning his shirt, revealing his amber-colored chest muscles.

Before Qiao En could stop him, he had stripped off his clothes and, naked, stepped next to her.

"Let's shower together."

Qiao En's heart was in turmoil, Zhou Jin'an was acting out of character, and she didn't know how to respond.

But one thing was clear to her, she had to draw a line between herself and Zhou Jin'an.

"Mr. Zhou, we have already—"

Separated, the words she hadn't yet spoken, when Zhou Jin'an leaned in and kissed her lips.

Domineering, assertive, brazen, and rough.

The kiss left Qiao En's mind blank.

He had been drinking, and with the craziness of alcohol, he cornered her under the showerhead.

The water poured down from above, and his kisses followed.

Had Qiao En not resisted, Zhou Jin'an would have certainly taken her right there in the bathroom.

He carried Qiao En to the bedroom, impatiently pressing her onto the large bed.

He was Qiao En's first man.

He had unraveled all her secrets and naturally knew how to arouse the sensitive spots he had personally discovered.

Desire peaked, and Qiao En melted into a soft cotton flower.

He took her frantically, refusing to let her go, until Qiao En fainted from exhaustion, then he finally stopped.

When she awoke, it was already daylight.

Qiao En was still lying in Zhou Jin'an's arms.

Waking up in his arms had once been her greatest desire.

Having her wish fulfilled, Qiao En dared not indulge.

Struggling to sit up, he reached out and pulled her back, "Lie down for a while longer."

He pressed down on Qiao En's neck, making her rest at his chest.

"Mr. Zhou, please don't come here anymore."

In private, Qiao En liked to call him Mr. Zhou.

Telling him not to come was her firm decision.

Zhou Jin'an didn't utter a word, his eyes tightly shut, as if he had fallen asleep.

It wasn't until nearly noon that Zhou Jin'an woke up.

The driver came to pick him up, and he quickly got out of bed.

Qiao En said, "I've packed your clothes, I'll bring them over to you later."

She liked to cut through the mess; she wasn't one for dragging things out.

"Mhm."

Zhou Jin'an responded indifferently.

He left just like usual, pulling the door open and heading out without looking back.

However, not even five minutes had passed before An Kexin arrived.