Chapter 2 Heresy

Xu An’an didn’t answer. She had only taken advantage of Jiang Li’s identity, choosing the one weakness Jiang Yu couldn’t strike at, and dared to entice him. As for becoming his long-term lover—

Xu An’an glanced up and down at Jiang Li; she wouldn’t exactly be at a loss. But right now, she wanted nothing more to do with anything or anyone related to Jiang Yu. What’s more, Jiang Li was a man of such complexity that someone like her, a foster daughter lingering on the edges of the business world, could never hope to handle him.

Observing Xu An’an’s reaction, Jiang Li raised an eyebrow. “Are you afraid of me?”

Xu An’an clutched the suit jacket draped over her, cautious enough not to respond. After all, this Second Master of the capital’s Jiang family was notorious for his unpredictable temper—she certainly couldn’t afford to provoke him.

Suddenly, Jiang Li smiled.

“Xu An’an, I’m truly looking forward to our next meeting.”

He bent down, his handsome features magnifying before Xu An’an’s eyes. Their breaths mingled, and she caught the faint scent of cedar on him—suited him perfectly, she thought.

…

Xu An’an hadn’t expected her next encounter with Jiang Li would come so soon.

The very next day, she was sent to a secluded mountain villa to interview a reclusive mogul. As she was leaving, the sky darkened, thunder rumbled, and rain poured down. She waited by the roadside for what felt like ages, but not a single car’s taillights appeared in the distance. She stood there with her briefcase, enduring the downpour, until finally a car rolled by.

The vehicle pulled over.

Xu An’an hesitated when she saw Jiang Li’s cool, detached features in the back seat. Only when the driver urged her repeatedly did she climb in, cautious and wary. There was no other choice—the chances of hailing another car in such a remote place were almost nonexistent.

“Where to?” The driver’s voice was frigid, devoid of emotion.

“Downtown, please,” Xu An’an replied quickly.

The car started moving.

Although the interior was spacious, the moment Xu An’an got in, she was enveloped by the familiar cedar scent. Her face heated, and she couldn’t help but recall that chaotic night, when the same aroma had filled her senses.

“Good day, Mr. Jiang,” she offered with a forced smile, but Jiang Li didn’t even lift his eyelids.

Feeling slighted, Xu An’an shrank to her side of the seat, keeping as far away from him as possible, hoping not to provoke this formidable figure further. In contrast, Jiang Li maintained his reading posture from the moment she entered, betraying not the slightest hint of emotion.

For a while, the only sound in the cabin was the turning of pages in Jiang Li’s book.

Once she settled in, the discomfort from the rain quickly became apparent. Xu An’an shifted uneasily, trying to peel her damp white blouse from her skin. She had dressed formally today—a blouse and pencil skirt—to make a good impression on her interviewee. Now, soaked through, the shirt clung to her, accentuating every curve of her graceful figure.

Somehow, as she made these adjustments, she became acutely aware of a heavy, penetrating gaze. Goosebumps prickled along her arms—a primal sense of being stalked by a predator.

Xu An’an’s heart raced, her body warming. Out of the corner of her eye, she stole a glance at the man opposite.

Jiang Li sat unmoved, his eyes still fixed on his book.

Perhaps it was just her imagination.

She let out a silent sigh of relief. A man of Jiang Li’s status would never lack for women seeking one-night affairs; he wouldn’t possibly be brooding over her refusal. Besides, once this ride ended, they would return to being strangers in separate worlds.

Pressing a hand to her feverish forehead, Xu An’an unlocked her phone to search for the nearest hospital. The storm seemed to have given her a cold.

As her fingers swiped across the screen, a news alert caught her eye—a headline in the entertainment section. Someone had captured a blurry photo of her and Jiang Li’s heated kiss from that night. Thankfully, the angle and clarity only revealed Jiang Li’s identity, while she appeared as nothing more than a shadowy silhouette.

Xu An’an’s palms grew clammy as she stole a glance at the other party involved. Jiang Li, apparently tired of reading, now reclined with his eyes closed, resting.

He exuded a calm detachment; even with his eyes shut, there was an innate coldness and pride to his features—a glacial aloofness that warned others to keep their distance. This version of him seemed utterly at odds with the aggressive man depicted in the news.

The Xu family’s rules were strict; Xu An’an dared not let anyone discover what had happened. Yet with Jiang Li’s influence, he could have suppressed such rumors with a wave of his hand, making their appearance seem almost like an accident—or a calculated move.

Just then, her phone vibrated. An unfamiliar number had sent a text, but the tone was all too familiar.

“So, Xu An’an, I called you so many times—why aren’t you answering?”

“Blocked me? How dare you?”

“You little tramp! Are you trying to get back at me by hooking up with another man?”

“I’m warning you, if you don’t come crawling back and admit your mistake, this isn’t over!”

“If you know what’s good for you, get over here and beg for my forgiveness, or you’ll be sorry!”

Xu An’an glanced at the messages from Jiang Yu, sneered, and promptly added the number to her blacklist. Three days ago, she’d already blocked all his contacts, but Jiang Yu refused to let go. Shamelessly unfaithful himself, the sight of her kissing Jiang Li seemed to have triggered something in him, sending him into a downward spiral over the past few days.

Suppressing a shudder, Xu An’an’s phone buzzed again with a new message.

“Xu An’an, why aren’t you home yet? Don’t tell me you’re thinking of breaking off the engagement?”

Seeing this, Xu An’an’s face darkened. Jiang Yu’s tone made it clear he knew her whereabouts; he might even be lurking near her home, waiting to take revenge.

Xu An’an turned to look at Jiang Li, a dark thought flickering in her mind.

She swung her legs onto his, leaning forward in a deliberately intimate pose. “Mr. Jiang, does your previous offer still stand?”

Jiang Li opened his eyes to see Xu An’an’s cheeks flushed, her bright, fox-like eyes gazing at him.

Was this a gesture of surrender?

Jiang Li narrowed his eyes; for a moment, the air between them felt charged and still. He had to admit, Xu An’an was striking—her beauty was a potent, seductive kind that stood out even among celebrities and socialites. As some women put it, she was born to bewitch men.

From the first moment he saw her, Jiang Li had thought she was very much to his taste. And as it turned out, they were a perfect match, which had tempted him to consider something more long-term.

But that alone wasn’t enough.

“Xu An’an, what makes you think I’d help you?” Jiang Li’s lips curved into a cryptic smile.

“Second Master Jiang, after wearing your mask for so long, isn’t it nice to do something a little rebellious for a change?” Xu An’an’s hand slid to his most sensitive spot, and Jiang Li’s gaze darkened at once.

She was gambling—that Jiang Li wasn’t as strait-laced as he appeared.

A sudden thunderclap split the air outside.

Jiang Li raised an eyebrow, then flipped her onto his lap, fingers gripping her slender waist. “You guessed right.”