Chapter Four: If You Dare Go with Another Man, I'll Make You Quit the Dating Show

The room was silent; not a single soul dared to breathe, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.

The elderly Madam Yan’s gaze shifted between Yan Chuanzhou and Jiang Chiyu. Yan Chuanzhou’s hand tightened slightly, the corner of his lips twitching, but no words came forth.

Understanding the situation clearly, she chose to cover for her grandson with a vague excuse, “You’ve only been married a short while and are already thinking of divorce. Take some time apart to cool down. If you still want to end it later, it won’t be too late.”

Jiang Chiyu looked at Madam Yan with confusion. Just a moment ago, she had agreed, but now she had changed her mind so quickly. Silently, she thought, “This isn’t like the matriarch at all—she wouldn’t change her mind so easily.”

Madam Yan ignored Jiang Chiyu’s puzzlement and nonchalantly asked Yan Chuanzhou what his plan was.

Yan Chuanzhou was already irritated inside, but his face betrayed no emotion. He snapped, “Work has been busy lately; I don’t have time to deal with these trivial matters. Let’s talk later.”

Raising an eyebrow, Jiang Chiyu responded sensibly, but her years of habit made her blunt and efficient. She couldn’t help but say, “Sooner rather than later. Don’t drag this out.”

A chill seemed to drop around Yan Chuanzhou. Jiang Chiyu’s indifferent demeanor irritated him, prompting him to sulk alone.

“Enough. You can’t even relax over a meal. Let’s settle it for now,” Madam Yan declared, seizing the moment to break the stalemate.

As they left, Jiang Chiyu followed Yan Chuanzhou toward the car. Just as she was about to get in, Yan Chuanzhou blocked the door with his hand.

“I have things to do. Take a taxi back yourself, or have your little fanboy give you a ride,” he said coldly, a hint of grievance in his tone.

The Yan family’s old estate was near the outskirts, where taxis rarely reached. Yan Chuanzhou was deliberately teasing her.

Jiang Chiyu saw through it but chose not to call him out, silently labeling him “petty.”

“Chiyu, why not ride with me?” came Yan Guiyuan’s generous offer from behind.

She glanced at Yan Chuanzhou with disdain and replied coolly, “No need to trouble Mr. Yan. Goodbye.”

Turning to leave, she was abruptly pulled back by a strong hand.

Yan Chuanzhou dragged her into the back seat, shut the door and window, pinning her beneath him.

One hand gripped her wrist tightly, his eyes dark and threatening. “If you dare leave with another man, I’ll make sure you’re out of the dating reality show.”

Though puzzled by his sudden anger, Jiang Chiyu was clear-headed. Giving up her career for a man was not her style.

This reality show was currently her only source of income. She could not afford to quit.

She immediately raised her hand, swearing with firm eyes, “Boss, rest assured, no man is more valuable than my career.”

Her solemn vow took the wind out of Yan Chuanzhou’s anger. He slowly loosened his grip, the harshness around him fading. “Remember what you said. Don’t give me a reason to catch you.”

Jiang Chiyu obediently nodded and kindly reminded, “So, can you get off me now?”

Only then did Yan Chuanzhou come to his senses. His right hand held both her wrists; his left pinched her waist, keeping her beneath him in a suggestive posture.

The temperature inside the car seemed to rise. Jiang Chiyu noticed his ears were flushed bright red and curiously asked, “Are you hot?”

Before Yan Chuanzhou could answer, a figure appeared at the window. Yan Guiyuan suppressed his displeasure, knocked on the glass, and said, “Chiyu, do you want to take my car back? I’m heading the same way.”

At this, Yan Chuanzhou immediately got out, straightening his collar.

After a moment, the window slid down. Yan Guiyuan eyed the two calm figures inside, his gaze probing, suspicious. “What were you two just doing?”

“Nothing. Nothing happened,” Jiang Chiyu poked her head out calmly.

Still prioritizing her career, she added, “Sorry, Xiao Yuan, Sister Wen called me. I have to go back quickly, so I’m going with Mr. Yan.”

Yan Guiyuan deflated like a balloon. Helpless, he said, “Alright then. Next time, Chiyu, you can’t refuse me.”

“Mm,” Jiang Chiyu answered sincerely, as though promising to keep her word.

But who could say what the next time would bring?

Seeing Yan Guiyuan lingering, Yan Chuanzhou’s voice grew cold. “Still not leaving? Do you want me to see you off?”

“No need. Goodbye.” Yan Guiyuan handed Jiang Chiyu a small cake and turned to leave.

Earlier at the table, Jiang Chiyu hadn’t eaten much. After all the commotion, she was genuinely hungry.

Just as she was about to open the cake, a cold voice whispered in her ear, “Don’t eat anything given by other men.”

Looking at the cake in her hands, Jiang Chiyu’s throat moved, but she barely heard Yan Chuanzhou’s words. She carefully unwrapped the box.

Before she could touch it, Yan Chuanzhou snatched the cake away. Their eyes met; his gaze was icy. Jiang Chiyu, annoyed by his excessive interference, blurted out, “If you’re not going to eat it, then this comes with a price.”

She extended a hand decisively.

Jiang Chiyu was like a child mesmerized by money. Seeing her stubbornness, Yan Chuanzhou realized his outburst and pulled out his phone to transfer money obediently.

“Alipay transfer complete: two hundred thousand yuan,” a pleasant female voice announced.

Jiang Chiyu’s expression changed instantly. She handed him a fork with both hands, respectfully saying, “Boss, please!”

Yan Chuanzhou twitched at her sudden change in attitude, dumbfounded.

Had the Jiang family wronged her before?

Before he could ponder further, Jiang Chiyu’s eyes locked on the cake in his hand. She swallowed hard, as if drooling was imminent.

With a resigned sigh, he placed the cake before her, voice cool, “Taste it for me. I don’t like sweets.”

Jiang Chiyu’s eyes brightened, a small smile playing at her lips, eyes narrowing slightly. “Then does this two hundred thousand yuan count as mine?”

“It does.”

No sooner had he spoken than she grabbed the cake, fearing he might change his mind, and devoured it rapidly. Cream smeared the corner of her mouth unintentionally.

Yan Chuanzhou’s eyes involuntarily followed her every move through the mirror. Her small face, now flecked like a calico cat, remained focused on eating, oddly stirring a restless feeling within him.

Before she finished, he muttered, “You eat terribly. Watch your manners, or I’ll deduct money.”

Jiang Chiyu sped up, finishing the cake in moments. She took a tissue from her bag to wipe her mouth.

Turning to Yan Chuanzhou, she asked sincerely, “Is that enough? Can you stop deducting my pay now?”

A drop of cream clung to her nose. Her expression was pure, lashes fluttering, eyes clear and bright—like a delicate, obedient little cat.

Yan Chuanzhou caught sight of this and was momentarily dazzled, a strange feeling rising in his chest.