Chapter 7: Buzzkill

In the dark, the surging tide came rushing back.

Su Yu closed her eyes, suppressed the sensation, and forced herself into sleep.

The next day.

When Su Yu woke, Shen Yan was already gone.

She lay there, staring out the uncurtained window. Last night's rain had stopped. The sky was paling to fish-belly white, the sun climbing slowly into view.

Su Yu got up, padded barefoot across the cold floor to the cabinet, and retrieved her bag. She fished out the cigarette pack and lighter.

She lit one and leaned against the wall, smoking—still wearing his T-shirt.

Su Yu wasn't a heavy smoker. She only reached for cigarettes when she was deeply repressed or thoroughly agitated.

The smoke unfurled, curling around her.

Shen Yan hadn't been wrong. Her exterior made people assume she was a woman who'd been through a hundred lovers. It meant male clients were constantly sliding innuendo into negotiations.

Luckily, she was sharp. She always managed to sidestep the advances and still close the deal.

The cigarette burned down fast. Su Yu crushed it out in the ashtray and headed for the bathroom.

The woman in the mirror was still marked—scattered traces of last night across her skin.

Su Yu looked at her own reflection. A self-mocking smile curved her lips.

After washing up, she left the hotel room.

She'd arranged a property viewing with President Chen for today, set up at last night's dinner.

When Su Yu arrived at the sales center, Chu Yao was already in the reception area with President Li, going over contract details.

Su Yu was on the late shift today—didn't clock in until ten.

She gave Chu Yao a nod as she passed, then headed straight for the front desk.

She'd barely set her bag down when a male colleague—Little Zhao—scooted over. "Yu-jie, I heard Director Zheng gave you and Yao-jie another VIP referral?"

His tone was envious. The top performers always got the good leads.

Su Yu gave him a flat look. "Why do you care? Go do your client callbacks."

Little Zhao pouted and slunk off.

Su Yu had a client coming in to pay a down payment. She went to greet her with a smile. "Sister Zhang, you should've called ahead!"

Su Yu had excellent rapport with her clients. Sister Zhang linked arms with her naturally, laughing. "I was just passing by. Figured I'd get the down payment sorted—save myself another trip."

"Have a seat. I'll grab the card reader and receipt."

"Sounds good."

Su Yu walked Sister Zhang to the reception area, then went to get the card reader, receipt book, and a glass of water for her.

A pool hall.

Shen Yan was shooting pool with his partner-in-crime.

"Word is, Ye Yifei's coming back to the country." Gu Bei had a cigarette dangling from his lips, looking like a delinquent.

He stroked the cue forward. The white ball cracked into the red. Clean, sharp sound.

Shen Yan shot him a flat glance. "Mm. Coming back with Jiahe."

He lined up the red ball Gu Bei had just missed. It banked, rolled—and dropped into the pocket.

"I'm done."

He tossed his cue onto the table.

Buzzkill.

"What? We were playing fine." Gu Bei stared at him, baffled. "What's wrong with you?"

Shen Yan took a sip of water, sat down, and pulled out a cigarette. He placed it between his lips and lit it.

He didn't answer.

"Did mentioning Ye Yifei make you mad?" Gu Bei tried again.

Shen Yan still didn't engage. Another drag. Another slow ring of smoke.

"..." Gu Bei studied him. "I really don't get it. I think Ye Yifei's perfectly nice."

"You think she's nice?" Shen Yan's counter was flat.

Gu Bei nodded. "Yeah."

Shen Yan shot him a cold sidelong look and flicked his butt into the ashtray. "You think she's nice? Then she's yours."

He got up and walked out of the pool hall.

"..."

Gu Bei stood there, stunned, watching Shen Yan's retreating back. Utterly lost.

What the hell?!

What did I do to piss off His Highness?

I just mentioned Ye Yifei. What do you mean "she's yours"!?

I don't even want her!

Gu Bei hurried out after him.

Shen Yan was already in the driver's seat.

Gu Bei grumbled, "I don't want anything to do with your precious Miss Ye. Keep her to yourself."

He reached for the passenger door handle.

The instant his fingers touched the metal—click—the locks engaged.

Shen Yan had locked the car.

"What the—Shen Yan, this is my car!" Gu Bei lost it.

Shen Yan ignored him entirely. The engine fired. He was gone.

All Gu Bei got was the receding glow of taillights.

Gu Bei: "..."

Speechless. Absolutely speechless.

Should never have given him the keys.

Gu Bei stood there, aggrieved, and eventually pulled out his phone to call a Didi.

Su Yu waited all morning for President Chen. No show.

She called him. He didn't pick up.

Su Yu gave up and mentioned it to Chu Yao.

"Probably fine. Maybe something came up and delayed him." Chu Yao tried to reassure her.

Su Yu smiled. "Maybe."

She wasn't particularly invested in President Chen's deal either way.

That afternoon, Su Yu had another client come in for a supplemental payment.

She was at her desk processing the paperwork when a hand reached out from behind her.

Su Yu flinched. She spun around—President Chen, face flushed bright red, grinning at her.

The smell of alcohol hit her. She frowned. "President Chen, you've been drinking?"

President Chen chuckled. "Just a bit. Had a few with friends before coming over."

"How did you get here?"

"Flew my plane over." He grinned, pleased with himself.

Su Yu: "..."

He'd had quite a bit.

Su Yu steered him to a seat. "Wait a few minutes. I'll be right with you."

She flagged down the receptionist to bring him a glass of warm water.

Su Yu finished the existing client's paperwork, slipped it into a folder, and saw the client out.

Only then did she go find President Chen.

He was slumped sideways on the sofa, half-asleep.

Su Yu approached, voice low. "President Chen, are you okay? If not, we can reschedule the viewing."

President Chen cracked open bleary eyes, looked at her through the haze, and shook his head. "No need. Let's go see the place now."

He'd said so. Su Yu didn't push back.

She led the questionably-sober President Chen through the sand table model and the floor plans.

President Chen pointed at one of the models. "How big is this unit?"

"172 square meters. Largest floor plan we have." Su Yu answered.

"That one. Take me to see the model unit." Because of the alcohol, his words were running together.