The Helis Hotel.

"Mr. Yi, after spending the night with me, aren't you going to offer some compensation?" Ye Qingqiu's clear eyes sparkled with a coquettish smile as she tilted her head to gaze at the solemn man across from her.

Yi Jingting, the CEO of LE Group.

The man who could send the entire city of Lingcheng into a frenzy. Who would believe that a small-time doctor like her, barely known in the hospital, had managed to seduce this pinnacle of a man?

His sharp brows, deep-set eyes, and chiseled features exuded an intense, almost aggressive aura. Dressed in a white shirt with the collar slightly open, revealing his sun-kissed, muscular skin, the soft fabric clung to the contours of his body. Ye Qingqiu's gaze drifted downward, lingering on his black suit pants, her cheeks flushing as she quickly averted her eyes.

"How much do you want?" His voice was low and gravelly, like the rumble of distant thunder.

He still remembered how her delicate face had been as pale as snow last night, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, her long lashes damp as she whimpered in pain.

Now, she was dressed in a simple, pristine shirt, buttoned up to the neck despite the summer heat, paired with black jeans—a stark contrast to the bold, red off-the-shoulder gown she had worn when they first met at the hotel yesterday.

A sharp glint flashed in Yi Jingting's eyes.

"Five hundred thousand," Ye Qingqiu said, twirling a cigarette box in her hand, a faint smile playing on her lips.

His gaze swept over her jade-like neck as his fingers, resting on the arm of the sofa, began to slowly caress the fabric beneath them. The texture was as smooth and delicate as her skin had felt last night, like silk...

"Is that all your first time is worth?"

The deep, resonant voice carried a hint of mockery that Ye Qingqiu couldn't miss.

"Guess I'm just not that skilled..." Her eyes, soft as water, lifted slightly, brushing over the man's sharp features. A mischievous smile played on her lips as she stood up, gently tugging at his tie. The intoxicating scent of her perfume wafted towards him, causing Yi Jingting's heart to tighten.

Her red lips brushed against his ear as she whispered, "But Mr. Yi, you're not exactly a pro either."

With that, she turned and walked out the door.

All she vaguely remembered from last night was a searing pain, as if she'd been torn apart. Beyond that, there was nothing. It had been utterly disastrous.

If she didn't know better, she might have thought this thirty-year-old man was just as inexperienced as she was.

Ye Qingqiu patted her cheeks. Yi Jingting, the man who practically owned the entire city of Lingcheng—could he really be lacking in female company?

Back in the room, the man on the sofa darkened his gaze, his eyes clouded with a brooding intensity. Only the faint trace of her lingering scent seemed to stir something within him.

"I'm in room 1419. Come straight over."

He Li pushed the door open, holding a stack of documents. "Third Brother Yi, I've reviewed the Hainan project. Just need your signature."

Yi Jingting rubbed his temples, his short, neat hair brushing slightly as he moved. His features were calm and resolute, exuding an air of unshakable stability.

He Li suddenly sniffed the air and grinned as he sat down. "Well, well, looks like I might be getting a sister-in-law soon."

Yi Jingting remained expressionless.

"Your usual routine is as predictable as clockwork, but last night you didn't come home. And now there's a woman's scent in this room," He Li nudged Yi Jingting's solid elbow. "Third Brother Yi, after being single for so long, have you finally broken the dry spell?"

Yi Jingting lit a cigarette with a sharp click. The faint blue smoke curled around his stern face as he shot a cold glance at He Li, saying nothing.

In that brief moment of lowered eyes, the image of her smiling face flashed in his mind, unsettling him.

He knew she had played him, yet he couldn't muster any anger. In fact... he found himself oddly drawn to her lingering presence.