"Put more sway into your hips, make it more alluring!"

Shan Haoyu frowned at the photos on his camera, his expression dripping with dissatisfaction. If it weren’t for his desperate best friend begging him to step in, he’d never have set foot in this dingy little studio.

On the other side of the room, Jiang Yuxuan stood with one hand on her hip, rolling her eyes. The only reason she’d agreed to shoot this lingerie ad was because it was for an international brand—otherwise, no way in hell would she be here.

"Hey! The schedule said today’s photographer wasn’t supposed to be you!" She had been promised a big-name photographer, only to find some random guy behind the lens. Her temper was already simmering.

"He had an emergency. I’m filling in." Shan Haoyu didn’t even glance up, eyes fixed on the camera. "Hold the pose. Arch your back a little more."

The way he scrutinized the shots made Jiang Yuxuan’s skin crawl. Four years of binge-watching dramas and reading novels in college flashed through her mind, and suddenly, she was mentally scripting an 80-episode soap opera full of sleazy romance and cheap thrills.

"All that talk, and you’re just a stand-in? If the photographer’s busy, just reschedule!" Regret gnawed at her. She should’ve turned this job down the second she saw the paycheck.

Finally, Shan Haoyu lifted his gaze, scanning her from head to toe like an X-ray. "A part-time amateur model making this many demands?"

"What’s wrong with part-time? What’s wrong with amateur? Do I not have rights? I bet you kidnapped the real photographer and snuck in here to harass me!" She was ready to say anything if it meant escaping this nightmare.

His eyes lingered on her, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Just arch your back and get ready for the next set."

Jiang Yuxuan couldn’t stand the way he looked at her. Her hands fluttered nervously, unsure where to put them. "Y-you—you creep!"

At her outburst, Shan Haoyu paused. Then, slowly, he set the camera down and started walking toward her.

"Stay back!" Normally, Jiang Yuxuan was the picture of confidence, but this was her first time dealing with a full-blown pervert. Panic set in.

Hugging herself, she shrank back, her petite frame curling into a defensive ball. Desperation flashed in her eyes as he closed the distance. "How much do you want? I’ll pay! Just—just don’t touch me!"

Shan Haoyu's face darkened, veins bulging on his forehead as he retorted, "Kidnap you for your looks?"

"Listen up! I've got powerful connections! You'd better not lay a finger on me!" Jiang Yuxuan bluffed desperately, hoping to scare him off.

This girl was pretty enough, but what was wrong with her brain? Shan Haoyu couldn't make sense of it. Yet he crouched down until his nose almost brushed her cheek.

A roguish grin spread across his face as he braced his elbow beside her. "What if I do touch you? What exactly can you do about it?"

His masculine scent enveloped her, and for the first time in her fearless life, Jiang Yuxuan felt her cheeks burn.

Damn it, this scoundrel was actually good-looking—rosy lips, porcelain skin, like that vampire heartthrob from Twilight. And those thin lips... ridiculously sexy.

She gulped. No! This was no time to swoon!

"D-don't you wonder how a college girl like me landed such a prime photography gig? I'm telling you, my family's got serious pull! Mess with me, and you'll regret it!"

In her panic, she could only spin wild tales.

But Shan Haoyu clearly wasn't buying it. His smirk inched closer.

Jiang Yuxuan squeezed her eyes shut, praying he wouldn't cross the line.