Flashback
The soft click of the pen echoed in the otherwise silent office as Jiang Yue signed the last of the documents her secretary had placed on her desk. The paperwork for the expansion into new territories was complete, a few more legal matters tied up, and the day was winding down—finally.
At 24, she had already achieved more than many of her peers, not just as the CEO of her family's powerful werewolf conglomerate, but as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated world. Still, no matter how many accolades she earned, she was not really appreciated.
The phone rang, jolting her out of her thoughts. Glancing at the caller ID, she sighed.
Her mother.
She answered, pressing the phone to her ear. "Mother," she said, her voice smooth but clipped.
"Yue, I hope you're not too busy, dear," her mother's voice came through, filled with that familiar, loving tone. "I just wanted to remind you about tonight."
Jiang Yue leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples lightly. "What about tonight, Mother?"
Her mother's voice sharpened. "The dinner with Zhang Yifan, the young master of the Zhang family. You remember? I told you I'd arranged it."
Jiang Yue's heart sank a little at the mention of Zhang Yifan. The playboy young master was known for his charm, wealth, and a reputation for never taking anything seriously. She didn't need her mother reminding her of what she already knew. He had made several advances in the past, but Jiang Yue had always been careful to keep him at arm's length.
"I remember, Mother," Jiang Yue said, though it was obvious she wasn't looking forward to it. "But I've told you before, I'm not interested in him."
"You don't have to be interested in him, darling," her mother replied with a laugh and teasing. "But it's about time you let someone in. You're a CEO, a beautiful young woman—why should you stay alone? It's time for you to give me grandchildren to play with.
Jiang Yue's jaw tightened. She had built her position through hard work, and everything her family had done to get her here, she had earned. She didn't want to just settle down of 'finding a husband' just to please her mother and the family
"I am not ready, Mother," she said, her tone more forceful now.
Her mother, unfazed, continued, "I'm not asking for you to marry him. Just have dinner, talk. He's a good match for you, Yue. He'll treat you well. And you never know, you might actually enjoy the evening."
Jiang Yue was silent for a moment, her fingers tapping lightly on the desk. She wasn't foolish. She knew her mother well enough to understand the real intent behind this dinner—she has been hoping for her to get married and have children
But she ate it, marriage only make one weak, that's her belief
She sighed. "Fine. I'll go. But just dinner. No promises, Mother."
Her mother's tone lightened immediately. "That's my girl! Just keep an open mind. I'll leave it to you. I'm sure it'll be fine."
"Alright, I'll see you later," Jiang Yue said, ending the call with a sigh. She dropped her phone onto the desk and rubbed her eyes.
She didn't want to do this. Not tonight, not with him. But she knew her mother wouldn't let up, and if she didn't go, the pressure would only increase. There was no escape.
Later that evening, she stood in front of her wardrobe, staring at her reflection. She had selected a simple yet elegant dress—dark blue, form-fitting, and tasteful. Nothing too extravagant, but still striking enough to command attention.
After a few minutes of indecision, she applied a touch of makeup and styled her hair into soft waves, framing her face delicately. She wanted to look professional—polished—yet nothing that would suggest she was truly invested in the night.
She wasn't even sure why she was bothering to look her best. Zhang Yifan wasn't her type, nor did she ever feel any real attraction toward him. He was handsome, sure. But his arrogance and playboy attitude did little to impress her. She'd met men like him before. Charming, yet shallow. She needed someone with more depth.
She arrived at the restaurant just as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the streets in a warm, golden hue. The venue was upscale, with towering glass walls that overlooked the city skyline. It had the air of exclusivity, but Jiang Yue didn't mind. She had been to places like this plenty of times.
Inside, the ambiance was sophisticated, quiet, and almost too perfect. A string quartet played softly in the background as waiters moved between tables, offering delicacies from various parts of the world.
When she spotted Zhang Yifan at the table, lounging in a chair with his legs crossed, a smug grin plastered on his face, she felt a wave of frustration. He didn't even rise to greet her. He just motioned for her to sit.
"Jiang Yue," he greeted her casually, his eyes scanning her figure in a way that made her skin crawl. "I was starting to think you'd stand me up. I know you were probably busy with your little child, but I'm glad you could make it."
Jiang Yue sat down, careful to maintain her composure. She placed her napkin on her lap, still not looking at him. "I was busy, but here I am. So, let's get this over with."
Zhang Yifan chuckled. "Relax, relax. It's just dinner. No need to act so cold, Jiang Yue. I'm not trying to bite you... not yet, at least."
She stiffened at his words. She knew what he was implying. But she wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of reacting.
Their conversation turned to business, as expected. Talk of mergers, partnerships, and family politics. Zhang Yifan was good at feigning interest, making polite gestures, but he wasn't fooling her. Everything he said, every word, reeked of ulterior motives.
Then, as the night wore on, the dinner took a turn she hadn't anticipated.
The wine had been flowing freely, and Jiang Yue felt her head start to swim with the buzz from the alcohol. Zhang Yifan's words became more suggestive, more bold. It was then that she realized—too late—that this wasn't just a casual dinner.
By the time she realized what had happened, Zhang Yifan had already slipped something into her glass. The room began to spin, and before she could protest, she was being escorted out by him, barely able to stay on her feet.
Jiang Yue's head spun as the aphrodisiac coursed through her body, clouding her thoughts and making her skin burn with an unfamiliar, insatiable heat. The restaurant had become a blur, the elegant dining room now just a distant memory, as her entire focus was on the sensation overwhelming her.
She had barely registered the realization that Zhang Yifan had drugged her before she felt her pulse race. Her mind screamed at her to resist, but the drug's effects were too potent. She had to get out, away from him. She had to escape.
With every ounce of strength, she pushed herself up from the chair, her vision swaying, and with one powerful movement, she shoved Zhang Yifan away. "Get away from me," she managed to rasp, her voice laced with fury.
But as soon as her palm collided with his chest, the force sent him crashing backward, his body flying into the wall and crumpling to the ground. The sound of his impact echoed in her ears.
Zhang Yifan struggled to regain his composure, his face flushed with both anger and shock.
He didn't expect her to have any strength left because he knew the aphrodisiac he gave was potent enough
"You—!" he started to shout, but she didn't wait to hear the rest. She turned on her heel and bolted out the door.
Her heart hammered in her chest as she staggered through the luxurious lobby, past the confused staff and patrons, heading for the street. Her body burned with heat, her thoughts a haze of blurred emotions and desires. She needed fresh air. She needed space. She needed to get out of there, far away from him.
But Zhang Yifan was fast behind her. The anger in his eyes was palpable, and he called out to his men, his voice booming, "Don't let her escape! Catch her!"
Panic surged through her veins. She couldn't let them catch her. Not like this. She wasn't some helpless woman, and Zhang Yifan wasn't going to get away with this.
Jiang Yue, fueled by a surge of adrenaline, launched herself into the alley beside the restaurant, weaving through the narrow space between buildings. She could hear the footsteps behind her, their echoes growing louder, but she refused to slow down. She was stronger than this. She wasn't going to let them intimidate her.
Her vision was blurry, but she could still sense the approaching danger, the feeling of being chased. Zhang Yifan's men were gaining on her. Though they are in the same realm with her they were skilled, powerful—he had sent his top men to track her down.
As she rounded a corner into a quieter part of the alley, she whirled around, meeting the first of his men head-on. With a swift, practiced move, she slammed her fist into his gut, sending him sprawling backward. The second man lunged at her, but she was faster. With a powerful punch to his chest, he was sent sprawling against the alley wall, unconscious before he even hit the ground.
Her breath came in ragged gasps, but the aphrodisiac had made her body feel alive, sharp, like every nerve was on fire. There was no stopping her now. But as she continued to flee, something caught her eye in the darkness—movement in the shadows.
A figure. Tall, imposing.
Her body tensed, and her mind, still clouded, immediately went on high alert. Had they sent more men?
But the figure stepped forward, and Jiang Yue saw the faint glow of streetlights catch the sharp lines of his face.
It was him.
Li Wei.
"Flashback Ends"
"So….who are you? Li Wei asked
Jiang yue turned to him looking at his face trying to read what is in his mind but she was disappointed because she couldn't find anything
"He should have been turned" she thought