Volume One, Chapter 36: Punishment and Reward

North City.

At the engagement banquet between the Meng and Jiang families, the groom-to-be appeared only once. Right as the ceremony began, he strode across the center of the venue with a somber expression, walked straight out the front door, and never returned.

The explanation provided by the Meng family was that Director Meng had been called away for an urgent, critical mission that could not be delayed, for which they were deeply apologetic.

On the Jiang family side, Jiang Jie’s parents were livid, threatening to call off the engagement entirely. It was only through the mediation of Mrs. Meng, coupled with Jiang Jie’s own refusal to give up, that the couple reluctantly deferred to their precious daughter’s wishes.

After the banquet, Mrs. Meng was so infuriated after countless unanswered calls to Meng Huaijin that she was hospitalized.

"Chuan, tell me the truth—did your brother really go on a mission?" Mrs. Meng asked, trying to keep her tone gentle.

Meng Chuan replied with certainty, "Yes, he did."

He had been in the restroom when Meng Huaijin took the call and hadn't heard the content. By the time he returned to the lounge, Meng Huaijin was already coordinating a private jet with Meng Tingzhou. He hadn't specified the nature of the mission, but Meng Chuan understood. His brother held a position of immense power; it had to be a critical, emergency assignment, otherwise, why would he need to mobilize a private jet?

Seeing Jiang Jie enter the room with a cup of hot water, Mrs. Meng stopped the conversation and smiled comfortingly. "Don’t be angry, Jie. You know the nature of Huaijin’s work—he often has to leave at a moment's notice. It’s unavoidable. When he returns, I will make sure he gives you a proper apology!"

Jiang Jie offered a faint smile and said nothing. Everyone was playing along with the charade, herself included.

Hours earlier, she had chased after Meng Huaijin as he left. "Do you have to humiliate me today, Meng Huaijin? Since you say we need to have the 'cooperative awareness' typical of our social class, does that awareness not include granting one another a modicum of dignity?"

Meng Huaijin paused, offering her his first apology. "If you feel wronged, this engagement can be called off. If you are the ones to propose breaking it, feel free to name whatever compensation you require for the loss."

"I won't break it," Jiang Jie said, her eyes bloodshot, her voice iron-clad. "Then we shall remain bound together, Director Meng."

Meng Huaijin didn't respond and turned to leave.

"Are you going to find your niece?" Jiang Jie laughed behind him. "To think that I, a deputy division-level official, am losing out to a girl who hasn't even started college—it’s truly laughable."

The man looked back, his gaze cold. "Since you have made up your mind to be bound to the glory of the Meng family and to my position, I would advise you to watch your tongue for the sake of your own wealth and status. If word reaches my mother, or if she finds out anything, I will personally dissolve this union myself."

"You... you are ruthless!"

Back in the hospital room, Jiang Jie pulled herself from her thoughts. Unable to stay any longer, she made an excuse about work and left.

Once she was gone, Mrs. Meng pulled out her phone and dialed a number. "Look into Huaijin’s whereabouts today. See if he has some sordid woman on the side."

She paused, a flash of cruelty crossing her face. "Once you find out who it is, don't notify me. You know what to do."

***

Shu Wan eventually found out.

Meng Huaijin’s requirement for her was that she was not allowed to wear clothes.

The man had booked a suite at the Nancheng Hotel, handling the check-in himself. Upon returning to the parking garage, he wrapped Shu Wan in his overcoat, carried her into the elevator, and headed straight to the room.

At that moment, Shu Wan was happy, thinking he was truly committed to the "role-play." She had kissed him several times in the elevator. Meng Huaijin had only stared at her with dark, inscrutable eyes, neither rejecting her nor scolding her.

However, the moment the door closed, he pinned her against it.

In an instant, his domineering, primal scent enveloped her, like a raging fire intent on consuming her whole. It was no longer a kiss; it was a savage claiming. Watching his madness, his wickedness, and the unfathomable depths in his eyes, Shu Wan gasped, trembling violently.

He took her against the door again, the act devoid of tenderness, laced with punishment. The girl clung to him, her eyes damp with tears. She wanted to cry out from the pain, but it was not just pain she felt.

Shu Wan whimpered, unable to speak.

Meng Huaijin gripped her throat, his gaze burning, both stern and violent. "Shu Wan, you have pushed me time and time again. When you provoked me, did you think of the consequences? Did I not tell you that there are certain outcomes you cannot bear?"

Shu Wan did not fully grasp the weight of his words, catching only the literal meaning.

"...You're a pervert. You look so serious, so solemn, but once the pants are off, you're just... just a beast..."

Her waist was firmly locked in his grip, moving rhythmically. Shu Wan sobbed, cursing him in broken fragments.

Meng Huaijin tore off his obstructive shirt, carried her to the bed, grabbed her feet, and leaned down. "Well cursed. Continue."

Her cries transformed into a different, shameful sound. The girl bit down on the finger he had inserted into her mouth, her vision blurred with tears, shaking too hard to speak. Meng Huaijin looked down, watching the nearly unconscious girl beneath him, his movements slowing slightly, though