Volume One, Chapter Three: Losing Yourself in the Game

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Zhou Huaixu said, "This is the entrance to Huaze."
His gaze shifted to Zhou Lin. "Planning to make a scene all the way to Father?"
Zhou Lin’s expression changed, and he released his grip.
Shen Zhao fled into the company without looking back, her figure hurried and anxious.
Zhou Huaixu’s cold eyes fixed on Zhou Lin. "If it was just a game, why bring it to the front of headquarters?"
Zhou Lin withdrew his gaze from Shen Zhao and said in a low voice, "Brother, my private matters are none of your concern."
Zhou Huaixu smiled faintly, his features indifferent and aloof.
"A game that pulls you in too deep is not worth the cost."
Zhou Lin replied, "I won’t."
Zhou Huaixu said no more, strode forward with long legs, and entered Huaze.

Investment Department.
Shen Zhao quickly switched into work mode. She didn’t even eat lunch and worked until nightfall. After sending the financial report analysis to her supervisor, she packed up and prepared to leave.
It was at this moment that she received a message from Shen Wenpei demanding money.

Shen Wenpei: "Why haven’t you transferred me the three thousand this month yet?"
Shen Zhao pinched the bridge of her nose and replied, "Aunt, I’m a bit tight on money right now. Can I give it to you next month?"
Shen Wenpei: "I heard from Chaochao that you just got your bonus."
Shen Zhao lowered her eyes, feeling too dispirited to respond.

She stood lost by the office window, watching the dazzling lights and busy traffic outside. Alone, with her only sincere boyfriend having slept with someone else, she suddenly felt suffocated, as if she could hardly catch her breath.

Ten minutes later, Shen Wenpei sent another lengthy message:
"Shen Zhao, your mother abandoned your father when he went bankrupt, leaving him no choice but to commit suicide. I raised you to adulthood out of respect for him and even took on his debts. Now, you don’t even want to give me three thousand a month?"

Debts are easy to repay, but favors are hard to return.
Every word from Shen Wenpei was the truth.
Shen Zhao had no way to argue.
She softened her tone, promised to transfer the money in a few days, and only then did Shen Wenpei quiet down.

Shen Zhao took a deep breath, sighed heavily, grabbed her bag, and left the investment office.
The finance department next door opened their door at the same time.
Ji Chao’s cold eyes glanced at her face, nodded without much expression, and said nothing.

They entered the same elevator.
Ji Chao spoke first, "I heard your boyfriend caused a scene at the company entrance this morning, didn’t want to break up with you."
Shen Zhao’s eyes trembled but remained silent.
"Zhou Lin really loves you, sister."
Ji Chao’s tone was calm, his gaze cold and detached.

When the elevator reached the first floor, Ji Chao stepped out just as his words fell. The lobby light shone on his skin, and Shen Zhao caught sight of a faint kiss mark on the pale nape of his neck.

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The kiss mark was faint, like it had been left days ago.
"Chaochao."
Shen Zhao’s gaze landed on Ji Chao’s face.
"Do you have a boyfriend? Why have you never mentioned him?"
Ji Chao replied, "If there’s a chance, I’ll bring him to meet you."
Shen Zhao answered softly, "Okay."
Ji Chao walked toward his car and drove off.
Shen Zhao headed on foot to the nearby subway station.

Ji Chao was Shen Wenpei’s daughter—Shen Zhao’s cousin, born just two months after her.
They had been close as children, inseparable.
After Shen Zhao moved out of the Ji family as an adult, though financially tight, she still chose thoughtful gifts and sent birthday wishes to Ji Chao every year.
Yet for three consecutive years, Shen Zhao never received a single birthday greeting from Ji Chao on her own birthday.
By the fourth year, Shen Zhao stopped hoping for it.
Some relationships simply fade away over time.
Such was the case with her and Ji Chao, and with Zhou Lin.

After exiting the subway, as she walked home, Shen Zhao received two more messages.
One was from her father Shen Wenbin’s creditor demanding repayment. Since reaching adulthood, Shen Wenpei no longer took on her father’s debts and left them all to her. The creditors only contacted her for money.
The other was from the caregiver looking after her grandmother, sending a hospital bill.

With debt repayment, medical expenses, and money owed to Shen Wenpei combined, Shen Zhao’s bank balance was nowhere near enough.
She contacted her friend Yan Yan to ask if there were any suitable odd jobs available.
Yan Yan, knowing her situation, quickly replied that a high-end restaurant’s pianist had a family emergency and needed someone to cover a shift.
Yan Yan said, "But the timing’s tight. You have to start tomorrow night."
Shen Zhao agreed, "I’ll go tomorrow night."

Yan Yan hesitated, then said, "Zhaozhao, Zhou Lin is your boyfriend. You’ve been together three years. Doesn’t he know how hard you’ve been struggling?"
The implication was clear, and Shen Zhao understood perfectly.
"When my grandmother had a heart attack and urgently needed money, Zhou Lin helped once. But I can’t treat him like an ATM," she said gently.

To Zhou Lin, a seven-figure medical bill was nothing, but to her, it was a lifeline. She owed him gratitude but would never take advantage of him or push her luck.
Besides—
"We’ve already broken up. My problems are no longer his concern."

Yan Yan was silent for a full half minute, then stammered, "Are you… really willing to do that?"
Shen Zhao replied simply, "Yes."
Yan Yan wanted to say comforting words but seeing Shen Zhao so quietly resolute, she didn’t know what to say.
Shen Zhao said, "I’ll hang up now. See you tomorrow."
"Okay, see you tomorrow."

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The next day after work, Shen Zhao hurried to the restaurant location Yan Yan had sent her.
The manager, learning she was recommended by Yan Yan, asked her to play two pieces. Finding no issues, he immediately let her start working.
The shift lasted three hours, with a twenty-minute break in the middle.

After playing for an hour and a half, Shen Zhao stood up, ready to rest nearby.
In that moment, her eyes met the deep, dark gaze of Zhou Huaixu.
Shen Zhao froze.

Zhou Huaixu seemed to glance at her casually, his distant gaze not lingering, and soon he walked away like a stranger.
Beside him were other businessmen in suits, their smiles courteous and admiring—likely here for investment talks with Zhou Huaixu.

"Zhaozhao."
Yan Yan, just entering the restaurant, saw Shen Zhao in a daze. Following her gaze, she also spotted Zhou Huaixu.
"Isn’t that your boyfriend’s older brother… Zhou Huaixu? If you weren’t broken up with Zhou Lin, you might have to call him ‘brother’ someday! You two look like strangers. Didn’t Zhou Lin ever introduce you to Zhou Huaixu before?"

Actually, there had been one occasion.
Three years ago when Shen Zhao was still in university, Zhou Huaixu donated a billion yuan personally to the school, becoming the youngest honorary board member.
After his speech at the anniversary celebration, Zhou Lin brought Shen Zhao to dine with him.
Zhou Huaixu’s aura carried an innate pressure; Shen Zhao dared not lift her head during the meal and only glanced at him from afar when the event broke up.

The man stood tall by the street, aloof and noble.
His sharp, handsome features were a perfect blend of Eastern skin and Western bone structure—a top-tier, strikingly handsome face.
At that time, Zhou Huaixu was holding hands with a woman, and they got into the same car.

Shen Zhao had heard Zhou Huaixu studied abroad and donated because his first love attended that school.
She also recalled the name Zhou Lin mentioned the night before—
Su Zhili.

Knowing Zhou Huaixu had slept with her, Shen Zhao didn’t foolishly think he had any interest in her.
Zhou Lin said Zhou Huaixu had just broken up with Su Zhili.
It seemed the man used her as a venting tool.
Unexpectedly, even someone like Zhou Huaixu could lose his reason over a breakup.

Shen Zhao was lost in thought when Yan Yan, assuming her silence was agreement, added:
"It’s normal you haven’t interacted. Zhou Huaixu was a big name on Wall Street a few years ago. People like us don’t even have the chance to meet him."

Shen Zhao’s mind was elsewhere now.
A thought formed, and she pondered whether to act on it.