Chapter 6: An Unexpected Agreement

Jiang Meilin's proposition sent a jolt through Zhao Jingshen. Spending a week navigating the city's underbelly with her? It was an unexpected turn, yet a secret thrill snaked through. Although, this was exactly what he'd hoped for, a way to spend more time with her under the guise of necessity. He schooled his features into a mask of surprise.

"With me?" he echoed, feigning astonishment. "Living on the streets? That's hardly necessary, Meilin."

Her smile faltered for a moment, a flicker of disappointment crossing her features. "Is that a no, then?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of challenge.

He couldn't resist a playful jab. "Let's be honest, Miss Jiang. While you might be a fearless artist, I suspect a week on the streets wouldn't be your cup of tea."

Jiang Meilin's eyes narrowed playfully. "Don't underestimate me, Mr. Zhao. Besides, having you by my side wouldn't hurt and I know a thing or two about self defense. You could use a dose of reality yourself, a reminder of the lives your company impacts."

The truth in her words struck a chord within him. He'd built his empire on calculated risks and laser focus, he didn't have a moment to live with all the dangers lurking around him, but perhaps she was right. A different perspective could be valuable. He steepled his fingers, considering his options.

"Very well, Meilin," he conceded, a hint of amusement in his voice. "You've made your point. But on one condition: we don't blow our cover. This needs to be an authentic experience, for both of us."

A wave of relief washed over Jiang Meilin. Secretly, she was thrilled at the prospect of spending a week with him, even in such unorthodox circumstances. She knew the risks involved, the potential for blurring the lines between professionalism and something more. But a reckless hope flickered within her, a hope she couldn't quite extinguish.

"Deal," she said, her voice steady despite the nervous flutter in her stomach. "We'll keep this a secret. Now, where do we even begin?"

Zhao Jingshen, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips, leaned back in his chair. "We'll start our... fieldwork on Friday. That gives us three days to prepare." He paused, his expression growing serious. "Meilin, I want you to understand what this job entails. It's not just about the week we'll spend experiencing life on the streets. You'll be creating seven paintings in three months, showcasing at a high-profile charity gala. Are you prepared for that level of commitment?"

"I... I don't know what to say," she stammered, the full weight of the opportunity finally sinking in.

"Say yes," Zhao Jingshen replied, his voice low and persuasive. "Give yourself a chance at the life you deserve."

Meilin's mind raced. This could be the answer to all her problems, no more scraping by, no more fear of eviction, but why did she feel like she was making a deal with the devil?

Before she could respond, the office door burst open. Lian Fei strode in, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene before her. Chen Li followed, looking at his boss apologetically. "I'm sorry, sir. She insisted it was urgent."

"It's fine," he waved Chen Li away, his face a mask of composure. He looked at Jiang Meilin in unspoken apology before shifting his attention to Lian Fei.

"Jingshen, darling, I thought we were having lunch," Lian Fei purred, her gaze sliding dismissively over Jiang Meilin. "Who's this?"

Zhao Jingshen's expression hardened almost imperceptibly. "Lian Fei, this is Miss Jiang Meilin. Our newly commissioned artist for the next charity gala."

Jiang Meilin felt the temperature in the room drop several degrees as Lian Fei's eyes bored into her.

"Is that so?" Lian Fei's voice dripped with false sweetness. "How... quaint. I do hope you know what you're getting into, little mouse."

As Jiang Meilin looked between Zhao Jingshen's impassive face and Lian Fei's barely concealed hostility, she realized that accepting this job would mean entering a world far more complex and dangerous than she had imagined.

But something in her, some long, dormant spark of ambition and desire, made her straighten her spine and meet Lian Fei's gaze.

"I look forward to the challenge, Mr. Zhao," she heard herself say. "When do I start?"

Zhao Jingshen answered with a smile dancing in his eyes, taken aback by her guts. "Chen Li will provide you with all the necessary details. I look forward to seeing your work."

As Meilin left the office, her mind was spinning. She had just accepted the biggest commission of her life from one of the most powerful men in the city. Yet, what lingered in her thoughts wasn't the money or the opportunity, but the warmth of Zhao Jingshen's hand and the intensity of his gaze.

Little did she know, as the door closed behind her, Zhao Jingshen found his own thoughts drifting back to their brief moment of connection, a small smile playing at the corners of his usually stern mouth. The week ahead promised to be unlike anything either of them had experienced before, and he found himself oddly looking forward to it.