Marketing

That night, Yuan Shun took a cold shower to help with his pent up arousal.

He was beginning to think that he needed to deal with Shi Yen in some way. She was toying with him, and he was letting her, which was a mistake on his part.

He knew Shi Yen was a venomous thing that only wanted to possess and not take responsibility for it. But he thought that he had the self-control to resist because it would piss her off, even more, knowing that she can't break him.

And yet, he was crumbling like dry clay anytime she was around him.

Yuan Shun splashed cold water on his face.

After he finished, he stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around his waist.

He figured that, for now, he would only focus on work.

He reminded himself that he was Yuan Shun. Up until now, nothing rattled him; nothing shook him. Shi Yen was only a mystery he wanted to solve. She was a secretive person, even though she was always expected to be like her father.

There was no mistake that she schemed, lied, and manipulated to get where she was, but it was how she'd done it that puzzled him. Her connections seemed to be diverted, with dead ends and leads, almost as if she collaborated with ghosts.

It was only until recently that she had seemed to be more open about how she ran her business, and nothing appeared to be shady.

He was curious about her, not understanding why.

Shi Yen…he thought. It was the name that haunted him for years. The first time he acknowledged her existence was years before when her father was still breathing and running a ruthless empire.

She was the heir apparent of Shi Group, the Lion Cub as some called her, and the girl he either had to compete with or marry.

Out of all women in high society, Shi Yen would have been the first selection in the topic of marriage. She was perfect. She excelled in sports, had good grades and a promising future; she was the heiress of a fortune and empire. But that was before her father had attempted to reach too far, destroying himself and his family's future.

Her father's ambitions led to their untimely downfall; therefore, Yuan Shun could have only seen her as an enemy since, someone he needed to crush.

But when her father passed, she was so weak and vulnerable that he pitied her and left her alone. He did not care what she did or what happened to her afterward. He had only asked Fang Qi to report on her now and then.

Then Shi Yen was on the rise, and at incredible speed too.

This was both good and bad. It was good because Yuan Shun was bored, and he needed something to excite him. And it was terrible because he was growing conscious of her, and he wasn't sure how to feel about it when Shi Yen loathed him.

Regardless, he didn't want to dwell on it, but she was already driving him insane.

Yuan Shun shook his thoughts, putting on pants and went straight to bed.

…

The next morning, Shi Yen woke up, trying to feed Shizi. Shizi refused, which was odd, but she decided to drop her off at daycare before heading over to the studio.

When she finished her morning routine, she visited Shi Ailin in the marketing department.

"I had come up with a way to market the cologne and perfume collection. We can make the scents similar, but with the cologne, we'll add a certain muskiness, and market as a collection for lovers," Shi Yen said. "Since I'm bold, I want to market it as a scent that draws you to someone. Kind of like a smell that makes you think, 'I want to fuck that person,' so it will be like a couples gift."

Shi Ailin blushed. She wasn't as brazen as Shi Yen, and the topic of love and sex wasn't something she was used to, but Shi Yen wasn't shy about it at all.

Shi Yen continued. "I want it to be a sexy campaign, but nothing too erotic. I want to appeal to those that are indifferent and those that are reserved about this topic."

Shi Ailin nodded. "I'll get right onto the campaigns, but we still have to create a formula."

"I need to work with the Lab to see what we can create," Shi Yen responded, dismissing the meeting.

"Sounds good," Shi Ailin said.

Shi Yen then spent the rest of the day with her lab partners when she left to pick up Shizi.

"Shizi hasn't eaten anything all day. We tried to give her solid foods and treats. I don't think she's well, but she still played with the other pets. If this continues, you must take her to see a veterinarian," said one of the trainers.

Shi Yen was shocked. "I will take work off tomorrow if she's unwell. Thank you for letting me know."

Shi Yen then gathered Shizi in her arms, taking her home.

At home, Shi Yen attempted to feed her, but Shizi refused.

Shizi only laid down, unmotivated to play, refusing to eat. She didn't wag her tail and slumped.

Shi Yen then did something she was advised not to do. She searched the web on possible causes, and everything terrible popped up. 'Signs of dying…'

She then immediately called all nearby veterinarians, but all the places were closed.

Shi Yen then scooped up Shizi, holding her tightly in her arms, sitting in the dark.

She suddenly heard something move in the living room. Yuan Shun was home. He was late, but he was home.

Shi Yen stood up, not understanding why her feet kept moving. But she felt like she needed someone, anyone. She knew she couldn't be alone, not like this.

She walked into the living room, finding Yuan Shun sitting casually. He straightened and blanched once he saw her. "Yen?"

Shi Yen burst into tears.

Yuan Shun stood up immediately. He moved over swiftly, holding her shoulders. Shi Yen only mumbled words as she cried. She motioned over to a half-conscious Shizi.

"…sick…places…closed," she muttered.

Yuan Shun's eyes widened. He then grabbed his car keys. "I know someone," he said. "Let's go!"