Be My Lover

Gaoli Tower, 88th Floor, Rooftop Scenic Restaurant

The restaurant was shaped like an ellipse, encased in fully glazed floor-to-ceiling windows made of LOW-E insulated glass. The bold red curtains were loosely drawn up, allowing the dazzling cityscape to unfurl in all its splendor below. On the long rectangular dining table lay a red velvet runner, its subtle European embroidery at the rounded edges quietly signaling its worth.

Seated by the window was Xu Weide, thirty-seven years old, impeccably dressed in a silver-gray Armani suit that accentuated his tall frame. His handsome features were tinged with an unmistakable air of arrogance and self-satisfaction—the bearing of a man whom others called successful. A young professor at the Academy of Jewelry Design, he believed he had every reason to claim whatever he desired, including the woman sitting across from him.

“Yuwei, your graduation project, overall, is quite decent.” Since he had invited her out under the pretense of discussing her thesis, he had to address the topic.

“Oh, really? Thank you, I’m so glad to hear that.” Xia Yuwei waged a polite battle with her steak, her smile seemingly guileless.

“However, if you want to receive your diploma smoothly, some revisions are still necessary.” Xu Weide shifted gears with practiced indifference.

“Certainly, Professor. What changes do you think I should make?” Xia Yuwei took a bite of steak and dabbed at her mouth with a napkin.

“No rush—let’s finish our meal first and talk it over slowly.”

“Yuwei, if I’m not mistaken, you’re still single?” He watched the slight embarrassment on the girl’s face—a silent confirmation. Without waiting for her answer, he continued, “Be my lover, Yuwei.”

Wh-what?!

Xia Yuwei had just taken a graceful sip of her tea. At his words, she turned abruptly and sprayed the tea in shock.

“Cough—Professor Xu, did I hear you correctly?” Wasn’t Xu Weide a married man with children? It was rumored his wife came from a prominent family and was both beautiful and accomplished, yet he still wasn’t satisfied and wanted a mistress?

“You heard me right.” Xu Weide leaned forward, oozing a self-styled charm as he picked up a napkin and reached out to wipe the corner of Xia Yuwei’s mouth. She quickly intercepted the napkin herself, murmuring a thank you and firmly blocking his attempt at intimacy. He withdrew his hand, feeling somewhat thwarted.

From his experience, women like her could always be subdued by threats and promises. “You know, I have considerable standing in the jewelry design world. If you’re with me, I can guarantee you a brilliant future. Otherwise, it’s hard to say if your graduation project will even pass.”

Xu Weide wore his shameless composure like a mask, making Xia Yuwei want to scream.

“Professor Xu, I—”

She was just about to refuse when Xu Weide raised a finger to his lips for silence. “Shh.” Then, with a flourish he thought charming, he snapped his fingers—