Chapter Five: A Gift for You

Unconsciously, the two figures drew closer. Yan Chuanzhou gently placed a hand on Jiang Chiyu’s cheek, his gaze intent as he studied her face, eyes slowly drifting downward.

Jiang Chiyu licked the corner of her mouth without realizing it, her delicate tongue flickering faintly between her cherry-red lips, moist and alluring.

With his thumb, Yan Chuanzhou lightly traced her ruby lips. His other hand pressed down on the gear shift between the front and back seats, cutting off the driver’s view, steadily inching closer.

Their breaths mingled, and Jiang Chiyu's heart pounded faster, racing up her throat. She raised a hand to shield her chest, only to find her palm pressed firmly against Yan Chuanzhou’s broad chest.

The silence inside the car was almost terrifying. She felt the vibrant beat of his heart, steady and strong. She understood that Yan Chuanzhou was very composed at this moment.

Just a hair's breadth away, a faint smile curled at the corner of Yan Chuanzhou’s mouth, about to lean in closer—when suddenly, a strong push stopped him.

“Bang!”

The sharp sound of impact shattered the quiet inside the car instantly.

The force was just enough to stun without causing injury.

Yan Chuanzhou touched the back of his head, incredulous, staring at Jiang Chiyu.

Feeling a pang of guilt, Jiang Chiyu quietly withdrew the hand she had raised and turned toward the front, pressing the divider. “Driver, please pull over. I’ll go buy something and be back quickly.”

Yan Chuanzhou couldn’t understand her action. Was she refusing the gift he’d offered so readily?

No, he wasn’t a mere “duck” to be passed over.

His eyes never left Jiang Chiyu’s retreating figure, watching as she entered a cake shop. She wandered inside before settling on one, chatting briefly with the clerk.

So she really liked cake, Yan Chuanzhou thought.

Soon, Jiang Chiyu returned, handing the cake to Yan Chuanzhou. “This is for you.”

“For me? Why?” Yan Chuanzhou asked.

Jiang Chiyu smiled innocently. “You got so close just now because you wanted to eat the cake in my mouth, right? Now I’m giving you one, so you don't have to fight me for it.”

“You... you actually think that way?” Yan Chuanzhou stammered, almost amused by this foolish woman before him.

Previously, Jiang Chiyu had clung to him relentlessly, yet now his charm was losing to a small cake?

And what made Jiang Chiyu think he couldn’t afford a single cake?

But Jiang Chiyu seemed to read the situation perfectly and continued, “I asked the clerk. This cake is low in cream and sweetness. You should like it.”

“Thanks,” Yan Chuanzhou said with a forced smile, secretly wishing he could peer into her mind to see what kind of nonsense was lodged there!

It was the first time since gaining his handsome face that he felt defeated.

Jiang Chiyu beamed brightly, replying generously, “No need to thank me.”

Trading two cakes for two hundred thousand yuan—Jiang Chiyu almost laughed herself apart. Wasn’t this faster money than appearing on a dating show?

Jiang Chiyu chuckled; Yan Chuanzhou did not.

Now Yan Chuanzhou realized that the previous Jiang Chiyu was all talk and no understanding—a complete novice.

He had truly hit a brick wall.

As the car pulled away from the curb, unaware, a paparazzo across the street captured the scene.

Once the photos were released, Jiang Chiyu instantly surged to the top of the trending searches, with the phrase “Jiang Chiyu has a sugar daddy” firmly in first place.

Back at the dating show location, Jiang Chiyu stepped out of Yan Chuanzhou’s car, with him close behind.

She pressed the cake into his arms, declining, “Really, you don’t have to. This was originally for Mr. Yan. Just accept it for my sake.”

Her voice softened at the end, a subtle plea in her expression as she locked eyes with Yan Chuanzhou sincerely.

Her tone was enticingly sweet, a docile little thing who stirred compassion. Yan Chuanzhou instinctively reached out to touch her head, but she dodged him.

Jiang Chiyu glanced toward the entrance and pointed to a corner camera. “We might get caught and misunderstood. It’s better if I leave now.”

Without another word, she quickly dashed off.

Yan Chuanzhou withdrew his empty hand and smiled helplessly, carrying the small cake inside.

No one noticed that on the second floor, Lin Qingyue stood by the window, watching their interaction without missing a single detail, fists clenched, her gaze dark with ill intent.

Just as Jiang Chiyu returned to her room, she received a desperate call from Wen Jiu.

“Ah Yu, tell me the truth—when did you find a sugar daddy? What’s his name? His status? Every detail, don’t leave anything out!”

Jiang Chiyu was hearing the term for the first time, utterly clueless. “What’s a sugar daddy?”

It was like a bucket of cold water doused on Wen Jiu’s anger. She hadn’t expected Jiang Chiyu to be so clueless, and she took a moment to calm down before pressing on.

“Are you sure there’s no one you like? Or a man willing to spend money on you?”

“No,” Jiang Chiyu answered without hesitation.

Though Yan Chuanzhou had just given her two hundred thousand, it was conditional—not out of genuine willingness.

As for the original owner’s circumstances, Jiang Chiyu was unaware and unconcerned.

Wen Jiu finally relaxed and reminded her, “If you ever like someone, you have to tell me. Don’t check your phone today. The company and I will handle everything. Just focus on the show.”

“Okay,” Jiang Chiyu responded obediently.

After hanging up, Jiang Chiyu immediately checked a certain social media platform. Unsurprisingly, her name topped the trending list.

Clicking on the topic, a photo appeared showing her leaving the cake shop earlier. The comments were a barrage of abuse.

“True nature revealed! No wonder she suddenly lost interest in Yan the Emperor—she’s just clinging to someone else’s coattails. A disgrace to the industry, a gold digger!”

“Gold digger? She should quit the industry and stop embarrassing herself.”

“Sugar daddy? She probably has more than one, given her seductive face. No wonder she’s so popular.”

A rare few who tried to defend her were mercilessly attacked until no one dared speak up.

The power of public opinion was terrifying; Jiang Chiyu had tasted it before. She never expected to face it again after crossing over.

She found it laughable.

In her previous life, the Jiang family was slandered by those she protected wholeheartedly. When the walls fell, everyone turned against them. No one defended the loyal general, and those who dared to speak up were executed by imperial order.

The people were always the sharpest blade wielded by those in power.

But Jiang Chiyu had long seen through it all. Someone was scheming behind the scenes, determined to destroy her.

Ha! Did they really think she was easy to bully?

If anyone tried to ruin her plan to become fabulously wealthy, she would never allow it!