Volume One, Chapter 15: Securing the Partnership Through Strength

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“To defeat an army without fighting feels somewhat shameful,” Jiang Shu said, not knowing where she found the courage, stiffening her neck to meet his gaze.

Qin Weizhou’s lips curled into a mocking smile, while Yan Feiye and Zhou Zirui beside him looked at Jiang Shu with pity. “Miss Jiang, women don’t always have to compete with men; in terms of gender, it’s a disadvantage.”

“Exactly, even more so in bed,” Zhou Zirui added without permission, steering the conversation.

Jiang Shu frowned and shot back, “Does that mean women can’t ride men in bed and enjoy themselves first?”

“Wow... I’m speechless; that actually makes sense,” Zhou Zirui shrugged.

Hearing this, Qin Weizhou turned his gaze to Jiang Shu. Though he remained still, the horse he was riding moved, causing his body to sway up and down gracefully, radiating raw tension.

Jiang Shu took a deep breath and resolutely walked outside.

Beyond the door, her beloved horse Xingyue stood quietly under the starry sky, waiting for its owner.

Seeing Jiang Shu, Xingyue snorted softly and pawed the ground a few times, eager for a wild gallop with its mistress.

Jiang Shu looked over at Qin Weizhou and his magnificent sweating-blood horse not far off—both man and steed exuded an untouchable, sovereign aura.

She pressed her head gently against Xingyue’s, the horse and rider still as a tranquil painting.

Qin Weizhou glanced coldly, while Zhou Zirui clicked his tongue and said, “Rumor has it, after He Jingcheng married her, they haven’t shared a bed in three years. Who knows if it’s true.”

“Want to find out?” Qin Weizhou’s brows twitched as he glanced at his friend. “If you lose later, have her answer you herself.”

“Ah...” Zhou Zirui’s expression twitched. “Wouldn’t that hit a sore spot? Girls are sensitive; don’t want her to hold a grudge against me.”

Qin Weizhou leaned down to soothe his horse Jingyun and said coldly, “She chose the man; this barren life is hers to bear. Who else could she blame?”

Yan Feiye shook his head and sighed, “So young, already widowed in spirit. Life ahead is long; how will she endure?”

Qin Weizhou’s thin lips curved slightly as he looked toward Jiang Shu in the distance. “If you pity her, you could always try to seduce her.”

Yan Feiye nearly toppled from his horse in fright. He tightened the reins. “Young Master Qin, if anyone’s qualified to seduce Miss Jiang, it’s you.”

Qin Weizhou raised an eyebrow, inviting him to continue.

Yan Feiye forced a laugh. “You’re the only one unafraid of He Jingcheng. If we tried, He Jingcheng would break our legs.”

Zhou Zirui nodded vigorously and added, “Or maybe even the third leg.”

Jiang Shu was already leading her horse over. She looked up at Qin Weizhou and asked, “How shall we compete?”

“Shooting arrows on horseback,” Qin Weizhou said, making the challenge even tougher.

Jiang Shu blinked. Qin Weizhou certainly knew how to torment a vulnerable woman.

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The two companions beside her laughed heartily, convinced Jiang Shu would give in.

Jiang Shu lowered her head, exhaled softly, and said, “Young Master Qin, I can’t compete in that. My riding skills are mediocre, and I don’t dare shoot arrows. The horse is fast, and I get nervous. If I hit you, that wouldn’t be good.”

“Ha ha ha...” Laughter erupted nearby; both men couldn’t hold it in.

Qin Weizhou looked down on her, his eyes mocking. “So it turns out your abilities don’t live up to your mouth?”

Jiang Shu’s eyes reddened slightly. She had been putting on a brave front, but giving up now would leave her unsatisfied.

“Fine. Bullying the weak damages my reputation. Miss Jiang, if you truly want this project, we’ll add one more condition and one question to the competition,” Qin Weizhou said coldly.

“Really?” Jiang Shu’s face brightened.

Qin Weizhou leaned slightly, glanced at Zhou Zirui, who spoke up, “There’s a rumor you and He Jingcheng haven’t shared a bed in three years. True or false?”

Jiang Shu hadn’t expected the first question to hit so close to home.

Her face flushed with shame. Though hard to admit, if it was Qin Weizhou asking, she answered honestly: “It’s true.”

Zhou Zirui and Yan Feiye exchanged sympathetic looks. Then Zhou Zirui asked, “Is it because he’s inadequate?”

Yan Feiye laughed outright. Just imagining those words flashing on the public screen thrilled him.

Jiang Shu felt deeply embarrassed. Whether He Jingcheng was competent or not, she had never tried; how could she know?

“My condition is...” Qin Weizhou’s gaze remained imperial.

Jiang Shu tensed, fearing the second question would be even more inappropriate.

“You have one week to present me with a hand-painted flat map of the human meridian system.”

Jiang Shu was taken aback. The question was serious but extremely challenging.

Qin Weizhou bit his gloved hand to tighten the grip. “It must be male.”

Jiang Shu was stunned. So she had to draw male anatomy as well?

Yan Feiye suddenly thought of something amusing and asked Jiang Shu, “The only male body you’ve likely seen is He Jingcheng’s, right?”

Zhou Zirui immediately caught the gist. “I want to see He Jingcheng’s anatomy too. Will you go easy on him or exaggerate?”

Jiang Shu’s face flushed with shame again. None of these three men were decent or serious.

Qin Weizhou seemed sincere. Seeing her embarrassed, he said coldly, “Bring your drawing to me in a week. I want to see if you’re capable of taking on my project.”

He added with command, “Mount up and run three laps.”

Jiang Shu immediately swung onto her horse with a graceful posture.

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Qin Weizhou spurred his horse along the track. Jiang Shu relaxed, knowing it was just a warm-up and she didn’t need to push Xingyue to the limit.

Behind a chestnut-colored sweating-blood horse, a spirited white horse pursued relentlessly. The scene was oddly harmonious and amusing.

Yan Feiye and Zhou Zirui, watching nearby, pulled out their phones to record.

“Miss Jiang has quite the fiery spirit, trying to outpace Young Master Qin. Her riding skills are impressive. I wonder who trained her,” Zhou Zirui clicked his tongue.

Yan Feiye commented, “Miss Jiang is fighting hard for her career. It’s tough for women entrepreneurs. I admire her.”

Qin Weizhou glanced back. The white horse was closing in fast; in a blink, it caught up alongside him.

With a sharp shout, his horse Jingyun surged forward, leaving Jiang Shu far behind.

Unwilling to yield, Jiang Shu urged Xingyue onward in pursuit.

Just as she nearly closed the gap again, Qin Weizhou increased his speed, leaving her behind once more.

They chased each other around the track for countless laps. For Jiang Shu to ride alongside Qin Weizhou at all was a testament to her skill.

Sweat soaked Jiang Shu as she dismounted and removed her helmet. Strands of chestnut hair clung to her fair, delicate face, making her look fresh and tender, like a wild camellia blooming in morning dew.

Her bright, resolute eyes contrasted with her youthful beauty, conveying a toughness like tenacious wild grass—an alluring quality.

Qin Weizhou, also breathing heavily, glanced sideways at Jiang Shu and said, “Remember to submit your work on time.”

He extended his hand toward her.

Jiang Shu retrieved her business card and gently placed it in his broad palm.

Watching the three men’s departing figures, Jiang Shu felt a surge of relief—she had finally earned a chance.

After leaving the club, she went home, showered, and began working on the male anatomy drawing.

She chose a one-meter-square sheet, spread it on the desk, and began painting.

As she mixed paints, she muttered curses—Qin Weizhou was truly perverse. He was a man, yet he wanted to see male anatomy?

Could it be that he preferred men?

After all, rumors had it that no woman had ever come close to him in recent years.

Could this be related to his orientation? After all, the only men frequently around him were the exceptionally handsome Yan Feiye and Zhou Zirui.

“Heh, interesting,” Jiang Shu suddenly smiled, as if uncovering someone’s unspeakable secret.