I only want your body

"Young master, I take it you didn't invite me just to have lunch!"

Yan Qingdu waited patiently until Ye Yizhou had eaten quite a bit, then lowered his eyes and took a sip of water before speaking casually.

Ye Yizhou set down his chopsticks, picked up the napkin on the table, and leisurely wiped his lips, looking at Yan Qingdu with a smile.

"What did you think of my dad's little test just now, President Yan?"

"Test?"

Yan Qingdu looked at Ye Yizhou, considering his words, and unconsciously turned the glass in his hand.

Ye Yizhou propped his chin on one hand, his gaze naturally settling on the hand Yan Qingdu had wrapped around his glass. His fingers were long and well-proportioned, with distinct knuckles, and exceptionally attractive.

Yan Qingdu remained silent for a good while, his brows knitting slightly, a trace of confusion appearing between them.

He looks pretty cute when he's this bewildered.

Ye Yizhou had no intention of making things difficult for Yan Qingdu and took the initiative to explain.

"My dad suddenly made a joke that was half-serious. He said the only thing standing between us and marriage was getting acquainted, and today he was so eager, and so heavy-handed, about introducing us. What he was testing should be obvious to everyone."

Yan Qingdu raised a brow and looked up at Ye Yizhou, his thin lips parting as he said in an unreadable tone, "You mean... Mr. Ye wanted to use this to sound me out about a marriage alliance with you?"

"Yes."

Ye Yizhou gave a small nod, meeting his gaze without hesitation. "So what do you think?"

"Do you think I need a business marriage to consolidate the Yan family's position in Kyoto, or my own?"

Yan Qingdu tapped the table twice, his voice cool and low, carrying an imposing authority and pressure without a hint of anger.

Ye Yizhou's expression remained unchanged, and he shook his head with a smile.

"Then, at the risk of offending you, young Mr. Ye, you are indeed beautiful. Stunning at first glance."

Yan Qingdu's gaze settled on Ye Yizhou's exquisite face, with its striking beauty, smiling lips, and slightly lifted outer eye corners that lent him a tender, beguiling allure. "But not to the point of making me fall for you at first sight and accept no one else!"

"I agree."

Ye Yizhou took no offense. Instead, he nodded in agreement.

"I'm a businessman. I can accept a smaller profit, but I certainly won't make a deal with nothing to gain."

Yan Qingdu's meaning was clear. As things stood, neither the family influence nor the personal qualities Ye Yizhou had displayed before him held much appeal for Yan Qingdu.

Since this was a partnership, continuing the discussion naturally required more attractive terms.

A faint ripple passed through Ye Yizhou's eyes, and a slight smile lingered on his lips. "You're thirty this year, President Yan."

"You may not be in a hurry to find a partner and get married, but someone else is in a hurry for you. Mrs. Yan's birthday banquet is coming up. This time, she's invited the unmarried sons and daughters of marriageable age from all the prominent families, intending to use the banquet to pick a suitable partner you find pleasing, President Yan."

Seeing Yan Qingdu frown, Ye Yizhou gave a soft laugh and explained:

"I didn't go out of my way to investigate this. All the families in Kyoto already know perfectly well. Rather than dealing with one tiresome matchmaking banquet after another, wouldn't it be better to nip the whole thing in the bud? What do you think?"

Yan Qingdu raised a hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. This had indeed been a source of irritation for him lately.

"Anyone could make that proposal. Why does it have to be you?"

"You just admitted yourself that I'm beautiful, stunning at first glance. There can't be many people who stun you at first glance, President Yan! Since anyone will do, why not choose someone you find pleasing to look at, someone easy on the eyes?"

Ye Yizhou narrowed his bright eyes slightly and lifted his chin, looking thoroughly pleased with himself, like an adorable, haughty little cat.

Yan Qingdu neither agreed nor disagreed.

"Besides, I'm different from all those people out there coveting you and your family background."

"How are you different?"

Yan Qingdu leaned back in his chair and looked at Ye Yizhou, his posture saying, Go on. I'm listening.

"Other people want your money and your body. I'm different. I have money. I only want your body. Not to brag, but you couldn't find another person as pure as me even if you searched high and low, you know?"

Ye Yizhou's expression was sincere and earnest, but if you really thought about it...

If you really thought about it, what he'd said hardly sounded like a good thing.

Ye Yizhou's blunt, confident words amused Yan Qingdu into a low chuckle. He really was interesting.

Watching the amusement in Yan Qingdu's beautiful dark eyes, Ye Yizhou declared confidently, "Besides, dedicated face lovers like us would never fall for someone else unless they were better-looking than our current partner. That's a very stable foundation for a relationship."

After saying that, Ye Yizhou even nodded to affirm his own words.

"Most importantly, a business marriage is much more reliable and stable than marrying some random person you find. If feelings develop over time, we can marry first and fall in love later. If there are no sparks, we can still treat each other with respect. When both parties stand on equal footing, there aren't so many petty, messy arguments."

Ye Yizhou methodically analyzed all the advantages of their marriage alliance, smiling brilliantly:

"You don't care about my little stash of money, and I'm not after your mountain of gold. Together, we both benefit; apart, we each rule our own domain and meet again at the summit. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Rather than offering his own opinion on the marriage alliance, Yan Qingdu wanted to hear Ye Yizhou's. "Then what requirements do you have for this marriage?"

"Whether we end up marrying first and falling in love later, treating each other with respect, or going our separate ways, I have only one requirement: absolute fidelity for the duration of the marriage."

Ye Yizhou spoke solemnly, his expression serious.

Yan Qingdu nodded. "That's basic morality everyone should have."

"True, but not everyone is human."

Ye Yizhou's voice was very soft, with a hint of mockery.

Yan Qingdu looked puzzled. "Have you been hurt in a relationship?"

"No, but that doesn't stop me from despising every piece of trash who's unfaithful, equally."

Ye Yizhou's voice deepened slightly, his gaze cold and sharp.

A second later, Ye Yizhou concealed the chill in his eyes, his expression changing instantly to one of complete innocence, as though that cold, stern look had been an illusion.

Yan Qingdu: ...

"Mr. Yan Qingdu, would you be willing to accept my invitation to a business marriage?"

Ye Yizhou's features relaxed, a watery sheen rippling in his eyes. His smile made him look even gentler as he raised his fist toward Yan Qingdu.

Yan Qingdu's refined face remained cool, his dark eyes deep and still as he stared straight at Ye Yizhou, a chill concealed in their depths and a thoughtful look in his gaze.

Ye Yizhou did not rush him. He stared just as directly back at Yan Qingdu, his lips slightly curved and his eyes glinting with mischief as he smiled.

Still, keeping my hand up like this is exhausting and fucking stupid!

Taking the easy way out, Ye Yizhou slowly drew his fist back.

Yan Qingdu bumped his own fist against Ye Yizhou's.

Hm?

Ye Yizhou glanced at their touching fists, then looked up at Yan Qingdu. They smiled at each other.

The alliance was formed.