Playing with Fire and Getting Burned

"I will never like you, not now, not in the future, and not in my next life. Do you understand?" When Chu Yun'an personally snuffed out Qiao Wan's not-quite-secret crush, she hadn't even confessed yet. In front of everyone, Qiao Wan was utterly humiliated. Her last shred of dignity made her calmer than she had ever been. "I understand perfectly." From then on, they cut ties and went their separate ways. - Five years later, they met again when Chu Yun'an returned to the country to resolve the Chu family's bankruptcy crisis. Qiao Wan, an executive assistant, was assigned to work by Chu Yun'an's side by Old Master Chu. Qiao Wan did her job diligently and without complaint, helping Chu Yun'an bring the Chu Group back from the brink. At the celebration banquet, Qiao Wan handed in her resignation. "The job is done. There's no reason for me to stay." Chu Yun'an held a cigarette between his fingers, his gaze dark. "Stay. Name whatever conditions you want." Qiao Wan didn't bother replying and turned to leave. In the cramped KTV room, Chu Yun'an grabbed her hand, his voice low. "Qiao Wan, let's give us a try." Qiao Wan's answer was to slap him across the face, five years too late. - When a friend heard Chu Yun'an had been slapped, he teased him with a double-edged grin, "Does your face hurt?" Chu Yun'an pressed his tongue to his cheek and said nothing. Only later did he realize how badly he'd hurt Qiao Wan. That slap was merely a tiny price to pay on his road to winning her back. Blurb written on October 23, 2021. Screenshot saved. Premise: Don't burn bridges, or you may have to eat your words later.