234: Chapter 234 Be Wang Peng's Mistress

With Xia Linzi's fifty thousand yuan, Zhou Chong rented a small ten-square-meter office, set up a few building material sample tables, and hung a sign that read "Building Materials Business Department," officially starting his business venture.

However, having just graduated, he had no connections, no resources, and no customers. After maintaining the company for a few months, it faced the risk of bankruptcy.

The office rent was due, the samples were ignored, and the money in his hands had been spent down to the last cent.

During that time, Zhou Chong frowned and sighed every day, returning home to complain to Xia Linzi.

“Linzi, I lack connections, resources, and customers. The company simply can't survive. If this continues, our money will go down the drain, and we won't even be able to afford the rent.”

Looking at his haggard appearance, Xia Linzi felt worse in her heart than if she were the one suffering.

At this moment, Zhou Chong said to Xia Linzi,

“Linzi, do you remember we had a high school classmate named Wang Peng?”

“His family is in the building materials business and has over a dozen stores in Zhongzhou City. His connections span the entire industry; he's a truly wealthy man.”

“Why don't you go beg him and ask him to help me?”

Upon hearing Zhou Chong say this, Xia Linzi remembered.

In high school, Wang Peng had pursued Xia Linzi frantically, sending flowers and gifts. Even after she rejected him, he had never broken off contact.

She immediately agreed.

The next day.

Xia Linzi called Wang Peng.

When the call connected, Wang Peng's voice carried a hint of surprise: “Linzi? Long time no see. What made you think of contacting me?”

Clutching her phone, Xia Linzi's fingertips trembled slightly, and her voice held a trace of pleading: “Brother Wang, I've run into some difficulties and wanted to ask for your help.”

She arranged to meet Wang Peng at a cheap teahouse. That day, she made a point to wash her face and put on her only dress without any holes. Sitting in the corner of the teahouse, she was so nervous her palms were sweating.

Wang Peng arrived driving a black Bentley, wearing a brand-name suit and a luxury watch on his wrist. Compared to high school, he seemed a bit more greasy and overbearing.

“Linzi, how did you get so thin?” Wang Peng looked at her haggard appearance, a flash of pity in his eyes that was immediately replaced by calculation. “Did that kid Zhou Chong bully you?”

Xia Linzi lowered her head and told him everything about Zhou Chong's lack of money and connections for his business. Finally, with red-rimmed eyes, she pleaded,

“Brother Wang, he's my boyfriend, and I want to help him. Your family is in the building materials business; could you invest in him or introduce some customers? I'll be grateful to you for the rest of my life.”

Wang Peng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said in a mocking tone: “Investment is possible, and I can introduce customers too.”

“But Linzi, think carefully. Is that kid Zhou Chong reliable? You gave up your studies and your youth for him, skimping and saving to give him money. Is he really worth such a sacrifice?”

Xia Linzi looked up, her gaze firm: “He's worth it. He's the person I love, and I believe he will definitely succeed.”

Wang Peng laughed, put down his teacup, leaned forward, and stared into her eyes with an undeniable dominance: “I can invest two hundred thousand in him and introduce all the major customers.”

“But you have to pay the price. Become my mistress.”

The word "mistress" was like a bolt of lightning, leaving Xia Linzi's mind blank.

She stood up abruptly, the chair legs scraping harshly against the floor as tea spilled across the table.

“I won't!”

Her voice carried a sob, her whole body trembling. “I have a boyfriend; I can't do that!”

Seeing her breakdown, Wang Peng's tone softened, yet it carried a fatal temptation: “Linzi, I know you're hurting, but think about it. By doing this, you're not just helping Zhou Chong, you're also saving yourself.”

“If you stay with him, you'll only be used by him until the very end.”

He took out a Bank card and pushed it in front of Xia Linzi: “There's five hundred thousand in here. Take it first.”

“Once you agree, I can give you even more. You won't have to work at the Supermarket anymore or suffer any more grievances. Whatever you want, I'll buy it for you.”

Five hundred thousand—this number was like a massive boulder pressing down on Xia Linzi's heart.

She looked at the Bank card, then thought of Zhou Chong's anxious face, her eight years of sacrifice, and the words Zhou Chong once said: "I'll marry you as soon as I succeed."

She bit her lip until it bled, tears falling incessantly.

She knew that once she took this step, there would be no turning back.

Her dignity and her purity would all be trampled underfoot.

She immediately went to the side to call Zhou Chong and ask for his thoughts.

To her surprise, Zhou Chong actually told her to agree to Wang Peng.

And he continued to feed her empty promises.

He said that once his company grew, she could come back and they would get married.

For the sake of Zhou Chong and their ethereal future, Xia Linzi compromised and agreed.

She went back to Wang Peng.

“I agree.”

Those two words were exceptionally difficult for her to say; each one felt squeezed out of her throat, carrying blood and tears.

Wang Peng smiled, reached out to wipe the tears from her face, and said with satisfaction: “Good girl, Linzi. You won't regret this.”

That same day, Wang Peng transferred two hundred thousand to Zhou Chong and called several business partners to hand over all the high-quality customer resources to him.

When Zhou Chong received the transfer notification, he was worrying about the rent. He was instantly overjoyed and called Xia Linzi, his voice cracking with excitement.

“Linzi! You're amazing! Boss Wang is actually willing to help me! Once my company takes off, I'll definitely treat you well!”

Xia Linzi held the phone, listening to his words as tears fell again, but she couldn't say a single word.

...

From that day on, Xia Linzi began a double life.

By day, she was a Supermarket cashier, wearing a neat uniform and smiling as she scanned items for customers, trying her best to play the role of an ordinary working girl.

By night, she was Wang Peng's mistress, putting on the tight dresses he bought and stepping into ten-centimeter high heels. She would enter that luxurious, cold villa in the suburbs, enduring endless humiliation and torment.

Wang Peng's villa was situated halfway up a mountain surrounded by green trees, with a wrought-iron gate and expensive camellias planted in the courtyard.

The living room was covered in thick wool carpets, the walls hung with priceless oil paintings, and the crystal chandelier refracted a piercing light that made Xia Linzi's eyes ache.

There was no warmth or life here, only cold luxury and a suffocating sense of oppression.

At first, Wang Peng was somewhat restrained, only having her accompany him for meals, chatting, and occasionally holding hands.

But half a month later, his true nature was fully exposed, and his torment of Xia Linzi became increasingly severe.

It was a rainy night. Xia Linzi had a cold and a fever; she was weak and extremely dizzy.

When she got off work, she sent Wang Peng a message saying she was sick and wanted to take leave and not go to the villa.

But Wang Peng ignored her completely. He drove straight to the Supermarket entrance and forcibly dragged her into the car.

“When I tell you to come, you must come. You dare to negotiate terms with me?”

Wang Peng's tone was icy and filled with hostility. The car sped through the rainy night, raindrops slamming against the window with a pitter-patter that sounded like it was hammering against Xia Linzi's broken heart.

Back at the villa, Wang Peng threw her onto the large bed in the second-floor bedroom. He reached out to feel her forehead; it was alarmingly hot.

But he showed no concern whatsoever. Instead, he yanked her quilt away and roughly pulled at her clothes.

“Aren't you feeling unwell? I'll help 'treat' you.”

...