"If you really help me, I will be truly, truly grateful to you," Hua Xiaomo said.

Qi Longbing, listening to her words, suddenly broke into laughter.

"President Hua, do you believe there’s such a thing as a free lunch in this world? If I help your company out of its dark times, am I doing it for nothing? Maybe you’re still unaware of my true intentions. Let me tell you, straightforwardly. I can help you, but my aim is to have you as my lover for a year," Qi Longbing finished speaking. He then took a stack of documents from a drawer and threw them onto the table in front of her.

"You must be very familiar with this kind of contract. Once you sign it, your company’s crisis will end. If you don’t sign it, your company will face bankruptcy or insolvency. Make your choice," Qi Longbing said directly, his face expressionless.

Hua Xiaomo looked at the contract, feeling a wave of dizziness wash over her. Another contract? She couldn’t believe it. She vividly remembered that when she first met Qi Longbing, she had also been forced to sign a contract, one that had lasted a month.

Then, all sorts of things had happened between them. Now, she was a female business owner, a chairman, yet he was still forcing her to sign this contract. Is the world really this absurd?

Could she never escape him? But could she really continue like this? She had already promised another man, Zi Yunsui, that she would go with him to register their marriage. Moreover, she and Zi Yunsui had already taken their relationship further. How could she be with Qi Longbing again?!

Hua Xiaomo hesitated, the depths of her eyes heavy with turmoil. But she didn’t know how to choose. The company couldn’t fail—this wasn’t something she could decide on her own. It was both her and Zi Yunsui’s labor of love. If the company collapsed, not only would she be upset, but Zi Yunsui would be even more devastated.

Zi Yunsui was still in the hospital, cared for by Ye Xiangxue. At this moment, all Hua Xiaomo wanted was for him to receive better care, for him to wake up from his slumber. She had promised that as soon as he woke up, they would go and register for marriage, then hold the wedding ceremony.

But now, at this very moment, she had to sell herself once again. She felt immense pain.

Hua Xiaomo hesitated for a long, long time, her face completely pale. She looked at the contract lying before her.

Then she glanced at Qi Longbing’s stunningly handsome face. She felt as if her self-esteem was being trampled under his feet.

After a while, Hua Xiaomo finally spoke.

"President Qi, I have a request. If you can agree to it, I will sign the contract," Hua Xiaomo said, her gaze fixed on Qi Longbing, whose face held a subtle, inscrutable light.

Qi Longbing scoffed coldly, then looked back at Hua Xiaomo. "Is this really the time for you to be making demands? Aren’t you being a bit naive, Hua Xiaomo?"

Hua Xiaomo thought for a moment and then said, "If you don’t agree to this, I would rather let the company go bankrupt than sign the contract."

"Tell me," Qi Longbing said indifferently, his eyes hiding an invisible brilliance as he faced Hua Xiaomo. He was quite curious to see what kind of demand she would make!

"I don’t want a third person to know about the contract between President Qi and myself. And I hope that in any public setting, no one will be aware of our relationship," Hua Xiaomo said slowly. "After this year is over, I hope that we will not trouble each other anymore."

"You mean a secret lover?" Qi Longbing interjected, looking at her and slowly smiling.

"Yes, President Qi. Will you agree or not? If you don’t agree, then I can’t sign this contract," Hua Xiaomo said, a trace of dimness in her eyes. She didn’t know what other methods she had left to salvage the crisis her company was facing.

Perhaps only compromise was left. Only a temporary compromise could ensure the company’s safety.

"Fine, I agree. You can sign it now, can’t you!" Qi Longbing murmured, his gaze carrying a faint, dim luster.

Hua Xiaomo opened the contract and glanced through it. She knew it contained stipulations regarding things a lover must do. Well, this was inevitable.

When Hua Xiaomo’s hand picked up the pen, it trembled slightly. Eventually, on the last page, she slowly signed her name.

From that moment on, she truly felt her self-respect had been thrown to the ground.

Qi Longbing looked at the contract she had signed and smiled with satisfaction. When he looked up again, he saw Hua Xiaomo’s pale, distressed face.

He felt a sting of pity, but his heart quickly turned cold. Why did it always have to be through such means that he could make her obedient? This woman had never once complied with his wishes, never once made him feel at ease. He thought that just because she became the company’s chairman, just because she had money, he couldn’t subdue her. Hmph, he was wrong. Whatever Qi Longbing wanted, he had never failed to obtain. That was the truth.

"Well then, here’s to a happy and fulfilling life as lovers in the future. Come on, Hua Xiaomo, let’s toast!" Qi Longbing quickly poured two glasses of red wine, handing one to her.

Hua Xiaomo picked up the glass, looking at the red liquid within. She suddenly felt a sense of being lost. She didn’t know what she should or shouldn’t say. Her heart felt as if it were slowly sinking into a vortex.

She had managed to escape from his side not long ago, but now she was falling back into this vortex. Was this a cursed fate or a calamity?

Hua Xiaomo raised her glass and clinked it against his, then drank down the contents of her glass.

Her thoughts were a whirlwind, desperately seeking a way to save her company. The company’s situation was dire, and this timing was particularly agonizing. If she didn’t find a solution to rescue the company soon, it would likely be crushed.

"Xiao Mo, do you remember that time? That time we were in the bridal shop, you weren’t well-behaved at all! But the impression you left me with was very beautiful," Qi Longbing said, his eyes showing a faint light as he looked at her. He suddenly felt a wistful illusion.

Alright, he could do this immediately. He had the power now. Hadn’t she already signed the contract with him? She was his secret lover now.

Hua Xiaomo looked up at him, her eyes dim. After thinking for a moment, she said, "President Qi, how do you plan to help my company resolve its crisis?"