Chapter 20: Do You Have No Self-Respect at All?

Shen Ling could not resist or struggle, so she could only silently endure everything, her gaze gradually regaining clarity. The moment Bo Jinhang entered her world, he became the source of her endless suffering, her downfall, yet she still could not escape him.

His kiss, charged with possessive desire, slowly subsided. Receiving not the slightest response, Bo Jinhang let her go begrudgingly.

Both of them, breathless from lack of oxygen, panted softly. In the confined space, their shallow breaths mingled, creating an atmosphere thick with ambiguous tension.

Shen Ling slumped down, regaining her composure. A bitter veil crept across her eyes, her throat tightening with dryness—she was certain Bo Jinhang meant to humiliate her.

Sure enough, a mocking, derisive voice sounded at her ear. “Flirting with everyone you see—Shen Ling, do you really have no self-respect?”

Shen Ling glanced sideways, meeting the look of utter disgust in Bo Jinhang’s eyes.

Yet it was him who had brought her to this point; why did he still act so high and mighty, as if he had done no wrong, bullying her with such arrogant ease?

She clenched her jaw. Though anger blazed within her, for the sake of money, she could only swallow it down. With a mirthless laugh, she replied frankly, “Self-respect? President Bo, have you forgotten? It was your money that bought me.”

At once, Bo Jinhang’s expression turned dark and forbidding, an invisible black mist clouding his chiseled features.

His aura turned so cold and unapproachable that Shen Ling couldn’t help but arch an eyebrow in surprise. She felt as though Bo Jinhang was determined to prove she was a woman who valued money above all else.

Yet when he got the answer he seemed to want, he only grew more irritable. Shen Ling did not understand his deeper meaning, but she could see his disdain for a woman like her, so she deliberately leaned closer.

“President Bo, don’t be angry. After taking so much of your money, I will certainly maintain at least the minimum standards.” Her delicate, boneless hand pressed gently to his chest. Bo Jinhang stiffened—there was no denying it, her smile was beautiful, dimples sweet, her gentle demeanor pleasing in every way. Yet for no reason, a surge of irritation welled up within him. He seized her hand.

“Ow,” Shen Ling whimpered softly, lifting her eyes with a trace of tears in her gaze, pitiful and fragile.

“Don’t try that with me.” Bo Jinhang flung her hand away harshly, face brimming with revulsion. “Get out.”

“I—” Shen Ling made as if to explain, unwilling to lose her benefactor.

Her undisguised impatience and greed pushed Bo Jinhang to the brink of explosion. He pushed open the car door, his voice low and rough, thick with threat.

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Shen Ling bit her lip, feigning reluctance as she stepped out of the car.

Once the door shut, Bo Jinhang rolled down the window, his tone frosty and laden with scorn. “How many men did you have to practice on to get so good at this?”

Shen Ling said nothing, still acting as though she could not bear to leave.

No doubt, in Bo Jinhang’s eyes, she was now even more contemptible. But Shen Ling didn’t care—their mutual disgust had always been clear.

Bo Jinhang gave a cold snort. “Don’t try your tricks on me. Just do what you’re supposed to.”

With those words, he floored the accelerator. The car roared, vanishing down the street in an instant.

The mask Shen Ling had so carefully worn crumbled completely. She pressed her aching temples, exhausted in both body and soul.

Once certain Bo Jinhang would not return, she took out her phone and made a call. When it connected, her voice was serene and calm, as though nothing had happened at all.

“I’m sorry, something came up and I didn’t make it to dinner. I’m really sorry.”

Xu Shengye, upon receiving her call, actually sounded relieved. He smiled warmly, his concern evident. “It’s all right, I understand. Are you okay, though?”

Shen Ling made her tone as light as possible. “Of course, it was just a personal matter. It’s all sorted now, no need to worry.”

Xu Shengye knew this was her private affair and didn’t press further, though concern and curiosity lingered. In his clear, pleasant voice, he asked, “Are you free tomorrow?”

“Yes,” Shen Ling replied quickly. Thanks to Feng Qin, she didn’t have to be involved in company matters for the time being, so she had plenty of spare time.

“Would you mind accompanying me to an investment conference?” Xu Shengye asked with a smile.

Shen Ling could hardly wish for more. At such conferences, there would be many influential figures from the business world. If Xu Shengye could introduce her to even a few, she might not be so powerless.

Xu Shengye’s voice remained gentle and composed, each word carrying a wisdom that seemed to see through everything and remain in control.

“All right, I’ll send you the address. Don’t be late.”