20 Family Shoot

The next morning, Shen Shu sat up in her bed, eye-wide. She ran a thumb across her lips, still feeling the sensation of Niko's kiss from last night. She now realized it was real, and it happened.

She went to her bedroom door to confirm it, twisting the knob and found it locked. Niko told her to lock it last night when she had no reason to lock it before because this time was different.

Shen Shu's heart pounded thunderously in her chest, remembering the way he kissed her hard, holding her hips and grinding his erection between her thighs.

Shen Shu felt tingly between her legs from the memories, and she had the urge to re-live that moment.

But she was glad that Niko had stopped them from doing more because she needed to figure out what this meant for her—for both of them.

Shen Shu could admit she was attracted to him. She had always been attracted to him, and that's what she buried deep down for so many years. It had always been there. But why was Niko, of all people, the person who had her feeling hot and heavy and desperate for more? How was he able to get her to feel things that no other man achieved?

She supposed she would find out sooner than later.

Shen Shu got ready for the day and headed straight for work, knowing Niko had gone to the office ahead of time.

She only planned to stay half-day since she needed to meet with Luo Nuying that afternoon, so she did not waste any time as she went straight to the conference room Niko was working in.

Once she went inside, both Niko and Zhu Yang looked up at her simultaneously, blinking.

"Shen Shu!" Zhu Yang said, "What do we owe the pleasure?"

She smiled. "Need any assistance? I have some downtime this morning."

Niko gave her a look of disbelief. "Shouldn't you be doing something more useful with Ye Huan or anyone else?"

"Ye Huan would not mind," Shen Shu responded. "I didn't plan to do much before I head out, so I thought I could help you." She then walked over to Zhu Yang with a pout on her face. "You wouldn't mind me being here, would you?"

"N-no," Zhu Yang stumbled with a bashful smile. He was flustered and taken by how beautiful, and close Shen Shu was. "We could use your assistance."

Niko glared at them both.

Shen Shu took a seat across Niko as Zhu Yang handed her a load of paperwork. She began to read through the pages, filling them out, signing them. She'd sneak glances at Niko as he worked with intense focus.

Her eyes would be on the paperwork, and then she'd lift them to see Niko again. She took in his features. She gazed from his silky dark hair to his lashes to how his body fit in the suit tailored to his build. She bit her lower lip.

Niko did not look at her, but she watched as his breathing quickened when she stared. Shen Shu then ran a foot up his leg underneath the table.

"Zhu Yang," Niko said abruptly.

Zhu Yang looked up from his paperwork. "Yes?"

"Can you get us some tea?"

"On it," Zhu Yang stood up and left the conference room, shutting the door behind him.

Niko then met her gaze. "What are you doing?"

"Getting your attention," Shen Shu whispered. "I want to talk about last night."

Niko pinched the space between his brows before he looked around the room. "Not here, Cat."

"No one is around. It's the two of us now."

"We're still in a public place."

"You promised," she said.

"I know," he began. "And we will but…I need more time."

Shen Shu frowned. She had a feeling the longer Niko avoided the conversation, the more likely he'd convince himself it'd be better to pretend that nothing happened. But what did she expect? Even if they were to pursue a relationship, how would their parents feel? How would society look at them?

Zhu Yang returned with a tray of tea and passed it to them.

Shen Shu drank a cup and continued with her work until she met with Luo Nuying.

…

Shen Shu met with Luo Nuying at a studio in the afternoon.

Luo Nuying was a woman with hair so blonde it was almost white. She was beautiful. It made Shen Shu wonder how Niko met her. But something about her seemed familiar…like they'd met somewhere before, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

"Shen Shu," Luo Nuying said.

Her eyes widened. "You were in the underground fighting ring!" Shen Shu said. She recalled meeting her just before she fought Niko.

Luo Nuying smiled. "Nice to officially meet you," she responded. "Niko has told me plenty about you."

Shen Shu blushed, but she tried to hide it. "Thank you for meeting with me."

"It's not a problem," Luo Nuying responded as she hooked her arm with Shen Shu. She then took her to a wardrobe room and guided her through outfits to pick out. Most of them were modest clothing she would wear to a job presentation.

"You're very pretty," Luo Nuying complimented her.

Shen Shu's face changed to a shade of pink. "Thank you."

"I've hired a male model to play as someone from your family for the shoot."

"Is it Niko?"

"No," Luo Nuying said. "I found someone that looks just like you, and I figured he was perfect. No disrespect to Niko."

Shen Shu chuckled. "I don't think he'd mind."

Shen Shu was nearly ready when she spotted a tall man approaching them. He had black hair and green eyes, and his features were so like hers she was almost caught off guard.

"This is Fu Jian," Luo Nuying said. "Isn't he perfect? He looks like he could be your brother."

Shen Shu blinked at Fu Jian.

But Fu Jian wore a polite smile as he extended his arm, offering her hand. Shen Shu shook it. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Shen Shu."