Chapter 309: I Want More Than Just Friendship

Han Xi, who always appeared so composed, was now openly expressing her true feelings, and it caught Fang Zhou off guard. He turned to look at her, seeing a hint of something dark and ominous in her eyes—almost like she was on the edge of a breakdown.

Images flashed through his mind of Chu Xinran and Qiao Sisi, and how they had looked right before they did something extreme. Han Xi’s eyes now had that same predatory glint, like a beast lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce.

Fang Zhou realized he needed to tread carefully. He forced a smile and spoke in a soothing tone, “How could I forget you? You’re my boss, the benefactor of our entire team, and my friend. There’s no way I’d forget you.”

He couldn’t handle another person going off the deep end. Three were already enough. And both Chu Xinran and Qiao Sisi had only just started acting normal again.

This should have been a happy ending, but if Han Xi went off the rails now, it would be a disaster for Fang Zhou.

Han Xi’s eyes seemed to soften slightly as she shifted her gaze from his back to his face. “So, you think of me as just a friend?” she asked slowly. “What if I want to be more than that? More like… a friend in bed?”

Han Xi decided to drop all pretense, making her desires clear. She wanted Fang Zhou to understand that there was no such thing as a free lunch, and she wasn’t just a pure-hearted benefactor. Everything she had done was to win Fang Zhou over.

In the past, she hadn’t used force because she believed she had the upper hand and didn’t need to. But now, things weren’t going as planned, and she couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.

Fang Zhou almost choked on his own spit. “What did you say?” he stammered, looking at her in shock. Han Xi remained calm, her expression unchanged even as she said something so outrageous.

“I said, I want to be your friend—your only friend—one who shares a bed with you, not just a casual chat,” she repeated, leaning in until their noses touched. Her icy demeanor melted away, revealing a warmth that was both alluring and unsettling.

The media had often reported on Han Xi’s stunning looks, but the top comment was always something like, “Her beauty is just one of her many insignificant skills.” This highlighted not just her looks but also her impressive abilities.

If she ever entered the entertainment industry, she would surely shine as a cold and delicate beauty. Fang Zhou’s heart raced. He had always known that no one would invest millions in a small, unknown esports team without expecting something in return. He had mentally prepared himself for this, yet he hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

“You…” he began, but Han Xi quickly covered his mouth with her hand.

“I know you want to refuse, but I think you should reconsider. I still have patience for now,” she said softly. “But if you push me too far, I might just force you.”

With that, she turned and left, leaving Fang Zhou to ponder her words. He watched her go, feeling a mix of frustration and acceptance.

“Damn, if you’d stayed a minute longer, I would’ve agreed,” he muttered. He didn’t dislike Han Xi—in fact, he felt a special connection to her since she was his first love. They say a woman never forgets her first man, and the same goes for men.

The memory of becoming a man with her was unforgettable, and she held a special place in his heart. “Oh well, might as well make the best of it,” he sighed, deciding to stay and recover. If the worst came to the worst, he could always give in to her demands.

Feeling a bit more relaxed, he reached for his phone to call his sister and let her know he was okay. But his pockets were empty. “Damn it, where’s my phone? Did I leave it in the car?” he wondered, realizing he hadn’t seen it since getting out of the car.

Half an hour later, Dr. He came to remove his IV. Fang Zhou asked him to look for his phone, only to learn that Han Xi had taken it.

“When she brought you to the medical room, she took your phone. Didn’t she tell you?” Dr. He asked as he efficiently removed the IV line and handed Fang Zhou a cotton swab to press on the puncture site.

Fang Zhou frowned, confused. “She didn’t tell me. Why’d she take my phone?”

Dr. He shrugged, continuing to tidy up his equipment. Fang Zhou, unable to find Han Xi, borrowed Dr. He’s phone to call his sister and let her know he was safe.

He realized he wouldn’t be able to leave for at least a few days and wanted to ease her worries. The only relief was that he had been so busy with work and the reality show that she wouldn’t notice his absence.

Fang Zhou often felt their roles had reversed, with his sister acting more like the older, responsible one, always worrying about him. She even nagged him about finding a girlfriend.

“Bro, when will I get to eat your wedding candies?” she teased over the phone.

“Next time, for sure,” he replied, laughing.