{"id":2968,"date":"2026-04-19T01:18:38","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T01:18:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/poisoned-draught-10\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T02:01:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T02:01:34","slug":"poisoned-draught-10","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/my\/chapter\/poisoned-draught-10\/","title":{"rendered":"Poisoned Draught 10"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 10: Massage “Spoiling you.”

Han Rao subconsciously believed Zhao Jichuan wasn’t exactly an upright and kind man, while Zhao Jichuan also thought Han Rao wasn’t an easy woman to deal with.

From the very beginning, both had painted each other in the worst light, which made today’s misunderstanding seem almost like a joke, breaking down the barrier that had stood between them.

The atmosphere in the car softened.

Driver Wang Jie glanced at the two people who had just been at each other’s throats through the rearview mirror and silently started the engine.

In his eyes, Miss Han was indeed different. Just those two sentences she had spoken\u2014others might not dare to say them in such a situation.

As the car left the parking lot, Han Rao once again saw the bustling streets of Beicheng through the window.

The city lights were just coming on, marking the beginning of the nightlife in this metropolis.

Recalling Zhao Jichuan’s earlier words, Han Rao gradually realized that perhaps he hadn’t intended to take her to bed tonight\u2014he simply wanted to bring her along to a drinking gathering.

She was well aware of her beauty and thought to herself that this was probably a common flaw among men: they always liked to have a female companion by their side in social settings, regardless of the relationship, as if relying on women to boost their image.

Han Rao felt she was quite suited for such occasions. Being a decorative piece wasn’t so bad.

After all, when she first debuted, many people criticized her on Weibo’s super topics, calling her a talentless pretty face.

Thinking of this, Han Rao’s previously tense nerves suddenly relaxed. She had actually been quite scared today, because as the old saying goes, the richer people are, the more perverse their tastes become.

She had truly feared her rotten luck\u2014what if someone as powerful as Zhao Jichuan had some twisted preferences?

Perhaps because she felt she had narrowly escaped disaster, when Han Rao raised her eyes to look at him again, her gaze carried three parts more tenderness and kindness.

She leaned into his embrace, tilting her head slightly upward as her hand mischievously reached up to touch his chin.

“My mind is practically an ocean of knowledge.” She adopted a carefree attitude, running wild with his words in nonsensical banter.

Zhao Jichuan’s slightly upturned lips curved into a full smile. Unable to resist, he pulled her even closer, his hand brushing against the warming patch on her lower back\u2014the heat transferring to his palm.

He asked, “So afraid of death?”

Han Rao nodded slightly, her eyes darkening as she said with profound meaning, “Of course I value my life\u2014otherwise, I would have long since thrown myself into a river to end it all.”

Zhao Jichuan was amused by her.

She was much more likable when she was this lively.

Han Rao nestled in his arms, waiting for a long time without seeing any intention from him to explain tonight’s itinerary. Unable to hold back, she asked him where they were going.

Zhao Jichuan glanced at her, “Taking you to a birthday party.”

“Whose birthday party is it? Will it go on pretty late? Is it inappropriate that I didn’t prepare a gift?” Han Rao immediately bombarded with her questions.

Zhao Jichuan chose the last answer in this series of questions, “No big deal. As long as you’re with me, what could possibly go wrong?”

Han Rao fell silent. Following him wasn’t really an issue\u2014the main problem was she’d just taken an ibuprofen tablet. There was no way she could drink tonight, and if the party dragged on too long, her body probably wouldn’t hold up either.

These words, Han Rao did not say out of turn to spoil the mood. She didn\u2019t actually expect Zhao Jichuan to show her much tenderness or prioritize her feelings. Since she was playing the role of a vase tonight, she had to do her job dutifully.

As for the rest, Han Rao closed her eyes\u2014she would take one step at a time, meeting each challenge as it came.

She believed there was always a solution.

The drive to the destination was quite long, and Han Rao realized she had developed a bad habit\u2014she always felt drowsy the moment she got in the car.

But she didn’t dare to snuggle into Zhao Jichuan’s arms to sleep, so she suppressed her physiological reactions and cautiously dozed off.

Although she was very careful, Zhao Jichuan still noticed it keenly.

He asked, “Sleepy?”

Han Rao: “A little.”

Zhao Jichuan: “Don’t sleep.”

Han Rao: “…”

What the hell, is this guy out of his mind?! Either don’t ask at all, or don’t keep people from sleeping after asking\u2014utterly inhumane.

Han Rao mentally lashed out at him with harsh words, yet in reality, she remained utterly docile, nestling obediently against him and greedily snuggling deeper into his embrace to soak up his warmth.

She regretted taking off her coat earlier\u2014the warmth patches weren’t as hot as when first applied, and now she felt a bit cold.

Zhao Jichuan let her shrink into a small ball and press herself into his embrace.

He really thought she was quite interesting\u2014did she have a mouth for nothing? Acting like a mute, unable to speak when she had something to say.

It was no longer the time to point fingers at his nose and scold indirectly.

Zhao Jichuan wrapped his arm around her waist, deciding to ignore her entirely. Freeze to death if she must\u2014she deserved it anyway.

He had been busy all day today, and now, exhausted from the journey, he frowned and closed his eyes.

Han Rao quietly glanced up at him, sensing that he seemed rather uncomfortable.

Han Rao hesitated for two seconds before pulling away from her embrace. She adjusted her posture, kneeling halfway on the chair, and raised her hand to cover his temples.

Zhao Jichuan had initially noticed her movement, but he didn’t open his eyes. It wasn’t until those slightly cold hands touched his skin that he realized what she was doing.

Han Rao said softly, “Don’t move, let me massage you.”

She stood a head taller than him, slightly bending forward, her jet-black hair occasionally brushing against his neck like a mischievous child.

Zhao Jichuan found it hard to describe the sensation\u2014the moment she pressed against him felt like the gust of wind that greets you when opening a door on a snowy day, slightly cool yet startlingly refreshing.

“Does it work?” He didn’t move, letting her attend to him.

Han Rao pursed her lips, “It should work.”

“Have you learned it?”

Han Rao rolled her eyes openly\u2014was this questioning her? She replied coolly, “Never learned it.”

She withdrew her hand, “Fine, don’t use it then.” Consider her tonight’s efforts as misplaced affection, alright.

She was already feeling unwell, yet she ended up worrying about his headache and taking care of him\u2014only to be met with his disdain. She really had nothing better to do than bring trouble upon herself.

Zhao Jichuan finally opened his eyes, gripping her hands tightly.

His hand was warm, the thirty-seven-degree body heat gradually transferring to her, subtly melting her heart as well.

Zhao Jichuan took her hand and placed it back on his temple, “Didn’t say I wouldn’t use it.”

Han Rao lowered her gaze, a strange feeling welling up in her heart. Suppressing the turbulent emotions within, she gently massaged him with steady, rhythmic motions.

For the rest of the car ride, Han Rao maintained this position while attending to him.

She had no idea how long it took\u2014maybe twenty minutes, maybe half an hour

He had been intermittently chatting with her about trivial things, which helped pass the time.

But by the end, Han Rao only felt her elbow and forearm aching with soreness.

She gently massaged her own arm to relieve the soreness. Zhao Jichuan, seemingly in a good mood, reached out and pulled her arm over, softly kneading it for her.

Han Rao glanced at him lightly, lowering her eyes.

She couldn’t quite figure out his unpredictable temper\u2014how he had summoned her with visible irritation, yet now could effortlessly play the role of a perfect lover with such composure.

Probably he was acting too.

Just like her.

Han Rao didn’t resist him, accepting his attentions with perfect ease. However, he clearly wasn’t accustomed to serving others\u2014his hands lacked finesse, occasionally pressing too hard and causing her pain.

Han Rao was on the verge of shouting\u2014how could this person be so cruel, deliberately targeting her tendons and bones.

Zhao Jichuan chuckled softly as he watched her push him away like a bristling hedgehog.

He said, “You’re spoiled.”

Han Rao didn’t overanalyze the meaning behind his four words\u2014she had long outgrown her youthful naivety

It was during springtime, when I got caught up in overthinking because of a few words from others.

Her current mental state is really quite good\u2014she doesn’t go looking for trouble herself.

He was smiling, and she was in a good mood\u2014that was enough for now.

\u3000\u3000-

The car stopped at a luxury hotel in the distant suburbs.

Han Rao didn’t realize whose birthday it was until she followed Zhao Jichuan into the hall and saw the somewhat cringey life-size character cutouts displayed inside.

The birthday boy is named Fan Peng, the CEO of Nebula Entertainment, a playboy heir from a wealthy family.

It is said that a fortune teller at his birth claimed he lacked the wood element in his five elements, hence the single-character name “\u6888.”

There’s a story about him circulating in the industry, more of a joke really.

It is said that this young master was quite proud and narcissistic in his youth, often receiving corporal punishment from his father for being mischievous and rebellious as a child. But ever since founding Stellar Entertainment, he has turned his life around like a salted fish flipping over, instantly standing tall in the family.

Perhaps it was the unfulfilled pride of his youth that made him particularly concerned about his online reputation. So he searched his own name on the internet, only to find the top result was that Yuan Dynasty poet who wrote, “On Kunlun’s pool, peach blossoms dance in the east wind, countless petals scattering. Countless petals\u2014where do they fall? May the sea pour forth to fill the sky with flowing clouds.”

He shares the same name as someone else.

Fan Peng felt his brilliance was overshadowed, cursed “Damn it,” closed the webpage, and swore he must change his name.

Legends remain just legends\u2014aside from Fan Peng himself, probably no one could distinguish truth from fabrication.

But setting aside all these flashy things, to be honest, Star Cloud Entertainment is indeed one of the top companies in the industry, with many actors, singers, and idols coming from its ranks.

In recent years, Xingyun has kept pace with the times by establishing numerous MCN agencies and incubating a host of internet celebrities.

When Han Rao signed with Li Mengyang’s company five years ago, she had already heard her mention Xingyun Entertainment.

Li Mengyang’s original words at the time were: “If one day I switch jobs to become an agent at Xingyun, it would be like the daughter-in-law finally becoming the mother-in-law.”

Han Rao fixed her gaze on Fan Peng’s cardboard cutout, unable to resist clutching the hem of her clothes tightly, as if vaguely sensing Zhao Jichuan’s intentions for the evening.

Zhao Jichuan looked at her dazed expression and asked with a smile, “Do you know him?”

Han Rao nodded honestly, “Probably everyone in the industry knows.”

Originally, Fan Peng, as the big boss behind an entertainment company, should have had people focusing more on the artists under his label. But he wasn’t your typical boss\u2014he also loved playing around on the internet, livestreaming, and shooting the breeze with people.

Zhao Jichuan smiled and said, “Then would you be willing to sign with their company?”

His question was actually a bit too late\u2014Han Rao had already been brought here by him, which was equivalent to having a knife pressed to her neck.

However, he didn’t know Han Rao as a person, but he understood her ambitions.

Just as he had expected, Han Rao quickly nodded and said, “I do.”

Of course I would, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse.

There’s a saying in the industry, “Anything from Xingyun is a masterpiece.” Their scripts are first-rate, their directors are top-tier, and even the post-production effects for their historical romance dramas are handled by million-dollar editors.

Even in a supporting role, with such a cast, it’s bound to be a memorable one.

Han Rao was actually quite shocked; she truly hadn’t expected Zhao Jichuan to be willing to offer her such excellent resources.

And his actions tonight felt like an unexpected gift to her.

Han Rao was immensely grateful, her gaze softening considerably, those peach-blossom eyes brimming with tender affection.

Zhao Jichuan couldn’t tell whether the emotion in her eyes was genuine or feigned, but he quite liked that look of hers.

The man raised his hand, and Han Rao naturally looped her arm through his. From a distance, beneath the resplendent decorations, they looked every bit the perfect couple.

“Let me take you upstairs to sign the contract first,” Zhao Jichuan said.

Han Rao nodded in astonishment, clearly sensing Zhao Jichuan’s charm and his swift, decisive working style at that moment.

She thought he was just introducing her to Fan Peng tonight.

The two took the elevator to the second floor, where the noise of the crowd was deafening. Someone had popped open two bottles of champagne, sending both men and women into a frenzy of cheers and screams.

Clearly, this birthday party was no small affair\u2014it looked like it would go on all night.

Zhao Jichuan didn\u2019t lead Han Rao into the crowd. Instead, he pulled her into a room.

When the door opened, several men were seated inside, each carrying an air of refined composure.

The well-tailored suits, expensive watches, and impeccably polished shoes all represented their status.

Apart from having seen Fan Peng’s photos online, Han Rao didn’t recognize any of the others.

As Zhao Jichuan entered the room, someone joked, “Welcome, President Zhao.”

Zhao Jichuan didn’t respond, pulling Han Rao to sit on a chair instead.

Han Rao felt like Lin Daiyu entering the Jia Mansion, cautiously observing everyone around her. Yet she didn’t show any timidity\u2014her gaze was direct and utterly composed.

She could actually sense that the people in this room all got along well and were quite familiar with Zhao Jichuan.

Otherwise, who would dare joke about a man with such a foul temper?

But Zhao Jichuan showed no intention of introducing Han Rao to any of them.

Han Rao thought, perhaps it was because her status wasn’t high enough. She wasn’t his girlfriend, so what was there to introduce? If introduced, would they call her “sister-in-law” or what?

Both she and Zhao Jichuan were aware of the awkwardness here, so they tacitly chose to keep silent about it.

“Alright, you guys have fun. I need to discuss something with Fan Peng,” Zhao Jichuan said, clearly not fond of such overly lively occasions. In the past, he would never have attended a birthday party like this.

Fan Peng understood and led Zhao Jichuan and Han Rao to a room next door.

As she was about to leave, Han Rao heard someone in the room teasing, “This girl looks somewhat familiar.”

“Familiar my ass! You damn well say every pretty girl looks familiar!”

Han Rao cleared her ears and followed Zhao Jichuan closely.

Fan Peng wasn’t one to beat around the bush either. He pulled out a contract from the drawer while saying to Han Rao, “I’ve actually seen a movie you starred in before. What was it called? First love something…”

Han Rao: “The sea of first love.”

“Yes, yes, exactly!” Fan Peng said with a chuckle. “You’ve changed quite a bit.”

Han Rao showed little emotion and replied with a smile, “That drama was filmed five years ago.”

Fan Peng yawned and pushed the contract toward her. “Take a look. Sign it if everything’s fine.”

Han Rao picked up the contract, somewhat uncertainly seeking Zhao Jichuan’s help. She didn’t quite understand these professional matters, and to be honest, she felt a bit nervous and afraid, worried that Star Cloud might trick her like her previous company did.

Time was tight. From Fan Peng’s tone, she had to sign the contract tonight so as not to interfere with his birthday celebration.

In the entire skyscraper, Han Rao was only familiar with Zhao Jichuan, and he was the only one she could trust.

Han Rao looked at him and said, “Zhao Jichuan, I…”

Fan Peng raised an eyebrow upon hearing this\u2014this woman had quite the audacity to address Zhao Jichuan by his full name.

How many years had it been since he last heard a woman address Zhao Jichuan so casually and without regard for seniority?

Zhao Jichuan was amused by her cautious demeanor. “Sign it, I’m not going to sell you off.”

Han Rao made a swift decision. She uncapped the pen, signed her name with a flourish in the Party B section, then closed the contract and pushed it toward Fan Peng.

Fan Peng clicked his tongue twice at her efficiency and deliberately teased in a playful tone, “Aren’t you afraid he might sell you off?”

Han Rao glanced at Zhao Jichuan and said with a smile, “I believe in him.”

Zhao Jichuan ignored her attentiveness.

Fan Peng said, “Fine, whoever wants to trust whom can trust whom, but today’s my birthday, and both of you have to drink with me.”

Fan Peng spoke while taking out three wine glasses and casually pouring red wine. He was quite laid-back and informal, not minding at all when the wine splashed onto the table.

Zhao Jichuan was quite willing to give him this face\u2014after all, he had just signed Han Rao, so he owed him a favor.

But Han Rao was in a dilemma\u2014she had taken ibuprofen, and by all accounts, shouldn’t drink alcohol.

She didn’t know how much the drug had metabolized, nor whether drinking this glass of red wine would be fatal.

As she stood frozen in thought, Fan Peng clinked his glass against hers with a crisp, clear sound.

Han Rao forced a smile and said, “Happy birthday, President Fan! May everything go smoothly for you!”

She took a deep breath, feeling her scalp tingle and her heart race.

She told herself, just one glass of wine\u2014at worst, she could induce vomiting in the bathroom later. It probably wouldn’t kill her.

Han Rao steeled herself, trembling as she closed her eyes. Just as her lips were about to touch the rim of the cup, Zhao Jichuan grabbed her wrist.

“Stop acting tough, if you can’t drink then don’t.”<\/p>","protected":false},"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}}},"novel":[],"class_list":["post-2968","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/my\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2968","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/my\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/my\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/my\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2968"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/my\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2968\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3022,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/my\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/2968\/revisions\/3022"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/my\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2968"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"novel","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/my\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novel?post=2968"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}