chapter 49
His little lion at home wasn’t so easy to coax; the only way was with sincerity.
Gu Zhao understood with a smile and nodded slightly.
Xi Nai’s face curled into a mischievous grin, teasing, “Yo-ho, trying to flirt with a little girl, even Lord Fu has developed some humanity.”
Fu Juncheng was too lazy to respond, and Gu Zhao sensed a hint of gossip.
He nudged Xi Nai’s elbow and curiously asked, “What little girl?”
“That’s for Ah Cheng to answer,” Xi Nai said boldly, smiling, “Right, Ah Cheng?”
Fu Juncheng scoffed lightly and took a slow sip of tea.
Completely ignored, Xi Nai only laughed harder.
Growing up together, Gu Zhao was certain his childhood friend was definitely up to something.
Even Fu Juncheng, who usually avoided women, would eventually “open his eyes.” It seemed his intuition about coming to A City was right; these days here would surely be interesting.
…
Late at night, the faint starlight was swallowed by darkness, leaving only a few traces of chill.
A black chauffeur-driven car slowed and stopped outside the Gu family mansion.
The guards at the gate stepped forward to check, but when they saw who got out of the car, their wary expressions melted away.
Several of them respectfully called out, “Second Young Master.”
The man nodded, taking the backpack handed to him by his assistant and casually slinging it over his shoulder.
The driver carried the suitcase to Gu Che’s feet and said, “Che Ge, we’ll take our leave now.”
Gu Che nodded, his phoenix-like eyes peeking from under his hat and mask, scanning them briefly. His hoarse voice carried a hint of fatigue, “Take two days off and rest well.”
The assistant, a young woman, smiled, her round eyes squinting happily, “Thank you, Che Ge.”
Tomorrow she could go hang out with her friends.
The car doors closed, the engine roared, and soon the chauffeur-driven car disappeared into the night.
Having been away for a long time, Gu Che looked at the villa before him, a mix of emotions crossing his eyes.
In an instant, he suppressed them and pulled his suitcase inside.
At 2 a.m., the villa was silent.
Gu Che went upstairs like he knew the place well. Being away for so long, the room was empty and carried a stuffy, stagnant smell.
He took off his backpack and tossed it onto the bed, then turned to leave.
He stopped at the room across the hall and knocked on the door.
He spoke softly, “Ah Zhao.”
But there was no response.
Frowning, Gu Che opened the door.
Inside, it was pitch black—no one was there.
Where had he gone in the middle of the night? Gu Zhao wondered as he closed the door and stepped back.
Just as he was about to return to his room, he paused, glancing at the room at the far end of the hallway.
After some thought, he decided to head over.
The door lock quietly turned, making almost imperceptible noises.
The person on the bed suddenly opened their eyes, bloodshot black pupils radiating a cold glint.
She glanced at the sneaky figure without revealing any emotion and then closed her eyes, pretending to nap.
The footsteps drew closer.
Gu Che moved in the dark to the bedside. Before he could get a good look at the figure on the bed, a quilt suddenly hit him.
Caught completely off guard, Gu Che was smothered by the blanket.
The next moment, a strong force pushed him, and he fell to the ground along with the quilt.
Thud—
A sharp intake of breath came through the blanket.
Gu Qingning looked at the lump wrapped in the blanket on the floor, her eyes cold.
She leaned over and swung her fist.
Gu Che struggled to escape the blanket, only to receive a heavy punch in a sensitive spot, pain making him nearly cry.
“Ah—”
His scream shattered the night’s silence.
“I’m doomed.”
Gu Che dodged sideways, pulling the blanket off and rolling awkwardly into the corner.
His hat flew off, and ignoring his injuries, he quickly stood up.
Looking up into the dark, the girl’s cold, black eyes were filled with murderous intent.
“Wait—”
Before he could explain, she kicked at him.
Gu Che jumped back, shouting while dodging, “Ah Zhao, come save me!”
If she didn’t, he’d probably meet an untimely end.
“Qingning, I’m your second brother, not a bad person, stop hitting me.” His hoarse voice carried a hint of helplessness.
Hearing this, the fierce fists stopped.
Gu Qingning withdrew her hand, and Gu Che breathed a sigh of relief.
Suddenly, the lights in the room came on.
Everyone rushing in froze at the messy scene.
With a mask on, it was the butler who first recognized him.
“Second Young Master, what are you…”
Gu Che looked at the group blocking the door and silently cursed his bad luck.
He pulled off his mask, and under the lights, his exceptionally handsome face was bruised.
A dark bruise marred the corner of his peach-colored lips, looking starkly out of place.
“Grandpa.”
Among so many people, he only greeted Gu Lao Ye.
Gu Hai wasn’t upset, seeming accustomed to this.
Gu Lao Ye frowned, “What are you making a scene for at this hour?”
Gu Che ran his hand through his hair, glancing sideways at the girl.
He had seen her photo before, but seeing her in person for the first time, she was even more delicate.
Her smooth eyebrows and eyes resembled their mother somewhat.
But that icy aura was intimidating.
Gu Wanwan walked in and snuggled close to Gu Che, speaking softly, “Sister, why did you hit Second Brother like this? Wasn’t that a bit too much?”
Gu Qingning stood her ground, her eyes cold.
“Second Brother, does it hurt? Should we call a doctor?” Gu Wanwan asked softly, concerned.
Gu Che moved away from her reaching hand, unappreciative of her kindness.
“No need, it’s just a small injury, nothing to make a fuss about.”
Gu Wanwan’s expression stiffened, and she withdrew her hand quietly.
She bit her lip, feeling aggrieved, and whispered, “Second Brother, I was just worried about you.”
Gu Che glanced at her and then turned to Gu Lao Ye, softening his tone a little, “Grandpa, it’s not Qingning’s fault. I entered her room without identifying myself, so she misunderstood. It’s fine now, you should go rest.”
Gu Lao Ye, expressionless, said, “Everyone go back to rest.”
With that, he turned and left.
Cheng Yu looked at Gu Che, who had suddenly returned, her eyes darkening slightly.
She said softly, “Wanwan, you have class tomorrow. Go to bed.”
Gu Wanwan nodded and looked at Gu Che with understanding, “Second Brother, you should treat your injury. I have an ointment that works well for bruises. I’ll get it for you.”
Unlike Gu Zhao, Gu Che exuded wildness. He coldly refused, “No.”
Repeatedly brushed off, Gu Wanwan felt humiliated, her eyes red as if she were about to cry.
Her voice trembled with tears, “Second Brother, Sister, good night.”
After saying this, she didn’t linger and ran off.
Seeing this, Cheng Yu’s resentment toward Gu Che deepened.
…And ha…
