Gu Chengyu listened to her rapid-fire explanation, watching her righteous little expression, and finally understood how this "account" was being settled.
He was both amused and exasperated—this little liar’s ability to twist the truth had certainly improved.
This was one mistake Gu Chengyu absolutely couldn’t admit to.
He paused the kisses along her cheek, pulling back slightly. His deep, phoenix-like eyes glinted with mischief as they locked onto her clear, guileless gaze. "Little liar, didn’t your throat recover by noon the next day? Hmm?"
Su Qianqian’s lifted chin froze mid-air. Her eyes darted away nervously. "H-how did you know?"
Oh no. Busted!
So embarrassing!
No—she couldn’t back down now.
She clung to her flimsy righteousness, though her voice noticeably wavered. "N-no such thing! Who’s spreading rumors?"
"I was in pain for four whole days!" The girl’s eyes flitted everywhere but at him.
Gu Chengyu’s heart melted at the sight of her—so guilty yet so stubborn. Absolutely adorable.
A low chuckle rumbled in his chest as he pinched her pinkened cheek. "Still putting up a fight, huh?"
Su Qianqian flushed even harder under his teasing.
Squirming in his lap, she tried to escape. "Let me go! No more hugs for you!"
But her wriggling only stoked his desire. There was no way he’d release her now.
His arms tightened around her, trapping her firmly against him. His voice was laced with indulgent resignation:
"Alright, alright. Whatever our Qianqian says is right. This is all Young Master Chengyu’s fault—shouldn’t have let your little throat hurt for four days."
He humored her completely, his gaze drowning her in tenderness.
"Now that I’ve admitted my mistake… can Young Master Chengyu get his kiss?"
Su Qianqian’s resolve softened under his shameless doting. Most of her embarrassment and irritation faded.
Finally meeting his eyes, her lips pursed slightly in silent permission.
Gu Chengyu didn’t hesitate. He captured those rosy lips in a deep, claiming kiss.
"Mmph…" A delicate whimper escaped her as her arms naturally looped around his neck. Her shy response was her way of accepting his apology.
A satisfied groan vibrated in Gu Chengyu’s throat. So much effort—now he had to falsely confess just to kiss his own girl.
The thought flickered, but his hands were already moving—palms roaming possessively over the delicate curve of her waist and back.
Yet the kiss alone wasn’t enough. Having "apologized," it was only fair to claim compensation.
In one smooth motion, he cupped her bottom with one hand and gripped her waist with the other, standing up while holding her.
"Ah!"
Su Qianqian yelped in surprise, legs instinctively locking around his lean hips as she clung to him like a koala.
Gu Chengyu chuckled darkly, never breaking the kiss as he strode toward the master bedroom with his precious bundle.
The door shut behind them with a decisive thud, sealing away the outside world.
In the spacious room, Gu Chengyu carried her to the bed, laying her atop the plush mattress. Instead of joining her immediately, he stood beside it, fingers working at his shirt buttons.
Su Qianqian sank into the bedding, chest rising unevenly. Her hair fanned out around her, cheeks flushed, lips parted—eyes glazed with anticipation as she met his smoldering gaze.
The discarded shirt was followed by his belt, trousers, and finally—
A tear rent through her lilac dress under his impatient hands.
A muffled protest: "I really liked this colo—mmph!"
Her words were swallowed mid-complaint.
"I’ll buy you ten new ones, sweetheart."
......
......
......
The bedroom door remained firmly shut for a very, very long time.
On the living room wall, the clock’s hour hand crept from 1… steadily onward… until it settled at 4.
