What in the world is this?
But his intuition told Gu Chengyu that this probably wasn't about someone else, was it?
His finger paused, then tapped to open it.
The latest message in the chat dialog was the one he had sent her that afternoon, telling her to wait for him after class.
So it really was him.
"Su Su's Power Bank?" Gu Chengyu read the contact name aloud in a low voice, a hint of confusion in his tone.
He looked down at the slightly stiffened girl in his arms. "What's this about?"
Su Qianqian hadn't expected him to discover this little secret. Her cheeks flushed scarlet instantly, her gaze began to dart around, and she mumbled softly, "It's just..."
The more she acted like this, the more curious Gu Chengyu became. He pinched her cheek lightly. "Hmm? Calling me a power bank? And Su Su's power bank?"
Cornered by his questioning, Su Qianqian buried her burning face in his chest. Her muffled voice came through, soft and shy:
"Because sometimes, when I'm very tired or unhappy, I'm like a kitten with low battery."
She paused, her voice growing even smaller, almost inaudible:
"But holding A-Yu, being doted on by A-Yu... it's like recharging. I feel much happier and more energetic the next day..."
"So A-Yu counts as my big treasure~"
So the contact name "Su Su's Power Bank" meant that he, Gu Chengyu, was Su Qianqian's exclusive big treasure, someone she could rely on and who could replenish her energy?
Gu Chengyu was taken aback for a moment, then let out a low chuckle.
He was clearly pleased by this explanation.
"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow, his eyes full of amusement, deliberately teasing her. "So that's what it means."
"Then, can I continue charging up our Qianqian right now?"
Su Qianqian, mortified, raised her hand and gave him a light tap. "Stop talking..."
Gu Chengyu laughed, caught her small fist, and kissed it. He didn't tease her further.
Remembering the message he had just seen, his tone returned to normal. "There's a banquet on Friday night?"
"Mm, Brother Wang said we need to be there by five."
Gu Chengyu's tone was casual. "It's good to go and see. It's a top-tier event in the entertainment industry; it could be helpful for your future development."
"However, if you don't like it or feel uncomfortable, don't force yourself to put up with anyone's attitude."
"Regarding the Shen Group, Shen Que will probably be there. If anything really happens, just go find him."
"He'll look out for you, for my sake."
He paused, letting out a slightly regretful 'tsk':
"I have an unavoidable high-level meeting on my father's side that night. I promised to attend, and it probably won't end until around seven, so I can't go with you."
"I'll come pick you up later."
Su Qianqian nodded obediently. "Mm, I know. I'll be careful on my own."
Seeing her obedient demeanor, Gu Chengyu's heart softened. He lowered his head and kissed her hair again. "Qianqian is so good."
Friday night. The Shen Group banquet hall was brilliantly lit.
By the time Su Qianqian arrived, the venue was already filled with elegantly dressed guests.
She wore a water-blue strapless gown that perfectly outlined her delicate and graceful figure.
Her appearance immediately attracted numerous glances.
"This newcomer's looks are stunning."
"She looks even better in person than in videos."
"Look at her outfit, is it haute couture?"
Brother Wang promptly came forward and whispered instructions, "Don't be nervous, just follow me. The main goal is to show your face and get familiar."
Su Qianqian nodded, accepting a glass of champagne from a waiter. She didn't drink it, instead looking around curiously at her surroundings.
It was her first time attending such an occasion, and everything seemed novel.
However, that sense of novelty quickly faded.
A tall foreign man approached with a glass in hand, his eyes roaming over her.
"Hey, beautiful Oriental doll."
His spoken Chinese was somewhat awkward and carried a flirtatious tone. "Alone? Care for a drink?"
A strong wave of cologne hit her. Su Qianqian took a step back, her delicate brows slightly furrowed. "Sorry, I'm not much of a drinker."
"You can learn..." The man laughed, taking another step closer, his hand even attempting to reach for her waist.
Su Qianqian's face paled. Just as she was about to dodge, an arm moved faster than hers, blocking that wandering hand.
"Mr. Lawrence."
Shen Que had appeared at some point, his face wearing his usual smile, but his eyes held little warmth. "Have you had a bit too much to drink?"
His tone was light, but the force in his grip made the foreign man grimace and withdraw his hand.
"Young Master Shen..." Lawrence's expression changed several times before finally forcing out a smile. "A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. Just joking with this young lady."
"Is that so?" Shen Que raised an eyebrow, taking a step sideways to completely shield Su Qianqian behind him. His voice was lazy yet carried a sense of pressure.
"My artist is timid and easily frightened. Your joke probably isn't very appropriate."
Lawrence awkwardly rubbed his nose, muttered an excuse, and slunk away.
Only then did Shen Que slowly turn around. His gaze fell on Su Qianqian, appraising her from head to toe, in detail.
With Chengyu not around, the interest in his eyes was completely unconcealed.
"Scared?"
Su Qianqian lowered her eyes. She didn't look at him, mumbling reluctantly, "Thank you, Young Master Shen, for helping me out."
"How will you thank me?"
Shen Que leaned in closer. "Just saying it isn't very sincere."
Su Qianqian finally looked up. Her moist, almond-shaped eyes held little emotion as she simply looked at him. "Then what does Young Master Shen consider sincere?"
Shen Que chuckled softly. His gaze lingered on her delicate red lips, then slid down to her slender neck, implying, "That depends on what Miss Su is willing to offer."
He was too close, his voice lowered to a suggestive whisper:
"For example, after the banquet ends, would you honor me with a visit to the penthouse for a drink? I have a nice bottle of red wine there. It's quiet, no one will disturb us."
The disgust in Su Qianqian's heart was almost unbearable.
What a playboy.
What did he take her for? She was, after all, his friend's girlfriend.
She spoke calmly, "You should save your wine for someone who needs it more."
Shen Que was taken aback, clearly not expecting her to refuse so directly.
Looking at her incredibly beautiful eyes, which were now unhappy and clearly saying 'stay away from me,' he wasn't angry at all. Instead, the interest in his eyes deepened.
So cute. So beautiful.
Seeing him still standing in front of her, not leaving, Su Qianqian took the initiative to step back, creating distance. "Young Master Shen, excuse me."
Without waiting for him to speak again, she lifted the hem of her gown, turned, and walked gracefully towards the crowd, leaving behind a cool yet alluring silhouette.
Shen Que stood where he was, watching her swaying figure, and let out a low laugh.
He sighed inwardly: Even her little temper was exactly to his liking.
On the other side, Su Qianqian, with her jet-black hair and snow-white skin, seemed somewhat aloof from the surrounding glamour, yet she firmly held the attention of most onlookers.
She hadn't forgotten the main purpose of the evening. She greeted several senior figures in the industry with grace and poise, among them the film queen, Qin Mo.
Qin Mo merely gave a slight nod and said, "Focus on your classes. Don't ask for leave so often."
Su Qianqian's face flushed slightly, but she maintained a composed smile in response.
After making a round of greetings, she began to feel somewhat bored.
These so-called investors held little appeal for her.
After all, the biggest brand sponsor was being kept right in her own home.
She had no need to deliberately curry favor with anyone, nor did she wish to waste her time on meaningless social engagements.
