That evening, several black sedans drove into the underground garage of the high-end apartment building where Shen Que lived.
Gu Chengyu was the first to step out, his figure tall and straight, his expression cold and stern.
Behind him followed several unfamiliar faces, all hardened and impassive, men cultivated by the Gu family. They took orders only from the family head and the heir, never questioning the reasons.
The elevator went straight to the top floor.
The lead bodyguard stepped forward and discreetly breached the smart lock on Shen Que's apartment door.
Gu Chengyu strode inside, his gaze sweeping across the living room.
It was minimalist in style, filled with expensive art, but devoid of any lived-in warmth.
"Search everywhere except the bedroom."
Those well-trained subordinates immediately dispersed, beginning a swift and efficient search.
Gu Chengyu himself walked into the bedroom.
He pulled open a drawer; it contained some documents.
Gu Chengyu looked around, his eyes settling on the walk-in closet.
He walked over.
The space inside was large, clearly divided into sections.
Suits, shirts, casual wear—all arranged in perfect order.
In the most conspicuous spot sat a black gift box, looking utterly out of place.
Gu Chengyu walked over and opened the box.
Inside, he saw Su Qianqian's short dress.
He reached out, his fingertips brushing the soft fabric before he suddenly grabbed it, clutching it tightly in his hand.
At this moment, all his suspicion, his fury, and that sickening feeling of being betrayed and coveted by a brother reached their peak.
"Hah..." A cold laugh escaped from deep within Gu Chengyu's throat.
He clenched the dress, his knuckles white, the veins on the back of his hand bulging.
He walked out and issued a cold order to the Gu family men: "Everyone, out."
The subordinates immediately ceased their actions, withdrew from the apartment, and closed the door behind them.
The vast apartment was now empty save for Gu Chengyu alone.
...
Half an hour later, the door was pushed open.
Shen Que walked in, loosening his tie, weariness etched on his face.
His movements froze, his pupils contracting sharply when he saw the tall figure standing in the center of the living room, its back turned to him.
Shen Que noticed the dress clenched in Gu Chengyu's hand.
The air grew still, oppressive enough to choke a person.
Shen Que's gaze fixed on that blue fabric, his complexion shifting through several shades.
Finally, he forced a frivolous smile, his tone light: "Well, what brings you to my humble abode?"
"Besides, wasn't this how it always was between us before?"
"Why go to all this trouble and take it so seriously now?"
That last sentence carried a clear note of probing.
Gu Chengyu slowly turned around.
His face was completely expressionless, but his eyes were dark and terrifying.
He spoke coldly: "Shen Que, did I ever tell you—"
"She's different!"
With that low roar, Gu Chengyu charged forward, landing a vicious punch squarely on Shen Que's face.
Caught off guard, Shen Que was sent staggering backward by the blow, crashing into the wine cabinet behind him. Expensive bottles shattered, raining glass and liquor onto the floor.
Blood instantly seeped from the corner of his mouth.
But he seemed not to feel the pain. Instead, he began to laugh softly, the laughter growing louder, filled with long-suppressed resentment.
Shen Que wiped the blood from his mouth, lifted his head, his own eyes turning sharp and obsessive as they met Gu Chengyu's murderous glare.
"Different? How is she different? Gu Chengyu, you tell me, how is she different?!"
He straightened up abruptly, taking a step forward without fear, his voice hoarse with emotion:
"Why? Why can you touch her, but I can't even think about her?"
"Why does every good thing have to belong to Gu Chengyu?"
"Family background, status, the rightful heir... even women, for fuck's sake, they all have to be yours alone?!"
The jealousy that had been festering for so long erupted completely at this moment.
Shen Que's eyes were bloodshot as he pointed at the short dress in Gu Chengyu's hand. "My feelings for her are genuine too!"
"I even thought about it—I could marry her!"
"And you? What can you give her? The forever-hidden identity of a mistress?"
"Genuine?" Gu Chengyu let out a cold laugh, as if he'd heard the biggest joke in the world.
"Your 'genuine feelings' involve stealing and hiding her intimate clothing? Using such low-life methods to fantasize?"
"Shen Que, you make me fucking sick!"
Before the words had fully left his mouth, Gu Chengyu struck again, another heavy punch aimed at Shen Que's abdomen.
Shen Que grunted, doubling over in pain, but still gritted his teeth and roared, "Yes! I'm sick! But what about you?"
"Is the great Young Master Gu so righteous and aboveboard? Haven't you had plenty of women around you? What right do you have to claim her exclusively?"
Thoroughly enraged, Gu Chengyu tossed the dress aside onto the sofa.
The two high-powered men began to grapple, throwing punches that landed with solid, meaty thuds.
Furniture was knocked over, artworks smashed to pieces.
This was venting rage, a struggle for dominance, a declaration of sovereignty.
Gu Chengyu grabbed Shen Que by the collar, slamming him hard against the wall, his forearm pressing fiercely against his throat. He leaned in, eyes bloodshot, his voice hissing through clenched teeth:
"Why?"
"Because I am Gu Chengyu."
"Because from head to toe, her first night, her first kiss, even a strand of her hair—it's all mine."
"If you dare touch anything of hers again, if you dare so much as look at her one more time, Shen Que, I swear, everything you've schemed and strived for will be gone. Not a single thing will remain."
