Gu Chengyu’s tall figure leaned lazily against the wall by the entrance.
His eyes narrowed slightly, gaze fixed on the girl sitting on the sofa, wearing a delicate smoky pink dress he had personally picked out for her.
The curtains had long been drawn open, sunlight streaming in softly, gently draping over her, casting a hazy halo around her long hair.
She covered her small ears, nodding little by little in response to the scolding coming from the phone.
The girl’s two fair, slender legs were neatly pressed together, barefoot, her pale feet sinking into the soft carpet. Her toes twitched subtly with each small nod.
She was exquisitely beautiful, like the most expensive doll in a display case, yet carried an innocent, naive charm that was utterly endearing.
Especially when she covered her ears and quietly responded with “mm-hmm,” it almost pierced straight through his heart.
A silent curve lifted the corner of Gu Chengyu’s mouth.
That smile was different from his usual arrogance and teasing—it carried a kind of pleasure and tenderness even he hadn’t realized he possessed.
It was like seeing a perfectly fitting, interesting, and pretty little trinket that delighted him deeply.
Lin Shu’s voice on the other end of the phone continued to scold, her tone sharp and angry, faintly audible through the speaker.
But the man by the door remained glued to the little figure covering her ears, the smile on his lips deepening.
He didn’t even intend to step in and interrupt—just leaned lazily against the entrance, watching with amusement the pitifully timid and obedient look on the girl’s face as she endured the scolding.
——
Lin Shu’s angry voice finally cut off sharply with a piercing warning: “If it happens again, you’re out!”
Su Qianqian let out a long sigh, as if she’d just fought a battle, her whole body relaxing before she finally lowered her reddened hands from her ears.
“Phew…”
She had just stood up and taken a couple of steps when she caught sight of a tall figure.
Gu Chengyu had silently slipped inside without her noticing and now stood in the center of the living room, leisurely watching her with a teasing and delighted gleam in his phoenix-like eyes.
Su Qianqian’s cheeks flushed instantly.
Had he seen her just now, covering her ears and timidly responding?
She felt embarrassed enough to want to disappear into a crack in the floor, instinctively taking a small step back.
Gu Chengyu chuckled softly, strode across the room in long strides, and lazily settled onto the wide sofa.
The sofa dipped slightly beneath him as he casually bent his long legs, his gaze firmly locked on the shy girl.
He patted his strong thigh, his tone affectionate: “Come here.”
Biting her lip, her moist apricot eyes shyly glanced at him before she finally took small, hesitant steps forward, obediently approaching.
As soon as she got close, his long arms swooped in, effortlessly scooping her up and settling her sideways on his thigh.
In an instant, the crisp scent of ebony wood mixed with a faint hint of tobacco wrapped around her.
Through the thin fabric of her dress, she could feel the hardness of his thigh muscles and the warmth radiating from his body.
Last night’s blush-inducing memories flooded back again, making her body involuntarily soften.
Gu Chengyu was clearly pleased by her shy, bashful demeanor.
With one arm, he casually wrapped around her slender waist, pulling her closer into his embrace, while his other hand leisurely held one of her delicate, seemingly boneless hands.
Her fingers were slender and pale, nails a healthy shade of soft pink, like peach blossoms just beginning to bloom.
He played with her hand with great interest, his rough fingertips gently stroking the tender skin on the back of her hand, sending tingling waves of delightful ticklishness through her.
“So shy?” He lowered his head, his warm breath brushing over her sensitive earlobe, his voice teasing.
“Just now on the phone, you were pretty talkative, weren’t you?”
“Th-That’s different…” Su Qianqian was tickled by him and tried to pull her hand back, but he gripped it tighter.
She could only blush deeply and offer a soft defense.
“Oh? How is it different?” Gu Chengyu raised an eyebrow, deliberately pressing her, enjoying the sight of her embarrassed expression. His mood seemed to brighten even more. He pinched her rosy cheek, “Tell me, how old are you? What do you like? What do you dislike?”
Su Qianqian was a bit flustered by his affectionate gestures and the rapid-fire questions, but she obediently replied, “I’m eighteen... I like acting, and I like reading.”
“I hate being scolded, and I hate being bullied...” Her voice grew even softer toward the end.
Gu Chengyu listened attentively to her soft, sweet voice, memorizing her little preferences, the smile in his eyes deepening.
He tightened the arm around her waist, pressing her soft curves even closer against himself.
“Alright, got it.” His tone was casual but indulgent. “Pack your things. You’re moving in with me this afternoon.”
Su Qianqian’s body stiffened. She looked up at him sharply, her moist eyes clearly showing resistance. “Moving in with you?”
“Hm?”
Gu Chengyu noticed the reluctance in her eyes and raised a brow, slightly displeased. “What? You don’t want to?”
Su Qianqian clenched the small hand holding his shirt, mustering courage, her voice tinged with a bit of bitterness and tentative probing. “I know, Gu Chengyu, you used to have many women before…”
“Did any of them move in? Lin Shu and the others… did they?”
She didn’t finish the sentence, but her little eyes clearly said, “I know everything,” along with a hint of hurt, jealous sweetness.
Gu Chengyu was momentarily stunned, then a knowing and amused look flashed in his eyes.
So this little thing was jealous?
He absolutely loved this pitiful yet adorably jealous look on her face.
He chuckled softly, pinching her chin to make her look at him. “You little jealous bean.”
His tone was teasing but full of affection. “The duplex in the city center? I’ve never brought anyone back there.”
“All those rumors you see around the club? Just part of the game.”
“As for Lin Shu? She’s not qualified to spend the night in my private place.”
Hearing that he’d never brought anyone home before, most of her resistance melted away. After all, she didn’t want to share a bed with any other woman.
Though he had a messy past, she couldn’t help but decide to just make do for now.
