After lunch, the sunlight was just right, lazily spilling across the living room carpet.
Su Qianqian had just put down her chopsticks and was about to slip back to her room when her wrist was gently caught from behind.
"What are you doing?" she turned her head, her voice still carrying a hint of petulance, her eyes darting elsewhere, refusing to look at him.
Gu Chengyu didn't speak. With a slight tug, he turned her around, wrapped an arm around her waist, and gently pressed her down into the soft sofa.
He sat down himself, angling his body slightly, pulling her over with a force that was domineering yet not without tenderness, forcing her to lean against his chest.
Su Qianqian squirmed, feeling indignant. They weren't even reconciled yet, how could he just hold her like this?
"Let me go..."
But Gu Chengyu's arm only tightened around her. He rested his chin against the top of her fragrant hair, his voice a low murmur by her ear:
"Don't move. Let me hold you for a while."
He paused, then got to the point, his tone uncharacteristically apologetic. "I saw all that nasty nonsense online."
Su Qianqian stiffened slightly, reminded of the foul language and the claims that she was Shen Que's mistress. Her eyes stung again, and she pressed her lips together, silent.
"It's my fault," Gu Chengyu continued, his large hand gently stroking her back, comforting his precious girl. "Yesterday, I was too focused on making you jealous. I didn't notice it in time, and let you get hurt."
"I've already had Assistant Zhao handle it. Every single account that insulted you will be receiving a lawyer's letter from the Gu Corporation. None of them will get away."
His tone turned icy for a moment, but quickly softened again. He lowered his head, seeking her lips. "Nothing like this will ever happen again. I promise."
Su Qianqian turned her head, avoiding his kiss. Her small hands pressed against his firm chest, her voice muffled and coquettish. "Your promises aren't trustworthy."
"You always bully me. You made me sick before, and gave me the cold shoulder for so long."
"And yesterday, when I saw people saying I'd slept with Shen Que and went looking for you, all I found was news about your engagement to another woman. Everyone said you two were a perfect match..."
She listed his offenses, feeling more and more wronged with each one. Tears began welling up in her eyes again, shimmering on the brink of falling, making her look utterly pitiful and heart-wrenching.
Seeing her like this, Gu Chengyu's heart melted into a puddle, aching with regret.
He lowered his head and this time, without asking, kissed her damp eyelid, tasting the slight saltiness. It only made him feel worse.
"It was my mistake," he admitted fault straightforwardly. Though his posture remained domineering, unwilling to let her go, the humility in his tone was genuine.
"I was a jerk. I shouldn't have given you the cold shoulder, shouldn't have let you face those rumors alone, and shouldn't have announced that engagement at a time like that, hurting your heart."
He cupped her small face, forcing her to look at him.
"Qianqian, look. The engagement is canceled. I'm dealing with the people who spread those lies."
"Give me a chance. This time, let me pursue you properly. Let me make you like me again, okay?"
If those in the outside world who knew his arrogant, domineering side saw him like this, their jaws would likely drop.
There was not a trace of the cold, hard Young Master Gu left in him now. He was just an ordinary man who had made a mistake and was desperate for his beloved's forgiveness.
Only the innate noble air about him meant that even in apology, he retained a unique kind of charm.
Su Qianqian felt flustered under his gaze. She sniffled, her little mouth pouting slightly as she complained in a spoiled tone, "Then you can't act like that anymore. No more ignoring me, no more being harsh with me, no more letting others scold me, and no more getting involved with other women..."
"Okay. None of that will happen again. I promise," Gu Chengyu readily agreed, immediately giving his assurance.
He lowered his head, rubbing his tall nose bridge against her delicate little nose, his tone impossibly doting. "From now on, I'll only dote on you, only spoil you, only have you as my woman, and only be good to you."
Su Qianqian looked at him and let out a soft "hmph," signaling her forgiveness.
She actively buried her face into the warm crook of his neck, nuzzling there. "Then you have to pursue me properly."
Truth be told, she still felt a bit awkward, a bit sad. She hadn't really wanted to forgive him so quickly.
But when she thought about spending the rest of her life with him... well, she could soothe herself and forgive him first.
Besides, he said he would pursue her, and she wouldn't make it easy for him.
Feeling her reliance, the huge weight in Gu Chengyu's heart finally lifted completely. "Mm, I will pursue you properly. I'll give our Qianqian the very best of everything."
He tightened his arms, holding her even closer, as if embracing a treasure lost and found again.
The sunlight was warm. All was peaceful and good.
