The morning sunlight filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the hotel's penthouse suite, passing through the sheer curtains to scatter patches of light on the floor.
Su Qianqian's long eyelashes fluttered a few times before she slowly opened her eyes.
Her watery almond-shaped eyes first showed confusion, then the chaotic memories of the previous night came flooding back.
Drinking the wine Lin Shu had smilingly handed her; being forcibly dragged toward the elevator by that bloated, repulsive investor's embrace;
struggling with all her might to break free, only to collide with a firm, solid chest;
looking up in that instant to meet those deep, arrogant phoenix eyes;
then him scooping her up into his arms and carrying her into the top-floor suite...
Everything that followed was fiery, disorienting, and out of control.
She shifted slightly; the lingering soreness between her thighs silently spoke of last night's wild abandon.
He was too potent, too masterful, and she was born sensitive and delicate, never quite able to withstand him.
At this moment, Gu Chengyu's arm was still draped possessively across her slender waist.
Feeling the movement in his embrace, he opened his eyes. There was no morning haze in those phoenix eyes, only clear awareness and pleasure—he had actually been awake for a while.
Gu Chengyu looked down at the petite figure in his arms.
Su Qianqian shrank further under the covers, only her moist eyes visible, gazing at him timidly. Her snow-white shoulder was exposed, dotted with several ambiguous red marks.
"Awake?" His voice was husky from sleep, deeply magnetic.
"Mhm." Su Qianqian's voice was obediently sweet, carrying the softness of recent sleep. "Young Master Gu..."
Gu Chengyu's lips curved slightly, greatly pleased by her fragile, pitiful, delicate appearance.
He reached out, stroking her smooth cheek with the back of his fingers.
"Call me Chengyu. Does it still hurt?"
Su Qianqian felt a bit shy, shaking her head gently, then nodding, her voice soft and thin. "A little."
This utterly pure yet enticing look, as if she was his for the taking, immensely gratified Gu Chengyu.
He chuckled lowly, leaning closer, his tall nose bridge nuzzling against hers.
"What a delicate girl." His tone held not a trace of disdain, instead brimming with indulgence.
Su Qianqian lowered her lashes, burying her small head against his chest to hide the deeper emotions in her eyes.
Delicate? She admitted it.
But compared to the fear Lin Shu's despicable tactics had instilled in her, this pain was nothing.
Su Qianqian thought of last night again—how she had glanced back and seen that glamorous, stunningly dressed superstar, Lin Shu, watching with smiling eyes full of smug calculation as that nauseating investor dragged her away.
And of her previous life—how the original owner had been pushed out without hesitation by Lin Shu to block those seven fatal stab wounds, left bleeding on the ground, forgotten and alone.
Why? Why could Lin Shu tread on others' flesh and blood, have a dazzling career, and become the white moonlight of the chosen one?
While she, or rather the original Su Qianqian, could only meet such a miserable end?
Given a second chance, she would not only cling to Gu Chengyu, this lifeline, to survive and stay healthy, but she would also make Lin Shu pay.
She would take everything Lin Shu cared about most—her career, and this man she was trying so hard to attach herself to.
Step by step, she would make Lin Shu fall from the clouds and lose everything.
Thinking of this, Su Qianqian's expression grew even more fragile and helpless.
She actively snuggled closer into Gu Chengyu's embrace, her cheek pressed against his warm chest, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat.
"Thank you for saving me last night..."
Her voice carried a slight tremble, as if from lingering fear. "If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would have..."
Gu Chengyu savored the warm, soft, fragrant jade in his arms. Her active dependence put him in a rather good mood.
He tightened his hold, his large hand gently stroking her smooth back.
"Who took you to the party? Lin Shu?"
Su Qianqian nodded lightly against his chest. "Mhm. Sister Shu said she'd take me to see the world..."
"What did you drink at the party? Who gave it to you? Lin Shu?"
"Mhm." Her voice grew even smaller, tinged with grievance.
Gu Chengyu's eyes cooled slightly.
Lin Shu. Very good.
Using a young girl to fob off that kind of trash? Really degrading herself. A waste of all the favor he had shown her before.
Moreover, Gu Chengyu looked down at the person in his arms—so seemingly innocent, pure, and soft—almost ruined by that kind of scum.
At this thought, a nameless anger inexplicably flared in his heart.
"Stay with me from now on," he declared, his tone carrying its usual indisputable authority.
"Stay away from Lin Shu."
Su Qianqian looked up, her eyes wide with apparent surprise. "Young Master Gu, but we've only just met..."
"You're my woman now. I'll take responsibility for you."
"Besides, there are many people with ill intentions in the entertainment industry. With me here, I'll protect you."
"Nothing like last night will ever happen again. I promise."
Tears welled up in Su Qianqian's eyes, glistening, filled with a mix of grievance and attachment.
She extended her slender, pale arms, carefully encircling his neck, lifting that pure yet alluring little face.
"Okay... I was so scared last night. Luckily it was you..."
As she spoke, she actively leaned in, pressing her soft, moist lips against his.
A kiss filled with hesitation and gratitude, inexperienced yet utterly captivating.
Gu Chengyu's gaze darkened, the arm around her slender waist tightening.
He took over, skillfully deepening the kiss, savoring her sweetness.
In the morning light, his breathing grew heated once more.
Su Qianqian yielded compliantly to everything he gave. From an angle he couldn't see, a faint glint flashed in her watery almond eyes before she let herself be swept away by him again.
Meanwhile, in her own suite, Lin Shu nearly snapped off her newly done nails.
She had waited all night! Gu Chengyu had stood her up the entire night! His phone was unreachable!
Could he really not care about her anymore? Not care that she might turn to someone else's arms?
No, impossible! He must be deliberately giving her the cold shoulder!
With his arrogant nature, he couldn't stand being challenged. He would definitely give her a way out, trying to make her lower her head and admit she was wrong.
She paced restlessly, an inexplicable unease growing in her heart.
That little assistant, Su Qianqian, hadn't returned all night, no news either. Was the drug that strong?
But it didn't matter. An insignificant little girl—if she was lost, so be it. Maybe that investor succeeded and kept her entangled all night because it hurt so much.
She had no mind to worry about such small fry now.
She needed to think about her next move to make Gu Chengyu take the initiative to come to her.
She would never imagine that the man she was trying to manipulate with her push-and-pull tactics was, at this very moment, holding the little assistant she had discarded like trash tightly in his arms, cherishing her to the bone.
And the beginning of her nightmare had only just started.
