The night deepened as the Rolls-Royce glided smoothly into the underground garage of Cloudtop Apartments.
Once the car was parked, Su Qianqian unbuckled her seatbelt and turned slightly towards the man in the driver's seat, her voice soft. "Thank you for driving me home. Drive safely."
However, Gu Chengyu deftly turned off the engine, pulled out the key, and unbuckled his own seatbelt.
"Hmm, it's time to go up," he stated matter-of-factly, pushing the car door open and getting out.
Su Qianqian was taken aback for a moment before following him out. She watched as he had already circled to her side and naturally reached for her hand again.
She withdrew her hand slightly. "Aren't you going back?"
Gu Chengyu's hand paused mid-air, then he took her small hand in his without further discussion.
He looked down at her, with a touch of innocence and utter conviction. "Back where? This is my home too."
Su Qianqian was both amused and exasperated by his shamelessness. She tried to pull her hand back, but he only held it tighter.
“Gu Chengyu, we agreed to separate and cool off,” she tried to reason, though her gentle voice held little deterrent effect.
"It was living separately, not breaking up," Gu Chengyu began to playfully argue, correcting her as he led her towards the elevator.
The elevator ascended, and Gu Chengyu gently stroked the back of her hand with his thumb, a sense of impatience in his touch.
Su Qianqian could feel his gaze fixed on her profile, intense and focused.
She turned her face away slightly, but the tips of her ears betrayed her, flushing a warm red.
She had to admit, his unusually low profile today—the jealousy, the playfulness—had genuinely lifted her spirits.
She hadn't even realized she was susceptible to this side of him.
The elevator reached the penthouse.
As soon as the doors opened, Gu Chengyu led her out and closed the door behind them in one fluid motion.
Su Qianqian had just bent down to change her shoes when Gu Chengyu wrapped his arms around her from behind.
His chest was broad and warm, his chin resting gently in the delicate hollow of her shoulder, his breath fanning against the side of her neck.
"Qianqian..." he murmured her name softly, like a big dog being affectionate.
Su Qianqian's body stiffened slightly, her heart skipping a beat. "What?"
He didn't answer, instead beginning to place soft kisses along her skin from behind.
First on her smooth forehead, then the tip of her pert nose, and finally, her soft lips.
Su Qianqian felt her legs go weak from his kisses, leaning back against his chest where he held her securely.
Gu Chengyu's lips brushed against her ear as he whispered, his tone so soft it was almost unbelievable, "Let me stay tonight, okay? Just for one night."
"I promise I won't do anything."
He nuzzled her neck, his voice weak. "Living apart is too hard, Qianqian. I can't sleep well without you."
Su Qianqian's heart softened.
She had witnessed his arrogance and dominance, experienced his obsessive intensity, but she was utterly defenseless against this version of him—the one who set aside his pride and bowed his head to her.
She should refuse. Reason told her that letting this continue would only lead to entanglement once more.
But his embrace was too warm, his kisses too intoxicating, his vulnerability in this moment too real.
She remained silent for a long moment, and the silence felt like tacit permission.
Gu Chengyu sensed her relenting, and elation surged within him. He immediately scooped her up into his arms and strode towards the bedroom.
"Gu Chengyu!" Su Qianqian gasped softly, her arms encircling his neck.
“I’m here,” he looked down at her, his eyes filled with triumphant delight and deep affection.
He laid her gently on the soft expanse of the bed, then covered her body with his, capturing her lips once more.
This kiss was distinctly more fervent, as if trying to compensate for the separation and longing of the past half month.
Su Qianqian was kissed into a daze. In her hazy consciousness, she felt his warm palm slide up to cradle her waist...
She struggled slightly, but he easily gathered her closer.
"Don't be afraid, Qianqian. Just let me hold you. Just holding you is enough," he murmured against her lips.
In the midst of the haze of passion, she heard the distinct sound of a belt buckle opening...
!!!
The girl's fingers clutched the bedsheet, her brow knitting together in a pitiful expression.
The chandelier on the ceiling began to sway, its light casting elusive shadows.
She closed her eyes, her slender, pale fingers captured by his, their hands interlacing, palms pressed together.
Before her consciousness completely scattered, a vague thought drifted through her mind: What exactly is this?
He promised it was just sleeping over, that he wouldn't do anything.
It seems... things have gotten out of hand again?
