In the dance studio.
Su Qianqian was wiping her sweat with a towel, her cheeks flushed from exertion, damp bangs clinging to her smooth forehead.
She watched as Gu Chengyu walked in, blinking her large eyes with a hint of innocent confusion. "Class over? Has Teacher Xu left? She told me to keep practicing my core..."
Gu Chengyu didn’t answer. He casually set down an empty wine glass on the shelf and strode toward her in a few long steps.
His towering figure instantly enveloped her, radiating an overwhelming presence.
He raised his hand, his slender fingers—roughened with calluses—brushing against her sweat-dampened cheek.
"Fool," he murmured, his voice laced with exasperation and fondness.
"Huh?" Su Qianqian tilted her head slightly, her watery almond eyes filled with bewilderment. "Did I dance poorly somewhere?"
Gu Chengyu looked at her utterly oblivious expression and couldn’t decide whether to be annoyed or amused.
He flicked her smooth forehead lightly with his knuckle.
"Ow—" Su Qianqian winced, clutching her forehead and pouting up at him.
"It’s not your dancing," Gu Chengyu said, his voice lowering with a hint of frustration. "It’s your lack of awareness."
"That woman just now—her eyes were practically glued to me. Didn’t you notice?"
Su Qianqian froze for a second before her lips parted slightly, as if only just realizing. "Huh? Teacher Xu? She was just talking to you..."
Gu Chengyu nearly laughed at her denseness.
He leaned in, his handsome face closing the distance, his sharp phoenix eyes locking onto her clear gaze. His warm breath fanned over her skin as he spoke in a low, dangerous tone.
"She wasn’t just talking to me."
"She was trying to seduce your man. Understand? Hmm?"
He pinched her delicate chin, his grip carrying a hint of punishment. "Little fool, inviting trouble right into our home."
"If I really got lured away and ended up in someone else’s bed, you’d be crying too late."
The words dripped with blatant possessiveness and a teasing challenge.
He watched her closely, waiting to see if she’d react with jealousy or distress.
Su Qianqian, forced to meet his gaze at this proximity, fluttered her long lashes at the mention of "seduce" and "someone else’s bed."
Her soft pink lips pursed slightly as she mumbled under her breath, "...You wouldn’t."
Gu Chengyu arched a brow. "Oh? So sure of that?"
Instead of answering directly, Su Qianqian gazed up at him with those dewy eyes, her voice sweet and coaxing. "Young Master Gu, someone of your status must keep his word."
"Were you upset just now? Because of Teacher Xu?"
"Don’t be angry... Look at Qianqian and you’ll feel better."
Secretly, her heart fluttered like a little fox that had stolen honey.
See? All that scheming between women meant nothing.
As long as she held his heart, he’d naturally stand by her side, shielding her from any ill intentions.
Gu Chengyu took in her coy expression, and the last traces of irritation melted away, replaced by a deep satisfaction.
He chuckled lowly, wrapping an arm around her slender waist and pulling her flush against him, her soft body molding to his.
"At least you’re learning."
He dipped his head, nuzzling her damp temple, his voice thick with affection. "That woman had ulterior motives."
"I’ll replace her tomorrow. A proper, well-mannered professor for you."
"Replace her?" Su Qianqian was genuinely surprised this time. Despite Xu Wanwan’s inappropriate behavior, she was a skilled and dedicated instructor. "But—"
"No buts."
Gu Chengyu cut her off. "I, Gu Chengyu, won’t tolerate anyone’s designs—let alone allow some scheming woman to set foot in my apartment with dirty intentions."
Pausing, he traced slow circles over the sensitive curve of her waist, relishing the way she shivered. His voice dropped to a husky murmur, equal parts coaxing and expectant.
"I chased away the nuisance and found you a better teacher... Shouldn’t my little girlfriend reward me properly? Hmm?"
Su Qianqian squirmed under his touch, her face burning hotter, her voice a breathy protest. "...Then... what does Young Master Gu want as a reward?"
Gu Chengyu’s gaze swept across the spacious, sunlit studio.
The floor-to-ceiling mirrors reflected their entwined figures, the polished hardwood gleaming softly.
He leaned in, his scorching breath searing her ear as he spoke in a gravelly, unmistakable tone:
"Here... the floor’s too hard."
The implication was clear. His grip tightened on her waist, pressing her firmly against him, letting her feel the evidence of his arousal.
"Go shower in the guest room."
His lips nearly grazed her delicate earlobe, his voice thick with desire. "I’ll have the finest long-pile carpet delivered and laid out immediately."
Pausing, he stared at her now-flushed face, his words deliberate and unwavering:
"Tonight, we’ll test just how well you’ve practiced these past two weeks."
"Show me that pose again." He punctuated the command with a light smack on her—hinting where.
Su Qianqian turned scarlet from head to toe, like a freshly boiled shrimp.
She shoved him away abruptly, all thoughts of rewards forgotten, and bolted toward the guest room like a startled rabbit, her hands covering her burning face.
Gu Chengyu watched her flee, his gaze lingering on the tantalizing sway of her curves beneath her dancewear.
The fire in his eyes burned hotter.
......
......
......
