Of course, Gu Ran was unaware of the internal struggle in Dan Zuo’s mind. Hearing that Fu Sijue was working, she dismissed the thought of disturbing him and said, “Assistant Dan, please take me to Milord’s bedroom.”
Dan Zuo looked puzzled but didn’t ask further, then led Gu Ran directly to the third floor via the elevator.
In the elevator, Gu Ran noticed Dan Zuo’s hesitation and spoke up. “Do you have something to say?”
As she asked this, Gu Ran unconsciously exuded the aura of someone in a high position. Compared to her previous unreasonable self, she now seemed more intimidating.
Dan Zuo was momentarily dazed. Was he imagining things? Why did he feel that this woman carried a pressure similar to that of his Milord? But upon closer look, the girl before him had clear eyes, a gentle smile, and a breathtaking beauty that seemed utterly harmless—like a soft, adorable kitten.
“Assistant Dan?” Gu Ran prompted, noticing his complex expression.
“Apologies, Miss Gu.”
“No matter. I know what you’re wondering—why I’ve suddenly changed, and whether I’m scheming to harm your master again, right?”
“I wouldn’t dare!” Dan Zuo lowered his head, denying it with some guilt. Gu Ran merely smiled faintly, then her expression turned stern.
Dan Zuo immediately felt that familiar pressure again. He hadn’t been mistaken earlier—this demeanor was strikingly similar to his Milord’s. But how could a girl of eighteen or nineteen possess such a strong presence?
“Don’t worry, I won’t harm your master. I will be like all of you—forever loyal to him, protecting him, and never letting him suffer any injustice again.”
Dan Zuo was still stunned. Hearing Gu Ran’s words only deepened his confusion, but she gave him no chance to speak, continuing on her own. “If you’re doubting why I’ve changed so suddenly, just think of it as me having been blinded and foolish in the past. This is the real me now.”
As she finished, the elevator doors opened. Gu Ran stepped out, and Dan Zuo hurried after her, disregarding propriety as he loudly asked, “Miss Gu, can I trust what you just said?”
Without turning back, Gu Ran replied lightly, “Of course. Fu Sijue will be the only man I, Gu Ran, ever love.”
Then, without another word to Dan Zuo, she headed straight for the master bedroom in the distance.
Elegant Garden wasn’t as spacious as the main building, and this bedroom seemed temporarily arranged, lacking the luxury of the one she occupied in the main building. Still, though small, it had all essentials—a private bathroom, a walk-in closet, and a leisure balcony nearby. Yet, the decor felt cold and lonely.
Gu Ran didn’t linger long. After a quick look around, she left the bedroom and saw Dan Zuo still standing guard not far away, which conveniently saved her some effort. “Assistant Dan, call a few people to move all of Milord’s things here to the main building.”
Dan Zuo, who seemed busy on his phone, flashed a look of vigilance at her words, his face showing clear dissatisfaction. “Miss Gu, what are you trying to stir up now? Milord has compromised repeatedly. Please know your limits.” His tone was thick with anger and a hint of resentment on Fu Sijue’s behalf.
Gu Ran raised a brow slightly, a smile curling at the corners of her lips that didn’t reach her eyes. With her arms crossed, her expression carried a chilling coldness beneath the surface.
“Did you not understand what I said? Or do I need to ask Brother Jue to send you to the hospital for a hearing check?”
No sooner had she spoken than a tall, elegant figure appeared at the end of the corridor.
The man had striking features and an extraordinary presence, exuding an air of untouchable aloofness. His dark, star-like eyes held a profound depth, radiating an invisible authority that commanded respect. Yet when his gaze fell upon Gu Ran, the wintry chill in his expression melted away, as if touched by the warmth of spring, his eyes tenderly fixed on the girl before him.
His look was deep and affectionate, yet tinged with caution and unease.
Fu Sijue had been handling work when he received a message from Dan Zuo. Immediately setting aside his tasks, he hurried to the third floor as quickly as possible.
This was the first time Gu Ran had set foot in Elegant Garden since arriving at Tan Palace.
Had it not been for her invitation to share a meal that morning, Fu Sijue might have assumed she was causing trouble again. But now, a flicker of anticipation stirred within him.
The moment Gu Ran spotted Fu Sijue, the intimidating coldness on her face vanished, and the oppressive aura around her dissipated completely.
In the next instant, she dashed forward and threw herself into his arms like a swallow returning to its nest.
It was a familiar motion, a familiar posture.
Gu Ran wrapped her legs around Fu Sijue’s waist, nuzzling her head against the crook of his neck, her voice soft and endearing.
“Brother Jue, did I disturb your work?”
Nearby, Dan Zuo stared in astonishment, his eyes nearly popping out of his head. Could it be that Miss Gu was a master of Sichuan opera face-changing? With such swift transformations, she’d be a shoo-in for the next Oscar for Best Actress.
Fu Sijue skillfully supported her slender waist, his eyes filled with tenderness and adoration.
“Not at all. What brings you here? If you needed anything, you could have sent someone to notify me. I would have gone to the main building to find you. You’re not fully recovered yet—you shouldn’t risk catching a chill in the wind.”
Gu Ran had no interest in hearing any of that. Her heart and eyes were solely focused on wanting to kiss, hug, and be lifted high by Fu Sijue.
“Brother Jue, I just came to pick up a few things.”
“Hmm?”
Fu Sijue was puzzled. What could possibly belong to Gu Ran in this part of the estate?
Without waiting for further questions, Gu Ran turned to Dan Zuo, who was still gaping in disbelief.
“Assistant Dan, did you not understand what I said earlier?”
Hearing this, Fu Sijue looked directly at Dan Zuo, who hesitated for a moment before answering truthfully.
“Milord, Miss Gu asked me to arrange for all your belongings to be moved to the main building.”
A surge of joy rose in Fu Sijue’s heart, but he restrained himself from jumping to conclusions. Suppressing his curiosity, he turned his gaze to Gu Ran.
Not one to keep him in suspense, Gu Ran leaned close to his ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear.
“Brother Jue, when I said I’d stay with you for a lifetime, I meant it. How can it be called staying together for a lifetime if we don’t even sleep in the same place?”
With that, she gave another soft peck on his cheek.
Well, after her several spontaneous kisses the previous night and that morning, Fu Sijue now reacted with considerably more composure. Still, only he knew just how exhilarated he felt inside.
Suppressing the elation in his heart, he spoke to Dan Zuo in the calmest tone he could muster.
“As I’ve said, Ranran’s decisions are my decisions. Go and make the arrangements immediately.”
After speaking, he turned his gaze back to Gu Ran, his eyes gentle, his tone softening.
“Shall we return to the main building, or would you like to stay here?”
“Hmm… Would I be disturbing your work if I stayed here?”
“No, let’s go to the study, okay?”
Fu Sijue was being exceptionally cautious with every word he spoke.
Gu Ran nodded, allowing Fu Sijue to carry her away from the third-floor corridor.
It was unclear what Fu Sijue was thinking—clearly there was an elevator, yet he insisted on carrying Gu Ran down the stairs, moving at an extremely slow pace.
Gu Ran cooperated fully, nestling obediently in Fu Sijue’s arms. Listening to his strong heartbeat, fragments of last night’s shared sleep suddenly flashed through her mind.
Hmm, the man had a great physique. Even through his pajamas last night, Gu Ran could feel his firm chest muscles and well-defined, flat abs.
Ah, she really wanted to pounce on him, to make this man her own possession as soon as possible. But would she scare him off if she did that?
Oh, what era is this anyway? It’s perfectly normal for women to take the initiative. Appetite and desire are part of human nature—with such a perfect man right before her eyes, wouldn’t it be a waste not to pounce?
As these thoughts crossed her mind, a deep, complex desire clouded Gu Ran’s eyes. Especially when she caught sight of Fu Sijue’s seductive Adam’s apple, she couldn’t help but swallow hard.