Sensing that the man meant no harm, she lowered her lashes and said softly, “Thank you.”
Her throat was unbearably dry and itchy, as if it were on fire. When she spoke, her voice came out rough and hoarse.
Shang Yuze poured a cup of warm water and set it on the bedside table. His fingers were long and well-defined, cold white like jade. “After you get cleaned up, we’ll talk.”
After he left, Gu Qingyue looked at the cup of water on the table. Her long lashes trembled lightly, and her eyes stung with swelling tears.
Even if it was not that greasy, potbellied President Li, she still felt miserable.
She had lived for twenty years without even having a boyfriend, yet last night she had lost her virginity in a muddled haze.
Gu Qingyue picked up the cup and drank it all in one go. The warm water slid down her throat, easing the dryness.
She lifted the blanket and got out of bed, carrying the bags toward the bathroom.
Water from the shower streamed down from above, splashing into fine droplets as steam spread across the glass.
The slightly hot water wrapped around her body, soothing the soreness. Only then did Gu Qingyue feel like she had truly come back to life.
After showering, she stood before the mirror. Her once snow-white, delicate skin was now stained with rosy marks. On her fair, swan-like neck were kisses of varying depth.
A trace of irritation gathered between Gu Qingyue’s brows. She dried her hair, opened the clothing bag, and took out a box.
When she opened it, her fingers paused.
Underwear.
By sight alone, it looked exactly like her size.
The tips of her ears flushed faintly. She changed as quickly as possible, then pushed open the bathroom door and walked into the living room.
The weather was cold, and Shang Yuze had prepared a high-neck sweater for her. The marks on her neck were completely covered.
Shang Yuze was standing by the glass window on the phone. His posture was tall and refined. Sunlight fell on his profile, highlighting his brow bone and smooth, striking lines.
His tone was cold as black ice. “Cut off his company’s cash flow and send him to prison.”
After hanging up, Shang Yuze turned around. The girl stood where she was, cheeks lightly flushed. Her glass-like eyes were clear and alluring. The fluffy sweater made her look obedient and soft.
His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he casually looked away and walked to the sofa.
His manner was lazy and relaxed, yet carried an ingrained nobility and composure.
He lifted his chin slightly toward the coffee table. A glass of water and some medicine sat there. His narrow eyes looked at her. “Contraceptive pills.”
She was only twenty and still in school, with a bright future ahead. They were strangers. Naturally, she would not want to be pregnant with his child now.
Gu Qingyue lowered her eyes. Her fingers tightened slightly as she picked up the water and swallowed the pills.
If Shang Yuze had wanted to harm her, he would not have waited until now.
“Sit first,” he said flatly.
Gu Qingyue sat across from him. She kept her head down, back stiff, hands placed properly on her legs.
Like a student waiting to be questioned in class.
Rumor had it that Shang Yuze was cold and indifferent, ruthless in his methods, and devoid of human warmth. The chilling aura around him was enough to intimidate seasoned businessmen, let alone Gu Qingyue, who had just turned twenty.
“My name is Shang Yuze.” To avoid frightening the delicate girl, he deliberately softened his tone. “I’m sorry about last night. I will take responsibility.”
“No need.” Gu Qingyue’s voice carried a sob as a tear slipped down silently.
A beauty in tears was pitiful and moving, stirring instinctive sympathy.Shang Yuze pulled out two tissues and handed them to her. “Don’t cry.”
Gu Qingyue did not take them. She raised her eyes. Crystal tears clung to her long lashes. The corners of her eyes were damp and red. Her glass-colored eyes were wet as she stared at him. “If you were slept with by a stranger, you wouldn’t cry?”
“Miss Gu, I was also a victim last night. We were both drugged. When we met in the hallway, you were the one who made the first move.” Shang Yuze set the tissues on the table and tapped the surface lightly with his fingertip. His voice was lazy and unhurried.
As he moved, his collar slipped slightly, revealing a clear bite mark on his sensual collarbone.
In his words, fragmented images from last night flashed through Gu Qingyue’s mind.
The silent hallway.
The girl crashed into the man’s arms. His body burned like fire. The drug stripped her of reason as her pale, slender arms hooked around his neck.
His jaw was taut. Crimson bled into his restrained eyes as he pushed her away with the last of his rationality.
Yet Gu Qingyue clung tightly to his lean waist, her head pressed against his chest, her cheek brushing against him intentionally or not.
Shang Yuze’s sexy Adam’s apple bobbed. His scorching breath spilled out as he said hoarsely, “You came to me on your own. Don’t regret it when you wake up.”
“I won’t regret it.” Gu Qingyue’s eyes were hazy with allure. Her hands tore open his collar as she bit down on his collarbone.
Gu Qingyue suddenly widened her eyes.she really had been the one who took the initiative.
Her confidence evaporated at once. She muttered softly, “Girls are the ones who suffer in this kind of thing.”
Shang Yuze was so irritated he laughed. “So my innocence doesn’t count?”
He had originally planned to return to his room to take a cold shower. Instead, he ran into Gu Qingyue halfway.
Both of them were burning with heat. Drugged, Gu Qingyue was irresistibly seductive, bold and proactive.
When she collided into his arms, her body was soft, carrying a faint, elegant fragrance that lingered at his nose.
Like the strongest aphrodisiac in the world. It stirred his body and threw his heart into chaos.
Gu Qingyue had nothing to say. “Then what do you want to do?”
Shang Yuze’s dark eyes settled on her. The girl’s beauty was striking. Her bone structure and features were flawless. His brows twitched slightly, his gaze deepening as a hint of interest flashed within.
“Marriage.”
Gu Qingyue stared at him in disbelief, her watery eyes fixed straight on his face.
Shang Yuze asked in confusion, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Gu Qingyue muttered, “If I didn’t know you were Shang Yuze, I’d think you were about to trick me into being sold in Myanmar.”
Shang Yuze laughed helplessly. The girl was unexpectedly interesting. “Do I really look like a bad person?”
“Not really.” In reality, she had no idea.“Marriage?” Shang Yuze looked at Gu Qingyue with sincere, intense eyes.
He had a pair of perfectly shaped phoenix eyes, inner corners hooked, outer corners lifted. When unsmiling, they were sharp and ascetic. When he smiled, the outer corners curved upward toward his temples, forming a smooth arc.
For no reason at all, it added a touch of heart-stirring tenderness.
Gu Qingyue’s heart trembled slightly. She unconsciously clenched her palm. “Why me?”
She had nothing now. The only thing she could present was her education.
Shang Yuze parted his thin lips. “My grandfather has been urging me to get married lately. We’ve already slept together, so it’s convenient to go along with it. I’ll provide you with protection, and you help me deal with my grandfather. It’s a win-win.”