Shang Yuze’s pupils contracted almost imperceptibly. His fingers curled slowly into his palm.
“We’re husband and wife. Doing these things is only right.”
The tips of Gu Qingyue’s ears flushed red. She lowered her gaze slightly, her composure tinged with a hint of shyness.
After getting into the car, Gu Qingyue remembered the phone Shang Yuze had given her when they went back to the school to pick up her things.
She took the black phone out of her pocket and, not daring to meet his eyes, said, “Here’s your phone.”
Shang Yuze did not start the car, nor did he take the phone. He glanced sideways at her. The girl had her head lowered, long lashes trembling, looking shy and reserved.
The man seemed to chuckle softly. “Have you memorized my number?”
Gu Qingyue froze. She had not even opened the phone yet. How could she have memorized any number?
Without hesitation, she quickly turned on the phone, opened the contacts, and tapped the number labeled “Shang Yuze.” She had an excellent memory. After silently reading it once, the number was already firmly engraved in her mind.
“I’ve memorized it.” She turned off the screen and handed the phone back to Shang Yuze. Her big eyes blinked expectantly, just like a well-behaved child waiting to be praised.
“Very impressive,” Shang Yuze said, praising her. The corner of his thin lips lifted slightly, a glint of satisfaction flashing through his eyes. He took the phone and placed it on the console.
Having received praise, Gu Qingyue’s red lips curved gently, her eyes sparkling.
When she was little, no matter how good her grades were or how obedient and sensible she behaved, she never received a single word of praise from “Dad” or “Mom.” Now, she was praised just for reciting a phone number. How could she not be happy?
Shang Yuze smiled silently. Just a single compliment made her this happy. She really did have a childlike heart.
Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, Yujing Manor looked dreamlike, like a celestial palace. It was magnificent and dazzling.
The carved gates opened as the car slowly drove into the manor.
Inside, perfection and refinement were on display everywhere. Rockeries and fountains, flowing water passing gently beneath antique-style bridges, sprawling lawns and gardens, pavilions and towers, rows of villas arranged neatly in perfect order.
The car stopped in front of the main villa. Gu Qingyue followed Shang Yuze inside.
The interior featured murals and carvings, with a minimalist, cool-toned design. A black spiral staircase stood at the center, understated yet elegant.
Gu Qingyue admitted she had never seen much of the world. Along the way, she was so shocked that she could hardly speak.
She had thought the Gu family’s old residence was already large and luxurious enough. Compared to Yujing Manor, however, it was like heaven and earth.
Gu Qingyue looked around curiously, taking everything in.
Shang Yuze stood quietly beside her, watching her. There was a softness and indulgence in his gaze that even he himself had not noticed.
Suddenly, as Gu Qingyue turned her head, she saw a black shadow resembling a wolf charge toward her at lightning speed.
“Ah!” She screamed instinctively. Fear wiped her mind blank. Her body stiffened, her legs feeling as heavy as lead, unable to move at all.
The next instant, a cool, crisp fragrance spread through the air as Gu Qingyue fell into a warm embrace. An indescribable emotion surged through her mind, eroding her rationality.
Her heart began to pound wildly in her chest. For a moment, she could not tell whether it was from fright or because of the man beside her.
Shang Yuze wrapped an arm around her shoulders and shouted sternly at the charging figure, “Cangyun.”
Cangyun skidded to an abrupt stop, its front paws scraping against the floor. It panted with its tongue out, eyes darting back and forth over Gu Qingyue, clearly excited.
Who was this?
The first time Dad had brought a girl home.
Was she its future mom?
Shang Yuze lowered his head. The girl in his arms was clearly frightened. Her small face was pale, her slender body trembling uneasily against him.
His brows softened, his eyes gentle, and even his voice carried warmth. “Don’t be afraid. He doesn’t bite. He’s just too excited to see you and wanted to play.”
Gu Qingyue’s fingers clutched the fabric at Shang Yuze’s shoulder, wrinkling his otherwise neat shirt. Still shaken, she looked at the figure that had lunged at her.
It was large in size, with smooth, dense silver-white fur and a powerful build. Its ears stood upright in a triangular shape, neck muscles well developed, limbs straight and strong, looking imposing and majestic.
Gu Qingyue shrank closer into Shang Yuze’s arms, her throat tight. “Is that a wolf?”
But it looked a little different from an ordinary wolf.
“No. It’s a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog, a type of dog. It just looks like a wolf,” Shang Yuze said.
When he looked at Cangyun, the warmth in his eyes vanished instantly. A thin layer of frost covered his handsome face as his tone turned cool.
“Come here and apologize to her.”
Realizing it had caused trouble, Cangyun drooped its head. Even its whines became soft and low, like a child who had made a mistake.
It had only been too exciting, not intentional. It was not expected to scare her.
Once Gu Qingyue learned that Cangyun was not a wolf, she felt much less afraid. Seeing its pitiful, wronged expression now, she could not help feeling sorry for it.
She stepped out of Shang Yuze’s embrace and tentatively greeted it. “H-hello. I’m Gu Qingyue.”
Cangyun’s eyes lit up instantly. It lifted its head to look at Gu Qingyue and wagged its tail excitedly.
Gu Qingyue pressed her lips together with a light smile. “You’re so well behaved.”
Shang Yuze patted its head. “Cangyun, she’ll be your mom from now on. You’re not allowed to bully her. Got it?”
“Woof, woof.” Cangyun barked twice, as if saying he understood.
Two faint blushes bloomed on Gu Qingyue’s cheeks. She widened her eyes at Shang Yuze and scolded softly, “What nonsense are you saying?”
Shang Yuze gazed at her. The girl’s fox-like eyes shimmered with light, her porcelain-white cheeks tinged with pink, her voice soft and sweet. No matter how one looked at it, it felt like she was acting coy.
One corner of his lips lifted gently, ripples of laughter dancing in his eyes. “We’ve already registered our marriage. You’re my lawful Mrs. Shang.”
Gu Qingyue’s face burned even hotter, her entire face flushed.
Watching the girl’s shy reaction, Shang Yuze smiled silently. With her around, life seemed to have gained a bit more color.
Knowing she was embarrassed, Shang Yuze stopped teasing her. He led her up to the fifth floor.
He opened the bedroom door. “Is it okay for you to stay here?”
Gu Qingyue poked her head inside. The bedroom was decorated in warm tones. Cream-colored curtains were bright and gentle, an elegant bay window looked cozy and romantic, and a huge walk-in closet took up an entire wall. The white bed looked soft and comfortable. There was a desk nearby, and the bedroom even had its own private bathroom.
The room looked brand new, as if no one had lived there before.
She turned her gaze to Shang Yuze. “Then where will you stay?”
“Next door,” Shang Yuze said, pointing beside it.
Gu Qingyue followed the direction of his finger. The two rooms were not far apart. The entire fifth floor had only two bedrooms and one study.