Hearing this, Luo Jin closed her eyes in despair. She understood that no matter what, she could no longer escape.
“Go home.”
He walked ahead, and Luo Jin followed behind him mechanically.
Without needing to think, she knew the “home” he referred to would never be Fifth Master Gu’s residence.
The car slowly stopped at his private villa—a place she was both familiar with and yet unfamiliar with.
Familiar, because five years ago, they had left behind countless unspeakable memories in every corner of it.
Unfamiliar, because over the past five years, she had long since sealed all those memories away deep inside her mind—layer upon layer—locking them behind countless barriers, just to prevent herself from ever opening that Pandora’s box again.
Entering the living room once more, it was no longer the pitch-black space from that night.
The pure white sofa in the center was still unchanged.
She remembered it was a rare piece designed by Fifth Madam Bai Chuyan’s favorite designer.
Back then, Gu Tangzhou had gone through great effort to acquire it.
It was also on that sofa that they had once kissed—tenderly, gently—in a way she had never experienced before.
“If you dare run, I’ll immediately make our relationship public.”
“But my parents don’t know where I am. They’ll go searching for me everywhere.”
Last time, she had managed to slip through only because there was no concrete evidence.
If they discovered she was in his home this time, even if he said nothing, the implications would be undeniable.
“Then just tell them directly, wouldn’t that solve it?”
With that, Gu Tangzhou took out his phone. Luo Jin’s eyes widened in shock.
“What are you going to do?”
She cried out, but it was already too late to stop him.
The words “call in progress” on the screen made her hold her breath.
“Tangzhou?”
Fifth Master Gu’s voice came through clearly. Luo Jin’s eyes filled with pleading.
She was truly afraid their relationship would be exposed.
Because once it was revealed, everything would fall into irreversible chaos.
Gu Tangzhou pressed the mute button and spoke unhurriedly.
“Still want to end this?”
Seeing how far he was willing to go, Luo Jin shook her head frantically like a rattle drum.
Satisfied with her response, Gu Tangzhou turned the microphone back on.
“Fifth Uncle, Grandfather saw the injuries on Luo Jin’s body and asked what happened.”
Hearing the mention of the old master, Fifth Master Gu’s tone immediately turned flustered.
If the old man found out about the 666,666 yuan engagement gift he privately agreed upon with Chu Tianque, he would be looked down upon even more.
“Tangzhou, you see, Fifth Uncle only acted in haste and gave my daughter a small lesson. I’m her father—how could I not know my limits?”
He wasn’t even sure whether the old master could hear him, so he spoke carefully and ambiguously, trying to present himself as a strict but reasonable father.
“Besides, that girl committed something unforgivable. As her father, I failed to teach her properly. When I hit her, I was also punishing myself!”
His words were full of emotional justification, though his blows had been merciless.
“So you’re admitting the injuries on Luo Jin were caused by you?”
He hadn’t expected this young man to be so cunning. Even though he had lived decades longer, he still fell into the trap.
After returning home and discovering Luo Jin was gone, Fifth Master Gu had already guessed she must have gone to seek help.
He just hadn’t expected her to be bold enough to approach the old master.
“Tangzhou, you must explain this clearly to the old master. I only acted in the heat of the moment. Besides, you know how strict the Gu family’s discipline is.”
Every sentence was an attempt to excuse himself, yet not once did he ask about Luo Jin’s condition.
“The old master didn’t say much. He only instructed that she recuperate at my place.”
With the old master’s words, Luo Jin could now stay in Gu Tangzhou’s villa under legitimate circumstances for a while.
Luo Jin was about to refuse, but Gu Tangzhou shot her a cold warning glance, forcing her to swallow her words.
“That’s good then. It might trouble you a bit.”
Hearing that the old master would not hold him accountable, Fifth Master Gu was eager to offload this troublesome burden.
“Fifth Uncle, do you have anything you’d like me to pass on to Luo Jin? She’s right here.”
At this point, Luo Jin had no choice but to take the call.
She turned off speaker mode and placed the phone to her ear.
“Dad.”
“Is the old master with you? What did you say to him?”
Fifth Master Gu’s tone immediately became domineering the moment he heard her voice.
“I didn’t say anything. Second Brother happened to be at the hospital with the old master for a check-up, and we ran into each other by accident.”
To avoid suspicion, Luo Jin could only fabricate a lie.
“Why were you even at the hospital? I knew it—you went there deliberately to complain to the old master! Just wait until you come back. I’ll deal with you myself!”
Fifth Master Gu had already been displeased with her return.
First, the arranged marriage was suddenly canceled, making him a laughingstock in all of Haicheng.
Now she had embarrassed him in front of the old master.
Every grievance he had accumulated, he pinned entirely on Luo Jin, intending to “teach her a lesson.”
“Answer me—Is the old master there or not?”
“He’s not.”
Hearing this, Fifth Master Gu relaxed instantly, his tone turning even harsher.
“Listen carefully, you dead girl. Since you’re at Tangzhou’s place, watch your mouth. Don’t say anything unnecessary. You’re still a member of the Fifth Gu family.”
He was warning her to stay silent—they were bound by shared interests, and if Fifth Master Gu fell, Luo Jin would not escape unscathed.
“If you talk too much, I’ll break your legs!”
“I understand.”
She obediently agreed, putting Fifth Master Gu in a good mood.
“Give the phone back to Tangzhou.”
Luo Jin returned the phone to Gu Tangzhou. On the other end, Fifth Master Gu switched to a flattering tone.
“Tangzhou, I don’t have much ability. Please say a few good words for me in front of the old master. I’ll definitely follow you in the future.”
The two exchanged a few more words before Gu Tangzhou finally hung up.
He only wanted Luo Jin to understand that he had countless ways to ensure she could never escape his grasp.
“Should you call the old master again? In case your father calls him…”
After all, they had lied. If Fifth Master Gu and the old master confronted each other and discovered the truth, no one knew what would happen.
“He doesn’t have the courage.”
Gu Tangzhou toyed with the phone in his hand, his tone icy.
“Where do I sleep tonight?”
Accepting her situation for the moment, Luo Jin spoke bluntly.
“There’s a guest room.”
“Then I’ll go rest.”
She turned to leave, but Gu Tangzhou was not so merciful.
“Does what you said earlier still count?”
Luo Jin immediately understood what he meant.
“Gu Tangzhou, I only hope we will forever remain something that cannot be seen in the light.”
Since she couldn’t escape for now, her only wish was that no one else would ever know.
Gu Tangzhou’s lips curled into a faint smile. He knew Luo Jin was always smart—and once satisfied, she wouldn’t make trouble.
He stood up, walked behind her, wrapped his arms around her slender waist, and leaned close to her ear.
“I never said it was over. As long as I haven’t ended it, you will never escape.”