Shi Jun looked down coldly at the man slumped helplessly on the ground. Slipping his hand into his pocket, he pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped his hands. Then, turning on his heel, he headed back to the hotel. Once inside his room, he shed his clothes and let the warm streams of water cascade over his skin, washing away the dust and exhaustion of the day.
After cleaning up, he changed into a soft bathrobe and let himself sink into the welcoming embrace of the bed. He slept exceptionally well, not waking until the shadows of night began to fall. Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, he saw it was already past six o’clock in the evening.
Shi Jun stretched lazily and got up to head to the kitchen for a bite to eat. However, the moment he stepped into the living room, his gaze froze.
A man was sitting there. Dressed in a crisp white shirt paired with well-tailored trousers, he looked sharp and neat. His handsome features and the commanding, regal aura between his brows naturally drew people’s eyes, making it impossible to look away. He sat there tall and statuesque, a vision of absolute perfection.
Shi Jun arched an eyebrow. “Gu Xiulin? What are you doing here?”
Shi Jun remembered clearly that he had locked the door. He quickly ran through the possibilities in his mind, trying to figure out how this man had managed to breach his private sanctuary.
Gu Xiulin’s voice broke the silence of the room. “I came looking for you. I’ve already fully investigated your situation.”
Gu Xiulin’s gaze turned icy. At the thought of the hardships Shi Jun might have endured, a flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes. He was filled with a burning rage toward anyone who dared harm Shi Jun. His dark, deep pupils locked onto Shi Jun like a hawk, as if trying to see straight through to his soul.
Shi Jun frowned slightly. “Then you must know exactly what I went through,” he said, a faint, almost imperceptible trace of weariness lacing his tone.
A look of absolute resolve flashed in Gu Xiulin’s eyes, his tone firm and cold. “Since that old man actually dared to kidnap you, he shouldn’t blame me for being ruthless.” His words carried a dangerous edge that brooked no challenge, making it clear that he had zero tolerance for anyone who threatened Shi Jun. He continued, “Don’t worry, I’ve already dealt with him. He won’t be appearing in front of you ever again.”
Gu Xiulin’s protectiveness brought a faint warmth to Shi Jun’s heart, but he remained steadfast in his independence. “I can handle the rest of my affairs myself. I don’t need help.”
With that, Shi Jun turned around, preparing to go to the kitchen to fix some food.
Just as Shi Jun took a step forward, Gu Xiulin’s voice rang out again. It carried a hint of playfulness, like a cat teasing its prey. “Aren’t you going to ask me why I came to find you?”
Shi Jun countered with a question of his own, “You haven’t gone and fallen in love with me, have you?”
Gu Xiulin caught his breath for a moment, but quickly regained his composure, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
“You see, I looked into your background,” Gu Xiulin said, his voice dropping an octave. His gaze pierced straight toward Shi Jun’s heart like a sharp sword. “The old Shi Jun was timid and yielding, constantly terrified of displeasing his father. Moreover, he had never learned a single day of martial arts. But the current you…”
Gu Xiulin looked at him meaningfully, his eyes filled with intense scrutiny and curiosity, as if trying to pry open the secrets hidden deep inside Shi Jun. “What could have caused such a massive change in you?”
“Or rather… you aren’t Shi Jun at all.” The moment the words left Gu Xiulin’s mouth, a flash of shock rippled across Shi Jun’s face.
“007, this guy is way too sharp,” Shi Jun thought, his mental voice tinged with disbelief. “He figured all of this out just from looking at background records.”
007’s voice pinged through the communicator, its electronic tone carrying a playful edge: [I wouldn’t know either, dear.]
Of course, what 007 actually thought was: How could the Lord Superior God not be sharp? However, it had absolutely no intention of revealing this piece of information to Shi Jun.
Shi Jun rolled his eyes mentally. “Fine, I get it. Dismissed.”
[Yes, sir!] 007 chirped back.
Just as Shi Jun was about to speak, Gu Xiulin cut in, “I don’t care what you were like in the past. It’s the current you that I find absolutely fascinating.” His eyes gleamed with undisguised intrigue.
Shi Jun glanced at him, a flicker of doubt dancing in his eyes. “Then care to tell me why exactly you’re so interested in me?”
Gu Xiulin’s gaze held Shi Jun’s like a magnet, a profound, indescribable light shimmering in his dark eyes. “I can’t quite explain it myself. I just feel, with absolute certainty, that you are meant to belong to me.”
Hearing this, Shi Jun froze entirely. His heart skipped a beat before accelerating rapidly; no one had ever spoken to him in such a direct, domineering manner. The words were like a stone tossed into still water, sending ripples through his emotions.
“Are you serious?” Shi Jun’s voice sounded a little raspy. He stared intently at Gu Xiulin, searching his eyes for an answer.
Gu Xiulin raised an eyebrow, countering with a teasing smile playing at the edge of his lips. “Do you not like what you’re hearing?” His expression radiated absolute confidence.
Shi Jun let out a broad grin, a flash of smug satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. “Oh, I love hearing people confess to me. It just proves my boundless charm. You’ll have to work hard, you know~~~” His tone was purely teasing, throwing the provocation right back.
Gu Xiulin looked at him with an amused arch of his brow. “Didn’t you say you really liked my face and my physique? You wouldn’t be losing out by being with me. Besides, we’ve already crossed that line.” His lips curled upward, his voice laced with a smooth, seductive charm.
A faint blush crept onto Shi Jun’s cheeks. Embarrassed, he rubbed his nose and let out two dry coughs. “Ahem… so what if we did?” he muttered, trying to mask his awkwardness.
Amused by his reaction, Gu Xiulin deliberately leaned closer to Shi Jun. “So, are you going to consider my proposal?”
Shi Jun felt as though he had run into an absolute siren. Not only was the man breathtakingly handsome, but he was also devastatingly good at flirting. He felt his mind spinning, completely overwhelmed by the subtle, charged atmosphere between them.