Though Qu Xiao knew she was playing games, he couldn’t control himself from reaching out to hold her.
“I’ll take you back,” he said, his voice carrying a hint of coldness along with helpless affection.
This man would stop at nothing to get what he wanted, yet he was utterly powerless against the little thing in his arms.
Gu Yan shook her head vigorously, clinging tightly to him. “I’m not going back. I want to stay at your place.”
Qu Xiao looked down at the person in his arms, at her slender neck, and swallowed before pushing her away.
“Stop fooling around. If you’re afraid I’ll target the Xu family, I can temporarily spare them. If you want me to help your Gu family, find your two brothers—rest assured, I’ll do it even if you don’t ask.”
After speaking, he turned his back, his tone slightly aloof. “A few of you, escort Miss Gu back.”
Several bodyguards stepped forward, gesturing politely to Gu Yan. “Miss Gu, please.”
Gu Yan didn’t move. She simply stared at his back. “Uncle Qu, if you don’t turn around, I’ll really leave.”
Qu Xiao’s hands clenched into tight fists as he struggled to calm his breathing. “Go back.”
For a long time, there was no movement behind him. Just as he thought she might cause another scene, he felt a pair of soft hands grasp his.
Turning his head, he saw Gu Yan gazing at him tenderly.
“Uncle Qu, this time even if you drive me away, I won’t leave. I’m sticking with you for life.”
Qu Xiao looked at her with complex emotions. Was she really willing to go this far for that person?
He thought he could remain indifferent to her, but he found himself completely defenseless whenever he encountered her.
Just as he was about to say he’d let her have her way and call off the engagement, he noticed the handprint on her face.
His expression immediately darkened. “Who hit you?”
Gu Yan shook her head, holding his wrist. “I hit myself. I wanted to snap out of it.”
Seeing the flicker of heartache in his eyes, her own eyes welled up with tears again.
After much hesitation, Qu Xiao reached out and gently stroked her cheek. “Does it hurt? Are you out of your mind? Why would you hit yourself?”
Gu Yan’s nose tingled with emotion, and she burst into tears, hugging him tightly.
He was still like this—believing everything she said without question.
Qu Xiao sighed, picked up his suit jacket from the chair, and draped it over her. “Let’s go. I’ll take you back.”
He glanced coldly at the two gagged men on the floor and said expressionlessly, “If you can’t get anything out of them, tie stones to them and throw them in the river.”
Qu Xiao guided Gu Yan downstairs—not that he wanted to hold her, but she was practically clinging to him.
Afraid she might fall, he wrapped his arm around her waist.
Even through their clothes, Qu Xiao could feel the scorching heat of her skin, as if it could burn his hand.
Yu Yang drove the car over. Qu Xiao released her and opened the rear door for her.
Knowing she never liked him sitting next to her, he instinctively moved to close the door and sit in the passenger seat.
But Gu Yan, already in the car, saw through his intention and gave him no chance—pulling him inside directly.
She then sat on his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, buried her face in his chest, and listened to his strong, steady heartbeat.
Qu Xiao’s body visibly stiffened.
His eyes held a trace of anger. “Get down.”
“I won’t.”
“Gu Yan, I’m a man.”
“I know. Don’t call me Gu Yan, call me Yanyan.”
As she spoke, she raised her head and gently blew a warm breath near Qu Xiao’s ear.
Just as she had imagined, his body instinctively trembled.
Gu Yan curled her lips into a smile. No one probably understood him better than she did.
Qu Xiao held the squirming person in his arms, feeling somewhat frustrated. “Just tell me what you want to do.”
Gu Yan wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered softly in his ear, “I want to devour you.”
These words made Qu Xiao’s throat tighten. Under the glow of the streetlights outside, he looked at her.
“I’ll give you one last chance. I’ll take you home.”
Gu Yan still refused. “No, I want to stay at your place.”
“Yu Yang, head to Rose Garden.”
After saying this, he could no longer restrain himself and kissed the lips he had been longing for.
Gu Yan, I gave you a chance to leave. Don’t blame me.
Yu Yang tactfully raised the partition and stepped hard on the accelerator, speeding toward Rose Garden like a bullet.
In the back seat.
Qu Xiao looked at where his hand was placed and suddenly snapped back to reality, quickly withdrawing it.
He closed his eyes, trying to calm his emotions.
Seeing Qu Xiao remain motionless, Gu Yan directly kissed his lips, firmly holding the back of his head and giving him no chance to evade.
The car soon stopped. Qu Xiao got out, picked up Gu Yan, and strode inside.
Ignoring the gazes of the butler and servants along the way, he carried Gu Yan straight upstairs.
Gu Yan obediently nestled in his arms the entire time.
Qu Xiao opened the door with one hand, turned on the light, kicked the door shut with his foot, walked to the bed in a few steps, and laid her down.
Then he leaned over her, kissing her lips while interlacing his fingers with hers.
Just as he was unbuttoning her shirt, he suddenly stopped all movement, his gaze fixed on the necklace around her neck.
At that moment, all his desire vanished, replaced by endless coldness.
Feeling him suddenly stop, Gu Yan sat up and looked at Qu Xiao, who stood by the window with his back to her.
She couldn’t understand why he had halted when things were heating up.
Looking down, she saw the cheap handmade necklace around her neck and suddenly understood.
She tore off the necklace, walked to the window, opened it, and threw the necklace down.
“What are you doing?”
Qu Xiao frowned, looking at her in confusion. Hadn’t she always treasured that necklace? How could she bear to throw it away?
“Such trash doesn’t suit me. From now on, I’ll only wear what you buy.”
Gu Yan stood on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and gently nibbled on his earlobe.
“Uncle Qu, I want to play with fire.”
Qu Xiao’s ears immediately turned red. Gu Yan couldn’t help but laugh. In their previous life, when they married, she had been his first woman, and it was the same in this life.
Not planning to tease him further, she gave him a loud kiss on the cheek. “Uncle Qu, I’m going to take a shower. You should go to the guest room and wash up too. We’ll take our time later—”
Watching Gu Yan grab one of his shirts from the wardrobe and dash into the bathroom, Qu Xiao felt his breathing grow rapid. He took a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and began to smoke.
Hearing the sound of water from the bathroom, his mind automatically conjured images of Gu Yan’s figure. He took a deep drag of his cigarette and strode out of the room.
When Gu Yan came out, she glanced around the room but didn’t see Qu Xiao. She called out.
“Uncle Qu.”
There was no response. Her face darkened—had he run off at a time like this?
Gu Yan threw down the towel she’d used to dry her hair and pushed open the door, heading straight for his study. He had a habit of hiding in his study whenever he was agitated.
Sure enough, as soon as she opened the door, she saw him standing by the window smoking. The ashtray beside him was already filled with cigarette butts.
His villa was cleaned daily, so all those butts must have been smoked just now.
Gu Yan walked over and took the cigarette from his hand. “Uncle Qu, why haven’t you showered?”
Qu Xiao didn’t look at her, deliberately ignoring her long legs as he sat down at his desk.
“I have documents to handle. You go to bed first.”
Gu Yan pouted and lifted the hem of her loose, empty shirt. “Oh, fine, go ahead and work. I can’t sleep, so I’ll have the driver take me for a ride.”
Seeing her wearing his white shirt—clearly with nothing underneath—and now wanting to go out for a drive like that…
Qu Xiao reached out, pulled her into his arms, and bit her shoulder hard.
“You really are a temptress.”
Gu Yan wrapped her arms around his neck and laughed. “Do you like it?”
“Mhm. Every time I see you, my back aches.”
“I want to try it too.”
“You brought this on yourself. You’ll regret it tomorrow, but it’ll be too late.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Yan kissed his lips.
Only an idiot would regret it.