“Gu Yan, I originally intended to keep you imprisoned until the day you willingly stayed by my side. But when I saw that smile of yours just now, I suddenly felt everything was meaningless.”
“Rather than having you stay with me like a puppet, I should let you go. A bright and dazzling moon like you shouldn’t fall into filthy, rotting mud like me.”
Gu Yan shook her head vehemently and ran toward him. “No, you’re not mud at all.”
After just two steps, she collided hard with the corner of the bed. The pain shooting through her knee made her gasp sharply, forcing her to crouch down in agony.
Hearing the commotion behind him, Qu Xiao turned around, switched on the bedside lamp, and quickly moved to her side.
“Where did you hit yourself? Let me see.”
Gu Yan looked up at him and threw herself into his arms, tears streaming uncontrollably. “Uncle Qu, I went to see Xu Tao because he had evidence of your crimes. I was just worried it might affect you. If you don’t believe me, call Yu Yang up here – I gave the folder to him.”
“Uncle Qu, I didn’t go see him because I like him. Please don’t abandon me.”
Qu Xiao picked her up anxiously, his heart aching painfully. “Alright, I understand. I’ll take you to the hospital.”
Gu Yan wrapped her arms around his neck and shook her head, looking at him with tear-filled eyes. “I’m fine, it doesn’t hurt anymore. I don’t want to go to the hospital.”
Qu Xiao looked at the woman in his arms and sighed, placing her on the bed. “Wait here for me. I’ll go downstairs to get some medicated oil to rub on it.”
Gu Yan grabbed his hand, unwilling to let him leave. She didn’t know how much of what she’d said he actually believed.
But she didn’t want misunderstandings between them. She wanted to clarify everything, to prevent any barriers from forming between them.
Seeing the tears still clinging to Gu Yan’s eyes, Qu Xiao sighed silently and reached out to ruffle her hair.
“We can talk after applying the medicated oil. Be good and wait here for me. I’ll be back soon.”
Hearing this, Gu Yan released his hand.
Qu Xiao went downstairs, got the medicated oil from Aunt Mei, and was about to return upstairs when Yu Yang came in and stopped him.
“Sir, wait a moment.”
Qu Xiao halted and turned to look at him, his eyes questioning.
Yu Yang knew his temper well – he spoke little, especially when in a bad mood.
He approached and opened the folder in his hand. “Sir, Miss Gu gave this to me. I think you should take a look.”
Qu Xiao frowned as he looked at the folder in Yu Yang’s hand. The first thing that caught his eye was a photo of himself with blood on his face, shooting someone.
Yu Yang flipped through several more photos – all showing him killing people in K country, engaging in illegal transactions, and even pictures of him shooting someone dead in a casino.
Every photo clearly captured him, with detailed notes about the time, location, and the nature of the transactions with various people.
Qu Xiao’s face darkened. Judging from the angles, the photographer had been someone from his own side.
Yu Yang said worriedly, “Sir, if these photos and documents fall into the wrong hands and get exposed, you won’t be able to stay in the country anymore.”
After all, what they had done challenged the law, and domestic laws particularly wouldn’t tolerate such activities.
Qu Xiao’s hand gripping the medicated oil bottle tightened continuously, but soon a bloodthirsty smile appeared on his face.
“It seems someone has grown tired of living. But do they really think a few photos are enough to bring me down? After all these years fighting my way overseas, do they truly believe I, Qu Xiao, can be toppled so easily?”
“They’re severely underestimating me.”
His smile faded as he looked at the medicated oil bottle in his hand. If Gu Yan weren’t in the country, the Qu Family alone wouldn’t be enough to keep him here.
“Sir, what should we do now? Judging by the camera angles, these photos must have been taken by someone on our side.”
Qu Xiao glanced at the folder again before looking away, a hint of laughter in his voice. “Since they want to play, we’ll play along. Investigate our people discreetly. I’m quite curious to know who’s developed divided loyalties.”
Yu Yang nodded. Watching Qu Xiao head upstairs, he hesitated before speaking. “Sir, don’t you wonder why Miss Gu has this evidence?”
Qu Xiao stopped but didn’t turn around. “Yu Yang, I know you’re biased against her, but these photos were taken overseas. There’s no way she could have obtained them.”
Yu Yang lowered his head, voice tinged with anger. “But she’s stringing you along while still entangled with Xu Tao.”
“Sir, she doesn’t deserve you. She doesn’t deserve all your devotion and affection.”
Qu Xiao walked over and patted his shoulder. “Yu Yang, matters of the heart require mutual consent. She never asked for my devotion – this is my own unrequited love. You shouldn’t hold this against her.”
“She just doesn’t love me. You can’t deny her excellence because of that. Undeniably, she ranks among the top three young ladies from powerful and influential families in the capital.”
“Except for not loving me, she excels in everything.”
Yu Yang noticed the flash of pain in Qu Xiao’s eyes and wanted to say more, but Qu Xiao shook his head. “Go rest. Tomorrow, personally investigate the people around us.”
After speaking, he turned and continued upstairs. Yu Yang sighed as he watched his retreating back.
A man of such power and influence could have any woman he wanted, yet he remained hung up on this fickle-minded Gu Yan.
Hearing the door open, Gu Yan looked up to see Qu Xiao entering with the medicated oil.
“Roll up your pants. I’ll apply the medicated oil for you.”
Gu Yan immediately stood up and began taking off her pants.
Qu Xiao frowned at her. “What are you doing?”
She looked down somewhat embarrassed. “Uncle Qu, these are jeans – they can’t be rolled up. I can only…”
Qu Xiao said nothing, waiting for her to undress and lie on the bed.
Sitting on the bed, he poured out the medicated oil and began massaging her knees. He didn’t ask how she had obtained those things.
Gu Yan watched him and couldn’t help asking, “Uncle Qu, did you see what was in that folder?”
“Hmm.”
“Then why don’t you ask me where I got them?”
Without looking up, Qu Xiao continued gently massaging her knees with his fingertips. “If you don’t want to say, I won’t ask.”
Gu Yan sighed, reached out to cup his face, and made him look at her. “Uncle Qu, I’ll tell you if you ask. I’ll answer anything you want to know.”
He still responded with just a faint “Hmm.”
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to ask – he just didn’t know which of Gu Yan’s words were true and which were false.
He had always trusted her unconditionally, but unfortunately, she had never spoken the truth to him.
Watching him, Gu Yan sighed silently.
She had been too ruthless in her past actions; otherwise, he wouldn’t have refrained from questioning her.
“Uncle Qu, whether you believe me or not, I must tell you—Xu Tao has a force backing him. I sense it’s targeting you. It was my own foolishness before that made me help him collect those so-called pieces of evidence.”
She had no idea who was behind Xu Tao. In her previous life, she had only focused on running away. The thought made her want to slap herself.
Qu Xiao merely responded with an “Mm,” stood up, and looked at her. “I know. Many people want to bring me down.”
“Alright, don’t dwell on these matters. Go to sleep now. I’ll take you back to the Gu family tomorrow.”
Seeing him turn to leave, Gu Yan quickly reached out and grabbed him. “Where are you going? Aren’t you sleeping here?”
Qu Xiao stiffened, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he replied in a low voice, “You sleep. I’ll rest in the guest room.”
Gu Yan pouted and traced circles on his hand. “Uncle Qu, are you afraid you won’t be able to control yourself? Actually, I’m fine now—the soreness has mostly faded. If you…”
“Gu Yan,” Qu Xiao cut her off abruptly, feeling his ears grow warm. “I still have some matters to attend to. You should sleep first.”
“Then I’ll wait for you to finish before sleeping.”
Qu Xiao sighed silently. “Forget it. Let’s sleep.”
He fetched her a set of pajamas, but Gu Yan spread her arms, expecting him to help her change.
Seeing her pitiful expression, Qu Xiao had no choice but to comply.
However, halfway through, under Gu Yan’s persistent teasing, she ended up being kept awake until midnight.
***
When Qu Xiao woke up, he found no one beside him. Frowning, he called out, “Gu Yan?”
But there was no response in the room. He slipped on his robe, opened the door, and called again.
“Yu Yang, is she downstairs?”
“Sir, Miss Gu took the car keys and drove off early this morning.”
Remembering the message from Xu Tao that had popped up on her phone last night, Qu Xiao’s expression turned icy.
He walked into the bathroom, stared at his reflection in the mirror, and suddenly slammed his fist hard against the glass.
He sneered coldly and muttered, “Qu Xiao, you truly are worthless. Why didn’t you just let her go? What else are you still hoping for?”