On the way back, the car sped across the wet road surface. Fine raindrops drifted down, covering the windows with a layer of tiny beads.
Ji Huaixiang’s eyes were still faintly red at the corners.
She recalled earlier at the Shen residence—walking downstairs with Gu Wujin. Old Madam Shen thought he had bullied her and scolded him soundly. Gu Wujin didn’t say a word in defense; he just accepted it obediently.
In the Shen family, Old Madam Shen was like the supreme empress dowager. After being reprimanded, Gu Wujin even received her “imperial decree” to personally escort Ji Huaixiang back to school.
“Here, drink some water.”
Gu Wujin handed her a bottle of purified water. “You shed so many tears earlier—replenish yourself.”
Ji Huaixiang’s face flushed. She took the bottle.
“Thank you.”
She twisted off the cap and sipped slowly. She really was thirsty.
The car soon reached the S University gate and stopped.
Ji Huaixiang tried to open the door but couldn’t push it.
“Mr. Gu? I’m here.”
It was Sunday afternoon—many students were returning to campus. Groups of university students crowded the entrance, coming and going. Gu Wujin turned his head to look at the girl in the passenger seat. He frowned. She was too eye-catching—especially dressed like this. The moment she stepped out, she’d become the center of attention.
“Which dorm building do you live in?”
“Building 2.”
Gu Wujin restarted the car and drove inside S University, all the way to the girls’ dormitory building before stopping.
“Thank you, Mr. Gu. I’ll wash the dress and return it to the Shen family.”
“No need. Keep it.”
Gu Wujin pulled out a cigarette, placed it between his lips but didn’t light it. “It suits you.”
Ji Huaixiang’s eyes brightened. She looked straight at Gu Wujin and asked frankly:
“Really? Mr. Gu, you think I look good in it?”
The girl’s black eyes shimmered with light, gazing at him openly. Gu Wujin bit down on the cigarette filter and gave a low “Mm.”
Ji Huaixiang’s reddened eyes curved upward, her glossy red lips lifted into a smile. Her vivid, striking features became even more captivating.
“Mr. Gu, I’m going now.”
Gu Wujin watched her get out of the car. His hand rested on the steering wheel as if he wanted to say something but held back.
“Something else?”
His sharp brows arched slightly.
“Um… Mr. Gu, are you really going to the hospital for surgery tomorrow?”
Ji Huaixiang asked him.
Gu Wujin closed his eyes for a moment, then spoke in a low, heavy voice:
“I lied to you.”
He looked at her with self-mockery. “My leg can’t be cured.”
“Oh.”
Ji Huaixiang responded softly.
Gu Wujin leaned back against the seat and looked at the girl.
“Angry?”
Ji Huaixiang shook her head.
“No. I lied to you too.”
Gu Wujin: “…”
“That day wasn’t my birthday. So… we’re even.”
Ji Huaixiang’s brows and eyes curved into gentle crescents. A sly glint sparkled in her bright black eyes. “I’m leaving now, Mr. Gu. See you.”
The girl’s slender figure slowly walked away. The ink-dyed hem of her skirt swayed playfully with each step of her slim ankles—妖嬈 (bewitchingly alluring) and captivating.
Only when the corner of her skirt disappeared around the bend did Gu Wujin finally look away. He gave a low hum.
Little liar.
At that moment, the car window was knocked on several times.
Gu Wujin rolled it down.
“Wujin.”
A clear, refined face appeared outside—ethereal and graceful.
“Jiang Mengwan?”
“Wujin, why are you at the girls’ dorms?”
Jiang Mengwan was very surprised to see Gu Wujin’s car here.
Gu Wujin lit his cigarette.
“Do you need something?”
The man’s sharply defined side profile carried a suffocating allure. The faint scent of tobacco added a touch of mature masculinity to his otherwise youthful features. Even after knowing him for so long and seeing him so many times, Jiang Mengwan had to admit—Gu Wujin had grown into exactly the type she liked.
She smiled, her voice clear and gentle.
“It’s been a while. I just wanted to say hello. Grandpa Gu said you got into S University, but I’ve never once run into you on campus. Have you been skipping classes?”
Gu Wujin exhaled a perfect smoke ring and flicked ash from his cigarette. His gaze drifted toward Building 2 of the dorms.
“Mm. I suppose I should start showing up.”
“Yes, you should.”
Jiang Mengwan’s exquisitely made-up eyes looked at him, her voice growing even softer.
“By the way, in a few days it’s your older brother’s birthday. He invited me to be his dance partner… I felt it would be rude to refuse, so I agreed.”
“As long as you’re happy. Anything else?”
Gu Wujin remembered Grandpa Gu had told him to come home for dinner tonight.
“Nothing else.”
Jiang Mengwan smiled and stepped back a few paces.
“I won’t disturb you then. See you at the birthday party.”
Gu Wujin rolled up the window. The eye-catching black car sped away in a flash.
Shen Yiyi rushed over excitedly, practically bouncing.
“Ahhh, so handsome, so handsome! Mengwan, who was that guy just now?”
Jiang Mengwan withdrew her gaze and smiled faintly.
“Him? That’s Second Young Master Gu of Ding Sheng.”
“Ding Sheng? The international spice and fragrance giant?”
“Yes.”
Shen Yiyi wanted to curse out loud. Were all rich people this good-looking?
“Mengwan… do you like him?”
She had seen how happy Jiang Mengwan looked the moment she spotted his car—she’d immediately gone over and knocked on his window.
Jiang Mengwan pressed her lips together, silent for a moment before smiling.
“No.”
She turned and walked away.
“His reputation isn’t great, and he has trouble walking. All the family business is managed by the Gu family’s eldest grandson.”
No matter how good-looking Gu Wujin was, he was still just an unmotivated waste. How could Jiang Mengwan possibly pair herself with trash?
Shen Yiyi was stunned. That Second Young Master Gu just now… was lame?
Sure enough—nobody can be too perfect. Even heaven gets jealous.
When Gu Wujin returned to the Gu residence, Aunt Hua had already prepared dinner.
“You’re back?”
A man in a black suit on the sofa turned his head. “Grandpa’s waiting for you. Don’t make him angry later.”
“Brother.”
Gu Wujin walked over with a cigarette between his lips and sat down on the sofa. He crossed his long legs and propped them on the tea table, voice lazy:
“As if I’d dare.”
Gu Lu knew his younger brother’s temperament and didn’t push further.
“Money still enough? If not, I’ll have Secretary Li transfer more.”
“No need to send money! Don’t you dare give him any more!”
A loud voice boomed from the staircase. Old Master Gu came down wearing a deep brown Tang suit, his steps surprisingly vigorous. His face was full of anger.
“Have you been hiding from me that you changed your major?”
Gu Lu hurried over to support him, worried the old man would overexert himself.
“Grandpa, I was the one who transferred his major. He doesn’t like spices—let him study what he wants.”
“As a member of a spice dynasty, if he doesn’t even understand the family business, how will he command respect when he enters the company later!”
Old Master Gu was deeply disappointed in this grandson.
“Isn’t there Big Brother for that?”
Smoke curled in front of Gu Wujin’s face, blurring his eyes. His tone was casual and indifferent.
“It doesn’t matter if I join the company or not. Grandpa, you know better than anyone—my nose can’t handle fragrances.”
“You…”
Old Master Gu pointed at him, feeling like this useless grandson would be the death of him one day.
Gu Lu quickly soothed the old man.
“Grandpa, A-Jin is still young. If he doesn’t want to, we shouldn’t force him. I’ll take good care of the company. Just let him live freely.”
“You’ll spoil him rotten.”
Old Master Gu rubbed his temples. The eldest grandson was too sensible—why was the younger one so useless? Everyone outside secretly mocked the Gu family’s Second Young Master as a waste.
“Eldest brother acts as father.”
Gu Lu supported Old Master Gu toward the dining room.
“Aunt Hua, serve the meal.”
Gu Wujin stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray several times, then followed them.
After his bath, Gu Wujin came out with only a bathrobe tied around his waist. Droplets of water still clung to his upper body, sliding down the defined muscles of his abdomen and disappearing into the towel at his waist—silent and intensely sensual.
“Meow, meow.”
Very White was curled up on the desk facing the window. Hearing footsteps, it turned and called out to Gu Wujin a few times.
“Admiring the moon?”
Gu Wujin walked over and rubbed its fluffy head with his large palm.
“Aunt Hua said you went out to play in the water today and got yourself all filthy. If you act that naughty again, I’ll lock you in the little dark room.”
His long fingers scratched under Very White’s chin a few more times.
“Meow…”
Very White obediently rested its chin in Gu Wujin’s palm, luxuriating in the petting.
At that moment, the phone on the side vibrated once.
Ji Huaixiang: [Mr. Gu, are you asleep yet?]
Gu Wujin picked up the phone and walked back to the bed. After a long pause, he replied:
[No.]
Ji Huaixiang: [There’s something I have to make clear to you.]
Gu Wujin: [Go ahead.]
Ji Huaixiang: [Mr. Gu, I’m very sorry… I really can’t hold back my feelings for you anymore.]
Gu Wujin’s grip on the phone tightened.
“Meow…”
Very White jumped down from the desk and climbed onto Gu Wujin’s lap. It tilted its head up, staring at its owner whose lips were slightly curved in a devastatingly handsome smile. Suddenly, it felt a deep, instinctive sense of danger.
Meow!
Was it about to be abandoned?