9 – He’s Clinging to Her
Gu Yuan patted his head.
Watching the boy’s cautious, almost ingratiating demeanor, she wondered if she was really that terrifying, scaring him to such a degree.
Her gaze fell on his neck.
The bruise marks from strangulation were especially conspicuous.
Alright, she really was terrifying.
Chi Yu had never complained either.
Feeling a bit guilty, Gu Yuan fastened the top button of his shirt for him, the collar covering the marks on his neck.
As if nothing had ever happened.
“Go eat.”
Gu Yuan spoke calmly.
Chi Yu obediently went, sitting at the dining table to eat. In his every gesture, there was an indescribable elegance and pleasing grace, and he occasionally glanced her way.
But Gu Yuan didn’t pay any attention.
She was sitting on the sofa when the steward came over to report on the situation at the Gu family.
After Gu Zhi was shot dead last night.
The Gu family called the police, and law enforcement got involved, but for now, no trace of a suspect had been found.
Her second uncle, Gu Yi, had fainted from fright last night. Judging by his build, it was clear the three highs were never far from him—he couldn’t handle a scare at all, and was still lying in bed now.
Fortunately, there were still people alive in the Gu family.
Old Master Gu had five sons in total, named directly in order of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trust. The youngest, Gu Xin, Gu Yuan’s youngest uncle, was at the Gu residence.
His status was awkward—he was an illegitimate child, never well-regarded, and lived cautiously.
Gu Zhi especially liked to target him.
However, while Gu Yi was unconscious, Gu Xin didn’t let Gu Zhi’s corpse rot away. Instead, he stepped forward and methodically arranged the funeral.
He was known as the ultimate pushover.
Gu Yuan’s eyes darkened, then she suddenly smiled with amusement. “Tell my uncle that handling the funeral alone is too tiring—his niece will come over shortly to help him…”
The steward bowed. “Very well, miss.”
Gu Yuan continued, “Also, invite everyone who has a grudge against Gu Zhi or the Gu family to attend the funeral…”
The steward’s mouth twitched.
“Very well, miss.”
Inviting the Gu family’s enemies to attend the Gu family’s funeral—wouldn’t that turn the funeral into something livelier than a party?
After a while.
Gu Yuan’s legal team called her, informing her that the Lanyue Group, founded by her mother Qin Lanyue, had been recovered from Gu Yi’s hands.
“Good things come in pairs.”
Gu Yuan was in a good mood—her happiness was built on the Gu family’s misery.
To make herself even happier.
She decided to go visit her dear second uncle, Gu Yi, who had been scared into illness, and share the good news with him, letting him rejoice as well.
Perhaps he’d even smile all the way to the afterlife.
Today, Gu Zhi’s funeral.
Tomorrow, Gu Yi’s burial.
She had them all arranged, clear as day.
Gu Yuan changed her clothes and was about to head out.
Chi Yu had already finished breakfast and looked at her, asking, “Sister, where are you going?”
Gu Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at him with amusement. “What? Do I need to report my whereabouts to you?”
“No, no…”
Chi Yu lowered his head, somewhat dejectedly. “I’m sorry, I overstepped. I know I have no right to ask. Sister, please don’t be angry…”
The beautiful young man’s soft-spoken admission of fault was like a child who had done something wrong—timid and aggrieved, enough to soften anyone’s heart, making it impossible to stay angry at him.
An ordinary person would probably wonder.
Had she spoken too harshly?
But Gu Yuan was amused by him instead. She walked up to him, and Chi Yu stepped back, bumping into the dining table, his hand gripping the edge as he looked nervous and uneasy.
“You’re feeling wronged?”
Chi Yu lowered his eyes. “No.”
Gu Yuan reached out and tilted his chin up, studying his eyes with keen interest, her tone carrying a hint of teasing and playfulness. “Tsk, worthy of a Best Actor—your acting really is something…”
Chi Yu’s hand tightened on the edge of the table.
He didn’t dare look into her eyes. Her gaze was too sharp, as if it could see through every disguise.
Gu Yuan noticed his tension and thought she’d scared him again, so she let go.
She smiled ambiguously. “Don’t think I can’t tell you’re playing the pitiful card with me, deliberately letting Lin Bo misunderstand our relationship…”
His injuries weren’t serious at all.
Ryan had said they were just superficial wounds.
Sure enough, the very next day he was bouncing around, even pulling little tricks in front of Lin Bo. Last night he’d been faking weakness, faking unconsciousness, to win her sympathy.
He was latching onto her.
But she had uses for him too, so she could tolerate these little things.
They were just taking what they needed from each other.
Gu Yuan spoke flatly. “You don’t need to rack your brains trying to please me, and you can drop those little schemes of yours—they don’t work on me.”
“All you need to do is one thing: stay by my side quietly and don’t cause trouble. I’ll naturally protect you and won’t chase you away for now. Understood?”
Chi Yu nodded gently.
He actually had only one thought.
To change “for now” into “forever.”
Gu Yuan seemed to sense a hint of his unease, though not fully understanding it, she said, “Even if the day comes when I ask you to leave, I’ll have resolved your problems before then. Satisfied?”
“Thank you.”
Chi Yu said in a low voice.
His tone carried an indescribable melancholy, and his hand gripping the table edge tightened slightly.
Gu Yuan gave him a strange glance.
She figured she’d been pretty generous—even offering after-sales service—so why did he seem even more unsettled?
A man’s heart is as unfathomable as the deep sea.
Gu Yuan had no patience to study his little thoughts. “The hundred million your father owed—no need to repay it. Tell me who the creditor is.”
She wasn’t going to pay off his debts for him.
She’d just solve the problem at its root—directly eliminate his creditor. Peace through nuclear deterrence.
Eliminating evil for the people—everyone’s duty.
Chi Yu told her.
Clearly, he’d already prepared a scapegoat.
“Satisfied now?”
Gu Yuan raised an eyebrow at him.
Chi Yu snapped back to attention, lifting his gaze, hiding all his selfish desires and unease, and flashed her a sunny smile.
“Thanks, sis.”
Gu Yuan liked his smile. She ruffled his hair, the gesture carrying a fondness she herself didn’t notice.
Sensing she was in a good mood.
Chi Yu took the chance to test the waters. “Sis, when you head out later, do you need me to tag along?”
“Come along if you want.”
Gu Yuan agreed casually—she was just going to the Gu residence for some entertainment anyway.
“Thanks, sis.”
Chi Yu’s smile grew even brighter, his clear, pleasant voice as sweet as if dipped in sugar, the corners of his lips curving gently, his limpid eyes filled entirely with her.
It made Gu Yuan’s heart itch inexplicably.
Too well-behaved—begging to be teased.
Gu Yuan calmly looked away, suppressing the beastly impulse that flashed through her.
“Let’s go.”
The driver had the car ready—Gu Yuan, Chi Yu, and Le Meng, who loved watching the drama.
Le Meng planned to sit beside Gu Yuan as usual, only to find that the seat next to Gu Yuan had already been taken by Chi Yu. Having her spot stolen, she lost all interest in shipping the couple.
Damn it, that guy was sitting right next to her Sister Yuan, grinning like he was having the time of his life!
“Sister Yuan!”
Le Meng called out in a huff, glaring daggers at Chi Yu as if hoping he’d take the hint and scram, while at the same time whining to Gu Yuan, “Sister Yuan, can you make him sit in the passenger seat? I wanna sit with you~”
Gu Yuan didn’t even acknowledge her.
Le Meng put on a syrupy, coaxing voice, “Wahhh~ Sister Yuan, you’re the best~”