Chapter 39: Settling Scores

Early October.

Yucheng was rocked by news that left everyone astonished.

The sensational celebrity Ruan Yunyun was rumored to be in a romantic relationship, and the subject of the rumors was none other than Gu Hansheng, the Chairman and CEO of Zhenzhen Group.

Netizens eagerly followed the developments, ultimately concluding unanimously: while there was no evidence to prove the two were in a relationship, Ruan Yunyun, as the spokesperson for the Gu family, surely had some ulterior motive behind this lucrative advertising endorsement.

Otherwise, how could things be so effortless?

It was said that even the veteran figure in the entertainment industry, Qin Lu, had never competed with her.

Yet, neither side had made an appearance to offer an explanation.

...

Yucheng University.

Tao Ya'yi stared at the man on the electronic screen, this being the first time she had seen Gu Hansheng's face in such a public setting, and in such circumstances.

A classmate who was closer to her whispered in confusion, "Ya'yi, last time on your birthday, Mr. Gu came specifically to celebrate with you. How come, in such a short time, he's..."

"Please, stop," Ya'yi was grieving deeply.

Someone whispered, "But at that time, Mr. Gu came with..."

Unable to bear it any longer, Tao Ya'yi left hastily, tears welling in her eyes, as if they were about to overflow in the next moment.

Someone caught up with her. "Ya'yi, don't be sad. Mr. Gu is much older than you. He's an old man. I don't think he's suitable for you."

Tao Ya'yi's tears fell with a plop. She stopped and looked at her classmate with a wry smile. "No, I really like him."

"What can you do about it? I heard someone say that Mr. Gu won't do anything he doesn't want to do. With such high publicity around this rumor, without his tacit consent, who would dare to do such a thing?"

Those who mingled in the upper circles more or less knew some things.

Gu Hansheng in the business world, smiling while hiding a knife, with sharp and decisive eyes.

Gu Hansheng in private, imposing without anger, aloof, and yet... indifferent to human affairs.

Tell me, with a man like this, how many people in the whole of Yucheng could calculate against him?

But no one knew that there was such a person.

...

Zhenzhen Group, General Manager's Office.

Shi Qing had just finished delivering documents and came out, leaning against the wall in a moment of relief.

At that moment, Ji Chen happened to walk from the other end of the corridor. Shi Qing, wearing ten-centimeter-high heels, hurried over, looking at Ji Chen as if she had seen a savior. "Assistant Ji, you've come."

Ji Chen glanced at the closed office door, then back at Shi Qing. "Do you need something from me?"

"I'm asking you, why has Mr. Gu's temper gotten worse day by day this month? Whose fault is it?" Shi Qing narrowed her eyes, pondering. "About a month ago, after Ruan Yunyun's shoot ended, she went with you and Mr. Gu to Tao's birthday party, and since then, Mr. Gu's temper has been getting worse..."

Before Ji Chen could answer, Shi Qing shook her head. "I'm talking about that Ruan Yunyun. Who gave her the courage to scheme against Mr. Gu like this? Does she think that becoming the spokesperson for Zhenzhen Group will turn her into a phoenix perched on a branch?"

Ji Chen glanced at her silently and then lowered his voice, "Shi Qing, think carefully with your mind, who else could scheme against him like this?"

Shi Qing's expression suddenly turned serious, her pupils widening abruptly. She raised her hand to cover her lips and spoke in a hushed tone, "Why would he...?" do such a thing?

When the scandal broke today, the stocks of Zhenzhen Group almost turned bullish, dropping more than one and a half points.

"We should refrain from guessing Mr. Gu's thoughts."

Ji Chen understood a bit more than Shi Qing. This unusual behavior of the boss must be related to that surveillance video from that night.

A month ago, Gu Hansheng stayed at the hotel where Tao's daughter held her birthday party.

The next day, he called Shi Qing early in the morning to go to the Zero Mansion and pack up the clothes he often wore. When Shi Qing stood at the door, she respectfully handed the pockets to Gu Hansheng. At that moment, she was almost astonished.

She found Ji Chen having breakfast in the hotel restaurant and sat beside him, her expression somewhat serious. "Ji Chen, I think something's wrong."

At that moment, Ji Chen furrowed his brows slightly, looking at her, waiting for her to continue.

"Mr. Gu's complexion was too bad, and besides..." Shi Qing hesitated to speak but eventually said, "he was covered in injuries."

"Injuries? Shi Qing, you're probably mistaken."

"It looked like he had been scratched." Shi Qing propped up her chin and said.

That morning, Ji Chen was halfway through breakfast when Gu Hansheng called him.

The man was already neatly dressed, with a stern expression. When the Tao family came up to greet him, Gu Hansheng didn't even give them a good face, completely different from his usual smiling demeanor.

Ji Chen didn't dare to ask too much. As he drove, he glanced at Gu Hansheng and vaguely felt that there was something hidden in the collar of his shirt.

Having taken time out to attend the banquet last night, now with official matters piled up, Gu Hansheng clearly hadn't rested well. He directly ordered Ji Chen to call everyone to the Zero Mansion.

The Zero Mansion was where Gu Hansheng usually stayed, and high-level personnel from the company often came and went. By now, they were used to it.

When Gu Hansheng arrived with his assistant secretary, the living room of the Zero Mansion was already sparsely populated. Several people were sitting in a circle, and the freshly brewed Rain Before Dragon Well tea was still emitting a warm aroma.

The housekeeper, Qu An, saw the master of the mansion crossing the small garden towards the main door and returned to the living room to report, "Everyone, the master has returned."

Fang then hurriedly led two servants to the door, opening it early.

That day, everyone discussed business matters in the brightly lit living room until one o'clock in the afternoon. During this time, Gu Hansheng flared up twice without provocation. Apart from tea, he hardly gave anyone time to catch their breath.

Qu An had already instructed the kitchen to prepare meals for these people, but unexpectedly, as soon as the matter was discussed, everyone left as if fleeing.

Gu Hansheng didn't stop them either, took his phone, and before going upstairs, looked at Ji Chen coldly, dropping a cold remark, "Bring me the surveillance footage from the elevator last night."

Shi Qing didn't participate in their discussion and only watched Gu Hansheng's tall figure disappear around the corner of the second floor, then asked Ji Chen, "What's going on?"

"I also want to know."

Last night, coincidentally.

He was afraid that Gu Hansheng had drunk too much and felt uncomfortable, so after escorting him to his room, he thought that since there was only one suite on the top floor and there were service staff waiting, he didn't close the door tightly.

Never did he expect to be taken advantage of by Liang Shu so easily, almost effortlessly entering Gu Hansheng's suite.

And now.

Gu Hansheng returned to his room, took a shower first, looked at his phone, and found it clean, without any messages or missed calls from anyone.

After a while, he pressed the intercom button.

Not long after, Qu An knocked on the door holding his suit jacket.

Gu Hansheng stood by the French window, looking at the neatly arranged clothes, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth, but his eyes were poisonous.

No one knew that a few days later, while cleaning the master's clothes, Qu An routinely inspected them and found a five-star hotel's universal access card in this jacket.

Qu An, trusting in him, respectfully placed the access card on the bedside table in Gu Hansheng's bedroom.

In the afternoon, Wen Mingting called: "What do you think of that Miss Tao?"

Gu Hansheng, weary of dealing with things, spoke frankly, "Mother, if you want me to adopt a daughter, just say so. I can fulfill your wish."

"What are you saying, child?" Pausing for a moment, Wen Mingting said, "I see you're finding fault with her youth. Look at yourself, you don't even know what qualifications you have to criticize her."

"It's fine, you rest."

"Gu Han..." sheng.

...

In mid-October, the temperature in Yucheng plummeted, accompanied by continuous rainy weather, making it seem as if winter had arrived.

But those media seemed not to fear the cold.

They waited outside the Gu Corporation building from early morning till late at night.

At six in the evening, Gu Hansheng finally finished his work. Ji Chen went to fetch his coat and brought it over. He heard Gu Hansheng instruct, "Find a restaurant and make a dinner reservation for Miss Ruan an hour later."

"Yes."

At this moment, Ruan Yunyun, who was filming on set, had just finished work. Her agent received a call from Ji Chen. Without saying much, she handed the phone to Ruan Yunyun, whispering, "It's Mr. Gu's call."

Ruan Yunyun's face lit up with joy as she hurriedly answered the phone, "Mr. Gu."

"Miss Ruan, it's me, Ji Chen."

There was a hint of disappointment in the woman's voice, "Assistant Ji."

"Mr. Gu invites you to dinner in an hour. It's a bit sudden. Just wanted to ask about your schedule."

Ruan Yunyun immediately smiled, biting her lip. "May I ask, where shall we meet?"

For Ruan Yunyun, this rendezvous with Gu Hansheng was unexpected.

She did quite like Gu Hansheng, but she didn't have the courage to set a trap for him.

The rumor was purely because in the past month, Gu Hansheng had dined with her twice, and on the last day of her shooting for Zhenzhen Group, he even showed up in person.

The man was immaculately dressed, with a smile on his face, captivating the eyes of the crowd, and also captivating Ruan Yunyun's heart.

Only Shi Qing remarked after the event, "The deeper Mr. Gu smiles at someone, the more miserable that person falls."

Ji Chen coldly rebuked her for being meddlesome.

At this moment, Gu Hansheng and Ruan Yunyun were dining together at Qin Fang Zhai.

Ji Chen and Shi Qing were discussing business in the outer room. Shi Qing, peering through the translucent screen, casually remarked, "The heart of a man is like a needle at the bottom of the sea. I take back what I said that day. This current popular star may indeed have the ability to entrap Mr. Gu."

After dinner that day, Ruan Yunyun invited Gu Hansheng to her apartment for tea.

In the chilly wind, the man's slender fingers half-tucked into his overcoat sleeves, his thumb subtly rubbing against his ring finger, he smiled, "What I fancy may not be found in Miss Ruan's place."

Ruan Yunyun was taken aback but quickly responded, "What does Mr. Gu like the most? I'll have it prepared for you next time."

Her words hinted at her intentions, fearing that Gu Hansheng might resent it. She wanted to remedy the situation, but she didn't expect Gu Hansheng to say, "Let's choose another day for tea."

Ruan Yunyun was a smart woman, knowing when to stop. She bid farewell to Gu Hansheng, but as she descended the steps, her assistant either failed to support her properly or her high heels were too cumbersome, causing her to almost stumble.

Fortunately, in that critical moment, Ruan Yunyun grabbed Gu Hansheng's arm.

Under the woman's delicate palm was the exquisite fabric of Gu Hansheng's coat.

During tonight's dinner, Ruan Yunyun actually felt uncertain. Throughout the day, Gu Hansheng didn't mention anything, and during the meal, she did most of the talking while Gu Hansheng occasionally responded, as if the rumors between them didn't exist.

Now, Ruan Yunyun was pondering quickly. As she regained her balance, she said, "Mr. Gu, should we take some time to clarify those negative news online about us?"

In a corner, it seemed like there was a camera flash. Ruan Yunyun looked over, her eyelashes flickering.

But she felt torn. Should she tell Gu Hansheng with someone potentially filming, or should she remain silent?

In her dilemma, the man quickly released her hand, expressionless and with a cold tone, "Let it be."

Ruan Yunyun's red lips moved as if to say something, but she saw the tall figure of the man striding down the steps toward his car, his secretary already opening the rear door.

She breathed a sigh of relief as her assistant helped her down the steps, somewhat puzzled, "Miss Ruan, why did you say that? What's wrong with being with Mr. Gu? When you said that just now, I was worried for you. Luckily, Mr. Gu didn't mind."

Ruan Yunyun looked in the direction where the black figure disappeared, somewhat absent-minded, "If he has no interest in me, wouldn't it be better to clarify? What's wrong with that?"

"But being involved with Gu Hansheng is the wish of many female celebrities in the entertainment industry. Heaven has treated you kindly."

"Is that so?"

The black figure only just passed an intersection when Ji Chen stopped the car.

From the back seat, Gu Hansheng threw his coat to Shi Qing and said indifferently, "Throw it away."

Shi Qing and Ji Chen in the front nodded at each other, "Alright."

In the car, only Ji Chen and Gu Hansheng remained. In the rearview mirror, the man's countenance turned chilly, a stark contrast to moments ago. He glanced at the flowing traffic outside, as if pondering aloud, "What is Liang Shu doing?"

Ji Chen confirmed she hadn't misheard, for the next moment, Gu Hansheng ordered, "Go and investigate."

After a lapse of more than two months, Ji Chen heard the name Liang Shu again.

She nodded.

...

Ji Chen's report came swiftly. In the office, she placed a stack of photos on Gu Hansheng's large desk.

The man casually picked up a few and examined them.

"Miss Liang hasn't been dealing cards in the underground casino these days. Her life seems quite disciplined. She spends most mornings..." Ji Chen's eyebrows furrowed, then she continued, "...in the provincial library, and in the afternoons, she volunteers at the welfare home."

In the photos, Liang Shu was seen tiptoeing to peruse the catalog of books, her dense black hair twisted into a side braid, clad in a simple white turtleneck sweater and light blue jeans. She wore no makeup but stood out remarkably in the crowd.

In another photo, Liang Shu was squatting in front of a group of children, folding paper airplanes. She focused intently on the object in her hand, revealing a slender, fair arm that matched the color of her neck, with a curve at the corner of her mouth that Gu Hansheng had never seen before.

In these photos, the partially exposed wound on the woman's neck was a clue known only to Gu Hansheng besides others.

He casually tossed the photos on the table, lightly pinching the bridge of his nose with his index finger and thumb. "What is she doing at the library?"

"Reading."

"Truly unusual."

Ji Chen also found it unusual, especially for Liang Shu.

After some contemplation, Gu Hansheng asked, "Are those creditors still pressuring her for debt?"

"Without our intervention, things have quieted down on that front. Perhaps they fear they won't get their money back. The hundreds of thousands she transferred before could sustain her for a while, but I believe her days are numbered."

"Hmm."

Gu Hansheng left it at an ambiguous hum and said no more.

The next day, rumors about the affair between the popular star and a certain group's executive continued to escalate, with no response from either side.

Later, there were even rumors circulating: Gu Hansheng, CEO of Zhenzhen Group, and the popular actress Ruan Yunyun were about to announce something...

These words eventually reached Liang Xu's ears.

She stared at the electronic screen in the square with a sinister smile, then returned home, took out the precious men's shirt, and carefully folded it several times until she was satisfied before putting it back into the bag.

The next day, at the Zhenzhen Group's ground floor reception desk.

Liang Shu casually placed the paper bag in her hand on the counter, looking at the indifferent receptionist. "I need to see Gu Hansheng."

The receptionist glanced at her. "Mr. Gu's schedule is full today. Please make another appointment."

The woman smirked, raising an eyebrow. "He left a shirt with me, and I'm here to return it to him."

Early October.

The rumors about the affair between the popular star Ruan Yunyun and the CEO of Zhenzhen Group stirred up quite a sensation, with even insiders saying that the two were about to make an announcement.

But by mid-October.

All the sensational gossip about the two disappeared overnight from the internet, leaving no trace behind.

When inquired, insiders simply claimed ignorance.

The media, surprisingly, echoed the same sentiment: the rumors were too scandalous to be credible.

Eventually, people understood.

For those accustomed to devouring entertainment gossip to speak thus, one can only imagine the truth behind the scenes.

However, in just over half a month, to witness such a rise and fall in the esteemed star Ruan's fortunes, left everyone curious about the reasons behind it.

On the third day of the widespread speculation about the two, Gu Hansheng arranged for the last dinner between Ji Chen and Ruan Yunyun.

At that moment, Ruan Yunyun intentionally canceled a photoshoot with a certain magazine, dressing exquisitely and elegantly, with the most vivid lipstick, to meet Gu Hansheng.

The venue was chosen by Ruan Yunyun herself, a five-star Western restaurant called "Riverside" with an exceptionally scenic view.

She thought this ambiance would be greatly appreciated by someone like Gu Hansheng.

Ruan Yunyun arrived early, taking the initiative to order their meals. She chose an Italian steak for Gu Hansheng and caviar for herself, then waited for him in the romantic atmosphere of candlelight.

When Gu Hansheng arrived, he brought with him the chill of October.

He appeared even more captivating than the last time Ruan Yunyun saw him, his overall demeanor unchanged but with certain subtle differences.

As soon as he sat down, the waiter arrived with their meals. Ruan Yunyun smiled brightly, "I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I took the liberty of ordering for you," she said, looking at him, "I thought, you can't go wrong with steak."

Naturally, there could be no mistake, because Gu Hansheng had no intention of eating at all.

He nodded but made no move to pick up his utensils.

Ruan Yunyun felt somewhat embarrassed as she looked at him. "What's wrong?"

"Miss Ruan, after tonight, all the rumors about you and me will end here."

As he said this, he glanced at his watch. Ruan Yunyun's smile froze on her face, and her cutlery fell onto the plate with a sudden loud clang, like a drum beating in her heart.

She stared blankly, "I... why... why all of a sudden..."

She almost choked up with tears in her eyes but struggled to contain herself.

Gu Hansheng remained unmoved, his tone devoid of emotion, "There has never been anything, so why suddenly?"

"I thought, at least to you, I was... something special."

Gu Hansheng stood up. He hadn't even taken off his coat when he sat down, but now he seemed clean and relaxed. "Special? What does that even mean? Would you dare cut my shirt in front of me?"

Ruan Yunyun looked confused and pitiful, but before she could react, she found herself following his footsteps out of the restaurant.

The weather in Yucheng was getting colder in October.

Outside, the wind rustled the leaves loudly.

She was still wearing a sleeveless short skirt and low-cut high heels. By the time she reached the door, she barely caught up with Gu Hansheng.

"Mr. Gu..." Ruan Yunyun stood on the open lawn, hugging herself, calling out to Gu Hansheng.

He paused slightly, turned around, his face devoid of warmth, looking at her.

Ruan Yunyun approached him step by step, looking up at him, "... so our cooperation is over, isn't it?"

"I am a businessman, and profit is the only motive for a businessman. Do you understand?"

He stood tall and slender, with the arrogance and composure of a high-ranking individual. With the last sentence spoken, he added lightly, "Besides, many observant people know that Mr. Gu doesn't like Western cuisine."

After Gu Hansheng finished speaking, he turned and left. The wind lifted the corner of his coat, his retreating figure exuding indifference and determination.

It was clear that he didn't care about her at all, and she was not someone with ill intentions either.

Yet he allowed the rumors to spread for over a month, did he not?

However, later on, Ruan Yunyun completely gave up hope and thoroughly understood.

In the depths of his heart, there had never been a ripple. She remained the spokesperson for Gu's, relying on her own fame and the previously accumulated popularity to bring considerable benefits to Gu's and further her own career.

The phrase 'only interested in profit' tormented Ruan Yunyun many nights, tossing and turning, or waking from nightmares, suddenly realizing in the dark room. If he had the slightest bit of affection for her, how could he continue to let her act as if nothing had happened as Gu's spokesperson?

So be it.

However, how did 'good things are coming' turn into 'as if nothing had happened' in just one day?

Ji Chen, Shi Qing, and the front desk of Zhenzhen Group might have some guesses.

Liang Shu went to Gu's Group to find Gu Hansheng with a shirt, but was rejected by the front desk and mocked with a glance for the word "shirt."

She wasn't annoyed, just raised her eyebrows slightly, somewhat coquettish, "Don't you believe it yet?"

As she spoke, she opened the bag to show her.

Almost everyone who paid attention to Gu Hansheng knew that this was the most inconspicuous but tacitly understood thing.

Regardless of the color, the handmade high-end shirts worn by Gu Hansheng always had a dark purple iris embroidered on the cuff, understated yet it had become one of his labels.

Hardly anyone within Gu's company didn't know about this detail.

Liang Shu had seen vast swathes of these flowers at the Yu Mountain villa before.

At this moment, in the white paper bag, lay a neatly folded black men's shirt, with a hint of dark purple on the exposed cuff, shaped like an iris.

Liang Shu gathered the bag and held it to her chest, looking at her, "Let me in, or you'll regret it."

She took the exclusive elevator.

In the bustling lobby, many people glanced at her, curious and astonished.

Liang Shu paid no attention, standing tall and straight.

Arriving at Gu Hansheng's floor, it was easy to see his office. Before she could approach, she was intercepted by someone.

She presumed this was Gu Hansheng's private secretary.

Liang Shu stood still, looking at her, "I have something to discuss with Mr. Gu."

"Do you have an appointment?"

She smiled, "Must there be an appointment? You've asked repeatedly, I'm annoyed."

With that, Liang Shu ignored the person and turned to continue towards his office.

Shi Qing happened to be walking from the other end of the corridor at this moment. Seeing this, she approached with a few steps, smiling politely. The secretary quietly called out to sister Shi, but Shi Qing gestured for her to step back.

Liang Shu, alone and unwelcome, was immediately discerned by Shi Qing.

Shi Qing recalled the evening of the incident at the Yu Mountain villa, when Gu Hansheng nearly strangled her on that rainy night.

Later, personally escorting her to the villa, whether it was to save someone or for other reasons, Liang Shu was impressive enough to earn Shi Qing's admiration.

Dressed in a suit and high heels, slightly taller than Liang Shu, Shi Qing exuded an air of competence and sophistication.

Her lips curved into the perfect smile as she addressed Liang Shu, "Miss, Mr. Gu is currently meeting with important clients and is not available. Allow me to escort you to the reception room for some rest."

In contrast to Shi Qing, Liang Shu dressed plainly, still in jeans paired with a white turtleneck sweater, topped with a camel-colored coat that reached her ankles. Her flat shoes diminished her presence compared to Shi Qing.

Yet her tone remained resolute, "I must see him now."

Shi Qing gazed quietly at her, her expression unchanged, and reiterated, "Mr. Gu is truly busy at the moment. Allow me to take you to the reception room first."

Liang Shu shook her head, "No."

At this, Shi Qing smiled gently and stepped aside for her.

Her steps were swift, her shoes silent on the polished floor, leaving no sound.

Gu Hansheng was in his office discussing matters with others. Upon completion, both parties would sign the contract on the spot, finalizing a multi-billion-dollar project.

As the knock sounded, Ji Chen was the first to react. Subconsciously, he thought Shi Qing was being rather indiscreet today, disturbing them at such a crucial moment.

Nevertheless, he opened the door.

Before him, Liang Shu's simple yet striking face appeared, momentarily catching him off guard. It was rare for him to lose his composure at such a time.

The commotion didn't go unnoticed; everyone in the room turned their gaze towards the doorway.

Seated at the head of the table, the handsome man's dark brows furrowed slightly. His long, clean fingers grasped a prestigious pen, its black tip leaving a small dot on the white paper.

It was a precursor to his displeasure and irritation at being disturbed.

The next moment,

Liang Shu appeared in his field of vision, completely unannounced.

Apart from Gu Hansheng, there were other CEOs from different companies in the office, all looking at the woman who had suddenly appeared here with a mixture of surprise and curiosity in their eyes.

It's worth noting that this was Gu Hansheng's office at Gu's Group. Anyone unimportant entering here would be rigorously questioned, let alone meeting Gu Hansheng.

To put it in exaggerated terms, it would require passing through multiple layers of security to reach here.

So, who was this unfamiliar yet stunning woman?

It was a question that sparked deep contemplation.

The subsequent business affairs were naturally disrupted by the sudden appearance of Gu Hansheng's "private matter."

Of course, Gu Hansheng also lost his focus on continuing the discussion.

From the moment this woman appeared, all his attention was drawn to her, and no one else could divert it in the slightest.

One by one, the others stood up to excuse themselves. As they left, they couldn't help casting probing glances at Liang Shu.

Ji Chen nodded apologetically to the others and closed the door, seeing off the departing group.

Now, the true battlefield lay before them.

Liang Shu still stood at the door, gazing at the man sitting on the sofa from a distance. He was backlit, with fragmented sunlight behind him. Initially, he appeared as a silhouette, but later, she couldn't help but notice the halo of light surrounding him.

With one leg bent and one hand resting on the armrest, he placed the other on his knee. Near his feet lay a black pen.

Despite the spaciousness and excellent ventilation of the office, there was a suffocating atmosphere lingering at this moment.

Gu Hansheng remained silent, simply observing her.

Liang Shu tightened the edge of the paper bag and steadfastly approached him under his penetrating gaze, until she stopped just short of the low table.

Drawing closer, she could fully discern the man's chiseled features, cold and profound, harboring depths that seemed capable of devouring or killing.

Yet, she showed no trace of fear on her face. Instead, a smile played at the corners of her lips.

Slightly bending, Liang Shu placed the leather paper bag on the low table with both hands. With her eyes lowered, Gu Hansheng could easily see the tooth marks on her neck.

She said, "Mr. Gu, I've washed your shirt clean and came specially today to return it to you."

Gu Hansheng's gaze flickered over the paper bag before lifting slightly as he looked at her. A hint of mockery crept into the corner of his eyes. "Who let you in?"

Hearing this, Liang Shu remained unfazed. "I wanted to come in, so I did."

"Fine, then leave now."

Liang Shu hesitated for a moment, then took another step forward. "I'm afraid that's not possible. I'm here today to see if Mr. Gu would like to spread some rumors with me, considering your recent association with them."

The man stared at her in silence for a long while. Eventually, he sneered, "You've been plotting against me, lurking for so many days, and you've come to me today just for this purpose?"

"Of course not."

As she spoke, Liang Shu raised her slender hands and, in one smooth motion, removed her camel coat.

"Do you remember this?" Liang Shu parted the collar of her sweater with her fingers, looking at him.

Gu Hansheng glanced over and immediately recognized it. He stood up abruptly, and suddenly the space around Liang Shu felt constricted.

Stopping just half a step away from her, he reached out and touched the wound on her neck. Bending down slowly, he met Liang Shu's eyes. Their noses were almost touching. "How could I forget?"

Liang Shu blinked, her tone unexpectedly tinged with a flirtatious coyness. "Mr. Gu, you really have no compassion. You bit so hard. It's been over a month, and it's still not healed."

Gu Hansheng withdrew his hand. "Leave."

But Liang Shu reached out and grabbed his wrist. "I still need to show Mr. Gu something, or else my trip today would be in vain."

The woman's fair fingers were distinct and eye-catching against his dark shirt.

He didn't pull away from her grasp, but his tone was inevitably tinged with disgust. "You've dirtied my clothes. Do you think I would still want them? Someone lost their job today because of you, and you're not exempt."

Liang Shu smiled coolly. "In that case, Mr. Gu, wouldn't you be unable to keep yourself either?" Pausing for a moment, she reached into the paper bag, pulling out his shirt. Then she continued, "Because, you're dirty too."

Gu Hansheng's eyes narrowed suddenly, looking at Liang Shu with coldness. In an instant, the sight of this shirt brought back memories of that night.

In the dimly lit room, entangled figures, at their peak, could no longer distinguish whose sweat or tears belonged to whom.

Seeing Gu Hansheng's expression gradually darken, Liang Shu knew that when dealing with him, there was no room for half measures. She reached for the scissors in the pen holder on the low table, saying in front of him, "Since Mr. Gu thinks this shirt is dirty, I'll take care of it for you right now."

In no time at all,

Liang Shu had cut the men's shirt into pieces with a pair of scissors, leaving the floor in disarray.