Chapter 43: Visiting

However, she scarcely had time to feel the pain when she found herself enveloped in the intense masculine aura. She instinctively wrapped her arms around Gu Hansheng's neck, fixing her gaze upon his Adam's apple, and pursed her lips. "Could you pour me a glass of water?"

Gu Hansheng placed her on the bed, yet did not fetch her the water she requested. Instead, he inquired, "Where does it hurt?"

Liang Shu glanced at the water dispenser and replied, "I'd like some water."

The man stood by the sickbed, towering over her, his eyes tinged with an unusual shade of bluish-gray, betraying signs of sleeplessness.

He tightened his lips. "What's the meaning of all this commotion?"

Liang Shu pulled the covers up, concealing her entire head within, her voice muffled beneath the bedding. "Mr. Gu came to see me personally. Doesn't that hold any significance?"

A slender finger pulled the covers down, revealing her pale, yet striking, visage. "Do you think I've compromised? Or perhaps, you believe you've secured the position of Mrs. Gu?"

Liang Shu lowered her gaze, briefly acknowledging the clean and slender fingers of the man resting on the pristine white covers. Suddenly, she reached out and grasped his hand. The chill seeped into her bloodstream through her skin as she curved her lips into a smile. "Neither. But it's intriguing that Mr. Gu rushed over as soon as I encountered trouble. For those unaware, one might think you came specifically for me."

"And do you think I didn't come for you?"

Beneath Liang Shu's palm lay the taut skin of the man's hand. She caressed it gently, her eyes forming crescents. "I'm not so thick-skinned as to presume your motives. We all know who you've come for."

However, Liang Shu refrained from articulating her thoughts aloud, as she had done in their previous encounters when she had pleaded with him.

Not this time. She would maintain her composure a while longer.

But the man cast her a cold glance and exited, shutting the door behind him.

Liang Shu gazed helplessly at the ceiling. This incident had truly caught her off guard; she valued her life greatly. In fact, at the moment of the accident, as she watched the avalanche of white descending upon them, she couldn't help but think that it was a pity her wretched existence hadn't saved a single life before this.

She hadn't performed a single act of kindness in her lifetime. If she could accomplish one good deed before her demise, it would indeed be a stroke of luck.

Yet, she was still alive.

Navigating through the snowy mountains was treacherous, and rescue teams struggled to locate them. They were all alive, albeit buried in snow, growing increasingly numb with cold.

So cold that they were almost devoid of consciousness.

As Liang Shu reminisced about the events preceding the accident, the door to the ward creaked open once again.

It was a nurse from the hospital.

She brought saline solution and assisted Liang Shu in drinking it.

Liang Shu handed the cup back to her. "How are the other members of the expedition?"

"Two individuals sustained severe injuries and were rushed to the provincial capital, Wencheng. The rest have minor injuries; they're relatively fortunate. The southern peak has also been closed off, and it's unlikely to reopen anytime soon."

Liang Shu lay back in bed, clicking her tongue. "I see, what a pity."

Snow avalanche accidents during mountaineering weren't uncommon. As long as one monitored the weather and the route carefully, there usually wouldn't be any issues. The blame for this incident should fall on the responsible personnel rather than the immediate closure of the southern peak.

However, when incidents occurred and garnered public attention, it was standard procedure for higher authorities to close off the area due to public opinion.

Liang Shu found herself unable to sleep, and Gu Hansheng didn't return.

Meanwhile...

Close to 4 a.m., Gu Hansheng returned to the hotel where he was staying.

His arrival had been hasty, with only Ji Chen accompanying him. Many details had inevitably been overlooked.

Including Ruan Yunyun.

Outside the hotel suite, Ruan Yunyun stood gracefully in an oversized sweater, holding a down jacket in her hand. She wore a wide-brimmed black hat and sunglasses, exuding an air of elegance.

Upon seeing the man's tall figure gradually approaching from the direction of the elevator, she removed her outer garments, revealing a face still adorned with makeup.

Gu Hansheng, upon noticing her, merely blinked, his eyebrows barely perceptibly furrowing, but he remained silent.

Ruan Yunyun took a few steps forward, standing before Gu Hansheng, noticeably shorter than him by a head. She looked up at him. "Mr. Gu."

Gu Hansheng was still enveloped in the chill of the night, his facial contours rugged, his pitch-black pupils akin to a bottomless abyss, capable of drowning souls.

"How fortuitous to meet you here," he remarked.

Recalling the events of tonight, Ruan Yunyun couldn't help but speak out, "I'm here for a film shoot. I heard that you came specifically. Has something happened?"

"Why do you think I'm here?"

He posed the question to her, his expression unchanged.

Ruan Yunyun lightly bit her lower lip, attempting to maintain a natural expression. She pursed her lips and smiled. "Among the mountaineering expedition caught in the avalanche on the southern peak this afternoon, there are individuals you're concerned about, aren't there?"

In this dimly lit corridor with few rooms altogether, the atmosphere was particularly quiet at this hour.

Gu Hansheng approached, stopping half a step away from her. "From the internet rumors?"

"Yes," Ruan Yunyun glanced sideways, her gaze carrying a hint of pleading as she looked at Gu Hansheng. "I have a few things I'd like to discuss with you. Could we go inside and talk?"

She didn't hold much hope, but to her surprise, Gu Hansheng swiped his card to let her in.

The most expensive hotel suite in town was like a miniature world in itself.

Upon entering, Gu Hansheng removed his coat, revealing a shirt underneath. He rolled up the sleeves, exposing a portion of his slender forearm.

He felt the urge to smoke. Shaking a cigarette out of the metal case, he lit it, then sat on the sofa before turning to look at Ruan Yunyun, who was still standing. Pointing to the single sofa nearby, he said, "Please, have a seat."

Observing him smoking, Ruan Yunyun found herself captivated. Behind the curling smoke was the handsome visage of a man.

She sat down and placed her outerwear and hat beside her. Gu Hansheng furrowed his brows slightly, looking at her, then lifted the cigarette in his hand. "Do you mind if I smoke?"

She was momentarily taken aback by his smoking demeanor, so naturally, Ruan Yunyun didn't mind.

She shook her head, though a sense of melancholy filled her heart. This man was always like this—truly good, with just the right amount of courtesy toward everyone. But he could be ruthlessly cruel as well.

She clenched her fingers, which were placed on her knee, nails digging into her flesh, and began, "In the entertainment industry, I understand most rumors spread online are baseless. However, when it comes to rumors about Mr. Gu, if it's not with your tacit approval, others wouldn't have the chance to use you for gossip."

At this point, Gu Hansheng blew out a smoke ring, his profile sharp, giving off an air of aloofness that kept others at bay.

She continued, "I just want to know, is today's situation the same as before with me? You previously tacitly agreed to the media writing about us. What was the purpose behind it?"

During that month...

It had all felt like a dream.

By this time, Gu Hansheng had smoked half of his cigarette. He tapped the ashes into the ashtray, then looked at her. "This question is rather difficult to grasp."

Gu Hansheng pinched his brow, "You're a big star, an ambassador for Gu Corporation, and I'm in charge. Do you understand?"

Clearly, Ruan Yunyun didn't accept this explanation. She closed her eyes. "And is today's situation the same? The world is saying your lover nearly perished on the southern peak, and you rushed over from Yucheng, waiting here since this afternoon..."

It wasn't just Ruan Yunyun's words that irked Gu Hansheng; he let out a cold laugh. "I've never been one to concern myself with cause and effect. I haven't wronged you. Gu Corporation pays you handsomely for advertising; let's consider our collaboration enjoyable."

With that said, he extinguished his cigarette and stood up, walking toward the inner room, addressing Ruan Yunyun as he did, "Don't let your loose tongue ruin your career."

On this occasion, Ruan Yunyun wasn't even clear on what had upset him.

Returning to her room, her female assistant was still there.

She looked at Ruan Yunyun, who appeared disoriented, and breathed a sigh of relief. "Miss Ruan, we have a scene at five o'clock; you've finally returned."

However, Ruan Yunyun grabbed her hand. "Do you think Mr. Gu really came because of his lover?"

The assistant knew that she still hadn't let go of her doubts. She replied, "I highly doubt it. If she truly were his new favorite, how could he leave her alone here? He would surely be by her side."

Ruan Yunyun found herself believing this explanation.

...

Gu Hansheng had been extremely tense in recent days, but after returning to the hotel, he surprisingly slept well for once.

He couldn't linger here for too long; within these few hours, Gu Corporation had already accumulated numerous matters.

At ten-thirty the next morning, Ji Chen and Gu Hansheng set off for the hospital together.

Gu Hansheng intended to take Liang Shu back to Yucheng with him. He had already instructed Ji Chen to purchase afternoon flight tickets.

However, upon Gu Hansheng's arrival at the hospital, Liang Shu had played a trick.

The nurse informed them, "She checked out early this morning. Can you believe it? Hmm... she just walked out by herself."

For the first time, Gu Hansheng felt a knot in his heart. Someone who had previously struggled even to get out of bed to fetch water had suddenly bounced back to life and left the hospital on her own after just a few hours.

Ji Chen bought the next available flight back.

In the car, Gu Hansheng received a call from Liang Shu. Her voice sounded soft over the phone. "Mr. Gu, I've arrived in Yucheng. I'm terribly sorry for making you run a special trip last night."

Listening with a furrowed brow, the man didn't utter a word and simply ended the call.

Ten minutes later, he dialed Liang Shu's number again.

She finally picked up after a long while, her voice lazy. "Mr. Gu, do you still have something to say?"

"Liang Shu, do you not fear for your own life?"

For Gu Hansheng, such words were rarely spoken, but today, facing Liang Shu, he couldn't hold back.

Only a soft chuckle came from Liang Shu's end, bringing to his mind a certain night when the quiet city of Yucheng lay under the ink-black sky, illuminated by the colorful lights of the city, while a soft, almost dripping tone of voice murmured ceaselessly in his ears.

At first, he wasn't clear-headed, partly bewitched by her, but eventually, he dominated the situation entirely.

The game they played afterward—what was it like?

She was begging for mercy, constantly pleading.

To some extent, this pleased Gu Hansheng, but he didn't let her off easily.

She said, "I was wrong."

Gu Hansheng asked, "Where were you wrong?"

Biting her cherry-red lower lip, she replied intermittently, "I shouldn't... shouldn't have put so much medication in your cup, shouldn't have administered such a heavy dosage."

This manner of apology and reason did not evoke any sympathy from him; instead, it intensified his anger.

She said, "You've let me go."

Gu Hansheng lowered his head and bit her ear. "Before you schemed against me, did you ever consider not doing it?"

Liang Shu pulled away from his hot lips, hiding her flushed cheeks in the sheets and shook her head. "It's impossible not to."

She was still stubborn.

Gu Hansheng grasped her hand, sneering coldly, "Then what are you seeking now?"

Her pleading demeanor only fueled his desire to destroy her, rather than to save her.

Later on.

She felt very wronged. "Can we take a break for a while?"

Gu Hansheng replied, "You're not entitled to one."

She asked, "Aren't you tired?"

This time, Gu Hansheng couldn't be bothered to answer her, and eventually, Liang Shu didn't have the energy to speak anymore.

But later, he thought about it and decided to let her rest.

He lit a cigarette halfway through the journey, and various smells mingled in the air. He held the cigarette in his left hand, and even had his arm around her.

The window by the floor-to-ceiling window was open, letting in a breeze that blew some ash onto her rosy cheeks, and also nudged the sleeping person closer to him.

Gu Hansheng blew away the ash on her face and then looked at the marks on her body, relishing in them. The memories of their fading physical intimacy came flooding back.

She was in pain, and Gu Hansheng knew it.

She was sleeping so deeply, and he had awakened her.

Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. She grabbed his arm and tearfully complained, her sleepy eyes accusing him, "It hurts."

He asked her, "Where does it hurt?"

She was crying, tears falling like broken pearls. She tried to answer but was choked by the smoke, coughing for a while before saying, "My neck hurts, my neck really hurts..."

Gu Hansheng looked at the wound; it had scabbed over, dark red blood dried on top, somewhat disturbing to look at.

But it wouldn't kill her.

She brought it upon herself.

He gently patted her face, feeling the hot tears on his fingers. He didn't feel sorry for her; instead, his tone became harsh. "You provoke me and then beg for mercy. Liang Shu, where is your dignity?"

She opened her eyes slightly, then quickly closed them again. "You care about me, don't you?"

He felt a surge of anger and pulled her towards the edge of the bed, extinguishing the cigarette in his hand. Then, he pinched her face and said, "I can do anything to you."

That night, she had endured everything.

Apart from everything else, for both of them, it was a complete and thorough experience.

And now, she was in Yucheng, laughing at him over the phone and saying, "I can't be killed. Yesterday, you didn't do anything to me, did you?"

Liang Shu's current attitude was too arrogant.

Gu Hansheng pinched his brow, his lips curling into a cold, indifferent arc, his voice raspy and cold, "Do you think you've won?"

On the other end, she coughed lightly twice. "You can't say that. The revolution has not yet succeeded; comrades still need to work hard—"

With that, she changed the subject, her tone cooling down, "Now that you can't do anything to me, Mr. Gu, you must be very anxious, right? The doctors from the university hospital have called me so many times. I bet you're worried. If something happens to your beloved, it'll be too late to regret."

"Since I can't do anything to you, why are you running away?" Gu Hansheng clenched the phone, his voice carrying a taste of gritted teeth.

"I'm not running away. Mr. Gu, you never back down in the business world. As the future Mrs. Gu, how could I possibly run away? Even if I can't stand shoulder to shoulder with you, I can't drag you down," Liang Shu paused for a moment, elongating her tone, "Don't you agree?"

This time, Liang Shu hung up the phone.

She knew that Gu Hansheng was not easily fooled, and he still hadn't compromised.

And Gu Hansheng was indeed provoked by Liang Shu this time. In the car, he instructed Ji Chen, "Get Mei Auntie and Jiang Jiucheng tied up and dumped somewhere. I'll deal with it when I get back."

Ji Chen suddenly realized, thinking he misheard, he hesitated for two seconds before reminding, "Sir, kidnapping us will be hard to disentangle."

The man sitting in the back seat slowly closed his eyes, his tone indifferent, "Bind."

Gu Hansheng rarely resorted to such irrational actions. Even when he knocked out Liang Shu and took her to the Yushan villa last time, he never employed such forceful means.

One could even argue that he saved her life that time.

Otherwise, she would have been devoured by the scum of the imperial city long ago.

With Ji Chen here, this matter couldn't be dealt with immediately.

But his prejudice against Liang Shu increased by another degree. This woman was indeed capable; she could manipulate Gu Hansheng effortlessly.

However, when their plane arrived in Yucheng and they received a call from the Yushan villa, the person there was critically ill.

Ji Chen naturally couldn't focus on anything else and went to the Yushan villa with Gu Hansheng first.

The journey was particularly agonizing.

The person in question's condition was such that any negligence could lead to dire consequences.

When they arrived, the doctor had just come out of the room and nodded to Gu Hansheng in the corridor, "Mr. Gu."

Gu Hansheng looked at the tightly closed door and closed his eyes briefly, his voice hoarse, "How is she?"

The doctor wiped the sweat from his forehead and spoke with a tremor of fear in his voice, "It's been another close call. The recent ones have been too perilous. I suggest we transfer her to the hospital on a chosen day."

Seeing this, Ji Chen stepped forward, "The medical equipment at the Yushan villa rivals that of the best-equipped hospitals. Besides, hospitals are teeming with bacteria and pathogens. It's not advisable..."

"Based on the previous situation, this place would naturally be the best, but now it's different. The situation could turn critical at any moment... If there isn't enough reserve of Rh-negative blood, in case of another emergency, the hospital conditions would be far superior to here."

The doctor had made the current situation very clear. He looked up at Gu Hansheng's inscrutable face and couldn't help but continue, "Mr. Gu, finding enough Rh-negative blood and performing surgery as soon as possible is the best solution."

Gu Hansheng didn't look at him, his thin lips moved, "I understand. Thank you for your hard work."

The doctor nodded, accompanied by the medical nurse, and left. After a while, he turned back to look at the man who still maintained the same posture, "Mr. Gu, she's stabilized now. You can go in and see her."

Once everyone had left, the floor fell silent.

His mother, Wen Mingting, once said that this was forcing fate.

A person who should have left this world was made to stay by Gu Hansheng against the natural order of things. This was contrary to fate.

He never believed in fate, only in ability and means.

But now?

In the past six months, bad news had been frequent, and several times, she had been on the brink of death.

The word "death" was not unfamiliar to Gu Hansheng. He had faced such situations before.

But back then, it wasn't like now. Now, the Grim Reaper seemed to be looming closer than ever, with no way of knowing when that blade would fall.

Gu Hansheng stood at the door of the room, his head slightly bowed. He asked Ji Chen beside him, "Ji Chen, you've been with me for so long. Su Yan arrived only slightly earlier than you did. Think of a solution for me. What should I choose?"

"Sir, I know you're reluctant, but life and death have their decrees. We can only do our best."

The man smirked, his fingers slowly resting on the door handle, his tone low and hoarse, "Where is the reluctance..."

Ji Chen looked at him. "However, some things truly cannot be forced. Even if you use Liang Shu to save Miss Su this time, there's no guarantee there won't be a next time."

"A next time?" Gu Hansheng glanced at Ji Chen, his head slightly tilted. "As long as she wakes up, there won't be a next time."

Gu Hansheng pushed the door open and went in, leaving Ji Chen still standing in place.

The name Su Yan was unfamiliar to Ji Chen.

Since he started following Gu Hansheng, Su Yan had already become a vegetative person.

Why this was so, it was said to be due to a car accident.

And then he had no other information in his mind.

From Ji Chen's perspective, Gu Hansheng should like Su Yan.

If he didn't like her, Gu Hansheng wouldn't have gone to such lengths.

Even if it meant defying fate, he would still save Su Yan's life.

Ji Chen knew that Liang Shu might exchange some chips with Gu Hansheng for Su Yan, but what kind of person was Liang Shu?

Su Yan's life was not something Liang Shu could save.

If in the end, it all turned out to be in vain, it would only serve to empower Liang Shu's villainy.

Ji Chen had a feeling that Gu Hansheng's involvement with Liang Shu would rewrite his future.

But what if Liang Shu met with an accident first?

...

When Jing Yu approached Liang Shu, Liang Shu was somewhat caught off guard.

At that moment, she had just finished dealing a round of cards, her hands tired, her throat hoarse from shouting, so she had been relieved of her duty and told to take a break.

She hesitated for a moment in her position at the bar, didn't order any alcohol, and instead requested a glass of tap water. Then, she lit a cigarette, a ten-dollar pack of ladies' tea cigarettes, her favorite because the packaging was slightly darker than sky blue.

As soon as she took a puff of her cigarette, someone sat down beside her.

Liang Shu thought it might be someone hitting on her, but to her surprise, when she turned her head, she caught a glimpse of a handsome man. He had a high facial attractiveness and a good physique, and his features seemed somewhat familiar.

The scene of their meeting was quite different from what Jing Yu had imagined.

Based on the impression from that night at the Imperial Club, Jing Yu thought Liang Shu was a teacher, an office clerk, or perhaps a niche print model now.

But Jing Yu didn't expect her to be part of Yucheng's underground scene.

What the underground scene was, many people knew in their hearts, and people from the upper class almost never came here.

The environment here was dirty, the deals were dirty, and the people...were dirty.

Jing Yu glanced at the blue-packaged cigarette box in front of her, a certain brand of cheap, low-quality ladies' cigarettes, though men could smoke them too.

Seeing him eyeing her cigarette, Liang Shu bit down on the filter with her teeth, reached out to push the cigarette box towards Jing Yu, and used her index finger and thumb to take out a cigarette, holding it out to him. "Five cents each, go ahead, you can borrow the lighter for free."

Jing Yu glanced at the cigarette pushed in front of him, pursed his lips, and looked at Liang Shu.