Chapter 45: Stunning

The man adorned with a large gold chain waved his hand, "Boss, don't listen to her nonsensical talk. We're only concerned with collecting the money!"

Liang Shu had never felt time drag on so endlessly before; each minute felt like a century.

She didn't know if her illogical words could catch Gu Hansheng's attention.

It goes without saying that Gu Hansheng currently had no relationship with her at all. On the contrary, she had been threatening him at every turn. He probably hated her actions to the core, so how could he possibly inexplicably transfer money to her?

Liang Shu thought that she might only be able to fight for a little extra time for her fingers to remain attached to her body.

But ten minutes later, her account received a transfer notification.

One million five hundred thousand, neither more nor less.

Liang Shu startled, looking at the prompt on the screen, her heart pounding so fast that she was almost deprived of oxygen to her brain.

Her hands trembled, pointing at the digits displayed above. "What did I say..."

After Liang Shu transferred all the money to them, sirens suddenly blared outside. The man with the large gold chain grabbed Liang Shu's collar. "You're playing tricks! Today, I'll definitely chop off one of your fingers... Bring me the knife!"

She was also puzzled. "I've been right under your noses. How could I possibly..."

Someone burst in, sounding anxious. "Boss, we're damn unlucky. We've encountered a search. Let's get out of here quickly."

...

When Yu Shenzhi and his group entered, the room was empty except for Liang Shu.

She stood in the center, the light from above casting her skin in an exceptionally pale hue.

Liang Shu looked at the person standing in the middle, smiling faintly. "Officer Yu."

Yu Shenzhi surveyed her, his masculine aura making Liang Shu's heart sink. He walked up, furrowing his brows as he looked at her, his gaze carrying a daunting power. "Surprising that you still remember me. What are you doing here..."

He glanced around, not finishing his sentence.

Liang Shu smiled and continued his words, "I'm drinking."

With bottles strewn everywhere and the overturned coffee table still not righted, the air was filled with the smell of alcohol.

Yu Shenzhi chuckled inexplicably, walking around the room. "You're drinking alone and managed to turn the scene into such a mess. Quite impressive."

In front of him, Liang Shu appeared overly docile. "Thank you for the compliment, officer."

Yu Shenzhi approached, hooking the corner of the coffee table with his boot. With a forceful lift of his leg, he instantly righted the overturned table, the sound resonating enough to make Liang Shu flinch.

He stood in front of her, hands behind his back, slightly leaning forward to look at her. "Do you have anything to confess to me?"

Liang Shu glanced at the people behind him, biting her lip, shaking her head. "Nothing."

"Really nothing?"

"Really nothing."

Liang Shu sighed softly, "Officer, you don't really need to focus on me like this. I haven't done anything illegal."

"Then who did?"

She was startled, not expecting Yu Shenzhi to ask like this.

So she said, "I don't know."

Yu Shenzhi sneered, "Is it that you don't know or you don't want to confess?"

"I really have nothing to confess. I'm just an ordinary civilian, leading a quiet life, drinking occasionally in my spare time. I have no wealthy friends or troublemaking brothers around me, just living innocently."

But the next moment, Yu Shenzhi slapped her face. He smirked, the mini police baton in his left hand making a smacking sound against his palm, "What about Gu Hansheng?"

Seeing Liang Shu's surprised expression, he chuckled, "Isn't he considered wealthy?"

This was truly unexpected. Yu Shenzhi actually knew Gu Hansheng.

Liang Shu took a breath without a trace of emotion, her spine straight, and spoke slowly, "Mr. Gu, he is not my friend."

A man who is to become her husband naturally cannot be a mere friend.

After she finished speaking, a thought flashed through her mind, and she looked up at Yu Shenzhi. "Officer, was it him who summoned you here?"

"What do you think?"

Liang Shu smiled without warmth. "How could I know... I truly haven't committed any crimes. Even if you take me back, my answer will remain the same."

"Someone is coming. I dare not take you back now."

With that, Yu Shenzhi left.

Liang Shu was afraid that the group of people might still be waiting nearby. She followed up and said, "Officer, may I accompany you?"

He glanced at the messy bottles strewn about. "Didn't you want to drink?"

"I won't drink anymore, I won't."

Yu Shenzhi leaned closer to her and sniffed but detected no scent of alcohol. Then he chuckled, "Impressive. With so many empty bottles on the floor, you don't have a single trace of alcohol on you."

Liang Shu pursed her lips. "Officer, why are you being so cryptic?"

...

As Gu Hansheng approached, Liang Shu had made countless mental preparations.

In this game between them, Liang Shu was originally the calm and composed one.

However, today's unexpected turn of events had suddenly shifted her from proactive to passive.

Gu Hansheng was accompanied by Ji Chen.

As he entered, Ji Chen stood guard outside, and the door was closed.

Liang Shu nestled on the sofa, listening to the sounds and looking towards the door. In the dim environment, the man's tall figure stood under the dim atmosphere light, still wearing the classic style of shirt and trousers.

His hands were in his pockets as he walked towards her. The footsteps of his leather shoes made no sound on the carpet, but each step seemed to tread on her heart.

The man wasn't backlit, but his face was half in shadow, half in light. The shadowed half seemed to brew a storm, while the illuminated half warmed her heart.

At this moment, the deep depths of Gu Hansheng's eyes were filled with calmness. He stepped over the scattered glass and spilled alcohol on the ground, walking towards her as if traversing mountains and rivers.

It was like a silent, long-focus shot from a movie, where the background was blurred, leaving only him clear and real.

The Gu Hansheng in Liang Shu's eyes at this moment was different from any other time. He wasn't the cold and expressionless man, nor was he the calculating man with a faint smile.

Suddenly, she felt emboldened and looked up at this man, smiling as she said, "Tonight, I owe you one million five hundred thousand. I definitely can't repay it. So, how about I give in to you, marry you, Mr. Gu? What do you think?"

Liang Shu was sitting, and Gu Hansheng was standing.

This emphasized the vast difference between them.

He slowly bent down, allowing Liang Shu to meet his gaze at eye level. The thin lips of the man formed a cold and hard curve, like a frozen ice blade in winter. "You've thought this through. Marry me, and then I'll conveniently clear your debts?"

Leaning forward, Liang Shu's fingers landed on the man's slightly rough hair. "Then I'd truly become Mrs. Gu. Would you be willing to let me be harassed by debt collectors day and night? Today, I almost lost my life."

The fact that he had called Yu Shenzhi here, and that he had personally rushed over, indicated that he was well aware of her situation tonight.

Gu Hansheng asked, "How did you almost lose your life?"

Liang Shu looked somewhat aggrieved, pointing to the corner of her eye with her index finger, her voice coquettish. "They wanted to cut off my finger, look, even scared tears out of me, and ruined my makeup."

In fact, her makeup wasn't ruined; it was just that the eyeliner at the corner of her eye had smudged slightly, embellished with that red mole, making her eyes even more enticing.

Gu Hansheng found Liang Shu's affected coquettishness quite amusing, at least better than her usual sharpness.

The man's Adam's apple bobbed, a mocking remark seemingly emanating from the depths of his throat, "Terrified to the brink of death? Pathetic."

"You know well that I fear losing limbs," she retorted. As she spoke, she extended her porcelain-white slender fingers towards him. "With these beautiful hands of mine, losing a finger would be akin to losing my life, wouldn't it?"

"That would be your own fault."

Liang Shu pursed her lips, retracting her hand, and looked at him with a serious expression. "Do you believe me? I had no choice but to borrow that money due to circumstances beyond my control."

Gu Hansheng replied, "Even with extenuating circumstances, you shouldn't have borrowed so much."

"These amounts, to you, are like plucking a hair from a bull's back, aren't they?"

His gaze sharpened, and Liang Shu realized her mistake with the metaphor, smiling awkwardly.

Gu Hansheng countered, "Insignificant to me, but are they also insignificant to you?"

She bit her lower lip, hesitated for two seconds, then said, "Although they are considered your premarital assets, surely you wouldn't be so heartless as to not help me repay my debts."

"So, you genuinely believe that I cannot do without you?"

"Yes, you are a businessman, a capitalist, a visionary with deep foresight. You wouldn't fail to see the benefits of marrying me," Liang Shu suddenly reached out and covered his hand with hers, pursing her lips. "Mr. Gu, I am very obedient."

Gu Hansheng tired of squatting, stood up and casually kicked aside a bottle of alcohol, sitting on the sofa beside her.

"Why insist on becoming Mrs. Gu?"

Why insist on making Gu Hansheng marry her and occupy the position of Mrs. Gu?

Liang Shu still remembered it vividly.

While researching Gu Hansheng, she stumbled upon a brief video interview related to him. The background was a university auditorium, and he was wearing a smart navy blue suit, looking much the same as now, standing on the stage, exuding an extraordinary aura.

The background board read "XX Lecture," and he was one of the important invited guests.

That day, someone daringly risked capturing about a minute-long video, only remembering that there were female students in the audience unable to contain their excitement, holding up a microphone, "Mr. Gu, may I ask you a rather personal question?"

Gu Hansheng smiled, a smile warmer than his current demeanor. "Privacy depends on the situation."

There was an outcry from the audience, sensing something intriguing.

The female student continued, "It's not entirely private, but I think this question concerns all the female colleagues present—" She took a deep breath, looking at the remarkably outstanding man on the stage. "Mr. Gu, what are the benefits of being your Mrs. Gu?"

With this question, there was a sigh of anticipation from the audience.

There were companions pulling this female student, their tone carrying reproach, but also unable to conceal their excitement, "Oh, why don't you ask what Mr. Gu's ideal Mrs. Gu is like?"

A nearby female student chimed in, "Exactly, at least we all now have a standard to strive for, don't we?"

Gu Hansheng cleared his throat twice, and the scene fell silent.

With a perfectly curved arc at the corner of his mouth, the man leaned on the lectern with both hands, slightly pressing his chin. "Being my Mrs. Gu will ensure a life of ease and comfort."

A rare male student below shouted loudly, "Mr. Gu, could you be more specific?"

Specific...

The mature voice of a man spread through the speakers, as he said, "A wife is meant to be pampered. Being Mrs. Gu means having endless money to spend and experiencing peace and joy."

Everyone focused on the phrase 'endless money,' inevitably making it seem vulgar as it related to money.

But in the world of love, besides romanticism, there are also the necessities of life.

Money may be mundane, but if, as a husband, one cannot provide the most basic security in love, that is the true tragedy.

Afterward, someone uploaded this video to the school forum. Some art students criticized Gu Hansheng, saying he was worldly-wise.

But there was a group of finance students who came to his defense: if a man is willing to spare no expense to pamper a woman materially, that is the most commendable.

Later, someone asked Gu Hansheng, "What is your ideal Mrs. Gu like?"

Someone teased beforehand, "She must be knowledgeable and eloquent, able to match Mr. Gu's achievements in the business world."

Unexpectedly, Gu Hansheng said, "The future Mrs. Gu can look however she pleases, but what's most rare is the three words 'I like.'"

However, for others, being able to make Gu Hansheng like them, isn't that quite difficult?

At this moment, Gu Hansheng asked Liang Shu: Why insist on becoming Mrs. Gu?

After pondering for a while, Liang Shu gave him a relatively fitting answer according to her identity. She said, "You once said that I am someone who lives in the darkest place of Yucheng. That life of luxury as a noble lady is what I most desire to experience. So, becoming your wife seems most appropriate."

...

Later, Liang Shu left with Gu Hansheng.

As they walked out, she deliberately hooked her wrist around Gu Hansheng's arm. When she passed by Ji Chen, she looked at him provocatively out of the corner of her eye, feeling relieved.

Ji Chen, the assistant, scanned the intertwined arms of his boss and her. He lowered his head, hiding his expression, respectfully nodding.

In Ji Chen's eyes, it was acceptance after the dust had settled.

She got into Gu Hansheng's car.

Ji Chen was the driver.

In the car, Liang Shu had just experienced chaos and turmoil. At this moment, she completely relaxed, leaning comfortably against the back of the seat, watching the scenery outside the window.

Gu Hansheng got into the car. Liang Shu just happened to notice that her eye makeup had indeed smudged through the rearview mirror. She took out a small mirror from her bag, while saying to the man beside her, "Oh, my makeup is a bit smudged..."

She turned to Gu Hansheng. "Mr. Gu, I know your handkerchief is exquisite. Could you lend it to me to touch up the smeared eyeliner?" 

Ji Chen, the assistant, got into the car and happened to see his boss taking out a dark gray handkerchief with stripes from his coat and handing it to Liang Shu.

He remained composed, sitting in the driver's seat. The car slowly pulled out of the parking space and onto the main road.

The next moment, he saw the woman in the rearview mirror, complaining coquettishly while touching up her makeup in the mirror, "My makeup is ruined. I wonder if I'll look good in the wedding photos later..."

The carriage was filled only with Liang Shu's voice, to the point where Ji Chen made a rare mistake while driving.

The sudden sharp brake caught Liang Shu off guard. She hadn't fastened her seatbelt, causing her to lurch forward, bumping her forehead against the front seat.

Unfazed, she quickly grabbed the arm of the person beside her. Beneath her palm, she felt the man's shirt fabric and the warmth of his skin.

Glancing forward casually, Liang Shu remarked, "That hurt."

She then glanced at Gu Hansheng.

Gu Hansheng was well aware of Liang Shu's little tricks, but he indulged her nonetheless, simply telling Ji Chen in the front seat, "Drive more steadily."

"Okay," Ji Chen replied.

As the car restarted, Liang Shu, unconcerned about the destination, turned to hand a handkerchief to Gu Hansheng. "When shall we get the marriage certificate?"

Gu Hansheng glanced at the neatly folded handkerchief, which she had used before and cunningly showed him the side with traces of her makeup. With that in mind, he looked back at Liang Shu, who was smiling mischievously, her eyes twinkling with cunning. Even her dimples were quite charming.

Seeing him hesitate, Liang Shu pushed the handkerchief a bit closer. "Here, your handkerchief is valuable. I should return it to you."

This woman seldom spoke the truth. Her flattery and deceitful artistry were impeccable.

She could even cut his shirt to pieces in front of him, so why would she care about this handkerchief?

In the end, Liang Shu found a way out for herself, "Since you don't want it, forget it. I'll keep it for you for now."

After a while, Liang Shu asked again, "When are we getting the marriage certificate?"

Gu Hansheng opened his eyes, his Adam's apple rolling. "In such a hurry?"

"Hmm, the doctors from the university hospital keep calling me every day. I'm afraid you won't be able to hold on. I heard that person needs surgery, requiring blood donation. Isn't it better to finish it early for peace of mind?"

Seeing the veins on Gu Hansheng's hand resting on his knee intermittently appearing, Liang Shu continued, "They told me that saving a life is worth more than building seven pagodas. But I, on the other hand, insist on you marrying me, Mr. Gu."

On the way back to Villa No. 0, to Ji Chen, it was like the emperor not being in a hurry but the eunuch being anxious.

Most of Liang Shu's words were rebellious.

She was like a favored concubine of Gu Hansheng, proud of her favor.

However, Gu Hansheng never lost his temper, not even showing any excess emotion.

...

This was Liang Shu's first visit to the villa area of No. 0.

As the car entered the area, the surroundings were quiet, with the shimmering lake and mountain scenery. The lakeside ring road was lined with gingko trees. In late autumn, the leaves had turned yellow, covering the ground with a thick layer of gold.

She remembered many years ago, when she returned to the Lu family, the road was also lined with gingko trees. Even after so long, she could still vaguely recall the soft feeling of the layers of gingko leaves being crushed under the wheels.

Her gaze was warmer than that of most people in the Lu family.

Liang Shu lowered the car window, letting in the cold wind. Gu Hansheng's brows furrowed slightly, about to reprimand her to close the window.

But then he saw the woman's delicate hands pulling the window halfway down and asked casually, "Mr. Gu, how many properties do you actually own?"

This question could be found with a quick search on Baidu.

Liang Shu knew he wouldn't answer her, so she turned to look at him, blinking. "I mean, privately owned properties."

Gu Hansheng gave her a sidelong glance, leaned over, and closed the window with an indifferent air. The woody fragrance wafted into Liang Shu's nostrils. He then said emotionlessly, "The number of properties has nothing to do with you."

Unbeknownst to many, later on, someone asked him: "Is it true that your wife, out of jealousy, set fire to one of your villas worth hundreds of millions under your name? Aren't you truly saddened by this?"

How did he respond at that time?

He said: "If she desires, I have many more under my name."

The female steward of Villa No. 0, Qu An, seeing Gu Hansheng return unusually early today, thought something was amiss, so she stood at the door early.

Ji Chen first got out of the car to open the door for Gu Hansheng, then saw the mansion owner go to the other side and open the door, from which came out a woman.

Qu An was initially shocked, but then saw the woman holding Gu Hansheng's hand, slowly walking towards this side from the parking lot. Between the two, there was a hint of intimacy in their movements.

As they reached the door, Qu An stepped forward and nodded, "Sir."

Liang Shu had not met Qu An before, so she stood there smiling, waiting for Gu Hansheng to introduce her.

Gu Hansheng nodded to Qu An, "This is Miss Liang."

Qu An maintained good etiquette and bowed to Liang Shu, "Miss Liang, hello, I am the steward of the villa, my name is Qu An, you can call me by name."

"Okay," Gu Hansheng went inside. Liang Shu was about to follow, but when she entered, she stopped in her tracks, turned around, and whispered to Qu An's ear, "I'm not just any Miss Liang, I'm the future Mrs. Gu."

Qu An was so taken aback by this unexpected remark that her jaw remained open for a long time.

Except for his secretary-assistant, Mr. Gu had never brought any other woman to Villa No. 0. Today, bringing Liang Shu here was unexpected, but to Qu An's surprise, this woman dared to claim that she was the future Mrs. Gu.

But what was the first impression of Liang Shu on Qu An, the caretaker of Gu Hansheng's daily life?

Stunning.

Ordinary people judge others mainly by appearance.

At first glance, this woman gave off the direct impression of beauty, and it was the kind of overt beauty that was not subtle, nor restrained, but rather captivating.

Whether it was due to this aspect or not, when she claimed to be the future Mrs. Gu, her tone was warm and bold, but not off-putting.

Qu An shook her head with a smile. Indeed, the young maids at the villa were right; it was a society that judged people by their appearance.

But she wondered what Mr. Gu's intentions were towards Liang Shu.

Even if it didn't reach the exaggerated extent Liang Shu claimed, Gu Hansheng had still brought her here, indicating his intentions were clear.

Qu An knew that this man, who had been dominating the business world at a young age, was different from ordinary people. While he judged people by their appearance at first, his subsequent assessment delved into their hearts.

But ultimately, Mr. Gu was getting close to a woman.

This was a good thing.

I wonder what the old lady of the Gu family would think if she knew. She had been hoping for Gu Hansheng to marry, preferably with children, and now, if the old lady found out, she would probably be very pleased.

Villa No. 0 made Liang Shu happier than Yu Mountain Villa.

Perhaps because this was where Gu Hansheng usually resided, or perhaps because there was no seriously ill woman here.

She followed Gu Hansheng upstairs and was then arranged to stay in the room next to Gu Hansheng's bedroom.

Liang Shu stood in the middle of the room, looking at the man standing at the door with one hand in his pocket, her red lips pursed. "I'm not sleeping here."

The man's tone was lazy. "Where do you want to sleep?"

Liang Shu smiled. "I'll sleep wherever you sleep."