Chapter 47 Plunder. "I'll deal with you later."
On Saturday, Jiang Chuyu looked at the five zeros that had just appeared in her bank account and sighed silently.
Jiang Shan's WeChat message popped up immediately: "Don't wear those little dresses you bought before, they're not presentable. I'll have the driver pick you up at four o'clock to go to the styling studio."
Jiang Chuyu stared at the screen and replied with two words: "Okay."
Jiang Chuyu didn't know whether Jiang Shan loved her or not, but Jiang Shan always readily transferred money to her, and at least in terms of money, Jiang Shan never mistreated her as her daughter.
Over the years, Jiang Chuyu has developed a habit: money is all it takes to get things done.
Consider it payment from her mother for "buying out" her participation in the performance.
At four o'clock on Saturday afternoon, the black car arrived on time to pick her up. Jiang Chuyu was without makeup, her long hair was casually draped over her shoulders, and she was wearing simple casual pants and a white T-shirt.
She carried her canvas bag downstairs, and the driver looked slightly surprised when he opened the door for her.
"Thank you." Jiang Chuyu said, then leaned back in the back seat and closed her eyes to rest.
The studio is located on the top floor of a high-end office building in the city center, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the bustling city skyline.
When Jiang Chuyu arrived, Jiang Shan was already there waiting for her.
"Why are you dressed like this again?" Jiang Shan frowned and looked her up and down. "Where are all the clothes I bought for you?"
"They're all hanging in the closet, I'm afraid they'll get dirty when I'm drawing," Jiang Chuyu explained softly.
Normally, Jiang Shan might have turned a blind eye, but today was a special day, and Jiang Shan couldn't let Jiang Chuyu do whatever she wanted.
She turned to a stylishly bearded man next to her: "Kevin, it's all yours now."
Upon seeing Jiang Chuyu, Kevin's eyes lit up, like an artist seeing a rough gem waiting to be sculpted: "Miss Jiang has a very good foundation. You can rest assured leaving her in my care, Mr. Jiang."
For the next two hours, Jiang Chuyu was manipulated by the stylist like a porcelain doll.
She has good skin and fair complexion, but she looks pale and lifeless. Kevin did everything he could to make her look radiant and full of life.
Finally, Kevin's assistant pushed in a clothes rack with more than a dozen evening gowns hanging on it.
Jiang Shan got up and carefully selected a champagne-colored strapless dress: "This one will do, it looks fresh and elegant."
Jiang Chuyu changed into a formal dress and was pulled in front of the mirror by Kevin. The dress was perfectly tailored to fit her figure, showing off her beautiful shoulder and neck lines and collarbone. The clear and elegant champagne color made her skin look fair and her temperament gentle.
"Very good." Jiang Shan rarely showed a satisfied expression, and took out a velvet box from her bag. "Wear this."
Inside the box was an exquisite diamond necklace. Jiang Chuyu remembered that it was a token of love that her father had given to her mother years ago. Jiang Shan had never worn it after the divorce, but she also couldn't bear to sell it.
Jiang Chuyu hesitated: "Wouldn't this be a bit too high-profile?"
“What kind of occasion is this at the Qin family? We can’t be impolite. Besides, she’s my daughter, so naturally she should be the most dazzling one.” Jiang Shan personally put the necklace on her, then stepped back to observe her. “That’s more like it. Tonight, Old Master Qin might formally introduce Gu Zeming to everyone. You’re his girlfriend, so we can’t embarrass the Jiang family.”
Jiang Chuyu nodded: "I know."
She knew perfectly well that Jiang Shan's concern for her appearance for the first time wasn't out of love, but rather to curry favor with the Qin family and save face. After all, receiving an invitation to the Qin family's birthday banquet meant one was considered influential in their circle.
On the way to the hotel, Jiang Shan continued to remind him, "By being with Gu Zeming, you've offended Tang Xin and Qin Yao. I heard that Qin Yao suffered some kind of trauma abroad. Men like that are psychologically unstable, so be careful to keep your distance."
Jiang Chuyu looked out the window and softly hummed in agreement.
"However, if he takes the initiative to speak to you, you should respond politely. After all, he is also one of the successors of the Qin family."
"Okay." Jiang Chuyu nodded again.
The birthday banquet was held in the banquet hall of a five-star hotel.
When he was young, Mr. Qin was a famous entrepreneur in Beijing. When he held his birthday banquet, all the guests were business celebrities.
Jiang Chuyu followed Jiang Shan into the banquet hall. She looked around but didn't see Gu Zeming. Instead, she saw several other familiar faces: Li Sen's parents and Fu Yilin, who had once pursued Gu Zeming so passionately that it caused quite a stir.
Li Sen's parents seemed to have noticed Jiang Chuyu as well, their surprise barely concealed. Fu Yilin was even more direct, scanning Jiang Chuyu from head to toe with her gaze, a half-smile playing on her lips as she walked over with her wine glass, saying, "I didn't expect to meet you here."
Jiang Shan gently nudged Jiang Chuyu from behind, signaling her to answer properly.
Jiang Chuyu smiled and tried to make her voice sound natural: "I came as soon as I received the invitation to Grandpa Qin's birthday banquet."
Fu Yilin raised an eyebrow, as if she was about to say something, but was interrupted by a commotion.
Surrounded by several people, Old Master Qin entered the banquet hall with a beaming smile. Gu Zeming followed beside him, wearing a white shirt and black vest, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, his expression as always calm and aloof, a truly elegant and refined young nobleman.
Even the most basic clothes can be worn by him with an air of aloofness and nobility.
Jiang Chuyu was momentarily dazed.
When she first met Gu Zeming, he was a renowned top student in the school, aloof and handsome, with countless suitors, but he was very poor, working three jobs and occasionally collecting bottles to sell for money.
She was bewitched and seduced by him, thinking he was some pitiful person, only to find out in the end that it was all just a facade.
Her aloof, handsome, and tragic senior was a ruthless monster who would devour people without spitting out the bones. Once you got involved, you couldn't get rid of him. Jiang Chuyu's heart sank.
She had once desperately hoped that Gu Zeming was a rich man, but when he actually became richer than her, she felt inexplicably unhappy.
Indeed, a handsome and outstanding man is more lovable when he is both strong-willed and humble.
Jiang Chuyu sighed.
Her senior is no longer cute.
The birthday banquet proceeded smoothly according to plan.
After cutting the large cake, Grandpa Qin took the microphone from the emcee and said in a loud voice, "Thank you all for coming. Today, on the occasion of my old man's birthday, I would like to formally introduce someone to everyone." He gestured for Gu Zeming to step forward, "My eldest grandson, Gu Zeming. This young man has been working hard outside for several years and has now returned. I hope you will all take good care of him in the future."
All eyes were on Gu Zeming, and thunderous applause erupted.
He stepped forward calmly, bowed slightly, took the microphone, and said a few polite words of birthday wishes and thanks, without uttering a single slip-up.
Jiang Chuyu heard whispers around her.
"Didn't you say you were cutting ties with your family? Why are you suddenly back?"
"He's quite handsome, I wonder if he has a boyfriend?"
Then, a discordant voice drifted into my ears: "I heard that he had a girlfriend before, but she ran off with someone else because he was poor. He must have been traumatized, so he came back to fight for the family fortune and get revenge on his ex-girlfriend."
Jiang Chuyu's back stiffened.
Another person chimed in, "Really? Who's so short-sighted? Even if Gu Zeming ran away from home, his demeanor is unlike that of an ordinary person."
"Who knows? I heard that girl dumped him as soon as she found a better match. If she knew Gu Zeming would come back to inherit the family business, she'd be kicking herself."
The murmurs weren't loud, but they were clear enough that Jiang Shan's face instantly darkened.
Jiang Chuyu pursed her lips and pretended to be dead.
At this moment, several middle-aged men who were clearly trying to curry favor with Gu Zeming approached him.
"Young Master, you are exceptionally handsome; I'm sure many girls are enamored with you. Are you dating anyone?"
"If not, my niece just returned from abroad. How about we meet and get to know each other?"
Gu Zeming's lips curled up slightly as his gaze casually swept across the entire room, finally settling on Jiang Chuyu's direction.
"Sorry, I have a girlfriend." His voice was deep and cold, slowly reaching everyone's ears.
"Oh? Which family's daughter is she? Would we have the honor of meeting her?"
"certainly."
Gu Zeming walked through the crowd, step by step toward Jiang Chuyu, all eyes following him. The lights illuminated his sharply defined face; his brows and eyes were serene, his gaze unfathomable.
A scoundrel.
The word inexplicably popped into Jiang Chuyu's mind, and she was momentarily stunned.
Gu Zeming stopped in front of her and called her softly, "Chu Yu".
Jiang Chuyu looked up and met his gaze.
"What's wrong?" She smiled, her eyes crinkling.
She had imagined countless ways to interact with Gu Zeming, but this was the one she both rejected and hadn't expected. Even though they were so close, he felt like a stranger to her.
They had a brief but brilliant seven days together. It was the time when she loved Gu Zeming the most. They had to be careful even when holding hands, but she felt incredibly happy.
Now, looking at the person who once captivated her, she only feels terrified.
She had no idea what kind of person Gu Zeming would become in the future; all she knew was that the Qin family was not a place for humans.
Even a talented woman like Gu Zeming's mother had to go through a lot to marry into the Qin family, so even if Jiang Chuyu loves money, she still needs to be alive to spend it.
The boisterous banquet faded into a blurred background, and the whole world suddenly fell silent.
Gu Zeming calmly glanced at her face. Her slender fingers, holding the cup, curved into a gentler smile as she reached out her hand to her. "Come, I'll take you to see Grandpa."
Upon hearing this, the crowd that had been gossiping just moments before were immediately dumbfounded.
Li Sen's parents exchanged a glance, and in the end, they could only sigh.
Jiang Shan smiled and patted Jiang Chuyu's hand, her gesture urging him on: "Go ahead."
Jiang Chuyu hesitated for a moment, then gently took Gu Zeming's arm.
Gu Zeming smiled slightly and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "You look very beautiful today."
Jiang Chuyu snorted coldly: "Likewise, you're looking all respectable today too."
Gu Zeming chuckled and led her through the automatically parting crowd toward Old Master Qin.
"Grandpa, this is Chuyu, my girlfriend."
Old Master Qin took a sip of wine, slowly raised his gaze from above the rim of the glass, and leisurely swept it over before finally settling on Jiang Chuyu's face.
That gaze was heavy, making one feel uneasy for no reason.
Jiang Chuyu's throat tightened, she straightened her back slightly, met his gaze, and forced a smile: "Hello, Grandpa."
Seeing the barely perceptible hint of bravado in her eyes, Old Master Qin's brows relaxed slightly, and he said in a light tone, "She does have a pretty face, and she looks well-behaved, unlike that girl Sheng Ya, who's like a mischievous monkey and didn't even come back to see me today."
Jiang Shan smiled and agreed, "It's better for young people to be lively and energetic. My Chu Yu is just too dull."
Grandpa Qin nodded, glanced at Jiang Chuyu, and then said to Gu Zeming, "You two go have fun."
A simple sentence made the stagnant air around us start flowing again.
Jiang Chuyu quietly took a deep breath, knowing that she had passed this hurdle.
Banquets where celebrities gather inevitably involve socializing.
Afterwards, Jiang Chuyu, with a standard smile, walked around the banquet hall with Gu Zeming, feeling the hand on her waist tighten even more.
"Are you tired?" Gu Zeming asked her, looking down at her.
Jiang Chuyu shook her head; in reality, her ankles were so sore they were almost numb.
Gu Zeming seemed to see through her lie.
"I'll take you back."
The two tried to avoid the crowd and quietly leave the banquet, but were blocked by a chubby businessman.
"Young Master, Miss Jiang, congratulations!"
Thank you.
Gu Zeming handled the situation calmly, while Jiang Chuyu nodded and smiled in agreement. This scene had been repeated several times tonight.
She stole a glance at Gu Zeming; his profile was cold and hard, and his eyes held no warmth.
Just then, a flippant voice broke in.
"Brother and sister-in-law are indeed a perfect match."
Jiang Chuyu turned her head and saw Qin Yao leaning against the table, swirling a wine glass in his hand, his eyes lingering on her without any attempt to hide it.
She subconsciously moved closer to Gu Zeming.
Gu Zeming didn't move, but his eyes turned colder: "What is it?"
Qin Yao straightened up, moved closer, and stared intently at Jiang Chuyu's face.
"Just came to say hello. You look beautiful tonight, sister-in-law."
He winked at Jiang Chuyu, but Gu Zeming blocked his way.
Qin Yao withdrew his gaze and chuckled awkwardly, "I'm serious, brother, you're really lucky. I wonder if I'll ever have the luck to find a beauty like your sister-in-law."
That's going too far.
Several guests around cast curious glances at him.
Gu Zeming suddenly pulled Jiang Chuyu closer, his large hands gripping her lower back tightly, forcing her close to him with such force that it seemed he wanted to crush her.
She was completely immobilized by him, and couldn't help but turn her head to look at him, only to see that his face was calm and expressionless.
At that moment, someone suddenly exclaimed, "I heard that Gu Zeming's ex-girlfriend is her."
"No way, is it really that melodramatic?"
"Judging from the young master's appearance, he doesn't seem like he wants to get revenge on her. He's almost turned his brothers against each other because of her."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Chuyu felt so embarrassed that she wanted to find a hole to hide in. Thinking of the grievances she had suffered these past few days, a strange impulse welled up inside her.
She chuckled softly and looked at Qin Yao: "I had heard before that the young master of the Qin family was a rare young talent. After meeting you today, I can see that he truly lives up to his reputation. No wonder so many seniors think highly of you."
The moment the words were spoken, the air seemed to freeze.
Gu Zeming's fingers tightened slightly around her waist, but his expression remained calm and composed.
Qin Yao was visibly taken aback for a moment, then a smug look flashed in his eyes.
"Oh? My sister-in-law is still concerned about my affairs?" Qin Yao raised an eyebrow and gave Gu Zeming a provocative glance.
Jiang Chuyu's heart skipped a beat as she realized she had gone too far.
The two almost became a couple through an arranged marriage, and their backgrounds were already well-known. This current behavior almost seemed like deliberate flirting in front of Gu Zeming.
Jiang Chuyu didn't dare to look Gu Zeming in the eye, and could only brace herself and say, "I've only heard people mention it occasionally."
Gu Zeming suddenly chuckled and slowly took a glass of champagne from the waiter's tray and handed it to Qin Yao: "Go and keep Grandpa company now that you're here. Lawyer He was looking for you earlier. He recently took on a hit-and-run case. Go and find out what happened."
He spoke intimately and in a calm tone, as if he didn't take their words to heart.
Qin Yao's expression changed slightly, fearing that his lawyer would report his hit-and-run to Old Master Qin. He hurriedly made a phone call to find someone without even taking a glass of wine.
Gu Zeming returned the wine glass to its original position and glanced indifferently at Jiang Chuyu. "I'll deal with you later."
Jiang Chuyu broke out in a cold sweat, instinctively feeling that he was doomed.
A few minutes later, Gu Zeming led her to the next rest room and asked the waiter to bring over a pair of slippers.
"Change and I'll take you home."
The high heels Jiang Shan picked out for her were very pretty, but they rubbed her feet a bit. After half a day, her heels were rubbed raw and swollen.
Jiang Chuyu glanced at the slippers but didn't touch them.
Gu Zeming didn't say anything, and naturally squatted down, kneeling on one knee, to help her untie her shoelaces.
"Lift your feet up." His tone remained calm.
Jiang Chuyu paused for a moment, then did as instructed.
Gu Zeming gently held her ankle, and with his other hand he untied the straps of her high heels.
His fingers were long and strong, with distinct knuckles. His movements were gentle and meticulous. His fingertips lightly caressed the instep of her foot, and Jiang Chuyu's toes curled up slightly. For a moment, the room was so quiet that only their breathing could be heard.
Gu Zeming lowered his head, his handsome features half-hidden in the shadows, making him difficult to understand.
He remained consistently lenient towards her minor tantrums and lack of cooperation. Jiang Chuyu couldn't see his expression, but she wanted to see where his bottom line was.
The unease and anger in her heart didn't dissipate with his silent service; instead, it spread like ripples on a lake after a pebble was thrown in. He was always like this, using the most considerate actions to do the coldest things. She would rather he mocked her for being spoiled, or simply ignore her, than accept this inscrutable "gentleness."
So, just as Gu Zeming took off her right shoe and was about to put slippers on her, Jiang Chuyu suddenly pulled her foot back and, with all the strength she could muster, stomped on the back of his hand.
That's a very insulting pose.
Gu Zeming paused, then looked up at her.
"You hate me that much?"
Stomping on your toes with a high heel is a perfect way to vent your anger; even the toughest guy with the thickest skin would feel a pang of pain.
Gu Zeming did not immediately withdraw his hand; time seemed to freeze for a few seconds.
Jiang Chuyu felt a little uneasy, but more than that, she felt a sense of satisfaction, as if she had finally provoked him.
Gu Zeming looked at her silently. His dark eyes, which were always devoid of warmth, were now as calm as a deep, cold pool. Something flashed through them so quickly that she couldn't grasp it.
He wasn't angry, not even frowning, he just looked at her.
"Feeling better now?" His voice was even lower than before, carrying a distinct chill. "Only in situations like this do you even remotely resemble a living person."
The implication is that she only acts like a human being when she bullies him.
Jiang Chuyu was struck by his words and instinctively tried to pull her foot back, but his free hand suddenly grabbed her ankle.
"Let go!" she cried out in panic.
Gu Zeming ignored her and remained in a half-squatting position, using the hand she had stepped on to slowly and deliberately continue his previous actions.
Jiang Chuyu froze, not daring to move again.
Both shoes have been changed.
Gu Zeming held her ankle and gently stroked her slender joints with his fingers, a touch that sent shivers down Jiang Chuyu's spine.
Then, he released her feet and slowly straightened up.
Before Jiang Chuyu could even catch her breath, and before she could even see how he moved, she felt a shadow looming over her. The next second, she was flipped over and pushed to the floor-to-ceiling window.
Gu Zeming braced himself against the window with one hand to prevent her from escaping, while his other hand gripped her neck.
His thumb and forefinger were positioned on either side of her jawbone, with the web of his hand pressing against her neck. He controlled the pressure perfectly, giving her a suffocating sense of oppression and a deadly threat, yet without actually making it impossible for her to breathe.
This is a posture of absolute control.
Jiang Chuyu opened her eyes wide in terror and tried to struggle, but he pressed her body firmly against the window.
He lifted her face so she could clearly see their intertwined figures through the floor-to-ceiling window.
Such an intimate and wanton posture, just one glance and Jiang Chuyu's eyes reddened.
Before she could finish saying "Gu Zeming, you...", Gu Zeming suddenly turned her face and kissed her in that position.
His lips were slightly cool, but his breath was hot. His tongue pried open her teeth and plunged in, entwining and sucking.
All the emotions that had been suppressed, the cold anger at her provocation, the displeasure at her trying to break free of control, and the jealousy that was buried deep beneath a calm exterior but was about to burst forth, were all crushed in this kiss.
Jiang Chuyu initially struggled, trying to push against his chest, but his body was as hard as a wall. The hand gripping her neck tightened slightly, and the feeling of lack of oxygen made her dizzy and weak, leaving her powerless to scratch at his white shirt.
A banquet was being held next door, with elegant ladies and glittering wine glasses. But she was being plundered and taken advantage of by Gu Zeming here.
A strange feeling spread from the bottom of her heart, and all her senses were magnified infinitely. Jiang Chuyu felt a little scared for no reason.
Perhaps at this moment, Gu Zeming is the most authentic version of himself after shedding all pretense.
He was never a gentleman, nor was he her gentle senior.
After an unknown amount of time, just when Jiang Chuyu felt she was about to faint, Gu Zeming finally stepped back a little.
His forehead was pressed against hers, his breathing was heavy, and his hot breath sprayed on her cheek.
In those dark eyes so close to mine, the storm had not yet completely subsided; deep within lay a churning, thick darkness.
“Take another look at him, I’m not sure I’ll do anything,” he whispered, his voice slightly hoarse from the kiss, carrying a deadly sensuality.
Jiang Chuyu was panting, her eyes were red, and she couldn't speak, she could only stare at him.
Looking at her like this, the madness in Gu Zeming's eyes was gradually replaced by something deeper. He gently brushed his thumb across her slightly swollen lips, the gesture carrying a strange tenderness.
"Jiang Chuyu," he whispered close to her ear, "don't test my feelings for you."
After saying that, he released her.
The grip on her neck suddenly disappeared, and Jiang Chuyu's legs went weak, almost causing her to slip down.
Gu Zeming reached out and put his arm around her waist.
"I'll take you back."
His voice had returned to its usual indifference, as if the madman who had just grabbed her neck and forcibly kissed her was merely her hallucination.
Avoiding the crowd, Gu Zeming half-carried and half-supported Jiang Chuyu into the car, closed the car door, and went around to the other side to get in.
A few minutes later, the car smoothly drove into the night.
Jiang Chuyu leaned against the car window, watching the streetlights rushing past outside. The sensation and pressure of his fingers seemed to linger on her neck, and her lips were numb and swollen.
She secretly glanced at Gu Zeming beside her.
He was focused on driving, and his profile gave him an aloof and cold look, like an emotionless god statue.
Jiang Chuyu felt both angry and resentful, yet also a sense of indescribable trembling and... utter exhaustion.
She wanted to escape.
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