Chapter 65 (Not Here)
Countless "what ifs" flashed through Ruan Xingzhu's mind like cunning ghosts, gnawing at her heart that she had finally begun to calm down, leaving it hanging high like a kite swaying in the wind, teetering on the brink of collapse.
A gentle night breeze, like an invisible hand, rustled the treetops in the courtyard. In the quiet night, the sound was like a low, anxious melody, adding to the unease.
Ruan Xingzhu and Gu Qingsu fell asleep one after the other, enveloped in a sense of unease.
The next morning, as the dawn broke and the light crept up the windowpane, Ruan Xingzhu slowly awoke, the faint timidity hidden deep in her heart still lingering.
Only when she saw that it was dawn and was certain that Gu Yun'an had not come looking for her did her tense nerves relax slightly, as if receiving a command.
As if she had seized a rare chance to catch her breath, Ruan Xingzhu tasted the sweetness of this brief peace. In the following days, she was like a clever little fox, racking her brains to come up with all sorts of excuses, just to continue staying in Gu Qingsu's courtyard.
Meanwhile, in the tranquil Huai Residence, the clear sound of flowing water drifted intermittently into Gu Yun'an's ears.
He was sitting in the study, his eyebrows slightly raised, a hint of disdain and scorn in his eyes, when he asked, "Is she still with Xiao Wu?"
Upon hearing this, Sheng Que, who was waiting nearby, hurriedly and respectfully replied, "Young Master, Miss Ruan has been staying with the Fifth Miss these past few days."
Several days have passed, and Ruan Xingzhu has not returned to her own courtyard, remaining at Gu Qingsu's place.
What else could this be but blatantly hiding from me?
His eyes were slightly lowered, his thin lips parted slightly, and his tone was extremely calm, yet it exuded an air of authority: "Go tell her to come to Huaiju."
After he finished speaking, he paused, his slender fingers tapping silently and rhythmically on the table, as if he were pondering something. Then, his voice suddenly turned cold.
"If you don't come, don't blame me for going to get them myself."
Sheng Que felt a chill run down her spine, sensing the coldness in the young master's words. She dared not delay for a moment and hurriedly accepted the order to leave.
At that moment, Ruan Xingzhu was about to go out to fetch water when she inadvertently caught sight of Sheng Que's figure. Her light steps suddenly stopped, as if she had been tripped up by an invisible rope.
"Young Master wants Miss to go to Huaiju." Sheng Que knew the young master's temperament well, so she didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
After saying that, a stern look appeared on Sheng Que's face, and she truthfully conveyed the second half of Gu Yun'an's threatening words: "If the young lady does not go, the young master will come in person."
Ruan Xingzhu's fingertips tightened involuntarily. She blinked instinctively, realizing that she couldn't escape this time no matter what.
Torn between her feelings, she could only feign composure and give a curt reply.
She hastily made up an excuse to Gu Qingxu, and with a heart as heavy as lead, she embarked on the road to Huaiju.
Along the way, she felt as if she were in a swamp, every step she took was extremely difficult, her feet felt as if they were being dragged by a heavy weight, and every step seemed to use up all her strength.
With a heart pounding in her chest, Ruan Xingzhu stepped into Huaiju.
Gu Yun'an appeared to have just finished bathing, wearing only a black, gold-embroidered outer robe draped loosely over his body, revealing his delicate collarbone and large, muscular chest.
His hair was still slightly damp, with a few strands falling across his forehead, adding a touch of languor and allure to his already cold and aloof face.
Despite the sweltering heat of midsummer, Ruan Xingzhu felt a sudden drop in temperature as soon as she stepped into the room. Already dressed in light clothing, she shivered and instinctively rubbed her shoulders and arms.
The black robes worn by Gu Yun'an accentuated his aloof and unapproachable demeanor, making him appear as if he were a deity descended from the icy wilderness, untouched by the dust of the mortal world.
Ruan Xingzhu slowly walked to the courtyard, her steps stopping as if nailed to the spot.
Her fingers gripped the hem of her dress tightly, her fair knuckles turning white from the force. Her lips trembled slightly as she called out softly and nervously, "Fourth Brother."
Her gaze timidly drifted toward Gu Yun'an, her eyes trembling slightly uncontrollably.
That soft, sweet voice, like a gentle feather, drifted into Gu Yun'an's ears. However, he seemed not to hear it at all, offering no response whatsoever, as if Ruan Xingzhu did not exist.
His dark, deep eyes remained lowered, focused intently on the books on the table. The candlelight flickered around him, casting shadows that danced across his cold, handsome profile, outlining lines of light and shadow that added to his mystery and aloofness.
Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Ruan Xingzhu cautiously raised her eyes to look at him, and then wisely stopped making a sound, standing obediently in place, like a criminal waiting for judgment, not daring to breathe.
A gentle breeze drifted quietly through the window and into the room, playfully lifting Ruan Xingzhu's skirt slightly. The breeze, like a curious sprite, followed the direction of the skirt and brushed against Gu Yun'an's cold and stern face.
After a long while, the man slowly raised his eyes, his gaze falling on her standing straight and motionless, and a sneer rose in his heart.
Anyone who didn't know better would really think that I was deliberately making her stand here as punishment.
How much longer are you going to stand there?
His tone was clearly impatient, and his eyes held a hint of displeasure as he looked at her, as if blaming her for being slow-witted and clueless.
Ruan Xingzhu glanced over cautiously, her heart filled with conflict and struggle. She understood what Gu Yun'an meant, but when she thought of the intimate scenes between them that had made her blush, she was afraid that if she went over, he would do those embarrassing things to her again.
The house was quiet, with only the babbling of the water from the pond, which seemed like the ticking of time in the still atmosphere.
Seeing that she was still standing still, Gu Yun'an's cold face became even colder, his eyes as cold as ice blades as he stared at her, his tone carrying a naked threat.
"Do you want me to come and invite you?"
Ruan Xingzhu's body trembled violently at his icy words. Knowing she had no way out, she finally moved and slowly walked towards him, stopping beside him, still trying to make a final struggle.
"Fourth brother, I'm a little tired and want to go back to rest."
She spoke weakly, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, with a hint of pleading, hoping that Gu Yun'an would let her go this time because of her submission.
Gu Yun'an couldn't help but sneer. She thought to herself that Gu Qingsu was full of energy and didn't want to rest, but as soon as she got to her, she complained of being tired and wanted to go back to rest after standing for only a short time.
In this world, how can something so easily go as she pleases?
He slowly raised his eyes to look at her, and seeing the timid and pitiful look in her eyes, a feeling of tenderness inexplicably arose in his heart. The impulse was as if he wanted to hold the person in front of him tightly in his arms and cherish her fiercely before he would stop.
Ruan Xingzhu lowered her head and secretly glanced at him. She saw a slight smile on his lips. Then, Gu Yun'an's lips curled up slightly, and his long arm suddenly pulled her down towards him.
"ah!"
Ruan Xingzhu was startled by this sudden action and couldn't help but cry out. Her originally calm face instantly turned pale, like a huge stone being thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples to spread.
The next moment, her body fell straight into his arms. Instinctively, out of fear of falling, her fair forearms instinctively clung to his shoulders, and her panicked and helpless eyes timidly met his ambiguous gaze.
At this moment, Gu Yun'an's eyes seemed to burn with a raging fire, yet also concealed an endless depth, making Ruan Xingzhu feel flustered and confused.
Gu Yun'an lowered his eyes to look at the person in his arms and chuckled softly. His laughter seemed to carry a hint of allure, like a spring breeze gently stirring Ruan Xingzhu's heartstrings.
"Isn't it better to rest here?"
Ruan Xingzhu hurriedly avoided his burning gaze, trying to get up and escape from this embrace that made her both shy and nervous, but her waist was tightly held by Gu Yun'an, as if locked by a sturdy shackle, giving her no chance to break free.
Holding the person in his arms, Gu Yun'an felt as if a parched land had received rain, or a hungry wolf had spotted its prey, and couldn't help but bury his head in the crook of her neck. Having not seen her for many days, his longing for her surged like a tidal wave.
Feeling the constant warmth surrounding her neck, Ruan Xingzhu felt extremely uncomfortable and couldn't help but whisper to stop him, "Fourth Brother, it itches."
Little did she know that what she thought was an ordinary voice sounded like a coquettish whisper to Gu Yun'an, like the sweetest poison, making him even more unable to control himself.
Gu Yun'an buried his head even deeper, as if to fill every inch of her body with his scent. His thin lips slowly came to her already red ear, his voice both charming and seductive, as if possessing a bewitching magic.
Are you avoiding me?
His voice reached Ruan Xingzhu's ears, causing her to tremble as if she had been electrocuted.
She gently pressed her small hand against his chest, her voice low and soft as a murmur, and hurriedly denied it, "No...no."
Gu Yun'an smiled slightly and slowly approached her, his nose almost touching hers. Their breaths mingled, and they could almost hear each other's rapid heartbeats.
"No? Then why don't you dare come back?"
The hot breath brushed against her face, and Gu Yun'an's lips were so close. Although he had kissed her many times before, being this close still made Ruan Xingzhu's shame spread like a tide, turning her cheeks red all the way to her ears.
"Fourth brother..." she called softly, her voice tinged with panic and shyness, like petals trembling on a spring branch.
"Mmm..." Before she could finish speaking, her mouth was blocked. This time, Gu Yun'an used extra force, as if he wanted to pour all his longing and desire of the past few days into this kiss. The force was as if he wanted to bite her lips, urgent and passionate.
Ruan Xingzhu's waist was tightly held, and Gu Yun'an's breath was transmitted to her like a surging wave, causing her to blush and pant slightly.
The candlelight flickered, and the undisguised desire in Gu Yun'an's eyes caught her eye. His burning gaze seemed to set her on fire, causing her to involuntarily recoil.
Suddenly, Ruan Xingzhu felt something under her skirt and was jolted awake, realizing that he actually wanted to do this!
But this is his study, his usual workspace, where colleagues come and go all the time. How could he possibly work in a place like this...?
She hurriedly grabbed his wandering fingers with her small hand, her voice hoarse with nervousness and shyness, carrying a hint of pleading.
"Fourth brother, not here..."
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