Chapter 12: Punishment! Do I Still Have to Go Find That Six-Pack-Wearing Puppy Boy?

The next day.

Su Ruanruan woke abruptly from her sleep.

In truth, one does not feel fear while dreaming; it is only at the instant of waking that terror reaches its peak.

She blinked, clutching the soft, warm quilt tightly. Though comforting, it was still not enough.

Only the steady, warm, and powerful heartbeat of Gu Jinzhou could grant her a true sense of security.

She regretted having slept apart from him.

The maid said, “Young miss, you’re awake. This dress was personally chosen for you by the young master.”

“Oh.”

After washing up, Su Ruanruan donned a pink puff-sleeved long dress.

Her slightly pale face made her dark, moist peach-colored eyes stand out, resembling a frightened, pitiful little deer.

She asked, “Where is Brother Jinzhou?”

“The bond between the young miss and the young master has always been strong. As soon as you woke, you asked for him. This morning, Young Master Feng Yan came over; they’re in the tea room.”

“Mm.”

The maid added, “Young miss, the young master said you should finish your breakfast before going to see him.”

Su Ruanruan hesitated.

Gu Jinzhou’s words made it seem as if she could never be apart from him for even a moment! Yet, she truly longed for him now, to hold him close and draw warmth from his body.

“I’ll go to the tea room for breakfast,” she said.

The Gu family had many direct and collateral branches, thus many strict rules.

But Su Ruanruan was the apple of Gu Jinzhou’s eye; as long as he was influential, no one dared to neglect her.

—

Inside the tea room.

Gu Fengyan wore a Zhongshan suit, exuding a mature and reliable aura befitting his age.

His style of play reflected his character: calm and steady, unwavering despite pressure.

Gu Jinzhou played like wielding a knife—decisive, sharp, and imposing.

Against someone equally sharp and decisive, this game would have long been decided; Gu Jinzhou’s overwhelming momentum was unstoppable, leaving no rivals.

Yet, Gu Fengyan chose to counter strength with softness, though the white pieces under siege from the black ones revealed their vulnerable side.

—

Gu Fengyan’s mind was no longer on the game.

To him, the outcome was clear. In terms of cunning and wisdom, Gu Jinzhou was superior—truly worthy of being the future head of the Gu family.

He said, “We’ve been playing for half an hour. I regretted three of my moves, but you haven’t made a single mistake. You are one of the most level-headed people I’ve ever seen.”

Pausing, the refined and gentle man continued, “Someone as considerate and astute as you should see the essence of things at a glance without needing others to explain, or else it would be like showing off your skills before a master.”

Gu Jinzhou asked, “Third Brother, did you come here just to flatter me today?”

Gu Fengyan was momentarily speechless.

Uncle Changxiao really gave him a tough task!

“Jinzhou, although you and Ruanruan share no blood ties—she’s just an abandoned child you took in—you two grew up together. To the world, you are family.”

“If you insist on being with Ruanruan, no one will dare to interfere because of your status and power. But have you considered what she might face? Because of your selfish possessiveness, she could become a pariah in society, seen as a seductress.”

His words were polite enough; outsiders would speak far worse.

“Whoever separates me from Ruanruan will be my enemy,” Gu Jinzhou said fiercely, his eyes sharp as a poisoned blade, too intense to meet directly.

Gu Fengyan fell silent—he certainly couldn’t become his cousin’s enemy.

He only felt regret.

Jinzhou and Ruanruan each had perfect lives, yet they chose to challenge social morals, walking a thorny, muddy path together.

A soft knock came.

Su Ruanruan opened the door, greeted cousin Fengyan without hesitation, and slipped openly into Gu Jinzhou’s arms.

Gu Jinzhou looked surprised, his long, warm fingers gently rubbed her lower abdomen. “Your period’s early?”

“No, I had a nightmare. I’m scared.”

He stopped massaging her abdomen, picked up a shrimp dumpling with his chopsticks, and fed her.

Gu Fengyan said, “I have some calming incense; it works very well. I’ll have someone bring it to you tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Third Brother.”

One patient feeder, one obedient eater. Feeling like a third wheel, Gu Fengyan politely left the tea room, knowing staying would only be torture for a single man.

Su Ruanruan asked, “Why did Third Brother come?”

Gu Jinzhou replied, “He came to discuss something with me.”

Su Ruanruan frowned, “You usually talk about things in the study. Gu Jinzhou, are you hiding something from me?”

—

“No,” Gu Jinzhou answered.

She refused the shumai he tried to feed her, her beautiful, soft eyes sparking with tiny flames.

“All right, all right. Men always like to do things behind women’s backs. Just admit it—you’re going to some bar or club to look at beautiful women! I gave you my body, everything I have, and now you hide things from me to ogle other women? Fine, I’ll go admire some six-pack puppies!”

A moment of bravado brings delight, but the aftermath is a furnace of regret.

An hour later.

Su Ruanruan was fully fed in every sense.

Her face, once pale and haunted by nightmares, was now flushed with a healthy glow, radiant and enchanting like a little fox spirit revived by sunlight. Her lips were soft, full, and alluring.

Gu Jinzhou held her gently, his low voice cold yet deep. “Still want to go look at those six-pack puppies?”

She shook her head, too afraid.

“I didn’t really mean it. Just joking…”

He pressed his forehead to hers, soothing her with tender affection. “My naughty wife, I should have asked you first.”

A slap followed by a sweet word—he wasn’t truly sorry, only satisfied and happy.

Su Ruanruan found him exasperating.

“Gu Jinzhou, you still haven’t told me what Third Brother came to say.”

“He knows about us. Father sent Third Brother to persuade me to come to my senses. Don’t worry about it—I’ve already won him over.”

“Oh.”

Leaning against Gu Jinzhou’s chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, wrapped in safety, she felt completely relaxed. Even if the sky fell, she would not fear.

In the original story, no one in the Gu family opposed her being with Gu Jinzhou. When she sent the breakup message and stayed with the Su family, trying wholeheartedly to please them, the Gu family still reached out, hoping she would return to see Gu Jinzhou.

Su Ruanruan dared not think further. Could it be that Gu Jinzhou fell seriously ill, which is why he disappeared from the story later?

“Gu Jinzhou, don’t you think it’s time for a checkup? I feel like you’ve been lovey-dovey too often. That’s a disease! You should go to the hospital for an MRI!”

“...” Gu Jinzhou said, “Baby, I’m not sick. I had a checkup just ten days ago.”

Su Ruanruan sighed with relief. That was good.

Wait, ten days ago?

That was the very day she found him at the golf course. What a coincidence.