Chapter 29: Even Kneeling in the Ancestral Hall Could Not Stop Gu Jinzhou from Flirting

When Li Shaojue walked into the Xitulanya restaurant, he was already late. Before Su Lan’er could lose her temper, he handed her a Patek Philippe watch box.

"A peace offering."

"I’ll forgive you this time, but don't be late again."

In front of her fans, Su Lan’er cultivated the persona of a pure, ethereal, and naturally beautiful fairy. In front of Li Shaojue, she played the part even more, acting as delicate and coy as possible, knowing he favored it.

Su Lan’er tasted a piece of top-tier steak and remarked casually, "I heard Su Ruanruan is working at Longteng Entertainment? No wonder she has the confidence not to come home. It’s pitiful; Mother is nearly sick with anger because of her."

She was hinting for Li Shaojue to fire Su Ruanruan so that she would be unable to find work in Hong Kong.

Li Shaojue said in a flat tone, "She is very professional at dancing."

Su Lan’er’s expression changed. "You’ve watched her dance? Are you bewitched by her? If you like her so much, why are you here having dinner with me? Go eat with her instead!"

Li Shaojue’s face turned cold. Clad in an expensive, well-pressed blue suit vest, his demeanor became deeper and more somber. He replied emotionlessly, "Lan’er, I enjoy it when a young lady is charming and coy, not when she is shrewish."

Shrewish?

Su Lan’er, who had always been held in the palm of his hand, had never suffered such a grievance. Furious and indignant, she grabbed her bag and stormed out.

***

The moon was bright and the stars were sparse.

Gu Jinzhou had worked a little overtime at the office. Su Ruanruan had stayed behind in the dance studio for extra training and had eaten dinner there. She rushed into Gu Jinzhou’s arms, still carrying the warmth of the outdoors.

Gu Jinzhou patted her head and instructed the driver to head to the old family estate.

Su Ruanruan asked, "What if Mother doesn't approve of us? Father isn't very supportive either."

Gu Jinzhou interlaced his fingers with hers, his voice slightly husky as he spoke with doting affection: "They will agree. I will handle everything."

"Gu Jinzhou, you’ve been talking a lot today. Drink some water."

"Feed me, Ruanruan."

"Can you be serious for once?"

The elegant and refined man raised an eyebrow, continuing in his husky voice, "When you were too weak to move, I was the one holding you and feeding you water. It’s only fair."

Su Ruanruan’s face flushed scarlet. She took a sip of water and pressed her moist lips to his to feed him. Gu Jinzhou chuckled.

"I meant you could just feed me with the water bottle."

Su Ruanruan pinched his thigh through his expensive, thin-fabric trousers, then calmly fed him the water. Gu Jinzhou let out a muffled grunt, his voice magnetic and raspy: "Little shrew."

"Gu Jinzhou, were you scolding me in your heart?"

"No. I wouldn't dare scold my darling."

***

Gu Jinzhou didn't mind appearing vulnerable in front of Su Ruanruan, because he could gain so much more in return. He tilted her chin upward, and his skillful kiss was intoxicating and nostalgic. Before long, the girl with the slender waist was pressed against him, her eyes damp and shy, yearning for him to continue.

Gu Jinzhou’s gaze deepened. If they weren't on their way to the family estate, he would have devoured her entirely.

***

At the Gu residence, Madam Gu had been abroad inspecting the family businesses for over a month. Upon returning home, she had hoped for a good rest, but the twins she had given birth to seven years ago were jumping around like little maniacs. Then, she learned about the situation between her eldest son and Ruanruan.

She was so angry she felt a lump forming in her breast.

Madam Gu was furious with the pair, but when she saw Ruanruan, her joy was irrepressible; only Gu Jinzhou was the object of her annoyance.

Gu Jinzhou stood to the side, indifferent, his brow cold and stern as he cast a faint glance at the screaming, parkouring twins. Gu Xiyuan and Gu Tiaoxi looked up at their older brother in terror, their eyes brimming with tears, and they froze in place, letting out even shriller screams.

Madam Gu hurriedly called the servants to carry the twins back to their rooms. She had wanted to use her eldest son’s authority to discipline them, but he was far too cold and ruthless; she feared he would frighten the children out of their wits. It seemed that aside from Ruanruan, she had never seen her eldest son show concern for any other child.

"Jinzhou, go outside and have a cigarette," Madam Gu said.

Gu Jinzhou raised a brow and left the living room. His tall, lean silhouette was that of a refined young master built from centuries of wealth and tradition. Madam Gu had once pridefully wondered what kind of woman could possibly be worthy of her son. She had thought of everyone, but she had never once considered Ruanruan.

"Ruanruan, I will only ask you one thing: did he force you?"

Su Ruanruan shook her head. "I love him."

***

Gu Jinzhou had quit smoking a long time ago, but he occasionally had one. White smoke obscured his handsome, sharp features. He blew smoke rings with a sense of restless agitation, his innate air of nobility unable to be hidden even by his melancholy.

He feared no opposition; he would rather die than be separated from Su Ruanruan. But he was afraid she would waver.

When Gu Jinzhou returned inside, the room was empty.

A servant said, "Young Master, Madam has decreed that you and the young lady are to sleep in your respective rooms. The young lady has retired, and you are not allowed to enter her room."

If he couldn't use the front door, he would use the window.

Su Ruanruan was sitting on the large pink bed, texting Gu Jinzhou to tell him to be patient and that it was only one night apart. Suddenly, there was a sound from the balcony.

Gu Jinzhou landed gracefully, like a nimble leopard.

Su Ruanruan exclaimed, "Why did you come in through the balcony? This is the second floor! What if you fell?"

Before Gu Jinzhou could speak, he was hit in the face by a bra and pair of panties hanging on the balcony. The servants had likely washed their intimate apparel upon their arrival. Since Gu Jinzhou was the one who handled the chores at home, he instinctively reached out to take them down.

"Ruanruan, I made you a glass of milk."

Madam Gu walked in, only to see her eldest son holding a bra in his left hand and underwear in his right. Her kind smile froze on her face.

"Gu Jinzhou!"

Madam Gu was furious and ordered him to the ancestral hall to reflect on his actions. Su Ruanruan tried to intercede, but it was useless. Gu Jinzhou signaled for her not to worry before heading to the hall.

Gu Changxiao arrived after hearing the news. He felt the punishment of kneeling in the ancestral hall was too severe and that his wife was making a mountain out of a molehill.

Madam Gu rubbed her temples, hesitating. "I... I don't know what is wrong with me. Whenever I see Jinzhou and Ruanruan together, I get extremely angry. For some reason, I just don't want to see them together."

Gu Changxiao massaged his wife's shoulders and whispered, "I know. I understand how you feel. Although Ruanruan isn't our biological daughter, you have always treated her as your own, which is why you can't accept her being with Jinzhou. But they are truly in love. Do you really expect us to tear them apart?"

Madam Gu countered, "Why can't we tear them apart?"

Gu Changxiao looked as if he had heard something insane. "What?"

Upon hearing this, Su Ruanruan quietly slipped away. She didn't know if Madam Gu truly couldn't accept it, or if she was being controlled by some novel plot, determined to force her and Gu Jinzhou apart and drive her back to the Su family.

***

Su Ruanruan went to the ancestral hall. She wanted to kneel in penance with Gu Jinzhou, but the man pulled her onto his lap.

The two stared at each other in silence for several minutes. Finally, Su Ruanruan curled her lips into a smile, her soft laughter bringing a touch of vitality to the solemn hall. Seeing her smile, the weight in Gu Jinzhou’s eyes lifted.

"Let me go first. This position is so strange. Aren't your legs sore?"

Gu Jinzhou responded nonchalantly. After a pause, he curled his lips into an elegant, roguish smirk. "I’ve never tried this position before. Let’s try it in bed another day."

Su Ruanruan’s face burned. Shame-filled tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, "Your ancestors are all here. Please show some respect."

Gu Jinzhou replied, "How is procreating not showing respect? I couldn't be more respectful."