Chapter 12: Heartless

The man exuded a strong presence, but Gu Yao did not back down. Reaching her limit, she smiled coldly. “Mr. Su, I have always believed that no one can truly protect others. People must learn to protect themselves. Take you, for example—you promised me just a few days ago that you would never let me be in danger. Yet, my car was tampered with, and I almost lost my life.”

“If I had been more decisive at the time, maybe this wouldn’t have happened,” Su Yu argued stubbornly.

Gu Yao bit her lip in frustration. “So, by your logic, you want to tie me to your belt like a trinket?”

“If you’re willing,” he raised an eyebrow.

“But I’m not willing!”

“Here, watch this video.” Suddenly, Su Yu looked down, took out his phone, and opened a playback screen.

The footage was taken from a hidden angle, likely filmed secretly, and the image wavered occasionally, but the content was clear. A familiar street scene showed several rough-looking thugs patrolling with sticks, scrutinizing every passing woman.

“This is right below my building, but these people are strangers—I’ve never seen them before,” Gu Yao leaned in to look, frowning quickly.

“This was filmed by my people this afternoon. The threat is more than just some random passerby. The hospital has security, so they couldn’t make a move there, so they chose to lie in wait near your home,” Su Yu said, pointing at the screen a few times.

“What exactly do they want? Just because I’m having surgery, they wouldn’t want to kill me, right?” Gu Yao pressed her fingers to her forehead, utterly annoyed.

“They’re not specifically trying to kill you, just trying to create an accident. As for the outcome or the harm you might suffer—they don’t care.”

“Damn it, this is just outrageous.” Her voice lowered as she cursed involuntarily, pushing herself up from the car door, holding out her hand. “No need to carry me. We’re just acquaintances—being so close all the time isn’t appropriate. Just help me up.”

After a moment’s thought, she asked, “Are there many security personnel here? It can’t be just you, right? Otherwise, it wouldn’t be much different from me choosing to go home alone.”

“Don’t worry, there are plenty. It’s very safe,” Su Yu followed her inside.

“You should have shown me that video earlier,” Gu Yao shook her head. Once inside, she noticed there were quite a few people.

About twenty were seated around a table, loudly discussing something—it looked like a meeting. In a corner, several tall men dressed in black were casually playing cards; these were the bodyguards Gu Yao had seen a few days ago.

“This is a secret office space. The company holds important discussions here because it’s safer,” Su Yu explained behind her.

The conversation ceased as the people inside stood and greeted him, “Hello, President Su.”

“Hm, let me introduce you. This is Gu Yao, Doctor Gu,” Su Yu nodded toward the group.

Gu Yao nodded in return, acknowledging the greeting. Then, he led her upstairs. “The top floor is my private area. They usually aren’t allowed up here. There’s a kitchen and bathroom. If you don’t want to see them, you don’t have to go downstairs.”

He pressed the elevator buttons, entering a code and stopping at the fourth floor.

The elevator doors opened quickly, revealing a completely different décor—sleek and bright with a bold black-and-white palette, giving a strong, stylish impression.

Gu Yao glanced around, pleased. At least the style suited her taste—her own home was similar, with no unnecessary furniture, making the space feel large and tidy.

“Where’s my room?” She looked at him without hesitation, yawning slightly, clearly tired.

“There.” He pointed to a door.

She walked straight over and stepped inside, about to close the door when a large hand stopped it.

“What?” she turned, irritation evident.

Leaning against the wall, Su Yu looked down at her ankle. “The doctor said to apply a cold compress.”

“Oh, really?” She gave a perfunctory reply, evidently forgetting and intending to sleep.

“Wait inside.” He went to the kitchen to fill a bowl with ice, then returned with a towel wrapped around it and bent down to place it on her ankle.

“No need, I’ll do it myself.” Sitting on the bed, Gu Yao lightly touched his arm and pushed him away, taking the ice. “You can leave. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Pointing to the door, she added calmly, “Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Su. The door is over there.”

Su Yu said no more, turned, and closed the door behind him. Soon, he heard the lock click.

Glancing at the door, he returned to his room.

They had known each other for some time now, yet this woman still called him “Mr. Su,” subtly warning him not to cross boundaries—even though he had just carried her from the hospital and rushed back from out of town upon hearing she was injured.

What was that called? Heartless.

In his room, he rifled through his wardrobe, pulling out a few clean clothes he rarely wore and tossed them onto the black leather sofa in the living room, leaving a note for her: “Change of clothes. Make do with these.”

He then took the elevator downstairs, where the meeting at the table was still ongoing. Clapping his hands, his expression sharp, he announced, “Plans have changed. I’m moving forward early.”

At around 4 p.m., Su Xingshui received a call.

He was lying on a large bed in his villa, embracing a young woman and peacefully asleep after some exercise, feeling weak and unwilling to get up.

Irritated, he grabbed the phone and answered groggily, shouting, “Didn’t I tell you not to disturb me today?”

Upon hearing the other side, he suddenly snapped awake, sat up, and demanded, “What’s going on? Are you all incompetent?”

“Darling, go back to sleep,” the girl murmured softly, resting on his shoulder.

“Go away and sleep yourself,” he said impatiently, pushing her off, barefoot as he dressed quickly.

Hurrying out the door, he froze.

Several police officers stood outside, faces stern. “Are you Su Xingshui? Based on complaints, you are suspected of leaking trade secrets and illegal appropriation of company property. Please come with us.”

Even after getting into the police car, Su Xingshui was stunned. He had been very careful to keep these things secret. How had someone reported him?

Known as an honest man, Su Xingshui could no longer pretend. Gritting his teeth, he said harshly, “This is a deliberate frame-up. I demand to see my lawyer.”

Meanwhile, at the headquarters of Hangsheng Group, Su Xingshui’s office was being searched. Computers and files were sealed as evidence.

Employees on the same floor, uneasy, watched from a distance, the atmosphere tense.

Seated in the CEO’s office, Su Yu toyed with a pen, deep in thought.

“President Su, here are the documents you requested,” Secretary Qin knocked and entered, placing the files down but hesitating to leave.

“What is it?” Su Yu looked up.

“President Su, you said before you wanted to gather all the evidence to deliver a crushing blow to Su Xingshui, one he could never recover from. Why move the plan forward?”

“I changed my mind. Though the blade may be duller, stabbing repeatedly hurts the most,” the man leaned back, lips curling slightly. His expression was calm but his words were cruel.

“Tell everyone to rest. A tough battle is ahead.” Checking the time, he stood and walked out.

Back at the villa, Su Yu went straight to the fourth floor. The living room was quiet. He frowned. Had Gu Yao left?

Suddenly, a sound came from the kitchen. A woman emerged, wearing an oversized white shirt, hair tied back, face bare of makeup, her delicate features pale and cool.

His gaze lingered on the long legs beneath the shirt before he looked up to her. “Where are your pants?”

“Underneath. I altered your sweatpants into shorts,” Gu Yao lifted the shirt slightly, revealing the short bottoms, the waistband tightly cinched, her waist slender.

Leaning against the kitchen doorframe, she asked lazily, “Have you eaten?”

“No,” Su Yu raised an eyebrow, casually hanging his jacket aside. “And?”

“And?” She shifted slightly. “I haven’t eaten either. You should cook.”

Her tone was matter-of-fact.