At the same time, inside the Fu Group offices, the man sitting in his leather chair frowned slightly at the notification lighting up his phone.
【Master Fu, the Old Madam’s membership card at Huangchao was just used for a transaction, but the Old Madam did not leave the house today.】
If it wasn’t his mother who swiped the card, then it could only be Li Qianqian. Logically speaking, his mother wouldn't disregard her health to go out drinking or seeking amusement, and logically, anything else was of no importance to him.
Nevertheless, Fu Huaishan picked up his phone and replied, 【Go and find out who it is.】
The assistant replied quickly, or rather, had already cleared up all the details the moment the card was swiped.
【It is the Second Young Mistress.】
Upon receiving the definitive answer, the look in Fu Huaishan’s eyes darkened.
In his mind, he subconsciously recalled the last time that woman had stared at him with bright, clear eyes and said, with apparent sincerity, that she simply missed Yunli and would keep her distance from him in the future.
***
"I’ll pay ten times the price. I want Gu Shinian’s time for today." As soon as Li Qianqian finished speaking, the receptionist’s expression changed instantly. She hadn't expected someone to be so extravagantly generous. "This... I need to ask my superiors. Please wait a moment."
"Alright."
The receptionist made a phone call to the back office, and when she returned, she was all smiles.
"Ma'am, our management says it’s fine. Would you like us to open a private suite for you?"
"No, I’m taking him out."
"Understood. You can take a seat on the sofa over there; I’ll go call Xiaonian right away." The receptionist complied. Since their business included off-site companionship, she didn't ask any further questions.
Not long after, the receptionist returned, followed by a slim, young man. He was wearing the standard Huangchao shirt uniform, a black leather belt cinched around his slender waist, and a chain hanging at his side, giving him an air of restrained sensuality.
When Gu Shinian saw that familiar face ahead, his steps faltered. He lowered his head, his loose bangs shielding his eyes, and no one noticed the hatred burning within them.
"Xiaonian, don’t be nervous. Although this lady is a first-time client, she is generous and well-mannered. I’m sure she won’t make things too difficult for you, and the tips will be good—it’s certainly better than going to Young Master Qi and dealing with his harassment."
"Besides, the hospital is pressing hard for your grandmother’s medical bills. I know you don't like entertaining female clients, but the situation is urgent."
The receptionist spoke earnestly. Having known about his family situation during the few months he had been there, she felt a measure of sympathy for such a pitiful young man and looked after him whenever she could.
"I know. Thank you, Sister Jie," Gu Shinian replied, his face devoid of expression as he looked up.
He stepped forward, walking toward Li Qianqian, his tall frame casting a shadow.
Gu Shinian couldn't help but think of the clause in his contract forbidding artists from taking outside jobs, and the exorbitant penalty for breach of contract.
His fingertips tightened, and he stopped behind Li Qianqian, his bloodless lips moving slightly.
"You were looking for me."
"Yes, come with me." Li Qianqian strode off, calculating in her mind how to discuss leaving Huangchao with Gu Shinian.
"Alright," Gu Shinian followed without hesitation, all too aware of the consequences if he were caught working outside by Li Qianqian.
He had been tricked into signing a twenty-year contract with no hope of ever getting ahead, and Li Qianqian could even flip-flop on her promise to pay his grandmother’s medical bills whenever she pleased.
Now, she even wanted to block his final path. The crushing weight on his shoulders came mostly from the woman in front of him.
He looked up at the oblivious face ahead, various dark thoughts flashing through his mind.
"Xiaonian, I..." Li Qianqian had just begun to speak when a large hand yanked her into the shadows of an alleyway.
Though Gu Shinian was thin, he was still a man of one meter eighty-eight. Standing at the entrance of the narrow alley, which could barely fit one person, he blocked out almost all the light.
His dark eyes stared fixedly at the woman who only reached his shoulder. He clutched the razor blade in his pocket, his grip tightening until his palm was sliced, though he seemed not to feel the sharp pain at all.
Gu Shinian said, word by word: "Li Qianqian, don't push me."
Li Qianqian couldn't see his expression clearly, but she could guess what he was thinking.
"I have already had someone renew the payments for your grandmother’s medical bills. I will fulfill the agreement I signed with you initially and continue the payments until she recovers and is discharged."
"You cannot go to Huangchao anymore. You have other scheduled commitments, and there will be conflicts in your time."
Hearing these words, Gu Shinian loosened his grip on the blade, unable to believe what he was hearing.
"Did you bring your phone? You can call and ask," Li Qianqian said, her tone remaining gentle. Even trapped in the dim, narrow space, her face remained calm.
Gu Shinian wouldn't doubt Li Qianqian on this matter. As vicious as she was, she had no interest in playing games with him; if she said she would pay, she would, and if she said she wouldn't, she wouldn't.
But he didn't understand—why?
Gu Shinian was stunned, his brain unable to process this influx of information, essentially crashing.
"I paid ten times the price for you, and you intend to keep me standing in this alley all night?"
Li Qianqian’s voice was cheerful, with no hint of reproach, her sweet, clear tone pleasing to the ear.
They were standing so close that when she spoke, it felt as though she were whispering right by his ear. Gu Shinian’s earlobes flushed slightly. Had Li Qianqian ever spoken to him so gently before?
No, never.
Despite the strangeness, he subconsciously stepped back to let her pass.
He lowered his eyes, thinking of what he had almost done just a moment ago, and the astronomical fee Li Qianqian had paid. He couldn't help but feel nervous. "I apologize, patron. I was in the wrong."
"So formal? Are you not calling me Sister Qianqian anymore?" Li Qianqian didn't take it to heart, her tone light and laced with a smile.
When she smiled, the corners of her eyes curved, and the moonlight reflecting on her profile made her look even more beautiful and moving, her red lips excessively alluring.
Gu Shinian looked away, feeling uncomfortable, his voice as quiet as a mosquito: "Sister Qianqian."
"Mm."
Their silhouettes were elongated by the streetlights. Li Qianqian was only teasing him; seeing that he had relaxed slightly, and knowing that too much pressure would put him back on guard, she decided to stop while she was ahead.
A gentle breeze blew over them, leaving only the sound of rustling leaves. Gu Shinian had never felt so unburdened.
He turned his head slowly to look at the woman beside him. He didn't know how long this temporary change in Li Qianqian would last, but as long as she was willing to honor it, he would take it one day at a time.
A sweet treat before the end was still a treat—it wouldn't fill his stomach, but it gave him the hope to keep walking.
"Click." The sound of a camera shutter caught their attention.
Li Qianqian turned sharply, spotting the direction of the shot, her voice turning cold: "Who's there?"
A group of young men walked toward them at a leisurely pace. Their polished leather shoes clicked against the ground, the sound echoing loudly in the desolate, narrow street.
The man in the lead, wearing a grey hoodie, lazily and nonchalantly put his phone away into his pocket. In his other hand, which looked as smooth as white jade, he held a cigarette.
As the wisps of white smoke drifted upward, Qi Zechuan’s face became flickering and indistinct. He chuckled softly, his tone seemingly gentle but hiding a blade.
"I wondered who was so bold as to intercept my plaything. So it’s sister-in-law? Instead of sending gifts to my infirmary, you've taken to snatching people now?"