Chapter 15: Crimson Lips

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As Gu Yao sat in the car, she sent a text to Yi Xun, telling her she had to leave early due to some matters. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of several young boys carrying musical instruments, heading toward the back door of a bar.

Among them, Gu Shisheng was the tallest. His slender, upright frame wore a loose black cotton T-shirt paired with ripped jeans. On his head sat a deep blue bucket hat, and a large guitar was slung over his shoulder, giving him a striking appearance.

He was laughing and talking with those around him, a small dimple appearing on his side profile. The energetic look was a stark contrast to the rebellious troublemaker he was at school.

Gu Yao glanced at him a few times before lowering her head to light up her phone. The time displayed was nine in the evening, and if nothing unusual had happened, he should have been in class attending night study at this hour.

She didn’t get out to call him back but watched quietly for a while before telling the driver to move on. If her mother found out, she would surely lose her temper, storming both the bar and the school, stirring unrest everywhere.

Therefore, Gu Yao had no intention of telling her mother, nor did she plan to stop Gu Shisheng from doing this. It was rare for him to have found a hobby of his own, which was a good thing. At least he had an outlet to vent when feeling frustrated; otherwise, staying at home would drive him insane sooner or later.

Outside, the night was already deep, yet the streets remained bustling. Neon lights of various colors flickered in turn, and the blaring of car horns and the chatter of passersby filled the air.

The bodyguard sitting in the front passenger seat sat up straight, his profile taut like a smooth slate.

Gu Yao rested her elbow on the back of the seat in front of her, looking around bored before fixing her gaze on the young man’s cheek.

“Hey, why so tense? Relax, no one’s sneaking up on you.” Recognizing him as one of the men who had blocked her earlier, Gu Yao smiled and deliberately teased.

The bodyguard remained rigid, only replying slowly after a moment, “Work mode. It has to be this way.”

Seeing his stiff demeanor, Gu Yao lost interest. She hadn’t eaten since the afternoon and was starting to feel hungry. Luckily, there was a street of snack stalls nearby, so she knocked on the car window: “Stop here for a bit.”

She had now realized that as long as she didn’t deliberately act out of line, these bodyguards would try to accommodate her.

So, swaggering out, she led the bodyguards to stroll along the snack street. They reached the end without finding anything substantial to eat—just grilled cold noodles, skewers, fries, and the like. What she truly needed was a staple, preferably rice or noodles.

With no other choice, she picked a barbecue stall and stood by it. Disliking meat as being unclean, she ordered some vegetable skewers. After they were grilled, she took them slowly, savoring each bite.

This delay lasted over half an hour.

The bodyguards behind her showed signs of impatience but dared not hurry her, only quietly reporting into their earpieces.

Gu Yao noticed but deliberately slowed down even more. Su Yu was waiting at home, wasn’t he? Let him wait a little longer.

Finally full, they all got back into the car and set off again.

Once inside, Gu Yao was taken directly to the top floor. Holding a tight feeling in her chest, she naturally did not refuse. She tidied her hair and stepped out of the elevator.

The living room was brightly lit. Sitting on a wide sofa in the center was a tall man in a perfectly tailored suit. His jacket was neatly hung aside, his white shirt sleeves rolled up slightly, revealing strong forearms.

He sat comfortably, his long legs crossed, large hands folded with thumbs raised, occasionally tapping his leg lightly. He seemed to have been waiting for some time but showed no sign of impatience.

From the moment Gu Yao entered, his gaze quietly followed her, eyes inscrutable, lips lightly pressed together, yet he didn’t initiate conversation.

Gu Yao raised an eyebrow. Since he was unwilling to start the talk, she would do so herself.

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She slowly approached, leaning slightly so their eyes met. Smiling faintly, she stared at him for a while before suddenly reaching out with slender fingers to gently tap his chin.

“Sir, sitting here waiting for me—are you hoping to share a drink?”

Her lips curled up in a regretful smile. “Too bad, you’re a bit old. I prefer someone younger.”

The woman carried a faint scent, a mix of shampoo and body wash, mingled with traces of alcohol and barbecue spices—both earthy and intoxicating.

Her delicate face was close, eyes shimmering like water.

Su Yu tilted his head slightly, clearing his throat before speaking evenly, “Speak plainly.”

Her fingers felt a slight prick; Gu Yao withdrew her hand, noting he must not have shaved properly these days.

Disgusted, she rubbed her fingers and straightened up, regaining her usual cold expression.

“What right do you have to control me? Just because I live in your house, you treat me like your personal possession?”

Her sudden shift in tone changed the atmosphere from ambiguous to tense.

Su Yu remained steady in his seat, calmly responding, “Sorry, these are special times. I have to restrict you from doing dangerous things.”

“Give me a break. Do you really think I’d believe such excuses?” Gu Yao interrupted. The more he acted like this, the angrier she became.

Suddenly recalling something, she crossed her arms and sneered, “Don’t tell me your orders for the bodyguards have no selfish motives? You’re quite interested in me, huh? First, you found excuses to touch my head, and now you’ve got a whole team following me around, managing every move. What’s the matter? Am I that irresistible?”

Her expression grew colder as she spoke, about to turn and go back inside, when Su Yu unexpectedly said, “So what if I am? Is that not allowed?”

He admitted it so frankly that Gu Yao was caught off guard. She turned back to look at him.

“If that’s the case, please keep those thoughts to yourself. I’m not interested in you. The reason I live here is because I need your protection. Your uncle’s people want to harm me; I can’t handle it alone. If I reported it, no one would believe me. So this is the only way.”

Having said that, she felt oddly irritated, stormed back to her room, and slammed the door.

After sitting on the bed for a while, she stood and stretched, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. Why was she hiding? She almost felt guilty.

She rummaged through her suitcase for some time, found her workout clothes, changed, then went downstairs and asked someone, “Where’s the gym?”

The person quickly pointed the way. Gu Yao nodded and spotted Su Yu discussing something with his subordinates. She strode past him confidently.

Her ankle was no longer seriously injured but not ready for intense exercise. She sat on an upper-body machine, half-lying on the bench, slowly pushing up a barbell.

After a few reps, she grew tired, shook her hands, and was about to switch machines when someone suddenly placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Your form is wrong. Try again,” Su Yu’s voice came from above. He had entered quietly without her noticing.

Gu Yao ignored him, trying to stand, but his strong hand pressed her still.

“Let go,” she frowned.

“I’m just coaching you. What’s there to fear?” Su Yu’s voice carried a hint of amusement.

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Knowing this was a provocation, Gu Yao still frowned, “What are you saying? Who’s afraid?”

“Then do as I say. Try again.” His large hand pressed on her back, guiding her, “Don’t tense your back so much. Relax and rise slowly with your breathing.”

Though unwilling, Gu Yao complied. Soon she realized it felt much easier, and the fatigue and soreness from before disappeared.

“Now do five more,” Su Yu instructed.

This time she didn’t argue and obediently complied.

After that set, Su Yu helped her stand and move to another machine, asking, “Do you go to the gym often?”

“Not bad. Once or twice a week,” Gu Yao replied thoughtfully.

“Do you have a coach?”

“Yes... but I didn’t like their hands being too intrusive, so I sent them away.”

“Oh, no wonder.” Su Yu nodded. “Your form is very improper. If you keep this up, you won’t get fit and might injure yourself.”

They settled by a machine requiring standing lifts, which also engaged the lower body. Su Yu stood behind her, supporting her body to share some of the effort.

Unconsciously, they grew close. Her back pressed against his chest; she could feel his warmth and the hard textures of his muscles.

After a set, Su Yu’s hands reached forward to rack the weights, then gently grasped her waist and turned her around, bringing them face to face.

This brought Gu Yao nearly into his embrace, but strangely, she did not resist. Fatigued from exercise, she was slightly breathless.

The next second, his strong hands tightened around her waist, and she instinctively leaned forward, closing the gap between them.

His grip didn’t loosen. He lowered his head, warm breath brushing her ear. About two centimeters from her cheek, he paused slightly, then pressed his lips to the skin beside her mouth.

After a brief moment, he slowly lifted his head, rough fingertips twirling her red lips. His voice was hoarse:

“I don’t like the smell of barbecue.”

Then he withdrew, stepped back, and stood steady, silently watching her.

Gu Yao instinctively raised her hand to wipe her lips, still feeling the softness and coolness of his mouth. She looked up at him, bit her lip, but said nothing.

They stared silently at each other for a few seconds. Su Yu smiled faintly and spoke first:

“So this is what you call disinterest? Before I lowered my head, I gave you plenty of time to resist, but you never reacted. Are you scared? Frozen in place? That’s not like you, from what I know.”

After waiting a moment and seeing Gu Yao remain silent, he continued leisurely:

“In my opinion, whether you like someone isn’t accurately shown by words—it’s your body’s instinctive reaction that’s most truthful. Don’t you agree, Gu Yao?”

As he spoke, the man raised a hand and pointed to his lips, his fingers slender and well-defined.