Chapter 152: Where?
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
In order to gain her parents’ attention, Gu Ci had a slight tendency for self-infliction since childhood. She would hurt herself, hoping her parents would come to care for her. But they never did. Later on, her self-infliction turned into fights with her sister, Gu Chuyun.
Every time she fought with Gu Chuyun, it would at least capture the attention of her stepmother, Lu Man, and her stepfather, Gu Wenliang. It made them realize that there was another daughter at home besides Gu Chuyun.
From childhood to adulthood, Gu Ci never learned how to love herself.
So when Lu Zhiyuan proposed, she thought of it as giving up on herself. “Whatever, he can have me. I’m already like a walking corpse.” If he wanted her, he could take her.
Afterward, whenever she angered Lu Zhiyuan, she would habitually resort to self-infliction.
In her consciousness, the “suffering strategy” was more effective than the “beauty strategy.” If she used the “beauty strategy,” Lu Zhiyuan might not be affected, but the “suffering strategy” always worked. She had a slight tendency for self-infliction, and when Lu Zhiyuan approached, she would raise the white flag.
When Lu Zhiyuan ran toward her, Gu Ci’s eyes lit up. Amidst the misty rain, his silhouette appeared vague, yet she recognized him in an instant. The cold wind that numbed her bones gained sensation.
Her pale world suddenly had color.
“Lu Zhiyuan…”
Raindrops wet his hair and shoulders. Lu Zhiyuan pulled her along, talcing her under the eaves to shield her from the continuous autumn rain. He looked at her, angry and frustrated, in her disheveled state.
“You…” His anger rendered him speechless, leaving only a pair of furious eyes locked on her.
This had been the case since childhood!
She never knew how to cherish herself. Whenever she wanted to catch someone’s attention, she would inflict injuries upon herself first. Yet she never understood that people who didn’t care for her wouldn’t mind, even if she shed blood and tears.
Last time, Gu Yaozu’s beating gave her a concussion. Today, standing in the rain, she caught Lu Zhiyuan’s attention. His heart ached from her provocations, as if he had a heart condition.
“Have you calmed down?” Gu Ci innocently asked, her eyes also misty like the rain, deeply piercing his heart. “Lu Zhiyuan, don’t ignore me.”
Lu Zhiyuan pulled her back to their suite at the training base, turned on the heater, and filled the bathtub with warm water. He looked at Gu Ci coldly. “Go take a hot bath.”
Gu Ci stood still. Water droplets fell from her clothes onto the floor, pooling into a dark patch at her feet.
Lu Zhiyuan swept her into his arms horizontally and placed her in the bathtub. The warm water enveloped her limbs, and steam clouded her vision. Unable to bear her gaze, Lu Zhiyuan stood up to leave, but Gu Ci grabbed his wrist.
Her long hair spread over the water, her clothes clinging to her delicate body. Her eyes were moist, and she looked at him without speaking. Gu Ci knew precisely how to manipulate Lu Zhiyuan.
He gave in, sitting on the edge of the bathtub, but he refused to look at her.
When Lu Zhiyuan snapped back to reality, Gu Ci’s top was already torn by him, revealing her round and fair shoulder, bearing the bite mark he had left.
Lu Zhiyuan’s breathing grew heavy. He leaned against her shoulder, grinding his teeth against the bite mark as if he wanted to brand her with his own mark.
Lu Zhiyuan suddenly stiffened. The water, already cool, seemed to scorch his eyes. He raised his head to gaze into Gu Ci’s eyes, seeing a strong desire deep within.
Young as they were, they couldn’t control their physical temptations.
“What are you saying?”
“I like you, and I’m yours.” Gu Ci’s eyes held only him. “Do whatever you want with me, just as you wish.”
This was an overt suggestion. She only fell short of undressing in front of him. However, this half-revealed, half-concealed appearance was even more tantalizing. Lu Zhiyuan suddenly lowered his head and bit her shoulder.
Lu Zhiyuan roughly grabbed a bathrobe, wrapped her in it, and placed her in bed, covering her legs with the duvet, exposing only Gu Ci’s face.
He stood up and went to the kitchen to make ginger water. He spoke in a rough voice, “Drink this!”
Gu Ci held the steaming ginger water and drank it in one go. The warmth traveled from her throat to her heart. She placed the cup down and quietly looked at him, obediently complying.
Lu Zhiyuan’s voice was cold. “Once the rain stops, you can leave!”
“I won’t leave!” Gu Ci had finally seen him after so long. How could she leave? She knew that if she left, she would be walking into a dead end.
“Didn’t you say you’re pregnant?” Lu Zhiyuan stared at her face. “How many months? Where are you planning to give birth? What hospital? What name? Do you want a boy or a girl?”
Gu Ci hesitated, her ears reddening. “Can I get pregnant now?”
Lu Zhiyuan stared at her incredulously. Gu Ci whispered, “There’s still time.”
“GuCi!”
Lu Zhiyuan’s fury subsided, replaced by a cold calmness. He didn’t really believe she was pregnant. His anger wasn’t related to her being pregnant; it was a kind of painful longing he couldn’t attain.
It’s the despair of being unable to control one’s own body!
Through the covers, Gu Ci hugged him, her hands resting on his shoulders, her voice softer than her body. “Third Brother, I had a nightmare. I dreamt… I was lying in a pool of blood, a knife stuck in my chest. Would you kill me?”
Lu Zhiyuan stiffened all over, roughly pushing her away. Gu Ci fell onto the soft blanket. Lu Zhiyuan strode out of the room. Once he left, the look of weakness and grievance vanished from Gu Ci’s face, replaced by an air of calmness.
She glanced at her watch. It was already five-thirty.
Third Master was about to go online.
Li Jiang brought her a set of clean clothes and hot takeout, leaving them at the door without entering. Gu Ci changed into the clothes but had little appetite.
She asked Li Jiang, “Where’s Third Master?”
“He’s in an important meeting,” Li Jiang said. “He’ll come to see you later.” “Alright!” Gu Ci reluctantly believed Li Jiang. She opened the window; they were on the third floor, not too high or too low. The courtyard was beautifully landscaped, and after the rain, there was a refreshing scent in the air.
Gu Ci tilted her head, gazing at the night.
If Lu Zhiyuan were to stay away from her like this, what should she do?