WWML 03

chapter 03

Gu Qingning lifted her head to glance out the window. The bloodshot red in her eyes gradually turned to frost, and a trace of sharp cruelty curled at the corners of her brows and lips.

She was not the kind of person to leave a grudge unsettled.

When she stepped out of the bathroom, she immediately noticed a strange presence in the room.

Her brows furrowed as her cold, piercing gaze shot toward the man sitting calmly on the sofa.

His posture was elegant and composed. Even in a simple outfit of white shirt and black trousers, he carried himself with an air of innate nobility.

Her eyes moved upward, landing on a face so strikingly handsome that it seemed almost unreal.

Sharp brow bones, clean lines, and a deep pair of cold eyes that hid dangerous edges beneath their calm surface. His thin lips curved with an almost playful smirk.

But—

This face looked familiar.

Gu Qingning frowned, trying to recall.

Then, a flash of realization struck her—she had seen that face before on one of those men’s computers.

The only heir of the prestigious Fu family in the capital—Fu Juncheng.

A man reputed to be very difficult to deal with.

When she lifted her gaze again, their eyes met squarely in the air.

There was a faint glint of mystery and danger in his dark pupils as his thin lips parted, his tone edged with teasing.
“Do you plan to keep standing there like that?”

Gu Qingning looked away and stepped closer. “Can you lend me a car?”

Straight to the point—she wasn’t being polite at all.

Fu Juncheng’s lips curled, his slender fingers tapping lightly on his knee. “Are you sure you want to go back looking like that?”

After a brief pause, his tone shifted casually. “There are clothes in the bag on the table. The bottle inside can wash off the paint on your body.”

Following his gaze, she saw a white paper bag placed on the vanity.

Gu Qingning gave it a glance, then looked back at him and asked bluntly, “Why are you helping me?”

Fu Juncheng leaned back, his long legs crossing with relaxed arrogance. “A good deed for the day. Might as well help all the way.”

The reason was far too perfunctory—it made her want to laugh. Still, she reached for the bag, turned, and walked back into the bathroom.

“Thanks.”

Whatever his reason, she was broke and had nothing worth scheming over anyway.

As the bathroom door closed, Fu Juncheng retracted his gaze, amusement flickering in his eyes.

Bold little thing.

Before long, Gu Qingning emerged again, looking fresh and clean.

Sensing his steady gaze on her, she turned her head slightly.

“Why are you still here?”

Fu Juncheng smirked. “This is my place.”

Gu Qingning didn’t respond, walking over with unhurried, almost careless steps.

Her movements were calm and natural—completely free of awkwardness.

As she drew closer, the faint fragrance of her shower gel drifted through the air.

The dark trousers and blue shirt she wore were a bit loose, and her rolled-up sleeves gave her a kind of effortless freedom.

Fu Juncheng subtly averted his gaze, a shadow of something unreadable flashing deep in his eyes.

Stopping across the coffee table from him, Gu Qingning looked him squarely in the face.

Her black eyes glowed with a sharp brilliance. “I—”

As if he already knew what she was about to say, Fu Juncheng interrupted her. “You can borrow a car—but stay here for two days. Rest up. I’ll have someone send you back after that.”

Gu Qingning froze for a moment, then eyed him suspiciously.

She didn’t believe in pies falling from the sky—good fortune didn’t come for free.

Seeing the guarded look in her eyes, Fu Juncheng’s smile deepened.

He rose to his feet, his tall, commanding figure radiating a chilling dominance.

“You can’t take revenge if you’re not healed. Understand, little one?” His voice was low and magnetic, carrying a teasing warmth.

With that, he turned and walked out.

Little one?

Gu Qingning’s lips twitched. If he hadn’t just saved her, she might’ve already punched him.

Bang—

The door shut behind him. Gu Qingning lowered her gaze to the bruises and scrapes on her arm.

As irritating as his words were, he wasn’t wrong.

Her body was still weak; she didn’t have the stamina for another fight.

Turning her eyes to the dark night outside, her pupils glimmered like black ice—cold and murderous.

She couldn’t strike her true enemy yet, but she could start collecting the interest.

Gu Family Residence

The massive villa blazed with light.

“I’m so angry!”

An exasperated voice shattered the quiet of the living room.

“Those three useless idiots couldn’t even handle a mute girl—and they let her get away! Unbelievable!”

Gu Wanwan turned to the woman on the sofa flipping through a magazine. “Mom, where do you think that wretched girl ran off to?”

They’d planned to use the camping trip to get rid of that mute once and for all—but somehow, things had gone wrong.

The woman on the sofa, dressed in designer clothes, didn’t even look up as her gaze lingered on the jewelry ads in her magazine. Her tone was icy and disdainful. “Let her go wherever she wants. It’d be best if she never came back.”

After cooling down, Gu Wanwan frowned, worry creeping in. “But what if she comes back and tells Grandpa everything?”

That wretched mute was weak and timid, but even a cornered rabbit would bite. If she really tattled to Grandpa, Wanwan would definitely get scolded.

“A mute? How exactly do you expect her to tell on you?” Cheng Yu closed the magazine and gave a mocking laugh. “Even if she had ten times her courage, she wouldn’t dare.”

Did that girl really think that just because the old man sent people to fetch her, she could win his favor? What a joke.

Gu Wanwan let out a small breath of relief. “Mom, that girl’s been missing for so many years—why did Grandpa suddenly bring her back?”

Cheng Yu shook her head. “Who knows what that old man’s thinking. Just don’t concern yourself with Gu Qingning anymore. Focus on your studies—you must get into A University.”

“Of course. I’ll definitely get in,” Gu Wanwan said confidently.

“Oh, and one more thing. I heard your Third Brother is coming back. Is that true?”

A flicker of irritation crossed Cheng Yu’s face. “Mm. Your father said he’s coming to teach as a substitute at No.1 High School. He’ll probably only stay for a month.”

“A substitute teacher?”

Gu Wanwan looked surprised. “Third Brother’s a professor at A University—why would he suddenly come back here to be a substitute teacher?”

He was the youngest professor in A University’s history—a man everyone admired. Why would he come back to a small place like this?

“On paper, he’s here to teach. But really, he’s scouting for good students. Don’t forget—there’s still a recommendation quota.” Cheng Yu reminded her.

At the word “recommendation,” Gu Wanwan’s eyes sparkled. “If I get that recommendation slot, everyone at school will be so jealous!”

But before she could daydream too far, Cheng Yu poured cold water on her excitement. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. Gu Zhao and his brothers never saw us as family. He won’t hand you that recommendation so easily.”

The new book officially updates today! There’ll be daily updates at 9:30 a.m. See you all in the comment section—come say hi! Mwah!