Chapter Ninety-Eight: Provocation

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I turned around and saw Xu Shu lazily sprawled over the steering wheel, her face angled toward me, her eyes bright as stars, carrying a trace of grievance.

I was perplexed. This famous actress clearly didn’t like me, yet her expressions and gestures at times seemed to invite wild imaginings, making her thoughts impossible to decipher.

I replied seriously, “You’ve misunderstood. This isn’t my girlfriend’s house, but the home of an old supervisor from my former company. She’s been going through some unfortunate things lately and needed my help, so I came.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Shu’s lips curled into a subtle, barely detectable smile. She said, “Is that so? Tang Qian, I must say, you have a really kind heart. But it’s so late—what kind of help requires you to come in the middle of the night?”

I said, “Sigh, I can’t help it. This supervisor was very kind to me in the past; I can’t refuse her. It’s not anything difficult, just talking and keeping her company. She’s all alone now and very lonely.”

Xu Shu chuckled, “I didn’t expect you to be so compassionate and sentimental. Alright, go on, and remember to rest early. We’ll keep in touch by phone?”

I nodded, pushed open the car door, got out, and waved to Xu Shu, saying, “Goodbye!”

Xu Shu closed her door and deftly turned the Lamborghini around; the car was so nimble that it easily maneuvered in the small space.

She backed the car slightly and stopped next to me again. Lowering the window, she smiled, “One more thing: If my sister comes looking for you, give me a call so I don’t worry. You know she loves to disappear, and ever since she became obsessed with you, I’m afraid she’ll be even harder to manage.”

I could only smile wryly.

Xu Shu continued, “Take out your phone and save my number.” She recited a series of digits, and I hurriedly took out my phone and saved her number.

She smiled, “Only my family and a few close friends know this number, so you can always reach me. Haha, now you’re one of my closest friends! Well, goodbye! Remember to stay in touch!”

The Lamborghini sped off, disappearing in the blink of an eye. I sighed and turned toward Gu Ruoyan’s house, glancing at my watch as I walked—it was already past one-thirty in the morning.

I rang Gu Ruoyan’s doorbell, and almost at once, the door opened. Gu Ruoyan stood there, tears of joy streaming down her face, choking out, “Tang Qian, you… you finally came!”

I smiled, stepping inside. “When you called just now, I was still up on Caiyu Mountain, so it took me a while to get back. You must have been anxious waiting.”

Gu Ruoyan closed the door happily, saying, “No, no, as long as you came, it’s all good. Without you, I don’t even dare to sleep anymore.”

I glanced around, searching for the Zhonghua cigarettes Gu Ruoyan had bought for me. I’d finished my own earlier, and now, craving a smoke, I started looking.

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Gu Ruoyan asked, “Are you looking for something? I’ll get it for you.”

“Those packs of Zhonghua? I’ve run out of cigarettes. Where did you put them?”

Gu Ruoyan quickly ran into the bedroom. “They’re in the nightstand—I’ll bring them.” I followed her inside and watched as she took out two packs from the nightstand and handed one to me.

I took a pack and said, “Alright, it’s late. You should get to bed; you have work tomorrow.” Gu Ruoyan nodded obediently, then said, “I’ll move a chair over so we can talk for a while.”

I tore open the cigarette pack, lit one, and inhaled. Gu Ruoyan busied herself, bringing over a chair and pouring me water, then placed a crystal ashtray on the nightstand before undressing for bed.

As I sat smoking, I noticed she was still in her street clothes, not pajamas. She made no effort to avoid me and began undressing right there by the bed.

Gu Ruoyan had her back to me as she undressed, stopping at her thermal underwear. At thirty, her figure was more mature and voluptuous, but not at all out of shape—perhaps because she’d never had children. She was a classic hourglass, with an ample bust and hips and a slender waist, her figure so alluring it could make one’s nose bleed. I only glanced twice before quickly turning away, focusing on my cigarette and refusing to look further.

I heard the rustle as Gu Ruoyan slipped under the covers, then she said, a little disappointed, “Alright, you can turn around now.”

I looked back and saw her face full of grievance. “Am I really so old you can’t bear to look at me? Tang Qian, you’re so mean!”

I laughed, “Not at all! With your figure, I’m afraid if I look too much, I won’t be able to resist committing a crime. You’re wronging me!”

Gu Ruoyan’s eyes brightened instantly. “My figure… really? I’ve lost all confidence in myself.”

“Of course! In the company, everyone knows you have a killer figure. Those men drool behind your back—you haven’t noticed?”

“Oh, stop it! You think I don’t know? You all call me ‘Mother Tiger’ behind my back! What’s so hot about a tigress?”

“You knew about that? Haha, but that nickname refers only to your icy demeanor, nothing to do with your body, so don’t take it to heart.”

Gu Ruoyan’s expression shifted, her voice softer, almost coquettish. “I don’t care what others say. What I care about is you, Tang Qian. Do you think… I’m hot? Have you… ever… drooled over me?”

I broke into a sweat. “Manager… let’s not discuss that, shall we?”

Gu Ruoyan’s disappointment was unmistakable; she quickly lowered her gaze. “Sorry, I… I won’t ask anymore.”

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I sighed, crushed my cigarette in the ashtray, and said, “Manager, I’ve thought it over. As a man, coming to your house in the middle of the night all the time isn’t really appropriate. I think you should try to go out more, maybe meet someone who’ll take care of you for life. If you like him, wouldn’t that be wonderful? Then my job here would be done, and you’d have found your happiness without needing me to fuss over you.”

“Ah?” Gu Ruoyan gasped softly, biting her lip as tears welled up in her eyes. Her voice trembled, “You… you won’t take care of me anymore? You’re starting to dislike me?”

As she spoke, tears threatened to tumble down her cheeks. I hurried to reassure her, “Manager, don’t misunderstand, I don’t dislike you! It’s just that you’re so lonely, and I can’t be by your side forever. That’s why I suggested you find a partner—get married, start a family. Then you wouldn’t need me meddling anymore, and I could step back.”

At my words, Gu Ruoyan’s tears spilled over. Choking, she said, “I’m already afraid—I’ll never marry again in my life. Tang Qian, except for you, I’ll never trust another man. I… just want you to take care of me. Please… don’t abandon me… I’m scared, I’ve lost everything. I can’t… lose you too, Tang Qian! Sob…”

At that moment, I finally understood. In Gu Ruoyan’s heart, I was no longer just a companion—I had become her only pillar. Without me, she would collapse immediately.

This woman, so strong on the outside, was incredibly fragile within. I couldn’t imagine what she would become if I stopped caring for her—certainly, she’d dwell forever in pain. Having benefited from her kindness, how could I bear to let her end up like that?

I also realized that perhaps in her mind, I’d already replaced her late husband—not necessarily as true love, but unquestionably as her reliance. No wonder she behaved as she did last night. Caring too much had caused complications; I happened to appear at her most vulnerable moment, and she clung to me as her sole lifeline, pouring her empty, anguished heart onto me, seeing me as her man.

What a headache! I knew I could never be with her, but telling her so now might plunge her instantly into utter despair, never to recover. One emotional blow had already left her so broken; now that she had found another emotional anchor and started to rediscover life’s joys, another blow from me might destroy her completely.

I sighed inwardly, knowing I was too soft-hearted to be so cruel. Yet I didn’t want to accept her either. What should I do?

After much consideration, I decided that the urgent thing was to help Gu Ruoyan through this painful period, even if I had to endure some discomfort and do things against my will. After all, she once helped me, and I’m soft-hearted. How to resolve this later, I’ll think about in the future—for now, I can’t worry about that.

Watching Gu Ruoyan sobbing, utterly heartbroken, I could only say, “Why are you crying? Don’t be silly—I wouldn’t abandon you. I’ll always be here for you. Wipe your tears and stop crying.”

At my words, Gu Ruoyan’s gaze filled with hope. Sniffling, she asked, “Then… you won’t hate me or leave me to find another man?”

I replied, “Of course not. I’ll never leave you—is that better?”

Finally, Gu Ruoyan smiled, her tears turning into laughter. But then she cried again, saying, “Tang Qian! You’re so bad—you scared me just now!” She pouted, climbing out from under the covers barefoot, and, half angry and half delighted, threw herself into my arms, clinging tightly.

At that moment, I was enveloped in the scent of a woman, making me want to sneeze. As I reached out to push her away, my hands met the tempting, voluptuous body of a mature woman, and all that flashed in my mind was: fiery!