Deadly Trap.

Chapter 10. The Gate of Flames
With a sudden "whoosh," Gu Mufei sat up abruptly. Like a drowning man struggling desperately, he finally surfaced in the dark water, his hands gripping reality tightly, gasping for breath.

Unlike his pounding heart, the room was utterly silent. The moonlight was like quicksilver, and the clock beneath the half-drawn curtains pointed relentlessly to four o'clock.

Gu Mufeng was drenched in sweat, his chest heaving violently. He closed his eyes for a few seconds to calm himself from the piercing tinnitus, until the sound of breathing that didn't belong to him gradually entered his ears, and his right hand wound throbbed with a dull pain.

He then realized that he was no longer alone tonight.

On the pure white bed, the silk was matte, and the down comforter was fluffy and undulating. Su Li slept beside him, deliberately keeping a distance, but her warmth was still within reach.

His heartbeat slowed slightly, and a sense of calm, like that of someone who had captured their prey, rose within him: she was his, and she couldn't escape.

Su Li hugged the corner of the blanket tightly, her brows furrowed, having an uneasy dream.

Gu Mufeng leaned closer, his nose sinking lightly into the crook of her neck, her pulse warm, greedily pressed against his lips. Only when Su Li let out a soft, indistinct moan did he raise his head with satisfaction, a horn of control and conquest rising in his heart.

But the next second, that lingering feeling was quickly overwhelmed by the chilling backlash of the nightmare.

Frustrated, Gu Mufeng hastily left the overly hot bed. Even Su Li couldn't calm him down.

In front of the row of cabinets opposite the foot of the bed, he braced his hands on the cold countertop, struggling to suppress the pounding of his heart, and poured himself a full glass of cognac.

How many years has it been?
Each time, it starts from the same dark green corridor.

The air was misty with rain. He was dressed in a black suit, black shirt, and black tie, as if he were attending someone's funeral, and walked slowly forward.

The narrow, dark green doors lining the corridor were tightly shut. Outside them, figures whispered openly:

"On her way to find a man..." "So smug, serves her right!" "Two bastards..."

The footsteps came to an abrupt halt. At the end of the corridor, behind a door, the vermilion windows were sealed with cast iron, and the banyan tree, its greenness glistening in the rain, seemed almost sickening. The room, about five or six feet square, was dimly lit, and a pale, bloodless hand hung limply from the edge of the bed.

As if sensing his arrival, the hand struggled in pain, reaching straight towards him: "...Ah Fei..."

A sharp pain shot through his chest, and he tightly closed his eyes.

In an instant, boom.

The white flames that erupted behind the door engulfed everything. The figure behind him instantly melted into a fiery dragon. Amidst howls and curses, he went against the tide of people. The flames peeled away his skin, flesh and blood scattering like sandstorms, yet he still struggled with all his might, reaching out his hands to push—

Push open this iron door engulfed in flames!

A piercing pain struck.

"Stop pushing! Mu Fei! She's gone!" Suddenly, he was forcefully pulled back by several hands. In the instant he let go—

He would always wake up in a fright.

At this moment, his burning forehead pressed against the icy crystal glass, and Gu Mufeng leaned over, drenched in cold sweat.

In his dream, he was destined to return empty-handed; in reality, however, he held onto the genuine and warm-hearted Su Li tightly.

But she was just a trophy. Gu Mufeng chuckled bitterly to himself: she couldn't cure his real nightmare.

Perhaps it's because the scene is always exactly the same, over and over again; he's dreamt of it far too many times. Being in it, he should have felt something. Yet, as the years have passed, he's become indifferent, numb.

How ridiculous. Only this physical body still reacts instinctively, giving an honest and truthful answer that it cannot conceal.

Taking a deep breath, Gu Mufeng tilted his head back and downed the contents of his glass in one gulp. The memories of dreams may fade, but the desire to possess them will never dissipate.

With a gentle pinch, he could instantly kill her beautiful neck.

His phoenix eyes narrowed playfully as he savored the resentment in her eyes and the desire in her body that evening: Su Li's trembling lips, her evasive gaze, her hands instinctively wrapped around his waist... all these were now resting on his pillow in the tranquility that followed her pleas.

She resisted with what she thought was pride; but his overwhelming power only highlighted the fact that she had completely belonged to him!

Thinking of this, Gu Mufeng gave an almost cruel sneer, but a barely perceptible tenderness appeared in his eyes.

Escaping his inner turmoil, he picked up his morning robe. As he dressed, his indifferent gaze fell upon Su Li on the bed: wrapped in silk, the moonlight faintly illuminating her profile. Her brows were slightly furrowed, as if even in her dreams she could not find peace and security.

The phone vibrated slightly. In the darkness, Gu Mufeng realized he had been staring for a long time. The belt of his morning robe was still frozen in his hand.

His gaze abruptly shifted away.

He chuckled to himself. Perhaps he was just confirming that Su Li was fast asleep and wouldn't hear the rest of their conversation.

He settled into a recliner in the corner of the room and dialed a familiar number: "Dai Ze." Compared to Gu Mufeng's completely awake and aloof demeanor, Dai Ze's husky voice on the phone clearly indicated he was just waking up: "...Mufeng? I thought you wouldn't be here until morning..."

Her voice sounded slightly sleepy. But telling Gu Mufeng that it was after six in the morning didn't seem to work.

Dai forced himself to quickly regain his composure: "I've checked the location you requested. IT consultant Wei reported that the kidnappers hacked in temporarily and only acted after seeing Miss Su. Should I continue the pursuit?"

"No need," Gu Mufeng scoffed. "I'll handle it."

Looking out at the night sky, Gu Mufeng knew Dai Ze inside and out: Dai Ze was sturdy and always sought stability. But this personality wasn't innate.

Eleven years ago, Dai made a colossal mistake, and although he ultimately tried his best to save it... Gu Mufeng glanced coldly at the burn on his palm.

On the phone, Dai spoke cautiously:
"Mu Fei, the Xizi District Police Station has issued an urgent summons, requiring us to come to the station in three days to cooperate with the investigation of last night's serial murders. And it was one of our team members who died."

"But there were survivors this time. I've placed them in a nursing home. What should I do?"

Clearly, the police's meaning is very clear. If they cooperate with the investigation, the organization will be openly exposed and its interests will be jeopardized.

This time, burdened with undeniable responsibility, Gu Mufeng did not smile. His eyes were cold and stern as he carefully planned and orchestrated the overall situation.

"Send Vain, a special operations team, to guard the survivors. No one else is allowed to know about this except you, me, and him. In case of any situation, Vain will have full authority to handle it."

"Yes." As if he were used to being commanded, Dai accepted the order with a firm and resounding voice.

"As for the police summons, I will go in person."

"Mu Fei, this..."

Directly interrupting Dai Ze's hesitation between loyalty and worry, Gu Mufeng declared firmly and authoritatively: "I know what I'm doing."

Finally, Dai reluctantly conceded: "Alright. As for the summons, tomorrow, when?"

"I'm not free tomorrow." With his strategy set, Gu Mufeng casually tossed out this sentence. Silence fell on the other end. A slight smile played on his lips, completely unconcerned about Dai Ze's tense breathing on the other end of the phone.

"Then where should I send it?" Dai finally managed to squeeze out a question.

"Give it to Welsh." He decided casually, as if tossing away a piece of waste paper. Gu Mufeng narrowed his eyes.

He had no time to worry about trivial details. At least for now, Su Li's quiet breathing occupied his mind more than Welsh's or even Dai Ze's unease.

As if recalling something with a sense of smug satisfaction, Gu Mufeng rested his chin on his hand playfully. After finishing his brief statement, there was another complete silence on the other end of the phone, with only the slight rise and fall of tense but suppressed breathing.

The moonlight was hazy and flowing like water. It shone on Gu Mufeng and gently enveloped Su Li's deep sleep. The room was suddenly extremely quiet.

Gu Mufeng narrowed his eyes: Dai Ze, do you think I don't know what you're thinking?
Sure enough, after struggling for a long time, Dai finally spoke up: "Should I arrange extra security for Miss Su?"

Dai Ze's hands were drenched in cold sweat: at this moment, he was indeed pushing the limits of danger. However, he had known Gu Mufeng for twelve years. Gu Mufeng was someone Gu Mufeng was willing to risk injury, personally rescue people, and ultimately disappear for an entire night.

The last time was eleven years ago. But what makes this Miss Su think she can compare to Xiao Fan?
At that moment, there was only a suffocating silence on the phone.

"Dai Ze," Gu Mufeng said, as if he had completely guessed Dai Ze's thoughts. His voice was like a knife, cutting right through the ice. "If you're alright, you can hang up now."

"But, Mu Fei!"

“Dai Ze, I never let personal feelings interfere with business.” Gu Mufeng gently closed his eyes and lightly touched his forehead with his fingertips.

He never will. "You haven't forgotten why I've insisted on getting to where I am today, have you?"

This time, it was Dai's turn to remain silent.

After a long silence, Dai finally answered heavily, "I have never forgotten."

"It's good that you haven't forgotten." Gu Mufeng's tone couldn't be more relaxed, he said with ease, "Take care of yourself, Dai Ze."

>>>>>
Next chapter: The Eagle's Nest
[Author's Note | Chapter Ten]

President Gu seems invincible—his will is so strong, yet he is awakened almost every day by the same old dream. Guess what his dream means?
Is Su Li truly unable to cure his real nightmare?

What is the connection between Dai Ze and Gu Mufeng? Where will the police summons lead their relationship?
Dream interpreters in the comments section, come on! Let me see which cutie can decipher this recurring dream?

The new author sincerely thanks readers for their continued support!



(End of this chapter)