Deadly Trap.

Chapter 15. Beneath the Black Water
Incredibly, it was as if they were evenly matched, even showing mutual respect. Su Li watched as the relationship between her mother and Gu Mufeng rapidly warmed up.

Starting with the topic of "hands," they talked about the violin and logic, and then eagerly turned from logic to classical music in the context of fast consumption.

To be precise, it was more like Su Yan was giving her all, while Gu Mufeng was encouraging her as she listened.

Apart from the two of them, at the far end of the living room, Su Li twirled the empty teacup in her hand back and forth, observing with a clear eye.

Her heart began to race, and her fingertips even felt slightly numb.

Seeing him respond to his mother with such seriousness, Su Li suddenly felt a pang of anxiety.

Knowing that he was an excellent actor, she still hoped that there was at least a sliver of sincerity in his pretense.

After all, as she lay on top of her mother, Su Li saw the first night she was trapped in Gu Mufeng's grasp.

That night, his expectations of her, his strategic retreat towards her...

He seems to possess an all-encompassing personal charisma.

What's even more frightening is that Gu Mufeng is fully aware of his talent; he is now openly displaying it without any hesitation. Just like when he declared it to Su Li to her face:
From beginning to end, Su Li was the one he wanted.

And this dangerous man, now disguised as her boyfriend, has easily won over her mother's heart.
Just as Su Li was about to seize the opportunity and use her "authority as a fake girlfriend" to retaliate by kicking Gu Mufeng out and completely shattering his pretense of meeting the parents, Gu Mufeng quickly glanced at her but beat her to it:
"I apologize for being presumptuous, but I imagine that with your knowledge, becoming a piano teacher would be quite an achievement."

Gu Mufeng slowly turned his gaze, a barely perceptible probing look flashing in his phoenix eyes.

Su Li gritted her teeth: What kind of wicked idea does he have now?

But his tone was polite and gentle, yet his words were unavoidable, and he firmly delved into Su Yan's past: "I heard from Su Li that your aunt studied at the Manhattan School of Music in New York?"

Unexpectedly, Gu Mufeng uttered a long and very specific term.

Su Li's eyes widened in astonishment, completely stunned: she hadn't told Gu Mufeng at all.

The doubt quickly turned into vigilance—how did Gu Mufeng know?
But now, this question, which was originally abrupt, was asked by Gu Mufei in a natural and polite manner, leaving no room for argument.

He was dressed in an expensive, tailor-made light gray suit, but that didn't stop him from bending down and calmly refilling the teacup in front of Su Yan.

"The Empire State, Manhattan..."

As if lost in thought, a dreamlike expression appeared on Su Yan's face, one that Su Li had never seen before.

Like a sudden, fleeting burst of youthful energy, it shone on the mother's withered face: "Indeed. That was... a long time ago..."

At the same time, Gu Mufeng almost held his breath, unable to contain himself. Under the coffee table, he clenched his hands tightly, his knuckles turning white.

Sure enough! He didn't pick the wrong person!

Then it's possible—!
"So, do you know someone... a violinist who is quite good at it? She also studied in Manhattan, New York."

Unable to be more sincere, Gu Mufeng's tone was calm:

"She was my mentor, but she is no longer with us. In memory of her, I would like to learn more about her past."

"I'm afraid—what's her name?" In a good mood, Su Yan asked gently.

“Hmm…” With a sharp gaze, Gu Mufeng secretly raised his eyes and locked them on Su Yan’s face. He said in a very soft tone, “She also has the surname Gu.”

It seemed necessary to be extra cautious, and he paused almost imperceptibly with a breath.

Su Yan, who had just picked up the teacup, suddenly wobbled, as if she were too weak to hold it, and the tea almost spilled. But she immediately pressed the teacup back down, as if it had just been an accident.

Seeing that Su Yan didn't react particularly strongly to the surname, Gu Mufeng, having already decided to speak, felt compelled to continue. He said, "Her name..."

He secretly took a very light breath, as if the name were a sharp iron hook that could easily slice through his throat; or as if he were worried that he was destroying some precious and fragile secret.

His heart was pounding uncontrollably, but Gu Mufeng forcefully suppressed it. He continued cautiously:
"...Gu Fangran."

As the name left her lips, Su Li noticed that Gu Mufeng's face had turned slightly pale. Could he really get nervous?
Like a telepathic connection, Gu Mufeng's reaction gave Su Li a subtle jolt. His voice was almost soft; in fact, he was gently turning the ruby ​​ring on his right hand.

Just like that night, he and she were on the riverbank:
Beneath the abyss, the black waters surge.

Unbeknownst to Su Li, Gu Mufeng, the King of Fri-Night, had been ruling Minzhou, a major city rife with political and business collusion, for over seven years.

He boasted without arrogance that no one could fool him.

Seemingly nonchalant, he used his handsome eyes, framed by his golden hair, to sweep across Su Yan's hand, which lingered on her teacup, and her lips, which had turned pale with shock amidst her wrinkles.

"Are you Su Li's boyfriend?" Su Yan suddenly asked, her voice trembling slightly. "That's right. We're still living together." Gu Mufeng smiled smugly. "Su Li, what do you think?"

Su Li just wanted to pounce on him and strangle him.

Unfortunately, she had learned her lesson last night: she really couldn't beat him.

In an instant, Su Yan's lips tightened. She seemed to have suppressed a thousand vehement words, quickly regaining her composure as if the questioning from before had never existed.

A distinctly cruel smile played on her lips:
"Yes, I know her."

Surprised, Su Li turned to look at her mother.

Only then did she reply, unhurriedly, her tone utterly calm. Naturally, she lightly lifted the teacup she had been holding for a while and gently brought it to her lips:

"Isn't she the best violinist in Minzhou? The 'contemporary Ysaÿe'. Everyone has heard of her."

"It seems like she died in a car accident many years ago, didn't she?"

"What a pity," Su Yan smiled. "In a car accident, countless internal organs would have been shattered. She was at the height of her career, yet she passed away like a shooting star—"

Su Li could see that Gu Mufeng's face immediately turned pale.

As if on purpose, Su Yan spoke very slowly. Her words were carefully chosen, both direct and cruel, with a final, almost dramatic, tone that suggested a meteor crashing to earth.
“She could have accomplished even more.”

Su Yan paused, as if suddenly remembering something, and then smiled and said, "You just said that you were once one of her students?"

Gu Mufeng pressed his lips together, which had suddenly turned pale, and did not answer.

And right next to the rough porcelain teacup, a meaningful smile suddenly appeared on Su Yan's lips:

"A master's instruction. That's truly rare."

Hearing Su Yan's unhurried and leisurely reply, Gu Mufeng forced a flush back onto his face, his voice strained as he spoke:
That's not what I meant...

“If you mean whether I have a private relationship with Miss Gu Fangran,” Su Yan interrupted directly, her tone cold and deliberately polite, “I’m afraid you’re overthinking it.”

Her tone remained calm and gentle, but at this moment, Su Yan revealed an unyielding resolve. She put down her teacup and immediately turned to Su Li, who was sitting at the far end of the living room:
"Little Pear." Her voice was almost sarcastic.

"Huh? Ah." Hearing the sudden shift in the tense atmosphere between Gu Mufeng and his mother, Su Li, who had been silently observing from the side, was surprised.

She was afraid of missing a single word.

Hearing her mother's call, Su Li was terrified and immediately sat up straight, as if waiting for instructions: "Mom...?"

"I'm really exhausted after class today. Why don't you see your classmate out?"

Before Su Li could respond, Su Yan immediately turned back to Gu Mufei on the other side.

She already had a more complete overall plan in mind. But on her lips, she still maintained a harmless, gentle smile:
"I can't stop you from dating. But if I'm cruel to Su Li, please don't take offense, I'm a strict mother and a loving daughter. You're welcome to come over anytime."

Having said that, without waiting for anyone's reaction, Su Yan firmly grasped the cushion and decisively rose from the Ming-style throne.

Taking a deep breath, Su Li was about to follow her mother out of the living room, but the moment she passed through the archway, the kindness on her mother's upturned face vanished. Su Yan was completely expressionless, like a mask.

Su Li took a step back.

Su Yan's eyes were sunken. Like a ghost, her hands suddenly arched like claws, her long, silky dress scraping the ground as she returned to darkness...

A sharp, stabbing pain shot through Su Li, who clenched her left wrist tightly, where the shiny scars were clearly visible.

She is finished.

Su Li slumped down like a silk thread, startling herself awake to the side she least wanted to face.

>>>>>
Next chapter: Glock 17
[Author's Note | Chapter Fifteen]

Gu Mufeng spoke of how provocative and smug he was when he lived with Su Li, but how pathetic he was when Su Yan recounted Gu Fangran's death.

(Yes, he may have rehearsed it countless times in his mind, but this time, he met his match.)
What do you all think is going on with Gu Fangran? What new plan has Su Yan come up with? Why did Su Li lament that she's "finished"?
Seeing the author shivering and repeatedly turning back in fear of the dark while writing, please leave a comment to cheer me on and offer some comfort!

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(End of this chapter)