Deadly Trap.

Chapter 23. The Wall of Tears
After using a combination of carrot and stick, Gu Mufeng finally achieved his goal. He released Song Weiyuan and walked out of the conference room alone. Dai Ze was still waiting for him in his office.

He was constantly on the move, his brow furrowed as he rushed towards Su Li's location.

He saw Welsh, dressed in black and standing guard at the door, just as he had when he left. For some reason, Gu Mufeng sensed that Welsh seemed inexplicably nervous.

Upon seeing Gu Mufei approach, Welsh immediately bowed slightly: "Boss!"

"Why are you shouting like that?" Gu Mufeng said coldly, a hint of suspicion flashing in his phoenix eyes. He didn't have time to argue, though. "I'm going to a meeting, not crossing into the fire." He teased casually.

As his hand touched the door, his eyebrows twitched slightly, eventually rising higher and higher.

A faint sob could be heard coming from inside the room.

He sobbed in solitude, and the tears seemed to suddenly have a concrete sound: soft, suppressed, bitter, clear drop by drop, scalding hot, shattering into his heart.

His breath hitched briefly, a strange feeling rising in his heart. His hand, already hovering in mid-air, silently and deftly pushed the door open a crack.

The scene inside the room startled him, as if he had stepped into thin air.

Su Li, Su Li who belonged only to him, nestled in the arms of the bar owner in her long red silk dress. Her slender shoulders trembled slightly, her fingers gripping the other's collar.

Gu Mufeng glanced coldly at Welsh at the door, his throat tightening as he hissed, "How did Lulu get in? Didn't I tell you to put her under house arrest?"

Welsh, however, was even more nervous, standing ramrod straight. He stammered awkwardly:

"Lulu happened to pass by and saw it. She insisted on going in. She said that house arrest wasn't allowed on her turf, not even on the Boss. Uh, she also said..."

Gu Mufeng's eyes narrowed sharply, and he said sternly, "You've been quite talkative tonight. What did Lulu say?"

Extremely rare, Welsh said in a panic: "Lulu said, 'In matters of the heart, you'd rather listen to a stray dog ​​or cat than your boss.'"

Gu Mufeng's brows furrowed in anger. But then, gentle words seemed to push aside all the mixed emotions and seep into his mind. Lulu's words were always sweet but not cloying, carrying genuine care and tenderness:

"Pear Blossom, cry. It'll make you feel better. You don't need to remember what happened. Everyone has their saddest moments. I'll be here with you, okay?"

Gently, Lulu helped to comb through Su Li's messy, damp long hair and handed her a tissue.

Holding Lulu tightly was like finally finding the only tree to shelter her from the rain. Su Li's tears and sobs burst forth. From her tightly furrowed brows to her watery red eyes, Su Li's crying was devoid of any self-protection or scheming.

The bruises on her arms are glaring, but what about the bruises in her heart? Has she ever let anyone see them?
Instantly, Gu Mufeng felt as if his heart were being clenched tightly, or as if tears were repeatedly stabbing into an old wound. His gaze darkened abruptly, and he involuntarily took a half-step back.

It's not that he can't be gentle with Su Li. But when it comes to her, he simply can't suppress the private feelings he had already personally suppressed.

Then, like a sweeping black tide, an uncontrollable surge of jealousy and bitterness welled up in his heart. His heartbeat quickened far too much.

Su Li built a high wall of indifference around him, ignoring his persistent questioning. How could she be so completely unguarded with Lulu, a woman she'd just met? And nestle in her arms?
Why?
Frowning, Gu Mufei remained silent for a long time.

As if deliberately provoking him, he suddenly turned his head, stared fiercely at Welsh, and said in a cold tone, "Welsh, if you act on your own again, you'll be kicked out with Lulu."

Stunned by Gu Mufei's seriousness, Welsh shrank back: "Yes, Boss."

This time, Gu Mufeng simply pushed the door open. He strode in, his aura as unyielding as an unbreakable rock. Aside from Su Li's inescapable sobs, the room fell silent.

Lulu slowly rose, her red silk dress flowing like water. She patted Su Li's shoulder reassuringly, then glanced at Gu Mufeng indifferently.

As they passed each other, Lulu said with a mix of teasing and helplessness, "Boss, no one will dare to like you like this."

Under Gu Mufeng's unpredictable gaze, Lulu leisurely left, leaving Su Li to quickly wipe away her tears with the back of her hand.

With her back to Gu Mufei, in the long shadow cast by the corridor lights, Su Li retreated back to her aloof and indifferent expression.

Silently, Gu Mufeng closed the door tightly.

After a long silence, his back slammed heavily against the wall, he finally spoke, his tone cold yet surprisingly gentle: "Su Li. I won't ask you what happened anymore."

Thinking of the bruises on Su Li's arms and chest, he felt as if he were swallowing a razor blade. He had forgotten that his gentleness had once been more than just a means to an end.

Only after his emotions had completely calmed down did he say calmly, "We can... maintain any apparent distance you want. Tonight, as long as it's safe, I'll take you wherever you want. Calm down."

Tears still wet her eyelashes, and Su Li looked up warily. Looking at Gu Mufeng's handsome face, which was completely cold and unapproachable, her eyes were filled with suspicion: "What...do you want me to do now?"

She gently rose to her feet, seemingly acting instinctively to please him. Su Li knew she was nothing more than Gu Mufeng's kept woman.

Gu Mufeng frowned impatiently and looked away. Finally, his cold voice revealed a deep-seated annoyance: "Su Li, in your eyes, all I do is scheme?"

Su Li bit her lip.

Gu Mufeng, his acting skills are superb, and his scheming and cunning are deeper than the sea. From the very beginning, she made the wrong move; she should have been honest and admitted that she couldn't outmaneuver him.

Shouldn't she have chosen a crude and stupid playboy a long time ago?

But with her eyes lowered, Su Li's voice rang out, extremely low yet extremely firm: "I want to go to Minxiu Mountain."

“Min Xiushan?” Gu Mufeng was slightly taken aback.

"Correct."

With tears still welling up, Su Li nodded gently: "I want to go to the hotel where we first met, the same suite. I want to see the night view, I want the terrace and the infinity pool, I want..."

She lowered her head and bit her lower lip.

"I want to clarify our relationship... and the agreement."

Just as Gu Mufeng was about to say something, Su Li said in a mournful voice, "Don't worry. I won't run away. Minzhou is so big, I know I can't escape your grasp."

Looking at Su Li, Gu Mufei's gaze remained deep and unfocused for a long time. It was as if he suddenly recalled many precious moments: from the card table to the riverbank, to the moment he held her in his arms after she was covered in blood, and gave her a deep kiss.

Even if he always convinced himself that he was putting on an act, his desire to break free and his intense feeling of living were undeniable.

Immediately, Gu Mufeng regained his composure. Like a cold knife, he drew it out immediately and made a decision: "I'll arrange for Quenxus to send you."

Seemingly unwilling to say more, he turned and left. But with his back to Su Li, he was drawn to her by her silent breathing.

Deep down, a part of him seemed to really, really, really want Su Li to hug him and shed genuine tears.

Gu Mufeng paused for a moment. Finally, his voice became unusually serious: "When you promised me, you said you were very expensive."

He recalled Su Li being held in his arms, yet still chatting and bargaining with him. How could a mere "mistress" have made her forget him?

“Since you’re so expensive, then maintain your value and be worthy of every zero I’m willing to pay,” he said softly. “Stop belittling yourself.”

Su Li froze. She stared blankly as Gu Mufeng opened the door and left. Her eyes suddenly reddened again, and her nose stung. Tears welled up, burning her slightly red cheeks.

The flame of her former determination to ensnare this man and to take advantage of his audacity rekindled within her:

"it is good."

She answered herself softly, wiping away her tears. Her voice trembled slightly, but Su Li's resolve was unwavering:
"Mu Fei, I won't lose."

>>>>>
Next chapter: Betrayal
[Author's Note | Chapter Twenty-Three]

Gu Mufeng's gentleness was always like a knife, and Su Li's tears at this moment were like an insurmountable wall for him.

He was jealous of Su Li's open communication with Lulu, and longed for Su Li's sincere tears... His words, "In your eyes, all I do is scheme," revealed everything.

Everything seems to have come full circle, back to square one, but did you, dear reader, feel his genuine gentleness?

Is Su Li's desire to return to the place where they first met really just a matter of "thinking things through"?
Leave your thoughts and suggestions in the comments section, and let's interact again! I promise you'll write something sweet!
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(End of this chapter)