Deadly Trap.

Chapter 31. Provocation and Invitation
The circular saw roared, but Su Li steadily pulled on the handle and cut the solid wood to the desired size. She had to finish the architectural model before New Year's Day, no matter what. Rumors were spreading across campus, and her scholarship was hanging by a thread.

The school's mechanical workshop was stuffy and poorly ventilated. To cope with the heat, Su Li wore a neat tank top and old yoga pants, standing firmly with her feet apart, her dirty construction site boots revealing her two sweaty shoulders.

Fully armed, she was busy with her own things. Although, her thoughts drifted, wandering beyond the campus walls.

Ever since her long journey back from the Alhambra, Su Li has been thinking about Gu Mufei from time to time. Yu He even teased her, saying that she was in love.

Su Li responded with a bitter smile, her mind clear: she was a mistress, while Gu Mufeng was a cunning and calculating man. He was definitely not a sugar daddy who could be easily dealt with.

For the past month, besides flying to Granada, Gu Mufeng took her to hot springs and casinos, yachts and horseback riding, as if determined to corrupt her with money and make her fall into depravity.

But he was harsh and ruthless towards himself.

He gets up early, doesn't take weekends off, and doesn't celebrate his birthday; he battles daily, relentlessly trading US and Chinese stocks, while also keeping his team's work constantly on the go. And this is the kind of person who occasionally plays the violin?
He never mentioned her mother, Su Yan, again.

Su Li, on the other hand, only wanted to repay the life her mother had given her.

With a simple blow away of the sawdust, Su Li felt as if she had also let Gu Mufeng whimsically blow away her mother's medical expenses.

To be honest, Su Li was initially annoyed with Gu Mufeng. After all, she had limited time and didn't have time to accompany the Crown Prince on his leisurely strolls. But Gu Mufeng was willing to give her so much in a month, and all he asked for was to be available at her beck and call. She couldn't go too far.

Su Li joked: "Aside from the fact that they both keep their hearts locked away, they actually do look quite like a harmonious couple."

Almost forcing a helpless laugh, Su Li picked up another piece of solid wood. The sawing began decisively.

Su Li couldn't help but think to herself:
If one day Gu Mufeng were to fall in love with someone, she would gladly give him up and wish him a long and happy marriage, and she would never let him control her to the point of driving her crazy.

Although that impeccably handsome face momentarily distracted her, Su Li finished sawing all the solid wood at hand. Next came the detailed cutting, sanding, and gluing...

According to the studio rules, Su Li turned off the power and turned to walk towards the chainsaw.

"ah!"

Su Li was startled, her heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushed, and she felt as if she had fallen into his chest, unable to steady herself. Turning around, she bumped into Gu Mufeng, who was sitting on a high stool behind her.

Taking advantage of the situation, Gu Mufeng wrapped his arms around her softly and asked, "You missed me that much?"

His indifferent lips were pressed against her neck.

Su Li's heart raced instantly, a wave of heat washing over her thin cheeks. Good heavens. Their eyes met, and Gu Mufeng lingered for a long time. Only then did Su Li realize how disheveled she looked today.

Su Li immediately broke free from his embrace, wishing she could disappear on the spot:
"What are you doing here? Don't you make any noise when you walk? Besides, our school has strict access control—"

Looking past his broad shoulders, Su Li quickly glanced towards the studio entrance. If someone saw her like that, who knows what kind of rumors would spread.

Meeting Su Li's clearly annoyed yet charming eyes, Gu Mufeng was intrigued. He relaxed and rose from the high stool, bringing him several inches closer to her, a move that seemed even more provocative.
"Don't worry, the area has been cleared. Your school's cleaning lady just opened the door for me. I only waited for you for a moment."

"Wait a moment"? "Just a moment"?
As if solely to maintain the sense of threat of "dealing with him," Su Li's hand remained tightly gripping the chainsaw. A suspicious glint appeared in her eyes: she knew Gu Mufeng's charm. He could easily win over the cleaning lady with sweet words; it was all within his grasp.

But, to put it simply, she spent at least forty minutes working around the circular saw. That's not "a moment."

With a slight pout, Su Li lowered her head uneasily, hurriedly pulling off her burlap gloves and then hastily removing her unsightly goggles and orange earplugs. She quickly smoothed the marks left on her nose with both hands.

She came here today specifically to do manual labor. Forget about makeup, she just haphazardly curled her hair, splashed water on her face, and went out. Plus, the studio was stuffy and hot; she must look as vulgar as a boiled lobster, far removed from his usual image of beauty.

Turning her back, Su Li secretly wiped the fine sweat from her cheeks, avoiding seeing him.

Defeated by her own confidence, her tone softened reluctantly, but she remained stubborn and refused to budge.
"I mean, you didn't even tell me you were coming to my university? You didn't drive your car in here, did you?"

She thought of Gu Mufeng's signature matte night-blue Panamera Turbo S executive car. She wondered what the people on campus would say.

No. They came in.

As he said this, Gu Mufeng stood firmly behind Su Li, unconcerned about being so close to her despite her sweaty body.

In Su Li's peripheral vision, he had a camel-colored overcoat and a smooth velvet scarf draped over his left arm. His golden hair, styled like that of a student, hung low over his handsome face, falling to the bridge of his nose, against his snow-gray turtleneck cashmere sweater.

With great interest, he casually began assembling the Su Li model parts with his fingertips. His next answer was delivered in a conversational tone:

“I had Quenxus wait outside the school. I came to check something. Have you ever taken out a loan?” “Uh, no.” Su Li blinked. Compounding interest leads to ruin. No matter how poor she is, not being in debt is her bottom line. “You’re now even managing a few cents from students?”

Remembering what Yu He had told her about owing Gu Mufeng a debt on Monday, Su Li immediately probed, staring at him sharply, her tone calm but hitting the nail on the head.

Seemingly finding her sharp wit amusing, Gu Mufeng smiled mockingly: "With me here, you can afford to pay my interest."

Hearing his unusually relaxed tone, Su Li realized that Gu Mufeng's shady organization did indeed operate an "underground bank." Moreover, he was a graduate of Minzhou University of Finance and Economics, one of the top universities in China. Minzhou University of Finance and Economics, indeed, he should study finance, right?
"Major in political economy." Gu Mufeng immediately saw through her thoughts. This time, he didn't hide it, and met her gaze with a seductive smile.

He actually treats other people's brains like they're in a public park! It's really annoying.

With a charming smile, seeing Su Li's annoyance, Gu Mufeng changed the subject again:

"If you'd like, it would be great if you could ask around for me. But I'm short on time today. There are two things I must give you."

After saying that, he took out a palm-sized black velvet box from under his silver-gray scarf and placed it on the table. Then he placed a snow-white, thin paper envelope on top of it and pushed it with two fingers, sending it directly to Su Li.

Su Li wiped her hands on her old yoga pants. She carefully peeled off the gold-flecked seal on the envelope.

She clearly recognized every single word on the letter; yet when they were put together, it was as if she no longer recognized them.
"Invitation to the Minzhou Commercial Federation Charity Gala and New Year's Eve Concert"?

She frowned, pronouncing it in a very difficult and awkward way: "'Ms. Su Li is cordially invited'..."

She looked up:
"What does this mean? A business federation? A charity gala? Is it what I understand it to mean, literally?"

"Yes and no."

With his hand still pressing down on the black velvet box, Gu Mufeng didn't look at Su Li and casually replied:
"The four major conglomerates take turns controlling the Minzhou Business Association in order to balance politics and business, and incidentally to engage in 'legal' tax avoidance. The four families attend the annual banquet."

He then raised an eyebrow, his indifferent eyes already scrutinizing Su Li's thoughtful face. Her focused expression...

A smile played on Gu Mufei's lips, a half-smile on his face: "What do you think?"

"This kind of party, you can't just go whenever you want, right? Why would I—"

Su Li's words were cut short as she swallowed the rest.

"So, you want me to go with you?"

"That's right. And you have to go."

Seeing Su Li's slight, reluctant frown, Gu Mufeng moved the black velvet box forward an inch. His tone was gentle, yet carried an unyielding command:
"Open."

Su Li took the box and carefully opened the lid. The dazzling firelight made her heart race instantly.

There was only one thing she was certain of: although it was a grand gesture, Gu Mufeng was definitely not doing it to please her.

"There are still three days until New Year's Day. You can make your own arrangements. I won't bother you. You're so smart."

Gently, Gu Mufeng lifted Su Li's chin. His phoenix eyes were like deep water, and his lips were both close and distant.

"You should know what you need to do for me, right?"

These words were spoken, but Su Li's lips met empty air. Gu Mufei simply turned away, as if something more important was urging him to leave. He came and went as he pleased; he didn't give Su Li a chance to react.

Without turning back, he was already at the door, and simply waved goodbye.
"I'll pick you up in the evening three days from now. Dress nicely, don't disappoint me."

>>>>>
Next Chapter: The Night Banquet
[Author's Note | Chapter 31]

Boss Gu bursts into the school, showering Su Li with a whole set of pampering gestures: hugs, clearing the area, invitations, and jewelry. But then, a kiss leaves Su Li empty-handed.

What do you think of President Gu's daily harshness and his "bribing" of Su Li?

In the next chapter, the four powerful and treacherous families of Minzhou will make their appearance. Su Li will ascend to the pinnacle of social standing!
Let the young author know your thoughts in the comments section!

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(End of this chapter)