Deadly Trap.

Chapter 32. The Banquet
Under the cover of night, her bright face and flowing skirt caught his eye simultaneously. Su Li did not disappoint Gu Mufeng.

In the evening, when she finally sneaked out of the campus like a thief and got into his Panamera executive car waiting under the shade of a tree, Gu Mufei found that he couldn't take his eyes off Su Li.

He soon realized that he and his heartbeat had lingered for her for too long, almost distracting him.

Tonight, the black silk clung to Su Li's body, as if she were deliberately provoking him, revealing all the curves he had kissed and caressed in private, without any concealment.

Following his gaze, her back was exposed, tapering gracefully to a soft, sweet curve at her waist. On the tips of her ears, a sapphire of unknown carats swayed: this was the test and gift he had given her three days earlier.

Judging from these earrings, Su Li's outfit tonight and Gu Mufeng's midnight blue tuxedo are perfectly in sync, like a match made in heaven.

Although Su Li's outfit was a complete splurge of his money, this time, Su Li's radiance was almost overwhelmingly perfect. Silently, Gu Mufeng fully enjoyed everything he possessed.

As he stared intently at her from close range, a faint blush rose on Su Li's face. Unconsciously, her breathing became increasingly rapid in response to his.

With a quick glance, she could only interrupt him softly, reminding him to stop looking: "Is this alright?"

Gu Mufeng's gaze swept over her sharp, expectant eyes. Subconsciously, his Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

Damn it.

He didn't look away. In his eyes, the flames of desire began to burn.

But finally, as if afraid of offending her, Gu Mufeng finally gave in and said in a low voice, "...It suits you very well."

"call out."

"Quickly!" Su Li exclaimed dramatically, breaking the increasingly awkward atmosphere between them. After all, Welsh was still driving ahead and had to pretend not to hear his boss.

Tonight, Su Li wasn't wearing a bra, her breasts softly highlighting her shoulder blades. Clearly, Su Li let out a long sigh of relief.
"It's fine as long as it suits me. I've liked this designer for a long time. I was worried that it would be too niche."

"What's wrong with your hands?" Gu Mufeng interrupted Su Li's explanation as she was releasing her stress, noticing that Su Li was repeatedly adjusting her hair bun.

The sapphire dazzled in his eyes, but it wasn't good enough for her; however, a large, glaring crimson patch was visible on her middle finger knuckle.

"Uh, this?" Looking down at her middle finger, Su Li said, "It's not... You said you absolutely had to have me accompany you to the banquet?"

She showed no sign of reproach.

"I was worried I wouldn't be able to finish the model. Last night, while I was working late, I used a sander to polish it, and ended up getting sandpaper on my hands..."

In an instant, Gu Mufeng's pupils contracted. It was as if he wanted to grab her hand.

"Hiss... No bones are broken. It's alright." Su Li smiled at him.

In architecture, injuries to both hands are inevitable. Su Li had already considered this when she made up her mind to become an architect.

Seeing the composure in her eyes, Gu Mufeng surprisingly withdrew his hand this time, despite clearly caring, his expression remaining indifferent and silent. At this moment, he slightly furrowed his brows, examining Su Li's wound from a distance as if he were being forcibly pulled back.

The scratch that Su Li described as "nothing serious" was actually quite large and not shallow. It had a thick scab, resembling a dark red jade with a milky yellow tinge, making it very conspicuous.

“That’s not appropriate. People will ask.” Suddenly, almost deliberately, Gu Mufeng said stiffly, “In social situations, you won’t allow anyone to inquire about your privacy.”

He hesitated. But in the end, as if making a decision on the spot, he quickly took off the ring on his right ring finger, as if he had been burned.

From a distance, he stretched out one hand and handed it to her: "Put it on."

From the first time Su Li bumped into Gu Mufeng at the hotel, when he gently took her hand, Su Li noticed this ring. It had always been on his right ring finger, never taken off for a moment.

The ring is unique and exquisite, exceptionally delicate compared to men's rings. A precious ruby, crafted with painstaking care, is carved into a sincere red bean, inextricably intertwined with branches and leaves in white gold and black enamel.

Under Gu Mufeng's watchful gaze, Su Li carefully accepted the ring. His eyes remained fixed on it, subtly waiting for her to put it on. The ring perfectly covered the scab.

Su Li felt the lingering warmth of Gu Mufei's body on the ring, and her heart inexplicably raced.

And so, in the awkward silence that followed, they remained silent until their car pulled into the concert hall's private driveway. For the first time in her life, Su Li witnessed a line of luxury cars gradually converging in one place.

As soon as the car came to a stop, before she could react, Gu Mufeng had already taken her arm and led her, letting her ten-centimeter evening heels lightly touch the soft red carpet. Reflectors, spotlights, and a barrage of cameras suddenly rained down on her, like countless blades piercing her pupils in an instant.

For a moment, Su Li forgot how to breathe.

Her mind went completely blank, and her first instinct was to back away. But her ankle only touched his cold car.

Noticing something was wrong, Gu Mufeng's palm tightened slightly. The calluses on his fingertips gently brushed against Su Li's arm.

She is his woman.

Immediately afterwards, in front of thousands of reporters, he pulled her back, embraced her, and drew her to his side. He held her tightly, like a pre-planned waltz.

He nodded slightly to her, his handsome yet firm lips parting to whisper something to her. His calm voice struck the turbulent sea of ​​her heart:

"Look up. Don't be afraid. You are unique."

The rough, scalded yet warm palm held her firmly, giving her no room to hesitate, and guided her to stand still.

Still shaken, but quickly enough, Su Li helped him regain his composure. Turning her head sharply, she forced herself to remain calm, elegantly raising her head slightly, boldly displaying her pure yet ambitious face on the red carpet.

Her skirt swayed as she followed him step by step.

"Why is there a red carpet? Mu Fei, you didn't mention it at all." For some reason, Su Li's question sounded like a coquettish plea.

Gu Mufeng held her firmly in his arms: "Don't worry. No photos will be leaked."

"But why?"

“I’m here. They wouldn’t dare.” As he said this, Gu Mufeng stared straight ahead, his eyes filled with disdain.

Su Li was startled by his resolute decision.

As Su Li walked with him, she leaned on his broad shoulder to turn back: behind them, people in tuxedos and evening gowns emerged from cars one after another, including many celebrities.

Seemingly noticing that Su Li cared, Gu Mufeng added:

“Every year, the business community in Minzhou selects a small number of artists to attend concerts as a shield. This way, the public enjoys themselves while the capital remains perfectly hidden. Haven’t you heard of the Met Gala?”

He gave a soft, cold snort.

Su Li understood immediately. Now that he was holding her, she realized she was also part of the group.

The steps before you rise majestically, like an insurmountable ladder to heaven for anyone. The concert hall, meanwhile, floats serenely on artificial mirror-like water. With the support of immense wealth, even white granite can be transformed into a paper-thin shell; this building truly embodies the miracle of money.

Facing the damp winter wind from the Parrot River, Su Li rallied her spirits. She lifted the tassels of her lace skirt, created some distance, and gracefully took Gu Mufeng's arm beneath his formal attire, as they ascended the steps.

At the entrance above the steps, foundation staff checked each invitation one by one and led the VIPs inside.

The concert hall was brightly lit. Guests waiting for the reception to begin were scattered in small groups. They chatted with restraint and elegance, and every now and then some juicy gossip would reach Su Li's ears.

"Have you heard? The Sheng family has big ambitions this time; they want to list on the New York Stock Exchange."

"Isn't that Mr. Gu from FN? Who's the woman with him? Why is he bringing her out in public?"

"You didn't know? Rumors are circulating about an illegitimate child. Tonight, the Gu family—"

>>>>>
Next Chapter: The Four Major Financial Groups (Demons and Monsters)
[Author's Note | Chapter 32]

Su Li's radiance tonight was so dazzling and perfect that Gu Mufeng almost lost control of himself. On the red carpet, she entered Minzhou's highest social scene—as an investor!
Have you understood President Gu's heart?
In the next chapter, the demons and monsters (oh no, the four major conglomerates) finally make their dazzling debut, and Gu Mufeng's world is finally completely open to Su Li...

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(End of this chapter)