Deadly Trap.

Chapter 34. The Sword of Damocles

Just as Su Li couldn't help but blurt out, Gu Mufeng, who was sitting next to her, quietly stopped her in time:

"It's not appropriate to greet him now. Don't embarrass him."

"Embarrassing? But how could it be Monday—?"

Su Li was shocked: she was Gu Mufeng's mistress who had brought her in. And what about Zhou Yi? Did he also hitch a ride with a rich woman? If he wronged Yu He, Su Li would never forgive him.

"You didn't know he was the young master of the Zhou family?"

Still slightly turned towards her, Gu Mufei stared intently at the speech on stage, his lips barely moving.

"That's true. He doesn't like this identity."

As they spoke, thunderous applause erupted. Gu Mufeng and Su Li also clapped in response. The charity auction party had officially begun.

As the waiters, who had been waiting in the banquet hall, filed in, they brought out a variety of exquisite dishes on trays. Amidst the clinking of glasses and the relaxed atmosphere around the round tables, conversation flowed more freely. Every now and then, small round plates were raised high in the air amidst laughter during auctions.

Despite this, Su Li remained cautious. She lowered her voice:
"The Zhou family? Could it be that the Zhou family is one of the four major financial groups?"

"Yes."

Gu Mufei's tone carried a familiar teasing: "Otherwise, who would be so free, almost thirty years old and still hiding on campus, wasting time with several master's degrees?"

To get a better look at Monday, Su Li turned and moved closer to Gu Mufeng. Her soft breasts accidentally brushed against his shoulder, and she clearly felt Gu Mufeng's Adam's apple tighten for a moment, almost imperceptibly.

He immediately tried to grab her waist and openly pin her to the table.

But very quickly, he lowered his eyes, calmed his breathing as if nothing had happened.

Ignoring his heaving chest, and using him as a shield, Su Li secretly peeked in Zhou Yi's direction from behind his ear: she saw the Zhou family of four chatting happily and intimately.

“His brother is different from him,”

As if trying to distract himself, Gu Mufeng's voice was almost cold and hard:

"Not only did the younger brother go abroad to study for an MBA at a prestigious university at a young age, but he also started his own successful business. Naturally, Mr. and Mrs. Zhou of Hengtai prefer their talented younger son."

Hearing Gu Mufeng say this, and looking at Zhou Yi now, Su Li felt that the smile on Zhou Yi's face was somewhat forced.

Monday? That ordinary-looking Monday who eats at the cafeteria at a discount and has a kind personality? Is he the eldest son of one of the four major conglomerates?

Suddenly, Su Li felt a sharp and self-mocking sense of absurdity. What she had tried so hard to obtain was a burden that others avoided at all costs.

Zhou Yi tries her best to hide her background and pretends to be ordinary; while Su Li has to do everything she can to avoid debt and falling into the abyss because of her ordinariness.

Completely unaware of Su Li's thoughts, Gu Mufeng slightly turned aside, avoiding the waiter who was pouring champagne for them. Almost casually, he added:
"For Monday, it's hard to say what made him more devastated: the survival of the fittest among his own brothers; the neglect and abandonment of him by his parents; or the public contempt for his 'uselessness' from the entire Minzhou capital social circle."

His calmness was almost cruel. Hearing Gu Mufeng conclude with such an unperturbed tone, Su Li looked at Zhou Yi's gentle profile for the third time.

The banquet hall was filled with clinking glasses. Wearing a tailor-made tuxedo and silk bow tie, Zhou Yi's face was completely different from the face Yu Hexin remembered when he thought of "Old Zhou."

The young masters of the four great families now appeared pitifully humble. Did Yu He know the true situation of "Old Zhou" she spoke of?
Su Li smiled wryly: At least, Yu He no longer has to worry about going bankrupt on Monday.

Immediately afterward, a bitter chill and mockery swept through her heart. Although Su Li empathized with Zhou Yi's humility and repression, Zhou Yi still had money. She, on the other hand, didn't even have any. Did she have the right to pity the Crown Prince?
"But, Mu Fei, how do you know the details?" Su Li finally blurted out, unable to hold back any longer.

Did Gu Mufeng know about the family's internal strife?
Su Li already knew he was dangerous. But to the point of being omnipresent?
"Even if you and Zhou Yi were classmates in college?" Su Li's voice was filled with fear, and she lowered it further and further.

As if nothing had happened, Gu Mufeng took a small sip of his champagne. His fingertips lightly traced the cool rim of the glass, a half-smile playing on his lips.

"Su Li, this is what I do."

"What... to do?" Su Li's heart skipped a beat.

Gu Mufeng actually laughed heartily:
“Gather intelligence, ‘use’ intelligence. The secrets of everyone present: family feuds, backgrounds, moral flaws…” His voice was calm as usual, but every word struck Su Li’s tense nerves: “…I will always find a way to get these.”

The corners of his lips curled up.

Su Li's heart skipped a beat. Gu Mufeng's voice was calm and gentle, even light, but every word was like a sharp blade, cutting through not only her disguise.

It turns out that Gu Mufeng didn't pressure, manipulate, or treat her coldly because she was his mistress. He had long since seen through the nature and fate of people: in politics, business, the four major families, and even himself.

What is she afraid of?
Her heart raced instantly, but Su Li forced herself to calm down: "So you... blackmailed them?"

Her fingertips betrayed her. Su Li gripped her skirt tightly, as if she were about to run away: Why did Gu Mufeng suddenly tell her this?

Seeing Su Li's obvious panic, a gentle smile flickered in Gu Mufeng's eyes. He patiently explained:
“There are many ways to ‘use’ information. Extortion is the lowest level. The more information I have, the more people will assume I already know, even if I am not aware of it. Everything will then fall into place.”

His words were understated: "Easy to solve."

It was as if Su Li could sense that Gu Mufeng had seen through her thoughts, just as he had ruthlessly pinned her to the bed countless times.

Such a powerful man, yet he's concealing his true strength. Just how sharp is he really?

Gu Mufeng continued speaking:
"It's not what you think. I downplay people's negative impressions: nobody likes someone who threatens them, but everyone likes someone who is useful to them."

"I only need to exert a little influence and remind the political and business circles of Minzhou from time to time that I am the most useful person in the entire Mingang area, and that will be enough."

"That's why I'm here today, and you have to stay with me."

Su Li's fingertips grew colder and colder until she could no longer feel them. Finally, she understood Gu Mufeng's true intention in inviting her.

"Men who are always accompanied by beautiful female companions always seem more attractive and easier to control."

It was all part of his plan.

Su Li forced a smile, just like when she used to fish with him gently. She tried her best to hide the nervousness surging inside her, but she couldn't escape his eyes.

At this moment, after all, he was completely focused on her.

Gu Mufeng gazed at her with a half-smile, his eyes revealing an indescribable emotion. His voice lowered again, carrying a dangerous allure, almost whispering in her ear:

"Su Li".

A slight ripple appeared in his eyes.

He slowly leaned closer, his golden bangs hanging low. He brushed a strand of hair behind Su Li's ear with his fingers, his voice extremely soft, as if he wanted to confide a secret to her:

"You know what this means?"

Su Li shook her head.

"Now, it's in your palm."

As he finished speaking, Gu Mufeng slowly took Su Li's hand in his, the ruby ​​ring pressing against her palm, like him gripping the hilt of a sword for her.

He guided her soft fingertips to his chest, pressing them against his rapidly beating heart beneath his shirt, against his real and fervent pulse, like stabbing a sword into his heart.

He gasped, a pain both real and illusory, a longing to pull himself away from her. But in the end:
"Su Li, you are my sword of Damocles."

>>>>>
Next chapter: Two-way deception
[Author's Note | Chapter 34]

Monday was actually the son of one of the four great families? Do you understand the suffering of a runaway "prince"?
So, what do readers think of Gu Mufeng's "confession"? How much of Gu's affection do you think is genuine, or just a moment of infatuation?

Feel free to leave your thoughts!

If you like it, please add it to your favorites, follow the updates, and vote so the author can write more sweet moments!
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(End of this chapter)