Deadly Trap.

Chapter 35. Two-Way Deception
In an instant, her breathing stopped. Su Li was stunned.

At this moment, Su Li couldn't even distinguish whether the real heartbeat and the burning palm were his temptation, his plan, or just his deadly trap.

She never imagined that his frankness would touch her heart.

Her voice couldn't be gentler. Hearing Gu Mufei's calm breathing as he finally landed here, Su Li looked back into his eyes with equal intensity.

She certainly understood the story of the Sword of Damocles. A king's sword is also a sword that kills his king. If a king, with a sword hanging over his head, relaxes his guard, he will perish by its blade.

And Gu Mufeng... he handed her the hilt of the sword.

At that moment, her fingertips pressed against his passionate heart, and in a flashback, Su Li recalled every day she had seen Gu Mufeng.

Judging from his strict self-control, his tireless work ethic year-round, and the dangerous individuals under his command, he has been ruling the gray areas of Minzhou for quite some time now.

Since he needs a beautiful female companion to disguise his weaknesses, who did he bring to the New Year's Eve dinner every year before Su Li?

Before her, a handsome face, one in a million, gazed intently at her.

Gu Mufeng has never lacked women around him.

Silently, Su Li lowered her eyes. Her fingertips gradually shrank, and along with her heart, she withdrew from his ardent palm. His palm felt inexplicably heavy, as if she were truly gripping a sword hilt.

Su Li unconsciously stroked the edge of the table, a sudden, indescribable, and intense pang of sorrow welling up inside her:

She knew she shouldn't dwell on his single status, and she had no right to be jealous of the women he had been with or the "Sword of Damocles" he might have casually wielded a few times.

Ultimately, it was just a transaction between him and her.

With a bitter smile, Su Li's eyes reddened slightly. Her whole body trembled slightly, and her fingertips unconsciously tightened, as if they were being burned by his lingering body heat.

Helpless, yet she was still acutely tormented by jealousy: she was not the first, nor would she be the last, to hand over the hilt of his sword!
Silently, Su Li bit her lip.

I'm being too childish.

"I wish I were deaf. I didn't hear a thing you said."

She was only downcast for a moment. Then, Su Li resolutely raised her eyes. She stubbornly raised her chin and reached for the champagne on the table that she hadn't touched yet, and that she didn't plan to touch tonight.

The candlelight made her resolute eyes appear vibrant.

Completely avoiding Gu Mufeng's gaze, which hadn't left her since earlier, Su Li finally responded, "Why are you suddenly willing to tell me all this tonight?"

Hearing her ask that, Gu Mufeng suddenly found it amusing.

It was rare for Su Li to be so obviously jealous. Her mind was uncontrollably weaving bittersweet lies about him casually handing her the hilt of a sword and casually pressing her close to his heart.

Su Li, you are the only one.

But her stubbornness, which she tried so hard to hide from him and from herself despite her obvious jealousy, unexpectedly made him very reluctant to let her go.

He even felt, more than ever before, that they were completely in the same boat.

Unable to hold back, Gu Mufeng directly exposed her:

"For the past month, Su Li, haven't you been trying to extract information from me so you can blackmail me if necessary?"

At this moment, he completely let go of her, sitting comfortably and confidently in front of her. His soft, golden hair hung loosely over his handsome sideburns.

Extremely deceptive, Gu Mufeng smiled softly once again.

However, this time, when he looked into her eyes, his gaze revealed undisguised admiration:

“Su Li, we are kindred spirits.”

Silently, Su Li continued to sip the clear champagne in her hand.

Just as Gu Mufeng said, over the past month or so, she tested him, only to one day be able to blackmail him, control him, and make plans for her long-term future.

He treated her like an object; why couldn't she fight back?

But was what she did really that obvious?

"You did a great job, very well."

With a faint, warm smile, Gu Mufeng savored everything about Su Li: her allure, her desire, her subtle probing. The way her eyes, so cautious yet calculating, met his gaze when she looked at him…

Almost restrained, Gu Mufeng breathed softly, tracing the rim of the crystal glass with his fingertips:

"You are experienced enough, tactful, gentle and low-key, making full use of your feminine strengths to be evasive and insincere."

Just as Su Li hadn't tried to blackmail him, Gu Mufeng was now appreciating a masterpiece of art. He offered a relaxed critique:

"If it weren't for my deep understanding of myself, I almost..."

His eyes traced her image, and he couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

"I was also fooled by your harmless appearance."

"Tsk." Su Li clicked her tongue in disbelief. Since that was the case, she probably didn't need to pretend to be obedient to Gu Mufeng anymore.

"Do you know how to play mahjong?" he suddenly asked.

"Huh? No. My dad won't allow it."

Gu Mufeng raised an eyebrow slightly. He clearly recalled the night they first met, when Su Li boldly insisted on "learning" Texas Hold'em from him.

She played the fool to deceive him, handling the situation with ease. Danfeng's cold eyes narrowed slightly, and Gu Mufeng immediately gave the order, which carried an air of absolute authority: "I'll teach you. It's not difficult. You'll come with me next week."

"Where to? Why would I study this?"

With a heavy sigh, Su Li lazily rested her chin on one hand. Her usually charming peach blossom eyes were now misty with tears as she gazed into the distance, but she was determined not to look at him.

Su Liyuan frowned, seemingly lost in thought about something heavy.

Gu Mufeng, however, was determined to get closer to her. With an almost cunning smile, he said to her, "Next week, I'm going to introduce you to the wives of the four major conglomerates. They make friends through mahjong."

"It seems you're quite popular with the ladies?"

She raised an eyebrow and sneered, "Why do you think I'd go? Does being a sugar daddy mean you can do whatever you want? Is encouraging gambling not illegal?"

Suddenly revealing her sharp teeth, like a cat flailing its claws in frustration, Su Li said coldly, "I don't want to interfere in your business."

Faced with Su Li's seemingly annoyed yet not annoyed attitude, and even her openly giving him the cold shoulder at the banquet, Gu Mufeng remained completely gentle and unperturbed.

“What’s good for me won’t be bad for you. Besides,” he said, taking another sip of champagne.

The clear, pale amber liquid and bubbles flowed freely in his palm, just like Su Li.

"I believe you will thrive and enjoy it."

Just as Su Li was about to throw a tantrum and argue again, she turned around and saw a waiter approaching from afar, getting close to Gu Mufeng: "Mr. Gu, Young Master Zhou specifically requested this for you. He seems to be in a hurry."

As he spoke, a small, lonely crumpled piece of paper was brought over on the tray, looking like it was soaked in sweat and was all crumpled up and unrecognizable.

Gu Mufeng's eyebrows twitched slightly, a hint of impatience flashing in his eyes: "Now?"

Su Li looked back and saw that Monday's seat was already empty.

"Yes. Young Master Zhou instructed that you should open this personally immediately."

Sensing the urgency in his voice, Gu Mufeng immediately picked up the crumpled paper. The waiter tactfully stepped back. Su Li was about to lean closer to Gu Mufeng to take a look: Why was Zhou Yi acting like a primary school student, passing notes?

Immediately afterward, Gu Mufeng stood up. His expression was completely different from when he was speaking with Su Li earlier.

With a serious frown and cold, indifferent gaze, he resolutely pushed his hand, which was clutching the note, into the candlelight at the center of the table.

"hiss……"

Flames suddenly appeared, and the sweat-soaked strip of paper hissed as if struggling, emitting thin wisps of white smoke.

It was then completely devoured.

Before the flames burned Gu Mufeng's calloused fingertips, he expressionlessly flicked his hand and unhesitatingly spun the ashes into the champagne.

The faint ash quickly sank to the bottom, disappearing without a trace in an instant.

"Mu Fei?"

Su Li's heart skipped a beat as she stared in disbelief at the man before her. His movements were swift, decisive, and resolute. The man who had just been so honest and open with her, so tenderly offering his heart, seemed as if he had never existed.

His sudden changes even chilled Su Li to the bone:

How much of what she knew about him was actually false?

As if casually, Gu Mufeng turned around and gently touched Su Li's bare shoulder. His words weren't harsh, but the light in his eyes was cold and hard, brooking no delay:

"Wait for me. I'll be right back."

>>>>>
Gu Mufeng was gone for a very long time. He practically skipped the entire charity auction. When he finally returned, the New Year's Eve concert was about to begin, and his expression was quite intriguing.

"He was here on Monday?"

The concert hall was dimly lit. They took their seats in a private box on the second floor, completely alone. Su Li finally couldn't help but ask.

"Hmph." For once, Gu Mufeng was clearly annoyed. "This kid's gotten bold. But he can't even tell that Sheng Chunqiu is deliberately instigating him. It's alright. I'll handle it."

"That……?"

Su Li traced the cold, aloof profile of Gu Mufeng, his brows furrowed. Had he truly given her his heart just now?
Hesitantly, Su Li pressed further. If Gu Mufeng was willing to tell her more tonight—

“Su Li,” his gaze left no room for doubt, “there are some things you’re better off not knowing.”

Hearing him say that, Su Li pursed her lips and loosened her grip on his arm. Although, as a mistress, she shouldn't ask any more questions, Su Li wisely kept quiet.

For once, Gu Mufeng seemed a little irritable. Fortunately, the entire concert hall soon went dark.

Suddenly, breaking the silence, two powerful, short string notes ripped through the stillness, like the sudden neighing of warhorses. The melody of Beethoven's Third Symphony swept through the hall, the notes like charging cavalry, fearlessly marching onto the battlefield.

The banquet tonight has only just begun.

>>>>>
Next chapter: Thas
[Author's Note | Chapter 35]

Thank you for following along!

Su Li was incredibly jealous today, something she hadn't expected. But feelings are so unpredictable. Even though she said she didn't care, she was already fantasizing about the other person's infidelity…

Mr. Gu: I really didn't.

Two foxes were dancing a feigned hula dance, and it looked like they were about to turn it into a romantic waltz!
What do you think of President Gu's final change of heart?
There's a surprise in the next chapter!
Come share your thoughts in the comments section!
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(End of this chapter)