Deadly Trap.

Chapter 43. The Weight of Life
Suddenly, Gu Mufeng spoke up: "Su Li, I'm sorry."

"Ok?"

Why did he suddenly apologize out of the blue?

"Tonight, Su Li. For you, it was a terrifying experience beyond comprehension; for me, it was..."

He took a deep breath, as if gathering all his strength, before finally finding the words: "They are real, living people I know. I am so sorry, no matter what."

With his eyes still tightly closed, Gu Mufeng's voice was as light as a feather. Caught between a high fever and his breathing, his words were broken up, his voice like fragments.

Is he talking nonsense?

"It might sound silly to say this. But I have a responsibility. Yiheng... the person who passed away tonight was named Wang Yiheng. He was my junior. He was very talented and insightful."

At this moment, perhaps due to the intense pain, Gu Mufeng paused, his breathing becoming uneven and erratic.
“Back in Minsheng University of Finance and Economics, Yiheng was with me and Zhou Yi. After I graduated, he pursued his MBA. That day, he invited me to his ceremony. He suddenly told me that he wanted to do something for me.”

"But, Su Li, why did he have to get involved in my gray world?"

“I tried to stop him. But he wouldn’t listen. So I offered him a higher salary than investment banking, letting him do what he does best, finance. But now…”

At this point, as if finally revealing the most unspeakable words in his heart, his voice gradually faded.

“He has a family and a wife. He said he was just going to work. No matter what, Yiheng shouldn't have ended up like this. Su Li. It's me…”

His deep, emotionless voice was broken into fragments. Finally, in the darkness, he could no longer continue. Su Li was resting on his shoulder. A sudden pang of sadness welled up in her heart: it turned out that Gu Mufeng wasn't entirely as cold-blooded and heartless as he appeared. He had a heart.

However, it's too heavy.

Su Li didn't know how to answer. But instinctively, she wanted to get closer, closer to his world where he had nothing but money and power. She wanted her company to replace words.

She curled up and stared intently at her mottled wrists in the moonlight.

In this vast world, everything is like dust. Although she has only lived for a mere twenty-four years, Su Li still feels that life is too difficult.

Countless crowds come and go, like fleeting bubbles being wiped away time and again. The world won't stop turning for anyone. Aside from our closest relatives, who cares who ever came and went?

Gu Mufeng didn't take full responsibility, saying that Yi Heng's decapitation was his fault. Because that was naturally not the case.

But he said it was his responsibility. Indeed, Su Li thought, he was to blame.

"Tomorrow," Gu Mufeng struggled to utter, barely resisting his weariness, as if unwilling to give up and refusing to let himself fall apart:
“I had to go in person to inform Yiheng’s wife of his death. I had to go; only I could go. His wife only knew me as Yiheng’s senior from school and the one who took care of him.”

"I have to persuade his wife not to report the crime. We still need to find the body. There's the compensation, the insurance money, the funeral..."

"From now on, my wife and children must..."

As he descended with his breath, it was clear that Ibuprofen had fought a grueling battle and finally managed to come out on top. Beside Su Li, Gu Mufeng's voice finally faded away, leaving only fragmented and indistinct words of reluctance to let go.

Su Li hugged him tightly on the bed. She brushed aside his sweat-drenched hair and gently kissed his forehead.
"Mu Fei, stop thinking about it. You always manage to handle things perfectly. Now, go to sleep."

>>>>>
When Gu Mufei woke up, the sky was already bright. Sunlight, like fragments, spilled across the bed, making it difficult for him to open his eyes for a moment.

Beside him, tightly embracing him, was Su Li's soft body warmth. Despite the large bed, she insisted on squeezing into his arms, curling up into a tiny ball.

She hadn't taken off her evening gown from last night; the silk was wrinkled from the pressure. Jewelry and his cufflinks lay haphazardly piled on the bedside table.

Her hair was disheveled, and she had only washed her face to remove her makeup. One hand was near her slightly parted lips; the other hand, soft and warm, embraced him and rested on his pounding heart.

Gu Mufeng couldn't help but feel a jolt in his heart.

He suffered through a grueling night. Last night, in his struggle between sleep and wakefulness, he clearly felt Su Li's soft hand gently wiping his forehead. Her wrists were covered with spiderweb-like, old scars.

This gentle woman. What she had experienced was clearly more complex than what she had confessed to him herself. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but hug Su Li tightly in his arms.

Last night, along with his physical pain, the recurring nightmare that had plagued him for years also relentlessly assailed him. But for the first time in eleven years, this nightmare was different:

In his dream, he held a little more starlight in his arms, following him upstream. Thousands of hands still pulled him away, but he did not wake up.

The moment he insisted on setting the place ablaze, the starlight turned to ashes first.

When he woke up, his heart still felt empty, but his fingertips felt as if they were still warm from the starlight.

That day, in the university's workspace, he could see Su Li's timidity, simply because she felt she wasn't wearing makeup and looked flushed and sweaty, which made her less than beautiful.

Su Li didn't understand.

Despite her repeated claims, Su Li confessed that she was merely flattering, feigning the various allure men desired. But from their first meeting, it was Su Li's ambitious, destiny-controlling, and unyielding spirit that truly captivated him…

Love at first sight.

She couldn't fool him.

Recalling the moment with such tenderness, and afraid of disturbing Su Li, who was still fast asleep in his arms, Gu Mufeng carefully and silently reached for his phone.

To his surprise, he realized it was already 10 a.m. He had probably never gotten up this late in his life.

As usual. His screen was filled with calls and messages urging him to hurry up. His phone vibrated, and another new message popped up. An old, unread message caught his eye first, striking a nerve.

The email was received at 5:00 AM.
"Senior Gu, I'm sorry to bother you. I am Yiheng's wife. Yiheng instructed me that if he did not return home overnight, I should contact you immediately."

"I don't know what's going on. But I'm very uneasy right now. Do you know where Yiheng is? I'm so sorry to bother you. Thank you."

Gu Mufeng hurriedly got up.

Nestled in his arms, Su Li, who had just caught up on a sleepless night, rolled over and landed limply on the bed. Suddenly, she woke up too.

Gu Mufeng realized that because he had collapsed at such an inopportune time, things were now completely out of control. What about Quenxus? It was his turn to be on duty today.

Since he arrived at the pinnacle of the gray world seven years ago, every morning at nine o'clock, he has had to review all affairs inside and outside the organization. No days off.

Immediately, Gu Mufeng dialed the number: "Quenxus?"

"Boss, you—"

"Where are you?"

"Li Enzuo and I are waiting in your lobby. Li Enzuo reports that he has important information to report in person."

Seeing Gu Mufeng throw down his phone and rush into the bathroom to wash up, Su Li breathed a sigh of relief: He's alright.

But then, a vague unease crept into Su Li's heart:
A new year begins, and everything is new. But the aloof and unapproachable Gu Mufeng she knew was back.

>>>>>
Next chapter: Poison

[Author's Note | Chapter 43]

That night, Su Li was shocked to discover that Gu Mufeng had a heart; and Gu Mufeng confirmed his instant attraction to Su Li. Did their beautiful morning spent nestled together foreshadow the new year...?

However, it's true, Mr. Gu really seems to switch souls when he's working...

What was Mr. Gu's reaction to last night after the soul swap?

Let the young author know your thoughts in the comments section!
Adding to your favorites, following the story, and voting will give young readers lots of encouragement!
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(End of this chapter)