Deadly Trap.

Chapter 81. Ideals
Clearly, Su Yan's final move before her death was to push the chess piece directly in front of Gu Mufeng. She was determined to see how he and Tang Quan would turn against each other, father and son.

Taking one step forward, Su Yan wants Gu Mufeng to use Su Li's property transfer to lure Tang Quan into public appearances; taking another step back forces him to abandon Su Li, who is in danger and facing litigation.

It turns out that, perhaps, Su Yan had already seen through the turmoil of love and hate churning within him when he visited her, basking in his own self-satisfaction and pretending to be Su Li's boyfriend. She pushed her daughter into his arms, forcing him to make a difficult choice.

Su Yan.

It is said that wild geese are sentimental, while pear blossoms are cold-hearted.

What a vicious heart this woman has!

With a cold sigh, Gu Mufeng tossed Su Yan's will aside. Beneath his fingertips, he felt his double eyelids, which he had been forcibly suppressing, burning and throbbing.

He could not forgive himself for taking advantage of Su Li again.

However, he also has zero tolerance for being manipulated, used, or schemed against by others.

Gu Mufeng was confident he could lure Tang Quan out. He didn't need Su Yan interfering!
Perhaps fueled by passion, Gu Mufeng suddenly conceived a plan.

He knew Su Li hated that house. To her, it was more like a prison where she had been mentally abused for years. She didn't even want to see it again.

What if he takes immediate action now, maximizing his power, and negotiates with the municipal government to include the entire area surrounding Su Yan's home in the next quarter's construction and demolition plan?
He gently tapped his brow with his fingertips. With each breath, Gu Mufeng's thoughts became clear and lucid, calm and free of impurities.

The situation unfolded like a real map on the central table of his private mental library: who had weaknesses, and what did they need? Human relationships were intricately intertwined, a complex web of connections.

Gradually, before him, all these superfluous branches withered, faded, and disappeared, leaving only two clear lines on the map:

The Sheng family. Crackdown on organized crime.

In his mind, he leaned down over the desk, focusing even more intently on the details. Step by step, he meticulously outlined how to achieve each objective. In any case, this would require a significant amount of his time and resources, and would be no easy feat.

However, this way, Su Li would not need to appear in person, while Tang Quan would have to deal with the municipal government personally.

His opportunity to strike was at the city hall. Did Tang Quan dare to act so recklessly?
"Mu Fei?"

In an instant, his meditation was shattered. The private library seemed to vanish from his soul like smoke, and Gu Mufeng abruptly raised his head.

Su Li had just walked to the table. Her expression was worried as she looked down at him carefully.

"What? Why are you so pale? You were so stubborn this afternoon, and you caught a chill from the wind. Your injury hasn't even healed yet." She reached out to touch his forehead.

"It's nothing." Gu Mufeng hastily stood up, taking the opportunity to avoid her hand. His brow was indeed slightly hot: "Finished the drawing?"

"How could that be?" Su Li chuckled softly. It was clear that she was in high spirits. "But there's something I want to discuss with you."

Su Li hesitated slightly, seemingly considering whether to bother him or not.

But in the end, Su Li put her thoughts aside. Frankly and straightforwardly, she spoke to Gu Mufeng directly:
"Mu Fei, I just received an email. Didn't I go to Illinois Institute of Technology for an exchange program and stay for a year? They are very interested in me."

"Now, they are willing to formally admit me again."

As she spoke, a warm blush rose on Su Li's face, and her eyes shone with pure innocence.

Unable to hide the heartfelt joy of being recognized, and the excitement of finally reaping the rewards of her long efforts, Su Li finally achieved her wish:
"Originally, without my mother's inheritance, I would have been struggling to make ends meet and would have had to find ways to earn tuition fees; my mother would certainly have tried to stop me in every way possible."

"But now, ah, they're even willing to let me go ahead and audit the class, so I can finish the thesis writing course while I'm at it."

"Mu Fei".

At this moment, Su Li stood straight and firm in his eyes, like a mast with its sails fully drawn in the wind. Her sincere gaze looked directly into his heart, and Su Li seemed to be mustering her courage and making a firm decision.

finally--

"Come with me." "Su Li—"

“Mu Fei,” she interrupted, “tell me tonight about your selfish motives. You want to change this absurd world.”

"But do you remember? We discussed architecture and people, once, in our Alhambra."

Looking back suddenly, she smiled gently. Now, that place had become their Alhambra. In the afterglow of the setting sun, she had already...

“Although some might say,” Su Li continued to Gu Mufeng, her voice soft but unwavering, “my ideals are too young. But for me, architectural design is about changing the world.”

"By changing behavior through architecture and influencing mindset through design, the world will gradually change."

"And all I hope for is that by then, you will be by my side..." Su Li said casually.

As if struck by her, Gu Mufeng's breath caught in his throat.

Perhaps fearing this reason wasn't sufficient, or perhaps because Gu Mufeng's expression was too surprised, Su Li hurriedly added:
"Look, Mu Fei, it's easy for you to fly over with your passport; financial investments can be managed overseas just as well. I will never hold you back."

"If you don't want to leave your gray world, I understand..."

Gu Mufeng, however, was no longer listening.

Over the years, Cheng Shining and Dai Ze had advised him; he had faced countless crises and difficulties, but he had always been determined to overcome them alone.

He never considered quitting.

He had long since abandoned the fear of life and death; but he could never let go of this selfish desire—to fight for everything before his life was completely consumed—as if he were a candle burning itself out: to personally destroy the tycoons and the underworld, step by step.

Human destiny, twisted and crushed like ants in the gears of capital and power. His mother! His sister! Zhou Yi, Yi Heng, Yu Chuan, Lulu, Su Yan. Su Li, and himself.

Beneath a name should lie three meals a day, joys and sorrows, and vibrant, genuine desires, regardless of their origin or destination.

People should not be arranged like chess pieces; this world should not be like a chessboard.

Even if it meant personally participating, getting his hands dirty, abandoning all personal feelings, and starting all over again... he would do it.

Seven years. Knowing his own insignificance and limited influence, he diligently built his gray empire from scratch, earning the right to intervene in the world. He taught the four major conglomerates, including Sheng Chunqiu, what it truly meant to be wary of others.

But now, in his eyes, Su Li's face radiates fervor, filled with longing and anticipation for the future.

If he were the investor, and Su Li were in charge of the design, perhaps one day in the future, just as she envisioned, through their combined efforts, the world could slowly and gently change for the better.

In that time, everyone will be able to cherish each other even more.

Deep within his heart, burning like the sun, he loved her. Gu Mufeng wavered: Was he being too persistent?

"Let me think about it. Okay?"

Gently, Gu Mufei grasped Su Li's hand.

This probably doesn't count as escaping.

>>>>>
Next Chapter: A Little Repayment (High Sugar Chapter)
[Author's Note | Chapter 81]

When Su Li finally mustered up her courage and bravely extended an invitation to Gu Mufeng, she probably didn't yet realize how she had swayed Gu Mufeng's heart...

Do you think Gu Mufeng would give up his gray world for Su Li's ideals?
Leave your guesses in the comments section!
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(End of this chapter)