When the morning sun shone into the living room, Shu Pan emerged from the guest room, and Gu Shaoting also stepped out from the study. The two inevitably crossed paths.
Shu Pan couldn't help it and finally spoke, "Gu Shaoting, I truly love you. Have you ever loved me?"
This confession without dignity was truly humble, but Shu Pan just wanted an answer.
"No," Gu Shaoting paused, finally uttering these two words. Those two simple words completely crushed Shu Pan. Deep down, she had already guessed the answer, but she couldn't help but seek a glimmer of hope for herself.
"I like you so much, why can't you like me?" she naively murmured. The humility in her tone brought tears to her own eyes.
But it was fine this way. At least she wouldn't be tormented by uncertainty anymore.
Shu Pan lowered her head, quickly walked into the living room, grabbed her bag, and left.
Her father would be discharged from the hospital in a couple of days. They planned to sell the house and couldn't return to live there. She intended to find a two-bedroom apartment in the city, where her father and aunt could stay until the debt issues were resolved.
Busy all day, but she didn't feel like going back to that home.
"Brother Ting, what's the situation now? How will Shu Laide's properties be handled? If you don't want to divorce Shu Pan, then don't go to such extremes. At least, it would be better to have some interaction in the future. Otherwise, I'll arrange someone to buy their properties," In a luxurious private room, He Ming suggested, looking at Gu Shaoting on the sofa, swaying a wine glass in his hand.
Gu Shaoting stared at the swirling red wine in his glass, images of Shu Pan's sorrowful face kept appearing in his mind. He felt increasingly annoyed and raised his glass, drinking it all in one gulp.
"Fine, we'll do as you say, but lower the price. I want Shu Laide to live in constant fear," Gu Shaoting tightened his grip on the glass, his slightly pursed lips revealing a hint of anger.
He Ming knew that Gu Shaoting wasn't someone who easily changed his mind. He could only go along with his instructions.
It wasn't until late at night that Gu Shaoting returned home.
Upon entering, the room was silent. Having consumed some alcohol, his steps were unsteady. He sat on the sofa, closed his eyes, and gradually felt the effects of the alcohol.
Suddenly, he heard a noise from the guest room. Drowsily, he opened his eyes and stumbled toward the guest room.
Before Shu Pan could turn around, a force suddenly wrapped around her waist. Her legs involuntarily took a few steps back, and she found herself enveloped by the solid chest of a man, with a faint smell of alcohol.
"What... what do you want?" Shu Pan saw the hidden danger in his eyes.
"What do you think?" Gu Shaoting touched her soft earlobe.
"You're drunk. Go back to your room and sleep," Shu Pan attempted to free herself, but he held her tightly, exerting force that she couldn't break.
"I'm going to sleep here tonight," Gu Shaoting, under the influence of alcohol, acted crazy. He didn't know what had come over him.
With a sudden force, the two of them fell onto the bed. Gu Shaoting raised Shu Pan's hands and his lips unhesitatingly moved toward her neck.
Shu Pan struggled, her body writhing. The friction between their bodies ignited Gu Shaoting's desire.
Through their clothes, Shu Pan could clearly feel the surging desire emanating from the man. She couldn't help but shiver, and then the man's lips descended upon her neck, lightly biting her earlobe.
Shu Pan's body instinctively stiffened, followed by a cascade of shivers that spread throughout her body from his teeth.
Shu Pan's heartbeat went out of control for a while. It was only then that she realized what Gu Shaoting intended to do next.
"Please... let me go..." Shu Pan struggled, her heart filled with an indescribable bitterness.