Grace Gu was puzzled by his repeated insistence on her these past few days. Ever since that incident with the Yellow Hair guy, her desire to escape had nearly vanished. Her face had once been coveted by her uncle, not to mention others. In comparison, although the man before her was infatuated with her body, he treated her remarkably well.
After some contemplation, she finally said, "I understand."
His lack of surprise at her compliance stemmed from his belief that Grace was a well-behaved child who had merely been led astray by others. Moreover, after the incident with the Yellow Hair guy, it seemed unlikely that she would attempt to flee again; he only needed to teach those oblivious people a lesson.
At this moment, Grace Gu was unaware that due to a few brief jokes and lingering glances, news about them would soon spread throughout Huadu.
She had not rested all day and quickly fell into a deep sleep. Julian Bai kept his gaze fixed on her until his eyelids began to droop; then he gently pulled her petite frame into his embrace. He couldn't help but murmur softly, "Little one, you are becoming more and more delectable; I truly worry I won't be able to resist devouring you."
When Grace Gu woke up the next morning, she found herself completely enveloped in his arms. Remembering the pajamas she had left behind in the bathroom made her lips curl into a smile. Just as she attempted to shift away from his grasp, Julian Bai's large hand swept over and held her even tighter than before.
Feeling their bodies pressed together and noticing his obvious reaction made Grace Gu freeze for a moment; inwardly she scoffed—had he really been so starved for affection these days? The thought caused her cheeks to flush again. She wondered if perhaps she had spent too much time with Julian Bai; previously such thoughts would have made her feel guilty about propriety, yet now they frequently swirled in her mind.
At this point, Julian Bai opened his eyes and smiled at how she hid her entire face away. She was perfect in many ways but could sometimes be overly shy. He often found it curious how in an age of open relationships between men and women, she still resembled an ancient maiden whose cheeks flushed at the slightest provocation.
Moreover, the subtle elegance she possessed was not something just anyone could cultivate. Initially intrigued by her background, he eventually came to terms with it—no matter who she had been before, now she belonged to him alone.
"You should get ready for work," Grace Gu said as an excuse for him to leave quickly.
This time Julian Bai complied without any inappropriate advances; instead he got out of bed and headed straight for the bathroom while she covered her eyes with both hands.
When he returned fully dressed and approached her again, he found that she still kept her eyes shut. Amusedly shaking his head, he tossed a set of clothes onto the bed before stepping outside.
Grace Gu stared at the brand-new outfit laid out before her—everything from top to bottom perfectly matched—and felt heat rise in her cheeks mixed with bitterness; while drawn to this man's gentleness, it ultimately did not belong to her.
With closed eyes swirling with confusion inside yet opening them clear-headed outside moments later marked the beginning of their unusual coexistence under one roof alongside two other women—a situation so harmonious that even Ross Mo raised an eyebrow in surprise at how strange women could be.
He initially thought Julian Bai must be overwhelmed but instead saw someone seemingly enjoying life's pleasures. A twinge of envy crept into Ross Mo's heart as he pondered why luck never favored him like this?
As he considered those precious ones he'd kept outside who were anything but obedient while walking briskly forward towards where bodyguards were loading items into cars beside Julian Bai's side: "Where is everyone?"
He gestured toward the house then asked again: "Is everything arranged?"
"I've taken care of everything; there are people waiting for us at the airport," replied Julian Bai affirmatively.
Seeing him nodding along prompted Ross Mo to lean closer and whisper something lowly into his ear which immediately darkened Julian Bai's expression as he coldly remarked: "Just some insignificant pests—the old man knows what he's doing."
"Are you sure we don't need any suppression?"
Ross Mo genuinely couldn't comprehend why Julian Bai preferred nurturing rivals when simply removing them would suffice—it seemed like such an easy solution!
"No need."
Just then Julian Ying walked down smiling: "Are you two up to something shady again requiring such close whispers?"
Her teasing smile caused both men instinctively step back slightly while Julian Bai glanced over at Grace Gu only for their gazes unexpectedly met mid-air.
Ross Mo stepped forward taking hold of Julian Ying's bag: "Now that your leg is better I can return home too; staying here feels quite uncomfortable."
Julian Ying didn't bother being polite: "You're not still pining after those lovely ladies back home are you? You really oughta settle down otherwise Uncle Mo might just break your legs!"
Ross Mo shrugged nonchalantly: "That's just inherited genes—I'm nowhere near as wild as my father was back then."
Both siblings exchanged knowing looks having grown accustomed over years witnessing Ross Mo clash repeatedly against their father's expectations since childhood.
From above observing them closely Grace Gu caught onto Ross Mo's sarcasm hint suggesting tension existed within their family dynamics between father-son relations wasn't exactly smooth sailing either way around here...
After seeing everyone off through doorways returning back inside revealed Grace Gu standing still prompting gentle words from him: "Why are you frozen there?"
She smirked slightly hearing him continue saying: "Go pack clothes for five or six days—I may need leave soon."
Sitting on sofa speaking softly caught Grace Gu mid-motion causing hesitation upon hearing urgency laced within tone asking herself why today felt different compared previous occasions when packing always happened ahead?
"Going abroad?" She queried further realizing temperature differences meant clothing choices varied significantly leading question forth naturally escaping lips unbidden...
Julian Bai cast another glance replying simply: "Huadu."