Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Perhaps because Gu Nianzhi was exhausted from the tumultuous emotions the night before, she slept peacefully and didn’t even dream. Huo Shaoheng on the other hand, had woken up at six in the morning to wash up, then trained in the gym for half an hour. After sprinting on the treadmill for half a hour, he also lifted weights, stretched and boxed for strength exercises. With his physical strength, this level of training was only considered warming up. However, because he was at home, he had no need to do high level training like he did in the military, things like daily 10 kilometer obstacle running. Gu Nianzhi always said that he was not human.

Thinking about Gu Nianzhi’s unwilling and silently furious expression, Huo Shaoheng couldn’t help breaking into happy smile. A white towel draped across his neck as he walked out of the gym and rain into Huo Jialan. She wore an elegant houndstooth print Chanel dress suit, the slim cut accentuating her hourglass shaped body.

“Elder Cousin, did you go the gym?” Huo Jianlan was surprised, “Didn’t you get drunk last night? Does your head hurt?”

Huo Shaoheng wore a black military sleeveless shirt that displayed his muscular arms and shoulders, and camo sports pants that hung loosely on his waist. Sweat beaded on his forehead and towel hung on his neck so he could easily wipe it off. Seeing Huo Jialan, he paused and wiped his forehead. “I’m ok, ran into a few friends last night.”

“Elder Cousin, Uncle and Grandfather both wanted to hold a New Year party; do you have any friends you want to invite? You can give the list to me and I’ll send out the invitations.” Huo Jialan spoke as she walked up and raised her hand to brush Huo Shaoheng’s shoulder. “Hmm? What’s this?”

Huo Shaoheng instinctively backed away to avoid her touch, “Great, I’ll have Nianzhi give you the list.” He gave her a nod before heading back to his own suite.

Huo Jialan watched Huo Shaoheng’s retreating back and shook her head with a smile. Elder Cousin is still the same, he is overly defensive with woman. What will he do? Stay single forever?

Her servant witnessed this and asked in a quiet voice, “Miss, what’s wrong with the Young Master? Miss was kind enough to help him…”

“It’s fine. He’s like that, and that is as nice as he treats his family.” Huo Jianlan strode off with a smile.

…

Once Huo Shaoheng returned to his suite, he went to shower again. When he came out, he noticed that Gu Nianzhi’s bedroom door was still shut. His watch already read eight in the morning. “Nianzhi, time to get up.” He knocked on the door. Only silence greeted him for a long time. He thought she was sleeping in, but recalling yesterday… perhaps she should have a good rest. He had just been about to turn away when he suddenly heard the door click open. Huo Shaoheng looked back to see Gu Nianzhi in his giant black T-shirt. She was barefoot and her luminous legs appeared shockingly pale under the dark fabric. Averting his eyes, he asked dryly, ” Are you awake now? It’s time to get up.”

Gu Nianzhi covered a yawn with her hand and saw that Huo Shaoheng was about to leave. She reflexively grabbed his wrist. “Huo Shao? You’re already dressed?”

“Yeah. Do you want to do some morning training?” Huo Shaoheng didn’t bother turning his head to look at her, and spoke with all seriousness, “There’s a gym here too and a treadmill. Do you want to train?”

Gu Nianzhi hated treadmills the most and immediately released his hand. She looked m around and spoke in a soft voice, “I have to shower. Huo Shao, I don’t know where my clothes are, so can you help me find a change of clothes?” She turned to leave.

Huo Shaoheng looked back to see through the half closed door. Gu Ninazhi’s alluring long legs were heading towards the bathroom. His throat bobbed as he gulped and suddenly changed his mind, pushing open the door to enter. He then closed the door and went to the closet to pick out an Alice and Olivia butter yellow loose fit cashmere hoodie, tailored straight cut white wool trousers, and a pair of nude ankle booties to place on the sofa. As Gu Nianzhi emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel, she saw Huo Shaoheng’s back facing her as he stood in front of the French windows. He was watching the gorgeous plum blossoms against snow outside the windows with his hands in his pockets. “The clothes are on the sofa.” Huo Shaoheng didn’t bother turning around when he heard the bathroom door open because he knew she had finished showering.

Gu Nianzhi eyed the yellow hoodie, white trousers and nude booties. Her eyes crinkled: she couldn’t help thinking that although Huo Shao had ceased to handle her daily needs the past few years, he was still very capable. When she had first come under his care, he had single handedly taken care of her clothing, inside and outside. He had merely been a 22-year old young man back then, so it mustn’t have been easy for him to care for a little girl. Gu Nianzhi was both moved and happy that he had once again shown his care for her now, but was still embittered by his mean words last night. So he wants to be seduced, huh? Then I’ll give it try.

She coughed quietly and said, “Huo Shao, those are the clothes, but what about the underwear? I can’t just wear that and nothing underneath.”

Huo Shaoheng froze. After a long moment, he finally had a faint smile on his lips, but it disappeared as soon as he turned around.

“You want underwear? Ok.” He spoke calmly, walking up to the closet and opening the lower drawers to find where her bras and panties were.

Gu Nianzhi’s face immediately flushed; she was so humiliated she could dig a hole in the ground. However, Huo Shaoheng was preoccupied with digging through the colorful drawer and didn’t even turn around to face her as he asked, “What cup size do you wear now?”

Gu Nianzhi’s face was stony as she clenched her fist in frustration and gritted her teeth, “No need. I can get it myself!”

“Hmm? Didn’t you not know where to find it?” Huo Shaoheng finally turned his head slowly, his eyebrows raising slightly, his dark eyes bottomless.

Gu Nianzhi rushed to the closet and pushed him away, forcing a smile. “Well, Huo Shao just found them for me right? I can look myself now.” She buried her head in the drawer and grabbed a lacy navy demi-bra with matching panties before slamming the drawer shut.

“Is that so?” Huo Shaoheng looked down at Gu Nianzhi—her freshly washed skin was luminous and rosy, droplets of water still clinging to her skin. One slid from her neck down to her chest, slipping into the ample cleavage covered by the bath towel.

He smiled suggestively. “Well, if that’s the case, I’ll go now.” He seemed to be unperturbed by Gu Nianzhi’s tricks of seduction.

Exasperated that her little game was exposed, Gu Nianzhi watched his retreating back leaving the bedroom and suddenly blurted, “Why is Huo Shao leaving? Aren’t you going to wait for me to try the outfit on and let me know if it looks good or not?”

Huo Shaoheng exhaled sharply. After a moment of silence, he turned and returned to his seat on the sofa, one hand draped over the back of it and the other rested on his lap. He said quickly, “Fine, change. I’ll watch you.”

Gu Nianzhi grit her teeth and motioned to undo the towel several times, but her hands only fussed and weren’t able to take it off under Huo Shaoheng’s intense gaze. After a while, Gu Nianzhi stamped her feet, “Fine, fine. You’ve won! I’m defeated by you!” She bent over to pick up the clothes from the sofa and bolted to the bathroom. Huo Shaoheng remained in the room and surveyed her after she changed. He was satisfied with his taste and stood up. “Let’s get breakfast.”

Gu Nianzhi collected her wits and regained her courage. She walked forward to take Huo Shaoheng’s hand and looked up at him, “Huo Shao, I think some sand got in my eyes, can you blow it out for me?”

Huo Shaoheng studied her for a while and remarked casually, “If sand went into your eyes, why are you puckering your lips with your eyes closed?”