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

Holding onto her phone, Gu Nianzhi leaned her head against the window, her smile dazzling beyond words. Looking admiringly at Huo Shaoheng as he drove, Gu Nianzhi tried to reassure Gu Yanran on the other end of the line. “Sis, Huo Shao isn’t that type of person. He has already said that we’re going to get married.”

Laughing, Gu Yanran continued, “Nianzhi, when it comes to words from men, just listen and forget about them. He said that you were getting married, but have you guys gotten married?”

Gu Nianzhi couldn’t reply. She looked at Huo Shaoheng and initially wanted to tell Gu Yanran that he had already submitted the marriage application to Army management. However, she remembered that even Yin Shixiong and Zhao Liangze did not know about him submitting the application and decided against it. She merely emphasized, “Huo Shao is serious about me, Sis. But thank you, I’ll remember your words.”

Even though Gu Yanran’s words were rather harsh, Gu Nianzhi knew that her sister only meant well. Perhaps only family members would dare to say such things to each other? Of course, she had already thought of this question a long time ago and had been planning to be independent. She remembered everything Huo Shaoheng had done for her. She didn’t feel like it was out of pity.

Hearing that Gu Nianzhi understood what she was saying, Gu Yanran nodded. “Okay, get to school, then.” She asked again, “Are you coming back next weekend? Do you want me to pick you up?” Then she remembered Gu Xiangwen and told Gu Nianzhi, “Oh yes, I want to visit Father in the next couple of days. Do you want to go, too?”

Seeing that Huo Shaoheng did not object, Gu Nianzhi nodded. “Sure, Sis, let me know when you’ll be visiting Father. I’ll go with you.” Their father was with Chen Lie. Without Gu Nianzhi, Gu Yanran would most likely not be able to see him. Gu Nianzhi felt that since Gu Xiangwen was Gu Yanran’s father as well, and they brought him to Hua Xia Empire, they wouldn’t stop her from seeing her own father. Or… Would they?

Gu Yanran was finally satisfied. They spoke for a short while more before hanging up. Holding onto her phone, she stood in front of her French windows for a while. Her gaze extended past the windows and landed on the expressways in the distance. From where she was, they looked like belts. Cars were traveling along the expressway. She squinted at them, seemingly trying to see which car Gu Nianzhi was in…

Her phone rang again shortly after. Looking at her phone, it was an unknown number. Feeling strange, she answered the call. “Hello?”

The caller did not speak. However, she could hear a man’s deep breathing. Gu Yanran’s heart skipped a beat. It was someone she was familiar with. “Yanran, how long do you want to hide from me? You think I wouldn’t be able to find you after you ended everything in Barbados?” It was Ye Xuan.

Shocked, Gu Yanran sat down on a posh armchair beside the French windows and asked, “Ye Xuan? How did you find out about this number?” This was a number she registered after she had arrived there.

“How hard could it be? Other than this number, I also know your exact location now.” He chuckled. “My dear miss, you’re on the 19th floor, aren’t you? Yes. Look down. I’m standing at the lobby of your apartment. Let me up?”

Gu Yanran jumped up from her chair and looked down from her window. However, from where she was, everything looked like ants and wouldn’t be clear unless she used a pair of binoculars. Gu Yanran walked into her apartment and actually returned with a pair. She headed to the balcony and looked down.

At the apartment’s lobby, someone who was dressed in casual wear and a pair of shades was waving in her direction. It was really Ye Xuan. Gu Yanran was extremely shocked. This person could not only find my number, but he managed to find the new apartment I just bought? This is really unbelievable…

Gu Yanran was suddenly interested in him all over again. Standing at her balcony for a while, she finally nodded. “Enter the elevator. I’ll let you up.”

Ye Xuan arrived at Gu Yanran’s apartment in no time. He hugged Gu Yanran tightly the moment he opened the door and kissed her furiously. After struggling for a while, Gu Yanran melted into his never ending kisses… She didn’t know what happened exactly, but eventually, they ended up in her bed. She only knew that she almost blacked out after they were done.

Getting up, Ye Xuan picked up his clothes and went into the bathroom for a shower. Gu Yanran put on her nightdress and leaned on the bed, thinking of whatever had been bothering her for a while before making her way to the bathroom as well. The door wasn’t locked, so Gu Yanran opened the door. The sound of water from the showerhead stopped.

“What’s wrong?” Ye Xuan opened the bathroom curtains. His bronze, solid figure with an eight pack appeared from behind the bathroom curtains. He did not bother to hide his body from Gu Yanran.

Gu Yanran looked at him for a while before asking straightforwardly, “How on earth did you find me?” She thought she had already cut off all contact with him. Even the people who were with her did not know about this new number. How did Ye Xuan know?

“You really want to know? Ye Xuan exited from the shower after putting a towel around his waist. He raised Gu Yanran’s face by her chin and looked at her, full of lust. “Give me a kiss, and I’ll tell you.”

Gu Yanran tiptoed and kissed him immediately. He returned the kiss contentedly and whispered in her ear, “Yanran, you never asked me what I was majoring in when I was in boarding school in America for so many years, did you?”

Gu Yanran listened intently. She was indeed not exactly clear. He was an orphan who was sponsored by their family. Gu Yanran wasn’t interested in knowing more.

“I’ve got a nickname online, Max.” Ye Xuan sat up straight, an evil expression on his face. “Go online and Google ‘Dark Web Max,’ and you’ll know who I am.”

Gu Yanran’s heart skipped a beat, “Dark Web?” In order for someone to know what the Dark Web was and have a certain level of popularity, this person would definitely be somebody capable. Gu Yanran was increasingly interested in him. “You actually have this talent? Why didn’t you tell me in the past?”

Ye xuan looked at her deeply. “You didn’t need it in the past, but now you do. That’s why I came to your side.”

Gu Yanran didn’t have the patience to waste more time with him. She took her phone and turned around, went back into her bedroom, and Googled “Dark Web Max.” The results made her jaw drop.

Max was a new hacker on the Dark Web. He was always alone and never joined sides. However, he’d help whenever and wherever he was needed. He was just like the final vote in an election – and the side his vote fell on would win.

Gu Yanran was speechless with the information she saw. Holding her phone to her chest, she thought, This guy’s computer skills are really crazy. No wonder it was such an easy task for him to find my whereabouts and contact details.

There hadn’t been anyone with such a skillset around her as of yet. Now, at Hua Xia Empire, she was all alone and did not know anyone. Ye Xuan’s skills could really benefit her to a great extent. By the time Ye Xuan was done putting on his clothes, Gu Yanran had already composed herself. She looked him over like she had never seen him before and pointed to the sofa beside her bed. “Sit.”

Ye Xuan took a seat and crossed his arms, resting on the armrest. He found a comfortable posture and looked at Gu Yanran. “Now you know. Yanran, you need me.”

Gu Yanran laughed and praised him. “Xuan, I did not expect that you were so capable. It was my negligence in the past.”

“It wasn’t your negligence. Come back to me now. It’s not too late, yet.” Ye Xuan leaned forward, but seeing that Gu Yanran was shunning him, he looked down disappointedly and returned to his seat.

Gu Yanran smoothed her hair and smiled attractively at him. “Xuan, I really admire your capabilities. You shouldn’t be someone who is hiding.”

“I don’t care. As long as I can be by your side, I am willing to be anything.” Ye Xuan looked at Gu Yanran passionately. She was his goddess, his salvation. She saved his life and had become his emotional support. There was no way he was going to leave her.

Shaking her head, Gu Yanran said, “Xuan, I want to groom you to become my right hand man. With our current relationship, it’ll affect you in the future.”

“I don’t care!”

“But I do!” Gu Yanran’s chest rose and fell, her cheeks flushing. “Xuan, you don’t want to listen to me anymore?!”

Ye Xuan couldn’t reject Gu Yanran’s words. Covering his face with both his hands, he struggled for a long time before nodding. Getting on one knee, he kissed the back of her hand. “As you wish, my queen.” He knew that this meant that they would not be able to have physical intimacy anymore…

Finally managing to convince Ye Xuan, Gu Yanran continued, “Okay. Where are you staying currently? I’ll introduce my little sister to you in a couple of days.”

“Your little sister?” Ye Xuan was confused. “You have found… Her?”

“Yes. I’ve found her. She’s already 18 and really gorgeous. You wouldn’t be able to recognize her, even if she was standing in front of you!” Gu Yanran made a funny face at him. “I heard that she’s a genius. Who knows? Maybe you and she will speak a common language!”

“That plump and willful girl?” Ye Xuan snorted. “Who wants to have a common language with her?”

Gu Yanran smiled.

…

Huo Shaoheng drove Gu Nianzhi back to school. Stopping in front of the temporary parking lot in front of her dormitory, he waited for her to fetch her bag to attend her tutorial.

This experience was rather new to Huo Shaoheng as well. He entered the Army shortly after enrolling in college, so most of his modules were completed by independent study. The time he spent in school was really minimal. Now that he was going to accompany Gu Nianzhi to her tutorial, it was like reminiscing about college times for him.

The couple arrived at the classroom building beside the lake of B University. There were fewer people in the building on Sunday at about 11 in the morning. Gu Nianzhi found an empty classroom and entered it with Huo Shaoheng. “This is our lecture hall.” Pointing to the podium, Gu Nianzhi explained, “Professor He has lectures here once a month. It’ll be full attendance each time.”

Huo Shaoheng smiled but did not say much. He took out his phone and began clearing his work. Gu Nianzhi took her laptop out and began to do her work as well. More students began pouring into the lecture hall. Curious stares began falling on Gu Nianzhi and Huo Shaoheng, a gorgeous young lady with an extremely handsome, mature man sitting together. Even though they both did not really talk, their occasional eye contact and chemistry were like a wall with only the two of them behind it. Having to see a couple being loving when everyone else had to study on a weekend was totally unbearable!

More people were looking at them, and Gu Nianzhi was feeling more embarrassed. Not being able to take it anymore, Gu Nianzhi turned off her laptop. Turning to Huo Shaoheng, she whispered, “Can we leave now, Huo Shao?”

Huo Shaoheng looked at her and asked slowly, “You don’t want to attend your tutorial anymore?”

Gu Nianzhi was speechless. Her face was flushed beyond words. How could she continue?!