When Shen Linyi stepped out of the villa, the night air had grown colder and it brushed against her skin like whispers of warning.
Behind her, two maids quietly followed, each holding a piece of her luggage. Their soft footsteps echoed faintly, a quiet reminder that she was leaving one world for another.
Beside her, Shen Xianling walked with composed authority, every step sharp and deliberate. Her eyes were calm, but Shen Linyi could sense the storm brewing beneath.
Gu Liansheng was waiting beside the black sedan, leaning lazily against the door. At the sound of approaching footsteps, he slipped his phone into his pocket and straightened, his gaze sweeping over the small group.
"Mrs. Shen," he greeted politely, his voice not betraying any of his inner thoughts. "I didn't expect you to see us off."
"You didn't?" Shen Xianling's tone carried a coldness that was enough to send a chill down the spine of the maids present. "Well, I couldn't let my niece walk into the wolf's den alone."
Shen Linyi stiffened. "Aunt—"
"Don't," Shen Xianling cut in sharply, her gaze still fixed on Gu Liansheng. "You're Gu Liansheng. You're the man everyone in the business world fears. Tell me, does your ruthlessness extend beyond boardrooms?"
Gu Liansheng's lips curved faintly, though his eyes remained unreadable. "I treat what belongs to me with care, Mrs. Shen. Your niece will be no exception."
"That's exactly the problem," Shen Xianling shot back, her tone edged with ice. "She doesn't belong to anyone."
The air thickened instantly. Even the maids exchanged uneasy glances, their hands tightening on the luggage handles.
Gu Liansheng didn't seem the least bit unsettled. His smile lingered, calm and composed. "Then I'll consider it an honor that she chose to marry me."
"Chose?" Shen Xianling's laugh was short and humorless. "You call this a choice? A deal sealed under pressure?"
Shen Linyi's head lowered slightly, her grip tightening around her purse. Her aunt was protective... too protective.
Gu Liansheng's expression didn't falter. "Pressure," he said evenly, "reveals who we truly are. Your niece didn't crumble,.she made a decision. And I respect that."
Shen Xianling's eyes narrowed as she took a step closer, voice dropping to a low, dangerous tone. "Listen carefully, Mr. Gu. I don't care how powerful you are. If you ever hurt her in any way, I will make sure you regret it."
She. Linyi's breath caught in her throat. "Aunt, please—"
Gu Liansheng chuckled softly, almost amused. "Duly noted, Mrs. Shen. I admire families who protect their own."
He turned, opened the car door, and glanced at Shen Linyi. "Shall we, Mrs. Gu?"
Shen Linyi hesitated briefly, glancing at her aunt. Shen Xianling's gaze softened for a fleeting moment but it gone almost as soon as it appeared.
"Go," she said quietly. "But remember, you still have a home here."
Shen Linyi nodded. "I know, Aunt." Her heart felt warm by her aunt's protectiveness. At least, she knew she wasn't alone after being reborn.
The maids stepped forward and placed her luggage neatly in the trunk before bowing slightly and retreating.
As the car door closed and the sedan rolled away, the night fell silent again. Shen Xianling stood still, her arms folded, and her expression unreadable as the tail-lights vanished into the darkness.
Then her eyes hardened. She had promised her brother-in-law and sister-in-law she would take care of their daughter. But now—it felt like Shen Linyi was slipping away from her care.
"Gu Liansheng…" she murmured under her breath, voice like steel. "Let's see how long your confidence lasts."
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The car was silent except for the soft roar of the engine. The city's lights flickered past the tinted windows, painting shadows across Shen Linyi's face.
She sat stiffly beside Gu Liansheng, her hands folded on her lap, still feeling the weight of her aunt's words echoing in her mind.
Gu Liansheng, on the other hand, looked completely at ease. He had one arm resting casually on the window, the other on his knee, and his expression was unreadable.
After a few moments, he broke the silence. "Your aunt has quite the sharp tongue," he remarked with amusement dancing in his eyes.
Shen Linyi's gaze shifted toward him. "She's protective. Don't take it personally."
"Protective?" he repeated, his lips curving faintly. "I'd call it territorial."
Her brows furrowed. "She doesn't trust easily—especially people like you."
He gave a quiet hum, then tilted his head toward her. "People like me?"
"The kind who get what they want no matter the cost."
For the first time, his amusement faded slightly. He looked at her, his gaze deep and assessing. "You say that like you're any different."
Her breath hitched softly, but she didn't respond. He wasn't wrong.
"Tell me," he continued, voice dropping to a low tone, "if I hadn't shown up, what would you have done? Keep letting Zhou Yuanfeng toy with your company? Watch everything your parents built fall apart?"
His words stung, and it hit her where it hurt most. She turned to the window, hiding the flicker of emotion that crossed her eyes.
"I didn't need saving," she said quietly.
"No," he agreed, leaning slightly closer. "You needed an opportunity. And I gave it to you."
Silence fell again, but heavier this time.
Outside, the road stretched endlessly, illuminated by streaks of gold light. Whereas, inside, tension coiled in the air, thick and fragile.
After a while, Shen Linyi exhaled and said softly, "You don't have to provoke me every time we talk."
Gu Liansheng's lips curved again, and his eyes teasing. "I wasn't provoking you, I was reminding you. This partnership only works if we both remember why we started it."
She turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze. His eyes held that same quiet dominance, but there was something else beneath it–curiosity, maybe even admiration.
"I don't forget easily," she said softly.
"Good," he murmured. "Then we'll get along just fine."
The car slowed as it entered a private estate. Through the window, she saw the iron gates slide open to reveal an expansive villa bathed in warm light. It was elegant yet cold, much like its owner.
Shen Linyi's heart raced quietly. This was it, the start of the life she had bargained for.
As the car came to a stop, Gu Liansheng glanced her way again. "Welcome home, Mrs. Gu."
She looked at him, her voice barely above a whisper. "Home," she repeated, almost to herself.
He opened the door, stepping out first before offering her his hand. She hesitated for a heartbeat before taking his hand.
The night wind brushed past as she stepped onto the gravel driveway, her eyes sweeping across the grand villa.
It felt beautiful… and suffocating.
Gu Liansheng's hand lingered briefly before he let go. "Come inside," he said. "There's much to discuss."
Shen Linyi followed, her heart beating steadily against her ribs with part anticipation and part dread.