Chapter 71: Deep and Somber

After Fu Shaoxiu left, Nan Zhi leaned against a large tree, her delicate face tilted slightly upward as she gazed at the sky, which was gradually darkening. Her long, fan-like lashes lowered gently, concealing the emotions rippling beneath her eyes.

When she was thirteen, she fell seriously ill. After surgery, she had to take steroids, which caused her once-slim face to swell into a round shape, her straight black hair to turn dry and yellow, and her figure to become bloated and unrecognizable.

After she became ugly and overweight, her classmates and neighborhood playmates mocked and ridiculed her. Her mother, knowing how strong her pride was, allowed her to take half a year off from school.

Her mother took her to a resort to recuperate, but while there, she was kidnapped and nearly lost her life.

She thought she would never escape that ordeal, but someone rescued her.

At that time, she was heavy and unattractive, yet the boy who saved her didn’t mind at all. He carried her on his back to his home and took meticulous care of her for several days.

When her mother finally found her and took her away, she learned his name was Gu Sheng.

He was a boy whose smile was as bright and pure as sunlight, just a year older than she was.

…

A crisp ringtone suddenly pulled Nan Zhi from her memories.

She took a breath, steadied her emotions, and answered the call, her lips curling into a sweet smile, “Sweetheart, mommy won’t be home for dinner tonight. Be good and listen to Grandma Zhou, okay?”

“Yes, mommy passed the second interview… Of course, when your mommy’s on the job, there’s nothing she can’t handle! Alright, this weekend, let’s invite your two godmothers and celebrate together, shall we?”

“Okay, mommy will be home later. Alright, I’ll be careful. Kisses.”

After hanging up, Nan Zhi felt her spirits lift considerably. With her precious child in her life, she could be a warrior, fearless of anything.

She put away her phone and headed toward the private room.

But as she turned, she immediately spotted a tall figure leaning against the nearby wall.

He stood beneath the ornate palace lantern, an unlit cigar between his lips, his slender fingers toying with a small lighter. Every so often, he would snap the lid open, a ghostly blue flame flickering out, yet he never lit the cigar.

He didn’t look at her, his expression cold and forbidding, a trace of amusement playing at the corner of his mouth.

Nan Zhi’s heart skipped a beat.

Did he overhear her conversation with Fu Shaoxiu?

But whether he did or not, she didn’t care.

She had no connection with him; his opinion meant nothing to her.

Drawing a deep breath, Nan Zhi lifted her chin and strode toward him.

Perhaps he heard her footsteps, for the man, his head slightly lowered, raised his striking face to look at her.

His dark eyes were as unfathomable as a frozen pool, deep and still.

When he was cold as ice, his entire presence became chilling and oppressive; a single glance could make it hard for someone to breathe.

Nan Zhi stopped before him and apologized, “Sorry to keep you and Alvis waiting. Let’s head to the private room now.”

She turned, intending to leave first, but as soon as she took a step, the man’s hand clamped firmly around her wrist.

With a rough tug, he yanked her close.

Unprepared, Nan Zhi’s nose bumped against his solid chest, a pain so sharp it brought tears to her eyes.

She shut her eyes, forced herself to endure the ache, then glared at him in anger.

Almost at that instant, he lowered his head to meet her gaze.

He wore a black shirt, carelessly unbuttoned at the top three buttons, revealing a glimpse of his sculpted collarbone. His handsome face was shadowed with stormy clouds, and his deep black eyes glinted with ice. “Is there nothing else you want to say to me?”

He had heard that man ask her to beg her “sugar daddy” for help, and even told her to go to the Hyatt Hotel tonight!