Chapter 11 – You Are Not Allowed to Like Me

"Mr. Gu..." Jiang Ning stammered, her demeanor utterly unlike her usual self.

Gu Beicheng halted, turned, and lowered his gaze, saying nothing as he silently watched her face.

The man's stare unsettled Jiang Ning. She pointed to the sofa opposite her and spoke quietly, "Are you busy? How about we talk?"

"Talk about what?" Gu Beicheng arched an eyebrow. He had noticed her deliberate distance from him in the past, so why did she suddenly want to have a conversation now?

Was it to discuss compensation for that kiss?

"Ahem, since we're dating now, shouldn't we get to know each other?" Jiang Ning's usually fair face was tinged with red, and her tone lacked its usual firmness.

Gu Beicheng studied her deeply, then walked over and sat on the sofa. He crossed his legs lazily, exuding a graceful elegance Jiang Ning had never seen before.

Though she was born into a wealthy family and had lived a life of affluence, she had never encountered someone with Gu Beicheng's commanding presence.

"Mr. Gu, you told me before that you joined the dating show because of your grandfather?" Jiang Ning's fox-like eyes widened in confusion, her curiosity making her appear unexpectedly endearing.

Gu Beicheng nodded, leaned forward to pour a glass of juice, and took a small sip. "Yes, it's because of him."

His brevity only fueled Jiang Ning's curiosity. "You joined the dating show—aren't your girlfriends angry about it?"

She watched him intently, afraid to miss any of his expressions. As she reached for the juice on the coffee table, Gu Beicheng raised his thick eyebrows, a smirk curling his lips. "Do you want me to give you mouth-to-mouth resuscitation again?"

Jiang Ning paused, then followed his gaze. She realized she was holding a juice with mango pulp and quickly put it down, forcing a laugh. "No, no."

"You just said my girlfriends—plural?" Gu Beicheng's tone shifted, a hint of danger in his voice as his dark eyes locked onto Jiang Ning.

She didn't reply, simply staring at him.

With his background, it was normal for people to try to curry favor and send women to his bed. Having a few women around was only to be expected.

In her past life, she had been one of those women.

The thought of how Bai Zehan had treated her as a pawn filled Jiang Ning with disgust.

Gu Beicheng noticed her expression and guessed she must have mistaken him for one of those wealthy men who played around.

"I've always been single, I told you that just now," he said, referring to the earlier incident with Fu Jiaojiao.

He continued, "My grandfather is a fan of yours. He really likes you."

Jiang Ning sat up straighter, covering her lips with both hands in exaggerated surprise. "Did I hear that right? Your grandfather is my fan?!"

Gu Beicheng raised his eyebrows with a smile, seeing through her feigned astonishment. He stood and turned to leave.

"Why did you stop talking?" Jiang Ning looked innocently at his retreating figure, secretly grumbling that this man was unreliable.

She was about to go back to her room to rest when she saw him return holding a photograph.

"Look at the woman in this photo—does she resemble you?" Jiang Ning took the photo from Gu Beicheng, and her pupils contracted in shock.

The woman in military uniform bore a striking resemblance to herself. Judging by the attire, it was likely from the fifties or sixties—this must be Gu Beicheng's grandmother.

Jiang Ning's mind raced, wondering if she might be the long-lost sister of this powerful tycoon.

"No." Gu Beicheng's cold voice snapped her out of her fantasy.

The words "Are you my brother?" were practically written on her face.

She looked up and met his gaze. "What do you mean, 'no'?"

He replied, "You're not my sister. You and my grandmother just share a certain resemblance, especially your military look in the film 'Azure Love.'"

"Azure Love" was the only movie Jiang Ning had ever acted in.

"Alright, so your grandfather..." Jiang Ning stopped herself, feeling uneasy. Was Gu Beicheng going to drag her back to be his grandfather's concubine?

Gu Beicheng didn't want to deal with this woman who wore her thoughts plainly on her face. "My grandfather's fandom is rational. Not as sordid as you imagine."

"Ahem, can you read minds?" Jiang Ning lowered her head in embarrassment, staring at her slippers.

Gu Beicheng glanced at her fluffy hair. "No."

"If your grandfather's my fan, why are you trying to get close to me?" Her muttering didn't escape Gu Beicheng's ears.

"Should I let my grandfather be your partner, then?"

Jiang Ning hurriedly shook her head and handed the photo back. "Mr. Gu, you have good looks. Dating you is hardly a loss."

She met his eyes, catching a glimpse of the desire for conquest in his gaze, and quickly retreated, warning him with a cold distance, "Let's keep things clear. You're chasing stars for your grandfather, I'm here for my career. Yes, I admit I'm charming, but you'd better not develop feelings for me, Mr. Gu. I'm not someone easily controlled."

Jiang Ning still resisted Gu Beicheng—his cold, disgusted eyes from their past life left her feeling a persistent sense of shame whenever she faced him.

Gu Beicheng: "Narcissist."

He turned to leave. "Being together isn't about controlling anyone."

Watching his departing figure, Jiang Ning sank into thought, recalling Bai Zehan's control and humiliation in her previous life.

"Knock—"

A knock sounded from outside the cabin.

Jiang Ning woke from her reverie and went to open the door.

When she saw who was outside, she gripped the handle tightly, ready to close it.

"Jiang Ning, do you really not want to see me?" Fu Jiaojiao blocked her attempt to shut the door, dragging a large suitcase as she tried to enter.

Jiang Ning quickly grabbed Fu Jiaojiao's wrist and twisted hard. "Fu Jiaojiao, don't be so shameless. Not even a tent can satisfy you?"

Fu Jiaojiao struggled, surprised by Jiang Ning's unexpected strength. "Jiang Ning, let go! You're hurting me!"

Jiang Ning stared coldly at her, her fox-like eyes flicking to Fu Jiaojiao's intact front teeth. "So those teeth are fake? Or did they grow back in just a few hours?"

Fu Jiaojiao's face flushed, feeling like an old woman without teeth under Jiang Ning's sharp gaze.

"Let me in, I'll live with you. Such a big house for just the two of you, what a waste!" Fu Jiaojiao eyed the cabin with growing envy.

Jiang Ning's face was full of scorn. In her past life, Fu Jiaojiao had used the same excuse to move into her home and get involved with her boyfriend. Thinking back, it was Jiang Ning herself who had introduced Fu Jiaojiao to Bai Zehan, making their alliance possible.

Her gaze turned fierce as she spat out a single word at the shameless woman before her. "Out."

Fu Jiaojiao's face grew rigid, her mouth twitching as she stubbornly pushed her suitcase inside. "Jiang Ning, I'm scared. Let me stay, I won't disturb you and Cheng Beigu's date."

Seeing Jiang Ning's cold, ruthless demeanor, Fu Jiaojiao switched tactics, hoping softness would work where force had failed.

"Jiang Ning, after all these years..." Fu Jiaojiao stopped, sensing a murderous intent.

It emanated from Jiang Ning.

At once, Fu Jiaojiao's legs felt as if they were weighed down with lead.

"I said, get out!" Jiang Ning sneered, gripping Fu Jiaojiao's wrist tightly.

Fu Jiaojiao began to tremble. Earlier, she'd invited Bai Zehan to share her tent, but the man had refused. After hearing Qi Jun's talk of ghosts, she was even more afraid to sleep alone.

She cried out in pain, "Do you think I want your lousy cabin? You and Cheng Beigu alone together—I was worried you'd be scared! Jiang Ning, how about we switch? You said you'd sleep in a tent tonight!"

Jiang Ning's dark eyes flashed, her gaze sharp as a blade as she smiled wickedly. "Fine."

"That's more like it. Hurry and pack your things and go to the tent. I'm exhausted and need to rest. Move quickly."

Fu Jiaojiao mocked Jiang Ning inwardly, thinking she was as weak and accommodating as before. She happily carried her suitcase inside.

"Smack—"

A powerful slap landed on Fu Jiaojiao's smug face.

"Jiang Ning, what are you doing!" Fu Jiaojiao dropped her suitcase, clutching her cheek.

Jiang Ning laughed. "What am I doing? I think you're dreaming—I'm just waking you up."

She lifted her foot and kicked Fu Jiaojiao hard in the stomach.

Fu Jiaojiao collapsed, her gaze venomous as she stared at the smiling Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning calmly dragged Fu Jiaojiao's suitcase outside, tossing it carelessly so clothes scattered across the ground.

Fu Jiaojiao scrambled to pick up her things. "Jiang Ning, are you trying to die?"

Jiang Ning glanced disdainfully at the sexy lingerie and several pairs of thong underwear on the ground. She approached Fu Jiaojiao, stepped on her back, and pressed down with force, making her fall flat.

"Do you believe I could end you?" Jiang Ning bent down, her voice as cold and cruel as a ghost from hell.