Chapter 113 — Desire

After the SY gala ended, Mu Ran followed Gu Beicheng back to the villa.

“Bei Bei, Lan Lan and Gu Xiao, they…”

During the ride back, Mu Ran felt a vague unease stirring within her. She always had the premonition that something would happen between Gu Xiao and An Lan.

But judging by Gu Xiao’s demeanor, he seemed to have no feelings for An Lan.

“Bei Bei, I feel like Lan Lan might like Gu Xiao, but he doesn’t seem to care about her at all.”

At the thought, a gloomy aura gradually emanated from Mu Ran. That wretched Gu Xiao, how dare he not like her Lan Lan!

Mu Ran deliberately sat on the sofa in the living room opposite Gu Beicheng, keeping a distance from him. Her eyes were deep and enigmatic as she asked, “Bei Bei, do you know anything about this?”

Gu Beicheng’s lips curved into a faint smile. He slightly lifted his chin, his aura gentle and captivating. He patted the seat beside him, inviting her to sit closer.

“Come here, I’ll tell you.”

As he spoke, the corner of his brow twitched lightly.

Mu Ran’s gaze fell on his long fingers, recalling the flutter in her heart when those cool digits had brushed her lips.

She obediently moved in front of him, her slender waist aligning perfectly with his handsome face.

With one large hand, he scooped her up, his arm firmly clasping her waist, pulling her entirely into his embrace.

“Maybe the rice has already been cooked.”

Gu Beicheng slowly lowered his head, a smile rippling in his eyes as he buried his face in the hollow of her neck, greedily inhaling her unique scent.

Her perfume was one of a kind.

It was Mu Ran’s own creation.

He lifted his head slightly, his large hand lazily stroking the strands of hair at her forehead. “Let’s not meddle in their affairs. They’re adults. I trust Gu Xiao will sort out his romantic matters.”

Mu Ran pressed her hands against his firm chest, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Are you sure Gu Xiao can handle it?”

Gu Beicheng looked up, noticing the slight curve of her lips. Puzzled, he asked, “Hmm? Why?”

Mu Ran shook her head, signaling only doubt.

In her past life, though Gu Xiao never ended up with An Lan, An Lan had relentlessly pursued that cold-hearted man.

An Lan’s countless confessions were all rejected by Gu Xiao.

Many times, Gu Xiao had even thrown a drunken An Lan out onto the street to fend for herself.

Every time Mu Ran fetched An Lan, she could feel the woman’s unbearable pain.

Eventually, An Lan gave up hope and became engaged to a nobleman from the Gao family in the capital.

Gu Xiao was simply not the right match for An Lan.

Not in the past life.

Nor would he be in this one.

Mu Ran was determined not to let An Lan be hurt by that man again.

“Ran Ran, do you know something?”

Gu Beicheng looked at the thoughtful, fierce woman with interest.

He was perplexed by how Mu Ran always seemed to foresee upcoming events, especially regarding the people around them and their relationships. Though nothing had happened yet, this little woman seemed to know in advance.

Could it be merely because of that fortune-teller Lin Chong?

But the truth was otherwise.

“Bei Bei, Gu Xiao doesn’t like Lan Lan. They’re not right for each other. I can’t let Lan Lan get hurt.”

Mu Ran raised her eyes, catching the probing look in his, her smile fading as she solemnly faced him. “Bei Bei, they won’t be together, and they won’t be happy.”

“How can you be so sure about something that hasn’t happened? Maybe Gu Xiao really likes An Lan, and they’d be as happy as we are.”

Gu Beicheng’s words made Mu Ran shake her head repeatedly.

“Just think of me as a prophet, Bei Bei. I’ll predict many things in the future. For example, around this time next month, Chengxing Group’s stock will soar, so I bought a lot a few days ago. Or the actress Chen Xiaoyi, whom I signed at SY, will be rated the most promising post-2000 actress in Huaguo next year. Also, the abandoned land in Nancheng will be developed into the city’s second commercial center by the end of next year, so I invested in the latest real estate project there.”

The smile in Gu Beicheng’s eyes gradually faded, replaced by seriousness. He cupped Mu Ran’s delicate face in his hands, turning it towards him to meet his gaze.

“Ran Ran, no matter what secrets you carry, you are mine. But this special ability of yours—never tell anyone, do you hear me?”

“Got it. Should I worry about being taken away to some research institute?”

“Who would dare?”

A streak of coldness appeared on Gu Beicheng’s face. No one would ever snatch his Ran Ran away.

“Ran Ran, can you predict how our story will end?”

His voice trembled slightly as he tightened his grip on her hands.

“Of course, it will be good.”

Mu Ran lifted her head, indulging the man as he toyed with her, her pale pink lips moving slightly. Her enchanting eyes locked onto his tightly pressed thin lips.

His lips usually carried a trace of coldness.

But when facing her, they softened with indulgence and tenderness.

Her gaze slowly rose to his handsome features—the deep eye sockets, the faint chill and aloofness always present in his brows.

“Ran Ran?”

When he noticed her looking at him, a flicker of shyness passed through his eyes, but his expression was full of joy. “Really?”

“Are you so lacking in confidence?”

In her past life, Mu Ran had no connection with this man.

They only met once, under extremely awkward circumstances.

The disgust and disdain in his eyes then were unforgettable.

Yet, no one expected that in this life, sparks of love would ignite between them.

Mu Ran believed their ending would be perfect.

Thinking this, she couldn’t help but wrap her hands around his neck, drawing her face close.

Her cherry lips brushed against his cool but soft mouth before quickly pulling away.

“Ran Ran?”

Gu Beicheng suddenly stiffened, his eyes momentarily glazed over, ears flushing a deep red.

This was his second time taking the initiative.

“Bei Bei?”

Mu Ran waved her small hand in front of his unfocused dark eyes, a mischievous glint in her own.

How could this man be so innocent?

They’d kissed countless times.

And he still reacted like this?

Sensing the teasing in the woman’s eyes, Gu Beicheng suddenly scoffed coldly, tightening his hold around her waist and lifting her up.

Mu Ran screamed, instinctively wrapping her legs around his strong waist.

Such a shameful act!

“Bei Bei, put me down.”

Her warning was full of coquettish charm, teasing the strings of his stirred heart.

Putting her down was out of the question.

Gu Beicheng bounced Mu Ran gently upward.

“Ah—”

Mu Ran clung tightly to his neck, lowering her face.

He was too tall; she was afraid of heights.

“Where are you taking me?”

Gu Beicheng climbed the stairs briskly, breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling intensely.

“To your room or mine?”

As the man spoke, Mu Ran’s body stiffened completely.

She didn’t know how to answer. A flush of red spread down her neck, across her collarbone, and beyond…

Unfortunately, the evening gown wrapped her so tightly that Gu Beicheng couldn’t see.

“Then to my room.”

…

They arrived at the villa’s master bedroom—Gu Beicheng’s room.

A fresh, familiar scent wafted into Mu Ran’s nose.

The fragrance in the room was the unique scent from the man himself.

“Do you really make perfume?”

During university, Mu Ran had been passionate about perfumery besides skiing.

Part of her prize money from competitions was spent buying various perfumes on the market.

Though her taste buds were poor, her sense of smell was extremely sensitive.

The scent in the man’s room didn’t belong to any luxury perfume available on the market.

Moreover, it was clear Gu Beicheng’s perfumery skills far surpassed hers.

Her perfume had taken her a month to formulate, yet this man could replicate it perfectly by scent alone in a short time!

“Of course, though I’ve only made two kinds…”

His handsome face drew near. Mu Ran instinctively recoiled, but his large hand pushed her back firmly. The force was so strong that her lips collided with his nose.

Immediately, Gu Beicheng’s black eyes glimmered with desire. His large palm pressed perfectly against her back, then after a moment, he released her, only to pull her tightly into another embrace.

“Good girl, it’ll be over soon.”

Mu Ran turned her face away, uncertain what he meant by those words, but it was certainly dangerous.

She feared tonight she would no longer remain innocent.

Yet she neither struggled nor commanded him to put her down. Softly, she nestled into his embrace, her dark, lively fox-like eyes flashing a shiver.

Gu Beicheng’s breath was ragged now.

His aura was a little frightening.

“Bang—”

Mu Ran fell heavily onto the bed.

Her beautiful eyes shimmered as she met the gaze of the man standing before her.

Gu Beicheng’s possessive look deepened, a flash of blood-red passing through his eyes as if he were about to devour the person beneath him.

For several seconds, he remained motionless.

Mu Ran wanted to call “Bei Bei,” but her throat seemed bewitched, her soft, enticing voice like a wild little cat, teasing his once-restrained heart.

“You—Bei Bei, don’t come any closer.”

Mu Ran didn’t notice the unstoppable smile curling at her lips because the exquisitely handsome man before her radiated an irresistible charm.

She wanted to resist but couldn’t control her fervent heart.

This man must have an amazing figure…

“What? Don’t want me to come over?”

Gu Beicheng stopped, a wicked smile playing on his lips.

“Ran Ran, are you sure?”

Sitting on the vast bed, Mu Ran clenched her fists. Her rosy lips parted slightly, the blossoms at the corners of her eyes slowly unfurling. Puffing out her cheeks, she murmured softly, “Come closer! Kiss me!”

The next moment, Gu Beicheng pinned Mu Ran beneath him, his large hands gripping her slender wrists above her head.

Mu Ran: “…”

Could this position be any more embarrassing?

And she had absolutely no initiative now!

“Bei Bei?”

She called softly, eyes filled with the same passion and ambiguity as his.

“Will you let me go? I won’t resist.”

Gu Beicheng chuckled lightly, silent, his fathomless eyes capturing her delicate face.

He breathed wildly, savoring her scent.

The room was dimly lit, but her beauty shone brilliantly.

Her exposed skin was as fair as fresh snow, radiating a porcelain fragility.

He didn’t dare touch her roughly.

“Ran Ran, are you afraid of me?”

“Ran Ran, don’t be afraid.”

The man loosened his grip on her wrists, intending to rise.

He was too impatient. His Ran Ran needed to be cherished in every way.

His current approach would only frighten her!

“Bei Bei, what are you saying? Why should I be afraid of you?”

Mu Ran freed her hands and, seizing the moment he tried to get up, grabbed his clothes and tugged him down forcefully.

“Hmm—”

Gu Beicheng pressed heavily onto Mu Ran, feeling the softness against his chest.