Chapter 73 — Her Relationship With Him

After the first season of the murder mystery variety show ended, Xu Yunshu invited the directors and all the guests out for dinner.

“Mu Ran and I won’t be joining. We have plans tonight,” Gu Beicheng announced, wrapping his arm around Mu Ran’s shoulders with unfiltered possessiveness, the air between them thick with undisguised intimacy.

“Mr. Cheng, what exactly is your relationship with Mu Ran?” Wei Xingran’s gaze flickered playfully from the hand resting on the woman’s shoulder to Mu Ran’s serene expression.

Everything about the two—their actions, their exchanges—spoke of a closeness far beyond the ordinary. And this male contestant, Cheng Beigu, was clearly more than just an enthusiastic amateur ski instructor appearing on the show. Every time Director Gao Minglang spoke to Cheng Beigu, he did so with a deference that hinted at hidden influence. The man was likely a concealed powerhouse.

Gu Beicheng, standing at a lofty 1.92 meters, easily towered over the wide-eyed Wei Xingran. He looked down, meeting the curious gaze with frosty indifference, his raspy voice edged with distance as he tightened his grip on Mu Ran’s shoulder. “Exactly the kind of relationship you’re imagining.”

Wei Xingran was momentarily at a loss for words, craning his neck to stare, clearly cowed by Gu Beicheng’s intimidating presence.

“You really are nosy,” came a laughing female voice from across the table.

Wei Xingran shook his head, snapping out of it, scratching his head with a sheepish grin. Indeed, he was being too inquisitive—they’d only just met Mu Ran, and his question was admittedly impolite. “Sorry, Mu Ran, I was just curious. You two seem very well matched.”

He jiggled his leg, voice dropping to a timid murmur. The aura emanating from both of them was cold, one colder than the other. He regretted his loose tongue, wishing he could escape right then.

“Shu, you all go ahead. I’m going to find Lanyan!” Catching sight of Xu Yunshu’s elegant approach, Wei Xingran breathed a sigh of relief and quickly made his exit.

“Mu Ran, are you really not coming tonight? So eager to go on a date with your boyfriend?” Xu Yunshu teased as Mu Ran was about to leave with Gu Beicheng.

“He’s not my boyfriend, we—” Mu Ran began with a smile, turning to Xu Yunshu.

But before she could finish, a sudden chill swept between the three. Both Mu Ran and Xu Yunshu instinctively looked at Gu Beicheng. As expected, his face had turned grim, a storm brewing in his dark eyes. “Excuse us, we have things to do,” he cut in, his voice low and impatient, dragging Mu Ran away without another word.

Xu Yunshu noticed how his gaze, cold as winter when it flicked to her, softened to a smoldering intensity when it rested on Mu Ran.

“Take care, Mu Ran!”

“Shu, we’ll definitely get together next time!” Mu Ran called back, waving in resignation.

The very next moment, Gu Beicheng’s large hand turned her head back to face him. “Mu Ran…”

“Yes?” Though Mu Ran had long legs, she struggled to keep up with his stride.

Gu Beicheng said nothing. Noticing her slowing pace, he simply released her hand and strode ahead in silence.

“Gu Beicheng, what are you angry about?” Mu Ran’s lips curved in amusement at his childish gesture. She understood why he was upset—she hadn’t even finished her sentence, and he’d already lost his temper.

Hearing the teasing lilt in her voice behind him, Gu Beicheng paused for a split second, sighed silently, pressed his lips together, and kept walking toward the parking lot without looking back.

Mu Ran stood, watching his retreating figure, her eyes bright with laughter as she softly counted, “Three, two, one—”

Sure enough, Gu Beicheng turned and strode back toward her.

A few seconds later, Mu Ran found herself enveloped in his masculine scent. She looked up, a smile on her lips, feigning innocence. “Why are you upset? I was just—”

Before she could finish, Gu Beicheng leaned in, his chiseled, handsome face drawing close, the fresh scent of mint teasing her senses. “Still talking about that? Hmm? We have nothing to do with each other?”

Without waiting for her reply, he bent down, scooped her up, and strode toward the parking lot.

In his arms, Mu Ran’s brows arched in surprise. She stared at his impassive face. “Bei Bei…”

“Don’t talk.” His deep voice was tinged with anger, but beneath it was unmistakable tenderness.

Mu Ran obediently nodded, wrapping her arms around his neck, her face pressed to his chest.

At the parking lot, Gu Beicheng opened the back door and gently placed her on the seat before climbing in himself.

“What are you doing?” Mu Ran braced her hands against his chest, trying to keep him at bay.

“We have nothing to do with each other?” His lips curved in a meaningful smile, though his dark eyes were devoid of warmth.

Suddenly, Mu Ran leaned up and brushed her lips against his tightly pressed mouth. “That’s not what I meant, darling. I hadn’t finished talking and you—”

“And I what?” The harshness in his expression softened, a trace of her gloss shimmering on his lips.

Mu Ran’s cheeks reddened. “You got angry.”

“I wasn’t angry.” He gathered her into his arms. “After all those kisses, you say we have nothing to do with each other? Heartless little thing.”

His hand cupped her chin, the other gently tapped her nose, a note of grievance in his doting tone.

“Of course we do, Bei Bei. Don’t be mad.” Mu Ran soothed him, her soft hands caressing his face.

“Come on, let’s go eat.” Gu Beicheng kissed her lightly, his arm wrapped protectively around her.

Just then, the car engine started.

Mu Ran blinked, staring wide-eyed at the driver, then turned to Gu Beicheng with a frown. “The driver’s been here this whole time?”

Gu Beicheng nodded silently, his large hand brushing her stray hair.

“You! Me! Hmph!” Mu Ran wriggled away, refusing to let him touch her. The driver had surely seen their tender display. Where was her dignity!

“Shy?” Gu Beicheng laughed heartily, his handsome face even more magnetic, the evening glow through the window painting him in irresistible light.

“Hmph!” Mu Ran huffed, burrowing back into his embrace, nuzzling his chest in adorable embarrassment, melting his heart.

“Bei Bei, where are we going?” she asked.

He stroked her hair, his gentle voice almost a caress. “To see two friends.”

“Oh.”

“What’s wrong, Ran Ran? If you don’t want to, we don’t have to.”

As Gu Beicheng gestured to the driver to change lanes, Mu Ran interrupted, “It’s fine.” His friends were all either wealthy heirs or business magnates—she was only worried that she wasn’t strong enough yet to stand by his side.

“Don’t overthink. Just be yourself, Ran Ran. Your future will shine bright.”

Mu Ran said nothing, burying her face in his chest.

Twenty minutes later, the car stopped in front of a luxury hotel. Gu Beicheng led Mu Ran into a private dining suite.

“Beicheng! At last, you’re letting us meet our sister-in-law!” Shen Mubai stubbed out his cigarette and greeted Mu Ran enthusiastically. “Hello, sister-in-law.”

Back when they’d filmed the variety show “Love’s Journey,” Shen Mubai had thought little of Mu Ran, dismissing her as an insignificant actress trying to seduce Gu Beicheng. He’d assumed the Gu family must be blinded to favor her.

But after thorough investigation and watching her performance on the show, he admitted he’d misjudged. Mu Ran’s character and aura were cut from the same mold as Gu Beicheng’s.

“Sister-in-law, I can’t believe it—you’re actually Mu Mu!” Among their group, skiing was a shared passion. Shen Mubai’s greatest admiration was reserved for the female skier Mu Mu. Who would have thought this minor celebrity was her?

Mu Ran sat beside Gu Beicheng, her hand held in his. She smiled gently at Shen Mubai. “Just a youthful hobby.”

“Haha, you say that, but you’re not exactly old! What about us three nearly-thirty-year-olds? Should we just give up?” Shen Mubai was clearly thrilled to meet his idol.

“Hey! Ayu, did you know Mu Ran was Mu Mu?” he nudged the silent Qin Yu, puzzled by his unusual reserve.

“Yes, I knew.” Qin Yu’s gaze swept over Mu Ran, a flicker of conflict in his eyes.

Noticing the odd tension, Gu Beicheng asked lightly, “Ayu, is something wrong?”

Qin Yu drew a deep breath, frowning at Gu Beicheng, then Mu Ran, his face troubled. After a moment’s silence, his hands clenched on the table, he finally spoke. “Mu Ran, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“What is it?” Mu Ran was puzzled. What could the Qin family’s CEO possibly need from her?

“My younger cousin, Qin Ruanruan, has been found, but…”

“But she has leukemia. Our whole family has done bone marrow matching, but none of us are compatible.”

The moment his words fell, the atmosphere in the room dropped several degrees.

Shen Mubai turned to Qin Yu, his smile frozen, lips twitching. He punched Qin Yu lightly. “You found Qin Ruanruan? When? And she has leukemia?”

Qin Yu said nothing, his gaze fixed on Mu Ran.

“Ayu, what are you getting at?” Gu Beicheng’s eyes turned icy, his voice cold as midwinter. If not for the woman at his side gripping his hand, he would have punched Qin Yu then and there.

“Bei Bei!” Mu Ran shook her head at Gu Beicheng.

“Mr. Qin, you want me to donate bone marrow for your sister, don’t you?”